Year 1983: I was a carpenter in Northeast China

The more Xu Wei and his brother talked, the more convinced they became that what they believed was right.

However, once she got home, she didn't dare say a word in front of Xu Dashan, who was smoking one cigarette after another.

Later, they found an opportunity to call Xu Dahong, who was actively cooking in the kitchen, outside before they poured out their analysis like beans spilling from a bamboo tube.

Yesterday, Xu Dahong was not only beaten by Zhao Fengying, but also slapped by Xu Dashan.

As a result, not only was her face swollen, but her eyes were also swollen from crying.

After hearing this, his face became even more ferocious and terrifying, and he said hatefully.

"It's not just the two of you who think so. Your grandma and I have thought so for a long time, but what can we do?"

Your second uncle absolutely refuses to believe it, insisting that the jinx has an account book and that the family couldn't possibly have saved that much money. Didn't you see how badly they fought yesterday? He's still siding with them!

Xu Wei said in a low voice, his voice filled with anguish, "Auntie, Uncle is being foolish, but we can't be foolish! Five hundred yuan is no small sum. Even if we can't get it all back, half would be fine!"

Xu Dahong cursed in frustration, "Well, what can we do? Now your second uncle is always threatening to throw money at me and send me back to the countryside. If I dare to provoke that jinx again, he won't tolerate me at all!"

The Lunar New Year is just a few days away. Let's wait until after the New Year to talk about it. Otherwise, if I'm really kicked out, I'll feel inferior to your uncle!

The two brothers sighed and groaned.

"That's the only way. If you're sent back, who knows how my uncle's family will laugh at you and talk about you."

"Yes, especially since you haven't gotten pregnant after all this time, Auntie."

This last sentence touched a raw nerve with Xu Dahong.

She clenched her fists, almost gritting her teeth as she asked, "Did you see Xu Li outside the store? Is she really pregnant?"

The two brothers exchanged a glance and said cautiously, "Selling goods behind the counter, it looks pretty much the same as usual."

"She's probably pregnant. You can't just make things up like that, can you?"

Xu Dahong was even angrier, more frustrated, and more depressed because she knew it was definitely true.

She suddenly beckoned to the two brothers with her finger, "Your aunt has treated you well all these years, hasn't she? There's something I need your help with, otherwise I'm so upset about this."

At first, Xu Wei and Xu Yong shook their heads vigorously, but they were eventually persuaded...

The next day was the 25th day of the twelfth lunar month.

In the morning, Xu Bei took the forest railway train to the city to deliver goods.

When they returned to the warehouse near the guesthouse this time, Fan Baoli was not there as he had been last time.

While greeting and exchanging pleasantries with the other person, Xu Bei observed the marks on his face and noticed that the dark circles under his eyes had faded considerably, but they were still visible.

Fan Baoli said with a smile, "Brother Xu, it's good that you're here today. I just wanted to let you know that I've changed my plans and am going back to my hometown for the Chinese New Year."

Xu Bei wasn't surprised at all. After all, people miss their families even more during holidays, and no one wants to stay in a foreign land if they can go home.

"It's great to be home for the Chinese New Year, Brother Fan. I'd like to wish you a Happy New Year in advance."

"Me too, wishing you a Happy New Year in advance." Fan Baoli smiled, perhaps because he was going back to his hometown for the New Year. "Let's get together again after the New Year, brothers."

Xu Bei felt that although they hadn't known each other for long, they got along quite well, so he laughed heartily and said, "Okay, then I'll look forward to having a good drink with you then."

"No problem, let's drink until we drop." Fan Baoli said with a smile, then his expression turned serious. "Brother Xu, I have to remind you, that old scarred guy is asking around about where you and your buddy work. Looks like he's looking for a chance to get revenge..."

Upon hearing this, Xu Bei raised an eyebrow slightly.

Even if Old Scar dug a hole to inquire, the fabricated guy who never existed would definitely not be found.

But he was different.

"Don't worry, Brother Fan. Even though I have a grudge against him, I'm not afraid of him."

Afterwards, when Xu Bei paid the bill and left with the money, he was even more careful than before to see if anyone was following him.

Only after he was completely sure that no one was following him did he go to the city's department store for one last big shopping spree.

When they came out again, they were carrying quite a lot of spoils.

Bulk sorghum candy, fruit candy, shrimp brittle, and White Rabbit milk candy, wrapped in rough butter paper and tied with hemp rope, felt heavy in the hand.

The box contained glutinous rice strips, shortbread, steamed rice cakes, and other pastries, as well as some tobacco and alcohol.

Afterwards, Xu Bei went to the seafood market.

In the forest area of ​​the 1980s, you can't buy fresh sea fish now, but you can find some fish that are frozen solid.

Some companies also give out frozen ribbonfish as a New Year's bonus.

Nowadays, almost every household has fried ribbonfish or braised ribbonfish on their New Year's dinner table.

It's a part of many people's memories of that era.

Xu Bei wasn't too keen on frozen fish and ribbonfish; he wanted to make the New Year's Eve dinner different and wanted to get some shrimp or seafood.

Unfortunately, due to poor transportation and inadequate freezing and preservation technology, it is very difficult to buy frozen shrimp in this remote forest area.

Even if they were available, ordinary people would find them very difficult to buy, and they would be extremely expensive.

In the end, Xu Bei bought some dried seafood.

Adding a little when making dumplings or stews is also an excellent way to enhance the flavor.

By the time we left the seafood restaurant again, it was already noon.

Xu Bei went to several places in the morning and was quite hungry from all the traveling.

If we take another hour's drive back to the forestry bureau for lunch, we'll definitely be past our hunger pangs by then.

So he simply found a privately owned snack bar nearby.

These days, besides state-run restaurants, some private businesses are also emerging, but their offerings are certainly not as comprehensive as those of state-run restaurants, which offer a full range of cooking methods.

Most of the food consists of steamed buns, noodles, dumplings, and some stir-fries, which can fully meet the needs of some people.

After entering this small eatery converted from a private house, Xu Bei didn't skimp on himself and ordered a bowl of noodles, along with a cold dish of stir-fried shredded potatoes and stir-fried kelp. Once the noodles were served, he began to enjoy them immensely.

Just as he was enjoying his meal, eating noodles and garlic with gusto, a slight sweat beading on his forehead, someone else opened the shop door, lifted the cotton curtain, and came in.

When Xu Bei saw that there were two people, one of whom was Old Scar, he paused in his chewing and thought to himself, "What a coincidence!"

The moment Old Scar saw Xu Bei, his eyes widened and his face immediately turned fierce.

"What a small world! I've been looking everywhere for you, and I've finally caught you red-handed!"

The man next to Old Scar was shorter, but not thin either, and he was also looking at Xu Bei with a hostile gaze.

Despite the two men's hostile intentions, Xu Bei showed no fear. Instead, he calmly picked up his bowl of noodles and took a sip of soup.

The snack bar owner was actually quite frightened, but fearing a fight might break out inside, he mustered his courage and said, "It's not easy running this small business. Can't you talk about it outside?"

"Alright, I'll give you face." Old Scar nodded towards the outside. "How about it? Dare to come out and spar with me?"

Xu Bei sneered, "What's there to be afraid of? Let's go."