Year 1979: Eating meat with my wife and children

Li Xiangdong took off his shoes, climbed onto the kang (a heated brick bed), sat cross-legged, and reached out to pull his daughter to him.

Seeing his daughter sitting obediently with an ice cream stick in her mouth, staring at him with wide eyes, his heart melted.

"Little Seven, come and call me Daddy."

"father…"

"Little Qi is such a good girl. Give the popsicle stick to Daddy, and let's play horseback riding, okay?"

Upon hearing about riding a big horse, Li Xiaozhu let go of the popsicle stick, which fell onto the kang (a heated brick bed), and then used both hands and feet to climb onto Li Xiangdong.

"Play..."

Li Xiangdong lay down and let his daughter climb onto his back. He supported himself on the kang (a heated brick bed) with one hand and held his daughter with the other. He slowly got up and carried his daughter on his back, playing with her.

"Gluck cluck..."

Li Xiaozhu excitedly leaned against his back, her arms tightly wrapped around his neck.

Seeing that his daughter's attention had shifted, Li Xiangdong called out towards the outside, "Xiaohai, Li Xiaohai!"

"I'm here, Dad."

When Li Xiangdong saw his eldest son enter the house, he thought a big rat had come in!

His son was shirtless, wearing only open-crotch pants, and his whole body was filthy.

"Damn, you went to dig coal? Where are your clothes?"

"Dad, it's too hot outside, I'm taking off my clothes."

"Didn't you want an ice cream stick? Take it outside and have your sister wipe it for you."

Li Xiaohai's eyes lit up when he heard about the popsicle stick, and he took it and ran outside.

After his son went out, Li Xiangdong spent some time playing with his daughter. The earthen bed was too hard, and his knees started to hurt after a while.

He couldn't hold on any longer, so he lay down against the wall and placed his daughter on his stomach.

Li Xiaozhu was also tired from playing, covered in sweat, and obediently nestled in his arms.

Zhou Yuqin, who was helping Li's mother prepare the meal, pushed open the door and entered the room. She was momentarily dazed when she saw the father and daughter sitting quietly on the kang (a heated brick bed).

After she came to her senses, she picked up her daughter from Li Xiangdong and said, "The noodles are in the pot. Mom wants us to go eat first."

"Alright, let's hurry over there."

Li Xiangdong quickly got up and followed his wife and children to the living room for dinner.

He went inside and saw his grandparents sitting at the table, sipping their tea from their mugs. "Isn't the melted sugar water from the cream popsicles delicious?"

Grandma Li smiled and said, "Mmm, it's not only sweet, but it also has a milky aroma."

Old Li chimed in, "Dongzi really knows how to care for people."

Li Xiangdong said, "If it tastes good, we'll buy more later."

He can manage this. How much can grandpa and grandma eat at their age?

It's enough that the snacks don't cost much and make them happy every day.

"It's so hot, why are you all out playing cards? You should just stay home and rest."

Grandma Li said, "We didn't play cards. Your neighbor, Aunt Liu's mother-in-law, hasn't been feeling well these past few days, so she asked your grandfather and me to go over and chat with her."

Li Xiangdong gave a thumbs up and said, "Aunt Liu is a good daughter-in-law. No wonder you and my grandfather are happy to do business with Aunt Liu's family."

Grandma Li nodded and said, "That's right, your Aunt Liu is one of the best daughters-in-law in our alley."

Old Li, sharp-eyed and quick-witted, spotted his wife eavesdropping by the stove outside. He nudged her leg and gave her a meaningful look. Old Mrs. Li understood and stopped talking.

Old Li chimed in, "Your grandma isn't entirely right. Your mother is also a well-known filial daughter-in-law in our area. If we're talking about it, it's all thanks to your grandma's good judgment in finding a good wife for your father. Look how harmonious and happy our family is."

Li Xiangdong was quick-witted; he immediately chimed in with a couple of words, praising his mother as being incredibly kind.

Actually, his mother is a dutiful daughter-in-law, and her parents-in-law take very good care of her. The only thing to blame is her sharp tongue; she says things that are hurtful and unpleasant to others.

This topic can't be discussed any further. Li Xiangdong saw his two nieces setting out the dishes, while his nephews were running around the room restlessly.

"Li Xiaojiang, take your three little followers and go peel some garlic for your third uncle."

Eating noodles without garlic is like missing half the flavor. Their garlic is tied up in strings, and there are several strings of it stored in the back room.

"Yes, sir. Follow me."

At Li Xiaojiang's command, his three younger brothers joined in the commotion and ran out together.

After the garlic was peeled and the noodles were served, Li Xiangdong ladled out a large bowl.

Although the toppings were vegetarian and the noodles looked a bit yellow, it was irresistibly delicious, with a burst of wheat flavor in every bite.

Add a touch of 28-spice sauce and mix it all together. One bite of noodles, one bite of garlic—it's simply authentic!

Not to mention how much he enjoyed his food, his children, especially Li Xiaojiang and Li Xiaotao, ate like pigs.

Li Xiangdong finished his bowl and was about to get a second one when he heard the door open. His father and brothers had returned.

Not knowing whether Li's father brought back good or bad news, he lost his appetite and stopped eating.

Upon seeing Li's father enter the house with a beaming smile, he couldn't help but ask, "Dad, how did the news go?"

Mr. Li didn't keep anyone in suspense, "It's done. They've even helped us get the letter of introduction."

Hearing what Li's father said, apart from the children who were a little confused, the adults in the room were very happy. This was a job in the railway system, a highly lucrative one, and it was really good for their third son!

Seeing that everyone in the room was staring at him, Li's father patted his pocket. "Don't worry, the letter of introduction is safely in my pocket. I'll have to eat something first. I've been busy all morning."

Old Li said, "Then hurry up and eat a couple of bites, and then tell us what you think."