Chapter 15: Sitting Down to Dinner

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The commune’s quotas were limited—after all, there was only so much grain to go around. If everyone worked in the commune, there wouldn’t be enough food to distribute. Therefore, the commune only allowed one member per household. In Lin Xing’s family, his father, Lin Longyong, was already working in the commune, so there was no extra quota for anyone else.

Hearing this, Lin Xing smiled gently. “Uncle Zhao, you’ve misunderstood. I’m not here to join the commune. I actually want to ask you for something else.”

“Oh? What is it?” Zhao Renyi inquired.

Lin Xing shook the ten pounds of venison in his hand. “I have ten pounds of venison here, and I’d like to exchange it for some labor points. Would that be alright?”

Zhao Renyi’s eyes lit up at the sight of the venison.

In these times, meat was a rare luxury. Aside from hunters, very few people could afford to eat meat regularly. Usually, the only time they could enjoy such a treat was during the New Year celebrations.

“I heard you went hunting in the mountains these past few days, and even caught a spotted deer. I didn’t expect it to be true,” Zhao Renyi swallowed his saliva and said, “You’ve got talent, kid—at such a young age, you’re already bringing home meat from the mountains.”

“You’re flattering me. I was just lucky,” Lin Xing replied with a smile.

Zhao Renyi asked curiously, “Exchanging meat for labor points isn’t a bad idea, but what do you need the labor points for?”

Lin Xing didn’t hide anything and explained honestly, “Our house is a bit dilapidated. I want to hire some people to reinforce it. The weather has been harsh lately, and with a blizzard possibly coming anytime, I’m worried the house won’t withstand the wind and snow and might collapse.”

“I see,” Zhao Renyi thought for a moment and then said, “Alright, for ten pounds of venison, I’ll give you five labor points. I’ll also arrange a group of people to help reinforce your house. How’s that?”

“Deal!” Lin Xing agreed without hesitation.

Five labor points was no small sum—it was roughly what a commune member could earn from half a month’s work. Exchanging ten pounds of venison for that many points, plus a team to help reinforce the house, was quite a good bargain.

After taking the venison, Zhao Renyi went to make the arrangements.

A short while later, Zhao Renyi returned with five or six men and said to Lin Xing, “I’ve registered your five labor points. These five or six men are the ones I’ve assigned to reinforce your house. Take a look and see what you think.”

Lin Xing examined the group carefully.

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To be honest, these men were all skinny and bony—hardly the picture of robust laborers. But these days, it was hard to get enough to eat, and growing strong was even harder, so this was normal.

Lin Xing nodded. “No problem!”

Zhao Renyi addressed the group, “You’re going to help reinforce Xiao Lin’s house. Each of you will earn one labor point for this task. This is a commune assignment, so don’t slack off.”

“Understood,” the men nodded.

Lin Xing immediately led the men away from the commune.

Back home, Lin Xing got the workers started on reinforcing the house.

Judging by their skillful handling of the wood, it was clear these men were experienced. They worked efficiently and confidently, with no hesitation at all.

Wu Xiulan and Lin Yiyi, hearing the commotion, came outside.

Wu Xiulan asked curiously, “Where did you hire these workers from?”

“From the commune,” Lin Xing smiled. “I exchanged ten pounds of venison with Uncle Zhao for five labor points, plus these men to help us reinforce the house.”

“Ten pounds of venison can get you so much?” Wu Xiulan was surprised.

Lin Xing nodded. “Yeah, I didn’t expect venison to be so valuable. And the five labor points can also be exchanged for grain. If we ever run out of food, you can go to the commune and trade labor points for grain. I plan to hunt more and exchange meat for labor points as a backup.”

Although eating meat was filling, staple grains were still necessary to avoid nutritional deficiencies.

Wu Xiulan had no way to get staple grains herself; the only option was to use labor points to exchange at the commune.

So going forward, Lin Xing not only needed to hunt but also to accumulate labor points. If there were no more game to hunt, they could still rely on labor points to trade for food at the commune—a kind of emergency resource.

“I understand,” Wu Xiulan said with a hint of embarrassment. “In a few days, I’ll go to the commune and see if I can find some work. Since we’ve separated from your father’s family, technically we’re two households, so maybe we can get an extra quota.”

“Mom, you don’t need to go. There’s no need to trouble Uncle Zhao. He’s in a difficult position too. Besides, with me here now, we don’t need you to work there. Just stay home and take care of things,” Lin Xing said with a smile.

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Wu Xiulan opened her mouth but didn’t know what to say, feeling a deep sense of guilt. As a mother, she felt helpless and as if she had let her son down.

The workers moved swiftly, and by evening the wooden house had been thoroughly reinforced.

Though not luxurious, the patched-up house no longer had drafts. The beams and walls were firmly secured, making the house much sturdier. Now, they wouldn’t be chilled by the wind while sleeping at night.

To thank the workers, Lin Xing gave each of them a pound of meat.

Although each worker was paid one labor point by the commune for their task, Lin Xing’s meat was a personal reward. It was important to maintain good relations—otherwise, how could he ask for their help again in the future?

The workers were all smiles after receiving the meat, slapping Lin Xing on the shoulder as if they were brothers, their camaraderie warm and genuine.

After seeing the workers off, Lin Xing and the others carefully inspected the house and grew increasingly satisfied.

“Mom, brother, now that the house is fixed, won’t we be warm and safe from the cold?” Lin Yiyi asked, blinking her eyes.

Lin Xing pinched her cute cheek and smiled. “Yes, we won’t be cold at night anymore. Once mom finishes making the cashmere quilt, we’ll be even warmer.”

“That’s wonderful! Finally, we can sleep well,” Lin Yiyi exclaimed happily, dancing about.

Rubbing his stomach, Lin Xing said to Wu Xiulan, “Mom, after working all afternoon, I’m a bit hungry. Is dinner ready?”

“It’s ready. Wait here; I’ll bring it over,” Wu Xiulan smiled and went into the kitchen.

After a short while, she returned carrying the meal.

Mutton offal soup and cornmeal cakes—already quite a lavish meal.

The three of them sat down at the table, chatting and laughing as they began their dinner.