Ye Zhiqiu started tinkering in the kitchen. Wang Fugui had left a message saying he wouldn't be back until noon, so even if he had already eaten, he'd have to get him a few drinks.
Actually, he had to deliver something back to the factory in the afternoon, so he couldn't attend the wedding of Wu Shengli's godson.
Because although Wu Shengli is his leader, he doesn't want to set up so many tables, as that would seem a bit unusual.
After all, the situation is so difficult now, and everyone from top to bottom is reducing food rations. It is really inappropriate for him to hold a grand banquet.
Ye Zhiqiu worked for a long time and prepared the steamed buns for dinner, which could be eaten by just steaming them.
Wang Fugui also came back at this time. When he heard the noise in the kitchen, he knew that Ye Zhiqiu was cooking. He closed the courtyard door with a smile, walked over and pushed the door into the kitchen.
Ye Zhiqiu turned his head to look at the door and saw Wang Fugui walking in. He greeted him with a smile, "Grandpa, you're back. Go back to the living room and have some tea. I'm cooking. Today I'm making some bacon and celery stir-fried with vinegar and Chinese cabbage. I'll also stir-fry the food from the evening. We'll have a couple of drinks later!"
Wang Fugui smiled and nodded, "Okay! Let's have a drink later. Grandpa just happened to have something he wanted to talk to you about."
Ye Zhiqiu smiled and nodded, then continued to concentrate on cooking.
Wang Fugui took the dishes and chopsticks back to the living room to avoid Ye Zhiqiu having to run back twice.
The dishes were quickly cooked. Ye Zhiqiu didn't put all the food together, but served them separately. Two small plates were enough for their lunch. For just two people eating and drinking, there was no need for so many dishes.
After fixing the fire vent, he took a wooden tray, filled a large deep bowl with six large steamed buns, placed two small dishes on top, and covered it with something to prevent it from getting cold as soon as he left the house. He then carried the tray out of the kitchen, closed the door with his left hand, and walked back to the living room with it.
The temperature had risen slightly, probably only around 10 degrees below zero. However, Ye Zhiqiu walked quickly; if he stayed out any longer in this awful weather, the heat from the food would dissipate quickly.
Pushing the door open with his foot, Ye Zhiqiu said cheerfully, "Dinner is ready!"
Wang Fugui stood up to help close the door, then took out a bottle of Erguotou from the cupboard, opened it and poured the wine into the prepared cups.
The bacon we chose today has more fat than lean meat, mainly because Wang Fugui’s teeth are not good and he can’t eat bacon that is too lean.
So Ye Zhiqiu didn't cut the ones at home, but picked a piece of bacon from the pig's buttocks to stir-fry.
Now everyone in the family is used to him preparing the ingredients. Finally, they don’t have to ask him all sorts of questions every time he brings back a piece of meat like before.
"Wow, grandson, this bacon of yours is really good, quite fatty!"
"Hey, I just came back from doing some tinkering today. When I saw such good meat, how could I not buy it?"
"Well, this kind of good stuff really can't be missed! Come on, let's have a sip of wine first. It's really cold here. I'm old and I really can't stand the cold. I need to drink something to liven up my body..."
The two of them drank a glass together, and Ye Zhiqiu filled the bottle.
At this time, the two of them started to eat lunch, but the atmosphere was a bit weird. Except for a few words while drinking, they became quiet after putting down their glasses.
Both of them had something on their minds and looked like they were reluctant to speak up!
"Grandpa, I have something to tell you..."
"Grandson, I have something to ask you..."
The two looked at each other, unexpectedly, they both started talking at the same time.
Wang Fugui nodded, picked up the wine glass and took a sip, then said to Ye Zhiqiu: "Grandson, you go first. After listening to your story, grandpa will ask you questions."
Ye Zhiqiu also nodded, showing a flattering smile and said: "Grandpa, there is something I want to tell you, but you are not allowed to be angry...
This morning, your eldest grandson's wife's cousin, Ma Banghua, came over. Their factory is having a big banquet to honor their achievements, so they've made a promise: if you can figure out how to make the extra food, you can be promoted from an ordinary officer to a full-time deputy section chief!
My brother Banghua, because of his connections in other provinces, got carried away and issued a military order, taking on the task of getting the food. But he never expected that there would be no space on the train, and even if he had connections, he couldn't get the pork delivered.
So he came to me for help, and I thought I could help him catch some fish. Since we were so close, and he had issued a military order, I had no choice but to help him!
So I took on this matter. Grandpa, please don’t be angry. I was forced to do this.”
After Ye Zhiqiu finished speaking, he looked nervous, thinking that Wang Fugui would scold him!
But it has been a long time and Wang Fugui hasn't cursed anyone!
So he looked up and saw Wang Fugui with a strange look on his face, and he looked particularly depressed!
Ye Zhiqiu asked cautiously, "Grandpa, you're not angry, are you?"
Wang Fugui sighed and said, "Alas, I went back to work today and discovered something: the supply of materials in the unit has not kept up. Although the comrades are working very hard, their faces are extremely thin and their skin is yellow, which is obviously due to malnutrition.
I inquired and learned that priority was given to units that had resumed production. Our unit hadn't been able to get any food these days.
As a retired old man, seeing these comrades who have become so thin is truly heartbreaking. I was thinking of coming back to ask you if you could help prepare some food for our comrades, but I never thought you would bring up this matter first.
I don't know if this is right or not. Grandpa, I want to give up my principles this time and be a bad guy who deals in supplies. Grandson, can you still get vegetables and meat..."
Ye Zhiqiu was stunned when he heard this. He really didn't expect the situation to be like this.
No wonder Wang Fugui didn’t scold me. It turned out that he also wanted me to help him prepare the vegetables and meat!
He couldn't help but laugh. He didn't expect it to be like this. He immediately replied, "Hey, Grandpa, leave it to me! It's just the origin of the things. They really won't be checked, right?
I can’t just hire someone to tinker with something and then take you guys to arrest someone right afterward, that would be too unfair…”
Wang Fugui nodded with satisfaction after hearing what Ye Zhiqiu said. "That can't be possible. I've thought it through this time. I'll arrange for someone to drive over with the money, and you can just drive over to get the things back. Our unit has the funds, but we just don't have the supplies. Do you think this arrangement is feasible for our eldest grandson?"
Ye Zhiqiu was happy!
How come Grandpa and Brother Banghua thought of the same thing and both made such arrangements!
He grinned and said, "Hey, Grandpa, great minds think alike. My brother Banghua has made the same arrangement. He'll drive over tomorrow night with some money and people. I'll pay him to bring the fish back!"
I didn't expect you'd arrange it this way. Okay then, I'll go get someone to reserve the items this afternoon and ask them not to resell them. I'll pick them up tomorrow night."
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