At the beginning, he took his seven younger siblings to join Yi Zhonghai.

Yi Zhongding didn't reply, and lowered his head to continue doing his own thing.

It's getting dark.

These days are not like later generations.

The night was as bright as day.

The light bulbs can be used as if they were free.

It's impossible to do anything when it's dark.

Seeing that Yan Bugui hadn't managed to gain any advantage, the people in the courtyard stopped trying to do so.

"Master Yi, how much did you pay for the materials for these wheels and bearings? How much would it cost if you made a pair?"

Someone in the courtyard asked.

Yi Zhongding looked up.

This man lived in the side room next to the Yi family's house. His name was Zhang Damin, and he worked at the paper mill.

This courtyard house has three courtyards: the front, middle, and back. The east and west wing rooms each have two side rooms.

He Yushui lived in the side room of the east wing, which was close to the central courtyard.

The Zhang family of three lived near the front yard.

There is also a toddler who is a little over two years old at home.

"The materials cost ten yuan, but you'll have to find someone else to do the processing. These few pairs of wheels are a congratulatory gift from the workshop foreman, who is considering the arrival of a new baby in my family."

"I wouldn't dare do private work at the factory every day. The factory doesn't allow it either. If I delay the country's production tasks, that would be a huge crime."

Yi Zhonghai said with a smile.

"That's right, that's right. I wouldn't dare trouble you. I can't afford the price for your skills. Well then, your brother just said the labor fee is two yuan."

"I'm going to buy some wheels. Would it be alright if your brother helped me with the work?"

Zhang Damin nodded in understanding, and then asked another question.

"If he agrees, I definitely have no problem with it."

Yi Zhonghai nodded.

"Brother Yi, how much would you charge for this bicycle frame, including materials and labor?"

Zhang Damin turned his head and asked.

"Brother Zhang, I'll give you five yuan. This is white pine, which is quite expensive. I suggest you use regular pine, which will only cost three yuan."

"Bearings can also be made of wood, which is cheaper than iron bearings. Oak or ash wood will do."

"With the addition of two pairs of wheels, it's actually not cheaper than buying a small bamboo cart from a store; it's just a bit more durable."

Yi Zhongding replied politely.

"I've already calculated that, but this thing can be kept for the next child to use, so it naturally has to be durable."

"Okay, I'll go ask about wheels tomorrow. If they're suitable, I'll buy them and ask you to make one for me."

Zhang Damin nodded and said.

"Alright, as you can all see, I wasn't planning on taking on any jobs, just making little things for my younger siblings."

"But we're neighbors, so if you ask me to do something, I'll definitely do it."

Yi Zhongding said generously.

"Thank you in advance."

Zhang Damin cupped his hands in greeting and smiled.

"polite."

Yi Zhongding waved his hand and smiled.

There were other people in the courtyard who were interested.

After listening to their conversation, neither of them said anything.

After all, when you think about it this way, it's definitely better to just buy a small bamboo cart, and you won't have to ask for favors.

New Year's Eve.

morning.

Yi Zhonghai held a bowl of corn porridge and drank it while turning it around.

This style looks authentic.

"His sister-in-law, I talked to Zhuzi the other day, and he and his sister are going to have New Year's Eve dinner with the family. He said he would be the head chef, so we can try his cooking."

"We invited the old lady from the backyard as usual. We celebrated together for the past two years, and it wouldn't be right not to invite her this year."

Yi Zhonghai put down his bowl and said calmly.

"Okay, I understand. Doesn't Zhuzi need to go to work today?"

Tan Xiulian nodded.

"He'll be back at noon."

"This is the first time we've had so many kids in our family. We don't know what they like to eat or drink during the New Year. Ask them later, especially the four younger ones. Dingya is sensible and doesn't want us to spend too much money."

"Take them to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy it, and while you're at it, also buy that Mickey Mouse milk candy; the salesperson saved some for us."

Yi Zhonghai responded first, then looked outside and said softly.

"You don't need to tell me that. I'm going to fry some fried dough sticks, fried dough twists, rice cakes, and meatballs for them as snacks, and also fry fish, meatballs, and crispy pork for dishes."

