Wearing a hat and scarf, with a large bag on the back of his bicycle, Zhao Dahu waited early at the entrance of the light bulb factory, pacing back and forth, watching the people coming out. Before long, Wei Xigun came out with about a dozen fellow villagers, carrying luggage and large bundles, chatting and laughing.

After receiving their benefits yesterday, they had to work the night shift before they could go home. So, early this morning, a dozen or so young men walked together. When they reached the door, Wei Xigun saw Zhao Dahu say something to his companions, then quickly went over, "Brother-in-law, what brings you here?"

Zhao Dahu pulled Wei Xigun aside and whispered, "Brother, it's not safe on the road now, so Shuqing and I won't be going back. This is a New Year's gift for Mother and you. Put your luggage in this bag. Be careful on the road."

Wei Xigun immediately shook his head. With food so scarce, he knew there was a lot of stuff in the bag. "It's good that you care. Mother and we are doing well, so don't worry." He was about to leave when Zhao Dahu stopped him without giving him a chance to say more. Zhao Dahu directly put his bundle into the bag and stuffed the food coupons and money into his pocket.

"Have a safe journey! Please give our regards to Mom and my sister-in-law!" With that, he got on his bicycle and rode away.

Wei Xigun stood there dumbfounded, clutching the large bag in his arms. His companion came up and said, "Xigun, your brother-in-law is good! He's a good match! Shuqing has finally found a good family."

Wei Xigun smiled, deeply moved and feeling quite proud. This was a New Year's gift from his brother-in-law in the city; if the timing weren't so inappropriate, he would have liked to show it off. The large bag felt heavy in his hands, containing quite a lot of items, and they even gave him money and food coupons. Although he didn't say anything, the smile on his face betrayed him. He went back with his companions by car, only to find that the gifts were all valuable. They quickly put them away, and the family remarked that Wei Shuqing had finally made it. In previous years, they had scrimped and saved to send gifts to the Qi family, but they hadn't even given them a second glance and had never eaten a meal at their house.

Meanwhile, Zhao Dahu hurriedly arrived at the cannery to find Lao Wu. Lao Wu was drinking tea from a large tea mug when he heard Zhao Dahu say he wanted to buy two cases of canned food. Lao Wu put down his tea mug and said, "Lao Zhao, how about I give you ten cases of canned food?"

Zhao Dahu chuckled, "You can't expect something for nothing. When did you, Lao Wu, become so generous?"

Old Wu glared at him and said, "Do you dare to take it or not!"

Zhao Dahu quickly stepped forward and sat down. "As long as you dare to give it to me, Lao Wu, I dare to take it! What's there to be afraid of!"

Old Wu pursed his lips, "Then it's settled." He immediately beamed and picked up the phone, shaking it rapidly, "Connect me to the factory manager's office!"

Then, clearing his throat, he said obsequiously, "Factory manager, we've found the chef to cook for the New Year's banquet! Don't worry about that. Money? No need for that, just give him two cases of canned food! Oh, I know it can't be just two cases, but don't worry, his skills are absolutely top-notch. Alright, just you wait and see!"

He put down the phone, glanced at Zhao Dahu, and immediately wrote a note and handed it over: "Come to our office tomorrow, at noon and in the evening. There will be a banquet, about thirty tables. Here, here, here! This is your payment!"

Zhao Dahu took the approval slip without a care and readily agreed, saying that he would add some extra food for Lao Wu later. The two of them smiled knowingly.

Zhao Dahu quickly tied the things to the bicycle and pedaled furiously. In these times, famine was already quite severe, and the things on the bicycle could save lives. He didn't care about others, but his wife and son couldn't go without meat. Zhao Aiguo was now fair and tender, which was the perfect time to play with, and his wife was also getting fuller and had the perfect feel to touch. They absolutely couldn't let her get thin.

When they arrived at the old house, they knocked on the door and called for their parents. Zhao's father quickly opened the door and saw that Zhao Dahu had brought in so many things. He hurriedly helped, and when he closed the door, he looked around to make sure no one was outside, then pulled his head back and locked the door.

He whispered, "Why did you take so much?"

Zhao Dahu whispered, "Old Wu asked me to prepare a banquet for the 29th, and he's giving me these as gifts. Hurry up and ask my mom for the cellar key!"

At this moment, Zhao's mother came out and, as if on cue, quickly took the key and opened the cellar. The father and son carried it out in two trips. After they came out and went into the house, Zhao Dahu whispered, "Mom, don't go to buy grain lately. Just tell me what you need and I'll buy it. Today I saw people fighting and snatching food outside."

Zhao's mother smoothed her hair, a solemn expression on her face, and nodded, saying, "I'll keep the food coupons for now. We have enough to eat at home. We'll talk about it later."

Mr. Zhao put his hands on his hips, nodded solemnly, and said, "Okay, let's eat first. From now on, when I go to work, I'll lock the door from the outside, and you should lock the door from the inside too, and prop it up with a piece of wood. Otherwise, I won't feel at ease leaving you, an old woman, alone with the child at home."

The family of three still felt lingering fear when they talked about it, after all, Zhao Dahu was injured at that time. Zhao's mother nodded repeatedly and said, "Lock...lock...it must be locked. The yard is big enough, and the child has a place to run around, so he won't get bored. Don't worry, I won't go anywhere."

He hurriedly went to the kitchen to cook porridge, heated up seven or eight cornbread buns, steamed an egg custard for Zhao Aiguo, and they all sat in the pot together.

After Zhao's father and Zhao Dahu entered the house, they woke Zhao Aiguo up and put the warm clothes that were steaming on the fire wall on the little guy's body. Zhao's father sighed, "My eldest grandson! I'm not afraid of anything else, but what if someone takes a fancy to him and snatches him away? How am I supposed to live then!"

Zhao Dahu patted Zhao Aiguo on the shoulder. He was truly handsome, like a silver doll from a New Year's painting. After helping Zhao Aiguo wash up, he patted his father's shoulder and said, "It's alright, our house is safe. I'll see if I can find a dog to bring back." Just then, Zhao's mother called out, "Come quickly and bring the food!"

Zhao Dahu strode out the door, carrying a bowl of millet porridge, seven steamed buns, a sugar triangle, leftover stew from last night, a plate of pickled vegetables, chili oil, and sesame oil. No wonder the Zhao family members are all strong and healthy; this kind of food is enough for more than 70% of them.

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