A few days later, Zhuang Zhimeng's cured meat was ready to eat, so she wanted to go to the post office to send it back to her family, otherwise they wouldn't receive it in time before the New Year. She also wanted to take An Qingbai to visit Uncle Qin.

An Qingbai finished preparing the introduction letters for him and Zhuang Zhimeng to go to town and then came to find her. Zhuang Zhimeng was packing a package, and An Qingbai went over to help her. The two of them worked together and quickly finished packing. Zhuang Zhimeng even wrote a letter to her family.

The two of them set off on their bicycles, first going to the post office to mail the package and letter.

Seeing that she had finished her business, An Qingbai suggested, "Zhizhi, let's go to the supply and marketing cooperative. Didn't you say yesterday that you were going to visit Uncle Qin's house today? We should buy some gifts, right?"

"Okay, let's go to the supply and marketing cooperative. Let's buy a pound of peach shortbread, a pound of sponge cake, and a can of malted milk powder. I also have some tea here, let's take a pound of it to Uncle Qin."

"good."

After buying the gifts, An Qingbai put them in a net bag and hung it on the handlebars. The two then rode their bicycles to the town's armed forces department.

Zhuang Zhimeng knocked on the door of Qin Jiandang's office.

"Enter."

Zhuang Zhimeng and An Qingbai went inside upon hearing the noise. "Uncle Qin."

Qin Jiandang looked up when he heard the voice and was delighted to see Zhuang Zhimeng: "Zhimeng, what brings you two here today?"

"We came to see you and Aunt Gao. We usually don't want to bother you because we're afraid you're too busy. We hope we haven't disturbed you this time?"

"No bother, no bother, we've been looking forward to your arrival! Your Aunt Gao was telling me yesterday that she didn't know when you would come to our house, and you've come today."

"Isn't this a coincidence? I was just thinking of coming to see you in the next couple of days."

"Come on, let's go home and talk. I'll have your Aunt Gao cook you something nice to eat."

Aren't you busy with work?

"I'm pretty much done with work, so a little more time won't make a difference."

Zhuang Zhimeng nodded.

An Qingbai took the opportunity to greet Qin Jiandang: "Hello, Uncle Qin."

"Xiao An, hello there too, welcome to our place."

"I'm sorry to have troubled you."

"No trouble at all. Zhimeng is no stranger to us. We're happy you came. Come on, let's talk at home."

Qin Jiandang walked in front, followed by Zhuang Zhimeng and An Qingbai, who was carrying things.

When he got home, Qin Jiandang unlocked the door with his key and called out, "Shufen, Zhimeng is here!"

Zhuang Zhimeng and An Qingbai followed Qin Jiandang into the house and placed the gifts on the table.

"Zhimeng is here! We've been looking forward to your visit. We were talking about you yesterday, and today we've finally brought you here."

“Aunt Gao, I came to see you because I sensed you were thinking of me.”

"Ha, you're quite the smooth talker."

Gao Shufen was amused by Zhuang Zhimeng, and then suddenly saw An Qingbai.

"This is?"

“Aunt Gao, this is my boyfriend, An Qingbai.”

"Hello, Aunt Gao!" An Qingbai stepped forward to greet her.

"Good, good to you too! I've heard your Uncle Qin talk about you. You're a good young man, quite handsome. Please sit down, I'll go cook something nice for you today."

"Aunt Gao, would you like me to cook for you?"

"No need, no need, please sit down and chat with your Uncle Qin."

"Zhimeng, how have you been lately? Are you settling into the village?"

"I'm getting used to it. A few days ago, our village slaughtered two pigs, and everyone got two jin of pork. I drew a big pig's head by lottery, and we even had a pig-killing feast, which tasted pretty good."

"That sounds pretty good. Pork isn't easy to buy in the city. Right now, with the Lunar New Year approaching, pork is 72 cents a pound."

"Really? That's quite expensive. I bought it for only 56 cents a pound at the supply and marketing cooperative a while ago."

"During the Chinese New Year, demand increases as people want to eat meat, which drives up prices."

“The pigs in our production team are really fat today. I heard we couldn’t get this many in previous years. Am I right, Brother Qingbai?”

"Yes, in previous years, after the task was completed, the villagers would only receive about one pound of meat from the pigs. This year is the most they have ever received."

"That's not bad either; a pound of meat can last for a while."

"Yes! It's usually made into cured meat, which can last for a long time."

Qin Jiandang nodded and said, "I heard you saved Lao Wang's son, right?"

Zhuang Zhimeng looked at Qin Jiandang with suspicion. Who was Lao Wang?

Qin Jiandang could tell from Zhuang Zhimeng's expression that she didn't know who she was talking about, so he explained, "It's Wang Xiangdong, the head of the agricultural machinery station. We're acquaintances."

"Yes, I saw some people trying to take the child away that day, so I helped them out."

“You did a great job. Old Wang only has this one son. If he were really taken away by a conman, Old Wang would be frantic with worry.”

Just as Zhuang Zhimeng was about to speak, Gao Shufen finished cooking and brought the dishes to the table: "The food is ready. Go wash your hands and let's eat."