Chapter 38: Grain Distribution

Xia Ning’an held little Tiantian and told her stories. She told the story of the Tortoise and the Hare, and the little girl listened with rapt attention, occasionally exclaiming and sighing, which was very cute. Fengfeng, having heard a good story, reluctantly went out to find his father.

Soon, Tong Dawei came back. He saw Fengfeng and knew something was up at home, so he hurried back to take a look. When he entered the courtyard and saw Xia Ning’an, he was a little surprised. He didn’t expect Xia Ning’an to come back so soon. He quickly put down his broom and politely said to her,

“Xia Tongzhi, you have time to come over today. Is there something you need?”

Xia Ning’an saw the owner come back and quickly stood up.

“Uncle, everyone at home loved the meat sauce you made today. I have an immature idea. I came over to discuss it with you.”

Tong Dawei washed his hands and motioned for Xia Ning’an to speak directly.

“I ate such delicious meat sauce. I want to ask you to process some meat sauce for me. I’ll give you a dime per bottle for processing fees. I’ll provide the materials and the place. Would you be willing to help me with this?”

Tong Dawei didn’t expect it to be this. He hesitated and said, “Xia Tongzhi, you know my current status…”

“Uncle, I can find a place. You just need to go there when you have time. I’ll take care of everything else.”

“If the place is no problem, I’ll go. It’s just that the quantity probably won’t be too much. Can I do 50 bottles a day?”

“Yes, yes. Uncle, write down the ingredients you need for me. I’ll go get them in the next two days.”

Tong Dawei turned around and went back to the house to write a list of materials for her.

Xia Ning’an took the list and put it away. Then, she unloaded the firewood from the car and left.

After she left, Tong Dawei’s wife looked at him with some worry.

Tong Dawei took his wife’s hand and said softly, “Don’t worry. This young comrade is genuinely helping us. I want to repay her. I’ll be careful. This way, I’ll have five yuan a day. I can buy you and the children a lot of things. We’ll be able to get through this winter better. Your body is all because of the cold in winter. Don’t save money. If we do it every day, we’ll have 150 yuan a month. Even the mayor doesn’t earn as much as me. You and the children should eat more nutritious food.”

“Yeah, when I earn money, I’ll make you a thick padded jacket. The children and I will help you. It’s quick to make 50 bottles.”

When they woke up in the morning, there was a layer of white frost on the ground. The weather was getting colder. Xia Ning’an put on her thermal underwear, took out a pair of fleece-lined leggings from the space, put on a floor-length skirt, paired it with a sweater, and added a scarf. Then, she went out with Lu Zecheng to the village committee.

Today was the day to distribute grain. If they hadn’t been delayed by growing mushrooms, they would have distributed the grain after handing in the grain every year.

Everyone didn’t have to work today. Everyone was excited. They had worked hard all year, wasn’t it all for this day?

Every household was looking forward to it. Many people had come to line up early.

Seeing Xia Ning’an dressed so beautifully, Lu Zecheng also dressed neatly and waited for Xia Ning’an to go out.

They went out together and walked towards the threshing ground. Most of the villagers saw Lu Zecheng after his recovery for the first time. They had heard that he was healed, but they could only believe it when they saw it with their own eyes.

Seeing them walking hand in hand, some people were amazed, some were envious, and some were jealous…

“Oh, Lu Da, you’re really healed.”

Lu Zecheng greeted the uncles, aunts, grandfathers, and grandmothers along the way. Zhang Dahua, who was in the crowd, looked at them with hatred but didn’t dare to go forward.

Xia Ninghao had come to line up early. They were just here to watch the excitement. Lu Zecheng helped his second brother push the cart from time to time.

When they arrived, the threshing ground was already packed with people. Everyone’s face was beaming with smiles.

“Line up! Come forward when you hear your name!” Li Aiguo held a gong and banged it a few times.

It took a few minutes for the noisy crowd to quiet down, but people still whispered to each other from time to time.

Those who were called out were all beaming with smiles, walking to the front with their heads held high, as if they were receiving a certificate instead of grain.

Those with more work points were naturally like this. After all, labor was the most glorious thing now. More grain meant that the family could eat their fill. Families who could eat their fill were the envy of everyone in the village.

Li Aiguo loudly read out the work points from the work point book. Xia Changhai and the keeper were responsible for distributing the corresponding grain based on the work points.

After receiving the grain, the families would sign or press their fingerprints on Xia Changhai’s book.

This was the first time Xia Ning’an had seen such a scene. She watched with great interest. She had only seen it in movies before. Now, she was experiencing it firsthand. She had to watch carefully. When she returned to the modern world, this would be material for her movies. Besides, she had actually participated in it, so the movie would be more realistic and touching.

In the modern world, old people loved to reminisce about this time and tell their younger generations how happy and carefree their childhood was. They would use this to teach their picky children to cherish food.

“An’an, should we move closer to the front?” Seeing Xia Ning’an watching with such enthusiasm, Lu Zecheng suggested.

Xia Ning’an felt her face flush a little. Did she look like a nosy child? She gave Lu Zecheng a coquettish look and replied, “No need.”

Lu Zecheng’s heart skipped a beat at that look. Even when An’an was glaring, she looked beautiful.

He loved how Xia Ning’an was different from other girls, especially when she was acting cute and coquettish. It gave him a sense of satisfaction.

Just as he was lost in thought, he heard a commotion in front of them.

They were passively pushed to the front by the crowd.

It turned out that two female educated youths were arguing.

The reason was that Li Zhiqing had stolen Zhang Zhiqing’s newly made padded jacket a few days ago. Zhang Zhiqing complained to the team leader. The team leader asked Li Zhiqing to compensate Zhang Zhiqing with a jacket. Li Zhiqing refused to compensate. The team leader decided that she should compensate Zhang Zhiqing with 20 yuan. Li Zhiqing refused, saying she didn’t have the money. The team leader said she could use work points to offset it. Now, Li Zhiqing was making a fuss again.

Li Zhiqing had been shrinking her neck in the crowd, afraid of being seen by Zhang Zhiqing and reminded of the work points. When she came today, she was still clinging to a glimmer of hope, thinking that Zhang Zhiqing had money and wouldn’t care about this little thing. As long as she didn’t bring it up, others would definitely forget.

As long as she didn’t provoke her, who would remember whether she paid back the money or not? After this grain distribution, when she remembered, she could find a way to shirk it. But she didn’t expect Zhang Zhiqing to come and demand it.

“Mengmeng, are you doing this on purpose? You took my grain. What am I supposed to do?”

Li Xue rushed out to stop it.

Zhang Mengmeng turned to her. “Isn’t it only right to pay back debts? If you don’t want to give me work points, then compensate me for the jacket! You were the one who refused to pay back the money or compensate for the jacket. What are you doing now, putting on this act for everyone to see?”

When this matter was brought up at the educated youth point, many people went to watch the commotion. During this time, the gossipy aunts and grandmothers in the village had already found out everything. Now, seeing Li Xue’s appearance, they all shook their heads, expressing their disapproval.

Li Xue’s face was particularly ugly. “But you took my grain. I’m going to starve to death.”