Lin Zhaodi gave a self-deprecating laugh.
"I didn't understand back then. My mom was very kind to me and said that making me do chores was to train me, to trust me, and to show that she liked me. I was naive, and I believed whatever she said."
I worked myself to the bone cooking and preparing the dishes, and then they ate them. As for me, I could only pick up the scraps, even the leftover soup. Then, like a hardworking ox, I would clean up the mess. At that time, not only them, but I myself felt it was only natural.
Actually, I volunteered when I went to the countryside. My mom made all sorts of promises, saying that as long as I gave my job to my younger brother, I wouldn't have to worry about anything after I came down there. She said they would find a way to get me a job back home soon, and it would all be just a formality.
More than a month later, she wrote to me, and the content had completely changed. She started by scolding me for being heartless, for not even bothering to ask me anything, and for telling me to mail all the food back, saying that I was just a girl and could fill my stomach with anything.
I wrote back to ask and found out that my brother had caused trouble three times in just over a month of working there, and the factory fired him.
I worked so hard to get this job, and I worked diligently for two years, but it all disappeared when it came to him. I was so angry back then, I even wanted to go back and ask him directly if I was really his biological son.
Then I thought about it, and Jian Zhiqing was right. I had to take care of myself first. If I didn't even care about myself, I'd really starve to death if I relied on them.
Li Yan is doing a little better.
“I lived with my grandparents when I was a child, so I didn’t really miss going home. But look, the few of us, including Chen, who was sent to the countryside, all came together from different places. It’s quite a coincidence. It’s not easy. There are so many places in the country, but only a few of us came to Liujiatun.”
Isn't it meaningful for the few of us to spend the New Year together?
There will be many more opportunities to spend the Lunar New Year with family, but who knows about the few of us?
Think about it, isn't that right?
We came together from all over the country. In the summer, it was just Jian, then Zhao Di and the other two joined, and then Tan joined. So, what about next year? Will it still be just the same few of us?
Tan Yajun was the one who contacted her family the most. She gently shook her head.
"It's a bit better here, but in many cities the situation is getting worse and worse, and many schools have stopped holding classes normally. Many of my neighbors and my parents' colleagues have also gone to the countryside, either voluntarily or... not so voluntarily."
Even at a normal workday, I have to be extremely careful every day. I dare not say much, and after get off work, I dare not go anywhere else; I almost always run home. There are more and more people on the road maintaining order, and sometimes, if I raise my voice, I might get beaten up.
"When we went to Anji County to buy the large vat before, it didn't seem to be this tight here, right? I remember we even had a fight about it."
Tanya nodded.
"Yes, our area is remote, so it will be much better."
Li Yan's emotions came and went quickly.
"Hey, you see, I told you, with this situation, there will definitely be new educated youth joining next year, and it definitely won't just be the few of us anymore. I reckon this educated youth compound won't be as quiet as it is this year."
He nodded simply, indicating that he understood quite well.
"Maybe, but don't be too pessimistic. More people means more fun."
Hearing this, the mood became much more somber, and Li Yan immediately said,
"Hey, what are you guys doing? I was asking if we should celebrate the New Year together, what are you all talking about?"
The girls forcefully steered the conversation back on track.
"Okay, okay, let's celebrate the New Year together."
"I've never celebrated Chinese New Year alone before. Do you know what I need to prepare?"
At this point, the girls became interested. Lin Zhaodi got out of bed, lit the kerosene lamp, and set up the kang table.
"Come on, tell me what you have, I'll write it down so we can prepare in advance."
"Ah, food. How many dishes should we make? We definitely need to eat better than usual for the New Year, right?"
"Of course! People in the North eat dumplings during Chinese New Year."
"It seems there's also fish, and lots of meat."
"There doesn't seem to be any fish, but we have meat. We still have quite a bit of meat from the pig that Jian, the educated youth, slaughtered last time."
"Yes, shouldn't the sauerkraut be sour by then?"
"The pickled cabbage will be sour soon, and it should be ready to eat in about three or four days."
"That's great! Everyone says sauerkraut dumplings are delicious. We can try making some, and maybe some cabbage dumplings too!"
"Right, right, I don't think I've seen any supply and marketing cooperatives selling sunflower seeds or anything like that."
"The harvest is bad this year, there's a low yield of everything, but I think we can go to the village and ask around, maybe one of the aunties has some crops?"
"Okay, I'll go to the village and ask tomorrow. Is there anything else?"
"Sunflower seeds and peanuts, oh right, we also have chestnuts, hazelnuts and pine nuts that we picked up on the mountain. We'll ask an auntie how to roast them. These are such great snacks, all ready-made."
"That's true, now that you mention it, we actually have quite a few things on hand."
"Haha, really! It turns out all our hard work these past few days hasn't been for nothing. It's come in handy now."
"What else? Can I buy firecrackers?"
"This seems a bit difficult. Hey, do you know how to cut paper snowflakes? We need to create a festive atmosphere for the New Year."
"Haha, yes, this is our first New Year away from home, and also our first time celebrating it together. We need to prepare well."
......
It's true that it's fast; before we knew it, the New Year was almost here.
Since we agreed to spend the New Year together, Jian Dan didn't say we had to be unconventional. After all, it's only one day, and we can spend the rest of the time however we want.
They prepared the dishes, and simply brought a fish, saying that they had come across it by chance when they went out. This made the female educated youth very happy. They hadn't seen a fish many times during the year of drought, even at home.
Tan Yajun and Lin Zhaodi were the head chefs, and Jian Da helped out. Chen Jianguo was responsible for fetching water, pouring water, and starting the fire. Li Yan, who was unable to move around easily, could only sit on the kang (a heated brick bed) and do some small tasks within her ability.
There weren't many people, so there weren't any conflicts.
At noon, I had stewed sauerkraut with plenty of meat inside, topped with a ring of cornbread and small green vegetables, their vibrant green color making them even more appealing.
A big fish, a plate of braised pork, a cold dish of cabbage salad, and a plate of canned food.
Five people, six dishes.
After the meal, they didn't rest. After a short break, several female educated youths started busying themselves chopping fillings, including sauerkraut, cabbage, and meat. Although there weren't many people, they made sure to have everything they needed.
They didn't have any white flour, and it wasn't even stretched out properly. Tanya Jun had someone exchange it for some. Although it was a bit dark, the pure wheat aroma was still there.
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