Zhao Dahai and Li Daju couldn't understand why a person's character could change so drastically in such a short time.
Before, Zhao Yi would always care about the younger ones – at the very least, whenever he found something good to eat in the mountains, like a wild bird's egg, he would bring it home for the whole family to share.
He used to frequently check on his younger siblings' studies, concerned about whether they could understand their lessons. Now he showed no interest, almost like a stranger.
Since they couldn't figure it out, the two stopped thinking about it.
When Li Daju had mentioned that Zhao Yi often gave fish to Zhang Jing to take back to her parents' home, leaving none for them to even taste the fish soup, Zhao Dahai now believed it. The current Zhao Yi was indeed capable of such things.
After breakfast, everyone started work.
Zhao Yi was assigned to weed and fertilize the fields together with Zhao Dahai and Li Daju. Zhang Jing was naturally also a member of this team. Since they used to be one family, they were often assigned to work in the same area.
After working all morning, Zhao Yi had spoken to them less than five times.
Zhao Yi also wanted to see whether those three ungrateful children could still go to school so easily without him as their workhorse, or if the family couldn't survive without their beast of burden.
After a full day's work, Zhao Yi felt particularly relaxed. The workload for four people in one area wasn't even as heavy as what one person had to handle during the busy farming season when they could earn money.
In the evening, Zhao Yi collected his fish trap and picked out a relatively small fish. He wandered around the village entrance before heading toward the old house.
"Dad, Mom, I've brought you some fish."
Zhao Yi announced loudly as soon as he entered, making sure the neighbors could hear. Since he was putting on a show, he had to do it properly – after all, he was a very filial son.
After placing the fish in the wooden basin, Zhao Yi turned to leave, ignoring Li Daju's attempts to make him stay as if he hadn't heard.
From now on, he would bring a fish every time rations were distributed. The fish didn't cost him anything, and he could get a good reputation for free.
As for other matters, they had nothing to do with Zhao Yi.
When Zhao Yi returned home, Zhang Jing had already prepared dinner.
"Educated Youth Su, please join us for dinner. This is wild boar meat sent by my parents – it tastes quite good."
Zhang Jing greeted her cheerfully.
On the table was a plate of steamed shrimp – the larger ones that Zhao Yi had picked out from those caught in the fields to feed the pigs, telling Zhang Jing to simply steam them. There was also a plate of Bamboo Shoots Stir-fried with Meat. Though bamboo shoots were still emerging in the mountains, they were relatively scarce now. Without oil and meat to cook with, they wouldn't taste good.
There was also a bowl of pickled cabbage fish soup. In the food basket on the table were freshly steamed coarse grain buns.
The sight of these dishes was enough to whet anyone's appetite.
"Even in the city, people don't eat as well as your family."
Su Hong sat down generously. Although she occasionally gave pastries and milk candies to Zhang Jing, she had never properly eaten a meal at Zhao Yi's home.
Just then, Zhao Yi walked in, nodded when he saw Su Hong, then sat down and invited her to eat.
"I could smell the meat before I even entered! You're living quite well, young man."
Li Dequan's cheerful voice came from the yard, and he walked into the main room as soon as he finished speaking.
Zhang Jing quickly stood up and fetched a bamboo cup, filling it with the remaining homemade liquor for Li Dequan.
"Brigade Leader, please join us for dinner."
Zhao Yi promptly handed a pair of chopsticks to Li Dequan with a smile.
"It would be a shame not to taste such good food. Comrade Su is here too – perfect timing to enjoy a meal at Zhao Yi's expense together."
Li Dequan accepted the chopsticks with a laugh.
Zhao Yi's activities during this period were known to Li Dequan, but since Zhao Yi showed him particular respect and understood social etiquette, Li Dequan couldn't be bothered to interfere.
"Seeing the food looks good, I thought I'd join for a meal."
Su Hong nodded.
"The coal mine positions have been finalized. Our village got fifteen slots – twenty-six yuan per month with all the same benefits as regular workers, though they're not considered formal positions. I came to ask if you want to register."
Li Dequan took a sip of liquor while looking at Zhao Yi.
Li Dequan knew about Zhao Yi selling fish to Su Hong. Su Hong often carried fish to the cowshed and frequently visited Zhao Yi's house. Though he didn't know how much Zhao Yi charged per fish, there was definitely some income involved.
Therefore, Li Dequan hadn't taken the liberty to register Zhao Yi's name for the coal mine position.
"Brigade Leader, I better not go. If I go, what would happen to my father? There are also three younger ones at home waiting to go to school – lots of expenses needing money."
Zhao Yi quickly shook his head.
Coal mines were particularly dangerous. Current mining conditions and facilities weren't as safe as in later times. In his previous life, he might have escaped disaster by luck, but that accident had still killed seven or eight people.
Regarding work, Zhao Yi had his own plans – no need to take such dangerous jobs.
Fortunately, the villagers knew about his father's situation. Since Zhao Yi had already separated from the family household, he wouldn't compete with his father for this quota. With three children waiting to enter middle school, each semester would cost at least several dozen yuan.
They'd also need to prepare substantial rations monthly to bring to school. If the family had no money and relied only on collective work, forget schooling – even keeping the kang warm would be difficult.
Fifteen slots might sound like a lot, but actually weren't that many.
Wangou Brigade had five small teams, meaning only three slots per team. In Wangou Village, one slot was already taken by Li Dequan's son, leaving only two slots for the village.
In his previous life, Zhao Yi never understood why the slot went to the Zhao family. This time it made sense – Zhao Yi frequently gave gifts and invited Li Dequan to meals.
Last time, it must have been Li Daju giving their old hen to Wu Lan, otherwise the slot wouldn't have gone to the Zhao family. Those waiting to earn money weren't limited to just the Zhaos.
"Alright, I won't force you if you don't want to go. You kid have your own cleverness."
Li Dequan laughed heartily.
After several rounds of drinks and dishes, Li Dequan soon ate and drank his fill, leisurely heading back home.
"Where did you get these shrimp? They taste wonderful – delicious even without any seasoning."
Su Hong asked after Zhao Yi saw Li Dequan out and returned.
"From the fields. Just quite troublesome – lots of small ones, few this big. If you have time to gather them, you can collect several plates of large ones in an afternoon."
Zhao Yi smiled.
"How do you catch them?"
Su Hong was particularly curious.
"You go to the irrigation ditches in the fields, put this thing down, wait about ten minutes then lift it up, pick out the big ones, pour back the small ones, and repeat the process."
Zhao Yi pointed at the winnowing basket on the ground.
Su Hong nodded, deciding to try tomorrow so her grandparents could have another meat dish.
"If you have enough oil, loaches have much more meat than shrimp and are easier to catch – can get a full plate in just over ten minutes. Tomorrow I'll prepare some for you to taste, and you can learn how."
Zhao Yi said cheerfully.
Whether fried or braised, loach tastes exceptionally delicious, and its meat is undoubtedly much more plentiful than shrimp's.
"Alright."
Su Hong nodded.
At Li Dequan's home.
Li Dequan leaned back leisurely in his rocking chair, listening to his son declare his determination to contribute a certain amount of money to the household each month and work diligently at the coal mine.