After another drink, He Yongjun smiled and joked, "Brother, when you went to our place today, did you hear about Banghua's situation?"

Ye Zhiqiu laughed out loud and replied, "Haha, I actually heard about this! Sister-in-law, you're really something. You actually let Brother Banghua threaten your father like this!"

Mu Xiuying, who was eating chicken, said nonchalantly, "What's the big deal? My sister-in-law is just moving some things back to her parents' home. It's nothing for us to take a little! They are just jealous, so they are making fun of you, Brother Banghua."

Ma Banghua didn't feel embarrassed at all. He said with a smug look on his face: "Hehe, let them laugh at me if they want to. Anyway, I got a good deal. I also made an appointment with my father-in-law that next time we want to bring Tiehan back, we have to prepare some cigarettes and alcohol. Otherwise, it will be too comfortable for our family of three to stay alone.

And I have to talk to my dad about this next. If he wants to have a grandson as a grandfather, there's no way he can do that without bribing me, his son!"

Wang Xiaolan asked curiously, "What's going on with Banghua? Do you need a bribe to have a grandson?"

Sun Yulan explained to Wang Xiaolan with a smile, and Wang Xiaolan couldn't help laughing.

She said to Ye Tianya, "See? If you don't save more money, and your son learns Banghua's tricks, it will be difficult for you to have grandchildren to play with!"

Ye Tianya smiled and replied, "It's true that we need to save some money, but I think we should build an additional room. That way, after our daughter-in-law comes home, we can let our mother-in-law live here. That way, they won't have any reason to live outside!"

Unexpectedly, everyone thought this was a good idea. Ye Zhiqiu smiled but said nothing. Feng Xiaomei's job was not confirmed yet, and after it was confirmed, she would be allocated a house.

We'll see how things turn out. Actually, he's quite happy to live together. He likes a lively home, but it would be even better if he and Feng Xiaomei were together.

After all, it's more convenient for a young couple to live together, and they don't have to be too close to each other and have to avoid their family members.

After the meal, they didn't drink much wine and went to listen to the radio. Ye Bailu liked the two kids very much and ran to tease them.

Ye Zhiqiu and his friends drank slowly with fried peanuts. Ma Banghua and his friends came back by bicycle. It only took more than 20 minutes to ride back to the dormitory, so they were not in a hurry to go back.

Speaking of work after starting work, Ye Zhiqiu mentioned that he might have to go on a business trip after starting work.

Ma Banghua asked in surprise, "No, your brewery is also going out to deal with grain?"

Ye Zhiqiu nodded and said, "That's right. Our factory's food reserves are running low, and we're relying entirely on the food allocated according to the plan. But you should also know that the food allocated according to the plan is barely enough to feed the workers at noon.

So today I went to my uncle's house to wish him a happy new year. He informed me in advance that he might let me lead a team to Suixian after the new year. This time, we will form a joint team with the glass factory to coordinate a batch of grain transportation to Suixian.

It hasn't been coordinated yet, as many places have set up checkpoints to prevent food from leaving. It will only be possible if higher-ups help coordinate."

Ma Banghua nodded and said, "Textile Factory No. 1 also had this plan before the New Year, but we're planning to do it together with the Second Steel Rolling Mill. We'll use trains to ship supplies to Jiangxi, then exchange them with the units there for food and ship it back. I'm very likely to go there then. Unfortunately, with my family connections, the three northeastern provinces are actually the most suitable destination. However, they've also been hit by disasters and their production has been reduced. After so long of exporting grain, their stocks are not abundant now."

The three northeastern provinces are grain-producing areas, but only if there are no disasters. Last year, due to disasters, production was reduced, so there was little opportunity to coordinate grain supply there.

He Yongjun sighed, "When will this end?! Every time I hear about droughts, typhoons, or floods somewhere, my head starts to hurt! Since the second half of 1958, which has been two and a half years now, there have been natural disasters everywhere."

The most infuriating thing is that the false reporting of grain production is truly harmful! If we had known about the situation from the beginning, we could have purchased grain from abroad in advance. But there is no grain anymore, and purchasing from abroad would require time, negotiation, and transportation..."

Ye Zhiqiu sighed in his heart. They didn't know, but he did! Because it would take until the second half of next year to get through this difficult period, for grain production to recover, and for them to have enough food to eat again!

But he knew it was useless. Apart from taking care of his own family, he had no other choice.

Ye Tianya raised his glass and said, "Let's drink. We little people shouldn't worry too much. I just hope everyone is safe and healthy. Let the tall ones worry about the rest!"

"Uncle Ye is the one who sees things clearly. Come on, let's have a drink!"

"Yeah, if the sky falls, there are tall people to hold it up. Cheers!"

They drank until nine o'clock, and Ma Banghua and the others said goodbye. Wang Xiaolan carefully tidied the hats and scarves of the children they were carrying, as the children could not stand the cold wind.

After they rode away on their bicycles with their wives and children, Ye Zhiqiu closed the courtyard gate and returned to the living room to drink tea with Ye Tianya.

Wang Xiaolan went to wash the dishes, while Ye Wubing and Ye Bailu went back to their room to rest.

The father and son drank tea, and then Ye Tianya suddenly asked: "Son, didn't you go to your aunt's house today?"

Ye Zhiqiu was stunned for a moment, then stared at Ye Tianya with wide eyes!

Because this question was asked too suddenly, and Ye Tianya's calm tone shocked him greatly.

After a long silence, Ye Zhiqiu asked tentatively in a low voice, "Dad, are you drunk?"

Ye Tianya smiled, then handed a cigarette to Ye Zhiqiu. After lighting the cigarette, he took a deep breath. His entire face was covered in smoke, making it impossible to see his expression.

"Actually, I recognized Ye Dawu, but I didn't dare to acknowledge him. I wasn't sure of my own identity. Would I be turned into a capitalist's son of a bitch? That would disrupt our peaceful life, so I could only pretend not to know him.

This matter has been buried in my heart for a long time, and it makes me very uncomfortable. I really want to ask him if he has found your aunt's remains. I originally thought that this matter could only be kept in my heart, and there would never be a chance to verify it.

It wasn't until after you returned from military service that I saw the people who came to visit you. I was actually quite surprised to see their appearance; they looked so much like your grandmother. That's when I suspected your aunt wasn't dead, and that you had recognized them.

Although I don't know why you kept it a secret from me, I know you wouldn't harm us, so I didn't ask you about it. This time, Ye Dawu attended your grandfather's funeral, and you look a lot like your grandfather, and he even spoke to you. Plus, those two young people who came to see you look a lot like your grandmother, so I can't help but doubt all this!