Chapter 160: Chapter 160
Amidst the family's busy routines, the year-end arrived in the blink of an eye. Due to the prolonged natural disaster, the situation in the city had become increasingly dire.
Although their material preparations were fairly decent, the family still decided to be frugal. Even during the New Year period, they only prepared a fish that Little Brother Yang had managed to snatch from a ditch and a small piece of pork belly bought from the supply and marketing cooperative.
Each person had barely half a bowl of mixed grain rice, making for a meager holiday feast. Of course, they secretly enjoyed some beef jerky provided by their generous friend to satisfy their cravings.
As for the Old Yang Family back in the village - there was no helping it. Given the current severe situation, as newcomers to the city, An Ning's mother naturally had to work overtime every day. Even An Ning and her sister were sadly working as "private tutors" outside to earn their own keep! Whether others believed it or not, returning to the village was absolutely impossible.
Li Xiaocao, however, to prevent village gossip, still asked Youcai from the village chief's family to deliver some defective fabric remnants from the factory and a few worm-eaten apples distributed at year-end to the Old Yang Family. As for grain - there was simply no way. With the city's monthly rations drastically reduced, their family of four barely had enough for themselves.
"Aiya, Auntie, how could this not be enough? This is already too much!" Zhang Youcai, who had just secured a temporary worker position at the coal mine after intense studying, didn't hesitate to blatantly lie when seeing the embarrassed Li Xiaocao: "Auntie, these days, who isn't struggling? No matter how bad things get in our village, at least we still have some grain left and the back mountain to rely on - we'll get by. But look at you, Auntie - you've become so thin recently! Clearly you've been saving your rations for Guohua."
Li Xiaocao, who had actually gained some weight around her waist from stress-eating during this relatively well-fed year: "......"
Feeling her snug waistline, Li Xiaocao subconsciously thought that next time she should make her clothes a bit looser. At least it wouldn't be so awkward now!
But Zhang Youcai seemed completely oblivious as he puffed out his chest confidently: "Don't worry, Auntie. No matter how shameless they are, they wouldn't dare to take food from their own grandson who's just a few years old! Besides, who says your family hasn't been filial? Isn't Uncle Jianye staying there taking care of the elders every single day without fail? Isn't that the greatest filial piety? If Second Uncle Yang is being filial, doesn't that count as you being filial too? Why split hairs about which part of the family it is!"
Thinking this, the young man's face filled with righteous indignation: "Auntie, you can set your heart at ease. If those people really dare to be so shameless, forget others - my father as the production team leader would never tolerate such behavior that corrupts our team's morals!"
Well, that was... something.
Regardless, in these times, the production team leader still commanded considerable authority. Even as An Ning and her sister packed their bags to return to school, no matter how furious the relatives back in the village were, they never dared to show up at their door.
However, in 1960, the expected spring rains never came, and the external situation grew increasingly unstable. After May, seeing their neighbors gradually reducing their cooking fires, even though Li Xiaocao knew they still had plenty stored in their cellar, she unconsciously followed others in changing from three meals a day to two.
Fearing others might notice something amiss, even Little Brother Yang's portions were reduced by nearly half. As for An Ning and her sister, though they were at an age where they needed nutrition and weren't prone to weight gain, after surveying the nearby hospital, An Ning not only reduced their food but also specially prepared herbal dye to gradually give their originally fair complexions a sallow tinge, even making their clothes slightly oversized.
At first glance, their already slender figures appeared even more gaunt. When their chubby classmate saw them for the first time, he couldn't help but frown and, despite sitting several desks away, kept stuffing various dried meats, candies and biscuits into his friend's pockets.
"Don't worry, believe me, I'm really not starving!"
But with her current appearance, this statement lacked conviction. The boy's gaze lingered on her noticeably pale and slightly yellowish face before he wordlessly shoved the small bag of jerky and a salted duck egg he'd specially brought that morning into her pocket.
Back home, An Ning took out a small mirror to examine her familiar yet strange reflection. Had she overdone the makeup?
But after observing the uniformly sallow complexions around her, she decisively dismissed this thought. It wasn't that she'd applied too much - it was that others had their own interpretations.
No matter how much An Ning explained, her chubby classmate remained convinced she was putting on a brave face. With remarkable generosity, he shared part of his own rations and, fearing she might refuse, even formally "charged" her payment - some early notes that were actually discarded drafts.
Every returned item would rather go to waste or be given to others than be used by himself.
Who knew her friend could be so stubborn! Thanks to this external support, she recently reduced the concentration of herbal dye, and her complexion wasn't as alarming as before. In contrast, the originally cheerful round face of her chubby friend had visibly thinned day by day.
How troublesome - her conscience was feeling slightly pained!
But soon, An Ning had no time to dwell on this. September, traditionally the harvest season, brought no surprises in 1960 - only barren fields. Amidst the wails of farmers, on this very day, a gaunt middle-aged man suddenly knocked on the Yang family's door.