A lunchbox full of braised pork, and another with four or five pieces of stewed fish, although cold, still made Xiaoyu and Xiao Xing swallow their saliva.
Even though the family had been eating better than most in the team these days, they hadn’t been this lavish with at and fish.
Xiaoyu said: "Sis, there’s so much at and fish, we can’t finish it in one al. Let heat it up, we’ll eat half and save the other half for tomorrow!"
Ling Chengyan waved her hand: "Don’t save it, it was leftover... I an, it was from lunchti. Heating it once is fine, but twice and it becos a waste."
Xiao Xing felt so happy she wanted to sing; it was the first ti she could freely eat such delicious, oily, fragrant, and sweet at.
Xiaoyu was still a bit shy to eat, but Ling Chengyan took the lunchbox and scooped so into her bowl, and only then did she eat it bit by bit.
For so reason, her eyes felt hot, and she quickly lowered her head, sniffing to hold back the tears.
The al was filled with happiness and satisfaction. After eating, Ling Chengyan brought hot water inside to wash her hair and bathe, while Xiaoyu took on the task of washing the dishes.
After freshening up and changing into comfortable cotton clothes, Ling Chengyan sat on the bed, drying her hair while watching Xiaoyu and Xiao Xing learn to read and write.
Early the next morning, Ling Chengyan was preparing to go to the fields with the team. When she arrived at the team office, she received a notice from the commune, asking them to attend a celebration eting.
Apart from the celebration eting, Wang Futang reminded Ling Chengyan to bring the household registration book: "You ntioned Xiaoyu’s registration last ti, I already reported it to the commune. You just need to bring the registration book to update it."
Ling Chengyan’s registration only included herself and the two kids. Adding Xiaoyu made it four.
Since Xiaoyu didn’t plan to return, they needed to update the registration. It was then that Ling Chengyan rembered to ask Xiaoyu about her surna, but Xiaoyu said she wanted to take the surna Ling.
Ling Chengyan had rescued Xiaoyu under such circumstances, one can only imagine what she went through.
Xiaoyu said she escaped with her mother, who passed away. She followed the villagers, possibly having a brother or an uncle with the sa surna... but she never imagined that such blood ties would almost beco her death warrant.
So, Ling Chengyan didn’t say much and registered Xiaoyu as Ling Yu.
Zhang Wanxiang rode the bike with Ling Chengyan, Wu Qingyun took Wang Lianqi, and the four went to the commune together. Biking was faster than the mule cart, so they reached the commune when not many other teams had arrived.
Just then, Xu Dong ca out to pour water, saw the four, and imdiately smiled and greeted them: "You got here quickly, co in and sit, wait for the other teams."
The militia captains from various teams gathered in the courtyard, looking at each other.
Soone asked: "Wasn’t that the Nanli Team’s Wang Lianqi?"
This person clearly wasn’t up to date with the news and didn’t know about yesterday’s events. Soone imdiately laughed and said: "You haven’t heard?"
The person asking looked clueless: "Heard what? About the county competition?"
"Oh, Old Xiang, you’re behind!" The person patted Old Xiang’s shoulder with a laugh, "Last night, they participated in the regional competition. Can you guess what happened?... All three made it to the finals, one won the championship, one ca third, and one ca fourth... The commune and even the county have registered them."
After waiting for half an hour, when all teams had arrived for the eting, the achievents of the Nanli Team were well known.
Wang Lianqi brought Ling Chengyan and the others to the venue, drawing everyone’s attention. Familiar militia captains eagerly approached Wang Lianqi for tips on their training secrets, but he claid they had none, though no one believed him.
This celebration eting could almost be said to have been organized for the Nanli Team. Among the other two participating militian, Li Huaihua made it to the finals, while the other didn’t even make it to the finals and had less significant achievents.
As the brightest star in the venue, Ling Chengyan received the most attention and the largest rewards. As the district’s first champion, the commune’s Director Guo personally approved and presented the awards, including a Shanghai watch, cloth coupons, oil coupons, and a stack of at coupons. Not just the attending team militia captains, but the entire commune was shocked.
The other militia mbers who participated in the regional competition also received prizes, but lower-tiered. Zhang Wanxiang, being the champion, was awarded a large red jacquard blanket, and the other three each received a printed bedsheet.
As these prizes were distributed, everyone was repeatedly shocked and killed by envy and jealousy, turning into emotionless lemon spirits. When the eting ended and people began to speak, the whole venue felt sour with envy.
Ling Chengyan didn’t waste a mont, going straight to the household registration office. Zhang Wanxiang and Wu Qingyun left with her, leaving Wang Lianqi to face the envious "lemon spirits."
Before entering the village, Ling Chengyan raised the pork she was holding and smiled: "I’ll make dumplings tonight, you all co and eat."
Zhang Wanxiang laughed: "Sister Yan got a big prize, we should celebrate well."
Wu Qingyun smiled in agreent, not saying much, but knowing that Ling Chengyan buying at to celebrate wasn’t for the prize, but for formally registering Ling Yu with the Nanli Team.
Ling Chengyan had gained a sister, of course there should be a celebration.
In the afternoon, two sister-in-laws didn’t go to work to help prepare the evening al for the guests. Ling Chengyan caught two wild rabbits, used her own pickled salty fish, and had over two catties of pork she bought from the commune, a rare abundance of ingredients.
The sister-in-laws brought fresh chives from their garden, cleaned and mixed with minced pork, making the freshest chive and pork filling.
Zhang Wanxiang and Wu Qingyun’s mothers also ca early to help, bringing fresh spinach, a big block of tofu, and a bag of dried shrimp.
Seeing the dried shrimp, the second sister-in-law was thrilled, took a handful, washed it slightly in hot water, chopped it into fine pieces, and added it to the dumpling filling.
Braised wild rabbit at, fragrant fried salted fish, followed by a large plate of cold spinach salad, chive scrambled eggs, and chive and pork three-flavor dumplings with thin skin and big stuffing. Along with two bottles of aged liquor brought by Uncle Wang Futang, Qu Juan and Cui Cui also joined the fun, bringing a bottle of apple cider. With food and drink, a table feast of appetizing dishes delighted both hosting and guests.
Once everyone was seated, Wang Futang raised his glass: "Today we gather to honor Ling Chengyan, Zhang Wanxiang, and Wu Qingyun for bringing honor and pride to our team, cheers!"
Everyone laughed and drank, then Wang Futang said: "I discussed with the team committee, the rewards from the commune and county can’t be ignored by our team. But our team is poor, no watches or foreign cars, so what do we do? After much discussion, it was decided: award 500 work points to Comrade Ling Chengyan, and 300 each for Wanxiang and Qingyun. Don’t think it’s too little, it’s a token of goodwill from all our fellow villagers."
With those words, cheers erupted, and all drank heartily.
After three rounds of drinks, Ling Chengyan stood up and said: "Today, I’m grateful for the presence of uncles, aunts, and all brothers and sisters. I toast a cup in thanks for your care of my sisters and the two kids."
Hearing Ling Chengyan say "my sisters," a confirming gleam appeared in Wu Qingyun’s eyes.
Xiaoyu was taken aback, then her nose tingled, and her eyes turned red.
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