Sheng Xiping couldn't very well ask for leave and say he was going hunting in the mountains to prepare a banquet for his younger brother, could he?

Besides, the vegetation is lush this season, and hunting in the mountains is troublesome and unreliable. What if we don't get anything? Sheng Xiping can't possibly keep asking for several days in a row, can he?

If you can't hunt for wild game, then you'll have to buy it.

For the Sheng family to produce a student from Peking University is like passing the imperial examination in ancient times—this is something to celebrate! Spending money is fine; we're happy to do it.

"Well, my brother told me that, so thank you, Uncle Zhou and Aunt Zhou, for causing you so much trouble."

Sheng Xikang accepted the hostage and said with great gratitude.

"Did you bring any money? If you don't have enough, I'll get you some. Tomorrow we'll use these meat coupons to buy as many as we can."

Wang Chunxiu realized that having tickets alone wasn't enough; she also needed money, so she quickly asked.

“I have money. My mom gave me a lot of money when I came here.”

"Besides, the bureau gave me a 300 yuan bonus at today's commendation meeting, which is more than enough." Sheng Xikang touched the pocket at his waist and nodded.

"That's good. Then tomorrow morning, your uncle and I will go with you to buy meat."

Wang Chunxiu and Zhou Mingyuan had some connections in Songjianghe, and with their influence, the grocery store would definitely give them more meat.

September 3rd happened to be a Sunday, and Wang Chunxiu and Zhou Mingyuan accompanied Sheng Xikang to the grocery store early in the morning.

Wang Chunxiu had arranged with them in advance that they would arrive early and buy the meat before the store opened, so as not to be seen by others and cause a bad impression.

The person in charge of the grocery store had a good relationship with Wang Chunxiu. Not only did he sell meat according to the quota of meat coupons, he also gave Sheng Xikang two pig heads and two strings of pig offal.

Although these items don't require tickets, they're not easy to find. Delicatessens usually order them in advance, making it difficult for outsiders to buy them.

This is only because of Wang Chunxiu's sake; otherwise, they wouldn't have given it to her.

Sheng Xikang understood the relationship between them, and after buying the meat, he specially gave the other party a pack of Phoenix cigarettes.

"Uncle, thank you so much. I've caused you a lot of trouble."

My brother brought these back from Shanghai; he said they're good cigarettes. Try some.

Phoenix cigarettes were a very famous and high-quality cigarette in those days. The other party was quite knowledgeable and was overjoyed at the sight of them.

"No trouble at all, Director Wang has helped me a lot."

Our daughter had a difficult childbirth. If it weren't for Director Wang personally performing the surgery, both the mother and child would have been in danger.

"From now on, if you want to buy meat, just come to me. I can't guarantee anything else, but I'll make sure you can get any size meat you need."

The other party was very polite and said with a smile.

Sheng Xikang and his group thanked the people, packed the meat, pig's head, and offal into sacks, carried them out, blocked a donkey jeep, and took them, including Sheng Xikang, to Sen Tie.

At the forest railway station, a car arranged in advance by the bureau was available. Sheng Xikang and Zhang Lingling got into the car together and returned to the forest farm.

After Sheng Xikang and his group got into the car, Zhou Mingyuan called the forest farm to notify the Sheng family to pick them up at the station.

It happened to be Sunday, and Sheng Yunfang, Sheng Yunfei, and Sheng Xitai were all at home.

The three arrived at the station ahead of time. As soon as the motorcycle arrived, Sheng Xitai rushed to get on the motorcycle and helped his second brother carry the sacks off. Then the four of them carried the meat home.

"Mom, I bought some meat. What do you think we should do with it? Do what needs to be done with it."

"Otherwise, it's too hot to keep it fresh." The four siblings entered the house, and Sheng Xikang called out to the east room.

Zhang Shuzhen was inside comforting her child when she heard her son's words and came out of the house carrying Sheng Xinyu.

"Wow, so much! What's in here? Is it all meat?"

Zhang Shuzhen stared in surprise at the huge bulging pile in the sack and asked.

"Not entirely. There wasn't much meat; the main items were two pig heads and two strings of offal."

Uncle Zhou and Aunt Zhou gave Tao Deng over twenty jin of meat coupons, and together with what we had at home, I bought all the meat.

"The butcher is familiar with Aunt Zhou, so he specially gave me the pig's head offal again," Sheng Xikang explained, wiping the sweat from his forehead.

"Mom, where should we put all this meat?"

"Let's put it in the big basin. We'll start cleaning up after lunch."

"Xikang, this afternoon you go to the farm headquarters to transfer your household registration and grain ration. While you're at it, tell Director Zheng and the others that we'll treat them to dinner tomorrow night."

Zhang Shuzhen pointed to several large basins on the shelf and said.

After the physical examination was passed, the Sheng family discussed the matter.

Sheng Xiping probably can't get leave from the work team, so he can't send Sheng Xikang to school in the capital. But Sheng Xikang hasn't been out much, so it's definitely not feasible for him to go to the capital alone.

So this time, Sheng Liancheng accompanied Sheng Xikang. They left a few days earlier, and on the way, they took a detour back to their hometown to visit.

One reason is that Sheng Liancheng hasn't been back to his hometown for many years, and he misses his parents.

On the other hand, three members of the family were admitted to universities, and Sheng Xikang was admitted to Peking University, which is a real honor for the family. They should at least go back to pay respects to the ancestors of the Sheng family.

This matter requires Sheng Liancheng to accompany me back.

Therefore, the Sheng family decided to immediately arrange a banquet as soon as the notice arrived, and then the father and son set off quickly.

In the past few days, Zhang Shuzhen has prepared all the clothes and luggage that Sheng Xikang will need for his trip.

I'll only bring the essentials; I won't bring the rest of the odds and ends from home. I'll buy them at school.

"Okay, I understand. I'll notify everyone this afternoon." Sheng Xikang nodded; he knew what to do.

The meat they bought was put into a large basin, and Sheng Xikang went to the river to fetch a vat of water.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!