"Hello."

Bai Jiaojiao extended her hand generously, even more composed than the factory director's wife.

"Is this your partner? Are you married?"

These days, everyone is very secretive about dating. Just now, the factory manager walked over from a distance and saw the two of them behaving very intimately, so he guessed they must be a married couple.

"Yes, we just got married this year."

The factory manager was still surprised to receive a positive answer from Bai Jiaojiao.

His wife said bluntly, "How old are you? You're already married?"

Bai Jiaojiao laughed and said, "I'm already twenty."

"Okay, you've just arrived, right? Let's not keep you from going to buy groceries. We're in a hurry to buy some glutinous rice strips."

"Jiangmi Tiao?"

Bai Jiaojiao was surprised to hear that her family's glutinous rice strips had become so popular.

"Yes, it's a really fresh snack, it's right there in the side dishes section, and they always sell out. If you want some, go buy some now."

The factory manager thought Bai Jiaojiao didn't come to town often, and he even explained it to her.

"In the non-staple food section of the supply and marketing cooperative?"

Bai Jiaojiao didn't believe that Bai Shibao had such great ability to engage in speculation and profiteering at the supply and marketing cooperative.

"What's wrong?"

"It's nothing, it's nothing."

Bai Jiaojiao thought that since Jiangmi Tiao was made with bean flour and glutinous rice flour, which were not the common ingredients used by the locals, no one would learn to make it.

Unexpectedly, it was moved to the supply and marketing cooperative by the government.

"Heng-ge, let's go take a look!"

"Um."

Shen Heng knew that Bai Jiaojiao cared about this. They were originally going to buy meat, but they turned around and followed the factory manager to the counter selling snacks.

It was exactly the same as what she made, but perhaps the pastry chef wasn't very patient, as each piece was quite thicker, but that didn't affect the taste.

"How much is this glutinous rice strip?" Bai Jiaojiao asked.

"One cent per ounce, just give me a grain coupon."

Now supply and marketing cooperatives can sell glutinous rice strips, and the price is exactly the same as Bai Jiaojiao's previous ex-factory price.

Bai Shibao could easily sell for 12 cents on the black market, but before he was a rare commodity, now things are different.

This is like trying to sell a sponge cake on the black market; people can buy it from a supply and marketing cooperative, so who would take that risk?

If Bai Jiaojiao hadn't come today, she wouldn't have known about this. Did Bai Shibao not notice, or was he keeping it from her?

Bai Jiaojiao asked the price, but showed no intention of buying. The saleswoman rolled her eyes.

The factory manager weighed out two portions: "Bai Jiaojiao, take this home and eat it!"

"Thank you, but I don't want it." Bai Jiaojiao waved her hand.

The factory manager probably thought she was reluctant to spend money.

"Hurry up and take it. When will your village finish raising those pigs? I wasn't just saying that I wanted you to work at our factory."

The factory manager put the packet of glutinous rice strips directly into the basket that Shen Heng was carrying on his back.

It didn't seem right for Bai Jiaojiao to take it out, so she said thank you and when she went to get the pork, she also packed two portions. Before leaving, she caught up with the factory manager and returned some to him.

"Look at you, child! Is this what I did for you?"

The factory manager was at a loss for words, both amused and exasperated.

After Bai Jiaojiao returned to the village, she put her things down, picked out some items, put them in a basket, and took them back to her parents' home.

"Don't you need me to go with you?" Shen Heng was afraid that his father-in-law would think he didn't value Bai Jiaojiao.

"No need, I'll just slip away and be right back."

The Bai family earned a considerable amount of money this year and bought many things they had previously been reluctant to buy for the Lunar New Year.

When Bai Jiaojiao arrived, Deng Min was sewing a new cotton-padded jacket for Bai Manzhi. It was a bright purple-red floral cotton-padded jacket that was both vibrant and dirt-resistant.

"Jiaojiao's here! Come on over, but what are you carrying?"

Deng Min scolded.

"Sister-in-law, did you know that I saw glutinous rice strips for sale at the supply and marketing cooperative in town today?"

Bai Jiaojiao got straight to the point; they were on the same side, so there was no need for beating around the bush.

Deng Min glared at her: "This is not something I said outside. I absolutely did not teach anyone else!"

She had promised Bai Jiaojiao that she would never tell any outsiders, and that if she were to teach anyone, it would be to Bai Manzhi and Bai Manlin later.

"Sister-in-law, that's not what I meant. That glutinous rice strip isn't a secret recipe. I'm just worried that if the supply and marketing cooperative sells it, our family business will be affected!"

Deng Min breathed a sigh of relief and called out to Bai Shibao, who was chopping wood outside, "Bozi, come back here, your little sister has something to ask you!"

Bai Shibao put down his axe and went inside: "What's the matter?"

"Third Brother, are your rice noodles selling well lately? I think I'm going to learn how to make them from the supply and marketing cooperative."