Chapter 55 Years Ago
After the banquet was over, Li Shengli discussed with the host family and exchanged the reward for preparing the banquet for a piece of meat weighing more than two kilograms. It was difficult to buy meat at this time even with meat coupons, so fortunately, the family who prepared the banquet today had connections.

Li Shengli was so happy holding the lunch box with meat in it. Li Shengli did not take a penny for cooking in the steel mill, for he was afraid that if he made any mistake, his moral bottom line would drop again and again.

"Shengli, are you taking private work again?" When he returned to the courtyard, he met the third uncle Yan Bugui again. The third uncle Yan Bugui stared at the lunch box in Li Shengli's hand with an envious look.

Why again? Li Shengli has gotten used to it. He is worthy of being called the Third Uncle, the Gate God of the Siheyuan.

"Yeah, uncle, what good luck." Li Shengli turned around and replied with a little pride.

"Shengli, let's have a drink together tonight?" Yan Bugui once again set his sights on Li Shengli's lunch box.

"Hey, Third Uncle, this is unfortunate. Look what this is?" Li Shengli was determined to make this old man Yan envious, so he took out the lunch box from his net bag and opened it.

Yan Bugui looked closely and saw that the lunch box was filled with the best pork belly. Although the fat had frozen due to the cold weather, Yan Bugui almost drooled with envy when he saw it.

"Shengli, where did you get such a big piece of meat?" Yan Bugui wiped the corner of his mouth and stared at the pork belly in the lunch box and asked.

"You also know that I took a private job today. I asked for this piece of meat without asking for any payment." Li Shengli said proudly. Nowadays, you may not be able to buy meat even if you have money. In Li Shengli's opinion, he made a profit.

"It's really good." Yan Bugui wiped the corner of his mouth again. Although there was nothing at the corner of his mouth, from his tone, it was unclear whether he was saying that the meat was really good or that the profession of chef was really good.

Looking at Yan Bugui's eyes, Li Shengli felt relieved and let you take advantage again.

After returning to his home, Li Shengli wrapped the meat in horse manure paper, put it in a bamboo basket and hung it on the beam, mainly to prevent rats.

Two days later, the steel mill officially announced that it would be closed for the holiday. Of course, it had to be closed in advance. Li Shengli waited in line to collect his salary of 31.5 yuan.

When I received my salary, I did not receive it together with the other workers in the workshop. Now, wages are generally received by each workshop.

Lee Seung-ri, taking his salary and looking at his poor sex partner, is too lazy to squeeze in. He will see who he will exchange this sex partner with when the time comes.

Xu Damao's family doesn't need it in this courtyard, but his wife, Lou Xiao'e, has connections at home, so when Lou Xiao'e goes back to her parents' home, she can bring back a lot.

After careful consideration, few people in this courtyard need it. Those who need it, like the Jia family, just want to get it for free. The first uncle will suggest that you buy meat to honor the elderly. The third uncle's family is completely reluctant to buy it.

Forget it, let's go find Zhao the Purchasing Officer to exchange some things. Zhao the Purchasing Officer is someone Li Shengli is quite familiar with. He had helped their family when Li's father was still alive. Later, Li Shengli often took money and tickets to Zhao the Purchasing Officer to ask him to get some unplanned things, such as some mountain products and eggs.

After coming out of Zhao's house, Li Shengli had a bundle of vermicelli and some dried mushrooms in his hands. The difficult times had not completely passed, and there was nothing to eat in the countryside at the moment. These mushrooms were considered a good thing. On his way back, Li Shengli picked up his newly made clothes.

The day before the holiday, the steel mill distributed benefits, including a bar of soap and two towels for each person. As for what benefits the leaders had, no one knew, but Li Shengli knew that there must be pork. When asked why he knew that, it was of course the meat that Li Shengli distributed.

The next day, the workers in the factory were all very excited and not as enthusiastic about their work. Only some workers from poorer families did not like the holiday and it would be great if they could work overtime during the Spring Festival.

Li Shengli is looking forward to the holiday. The salary is enough for him. There is no need to overdraw his body for the salary. Li Shengli returned home early. Tomorrow is the 30th day of the lunar year. He needs to make some preparations in advance. This year, Li Shengli does not plan to post couplets for the New Year or go out to pay New Year's greetings. He will go out tomorrow to pay New Year's greetings to others in advance.

After returning home, Li Shengli thawed a rabbit, peeled it, cut it into pieces with a knife, washed it in clean water, and blanched the washed rabbit meat. By the time he had done all this, most of the people in the yard had returned.

Heat oil in a pan, when the oil is 70% hot, add peppercorns, star anise, and chili peppers and stir-fry until fragrant, then add onions, ginger, and garlic. After the fragrance comes out, add the blanched rabbit meat, and when the rabbit meat is almost cooked, add soy sauce, salt, MSG and other ingredients to adjust the taste.

The smell came out all of a sudden, and the people in the yard started to murmur again after smelling it.

"This Li Shengli is really a rude person. He is frying something so delicious now, but he won't celebrate it tomorrow." Yan Bugui cursed in a low voice while eating steamed bread and cabbage at home.

"Mom, when can we eat meat?" Yan Jiefang smelled the aroma in the air and looked at the steamed bread in his hand, feeling unable to eat it anymore.

"You have to ask your father." The third aunt didn't dare to say anything careless. What the family ate was all calculated by Yan Bugui.

"What kind of meat are you eating?" Yan Bugui gave Yan Jiefang a reproachful look, then looked at the eyes of the children and finally said, "That's it for today, we'll have dumplings tomorrow."

Yan Jiecheng and Yan Jiefang looked at each other, Yan Jiekuang also looked at Yan Bugui happily, only Yan Jieti continued to eat his meal and was indifferent to the words of the third uncle Yan Bugui. If you ask why, it is because he understands his father.

"Dad, what's the filling?" Yan Jiecheng asked dreamily.

"It's stuffed with sauerkraut." Yan Bugui said calmly as he picked up a piece of cabbage with chopsticks.

"We're eating dumplings stuffed with sauerkraut again." The three boys said in unison. Yan Jieti rolled his eyes secretly. He knew this would happen. Every year, there are dumplings stuffed with sauerkraut. There weren't even any dumplings when it was still early.

The other families in the courtyard were all upset when they smelled this, especially the Jia family, whose son Bang Geng was clamoring for meat. Qin Huairu was a little worried because she didn't have much flour or meat left, so how could she celebrate the New Year?

Not knowing what happened to the Yan family and other families in the compound, Li Shengli poured himself some wine and slowly drank it, taking bites of meat and sips of wine.

After finishing his meal, Li Shengli burped and took a rest, then washed the dishes. At this time, the sound of a gong for the opening of a hospital-wide meeting came from outside. Li Shengli knew that this was an annual routine to convey the instructions of the street office before the New Year.

Li Shengli put down the teacup in his hand, and without moving the stool, he came to the middle courtyard and found a pillar to lean against. Soon everyone was there. The elderly and women usually moved stools and sat in the yard, while the young guys saved trouble and just leaned against the pillar like Li Shengli did.

The Second Uncle stood up as usual and gave an opening speech. He is indeed an official-loving Second Uncle who is eager to do such a small thing.

"There's nothing important about this meeting today. It's just to convey the notice from the street office." Liu Haizhong put his hands on his waist and felt very impressive. "Next, please let the most senior uncle in our hospital speak."

Liu Haizhong gestured to Yi Zhonghai and sat down in his seat.

(End of this chapter)