Zhao Dahu quickly went over, picked up the child, and patted his head. "If you miss us, come back with us for a couple of days?"

Zhao Aiguo struggled to get down and, without turning his head, burrowed into his mother's arms, saying, "No, I want to stay with my grandparents!"

Mr. and Mrs. Zhao smiled broadly, "Okay, okay, we'll stay here with Grandma!" "Okay, we'll stay here with Grandpa."

Wei Shuqing watched this scene helplessly. She couldn't take her son back. Then she took out the yarn and said, "Mom and Dad, I got some yarn coupons from someone. Do you want me to knit it and bring it back, or do you want me to knit it yourself?"

Zhao's mother hurried over and said, "This color is really nice. Let's split it in half. Your father and I will knit our own sweaters."

Wei Shuqing exclaimed "Oh!", took out the string, and looked at the three generations of grandfather and grandson having fun. The two smiled at each other.

The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law brought out the food: a large pot of catfish stew with eggplant and tofu, and steamed buns made from a mixture of wheat and water. Even so, it was much better than what most people ate. The group ate happily around the table.

It must be said that Mr. and Mrs. Zhao have a knack for educating their children. Aiguo has been taught to be very upright and kind, and Wei Shuqing is very confident in them taking care of the children.

After the meal, Wei Shuqing stopped everyone and took charge of cleaning up the mess herself. Zhao's mother sat on the kang (a heated brick bed) holding Aiguo, humming a lullaby. Aiguo was already sleeping soundly.

"I heard that food will be even more scarce next year, and people are starving to death in some places. Your family should always keep some food on hand," Zhao's father chatted with Zhao Dahu.

Zhao Dahu nodded. "My place isn't a standalone building, so it's not safe to leave things there. I've discussed it with Shuqing, and we'll keep the food coupons here from now on, and we'll collect them together. We usually eat at the canteen, so we don't need to keep too many at home. I'll also go to the pigeon market to exchange some for future use."

Zhao's father nodded, "Be careful." Just then, Wei Shuqing returned, and Zhao Dahu said, "Give the food coupons to Mom!"

Wei Shuqing responded with an "oh," and took out the grain coupons they had saved from her pocket, giving them to Zhao's mother. Zhao's mother gestured for them to be placed over there, as she couldn't carry them while holding the child. She whispered, "You should keep some, okay?"

Zhao Dahu said, "We'll come back to get it if we need it; we'll keep everything in the same place." Both Zhao Dahu and his son are cooks, and they usually eat in the canteen. They have to bring their meals back, so they don't get to eat their own food very often.

Mother Zhao nodded and said, "I'll watch you exchange all the grain. We have about a thousand catties of grain and over two hundred catties of grain coupons. Don't worry, we have enough grain, and we even have noodles!"

Wei Shuqing felt relieved this time and chatted with them again. When they were about to leave, Zhao's mother gave them ten cans of fish, five cans of luncheon meat, and two kilograms of noodles.

Zhao Dahu took one look and said, "Hey! This is good. I haven't had canned fish in tomato sauce in a long time. I've been craving it."

Wei Shuqing obediently said, "Thank you, Mom!"

The two rode their bicycles back home. Zhao Dahu locked the canned food container. There were less than ten pounds of grains, including both refined and coarse grains, and about ten eggs. Zhao Dahu had a plan in mind.

Turning back to Wei Shuqing, I said, "Let's go deliver some New Year's gifts to Mother and my eldest brother tomorrow!"

Wei Shuqing thought for a moment and said, "Forget it, there are too many people around. You can take the things to the light bulb factory for your older brother tomorrow. Just let him take them back." After thinking for a while, she took out ten catties of grain coupons, twenty yuan, some sugar cubes, and a catty of brown sugar. Zhao Dahu packed eight cans of meat, two cans of fish, and four catties of noodles.

Zhao Dahu hugged Wei Shuqing and said, "Shuqing, will you be angry if I don't take you home for the New Year?"

Wei Shuqing gently patted him. "My brother and his dozen or so friends will be safe going back together. It's too dangerous for just the two of us." Zhao Dahu chuckled. His wife was the best.

His hands started acting up again, and Wei Shuqing let him be. Early in the morning, while Wei Shuqing was still sound asleep, Zhao Dahu took his things and went out.