Father Liu walked into the room and closed the door. He put down the backpack and saw that Mother Liu had already put away the quilt. He handed Mother Liu a meat bun and started eating himself. Father Liu finished the fist-sized meat bun in just a few bites and couldn't help but sigh after finishing it. This meat bun is so delicious.

"Of course. It's meat and flour, how can it not be delicious?"

"Li Niang, this is the remaining money. I traded it at the black market. I got 500 yuan for Lingzhi, three catties and two ounces of meat coupons, and five catties of grain coupons. I sold eggs at five cents each to a worker, for a total of fifty cents. I got two yuan for making a quilt, and you gave me three yuan before you left. I bought three pieces of red cotton cloth, so you and your two daughters can each make a dress, and two pieces of brown cotton cloth for the two boys. I also bought a piece of white cotton cloth for you to make underwear for the family. Cloth bought on the black market doesn't require coupons and is much more expensive, fifty cents a foot. I bought forty feet, for a total of twenty yuan. I also bought a catty of steamed buns at the state-owned restaurant, for which I spent three cents, one catty of grain coupons, and two ounces of meat coupons. I have 480 yuan left, three catties of meat coupons, and four catties of grain coupons. Keep them."

Mother Liu took the money and tickets from Father Liu's arms and said, "You should be more careful when you go to the black market. Go there less often in the future."

"I only went to change things after careful observation. Don't worry, I'll be careful. In fact, we've just recovered this year, and many cadres also need to go there to change things. The county hasn't been very strict about it yet. I won't go there if there's any movement in the future."

"Okay, I feel more at ease if you know your limits."

"I also bought you some other things." Father Liu took out half a pound of brown sugar from his pocket and a box of vanishing cream and handed it to Mother Liu. Li Niang, you're tired of running this household.

When Liu's mother saw the vanishing cream and brown sugar, her heart warmed. She said to Liu's father, "Brother Da, I'm not tired at home with you and the children. Why don't you buy something for yourself? These are all for me and the children."

"I have everything now, and I don't need anything. I don't need to buy anything."

"Have you spent all the private money you saved to buy things for me this time?"

Father Liu smiled.

Mother Liu thought for a moment, then took out five yuan from the money in her hand and handed it to Father Liu. "Here, you should always have some money on you."

Father Liu took the money and kissed Mother Liu on the cheek, "Thank you, daughter-in-law."

"Brother Da, should we give Xuemei some money? How about ten dollars?"

Father Liu looked at Mother Liu with a sad face and said, "I only have five dollars."

"Xuemei is a great contributor to my family. Are you jealous of her?"

"Okay, but I remember there seems to be a small lock at home. Find it, and when no one is home, lock Xuemei's door as well."

"Okay, I'll remember that. You go out first, I'll collect the money and then come out to eat."

As soon as Liu's father left, Liu's mother put the money in her own small space.