Wang Fang sat casually at the table. "I sent Mom so many letters, but she didn't reply. I was really worried, so I came back to check on her." Looking at the three bowls of porridge, she turned to Wang Hong and said, "Didn't I tell you to make me a bowl of hot noodle soup? Why didn't you make it?"

Wang Dong slammed his chopsticks on the table and said, "Still eating hot soup noodles? Where are the regular noodles? Bring them out!"

Wang Fang was stunned and said incredulously, "Brother, what's wrong with you? I just ate a bowl of noodles, is it really that big of a deal? It's not like I have dragon liver or phoenix gall..."

Wang Hong tugged at Wang Fang's sleeve, signaling her sister to say less, and then advised Wang Dong, "Brother, why are you so angry? Eat quickly! It'll get cold soon."

Wang Fang pouted. She had been drinking the porridge for two months. She had originally wanted to come back for a nice meal, but in the end, she was still eating porridge. The three siblings finished eating in silence and put down their bowls and chopsticks. Wang Dong said without ceremony, "It's nothing. You should buy your tickets back tomorrow."

Wang Fang's eyes welled up with tears, and she choked out, "Brother, what do you mean? I can't even go home now, is that it?"

Wang Dong stood up and looked at you coldly, saying, "You've taken more than two hundred yuan from home, not counting the goods and coupons. We've done enough for you. Don't think we're doing so well; we're not even as well off as you! Didn't you ask about Qi Zhifang? She went to Heilongjiang in March to commit harassment and got caught red-handed. Now she's mining coal in Northeast China! Everyone in the family is stuck cleaning toilets because of her. We can't even earn enough to eat ourselves, let alone help you. Food rations are rationed; if you eat, we won't have anything to eat."

After saying that, he turned and left, stopping at the door and saying, "Just stay one night and then leave! Honghong and I aren't having an easy time either. In a few years, we might end up sleeping on the streets!" Then he left.

Tears streamed down Wang Fang's face as she pulled Wang Hong aside and said, "Hong, tell me, isn't this true?"

Wang Hong sighed and said, "It's true. This time, Mom has really dragged the whole family down with her. Sister, my brother and I are broke too. You've spent two-thirds of the money Uncle left us, so we can't help you anymore. Grandma has been separated from us by my aunt and uncle because of this, and she's still making paper boxes..."

Wang Fang interrupted Wang Hong, saying, "Stop talking, I know."

She turned and went back to her room, lying down on the bed. Wang Hong sighed and tidied up the table.

As night fell, Wang Fang went to Qi's mother's side room. By the dim candlelight, Qi's mother was pasting matchboxes. She looked up at Wang Fang, her lips pressed into a straight line, and she didn't say anything. Wang Fang sat down and said, "Grandma, I'm back."

Qi's mother nodded, and Wang Fang said with tears in her eyes, "Grandma, please show me a way! I really can't go on like this."

Qi's mother said slowly, "Didn't you want to shed your blood on that land? If you do as you wish, you still can't live like this..."

Wang Fang knelt down and sobbed, "Grandma, I was wrong. I really can't live in the countryside anymore. It's too hard. I can't take it anymore these past few years."

Qi's mother paused slightly and said, "There's no way..."

Wang Fang crawled a few steps on her knees, sobbing with tears streaming down her face, "Grandma..."

Qi's mother sighed and said, "The only way is for you to go to Wei Shuqing's current man. He's a cook with connections. Use your patriotism to threaten him into finding you a job."

Upon hearing this, Wang Fang's mind raced, rapidly processing the operational details...

Zhao Dahu, who was about to be tricked by Qi's mother and Wang Fang, was unaware of what was happening and was happily making spicy dried shrimp and tofu soup for his big fat son!

Today I snagged half a pound of dried shrimp from the cafeteria. I happily placed five soup bowls on the table, each containing half a teaspoon of lard, chopped green onions, cilantro, diced tofu, a teaspoon of dried shrimp, a teaspoon of chili oil, two teaspoons of soy sauce, a little salt and MSG, and then poured boiling water over them.

The aroma instantly filled the air, making everyone's mouths water. Zhao Aiguo came in with a steamed bun in each hand, and without waiting to scald it, he took a sip, only to be terrified by the heat. Zhao Dahu laughed heartily, "Slow down! Haven't you heard that you can't rush things? Especially not tofu soup!"

Zhao Aiguo chuckled and shouted, "Grandpa, Grandma, Mom, come and eat!"

"They're here, they're here..." Zhao's father, mother, and Wei Shuqing had just finished picking the green beans and eggplants from the base of the wall and washed their hands before coming in. Upon smelling the aroma, Zhao's father chuckled and said, "It's been a while since I've had this. So fresh!"

After everyone sat down, Zhao Aiguo, with a steamed bun in his mouth, went to the kitchen and distributed the steamed buns that had been brought over and put in a basket. After he finished distributing them, he sat down by the kang (a heated brick bed) and started slurping his drink.

This family's happy dinner stood in stark contrast to the Qi family's...