Xie Yuyao couldn't explain the contents of her spatial storage to him, but oh well, it was only 12 cents anyway, so she bought it.
Zhao Honghui noticed something amiss in her helpless expression, but since he had already made the choice, he decided to use it as a cover.
The two continued strolling around. Zhao Honghui stopped in front of a small goods counter and took a fancy to a pair of pretty hair clips.
"Comrade, may I take a look at this hair clip?"
The saleswoman selling hair clips was also a middle-aged woman. She smiled and took out a hair clip, saying, "You have excellent taste. This is a brand that just arrived a few days ago. It's the most fashionable one right now."
Xie Yuyao leaned closer to take a look. The hair clip in front of her was inlaid with small crystals and ribbons, sparkling and dazzling. "So beautiful!"
Seeing that she liked it, Zhao Honghui turned to the sales clerk and asked, "How much?"
"One dollar and thirty cents."
Xie Yuyao paused, "So expensive!"
Zhao Honghui, who was standing to the side, had already taken out his wallet to pay. The middle-aged woman took the money, handed them a bag to put it in, and said, "Young man, is this your boyfriend? He's really handsome."
"Girl, this expensive hair clip suits you perfectly."
Unlike other girls who were shy, Xie Yuyao smiled generously and said, "Thank you for the compliment, Auntie."
The two bought some pastries and candies before leaving the department store with bags full of purchases.
Time always flies when you're out strolling around, and before you know it, it's getting dark.
"Let's go to the guesthouse."
Before long, the two stood in the lobby of the county town's guesthouse.
This is a two-story brick building, and a woman in her forties is sitting at the front desk knitting.
Zhao Honghui took out a letter of introduction: "Comrade, please help us get two rooms for one night."
After reading the two men's letters of introduction, the man stated the price: "Five cents a room, one dollar in total."
After receiving the money, she gave him two keys and opened the two adjacent second-floor rooms on the far east side.
Once upstairs, I unlocked the door and went inside.
The guest room was only about ten square meters, with white plaster on the walls that had turned a yellowish, worn color over time. It contained only a bed and a set of table and chairs; it was very basic.
The only advantage is that there is a light in the room, so there is no need to use candles or kerosene lamps for heating.
Since both rooms have the same layout and configuration, there's no issue with how the rooms are allocated.
After putting down the items they had purchased at the department store, Zhao Honghui suggested, "Are you hungry? Let's go get some dinner first."
It was dinnertime, and the state-run restaurant was almost full, filled with the noise of people. Xie Yuyao sighed that no matter the era, Chinese people just love good food.
The two found a corner to sit down. Xie Yuyao looked at the menu and ordered braised pork with osmanthus honey. She hadn't had sweet dishes in a long time, so it was a good opportunity to try them.
Zhao Honghui ordered another bowl of seaweed and egg drop soup and stir-fried seasonal vegetables, as well as three bowls of rice, which cost five yuan and a pound of grain coupons.
It's really expensive, but the dishes and the taste are absolutely amazing.
The dishes in state-run restaurants are strictly controlled, and the requirements for main ingredients and side dishes are very strict.
For example, a plate of Yu Xiang Rou Si (shredded pork with garlic sauce) must contain at least a certain amount of shredded pork, and the proportions of other ingredients are also strictly regulated. There will absolutely be no situation like the skimping on ingredients that occurred in later generations.
There's a reason why it tastes so good. Nowadays, chefs in state-run restaurants undergo rigorous training before they can take up their posts.
Once you're on the job, it's not a one-time thing. There are frequent training sessions and grading exams, and a chef's rank is linked to their income, so all chefs are quite skilled.
Moreover, it takes them several years to go from apprentice to chef. Unlike in later generations, where you can just attend a short-term chef training course, learn to cook a few dishes, and then go to work in a small restaurant or open your own restaurant.
Osmanthus honey braised pork belly is made primarily with pork belly, seasoned with osmanthus and honey using a secret recipe. It has a bright red color, is sliced thinly and neatly arranged on a white porcelain plate, and is a feast for the eyes, nose and palate.
Xie Yuyao picked up a slice and put it in her mouth. The rich, yet not greasy, aroma of meat, the fragrance of osmanthus, and the sweetness of honey all bloomed on her tongue at the same time. Xie Yuyao's eyes lit up and she exclaimed, "Thumbs up!"
Seeing that she liked the food, Zhao Honghui pushed the dish in front of her, while he ate only seaweed and egg drop soup and vegetables with rice.
"Try it too, don't just eat vegetables." Xie Yuyao shook her head helplessly, picked up a piece of meat and put it in his bowl, urging him to eat it with glistening eyes.
Hearing her words, Zhao Honghui picked up a piece of meat and put it in his mouth. To be honest, he didn't particularly like sweet food, but he didn't show it at all. "It tastes good."
"Then eat more." Xie Yuyao put a lot more honey-glazed meat on his plate. After she stopped, she found that her bowl was also piled high with meat, which was naturally put on by Zhao Honghui.
Xie Yuyao smiled helplessly, "Alright, alright, let's not bother with each other's food anymore. Help yourselves, but you're not allowed to just eat vegetables."
Not far away, a young couple was having a meal. Seeing Xie Yuyao and Zhao Honghui interacting, the girl with the long braid was very envious and couldn't help but hint to her boyfriend with her eyes that he should learn from Zhao Honghui, but her boyfriend just kept eating and didn't react.
The girl with the long braid was a little annoyed and coughed loudly.
The cough made the young man, who was eating with his head down, look up, and it also caught Xie Yuyao's attention.
Xie Yuyao looked over and met a pair of panicked eyes. The other person suddenly stood up and accidentally bumped into the table. With a thud, the bowls and plates on the table shook, and a bowl of tofu soup spilled out and flowed down the table.
The girl with the long braid cried out and quickly dodged the soup, but she was too late. Her long dress was stained with soup, and she was so angry that she quickly took out a handkerchief to wipe it off while staring at the young man with wide eyes and questioning him: "What's wrong with you!"
The young man, ignoring the girl, mumbled to Xie Yuyao, "You're here too... What a coincidence."
Xie Yuyao was a little stunned when she saw his face clearly. She didn't expect that she would run into Jiang Minzheng, who was so far away from Lijia Gou, and that his companion was Li Hongmei, the daughter of the brigade leader of Lijia Gou.
She responded casually, "It is quite a coincidence."
Women are generally sensitive, especially when it comes to romantic relationships. Li Hongmei realized something just by seeing Jiang Min's face turn red when she faced Xie Yuyao.
She glared at Xie Yuyao with a hostile expression, asserting her ownership: "We got our marriage certificate today!"
"Then... I wish you a long and happy life together."
Jiang Min felt ashamed and indignant, as if the words she had once used to persuade Xie Yuyao were slapping her own face.
Upon hearing Xie Yuyao's blessing, his face turned deathly pale again. The thought of spending his life with Li Hongmei made him feel like his life was over.
Zhao Honghui had already heard his younger sister's tattling and was naturally aware of Jiang Minzheng's past actions. Moreover, the transport team was well-informed, and he had already heard about Jiang Minzheng's affair with the daughter of the Lijia Gou brigade leader.
Now, seeing the man slumped in the chair, his gaze was cold, and a hint of sarcasm played on his lips.
"Eat." Xie Yuyao turned her gaze back and placed another piece of meat on Zhao Honghui's plate.
Zhao Honghui looked at the sweet burden in his bowl and continued eating.
After finishing their meal, the two went for a walk on the street.
Under the dim streetlights, Xie Yuyao turned her head and saw that his facial features were taut. She asked in surprise, "Are you angry? Really angry?"
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