Tan Xiulian said with a smile.

"Wow, you've really gone all out. You must not have enough oil at home, right? Otherwise, you could have Zhu Zi buy some more. The restaurant where he learned his skills should have all of these today."

Yi Zhonghai just smiled jokingly when he heard this.

"There's enough oil, but I checked the oil tank. We have a lot of kids at home, so if we buy some, it might just be enough for a taste, not enough to satisfy our cravings."

Tan Xiulian frowned and said.

"Just a taste is enough. Fried food is considered 'heaty' and can cause internal heat if eaten in excess. It's not good for children to eat too much of it."

"Fry more meatballs, skewer them with chopsticks, and let them eat them like candied hawthorns. That would be so much fun."

As Yi Zhonghai spoke, he seemed to see that scene, and a smile unconsciously crept onto his lips.

"That's fine too. These past few days have been wonderful, like a dream. I'm afraid that one day I'll wake up and these children will be gone."

"It's the first time the children are spending the Lunar New Year at home, so we need to prepare plenty of good food and drinks for them so they can have a happy holiday."

Tan Xiulian nodded, her smile radiant.

"Don't overthink it. Just focus on your work. The children will grow up healthy and strong. We'll be taking care of our nephews and nieces in the future."

"I have a day off tomorrow, so let's go to the temple fair as a family. It'll be lively and fun."

Yi Zhonghai nodded heavily.

"That would be great."

"Come back early this afternoon so I can boil mugwort water in advance to bathe the children and change them into new clothes."

Tan Xiulian nodded with a smile.

"Okay, I'll try to come back as soon as possible. When Dingya comes back, let him go to the bathhouse for a bath first, so he can get clean in the morning."

Yi Zhonghai said with a smile.

"Okay, they should be back soon."

Tan Xiulian looked out the door and said.

Meanwhile, Yi Zhongding was at the post office collecting their pensions.

"Here you go, kid, it's forty yuan in total, postage included. Just count it, sign for it, and take it home."

A kind-looking middle-aged woman handed out a sum of money and a form through the window.

"Okay, thank you, Auntie. May I send a telegram later?"

As Yi Zhongding took the items, he asked a question.

"Where do we need to go?"

The woman asked without thinking.

"Office of the Party Committee and Government of Songluo Township, Shennongjia County, Hubei Province".

Yi Zhongding stated succinctly.

"Okay, child, write it down, but try to use as few words as possible."

The woman was kind-hearted; after taking back the form, she handed over a dispatch form.

Yi Zhongding quickly wrote a few words: "Peace be with your family, don't worry, have a good year, Zhongding."

Telegraphs are very expensive now.

Therefore, those who send telegrams have to rack their brains to express their meaning clearly and concisely.

"Addresses are free, five cents per word, understand?"

The older woman took the order and asked.

"Thank you, I saved it, here's forty cents."

Yi Zhongding handed the money through the window.

In those days, being able to send a telegram was already a pleasant surprise for him.

Forget about making a phone call.

The telephones were all hand-cranked, and each telephone was equipped with a dedicated operator.

Moreover, in those days, to make a long-distance call, you had to go to the telecommunications bureau and have an operator call you to the next bureau.

Then the next game is called... and so on, game after game.

If it's within the same province, it will take about 2 to 3 hours to get through.

Calls from other provinces or Beijing may take at least 6 hours to connect.

Needless to say, core cities like Beijing and Shanghai are also included.

It will take at least ten hours.

Moreover, if any link in the chain breaks down, you have to start all over again.

Last time, Yi Zhongding only received a call from his elder brother from the steel rolling mill the afternoon of the following day.

A large portion of that time was wasted on transfers.

Yi Zhonghai may have even made the call from the steel rolling mill that morning.

Song Luoxiang only received the call in the afternoon.

Even after connecting with the township head, he didn't dare hang up.

Otherwise, who knows when the call will be reconnected.

The woman took the money, clipped Yi Zhongding's telegram to her with an iron clip, and then transmitted the telegram to the telegraph room via a hand-cranked belt drive next to her seat.

Yi Zhongding put away the money and receipts, then left the post office and headed home.