"Let's stop here. Thank you, Master Cui."
The farm truck stopped in front of the shoe store. Before getting off the truck, Qiao Baozhu took out a box of Daqianmen cigarettes from her bag and handed it to Lao Cui.
Lao Cui looked down and saw the cigarette in his hand, and a surprised smile appeared on his old face full of fine lines.
"Oh, Daqianmen, this is hard currency. Comrade Qiao, you are too polite."
After seeing the brand of cigarettes clearly, Lao Cui's resentment towards Qiao Baozhu for being too talkative was swept away.
"As you should! It's my fault that I couldn't have a good meal at the state-owned restaurant today. Fortunately, I will go to the city more often in the future, so I will have many opportunities to make up for this meal."
"I'm sorry for causing trouble to Master Cui today. Please don't blame me, Master Cui."
Qiao Baozhu has a round and full face and majestic facial features. She has developed a dignified and gentle temperament after being an official's wife for many years. At first glance, one feels that she is very blessed.
Lao Cui is a man, but he is also a stubborn person who doesn't understand the ways of the world. He often had disputes with the educated youth on the farm because of his overly straightforward and simple mind.
He was able to survive in the field transport team purely because of his excellent driving and car repair skills.
People who are usually disliked by their leaders and colleagues are suddenly respected and treated well. Lao Cui was so happy.
"Comrade Qiao, look at what you said. I don't have to eat that meal, I just can't stand her being like that."
Lao Cui couldn't describe what Zhang Cuilian was like.
Qiao Baozhu didn't wait for Lao Cui to say anything bad about Zhang Cuilian, and quickly interrupted with a smile: "Recently, many educated youth have returned, and the newly opened mutual aid society has added a lot of miscellaneous matters. Director Zhang has too many things to deal with, and we all understand that he can't take care of it for the time being."
When Lao Cui got a pack of cigarettes, all the resentment in his heart disappeared.
Hearing the reconciliation intention in Qiao Baozhu's words, Lao Cui's heart was moved, and he waved his hand generously: "These are all trivial matters. How can I, Lao Cui, a grown man, argue with her?"
"Master Cui is really generous."
Qiao Baozhu smiled and praised him again, making Lao Cui feel flattered.
Lao Cui was so happy that he took the initiative to help Qiao Baozhu unload the sacks from the car and carried the sacks directly into the shoe store.
"Comrade Qiao, if you go back to the farm tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, you can take my car back."
"My car is parked on the road behind the bus station. We'll set off at 3 o'clock sharp, heading north along Songjiang Road, and stop at Beida Street around 3:20. You can go to whichever place is closest to your mother's home. If you see my car, wave and I'll stop."
Qiao Baozhu expected that a pack of cigarettes in exchange for a convenient ride.
Unfortunately, Qiao Baozhu generally doesn't like to take a truck back home. The truck is cold and bumpy, and there is a strong smell of diesel in the car.
When Qiao Baozhu came here, she was carsick, so she would rather spend money to buy a train ticket to go back to the farm.
"Okay, I see. Thank you, Master Cui, for reminding me. It's a rare opportunity for me to go back to my parents' home, and I haven't decided when to go back yet. I'll go check the goods first, so I won't waste your time."
Qiao Baozhu thanked him with a smile and turned around to get busy.
Lao Cui gritted his teeth and called out to Qiao Baozhu: "Comrade Qiao, I, I have something else to do."
Qiao Baozhu turned around and looked at Lao Cui in surprise.
They are not related or familiar with each other, what could Lao Cui ask her for help?
Lao Cui met Qiao Baozhu's gaze and pointed at the door of the shoe store. Qiao Baozhu understood immediately and walked out readily.
Standing outside the shoe store, Qiao Baozhu looked at Lao Cui with a smile: "There's no one here, Master Cui, just tell me what you want to say."
Lao Cui touched his head embarrassedly and took out the cigarette that Qiao Baozhu had just given him from his trouser pocket.
"Comrade Qiao, I, Old Cui, will not beat around the bush. I will tell you straight if I have anything to say. If you still have this Daqianmen at home, can you sell me three or four boxes?"
Buy cigarettes from her?
Qiao Baozhu was stunned and didn't react for a while.
Seeing Qiao Baozhu's dazed expression, Lao Cui guessed that she was young and a newly married woman, and didn't understand some things.
"I heard that your man is a high-ranking officer in the corps. Officers like them have a lot of cigarette coupons."
"If you don't have a Daqianmen at home, can you sell me a few Class B cigarette tickets?"
After hearing this, Qiao Baozhu understood.
When Lao Cui saw that she casually bought a box of Daqianmen cigarettes, he thought her family was well-off and wanted to get a few boxes of cigarettes from her.
"My husband doesn't smoke, and we've never seen cigarette coupons at home. But if you want cigarette coupons, I can ask for them for you in the family compound."
Qiao Baozhu didn't lie. She had been with Chen Xiao for a few months, and Chen Xiao usually didn't smoke or drink at home.
However, there are still cigarettes and liquor at home. After all, life depends on favors, and the best things to give to others are cigarettes, alcohol, sugar and tea.
"Among the officers in the army, is there anyone who doesn't smoke?"
Lao Cui sneered at Qiao Baozhu's words. Seeing Qiao Baozhu's unhappy expression, he immediately realized that he had spoken carelessly.
He slapped his lips quickly and said embarrassedly: "I am a straightforward person, I say whatever I think, don't take it seriously."
"Because of this foul mouth, I have offended many people this year. Our squad leader told me to get in touch with the director, otherwise I will be transferred to the auto repair class next year."
Lao Cui made up his mind and told Qiao Baozhu the reasons why he bought cigarettes.
He was not popular and was too embarrassed to ask people to buy cigarette tickets for him.
Today, Qiao Baozhu gave him a box of Daqianmen, and Lao Cui then remembered that there were many ways to get around in the Corps.
After hearing what Lao Cui said, Qiao Baozhu had a difficult ideological struggle.
"When I was at my mother's house, my father didn't smoke either. I don't know how their company distributes cigarette coupons. I'll ask my father first to see if he can get you a few boxes."
Old Cui breathed a sigh of relief, clasped his hands together and bowed to Qiao Baozhu.
"Thank you, Comrade Qiao, you have helped me a lot. Our director usually smokes Daqianmen, and the squad leader said that it would be enough to send him four boxes. I already have one box, and if you can get me three boxes, it will be enough."
When Qiao Baozhu heard this, she looked at Lao Cui calmly.
Lao Cui was frightened by Qiao Baozhu's look and realized that he had made a stupid mistake and said the wrong thing again.
He thought that his harsh tone had upset Qiao Baozhu, so he quickly added, "I don't have to buy Daqianmen. I can buy cigarettes at the service center if I have cigarette coupons."
Qiao Baozhu looked at Lao Cui with amusement, her eyes shining brightly.
"What do you give your director as a gift, whatever he usually smokes?"
Lao Cui heard the hidden meaning in Qiao Baozhu's words and his smile froze on his face.
"If I don't send it to Daqianmen, what should I send? Aren't 35 cents a pack of cigarettes enough?"
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