New Year's Eve.
Shao'an's mother and Sun Lanhua prepared a table of sumptuous meals.
There is pheasant meat, hare meat, pork, and dumplings.
This year’s meals are quite sumptuous.
The credit goes to Sun Shaoan.
During this period, Sun Shaoan hunted a lot of game.
Improved food at home.
"Grandma, drink the broth." Sun Shaoan helped the old lady scoop a bowl of broth.
Grandma Shaoan is old, her teeth are almost gone, and she can’t bite meat anymore.
Shao'an's mother chopped the meat into pieces, cooked broth, and gave it to the old lady.
"Hey, An'an is a good boy. He studies well and can also hunt pheasants." The old lady was not confused yet.
He knew that Sun Shaoan had ranked first in the county, and he also knew that Sun Shaoan could hunt pheasants and hares.
Seeing this, Sun Shaoping hurriedly helped the old lady pick up a piece of meat and said, "Grandma eats meat."
Sun Shaoping was still young and didn't know that the old lady couldn't bite the meat.
"Okay, Pingping is also a good boy." Although the old lady couldn't bite the meat, she was still very happy.
"Dad, Mom, eldest sister, you guys eat too." Seeing that Sun Yuhou and the others didn't eat much meat and only ate potatoes, Sun Shaoan helped them pick up the meat.
"Hey, Shaoan, you eat too."
"Lan Xiang, drink chicken soup."
"Shaoping, eat a piece of rabbit meat."
"Brother, you eat too."
The family happily had a sumptuous New Year's Eve dinner.
A few days after the New Year, I visited relatives and friends.
It is worth mentioning that several villages such as Shuangshui Village practice Yangko.
Shuangshui Village is still the most popular place for Yangko.
The Yangko team in the village began preparations years ago.
In the first lunar month, every village will hold a Yangko dance.
However, after doing Yangko this time, it will be ten years before I want to do Yangko again.
After the first day of the first lunar month, Sun Shaoan still went up the mountain to dig medicinal materials and hunt game every day.
Even if it snows heavily.
Sun Shaoan also insisted on going up the mountain.
It’s snowing, so medicinal materials are not that easy to find.
But pheasants, hares, and sparrows are easier to catch.
During this period of time at Sun Shaoan's house, he could eat meat basically every day.
Although there is not much, although sometimes there are only sparrows, it is meat at least, and the family looks much better.
Sun Shaoan's body has changed a lot.
Not as thin as before.
He has grown taller.
this day.
noon.
Sun Shaoan and Tian Runye came down from the mountain.
Sun Shaoan was carrying a pheasant, "Run Ye, let's go to your house, Uncle Futang and I will borrow some food from the brigade."
"Okay, Brother Shaoan, my dad said that before.
I said that if you go to school in the county, I have to give you some white noodles. "
"White noodles? No, I'll just plate some sorghum noodles."
"Sorghum is not good, the worst is stick noodles."
Tian Runye and Sun Shaoan chatted and laughed and went to Tian Futang's house.
"Shaoan is here, hurry up, it's cold outside, sit inside." Runye's mother came out to say hello.
Runye's house is in good condition at first glance.
There are four or five cave dwellings in good repair.
It is the best in Shuangshui Village.
"Auntie, this is the pheasant that Run Ye and I shot."
"Okay, okay, I heard from Runye that your slingshot is very accurate and you can hit a lot of things every day." Runye's mother was not polite.
"Good luck." Sun Shaoan said with a smile and walked into Tian Futang's house.
"Shaoan is here? Sit down quickly, Runye, and I'll pour you a cup of tea, Shaoan." Tian Futang also greeted him warmly.
"Uncle Futang." Sun Shaoan greeted and sat down.
I was just about to talk about borrowing food.
"Shaoan, are you here to borrow food?" Tian Futang asked directly.
"Yes, Uncle Futang, school will start in a few days, and I would like to borrow some food from the brigade." Sun Shaoan did not borrow food from Tian Futang's family, but from the brigade.
