Chapter 210: Living a Better Life

After a busy day at work, Li Xiangqian dragged his tired body back home. Wang Chunfang had already prepared dinner, a few simple dishes and a pot of rice. Li Xiaohu and Li Xiaolong were sitting around the table. When they saw their father coming back, they quickly stood up to help get the dishes and chopsticks. Although the meal was simple, the family sitting together finally felt a little warm.

After dinner, Li Xiangqian sat on a small stool in the yard, lit a cigarette, and stared at the sparse stars in the sky. His mind reverberated with today's scenes, and he felt mixed emotions. Although life was difficult, he knew that he had to persevere, not only for himself, but also for his family and neighbors.

The next day, Li Xiangqian got up early again and repeated the work of the previous day. The days in the grain store followed one after another, as if there was no end. Whenever it was late at night, Li Xiangqian would sit alone in the yard, thinking about the future. He knew that only by unity could everyone get through this difficult time.

One day, when Li Xiangqian was busy in the store, he suddenly received a call. It was a strange voice on the other end of the phone, claiming to be a staff member of the Municipal Grain Bureau. He told Li Xiangqian that a batch of emergency grain had recently been delivered to various grain stores, and asked them to distribute it to the people as soon as possible. This news made Li Xiangqian feel happy, and his tense life finally had a glimmer of hope.

A few days later, emergency food was delivered to the grain store. Li Xiangqian and his colleagues worked overtime overnight to pack the food and prepare to distribute it to the people the next morning. The news spread quickly, and a long line formed in front of the grain store the next morning. People's faces were filled with anticipation, as if they saw hope for life.

Li Xiangqian and his colleagues quickly began distributing food. Seeing the smiles on people's faces, he felt relieved. However, just when he was busy, Zhao Tiezhu appeared again. This time, he still asked for ten kilograms of rice, and his attitude was even tougher than last time.

Li Xiangqian knew that if he gave in this time, the subsequent work would be more difficult. He looked directly into Zhao Tiezhu's eyes and said firmly: "Brother Tiezhu, this is really not possible. Everyone needs food, and I can't break the rules."

Zhao Tiezhu was furious and was about to punch Li Xiangqian. At this moment, Uncle Zhang and several neighbors came and pulled Zhao Tiezhu away. Uncle Zhang said sternly: "Tiezhu, if you continue to make trouble like this, we will go to the police station and let them handle it!"

Zhao Tiezhu looked at the people around him and knew that he would not gain anything by making trouble today, so he could only leave in anger. Li Xiangqian looked at Grandpa Zhang and his neighbors with gratitude, and a warm feeling welled up in his heart. Although life was difficult, it was this spirit of mutual help and love that allowed them to persevere.

As time went by, the food shortage gradually eased. Li Xiangqian still went out early and came back late every day, working hard. Although life was still not easy, he had a tenacious belief in his heart that no matter how difficult the days were, they would eventually pass.

On the stone bench in the courtyard, the breeze blew gently, bringing a cool breeze. He took the commendation letter in his hand and read it carefully. The handwriting on the letter was neat and full of praise and affirmation. Li Xiangqian's heart was filled with mixed emotions. This letter meant that his efforts were recognized, but it also reminded him of the harsh reality.

He sighed softly, folded the letter and put it in his arms. Looking up, the sunset glowed half the sky red, and the hustle and bustle on the street gradually subsided. Li Xiangqian stood up and walked into the kitchen, where he saw Wang Chunfang busy preparing dinner. The flames on the stove were jumping, and a pot of light porridge was cooking in the pot.

"Chunfang, are you still eating porridge today?" Li Xiangqian asked tentatively, feeling a little uneasy.

Wang Chunfang looked back at him, smiled and nodded: "Yes, there is not much rice at home recently, so we can only eat sparingly."

Li Xiangqian's heart sank. He knew that this was the best arrangement his family could make. Although he worked in the grain store every day, he had no special privileges, and his family's food supply was as tight as others. He walked to a corner of the kitchen, opened the rice jar, and found that there was not much left. A few grains of rice were scattered at the bottom of the jar, which looked particularly desolate.

"Xiang Qian, don't worry, we will always find a way." Wang Chunfang saw her husband's worry and comforted him softly.

Li Xiangqian nodded and forced a smile: "Well, no matter how difficult the days are, we can get through it." He turned and walked out of the kitchen, took a deep breath, as if to suck all the troubles into his chest, and then slowly exhaled.

During the meal, Bruce Xiaohu and Bruce Lee were already sitting around the table. Li Xiangqian looked at the two children's tender faces, and a wave of sadness rose in his heart. They were still young and should not have to endure such suffering. He picked up a piece of green vegetable and put it in Bruce Lee's bowl, saying gently: "Eat more, don't let your body collapse."

Bruce Lee raised his head, blinked, and nodded sensibly: "Dad, you eat too."

After dinner, Li Xiangqian and Wang Chunfang sat in the yard, enjoying a brief moment of peace. Bruce Lee and Bruce Lee were playing in the yard, their laughter echoing in the night sky. Li Xiangqian looked at them, feeling both relieved and worried. How long could such happiness last? What would tomorrow be like?

Li Xiangqian kept thinking about how to make life better for his family. He thought that he could try to find some extra work, but the work at the grain store had exhausted him. No matter what, he had to stick to it, for his family and for these children who kept smiling in difficult situations.

A few days later, when Li Xiangqian was busy at the grain store, he suddenly received a call from an acquaintance. The deep voice on the other end of the phone was from his old friend Liu Dazhuang. Liu Dazhuang told him that a nearby factory needed some temporary workers recently. Although the salary was not high, it could supplement the family income. Li Xiangqian was delighted and agreed immediately.

In the evening, Li Xiangqian returned home and told Wang Chunfang the news. Although Wang Chunfang was a little worried about her husband's health, she also knew that the current situation was not optimistic and could only support him silently.

The next day, after finishing work at the grain store, Li Xiangqian rushed to the factory. Although the work at the factory was heavy, Li Xiangqian gritted his teeth and did not back down. He had only one thought in his mind, which was to make his family live a better life.

After finishing work at the factory, Li Xiangqian dragged his tired body back home. Wang Chunfang had already prepared a hot dinner. The children gathered around the table and cheered when they saw their father coming back. Li Xiangqian looked at this warm scene and the fatigue in his heart seemed to be relieved a lot.