Chapter 81 Visiting the Provincial Capital
"Ruoting, I just came back from the commune. Secretary Cui said that our team's application to make tofu has been approved. Now we just need to wait for the signature from the higher-ups before we can start production."
"Really?"
"That's great, Captain. Our soybean problem will be solved soon." Shang Ruoting was also very happy about this.
"This is all thanks to you for coming up with this idea. Don't worry, I will keep this in mind and will definitely give you points when the time comes." Zhao Fa patted his chest and promised.
Shang Ruoting had not tasted the sweetness of exchanging work points for supplies when she came here. In her eyes, the reward Zhao Fa mentioned was just a blank check and she did not feel much about it.
"As long as it can help our team."
After Shang Ruoting said something vague, she told him that she and Tan Chen were going to leave for Beijing for a few days. After all, they had to go to the team to get a letter of introduction before they could go out, and they also had to inform the team about asking Yangmei to help take care of the chicken coop for a few days.
When Zhao Fa heard that Tan Chen was going to Beijing for a follow-up examination, he expressed his support.
"Well, your eyesight is a serious matter, and there's no time to waste. I'll get the letters of introduction to you two as soon as we get to the team."
"Since Ruoting has already found someone to help in the chicken coop, I won't be in charge anymore."
"Thank you, Captain. We plan to leave early tomorrow morning." Tan Chen took the opportunity to talk about the time to go to Beijing.
Zhao Fa took out a cigarette from his pocket and lit it. "Okay, be careful on your way. I guess by the time you come back, making tofu will be on the agenda."
Just as a few people were chatting, the tractor slowly drove into the yard of the production team.
Zhao Fa immediately went to the office to help the two of them get letters of introduction.
Shang Ruoting and Tan Chen got the letter of introduction and helped Old Lady Shang go home.
"Are you going to the capital tomorrow?"
Shang Ruoting had not had time to tell the old lady about this matter.
"Grandma, Tan Chen's eyes have healed. We need to go to the capital for a follow-up checkup."
Mrs. Shang continued to ask, "How many days will you be gone?"
"Grandma, Tan Chen said he'd take me around the capital, and it would take at least three or four days for him to be back."
"It's good to go to the capital. It's a good opportunity for you to see the world." Old Mrs. Shang held Shang Ruoting's hand and looked very happy.
After returning home, Shang Ruoting went to the chicken coop to collect eggs and informed Yangmei that she would go to the chicken coop to help starting tomorrow.
After arranging everything, Shang Ruoting returned to the yard and saw Tan Chen doing something in the yard.
When Tan Chen saw Shang Ruoting coming back, he took the initiative to introduce a small wooden box he was fiddling with.
"I plan to use this to store the two ginsengs. I'll go find some mossy soil at the foot of the mountain later. This way, the ginsengs can be preserved longer."
Shang Ruoting was very satisfied with Tan Chen's attentiveness. At the same time, she went to the backyard under the pretext of digging up the ginseng buried in the soil.
While Tan Chen and the old lady were not looking, he took out the ginseng from the space.
Tan Chen carefully placed the ginseng into a small wooden box covered with moss and soil. After everything was ready, the family went to bed early.
The next day, Tan Chen and Shang Ruoting got up early, had a simple breakfast, and set off.
They walked to the town and took the earliest bus to Zhuang City, preparing to take the train from Zhuang City to the capital.
As a result, despite rushing as hard as they could, they still missed the morning train and bought tickets for the 2:40 p.m. train.
Looking at the big wall clock in the waiting room, it was only a little after 9 o'clock in the morning, and there was still some time before the afternoon departure time.
"Do we have to wait here for an hour?" Shang Ruoting was obviously a little depressed when she spoke.
Tan Chen didn't say anything, picked up his backpack, and took Shang Ruoting to the storage room.
Shang Ruoting followed behind foolishly.
Walking to the window of the storage room, Tan Chen placed his backpack on it and said, "Comrade, I want to check it in."
A curly-haired woman inside asked, "It's ten cents an hour to deposit it. How long do I have to deposit it?"
Hours." After Tan Chen finished speaking, the staff inside pulled the backpack in and tossed him an aluminum number plate: "Pay first."
Seeing this, Shang Ruoting hurriedly took the money and put it into the window.
"Come on! I'll show you around."
Shang Ruoting was pulled by Tan Chen and walked out of the train station together.
She was unfamiliar and curious about everything here, looking around all the way.
Tan Chen pointed to a large shop across the street with a plaque that read "Zhuang City State-owned Hotel".
"We had breakfast early this morning and we're all hungry now, so let's go eat first."
Shang Ruoting really wants to see what state-owned restaurants in the 1970s were like.
"good."
When the two of them walked into the hotel, Shang Ruoting's eyes were not enough.
What comes into view is a lobby with eight solid wood round tables and matching chairs.
Facing the main door, there is a higher counter with more than twenty wooden signs hanging above it, which list the dishes and prices.
It was not mealtime, so the waiter lazily found a comfortable spot to rest.
When they saw the two people coming in, although they had good looks, they were dressed like country people and had no interest in entertaining them. They just continued to rest on their own.
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