Feng Minghao and Tan Jing each carried a basket on their backs, and Feng Minghao was also carrying a large bag in his hand. The cotton, weighing about ten kilograms, wasn't very heavy, but it was quite bulky. Fortunately, Nie Hai saw that they had bought a lot of things, and even took some himself, asking Tan Jing to take them back to Liu Mingfeng. Seeing that they were having trouble carrying them, he ordered his men to bring two large baskets.

The two men, carrying baskets on their backs, left the black market and went to Tan Jing's friend's house. After getting on their bicycles, Tan Jing saw that it was getting late, so he and Feng Minghao discussed going to a restaurant for a meal, and then going to the scrap yard after eating.

"Brother Hao, I'll take you to a state-run restaurant for dinner. I'll also tell Sister Xin, since Brother Mingfeng said he'll see when his family has time to have a meal together."

"From what you're saying, does my cousin Mingxin work at a state-run restaurant in town?"

"Yes, our Sister Xin works as a cashier at a state-owned restaurant, and her in-laws are all very nice. When I treat you to dinner, you'll see for yourself. Also, we should leave these things with Sister Mingxin later. Once we've picked out what we need at the recycling station, we can go back to her to get them."

The two rode their bicycles towards the state-run restaurant. When they arrived, it was noon, but not yet lunchtime, and there weren't many people. They parked their bicycles, took their packages off, and went inside.

Tan Jing led Feng Minghao, carrying packages, straight into the restaurant. When they arrived at the cashier, they saw Liu Mingxin sitting there knitting. He knocked on the counter and heard Liu Mingxin shout a slogan before even looking up.

"Serving the people, just look at the signs next to you to see what you want to eat."

"To save every grain of rice, please give us two bowls of vegetarian noodles, thank you."

Hearing the familiar voice, Liu Mingxin looked up and saw Feng Minghao and Tan Jing standing in front of the cashier. Tan Jing grinned broadly at Liu Mingxin and called her "Sister Mingxin." Liu Mingxin laughed and scolded Tan Jing for his silly grin.

"You little rascal, you've come all this way to cause trouble for your sister, haven't you? What brings you to town today?"

"Oh, I came to town today to get medicine for Brother Feng. I'll also go to the junkyard after dinner to find some usable items so Brother Feng can fix that old bicycle."

"Okay, I'll go inside and order you some food."

"Wait, sis, don't rush. Can you put these things in your compartment for me? It'll save us the trouble of going to the recycling center later."

Upon hearing this, Liu Mingxian stood up and saw the two baskets and a rather large bag they had placed on the ground.

"You bought quite a lot of this stuff. Okay, you can put it in then."

As he spoke, he opened a door on the side of the cashier and let them put their things in. After Feng Minghao put the things in, he also greeted Liu Mingxin. Liu Mingxin didn't mind that Feng Minghao didn't say much. Although they hadn't known each other for long, she knew that her cousin was not a talkative person.

After the two men put their things down, they came out and sat down. Liu Mingxin got up and ordered noodles from the kitchen behind the house, and also ordered steamed buns for them. Liu Mingxin planned to pay for the steamed buns himself, since two grown men couldn't possibly fill their stomachs with just a bowl of noodles each.

The noodles were ready quickly. Tan Jing was about to get up when Feng Minghao stopped him. Feng Minghao went to the counter, paid the ticket and money, picked up the two bowls of noodles and was about to walk back to the table when Liu Mingxin called him back. After calling him back, Liu Mingxin handed him two steamed buns. Feng Minghao was about to take out money when Liu Mingxin stopped him again.

“You’ve come here to eat, and if I offer you something better, you won’t take it. So let’s just give each of you a steamed bun. I’ll pay for it. Here you go, take it.”

Upon hearing this, Feng Minghao had no choice but to take his bowl back to his seat and the two of them began to eat. After finishing their meal, they said goodbye to Liu Mingxin and left the state-run restaurant, riding their bicycles towards the scrap yard.

Upon arriving at the scrap yard, Tan Jing led Feng Minghao directly inside, pushing their bicycles. Once inside, they found the large yard empty except for smoke coming from a small hut at the back, indicating someone was cooking. Tan Jing stood in the yard and called out loudly to the person inside.

"Uncle Ge, Uncle Ge, are you there?"

Hearing the shouts outside, the door of the small house was pushed open, and an old man with gray hair came out. Although the old man had gray hair, wore a piece of homespun cloth woven by the villagers, and had a sallow complexion, he seemed to be in good spirits. As soon as the old man stepped out the door, he looked up and saw Tan Jing, and rolled his eyes at Tan Jing.

"What's all the noise about? I'm not deaf. Why are you shouting so loudly? What do you want from me today? I don't have any of those treasures people talk about. Every now and then, some clueless people come here and rummage through my things, making a complete mess of everything."

"Do you think I don't know what others don't know? What good stuff can escape your discerning eyes? I'm just here to take some old bicycle parts back, and also some of those tables, chairs and benches that those people smashed back to use as firewood."

"You're not an honest kid. The old bicycle parts are in that corner over there, and the tables and chairs are in that corner on the west side. Take as many as you want."

When the old man heard Tan Jing say this, he nodded and pointed out where Tan Jing needed the things. Then he turned around and went back to the small house to eat. After all, he hadn't eaten lunch yet. That brat had no conscience. He could smell the smell on him and knew he had gone to the state-run restaurant. He didn't even think to bring something back for his old man.

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