Chapter 69

Dust flew as they traveled, and by the time they reached the food station, it was almost four o'clock. Goodness, there was a long queue at the food station entrance, with dozens or even hundreds of carts—horse-drawn, mule-drawn, donkey-drawn, and ox-drawn—forming a grand procession.

"Arrived late."

"There's nothing we can do about it."

Although Han Village's production team wasn't the farthest from the commune, they didn't have a telephone. Other production teams had telephones, and when something happened, a loudspeaker announcement would inform everyone. Unlike Han Village, where Li Dong had to ride his bicycle back to notify everyone.

This round trip took at least an hour, so it was normal to be late.

"We'll probably have to sleep here tonight."

"Sleep here?"

"It's normal. We often spend a night at the commune when delivering public grain."

Han Weijun and the others weren't too concerned. They glanced at the pigs from other production teams, which were all about the same size, weighing a bit over a hundred pounds. It was already good that they could grow to this size two months earlier than in previous years.

"Brother Weijun, I'll go check up front."

This was Li Dong's first time seeing such a large pig-selling team. The queue stretched for over a mile.

Inside the food station, it was bustling with activity. Li Dong observed a few old masters pinching and feeling the pigs, while several farmers watched nervously.

"Grade six."

"Grade six?"

The farmer beside him was disappointed. "Master, please take another look. My pig should be more than grade six."

Li Dong muttered, wondering what these grades meant. Someone nearby pointed to a sign. "It's written there. Can you read? Take a look."

"I can read."

"Really, it's there."

Li Dong looked and saw that live pigs were graded into twelve levels based on their meat yield. A hundred-pound live pig that yielded seventy-seven pounds of meat was grade one, with the highest price of 53.2 yuan.

For every two pounds less of meat yield per hundred pounds of live pig, the grade dropped by one level, and the price decreased by 1.4 yuan. The difference was quite significant.

A grade two pig yielded seventy-five pounds of meat, priced at 51.08 yuan. Calculating this way, the lowest grade twelve could only yield fifty-five pounds of meat, priced at 37.8 yuan per hundred pounds.

As for the grade six pig just now, it could only yield sixty-seven pounds of meat, priced at 46.2 yuan.

No wonder the farmer was trying to get a higher grade; it was a difference of a couple of yuan, enough for a month's worth of oil and salt.

Unfortunately, these inspectors were experienced butchers who could tell the meat yield with just a few touches and glances. It was almost impossible to get a grade adjustment.

"Ah."

"The live pigs this year aren't good."

"Yeah, we've brought over twenty or thirty pigs, and the highest is only grade four."

"In previous years, we'd get a few grade twos."

Li Dong thought to himself, with the internal organs removed, the meat yield would naturally be less. "Alright, I'll go for a walk. The smell here is really strong."

"Finally found you."

"What's up, Brother Weijun?"

Li Dong was just wandering around, planning to buy a pack of cigarettes from the supply cooperative and find a place to smoke.

"My dad is looking for you."

"Uncle Guofu has finished the meeting. Okay, I'll go over."

At the commune entrance, Han Guofu and the others had indeed come out. Li Dong quickly pulled his bicycle, supported by his long legs. "Uncle, the meeting is over. I'll take you back."

"Let's go to the food station first."

"Sure."

Li Dong nodded to Gao Weimin and a few others, but he didn't have time to chat.

"How are the pigs selling?"

"They're still in line. Brother Weijun estimates we'll have to wait until midnight."

Li Dong checked the time on his Shanghai-brand watch, which made Han Guofu's eyes almost pop out. This kid not only bought a bicycle but also a watch. He must have sold the house and squandered everything.

He'll have to ask him when they get back; this kid is really reckless.

"Uncle Guofu, I'll take you to the food station first, then I'll pick up Xiaojuan."

"Sure, tell your aunt I'll be here tonight, and bring some bedding over later."

No problem, that's easy. After dropping off Han Guofu, Li Dong turned his bicycle towards the elementary school.

"Hey, what are you doing here?"

Li Dong saw Huang Shengnan from a distance, squatting at the school gate. "You're here, good. I need to talk to you."

"What's up?"

"Something happened."

"Something happened?"

Li Dong looked puzzled. "Be more specific."

"A few speculators were caught and detained by the county authorities." Huang Shengnan whispered. "I also heard that selling vegetables is not allowed anymore."

"Didn't the Red Guards stop?"

Li Dong was puzzled and felt a bit nervous. "Weren't things quiet recently?"

"I'm not sure."

Huang Shengnan didn't know. "I came to tell you that the situation is tense. Don't go out; it's too dangerous."

"Thanks."

This was indeed a big deal. Li Dong thought, what's going on? If selling vegetables isn't allowed, the problem must be serious. This will make it difficult to sell the alarm clock he brought. This era is really dangerous.

"I'll go now."

"Don't go yet. Xiaojuan misses you. Let's go back first, and I'll ride you home later."

