Jiang Wanwan had been dragged into an alley. Aunt Xu looked back and breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that no one was catching up with her.
Pointing to the back, he asked, "Is this the first time you've encountered this? They're all from the supply and marketing cooperative."
At this time, the supply and marketing cooperatives not only undertook the tasks of commodity circulation, purchase of agricultural and sideline products (such as chickens, ducks, geese and various eggs), planned distribution and supply of means of production and daily necessities, but also had the political task of occupying the socialist commercial positions in rural areas and cracking down on spontaneous capitalist forces, such as catching speculators in the black market.
Of course, not all of them are from the supply and marketing cooperatives. Every time an action is organized, there are usually commune leaders and militiamen, depending on the scale and instructions of the task.
The group that came today wasn't large but not small either. Jiang Wanwan took a quick look when she ran out and saw that there were about ten people.
"Hey, where's your basket? Is it lost?" Only then did Aunt Xu see that Jiang Wanwan was empty-handed.
"No, I gave it away."
Jiang Wanwan replied casually. Aunt Xu thought about how when those people came, the girl asked her to run first, so she went in another direction. That direction seemed to be the direction of her classmate, and a smile flashed in her eyes.
This girl really takes revenge on the spot. She likes this kind of temper.
"No, just right. I have nothing to do. Let's go. I can take you to see the cotton."
"Not on the black market?" She thought it was also traded on the black market.
"Winter is coming soon, and cotton is hard to come by. Everyone is selling it to those who have tickets," Aunt Xu said as she led Jiang Wanwan forward.
After passing two alleys, the view suddenly opened up. Not far ahead was the city's largest textile factory, Huaxin Textile Factory. Aunt Xu led her directly around the corner to the textile factory's staff quarters.
He stopped at the door of a house, and instead of pushing the door open, he knocked on it.
After a while, someone opened the door from the inside. Without saying a word, Aunt Xu led Jiang Wanwan into the yard.
The family compounds nowadays are not big. A single-family house usually has only two rooms, or it is a large compound with one room per family, and the water pipes and kitchen are shared.
It's not so difficult if both husband and wife work in the same unit. When they have children and the children grow up, no matter which parent's job they take over, and after they start their own families and careers, the unit will consider allocating a house to them, which can be considered a form of care.
If the couple does not work in the same unit, or is a single-income family, several generations may have to live in the same room.
Of course, this only applies to ordinary workers. No matter what era, there are always some privileged people.
Jiang Wanwan took a quick glance at the courtyard. It was very clean. There was nothing there except a water pipe. The windows were also clean. She didn't look into the house again.
Taking a look at the yard is an instinct for a person to observe the environment when he arrives in a strange place. It is impolite to look into other people's houses.
Aunt Xu ignored her and said directly to the man who opened the door, "Where's the cotton I asked you to get? I brought someone to get it."
Jiang Wanwan then noticed the man. He was very tall, about 1.8 meters, about the same height as Lu Xiao. He had a square face, thick eyebrows, big eyes, a high nose bridge, and plump lips, a look that was very popular in this era.
If you look closely, he has some similarities with Aunt Xu in his eyes and eyebrows. Could this be Aunt Xu's tall son?
Jiang Wanwan looked at the other person, but she didn't know that the other person raised his eyebrows in surprise the moment he saw her.
Chen Hai looked at the woman his mother dragged in. Wasn't she the crazy little girl at the door of the photo studio that day?
Looking at him now, his skin was as white as a peeled egg and his face was rosy. I don’t know if he walked in a hurry when he came here, but there were some beads of sweat on the tip of his nose.
His eyes were full of alertness, and he hid behind his mother like a little chick.
Seeing Jiang Wanwan looking over, Chen Hai looked away first and pointed at the house, "I'll go get it," and walked away with big strides.
Aunt Xu pulled Jiang Wanwan in and said, "Come on, let's go in and have a glass of water."
Jiang Wanwan refused, "Let's wait here."
From Aunt Xu’s actions just now, it can be seen that even though it is her son, the mother and son do not live together.
How could she enter someone's house without an invitation? Moreover, she was only there to buy cotton, so it was not appropriate for her to go in any way.
Before Aunt Xu wanted to say something, Chen Hai came out with three small rolls of cotton, weighing about half a pound.
He handed it to Aunt Xu, who then handed it to Jiang Wanwan. "This is six taels. The market price is two yuan per catty. Just give me one yuan and fifty cents for the six taels."
"How can this be possible?"
Jiang Wanwan felt a little embarrassed. The six taels of cotton cost one yuan and twenty cents if she wanted a ticket. Giving her that price was no different from paying for it herself.
"It's all right. I like you, my girl, and you just gave me some canned food. Okay, take it. It's not much, though."
The old lady glared at her son while speaking.
Chen Hai felt a little confused when his mother glared at him. Cotton was in such short supply now, it was already good enough that he could get some.
Jiang Wanwan didn't notice the quarrel between the mother and the daughter. She happily gave Aunt Xu one dollar and fifty cents, then carefully put the cotton into a small cloth bag and held it in her arms like a soft pillow. While holding it, she thanked Aunt Xu again.
After the people walked away, Aunt Xu pulled Chen Hai aside and asked, "How is he? Is he handsome? I've found out everything for you. He's an educated youth who went to the countryside. He's a good match for you."
Aunt Xu had this idea the first time she met Jiang Wanwan selling snacks. She liked people who were quick-witted.
Moreover, this girl is good-looking and knows how to behave. Aunt Xu is becoming more and more satisfied the more she looks at her.
"Mom has taken a good look at her. Look at her full forehead and round cheeks. A woman like this is destined to be rich and prosperous. She will never be troubled by money in her life, and she will even be chased by the God of Wealth to give her money."
Chen Hai closed the courtyard door and frowned slightly, "Mom, didn't I tell you to stop engaging in these feudal superstitions?"
"Don't come on, others say I'm good, why are you saying this to me? What feudal superstition? This is metaphysics. Have you forgotten your grandfather's ability? Oh, okay, let's not talk about this. Mom asked you how that girl is? You are also a reckless man. Mom brought her home for you, why didn't you invite her into the house for a drink?"
"Mom, can't you just stop worrying?" Chen Hai spread his hands speechlessly and turned to go into the house. "I know my own affairs. I don't want to get married yet."
Aunt Xu was now anxious. She walked quickly on her bound feet to stop the man. "Don't want to get married? I think you should just become a monk. You're almost thirty years old. What did I do to give birth to someone like you? There are so many female workers in the textile factory, but you don't like any of them. And I'm here to help you find someone, but you're still trying to stop me."
Aunt Xu now looks at her son like a problem child and gives him earnest advice.
"Tell me the truth, is there something you're hiding that you're not looking for a partner? Or have you fallen for someone you shouldn't? Dahai, you can't do something stupid like that. It wasn't easy for you to become the deputy factory director. You can't ruin your future."
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