Reborn in 1981, the first to get rich start with dairy cows.

Besides fried meatballs, there are also fried crispy pork, fried tofu, and fried ribbonfish.

After the meatballs were fried, the remaining oil was used to fry crispy pork and other dishes. However, this time there were no chili powder or other spices like those in later generations. The main ingredients were homemade chili powder and store-bought thirteen-spice powder.

The village's stone mills are extremely busy around the end of the year, grinding chili peppers, flour, and soybeans one after another.

Shen Dong waited in line for a while before it was his turn. He took out the soybeans and started pushing them around with Shen Changping.

Ground soybeans can be used to make tofu or soy milk; they have many uses.

By the time the grandfather and grandson got home, the last of the fried food was ready.

Liu Xiuying was pouring oil from the pan into a bowl. The oil, clear and bright, was full of various aromas. She planned to use it to stir-fry dishes after the New Year, as it would be incredibly fragrant.

By the time he finished all that work, it was already evening. Standing in the yard, Shen Dong could still see the sunset in the distance, with half of the sun peeking out from between the bare branches.

After frying the food, the next step is to steam the buns.

Because of Shen Dong, the family has an exceptionally large supply of flour this year. Besides the flour given to Shen Die and Shen Lan, there is still a lot left.

But the qualities of hard work and frugality are ingrained in Liu Xiuying's bones. Even if there is plenty of food left at home, she still can't bear to use it all to make white flour steamed buns.

It's not bad, though, as they still left half of the white flour portion.

Shen Dong couldn't do the kneading and fermentation work, so he sat in the yard chatting with his two uncles who had just returned home.

After chatting for a while, the kitchen became steamy, with large plumes of white mist drifting out.

Shen Weiguo took the lead, with Shen Dong following behind.

A steamer of large, white steamed buns had just come out of the steamer. Hu Aiping added red dots to them, symbolizing a prosperous and thriving future.

While the steamed buns were being made, Shen Nan, Shen Min, and the others were also busy making flower rolls, sugar buns, and red bean buns—these were the delicacies they could only afford to eat during the New Year.

When it was time for dinner, Shen Xing and Shen Hui returned, their pants and such were filthy. They quickly washed their hands and went to get some steamed buns to eat.

"Slow down, don't burn yourself!"

Just as Shen Xing was about to open the steamer, Tang Yue quickly grabbed his hand.

The steamer will be full of steam, and you could get burned if you're not careful. Children are clumsy, so you have to be careful.

"Mom, hurry up and get me one, I'm starving!" Shen Xing rubbed her stomach, a little dissatisfied.

"All you do is play. Look, your sister is making steamed buns, why don't you learn from her?"

"That's right, that's right!" Shen Hong laughed and made a face.

Shen Xing snorted, took the steamed bun, and said, "Take another one; one isn't enough!"

Tang Yue had no choice but to get him another one.

"Mother, I want the white flour one!"

"Eat this! It's not even New Year's yet, and you're already eating all the white flour!"

Tang Yuecai didn't spoil her son, so she also gave two to Shen Hui.

In those days, rural children were tough and their parents didn't spoil them. They would beat or scold them when necessary, unlike in later generations when children were treasures and treated like precious gems.

The two boys chuckled and dashed off like the wind.

"Hey dog, look at the steamed buns I made..."

The freshly steamed buns are soft and fluffy, and they taste especially good with these pickles. Plus, they're made with white flour, so they're incredibly fragrant.

The adults eat the same things; we haven't finished our work this year yet, so everyone just makes do with what we have.

Seeing that Shen Changping and Liu Xiuying were reluctant to eat white flour, Shen Dong specially took one for each of them.

"Don't take it, this tastes the same. Neither you nor I are used to the white flour kind." Liu Xiuying pressed Shen Dong's hand down.

Shen Dong didn't believe it at all, and said with a smile, "Eat up, it's delicious, there's still plenty left in the pot!"

While they were having dinner, the steamers were busy at work, piling steaming buns into a vat after they were steamed.

It wasn't until evening that the last cage was finished; the jar was piled high with some leftovers in a basin.

The portion size was reassuring. Shen Dong estimated that there were enough pastries to feed his family for the entire Lunar New Year.

Just then, Tao Guiping knocked on the door and came in, carrying some things in her hands.

It was already evening, and Shen Dong couldn't see what she was carrying.

"Factory manager, auntie, grandpa, grandma, these are dried fish that my family made. We made quite a lot this year, and my mother asked me to bring some over." Tao Guiping smiled and held up the dried fish, handing it over with a beaming smile.

Shen Dong was also somewhat surprised, but he accepted it.

"You made a lot?"

"That's right, my mother said that the factory manager is a benefactor, and we don't have much to offer him, but the dried fish is something we made ourselves, so it's the perfect gift for him."

"Xiaohua, how are your family members?" Liu Xiuying asked casually, looking at the unfortunate child in front of her.

"It's great. The factory gave us a lot of supplies this year, and I prepared some as well. This year's New Year is much better than before."

Although Tao Guiping is only 14 years old, she has become very generous in her personality after working in the factory for so many days.

Shen Min and she used to be classmates. Although they hadn't played together much in the past two years, they were still from the same production team, so they weren't strangers. She walked over and asked in a charming manner.

"Xiaohua, do you still have any sunflower seeds? I'd like to buy some."

"Yes, I'll get you some!"

Shen Min waved her hand, "No need, I'll come to your house to get it!"

Tao Guiping said goodbye to everyone and left. After she left, Hu Aiping sighed and said, "That child is so strong-willed. She's so small, yet she stood on a stool to serve food without any fear. She's really fierce."

Shen Changping remained silent for a while before suddenly speaking, "Dongzi, if the team encounters any difficulties in the future, help out if you can."

Just as Shen Dong was about to agree, Liu Xiuying said, "That depends on who it is. Can Ai Hui's two kids help?"

He then said, "Don't listen to your grandpa. We'll help where we should, and we won't be a good Samaritan if we shouldn't. Everyone has their own life to live, and nobody owes anyone anything."

Shen Dong didn't know why his grandmother suddenly got so angry, but he agreed to her request.

When Shen Dong walked back, the alley was still filled with delicious aromas.

"Brother, I feel like the festive atmosphere is stronger this year than before. I just went for a walk and every household was preparing food."

"Yes, a family that accumulates good deeds will surely have abundant blessings. We have all come from hard times, and things will only get better from now on."

The brother and sister walked home under the moonlight.

Meanwhile, dozens of miles away in the Unity Brigade, things were in complete chaos.

*Clang!*

"Second brother's wife, what exactly do you mean? What are you trying to do?!" Sun Aimei looked at the washbasin that had been smashed on the ground and questioned it aggressively.

Shen Lan turned her head away and ignored her.

Sun Aimei turned her face towards him, "Second son, what's wrong with what your sister-in-law said? Look at your son, he just throws things around, what kind of behavior is that!"

Li Xiaoliang looked up at the people in the room and saw his own father, mother, younger brother, and older brother all glaring at him angrily. He felt a deep sadness and resentment and wanted to take his wife and children and leave.

But he can't!

If he actually did it, he would carry the name of "unfilial piety" for the rest of his life.

Even if it's clearly the fault of the whole family.

"Dad, Mom, I...I think Shen Lan did nothing wrong. The New Year's goods at home were a gift from my nephew, so she has the right to use them. Besides, she's already taken half of them, which is quite a lot!"

"Is that enough? How many people are in our family? One bite of meat per person, how much is that?!" Sun Aimei took the meat as soon as Li Xiaoliang finished speaking.

The sharp voice came straight at them!