"This bike?"

"Bought it. Isn't it nice?"

Huang Shengnan was surprised. Bought it? He must have some connections.

When Xiaojuan got out of school, she was very happy to see Li Dong and Huang Shengnan. On the way back, Huang Shengnan sat on the back, and Xiaojuan sat on the front bar. After being trained by Han Guofu, the ride was quite smooth, making Li Dong a bit proud.

His cycling skills had improved significantly. When they got home, Li Dong said with a smile,

"Xiaojuan, steam some buns. Make more. Your aunt will stay for dinner."

"No need, no need. Just take me home."

"We'll have mutton stew tonight, with meatballs and vermicelli. What else do you want to eat?"

"Mutton?"

Huang Shengnan swallowed. She hadn't eaten meat recently. Well, a meal won't take much time.

Two iron pots were used. Huang Shengnan and Xiaojuan fanned the stove, while Li Dong did the cooking. The hot oil and spices created a delicious aroma that filled the air.

The whole village could smell it. Goodness, Li Dong's family was eating meat again. Many children's mouths watered, and their corn, sweet potatoes, and coarse grain buns suddenly didn't seem so appetizing.

"This is really fragrant."

"Of course. I heard the seasonings are from Shanghai. We'll ask Li Dong for some during the New Year to cook meat."

"Sure, sure. Cooking meat, it must be delicious."

It would be strange if it wasn't. Li Dong poured in the bone broth, and the copper pot finally had a use. Huang Shengnan gave Li Dong a thumbs up, impressed by his cooking skills.

The bone broth and hot pot broth were poured into the copper pot. Li Dong fanned the fire, making the charcoal burn hotter. The broth bubbled. "Alright, let's add the meat." At least two pounds of mutton and a large bowl of meatballs were added.

As for the vegetables and vermicelli, they were placed in a basin to be added later. The aroma of the hot pot made Huang Shengnan's mouth water, and Xiaojuan's nose twitched. The neighbors nearby were cursing, their appetites whetted.

Damn, it's so fragrant. The craving for food was intense, and they ate more coarse grains.

The children's mouths watered like waterfalls, and they looked at their parents, asking when they would eat meat. "We'll eat tomorrow. We'll stew wild boar meat."

"Damn, it's so fragrant."

"Boil, boil."

The room was warm, and the mutton was cooked. "Eat while it's hot, don't be shy."

"Is it spicy?"

"No problem."

"Xiaojuan, eat from the bone broth."

Li Dong and Huang Shengnan knew each other well. They scooped mutton and meatballs, savoring the hot and spicy flavors. It was truly satisfying and fragrant.

"Come, have a bun."

Spicy, hot, and fragrant, paired with white flour buns, it was a perfect meal.

The aroma filled the air, and Huang Shengnan couldn't resist eating four large buns, along with a lot of mutton and meatballs.

Xiaojuan watched in amazement. Li Dong was used to Huang Shengnan's appetite, which was no less than his own.

"Have some more."

More mutton and meatballs were added, and the bone broth became a mutton broth.

"Have a bowl of soup."

The hot mutton bone and vermicelli soup was incredibly comforting. Li Dong couldn't resist having two bowls himself.

After two more bowls of mutton soup, Huang Shengnan burped, and Xiaojuan was speechless.

"Auntie really eats a lot." Xiaojuan thought, she's as good as Dad. If a family had these two, they'd probably go bankrupt.

"Have some more. I'll add more vermicelli."

"No, no, I'm full. Burp." Huang Shengnan was a bit embarrassed, unable to resist the delicious food.

Huang Shengnan looked outside; it was almost dark. She got up to leave, and Li Dong offered to ride her home, but she declined, saying she'd walk to digest her meal.

"I'll take you out of the village."

"How is Xiaojuan recently?"

"She's okay. The little girl had some nightmares a few days ago."

"Is she better now?"

Li Dong, who often took care of Xiaojuan and gave her money, knew that the nightmares were related to her past. Since her mother abandoned her and her father drowned himself, she had been eating at different households, likely enduring a lot of hardship.

Now, with a new "Dad" who treated her well, she should be happy, but she had heard some rumors and felt like a burden. Li Dong's act of taking her to school had caused a stir, as Xiaojuan was the first girl in Han Village to attend school.

Girls didn't earn work points and were sent to school, eating rations without working, which led to some criticism. Xiaojuan was afraid that "Dad" wouldn't want her and had nightmares for a few days. Fortunately, Li Dong found that giving her money helped her sleep better.

Xiaojuan's occasional dream talk also made Li Dong laugh and cry, like building a house to help "Dad" get married.

"I saw Xiaojuan eat very little just now."

"She's always eaten little." Li Dong thought, what's wrong?

"Xiaojuan used to eat a lot."

Huang Shengnan said casually, but Li Dong thought more about it. Xiaojuan's time eating at different households must have been tough, and she might