Cheng Wenkai didn't get any useful information from the educated youth. It's a miracle that Dong Mingming managed to get by like this. Surprisingly, not a single person spoke well of her.

As soon as the police and commune personnel left, Captain Wu used the loudspeaker to announce that Dong Mingming had run away, and that everyone should report if they saw her, and also be careful. He said she might be in a terrible state now, and could potentially harm someone.

No one expected that the brigade would use the loudspeaker for the first time because of Dong Mingming. Li Yuanzhao was a little hesitant to stay at the educated youth settlement.

She was the only female educated youth in the room. Gao Weijie was the only male educated youth in the room.

Song Yan invited her to stay at his home.

Gao Weijie was left, smiling obsequiously next to Song Yan.

Song Yan: "What do you mean by that?"

Gao Weijie: "Can I stay with Hu Zi? I'll bring some food and stay at your place for a few days. I'll come back as soon as I hear news about Dong Mingming!"

Song Yan didn't say anything. Considering his own family's food and Gao Weijie's meager rations, wasn't he losing out? Besides, wasn't it cowardly for a grown man to be so afraid?

"Oh right, my mom gave me a bunch of tickets when I left home. What kind of tickets do you need? I'll let you choose. I don't need all of them, so you can use them!" With that, Gao Weijie dashed into the house.

Li Yuanzhao and Gao Weijie came out of the house together, both carrying bundles of luggage. Li Yuanzhao knew what was going on at a glance.

Gao Weijie actually took out a stack of tickets, and Song Yan took them without hesitation to see what kind of tickets they were.

They even have bicycle tickets.

Song Yan wanted to buy Hu Zi a bicycle, and having a bicycle ticket would make things easier. "Can I have a bicycle ticket?"

Gao Weijie was surprised; bicycles are expensive. "I can't afford it, but you can take it!"...

The next day, Song Yan went to the county because the commune had never sold bicycles.

Xiao Zhang should return her things. Not only the water distillation device, but Song Yan should also give her something delicious to eat.

Song Yan pickled the duck eggs; they were not only large, but each one was also oozing oil.

Xiao Zhang was off today, so Song Yan went directly to her dormitory.

The little girl was lying on the bed reading a book when she saw Song Yan and asked happily, "Is your period better yet?"

"It's been ready for a while. I was busy at home, so I came a little late. I'm sorry you owed them so long," Song Yan said.

Xiao Zhang: "They don't need these anymore, so there's no rush."

"I have something good!" Song Yan took out ten salted duck eggs.

"No way, it's not easy for my family to save up a few duck eggs." Xiao Zhang refused to take them no matter what.

It took a lot of persuasion from Song Yan to finally give away the duck eggs. Actually, Song Yan wanted to give away more, but he was afraid of scaring the person away.

Song Yan wandered over to Han Yu's house again. Han Yu looked much better now.

Han Yu's mother treated Song Yan like an honored guest. She gave Song Yan all the best food in the house.

Song Yan didn't stand on ceremony and tried everything.

As Song Yan was leaving, he took out some fresh wild vegetables from the basket. Han Yu's mother was very excited; these wild vegetables were so tender! She was sure Han Yu would love to eat them if she cooked them.

Song Yan took out another fish. Han Yu's mother immediately said she didn't want it, as the fish weighed at least six pounds.

Song Yan repeatedly explained that he caught the fish himself, not bought it. He also emphasized that eating fish would result in children who were born intelligent.

Han Yu's mother accepted the gift with great embarrassment. However, she also packed a lot of delicious food for Song Yan.

When Director Liu saw Song Yan, he smiled broadly. If it weren't for Song Yan's help, Director Liu thought his wife wouldn't be able to keep this pregnancy. He liked daughters too, but what man doesn't want a son? Besides, after his wife gave birth to this one, he even wanted her to have another child. Perhaps the next child would still need Song Yan's care.

Therefore, Director Liu not only wanted to repay this favor, but also kept in mind the next time he needed to ask for help. That's why he was always very polite to Song Yan whenever they met.

When Director Liu heard that Song Yan wanted to buy a bicycle, he was quite surprised, as bicycles are a big purchase.

Song Yan hurriedly explained that her younger brother, who works at the commune's primary school, wanted to buy it. Her brother had finally saved up enough money, so he came to take a look today.

With money, ration coupons, and Director Liu's connections, how could they not buy a bicycle? Just yesterday, a shipment arrived, including two bicycles. Director Liu hadn't even let them out of the warehouse yet! So he took Song Yan to take a look.

This is the old-fashioned bicycle I remember; Song Yan saw it when he was very young.

"This one will do!" Song Yan checked and found no damage, so it was fine.

Song Yan glanced at a pile of things next to the warehouse.

Director Liu helped push the bicycle out. Since it was a new bicycle, he asked the sales clerk, Xiao Li, to tighten all the screws.

Song Yan went to pay the money.

Even the sales clerks at the supply and marketing cooperative were envious of Song Yan; it was a brand new bicycle!

Director Liu carried a bulging burlap sack. "Song Yan, this is the packaging for some goods. You should be able to use it when you get back."

Since it's packaging for goods, it shouldn't cost money, right? "Okay, then I'll take it back and use it." Song Yan didn't stand on ceremony with Director Liu.

Director Liu attached the burlap sack to the back of the bicycle.

Song Yan only needs to buy small items. He can choose them himself; there's no need to trouble Director Liu anymore.

Once you're familiar with each other, there's no need to be overly polite. "I'm going to get busy now. If you need anything, come to my office."

After watching Director Liu leave, Song Yan began selecting items in the supply and marketing cooperative. Because Song Yan had been there frequently and was so familiar with the director, the people at the cooperative treated him exceptionally well. Director Liu knew why, so he kept quiet about the items that weren't difficult to buy. Surely no one in the cooperative dared to give Song Yan a hard time.

Jiang Xiaoxiao asked them to buy pencils and notebooks for the children. Song Yan bought two bags of face cream.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!