The shop assistants worked very efficiently, and in no time, they had everything ready for Yun the Butcher. Then, the assistants helped load everything onto the donkey cart. By now, the cart was completely packed, even the front seating area had been filled with baskets. If they bought more, they would just have to pile it on top.
However, stacking too high is not a good idea, as it could easily topple over. Normally, Yun the Butcher wouldn't have bothered to let his donkey carry so much. This opportunity to go into the city to purchase supplies was truly rare. If they didn't prepare as much as possible this time, the villagers would face even greater difficulties as the weather got colder.
Yun the Butcher and Yun Yiyi bid farewell to the shopkeeper and drove their donkey onward. They planned to buy whatever they found suitable, and if nothing else, they would return to the city gate. It was already afternoon, probably around 3:00 PM. Yun Yiyi could only guess roughly, not accurately. It was only after she arrived here that she learned to guess the time by observing the sun. It was a bit difficult, and she needed more practice.
"Dad, have we almost finished buying the things my mom asked us to buy?"
"Yes, I thought about it and decided to buy everything your mother asked us to do. As for the rest, we can buy them as we see fit." Butcher Yun said after taking a look at the donkey cart.
"Dad, we bought so much cotton this time. Will it be enough for everyone to share when we return to the village? Will we have enough clothes, quilts, and cotton shoes for our family's winter?" Yun Yiyi asked.
"There's definitely not enough cotton, Yiyi. When we were in Yunjia Village, we slept on kangs in the winter, so every household's quilts weren't very thick. During the famine, there were no kangs, so the quilts were too thin and it must have been cold, so every household needed thicker quilts. Also, the cotton-padded jackets, trousers, and shoes you children wore last year are too small this year. Your mother hasn't made any for you yet this year."
So, we need to re-sew last year's cotton pants and jackets and refill them with cotton. If they're smaller, we'll need to enlarge them. Your mother will also have to make new cotton shoes for you. Your mother and I haven't changed our sizes, so last year's shoes will fit you. However, they'll need to be refilled with cotton to make them thicker. Everyone should also have an extra pair of cotton shoes, so if it snows and gets wet, we'll have replacements.
"Our family's situation is considered good. You all have your own cotton-padded jackets and shoes. You dare to go out and play in winter. Some families in the village have many children and don't have enough cotton-padded jackets. Whichever child goes out gets to wear the jacket. Those who stay at home just wrap themselves in quilts. We play on the kang, and with the kang burning, the house isn't cold. Some families are even more difficult, and the adults in their families also wear very thin clothes. However, this situation no longer exists in the village. It's basically the children who lack cotton-padded jackets.
Therefore, adults' cotton-padded jackets need to be thicker. Almost everyone needs an extra pair of cotton-padded shoes. Young children who are constantly in the car can use one less pair. Every household also needs thicker quilts. Furthermore, everyone used to sleep separately at home. Now, we sleep together, with quilts spread on the floor and covers spread on the floor, so there's definitely not enough.
"So, the cotton we bought is definitely not enough. However, there's no other way, we still have to rely on food. Without food, it would be a disaster." Yun the Butcher said with emotion.
"Dad, I understand. If we come across a cotton seller again, let's buy some separately."
"Okay, if we come across some and the price is right, we'll buy some more so we can get more when we return to the village."
"Dad, why didn't you buy more potatoes for the village when you were at the grocery store?" Yun Yiyi asked in confusion.
"I bought sweet potatoes and potatoes for the elderly and children. They taste good and are easy to digest, so they can have a meal occasionally to change their taste. However, the elderly probably won't be willing to eat them. In the end, the children eat more. We are fleeing from famine, and we don't have much right now, so we can only prepare some of everything.
"But everyone still wants to prepare more food. So, we won't buy too many sweet potatoes and potatoes. But if we come across any, we can buy a few more for our family. We have a lot of kids, and they eat quickly. We'd all get tired of eating the same thing every day," said Yun the Butcher.
"Dad, there's so much to learn about life. I thought the villagers would love sweet potatoes and potatoes, as they could be eaten as food.
"In previous years, when times were good, we would eat whatever tasted best and no one would argue. Now, compared with corn flour and wheat flour, sweet potatoes and potatoes are not durable and easily spoil, so it's not advisable to buy too many. Haha, Yiyi, you're still young and have a lot to learn." Yun the Butcher said as he touched Yun Yiyi's head with a smile.
"These are little bits of wisdom accumulated in life. You're still young and haven't seen much, but you'll understand everything when you grow up. Many people in our village can't read, but they understand many things that literate people may not know. Everyone has their own strengths."
"Okay, Dad. You know so much." Yun Yiyi said happily.
"Haha, daddy's little Yiyi is also smart and cute." Yun the Butcher answered happily.
At this time, Yun the Butcher and Yun Yiyi arrived at the entrance of a snack bar. Two large steamers were placed at the door. Yun Yiyi could smell the aroma of meat buns and the fragrance of wheat-based steamed buns. At the nearby table, several people were eating.
"Dad, let's buy some steamed buns. I haven't eaten steamed buns for a long time."
"Okay, let's buy steamed buns and dumplings. We can't make them now. If you come across them, just buy them and eat them together." Yun the butcher stopped the donkey cart and said.
"Shopkeeper, how much are your steamed buns and dumplings?"
"Hello, fellow. A steamed bun is two cents, and a meat bun is six cents." said the shopkeeper who was busy taking out the buns.
"Please help me get twenty steamed buns and ten meat dumplings." Yun the butcher handed the shopkeeper a hundred coins.
"Okay, please wait a moment." The shopkeeper took the money and went to get the steamed buns and dumplings. All the buns and dumplings were wrapped in dried lotus leaves. If you stood close, you could smell the fragrance of the lotus leaves.
Butcher Yun took the buns and steamed buns, placed them in the basket and covered it. "Yiyi, are you hungry now? If you are, Dad will buy you two more meat buns." Butcher Yun asked.
"Dad, I'm not hungry. I want to go back and eat with you. Let's go around the front." Yun Yiyi pulled Yun the butcher's sleeve and walked forward.
"Okay, then let's go back and eat together. Daddy's little Yiyi is so sensible." Butcher Yun praised again.
Yun Yiyi laughed happily after hearing what Yun the Butcher said. Haha, having a father who is a daughter slave is such a blessing. Usually, no matter what Yun Yiyi wants to buy, Yun the Butcher will buy it for her. If Yun Yiyi makes a mistake, he will only criticize her and never hit her.
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