Year 1983: I was a carpenter in Northeast China

Xu Bei couldn't help but smile when he saw the girls he liked; he was unwilling to let them touch him.

"I don't need you. I can take it myself."

Zhou Qingwan insisted, "It's alright, Brother Xu. Give me this oil can."

In the 1980s, the supply of cooking oil for urban residents was usually rationed per person, regardless of whether they were adults or children, and the standards were basically the same.

Therefore, the combined monthly soybean oil consumption of Xu Bei, his mother, and his sister was just over one jin (approximately 500 grams), which was not heavy at all.

"Okay then. Be careful not to get it on yourself."

Zhou Qingwan knew how precious soybean oil was to every household, so she handled it carefully, afraid of accidentally doing something wrong with her good intentions. "Don't worry, it won't happen."

Xu Juan grabbed a bag containing fine grains and held it in her hand, watching the interaction between the two with a leisurely air, finding it pleasing to the eye no matter how she looked at it.

After the three of them entered the house together, Xu Bei told them to put their hands on the stove in the kitchen and then urged the two girls to wash their hands.

While Zhou Qingwan and Xu Juan were mixing warm water from the water tank and the kettle on the stove, Xu Bei carried a bag of coarse grains into the west room.

When he came out again, he washed his hands with the water they had used without any hesitation, then dried them with a towel that was drying nearby, before pouring the water from the enamel basin into the kitchen bucket.

Xu Juan, being the younger sister, took it for granted and didn't think anything of it, but Zhou Qingwan noticed and felt a little embarrassed.

However, no matter how perceptive Xu Bei was, he couldn't read minds, so how could he possibly guess everything the little girl was thinking?

After entering the east room, he glanced at the folding table beside the kang (a heated brick bed) containing his study books, test papers, dictionary, pencil case, and two stacks of printed photos. He immediately smiled and asked, "Little Zhou, have you seen the group photo and individual photos I took of you? What do you think?"

"I saw them, Brother Xu, you took very good photos." Zhou Qingwan praised without reservation. "I like both of them very much."

Xu Bei was secretly delighted and laughed heartily, "I'm glad you like it. I'll take more pictures for you next time."

Zhou Qingwan subconsciously avoided Xu Bei's somewhat intense gaze, "Let's wait for another opportunity."

After saying that, she looked up apologetically and said, "Brother Xu, I was so busy looking at the photos that I didn't have time to tell Xiao Juan yet, it's just that..."

"I'm sorry, this is my last day coming to your house. Because the Lunar New Year is coming soon, and my aunt's family has a lot of things to do, it's not convenient for me to come out every day."

Xu Bei had long anticipated this day, and immediately smiled and said, "Little Zhou, please don't feel embarrassed. With the Little New Year over, the New Year is even closer, and everyone is busy with washing, cleaning, and all sorts of other things."

Actually, even if you hadn't said it today, I would have suggested stopping the tutoring.

Although Xu Juan was somewhat disappointed, she was also very understanding and knew Zhou Qingwan's background. How could life be easy for someone living under someone else's roof?

"Sister Xiaowan, we've troubled you so much these past few days, coming all this way in this freezing weather to tutor me. We should be the ones feeling bad. How about we skip today and let my brother treat us to a meal at a state-run restaurant?"

Xu Bei mentally applauded his sister's perfectly natural suggestion, and outwardly echoed with a smile, "Yes, let's go get a meal together as a way of expressing our gratitude."

Zhou Qingwan quickly waved her hand in refusal, "No need! Really no need! I came here to review along the way anyway. If you keep being so polite, I'll leave now."

After saying that, she made a move to get up and leave.

As a result, Xu Juan affectionately grabbed his arm and pulled him down to sit.

"Don't go, Sister Xiaowan. Please!"

Xu Bei, of course, also wanted to try his best to keep the people here.

"Little Zhou, don't be in such a hurry. We're just discussing this. Since you don't want to go to the state-run restaurant, how about this?"

We'll just cook you a simple home-cooked meal as a way of expressing our gratitude. Otherwise, why would we let you help us for nothing? If you still disagree, then you don't consider us friends.

After a round of persuasion from the brother and sister, Zhou Qingwan finally couldn't refuse their earnest invitation and reluctantly agreed to stay for dinner.

Xu Juan didn't say anything openly, but when Xu Bei brought in pork, fish, and some stored vegetables from the cellar from the outer warehouse, and Zhou Qingwan went to the outer toilet, she hurriedly and anxiously spoke up.

"Brother, Mom isn't home either. Do you think the two of us can manage? Why don't you go to the grocery store on the street and buy some roast chicken or cooked food?"

Xu Bei smiled confidently, "Of course I can. But you don't need to. I can manage on my own. You just need to keep your sister Xiao Wan company. I'll show you what I can do. There will be fish and meat, and candied sweet potatoes too."

Xu Juan's eyes widened in surprise. "Brother, I only remember eating your scrambled eggs and stewed tofu. Now you're even trying candied sweet potatoes? Isn't that a bit too daring?"

"You little brat, do you even know what it means to be a hidden talent? Just wait and see how I prove it." Xu Bei saw Zhou Qingwan through the kitchen window covered with plastic sheeting, waved her away, and said, "Alright, your little sister Qingwan is coming inside soon. Hurry up and take the thawed frozen pears, frozen persimmons, and frozen crabapples inside."

Xu Juan could only respond with some skepticism, then carried the frozen fruit into the east room first.

As soon as Zhou Qingwan opened the kitchen door, she saw the tall and upright Xu Bei already working, his sweater sleeves rolled up, revealing his strong arms. A slight blush appeared on his face.

"Brother Xu, let me help you with something."

Xu Bei knew the girl was shy and blushed easily, so he didn't tease her anymore. "No need. Go inside and chat with my sister. When we need anything, I definitely won't be polite."

"Alright then. Be sure to call me if you need any help later."

Although Zhou Qingwan really wanted to help with the work, she could see Xu Bei's insistence.

In addition, she wasn't very good at cooking and was worried that she might do more harm than good and make a fool of herself.

Xu Bei finished some preparations in the kitchen, and the meat in the water thawed a bit.

He first sliced ​​the pork belly into thin slices, preparing to make a dish of sauerkraut and pork belly that many locals can't live without in winter.

Afterwards, I took out a head of pickled cabbage from the large vat of pickled cabbage at home, sliced ​​it into thin strips, rinsed it twice in cold water, squeezed out the water, and set it aside.

Pour soybean oil into the large iron wok on the stove. After the oil is hot and slightly smoking, Xu Bei put the sliced ​​meat into the wok and stir-fry it.

The aroma of meat instantly filled the small kitchen.

Once the edges of the meat slices curled up slightly and turned a golden brown, he added scallions and ginger to sauté until fragrant, then poured in the chopped pickled cabbage and stir-fried over high heat.

The tangy flavor of the pickled cabbage perfectly neutralized the greasiness of the pork belly. Finally, two ladles of hot water were added, the pot was covered with a gleaming lid, and it simmered away.

While the stew was cooking, Xu Bei quickly started frying the chunks of sweet potato.

Although Zhou Qingwan and Xu Juan were chatting in the room, they were also keeping an eye on what was happening in the kitchen.

As various aromas and the sounds of frying and cooking wafted into the house, they shared their thoughts.

"I never knew Brother Xu was such a good cook."

"Sister Xiaowan, to be honest, I didn't expect this either."