In these days, every household does not have enough food to eat.
"I've been waiting for you to come in these days. Do you want plate noodles or stick noodles?" Tian Futang did not embarrass Sun Shaoan and agreed directly.
"Just sorghum noodles."
"Sorghum noodles are not good. I've asked around and found that not many people in the county schools eat black steamed buns."
"Then stick noodles."
"Well, Shaoan, I will make arrangements for you. Every month, ten pounds of white noodles and twenty pounds of stick noodles, what do you think?"
"Uncle Futang, I don't dare to ask so much." Mr. Sun pretended to be polite. This little food was simply not enough for Sun Shaoan to eat.
"Not much. I'm a half-grown boy. It's the time when I can eat. I can't miss anything without food."
"That's okay, thank you Uncle Futang."
“Shaoan, going to school in the county is not as expensive as going to school in the commune.
I also know the situation in your family.
Do you want to borrow money?
How much to borrow? Tian Futang asked proactively.
Tian Futang was the branch secretary and was much better off, so he could lend money to Sun Shaoan.
"Uncle Futang, there is no need to borrow money now.
These days, I have dug up a lot of medicinal materials in the mountains.
Although the money sold is not much, it is enough to cover the expenses of this semester. "Sun Shaoan dug up medicinal materials during this period and still sold them for a lot of money, more than forty.
In addition, the family sells pigs, which gives Sun Shaoan more.
Sun Shaoan goes to school, and this semester is not enough.
"Okay, as long as it's enough. If you don't have enough, just ask, borrow it from me, borrow it from the brigade, whatever."
After the fifteenth day of the first lunar month.
Sun Shaoan and Tian Runye took Jin Junhai's car to Yuanxi County.
Jin Junhai is a car driver for a transportation company in Huangyuan area.
Jin Junhai's son Jin Bo is about the same age as Sun Shaoping, and his daughter Jin Xiu is about the same age as Sun Lanxiang.
Jin Junhai's family has a very good relationship with Sun Yuhou's family.
In 1960, Sun Yuhou gave up the cave dwelling where he lived to Sun Yuting for his marriage. Sun Yuhou's family had no place to live.
Sun Yuhou borrowed the cave dwelling of Jin Junhai's family and lived there for two or three years.
The relationship between the two families has always been very good.
in the car.
"Shaoan, you go to school in the county town, do you want to live on campus?" Jin Junhai asked.
"Yes, Uncle Junhai."
"If you go to school in the county, you have to pay tuition, books, accommodation, and buy food stamps. It costs a lot of money, right?"
"right."
"Shaoan, I also know your family's situation. Money is tight. Do you need money? If so, I have it here."
"Uncle Junhai, no need for now. I recently dug up some medicinal materials and sold them for some money. It's not much money, but it's enough for this semester."
"Is it enough?" Jin Junhai asked again.
"Enough, definitely enough."
“It’s enough.
You are such a good boy, a good young man.
In the future, if you are short of money, just say, I can provide it at home. "
Sun Shaoan and Tian Runye arrived at school.
Tian Runye does not need to go through the formalities of living on campus, he only needs to report. Tian Runye stayed at Tian Fujun's house.
Tian Runye finished his work quickly.
There are a little more things about Sun Shaoan.
You need to exchange the food you brought with you for meal tickets.
I need to buy some food tickets.
We also need to clean up the ceremony and dormitories.
Be busy for a while.
"Brother Shaoan, my second mother asked you to go to dinner." Tian Runye came over to find Sun Shaoan. Tian Fujun’s wife Xu Aiyun came here just now.
Xu Aiyun is a former doctor at Xi County Hospital and studied Western medicine.
"Eat? Runye, I won't go. I'll ask the teacher later to see if I can work-study." Of course Sun Shaoan would not go to Tian Fujun's house for dinner.
Tian Runye is a person who "lives under someone else's roof".
It would be inappropriate for Sun Shaoan to go to Tian Fujun's house for dinner again.
