When Zhong Wanwan arrived at the grain station, she saw that Director Wei and the others had finished handing over the grain and were waiting for her to go back together.
Seeing that Zhong Wanwan was carrying two shoulder poles, Zhong Songbai quickly went over and took the poles from her.
The weight of the carrying pole pressed down, much heavier than Zhong Songbai had expected, and he was startled.
However, with so many people around, Zhong Songbai only glanced at Zhong Wanwan and said nothing.
When Director Wei saw Zhong Wanwan arrive, he greeted her with a smile:
"Get in the car, we're heading back to the farm now."
As soon as they got home, Zhong Songbai pressed Zhong Wanwan for answers:
"Sister, where did you buy all this cotton? We only got 6 jin of cotton coupons when we went to the countryside, which wasn't nearly enough to buy this much!"
Zhong Wanwan had already thought about what to say, otherwise she wouldn't have dared to buy so much cotton at once.
Zhong Wanwan lied through her teeth:
"When I went to An County last time, I went to the black market and ordered cotton and cloth from someone. Otherwise, how could I have bought so much at once!"
"Cotton is really expensive on the black market! The supply and marketing cooperative charges 1 yuan for cotton with coupons, but the black market charges double that at 2 yuan without coupons. There's not a single penny cheaper!"
"And the cloth, except for the white cloth which only cost 10 cents more per foot, everything else almost doubled in price. It broke my heart!"
The reason was valid; the price was even higher than usual on the black market. However, with the weather getting colder, it was normal for black market prices to rise, so Zhong Songbai had no doubts.
Instead, he comforted Zhong Wanwan, saying:
"These are all things we should have bought. Otherwise, it'll be too cold in winter, and the three of us siblings will definitely freeze to death!"
Seeing that Zhong Songbai didn't suspect anything, Zhong Wanwan breathed a sigh of relief and said:
"That's what I was thinking too, otherwise, how could I have bought 60 jin of cotton in one go?"
“The Wei and Zheng families have helped us a lot during this period, especially with building the kang (heated brick bed), the stove, and repairing the courtyard wall. The three Wei brothers insisted on not accepting any money, so I thought to myself, what better way to give them than to make each of them a cotton-padded jacket!”
"The three Wei brothers, plus the wheat ears, make 8 catties of cotton. The Zheng family only makes Nan Nan cotton, which only needs 2 catties. In total, it's 10 catties of cotton."
“The three of us siblings each have two sets of cotton-padded clothes and trousers, totaling 18 jin (9 catties), plus 6 jin (3 catties) of quilts and 4 jin (2 catties) of mattresses. That's 30 jin (15 catties) of cotton for the three of us, leaving us with 2 jin (1 catties) of cotton. Two pairs of cotton shoes are just right for each of us!”
The amount of cotton was carefully calculated by Zhong Wanwan, and it was prepared exactly according to the required quantity!
Zhong Songbai also felt that Zhong Wanwan's arrangements were very reasonable, and the favors she gave were both appropriate and practical!
He nodded involuntarily and said:
"The eldest sister's arrangement is perfect; we'll listen to her on this!"
"However, going to the black market is too dangerous. I'll buy whatever I need next time!"
Zhong Wanwan didn't argue with Zhong Songbai; there was really no need.
I agreed, but I never said that I had to do it. She's always quick to admit her mistakes, but she never changes!
After the two finished discussing it, Zhong Wanwan carried a basket on her back and delivered the cotton.
First, they took 8 jin of cotton and a large 60-foot piece of dark blue cotton cloth and headed straight for Director Wei's house.
Seeing that it was Zhong Wanwan, Aunt Wei was very happy and said:
"Master Zhong is here. It's getting colder every day. Come and sit on the kang (heated brick bed). It's warm there."
Zhong Wanwan took a burlap sack out of her basket and opened it to show Aunt Wei what was inside.
Aunt Wei thought she wanted help making a cotton-padded jacket, so she touched the fabric, looked at the cotton, and said with great interest:
"This twill fabric is so dense, it'll be windproof for making cotton-padded jackets and trousers. The cotton is also excellent, so white and fluffy. Everything here is great, it'll definitely keep the cotton-padded jackets and trousers warm!"
"Don't worry about leaving it to your aunt. In a little while, your two sisters-in-law will make cotton-padded jackets and trousers for you three siblings. In three days, you three siblings will be wearing brand-new cotton-padded jackets and trousers!"
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