"Dad, you're back? Why did you get off work so early today?"
"I didn't go to work this afternoon. I went to the commune for the summer harvest mobilization meeting. I even went to the station to see you. I didn't expect you to be back so early."
"School let out early today, and Mom hasn't come home yet. Dad, go to Wangjia Village and pick her up."
"Okay, put the meat in the well to cool it down. I was lucky today and bought half a pound of meat. I'm going to pick up your mother now."
After saying that, he rode his bike out of the yard.
The family's bicycle was bought two years ago by Liu's father, who exchanged money for tickets on the black market. The total cost, including the money, was two hundred yuan. It was a 28-bar bike. Xuemei and Qingya were tall enough this year, so they planned to ask Liu's father to teach them how to ride during the summer vacation. The well in the family yard was opened at the beginning of this spring, so they could eat meat in the summer and wash clothes in the winter.
…
"Mom, this is the white sugar I bought with the sugar coupons I exchanged with Luo Yao today. I'll soak some mung beans later and make some mung bean soup tomorrow."
"Okay, I'll go get some later. I'll give you whatever it costs."
"Mom, that's not necessary. I bought something nice for you and Qingya. Mom, this is for you." Xuemei handed the yellow hairband to Liu's mother.
"Qingya, come here quickly, this is for you. Turn around and I'll braid your hair again."
"Big sister, this red hairband is so beautiful, I like it so much, thank you big sister."
"This is new stuff from Hai City."
"Xuemei, why don't you buy a pair for yourself?" asked Liu's mother.
"Mom, I don't even need to tie my hair up anymore." Xuemei complained about the difficulty of washing her hair at school during the summer. Showers cost ten cents a time and lasted ten minutes. Xuemei's hair was thick and coarse, so washing it took at least seven or eight minutes each time. A few days ago, she sold her hair and got a student-style haircut.
Feifei pushed Ruirui, and Ruirui walked up to Xuemei.
"Sister, didn't you buy anything for me and my brother?"
"Your father doesn't have it either." Father Liu said sourly.
"You three all like sweet things, didn't I buy sugar?"
"Sister, the whole family soaks sugar in water and drinks it together. My second sister and mother both have hairbands that you bought specially for them." Feifei said aggrievedly.
"Just drink some sugar in water, and you're still being picky. Xuemei, don't spoil them."
"Okay, okay, I won't tease you two anymore. I also bought some White Rabbit candies. You and Ruirui each have two, come and get them."
Ruirui and Feifei ran to Xuemei happily when they heard it.
Xuemei gave one candy to Liu's mother and two to Qingya, then handed one to Liu's father and whispered to him:
"Dad, when you have time, go get some wine and I'll make you some plum wine." After hearing this, Father Liu winked at Xuemei secretly.
"Xuemei, why did you buy so many candies at once? This will cost a lot of money. I'll give you some money."
"Mom, no, this is a reward for the three of them for their progress in the last midterm exam. I promised them that. By the way, Mom, do you have any chopped chili peppers at home? Yaoyao said that I can just exchange a can of chopped chili peppers for sugar tickets."
"Is one can missing a few?"
"It's okay, Mom. I'll go to the garden and pick some cucumbers for her. She likes to eat them."
Mother Liu looked again at the three children who were huddled together to share a White Rabbit candy.
"You three, your eldest sister is so kind to you, why don't you show some respect?"
"Mom, we also remember our eldest sister. My second sister, my brother and I went out after school today to pick some plums that our eldest sister likes to eat. There are so many that they are enough for her to eat for a while." Qingya and Feifei also nodded.
"That's fine. Your eldest sister is thinking about you three little ones, so you should also think about your eldest sister. Just one candy is enough. Save it for later during the summer harvest."
"By the way, Xuemei, don't work too hard cutting straw tomorrow. Five work points will be enough."
"Mom, Shengnan earned six work points last year, so I want to earn six work points this year too."
"Dad, go and persuade Xiu'er not to let Shengnan work so hard. She earns over 2,000 work points a year at the tofu shop, which is enough for the three of them to eat. This child is a few centimeters shorter than Qingya, and she's so skinny and weak. It makes me sad just looking at her."
"Mother, don't worry about Shengnan. Ever since he learned boxing from me, he's become much stronger. Now he can easily lift 120 pounds, and in a few years he'll be able to handle 140 pounds."
"What do you know? This child is very thoughtful. Sometimes she tries to hold on, but she becomes too strong. After all, she is a girl and still young. She needs to take good care of herself. Go and tell Shengnan. She is young but has big ideas. Even Xiu'er listens to her, but she listens to you and your second brother the most. Tell her that earning six or seven work points is enough."
"Mom, don't worry too much. Although Shengnan looks thin and weak, her body is strong and full of muscles. Her appetite has increased now, and she eats more at every meal. She won't be in trouble."
"Okay, just tell your dad and I'll be relieved."
"Mom, what should my brothers and I do tomorrow? I think we can go carry rice."
"Don't carry rice. You and Ruirui are strong, but you're still small. Don't get crushed. What if you don't grow taller? You and Ruirui go harvest rice with your older sister. Four or five work points a day is enough for the two of you. Don't do more than that. Got it?"
Qingya and Ruirui nodded to show that they understood.
"Mom, what about me?" Feifei asked Liu's mother eagerly.
"You, go to the threshing ground tomorrow to watch over the rice, and come back at noon to cook. Qingya, you and Ruirui will finish work early in the morning. One of you will take over Feifei's job to watch over the rice, and the other will go home to help Feifei cook."
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