"Work-study program? Brother Shaoan, what do you want to do?"
"I don't know, let's see what the teacher has planned. Runye, go to your second dad's house quickly, don't let them wait for you."
"Okay, Brother Shaoan, see you in the afternoon."
teacher's office.
Sun Shaoan found the head teacher.
"Teacher Li, I would like to ask if our school can provide work-study programs?" Sun Shaoan was generous and not at all embarrassed.
"Work-study program? Are you Sun Shao'an?" Teacher Li is a middle-aged man with an ordinary appearance, with black-rimmed eyes, and is relatively thin.
Sun Shaoan is somewhat of a 'celebrity'.
When Sun Shaoan reported just now, Teacher Li remembered Sun Shaoan.
"I am Sun Shaoan."
"Your family is from Shuangshui Village, Shigejie Commune?" Teacher Li knew more about Sun Shaoan. After all, Sun Shaoan ranked first in the county in the primary school entrance examination.
"right."
"If it's a work-study program..." Teacher Li thought for a while, "Well, you come with me and we'll ask the principal."
"Okay, Teacher Li."
Principal's office.
"Principal Wang, this is Sun Shaoan. He ranked first in the county in this year's primary school entrance examination." Teacher Li gave a brief introduction.
"I know, Sun Shaoan, from Shigejie Commune, is a good young man." Principal Wang has also heard of Sun Shaoan.
Principal Wang is in his fifties, has eyes, is tall and thin, has bright eyes, and looks energetic.
"Principal Wang, Sun Shaoan wants to work-study, what do you think of the arrangement?"
"Work-study program?" Principal Wang was slightly surprised and looked at Sun Shaoan's clothes.
The clothes are worn and have many patches.
It was concluded that this was a child from a poor family.
"Shaoan, there are no work-study positions in the school.
However, you can help in the school kitchen.
Do you want to go? "
"Sure, Principal Wang, I'm willing to help in the kitchen." Sun Shaoan agreed.
"Okay, let's go to the kitchen now." Principal Wang was a bit vigorous in his work.
He took Sun Shaoan directly to the school kitchen.
"Let me introduce, this is Sun Shaoan, who ranked first in the county in this year's primary school entrance examination.
Sun Shaoan came to our school to study in the kitchen
Everyone, please take care of me from now on. "
"No problem, this young man looks good at first glance." Master Niu from the cafeteria spoke first. He is the canteen steward.
"Yes, this young man is good and energetic." Others also expressed their welcome to Sun Shaoan.
Without staying long, Principal Wang and Teacher Li gave a few words of advice and left.
Sun Shaoan stayed to help.
It's almost noon.
Students who come to report need to eat.
The kitchen is busy cooking.
"Shaoan, what can you do?" Master Niu asked while cutting vegetables.
"Master Wang, I'm good at chopping vegetables. Let me help you chop vegetables."
"Oh? Then try it. Be careful, this knife is fast."
"Okay, Master Niu." Sun Shaoan stepped forward, picked up the kitchen knife, and started cutting.
The cut was pretty good.
Something like that.
Of course Sun Shaoan was hiding his clumsiness.
He only showed mediocre knife skills.
But even so, Master Niu felt that Sun Shaoan was very good at cutting vegetables.
"That's right, Shaoan, you will do this vegetable chopping job from now on."
"Okay, Master Niu." Sun Shaoan got busy.
Master Niu went to cook.
Although it is said to be a stir-fry, it actually does not use much oil, and only a few condiments such as salt, soy sauce and vinegar are used.
Just stir-fry it a few times, add water and cook it. There is no cooking skill involved.
Been busy for a while.
The meal is ready.
"It's okay, Shao'an. You can help yourself to some food and some steamed buns. Let's eat." Master Niu didn't let Sun Shaoan go to prepare food for the students, for fear that Sun Shaoan would be embarrassed.
"Okay, Master Niu." Sun Shaoan placed the vegetable and meal tickets.
People in the canteen don’t eat for free.
