Chapter 138: Production

The next day, Zhang Ping'an began his preparations, sifting through small hawthorn berries in his space and readying seventy or eighty palm-length bamboo skewers, planning for five hawthorn berries per skewer.

After getting off work, Zhang Ping'an packed everything into a burlap sack and brought it back to the courtyard.

"Dad, do you know how to make candied hawthorn?"

"What's hard about that? Just melt the sugar and swirl the hawthorn berries in it."

"That works. I'll leave these to you; just have them done by the day off."

"……"

"You're always saying you're bored, right? Your son is just finding you something to do."

"Hehe, that's right, Dad."

"Good son, listen to me, thank you, because of you..."

Soon, on the afternoon of the day off, He Daqing's thumb-sized fried dough twists were also finished; Zhang Ping'an eyed the cloth bag, estimating it weighed at least seven or eight jin.

Brother-in-law Lao Jia also carried a cloth bag, with peanuts, melon seeds, and candies mixed together; it looked to be at least four or five jin.

The Lao Wu family were no fools either; the cloth bag in their hands didn't look light, and Xu Fugui went without saying, as he also had a bag in his hand, just as Zhang Ping'an naturally did.

Well, well, even though they hadn't coordinated with one another, they were all so tacitly in sync; truly, there were no mediocre people who could live in the Heavens Courtyard.

By this time, the long benches and tables and chairs in the Middle Courtyard had already been set up, forming a rectangle.

Since Director Wang hadn't arrived yet, the peanuts, melon seeds, and candies on the table were mostly snatched up as soon as they were set out, and everyone's pockets were bulging; Lao Jia's peanuts, melon seeds, and candies arrived just in time to ease the awkwardness.

"Everyone arrived quite early, I see." Director Wang arrived, followed by two Street Office clerks who were also carrying two cloth bags in their hands.

After returning last night, Director Wang had thought about it; this tea party model was quite good, as everyone could help each other out, and it could be worth trying to promote it. That was why she had brought two clerks along to be responsible for recording the proceedings.

"Director Wang."

"Sit, everyone sit."

"Director Wang, everyone is just about here; would you like to say a few words?"

"Hehe, that's fine. Comrades, to be honest, your courtyard is the most united and loving one I have ever encountered. Our country is currently waiting to be rebuilt, and it requires the joint efforts of everyone."

"Everyone is indispensable. Whether the men are putting in hard labor or working on technology, they are all contributing to the country. Women taking good care of the children and stabilizing the home front, allowing the men to work with peace of mind, is also a contribution."

"Children studying hard to gain knowledge and using what they have learned to give back to society when they grow up is also a contribution. So, ah..."

"……"

"Ahem, excuse me everyone, my habit of rambling has flared up again."

"No, no, Director Wang's words are thought-provoking."

"That's right, Director Wang, your words are profound. Just as you said, I am a teacher and you are a director; we are both making contributions and serving the people."

"Right, right, right. I swing the sledgehammer, and Lao Yi tightens the bolts; we are all making contributions," Liu Haizhong also said excitedly.

"……"

The somewhat serious topic was diluted quite a bit by Liu Haizhong's words, and many people were struggling to hold back their laughter.

"Ahem, everyone drink some water and eat some peanuts to rest."

"Right, right. I made some small snacks. Zhuzi, distribute a plate to each table. Director Wang, you should try some too."

"You got it, Dad."

"I also roasted some chestnuts. Damao, you distribute some to everyone too."

"You got it, Dad."

"That's right, I fried some popcorn at home too. Everyone try some. Eldest, Second, Third?"

"You got it, Dad."

"Ahem, I also prepared some candied hawthorn for everyone. That Dongxu, distribute them to everyone."

"You got it, Uncle."

"……"

"Good, good, good," Director Wang sighed repeatedly.

With Director Wang presiding, there was no phenomenon of scrambling; the children had their fill today, as they hadn't eaten so many snacks even during the New Year.

At five in the afternoon, the tea party concluded successfully. The two clerks from the Street Office looked at the visibly satisfied Director Wang, but they hesitated slightly.

