Chen Lan first used chopsticks to scoop the freshly served seasoned beef into a lunchbox. The young girl then brought over the other three prepared dishes one by one. Seeing Chen Lan packing the food into the lunchbox, she also followed Chen Lan's example, helping to pack the other dishes into different lunchboxes like Chen Lan did.
Chen Lan smiled and thanked the young girl. Then, carrying four lunchboxes in a bag with one hand and a tray of sesame cakes and donkey meat burgers in the other, she walked towards her own table.
Chen Lan saw that Jia Yao and the other four children had almost finished eating. They had put down their chopsticks and were listening intently to the adults chatting.
Xu Mingxuan and Er Zhuang were accompanying Old Man Zhang and Sister Zhao, drinking a little wine and discussing the work arrangements for the afternoon.
Old Man Zhang took a sip of wine and said, "Hongmei, I'm telling you, isn't your director asking us to speed things up? Then you and I should cooperate."
Sister Zhao swallowed her food and asked casually, "Cousin-in-law, tell me, how should we cooperate?"
To avoid disturbing their conversation, Chen Lan quietly placed the things she was carrying on an empty table nearby and pulled up a stool to sit beside her daughter, Jiahui.
Jiahui was engrossed in the adults' conversation. Seeing Chen Lan return, she immediately brought over a bowl of food she had saved for Chen Lan and said in a low voice, "Mom, this is specially saved for you. Eat it quickly, there's still your favorite seasoned beef in it."
Chen Lan happily took the dish, then smiled gently at Jiahui and whispered, "Thank you!"
At this moment, Old Man Zhang picked up a piece of beef, chewed it, and swallowed it. He then replied with a satisfied expression, "Hongmei, didn't your director arrange for people to help clean up the dilapidated house this afternoon? You should have the people who come to help clean up the garbage first clear out the second and third floors. I'll go to the second child's place this afternoon and have him bring the tools for repairing doors and windows and a few apprentices to work here."
He paused, took another sip of wine, smacked his lips, and continued, "It just so happens that the factories where Weiguo and Weidang work are not busy these days. I'll also bring the two brothers, Weiguo, to help here for a few days. Taking advantage of the long daylight hours now, and the fact that it gets dark late, I'll have them work a few extra night shifts to quickly repair the broken windows and doors in the house. I've already found the materials for repairing doors and windows in the warehouse at the scrap yard. See if you can find a vehicle this afternoon and arrange for someone to help haul those things back from the warehouse. That way, they can start working this afternoon. This way, Xu Mingxuan's family will have a place to settle down sooner. Once they're settled, everything will be easier to talk about."
Sister Zhao, Xu Mingxuan, and Er Zhuang listened to Old Man Zhang's arrangements and stopped eating. They felt that Old Man Zhang's plan made sense and all nodded in agreement.
Xu Mingxuan said, "Brother Zhang, what you said makes sense. We'll take care of hauling things from the scrap recycling station. If you have any further arrangements, please continue to tell everyone since they are all here now."
Old Man Zhang put down his chopsticks and continued, "Carpentry is a meticulous job, it's not something that can be done in a day or two, so we need to get started in advance. Next, we need to arrange for people to quickly tidy up the kitchen as well, so that you, Xiao Chen, and your family can cook at home, and the family can settle down first. We can take our time tidying up other places. It's not a good idea for your whole family to keep living in a guesthouse, is it? Besides, you can't eat at the state-run restaurant every day, can you? That would be too expensive!"
Sister Zhao also felt that this arrangement was more appropriate. This way, the work would not be delayed. She nodded and said, "Okay, cousin-in-law. We'll all follow your arrangements. By the way, cousin-in-law, aren't the brothers Weiguo and Weidang working in the factory? Do they have time to come and help?"
Old Man Zhang sighed and said, "What job? Doesn't brewing alcohol require grain? Now grain is supplied on a quota basis, and people are barely getting enough to eat. Does the country have so much grain for them to use for brewing? Weiguo's beer factory only operates for two days and stops for three. Weidang's cigarette factory also has a shortage of raw materials, and they only work half a day and study half a day! It's no trouble for me to ask the two brothers to take a few days off to help."
While Old Man Zhang was speaking, he was interrupted by some people from the next table who shouted, "Whose things are these? Why are they placed here!"
As he looked up to answer, he saw Chen Lan get up and move the tray of sesame cakes and donkey meat burgers and a bag of things from the next table to their table.
Old Man Zhang asked in surprise, "Comrade Xiao Chen, why did you buy so many sesame cakes and donkey meat burgers again? Are you worried that everyone will be hungry working this afternoon?"
Chen Lan thought it made sense! People nowadays didn't have much oil and fat in their stomachs, so they got hungry quickly. Moreover, they would be doing physical labor in the afternoon, so they would get hungry even faster.
Thinking of this, Chen Lan smiled and replied, "This is for Sister Zhao to take back to the elders and children for lunch. For those working in the afternoon, I'll arrange for the children to buy them fresh. Sesame cakes and burgers taste best when they're just made and hot."
Old Man Zhang smiled and said, "Xiao Chen, it's alright! It's summer, so it's not a problem to eat cold food. Besides, these are white flour sesame cakes! They taste just as good even when they're cold."
Chen Lan thought she had a lot to do in the afternoon, so she no longer insisted on having the children run an extra trip. She then took a handful of money and tickets from her pocket and handed them to Jia Yao. She said, "Son, Mom doesn't know exactly how many people will be here this afternoon. Try to buy more."
Jia Yao took the money and tickets and nodded, "Mom, you should eat quickly. Isn't the food getting cold? Don't worry, son understands and will try to buy more."
After speaking, he took Jiahui and Jia Xing to the ticket purchasing window.
Sister Zhao saw that it was getting late and stood up, saying, "Xiao Chen, Xiao Xu, it's getting late. I've had enough to eat and won't say much more. There are elders and children waiting at home. I need to go home quickly."
Chen Lan and Xu Mingxuan also immediately got up, ready to help Sister Zhao carry things and see her off.
Old Man Zhang took a bite of a donkey meat burger and said, "You two don't need to see her off. I happen to be going to the second child's place on the way, so I'll help her carry it and take it home."