"I just bought the ticket today, for 4 pm. I'm going back to pack my things. He didn't come home for Chinese New Year this year, so I'm going to go see him."
At four o'clock, before noon, Meng Fuyan immediately said, "Then come to my house before you go to the train station. I'll get some things for you to take to your second brother."
Lu Xingye immediately said, "Your second brother has everything he needs, just take good care of yourself."
Meng Fuyan refused, "I'm doing just fine! It's almost New Year's, I'm just bringing some gifts for my second brother as a token of my affection. You must bring them to me, eldest brother."
"Okay, whatever you want. I'll stop by your place this afternoon when I go to the train station."
Meng Fuyan started preparing things as soon as she got home. After so many days of the New Year holiday, all the things she had sent from Banqiao Brigade had arrived. At this time, she had plenty of things at home and didn't need to take anything from Kongjian.
I sent some food to Lu Erge during the Chinese New Year before, so I can bring more of the prepared food when Lu Xingye goes there this time.
After returning home, they immediately started making hot pot broth and then continued preparing dumpling filling, with Gu Tingzhi kneading the dough.
"Make more dumplings, and take some over to Brother Lu this afternoon."
Meng Yunji blinked. "Sister, are we sending them to Second Brother? How do we send the dumplings?"
"No, my eldest brother went to see my second brother this afternoon. His train is at four o'clock. I just ran into him and asked him to come over before he leaves this afternoon and give it to me."
Meng Yunji nodded, "Then we'll wrap up a lot more."
So, the two who were just about to stop made dumplings again, while Meng Fuyan cooked hot pot broth on the side. She had wanted to make some for Lu Erge for a long time, but she used too much oil. If she sent it to his workplace, it might be inspected, or his comrades might take it away. It wouldn't be good if too many people saw it, so she hadn't sent it yet.
This time, Lu Xingye went there in person. His own brother's luggage wouldn't be searched by others, so it wouldn't hurt to be a little extravagant.
The hot pot broth was simmering in one pot, while another pot was cooking salted pork and ribs. Most of the meat was fatty, with only a small portion being lean. In this era, people generally lacked oil and fat, so fatty meat was the most popular and desirable cut of meat. Even someone as well-off as Lu Xingci would still prefer fatty meat.
These were all pickled by Meng Fuyan beforehand. After cooking them, she would take them over. Whenever she wanted to eat them, she would cut off a piece, heat it up in a pot, and eat them. It was convenient and quick.
After finishing all that, I went to the stove to make braised beef.
Upon seeing the beef, Meng Yunji exclaimed in surprise, "Sister, you went and bought beef?"
At that time, even pork was hard to buy, let alone beef, which was even rarer.
During the Chinese New Year, Meng Fuyan made some braised beef. It was probably too delicious, because Meng Yunji, the little guy, ate half of it little by little as a snack. There isn't much left now.
This piece was originally from the spatial realm; Meng Fuyan made a special trip to the black market to retrieve it.
Meng Fuyan nodded, "I just bought it outside. Don't tell anyone when we go out. We always eat so much meat and fish; if others find out, they'll cause trouble."
Meng Yunji stared at the beef with bright eyes, grinning as she assured him, "Don't worry, I definitely won't tell."
Such good things should be kept secret and enjoyed at home; why would you publicize them everywhere?
Meng Fuyan closed all the doors and windows to avoid the strong fragrance attracting too much attention. She planned to open the doors and windows to ventilate the room when everyone was making lunch.
Gu Tingzhi was quite pleased to see that she had prepared so much food. Her skill in cooking showed that she could take good care of herself even when he wasn't around.
"I also have a piece of beef in my bag. Take it out and see if you want to cook it together?"
Meng Fuyan was taken aback. "In the bag?"
Gu Ting raised his chin, gesturing for her to look in the direction of the bag. Meng Fuyan looked over and saw a large, bulging package. She went over and rummaged through it, and was shocked!
"So much meat?"
Two strings of cured pork, a piece of fresh beef, about seven or eight pounds, a piece of tender mutton, about three pounds, then a lot of lamb chops, a large piece that hadn't been chopped up, then a large rooster that had been cleaned, and finally a piece of pork fat.
They were all wrapped in kraft paper and placed in a bag.
"There are sixty eggs in the small basket next to it!"
Meng Fuyan glanced at it and saw that there was indeed a small basket next to her. Unlike ordinary round baskets, it was a rectangular one that was quite deep and covered with a cloth. When she lifted it, she saw that it was indeed full of eggs.
"You brought all this stuff all the way from the capital?"
Gu Tingzhi nodded. "Some of them were brought from Kyoto, and some were bought when we got off the train in Shanghai. There's also a package in the main room with some clothes, shoes, and snacks prepared for you. Most of them were bought in Shanghai. Would you like to take a look?"
Meng Fuyan's eyes lit up, "I want it!"
Gu Tingzhi clapped his hands and got up to get it.
"It's a bit cold in the main room, I'll go get it."
The kitchen was warm with pots and stoves burning, but the main room was empty and cold.
The package was brought over, and Meng Fuyan opened it herself, while Meng Yunji also craned her neck to look.
The first and most eye-catching piece I brought out was a red fur coat. It was made of rabbit fur, with a Peter Pan collar, lantern sleeves, and a fluffy, bright red color that was exceptionally vibrant and a rare sight in this era.
Meng Yunji exclaimed, "Wow! So beautiful!"
Next up was a pair of white lambskin boots with thick, warm fur inside.
Meng Fuyan took off her cotton-padded jacket, put on her overcoat, and then her boots. Gu Tingzhi took out a white hat from his bag and put it on her. This outfit would not be out of style even decades later, let alone in the 1970s.
Meng Yunji was overjoyed, "So beautiful, sis, you're gorgeous!"
An eighteen-year-old girl is vibrant and beautiful; she looks even more stunning when she dresses up.
Meng Fuyan was also very happy, but after touching her clothes, she felt a little regretful.
"It really looks good, but it's just too good-looking. If I wear it out, people will probably be green with envy."
“The Meng family already attracts a lot of attention. If I go out wearing this outfit, the whole residential compound will come up to me and ask where I bought it.”
Gu Tingzhi looked straight at her and reached out to straighten her hat. "It's okay. If it's really not suitable, you can keep it at home or wear it when you go to work elsewhere. This dress is from the Shanghai Friendship Store. If you want it, just go and buy it yourself!"
As he spoke, he took out another cotton-padded jacket from his bag and handed it to Meng Yunji.
"Give it a try!"
Meng Yunji was stunned. "I have one too?"
"Of course there are. Your sister has them, so naturally she won't forget you. But you're a boy, so your clothes aren't as bright and shiny as your sister's. Yours are more common. The advantage is that you can wear them out casually, and when others see them, they'll just see that it's a new outfit, not as eye-catching as your sister's."
Meng Yunji didn't care; these days, having new clothes to wear is already a blessing.
I immediately took it and put it on; it was the perfect size.
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