Jianshu didn't look at the cash. He took out the various bills on the top, untied the rubber band, and began to count them.

The family hasn't bought much during this period. Apart from the daily expenses of grain, oil, rice and noodles, and the occasional purchase of meat, eggs, tofu and the like, all other vegetables are grown at home. We haven't bought new clothes and shoes for a long time, so there are still quite a few bills left at home.

Among them, industrial coupons were the most, meat coupons were the least, and other types of coupons such as cloth coupons, grain coupons, oil coupons, etc. were in large quantities, while only one or two were left.

In fact, their family does not live on the issued bills. For example, if they really rely on these oil coupons, then Jianshu can forget about eating crispy small fish. I'm afraid that after one meal, he will have to live on boiled vegetables every day.

At the end of every month, Jianshu will take inventory, take out those that are about to expire and use them quickly, and keep the rest and use them when needed.

Just like now, this is the time of need.

After thinking about it, Jianshu took out some industrial coupons and some bills that were rarely used. He counted the rest, tied them up again and put them back in the box.

Then she went to the suitcase in the second bedroom and pulled out a few towels, a few bars of soap, and some other small things, which she packed into a backpack. Basically, they were the things she brought back from Beijing, but she had no use for them at home, so she took them out to exchange.

After packing up all the things, Jianshu went to Wu Xiufang to ask about the specific location of the small market, and then went home in a very good mood to wait.

When Gu Mingjing came back and saw her, he asked a few questions out of curiosity. After listening to her plan, he reminded her to be careful and safe, and then said nothing more.

The next day, Jianshu got up very early. When she went out, Gu Mingjing had not yet left.

First of all, of course, it’s because it’s a market, so the earlier you go, the better. If you go too late, all the good things will be gone.

Secondly, she had never been to that place before. Although she had asked Wu Xiufang for the general direction, what if she took the wrong way? It was better to go early, at least there would be time to turn back.

Fortunately, it was dawn today, so I didn’t have to ride my bike in the dark, otherwise Jianshu really wouldn’t dare to go alone.

Follow the path Wu Xiufang mentioned, turn left at the fork in the road, then turn right when you see the river, then keep going straight until the road ends, go through the woods on the side, and continue walking for a while, then you will see a wide road, which means you have reached your destination.

No wonder she said not to worry about not being able to find it. Before she got close, Jianshu met many fellow travelers. Some were carrying loads on their shoulders in groups of three or four, some were pulling carts, and some were riding bicycles like Jianshu.

There were also quite a few children following them, about the height of the adults' waists, jumping and skipping beside them, occasionally pulling a few grasses or picking a few flowers from the side, and then falling behind in the play. The adults who soon noticed them stopped and scolded them, and then they trotted after them, said a few words to the adults in a playful manner, and in return they received a light slap on the back of the head.

There was a little girl, tired of walking, with pigtails in her hair. She looked up and acted coquettishly at the adults. Who couldn't love such a cute little girl? The adults smiled and moved the things on the cart inside, making a small space for her to carry her up. The path was bumpy, and the pigtails bounced with it. The child was still young after all, and soon the battery ran out and the phone shut down, and she fell asleep against the cargo.

Jianshu stopped at some point, pushed his bicycle and followed behind, quietly listening to the laughter coming from the front.

Arriving at the market, the crowd ahead dispersed in twos and threes, finding spots to set up stalls. They placed their baskets on the ground one by one, untied their bags, and revealed their contents. The more extroverted ones began shouting at the top of their lungs, while the more embarrassed ones rubbed their hands and stood awkwardly to the side, waiting for someone to come up the mountain and ask, before they quietly began introducing themselves.

There were many things for sale, and each household had something slightly different to offer. Some sold cloth shoes with thousand-layer soles made by the women, others various bamboo weavings made by the elders, or home-woven cloth, mushrooms picked from the mountains, game hunted, and eggs laid by the hens they raised. They were reluctant to eat them, so they wrapped them tightly in straw and traveled dozens of miles just to exchange them for something practical...

In fact, there were not many people at the market, and many of the people setting up stalls knew each other, chatting and laughing as they greeted each other.

Jianshu walked towards the stalls selling mountain products. A couple with a child were tending the stalls. The man was a bit shy, but the woman in charge was capable and skillfully invited Jianshu to look around. If her gaze lingered on something for a few seconds, she would kindly introduce it to her and offer her samples for her to try.

While the two were talking, the man wasn't idle either. Although he didn't say much, he was always busy working. He didn't miss this break and sat on a small stool nearby, weaving straw ropes. The child was sensible and didn't make any noise. She squatted behind him and played, secretly looking up at Jianshu. When she looked over, their eyes met, and then she quickly withdrew her head like a frightened bird.

During the chat, Jianshu learned that the family of three lived in a small village more than 20 miles away from here. They usually relied on the mountains and water for their livelihood, and it was very inconvenient for them to travel.

For example, the market here is held once a month, but they only come twice a year, once in the middle of the year and once at the end of the year. The time of the mid-year market is not fixed, but the big market at the end of the year is before the Chinese New Year.

This time, I had accumulated a lot of mountain products at home, so I thought of going out to exchange some for household use.

Winter is coming soon, and the quilt at home has not been warm for a long time. I want to change some new cotton and re-stuff it.

People in the mountains wear out their shoes a lot. Men go up mountains and down rivers all day long, and after a few days, a hole will be worn out in the shoe uppers. They have to buy more cloth to make more shoe uppers.

The boy at home just started school. The teacher at the school said that he is very smart and will definitely have a bright future if he continues to study. Pencils and notebooks are essential, so I have to grit my teeth and buy some.

The girl in the family is growing up gradually, so I bought some red cloth and dressed her up more beautifully.

The children are now born, and the old man cannot be forgotten after working hard all his life. The old man has bad teeth and it is becoming increasingly difficult for him to eat. The few pieces of sugar cakes that others gave him last time tasted so sweet, so I have to buy a few pieces to take back. I can't leave without enjoying any happiness.

besides……

Jianshu listened to her talk for a long time, but didn't hear anything about the items he needed in her shopping plan.

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