On New Year's Eve, everyone else in the compound celebrated simply. In those times of scarcity, unless it was a major holiday like the Spring Festival, no one would spend money on celebrations.
Su Yu was unwilling to compromise herself. A holiday should have a festive atmosphere.
After paying, Su Dazhi went to the state-run restaurant to get some braised pork. The family also made dumplings, and they all had a hearty and delicious meal.
Su Zhi was working the night shift and didn't come back, so Su Yu specially asked Su Lin to save him a portion.
She never mistreats anyone who contributes to the family. Managing a large family is like managing a business. If you don't show them the benefits, they'll eventually rebel. To be a successful head of the family, you must give them hope. Make them understand that they can only have a better life by following you.
The whole family ate to their hearts' content. When everyone else was struggling to get enough to eat and wear, they could occasionally have meat and new clothes. This kind of life was already too good.
We bought a new house and can move in after the New Year. We also have a bicycle, which makes other families envious. We don't need any other household appliances anymore.
These are truly wonderful days. The whole family has grown to respect Su Yu, the head of the household, even more.
They were even a little worried that if their eldest sister found a boyfriend in the future, she might move out. What would happen to the family if she did?
Old Song's family is also celebrating the Lunar New Year's Eve.
Song's father, Song Yuanshan, had been demobilized from the military many years ago, but because of his meritorious service, he still held a position. Song's mother held a position in the provincial women's federation. Both of them received monthly rations, so the family lived a relatively comfortable life.
Last year, knowing that there was widespread famine, the couple responded to the call to reduce their rations and joined the rest of the country in fighting the disaster. However, they took good care of their son and made sure he didn't go hungry.
After all, my son had been moving around a lot since he was young, and his health was poor. If he hadn't been lucky, he would have starved to death along with the other children.
At the table, Mr. and Mrs. Song pushed all the good dishes toward their son.
"I don't want to eat it, I'm tired of it." Secretary Song pushed him away with a haughty look.
Mr. Song immediately flew into a rage, "How could you say such things? You have the nerve to eat out so well!"
Secretary Song, munching on a cornbread bun, said, "Why can't I eat my own?"
Song's mother slammed her hand on the table and said to Song's father, "Comrade Song Yuanshan, can you please say less? It's New Year's Eve, are we even going to celebrate? Your son is trying to save you money on food, and you're still cursing at me!"
Mr. Song: "..." He said awkwardly, "I want you to be frugal. I used to pay for Japanese canned food, and I ate too much of it."
"boast."
Song's mother glared at him, ignored him, and looked at Secretary Song again, "Son, I'm on your side. Look, when are you going to agree to meet that woman? I've been working so hard to find a suitable partner for you with your Aunt Liu, and you're not going to meet her. It's embarrassing for me."
Hearing Song's mother's words, Secretary Song's heart skipped a beat. Find a partner? That's impossible now. Comrade Su hasn't found one yet. If he did, wouldn't he have to listen to Comrade Su in everything from now on?
"I won't watch it now. The people of the whole country are still starving, I don't have the mind for that."
Song's mother slammed her hand on the table again, "What kind of talk is this? Comrade Song Dongzheng, you should be lenient if you confess and severe if you resist. Why don't you find a partner?"
Secretary Song continued eating her cornbread. "If you don't want to find someone, then don't. This is a new society now, with free marriage. You're still old revolutionaries, so please stop with those arranged marriages, okay?"
Song's father was not pleased. "What do you mean by arranged marriage? My marriage with your mother was arranged by the organization."
"That's because you can't find a partner."
Song's father: "..."
Song's mother: "..."
The couple resisted the urge to beat him up. Song's mother said sternly, "Dong, will you be able to find a partner? You and I, women nowadays are different from those of the past, they all have their own opinions."
"She is quite opinionated," Secretary Song agreed wholeheartedly.
Song's mother raised an eyebrow, her face full of interest, and asked, "Dong, do you have a female comrade you've taken a fancy to?"
Secretary Song exclaimed in horror, "Impossible!"
"Why are you so agitated, child? Do you often think about a certain female comrade, want to talk to her, discuss ideals, and talk about life?"
Secretary Song hesitated for a moment, then shook his head. No, no, no, he never wanted to talk to Comrade Su about ideals and life; they always ended up arguing.
It's either you die or I live.
Seeing her son's answer, Song's mother was quite disappointed. "Dong, remember, if you meet a woman you like, you have to take the initiative. Be careful with your words. Don't offend anyone. Otherwise, you'll never find a comrade-in-arms in your life."
Secretary Song: "..." Is he even her biological son? Why is she cursing him like this?
Back in his room that night, he lay on the bed looking at the ceiling, and with his eyes closed, he saw Comrade Su's smiling face.
New Year's Eve is just around the corner, a big holiday. Should I invite people to dinner again? But we've already said "see you next year," so inviting them now would make him lose face. Sigh, I should have known better. Being too inflexible is a big no-no.
Thinking of this, he suddenly frowned. "No, no, why would I want to invite her to dinner?! There's nothing good to eat here, I should just go to sleep."
He pulled the blanket over his head.
...
Although the Spring Festival is just around the corner, the entire factory is still full of energy. In particular, a new department has joined, and most of the temporary workers there are family members of factory workers, which has helped alleviate the difficulties faced by some families. Everyone is in high spirits and hopes the factory will continue to improve.
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