Xue Fu could hardly imagine how rough Gu Chong's life had been before.
They really don't care about themselves at all!
Xue Fu was angry and scolded him harshly with her ear for an entire afternoon.
Gu Chong placed his hands at his sides, bowed slightly, and looked at her sincerely: "I understand, I won't do it again." His voice was deep and firm.
His words would have been more convincing if he hadn't been looking at her with such a gentle smile when he spoke.
Why is it so lively there today?
When they finished shopping and came out of the state-run store carrying large bags of things, a large crowd had gathered in the middle of the street across the street, making it very lively.
Xue Fu curiously tugged at Gu Chong's sleeve, looked in that direction, and asked him what had happened.
She wasn't as tall as Gu Chong, so her vision wasn't clear.
Gu Chong first looked down, then noticed the interest on her face as she joined in the fun, before turning his gaze toward the crowd.
He has been to the county town many times and is quite familiar with the layout of the streets.
He looked at the location and recognized it as a state-run restaurant in the county town.
“That’s a state-run restaurant, shall we go and have something to eat?” Gu Chong leaned down slightly and whispered in her ear, “The oxcart won’t arrive until the afternoon, so let’s have lunch at the restaurant, okay?”
He asked for her opinion, and Xue Fu naturally nodded.
She had eaten at state-run restaurants.
Compared to the delicacies she has tasted in modern times, there is nothing particularly special or delicious about it.
But in those days, the food in state-run restaurants was already extremely delicious and plentiful.
They were generous with oil and seasonings, and the portions were large and filling. The food was so much more delicious than the communal meals in the commune canteen or the bland, oily food we usually ate at home.
Even so, Xue Fu secretly felt that Gu Chong's cooking was tastier and more to her liking; it was simply fantastic.
As they walked over there, they realized that the reason for the large crowd and the lively atmosphere at the state-run restaurant was that the restaurant had served smoked bacon.
Their cured meat has made many people drool.
This group of people are queuing up, waiting for the chef to come out and sell the food.
Xue Fu listened intently as others discussed the chef's skills at this state-run restaurant.
One regular customer who has been buying cured meat here for the past few years said, "Sigh, my family really only trusts this restaurant's cured meat. We've tried to smoke our own meat before, but no matter what we do, we can't get that flavor. It's all a waste of time. I'll just come here and queue up to buy it."
Then someone chimed in, "That's no lie. Chef Lin's smoked bacon here is famously good, and everyone craves it. Last year, my old man was late in queuing and didn't get to eat any. He kept complaining on New Year's Eve that he didn't get to enjoy it during the holiday."
"Chef Lin's cured pork is so delicious. He just cuts a small piece and puts it on top of the rice when steaming it. The oil that sizzles out is enough to make the whole pot smell amazing. The rice tastes like meat. It's so fragrant it's unbelievable."
"......"
The more enthusiastically they talked, the more Xue Fu's mouth watered.
So she decisively grabbed Gu Chong's arm, swayed it, and her eyes clearly indicated: she wanted to eat cured meat!!!
So Gu Chong joined the queue.
Looking at the long line of people, he then arranged Xue Fu's next destination: "Afu, go sit in the store for a while, and I'll come find you after you've finished queuing and bought what you need."
Xue Fu glanced at the front of the line, guessing she would have to stand for a long time.
But she didn't hesitate and readily nodded: "Okay!"
If her boyfriend is capable, she won't suffer and wait in line with him!
"I'll go to the post office and see if my family has anything to send."
Xue Fu thought for a moment, and realized that about half a month had passed, and the new package at home should have arrived by then.
However, she was a little unsure what her parents would say in the letter this time.
She didn't even have time to send a letter back to explain the situation or complain about their 'absurd' blind date arrangement.
"Okay, then you wait for me over there. I'll come and move your things."
Xue Fu patted his arm and praised him, "Good, good! Thank you for your hard work, Comrade Gu Chong!"
She smiled, her eyes bright and full of satisfaction. With her little face tilted back, she happily skipped a couple of steps and walked towards the post office.
Gu Chong watched her walk safely to the street corner intersection, turn left and disappear behind the wall before shifting his gaze to the queue in front of him.
The state-run restaurant prepared a small quantity of smoked bacon.
At the end of last month, they only received half a pig. Not counting the offal and scraps, this half pig was less than 100 pounds.
Once the cured meat is smoked and dried, its weight shrinks by almost half.
The restaurant only brought out fifty catties of meat in total.
They're selling it today, and the price they're charging for meat coupons and cash is half again as high as the normal price for meat. They've also imposed purchase limits on everyone.
If the amount is divided among each person, each person can only buy a maximum of half a jin (250 grams).
Gu Chong began to silently count the heads of the people in front of him in line.
one two three...
Thankfully... I was able to buy it.
Xue Fu walked to the entrance of the post office.
The staff responsible for sending and receiving packages were already familiar with this pretty comrade named Xue Fu.
Every time this girl comes, she picks up packages that are big and small, completely full.
Her family sends things over every month, sometimes even two or three packages a month!
Such family background would leave a deep impression anywhere.
Not to mention, this girl is also beautiful, charming and pretty, and speaks with consideration and politeness, making everyone who interacts with her feel comfortable and happy.
However, this young girl doesn't come every time.
More often than not, I ask someone else to pick it up for me.
The young man who helped her pick up the package also left a deep impression on the aunt at the counter.
He was tall and imposing, and spoke little but was very profound.
With a cold expression, he wasn't very likable, but every time his aunt asked him to confirm his identity and who he was picking up the items for, his expression would soften involuntarily. When he wrote the name 'Xue Fu' in the register, his expression was focused and serious.
The aunt wasn't very educated, and looking at the man's appearance, she couldn't recall the exact phrase, only remembering the last three words: "gentle and tender." That phrase couldn't be more fitting for the man before her.
"Hello, I'm here to pick up my package."
Before Xue Fu could even introduce herself and hand over her educated youth certificate, the staff member already knew what was going on and confirmed with her, "You're picking up Comrade Xue Fu's package, right? I'm not mistaken, am I?"
Xue Fu was surprised that this aunt still remembered her name, then smiled and nodded in response, "Yes, it's me! I didn't forget!"
"Wait for me a moment."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com