Chapter 285 - 276: Scrambling for the Second Meal
When Li Huan returned from behind the house wearing shoes that were a size too small, covered in filth, Li Xianglu’s boiled fish dish was ready—a large basin filled with bean sprouts, tofu skin, tofu, gluten, and some vegetables, alongside a cold salad of celery and vermicelli, and a pile of sliced cooked beef.
Furthermore, two pan-fried crucian carps were turned into a milky fish soup.
Sister Xing had requested to stay for lunch; Li Xianglu picked a large carp and three small crucian carps from the water bucket for her to take back home, to make lunch for the children, so there was no need for her to come over in the afternoon.
After washing up, Li Huan changed into Li Xianglu’s long-sleeved shirt and pants to come out for the meal. Li Xianglu carried the core of the rice cooker out to serve rice to everyone, while Qin Xi was helping to distribute the food.
Old Qi frowned at the large basin of fish and asked, "Is this enough to eat?"
Li Xianglu paused for a moment, then continued to serve the rice, scooping out a large bowl and placing it in front of him, "Then eat more rice."
Old Qi glanced at the basin of rice in front of him and nodded, "I’ll just have to make do."
Old Qi caused a fuss, refusing to leave; it was boring for the old man to be alone at home, so he just let him stay on. The two could eat a little more together, and just like that, in a month, the grandfather put on two or three pounds, while Old Qi gained nearly seven or eight pounds. The previously gaunt face had become somewhat rounder.
Yet, Li Xianglu noticed that the consumption of meat and grains at home was simply twice the usual amount. It was only 1980, and although food and supplies had become more abundant, it was still a rationing system. Their family of three was allowed 120 kilograms of grains a month, and Old Qi’s outer region quota was also taken at the beginning of the month, which added 43 kilos—all fine grains, which wasn’t bad.
That amounted to over 160 kilograms of grains for four people, but now at the start of October, Li Xianglu saw that a third was gone by lunchtime. If they kept eating like this and came back a few more times, they would have to revert to the way they ate five years ago, eating buns made of mixed flour and second-crop rice, otherwise, there wouldn’t be enough food.