"Director, I'm afraid this tea party won't be easy to promote."

"Oh? How so?"

"I've looked at the profiles of the people in this courtyard; several of them are technical masters with very high wages."

"The cost of this tea party must be at least fifty yuan. Before we arrived, everyone's pockets were bulging, and they didn't seem any lighter after the meeting ended, which shows they prepared quite a lot of peanuts, melon seeds, and candies."

"Plus the fried dough twists, chestnuts, popcorn, and candied hawthorn later—which one of those doesn't cost three or five yuan? There are few courtyards that could support a scene like this."

"Hmm~" Director Wang had also been enjoying herself and hadn't really paid attention, but upon being reminded, she realized it too.

"Or we could scale it down," Director Wang said, then shook her head herself; if they were stingy, the tea party wouldn't have much meaning.

"Forget it, let's discuss it later."

After this tea party, the neighborly relations in the courtyard seemed to have recovered.

Zhang Ping'an also got to know the two households in the East Wing Room of the Front Courtyard; they were both forging workers like Liu Haizhong. Although their skills weren't as good as Lao Liu's, they were still top-tier in the factories subordinate to the Rolling Mill.

Most of the people in the Middle and Back Courtyards were also transferred from subordinate factories of the Rolling Mill, or were there temporarily for training.

Time flew to mid-June; the wheat back home had all been harvested, and only then did Zhang Laohan come over to haul away the wheat from Zhang Ping'an's one mu of land.

Wang Xiaoling's due date was also approaching, and her belly was bulging exaggeratedly. Zhang Ping'an accompanied her wherever she went; during this period, Zhang Ping'an was almost inseparable from her, and even his procurement tasks were handed off to Jia Dongxu.

"Xiao Ling, let's go to the hospital tonight."

"Mm, okay." Wang Xiaoling also had a premonition; she felt it would be within these two days.

In the evening, Zhang Ping'an packed his things, pedaled the tricycle, and went to the hospital.

"Mom, you go over tomorrow during the day; I'll just stay at the hospital tonight."

"That works too."

During this time, aside from cooking, Wang Xiaoling relied almost entirely on Zhang Ping'an; she couldn't really help with much, plus she still had a young son to look after.

"Doctor, do you have a single room?"

"What are you thinking?" the nurse said, rolling her eyes at Zhang Ping'an.

"Please, do me a favor; take these candies to sweeten your mouth."

"Ahem, there is a double room, but it costs a bit more."

"Fine, we'll take that one. Thank you for the trouble."

"It's nothing, we are all here to serve the people. For now, you are the only family here; if you're tired, you can sleep on the other bed, but you'll have to give it up if someone else comes."

"Yes, yes, yes."

Early the next morning, not long after finishing the breakfast Dong Dani had brought over.

"Mother, Brother Ping'an, I feel like I'm about to give birth."

"Quick, quick, quick, go call the doctor!"

Wang Xiaoling was quickly wheeled into the delivery room by several people in white coats.

"Don't be afraid, I'll be right outside."

"Mm."

After the door closed, Zhang Ping'an waited anxiously, pacing back and forth in the hallway and checking his watch from time to time.

"Ping'an, don't be anxious. This is Xiaoling's first child, so three or four hours is very normal. When I gave birth to your Si Jie, it took over five hours."

"Mm, I know."

"Mother, you stay here first; I'm going to see if the cafeteria has any nutritious meals." Zhang Ping'an suddenly remembered that after Zhang Xiaohua gave birth, her physical exertion was immense and she needed timely replenishment.

"Alright."

Zhang Ping'an found a deserted spot and slipped into his space, where he first stewed chicken soup and crucian carp soup, then boiled some millet porridge, and made noodles, steamed egg custard, and several other dishes.

After coming out of the space, Zhang Ping'an checked his watch; Wang Xiaoling had been in the delivery room for three hours already.

"Mother, why hasn't Xiaoling come out yet?"

"Soon, soon."

No sooner had Dong Dani finished speaking than the delivery room door was pushed open, and a nurse came out carrying two wrinkled little people.