Meal and vegetable stamps are required.
After all, food is rationed.
However, you can choose a bigger steamed bun.
As for the food, it is said to be one portion, but you can also order more.
"Shaoan, come here, give you another half a spoonful." Seeing that Sun Shaoan only took one spoonful, the eldest sister on the side gave Sun Shaoan another half a spoonful.
"Thank you, Sister Zhao."
"You're welcome, this kid is very polite."
afternoon.
Tian Runye came to school.
"Brother Shaoan, I brought you steamed buns and eggs." Tian Runye also brought food to Sun Shaoan.
"Runye, isn't this bad? You are in someone else's house and you can't just take food." Sun Shaoan thought Tian Runye took it secretly.
Just like when he was in Shuangshui Village, Tian Runye secretly took food from home.
They said they took it secretly, but in fact both Tian Futang and Runye's mother knew it.
Knowing that Tian Runye was bringing food to Sun Shaoan, he acquiesced.
"Brother Shao'an, my second father asked you to get it." Tian Runye felt aggrieved.
Tian Runye is not stupid and would not steal food from Tian Fujun's family.
"Huh? That's it. I blamed you wrongly.
But, Run Ye, I am now helping out in the school kitchen.
If you can eat enough, you don’t have to bring me food anymore. "
"Ah? Brother Shao'an, are you doing a work-study program in the kitchen?"
"Yes." Sun Shaoan took the steamed buns and eggs handed over by Run Ye and started eating.
When eating, don't forget to feed Tian Runye.
Tian Runye is still too thin and needs to eat more.
In addition, Tian Runye eats and sleeps at Tian Fujun's house, which is not as convenient as his own home.
"Brother Shaoan, what do you do in the kitchen?"
"I was chopping vegetables just now."
"Chopping vegetables? Didn't you get it right?" Tian Runye hurriedly grabbed Sun Shaoan's hand and looked at it.
"No, I cut it well."
"Brother Shao'an, can I also go to the school's kitchen to work as a study student?" Tian Runye wanted to do everything with Sun Shao'an.
"No, Runye, your family is not short of money.
Besides, we can’t add that many people in the kitchen. "Sun Shaoan smiled and stuffed the egg yolk into Tian Runye's mouth.
Finished the steamed buns and eggs.
There is no class in the afternoon.
"Run Ye, let's go for a walk?" Sun Shaoan wanted to go out and take a look.
"OK."
The two of them walked around the county town casually.
Sun Shaoan stood in front of the County Cultural Center, "Runye, I heard you can borrow books here, let's go in and have a look."
"OK."
There is a library in the county cultural center.
You can borrow books here.
In "The Ordinary World", Sun Shaoping, who was 17 or 18 years old, often came here to borrow books when he was in high school in the county town.
There are quite a few books here, as well as many periodicals and magazines.
Sun Shaoan felt relieved, "It's difficult to make money legally in a small county."
"Submitting articles and earning royalties is one way to do it."
“After all, anyone can submit an article.
Even a dog or a pig can contribute. "
“However, I can’t submit my article yet.
It still takes a few months of reading and accumulation.
In a small county, you can't do anything too outrageous. "
After paying attention, Sun Shaoan found some journals where he could submit articles and looked through them.
After reading for a while, Sun Shaoan looked for some books on agricultural planting and breeding.
Before long, Sun Shaoan had to go to the school kitchen to help out.
Sun Shaoan borrowed a few books on planting and breeding and left with Tian Runye.
"Brother Shaoan, how do you read these books?"
"Run Ye, this book talks about how to raise pigs.
In our village, doesn’t every household raise pigs?
Don’t the pigs in the brigade sometimes die of illness?
I want to see if we can raise the pigs well. "
"Then I want to see it too."
"Run Ye, when I learn it, I will teach you."
"Okay, Brother Shaoan."
Send Tian Runye to Tian Fujun's house first, and then Sun Shaoan returns to school.
Sun Shaoan's middle school career has finally begun.
(End of chapter)
