Chapter 168 Accompanying Chen Yuan to Visit the Orphans of Comrades
Li Cuihua didn't say anything else.
Thinking about the problem of not having industrial tickets, Chen Yuan also thought about buying air conditioners in Guangdong Province.
Of course, central air conditioning was already available in the 1980s, but unfortunately only the rich could afford it, and the price was naturally very high. Even if they were willing to buy it, it was difficult to find workers who could install it.
When Su Wan woke up, breakfast was already ready.
She washed up and while having breakfast, she heard Li Cuihua ask her if she wanted to install an air conditioner.
"You need an industrial ticket to buy an air conditioner, right? Exchanging for an industrial ticket is too troublesome. We don't have any connections here. Next time we come back, we'll bring back two air conditioners from Guangdong Province."
Su Wan also felt that they should have brought the air conditioner back this time, but they decided to come back in such a hurry that they indeed forgot.
Chen Yuan thought of something and said, "I have a friend in the provincial capital who has some connections. I think I can buy two without using industrial tickets."
"We're going to have to install air conditioning sooner or later anyway, and it's not too hot to sleep at night, so a fan will do the trick."
Su Wan doesn't like owing favors to others, and she finds it troublesome to repay favors in the future.
"Wanwan is right. We're already used to it anyway. We'll install the air conditioner after the new house is renovated."
The circuits in the 1980s were actually not as stable as those in later generations. If their voltage was too high, they might not even be able to be powered.
After Li Cuihua said this, Su Wan suddenly remembered.
Chen Yuan said, "Just connect the line properly when the time comes. There won't be any major problems."
Since there are many electrical appliances at home, it is indeed necessary to connect the circuits properly to avoid power outages.
"That should be alright, right?"
Su Wan looked at Chen Yuan and started to worry about whether she would be able to run too many electrical appliances at home.
"Just connect the line to the busbar and avoid connecting any small lines."
Of course Chen Yuan knew what to do. It was not a big deal. After all, the power of the bus was relatively large.
Su Wan understood all those things, but she just didn't know how much electricity the busbars from the 1980s could supply.
However, their worries are unnecessary. After all, they come back seldom, and the chances of turning on the air conditioner at home are low.
After breakfast, Zheng Aifang came.
She first asked Su Wan if she slept well last night, and then asked her what she wanted to eat for lunch.
Su Wan heard this and didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
"Mom, I'm not a child anymore. Don't use child-soothing words to comfort me."
"You will always be a child in my heart. It's rare for you and Chen Yuan to come back, so I'll make more of your favorite food."
"I know you're doing this for my own good, but we had dinner at home yesterday. Shouldn't we have dinner at my parents-in-law's house today?"
Su Wan reminded her mother tactfully.
Zheng Aifang then remembered that she had really forgotten that her daughter was already married and should have dinner at her husband's house.
She immediately smiled and said, "You're right. Let's have lunch at your mother-in-law's house today. Your father and I have to go work in the fields. The key to the house is in the kitchen, and your door is unlocked."
"I know."
Su Wan suddenly remembered something and asked Zheng Aifang, "Did you go to the store to get clothes this year?"
"The clothes I bought last year were very nice, so I won't buy any this year."
"Those aren't clothes from the store. They're new clothes and shoes I bought for you, my dad, and my parents-in-law. If you didn't take them, Chen Yuan and I will go to the provincial capital and see how the business is going there."
"Business must be good. The staff you hired are all good people, nice girls."
Zheng Aifang praised him a few times, then went back because she had something else to do in the fields.
Looking at his mother's back as she left, Su Wan sighed inwardly.
She has to go to the provincial capital today and can only help with the work after she comes back.
When Chen Yuan finished talking to his parents and came over, he found Su Wan standing outside, not knowing what she was thinking.
"What are you thinking about?"
Chen Yuan held Su Wan's hand and asked.
"Nothing much to think about. We have to go to the provincial capital. I need to buy some things and then go to the store to pick up the clothes and shoes that were sent to my parents."
"I might have some business to do in the provincial capital."
"What's the matter?" Su Wan asked curiously.
"A comrade passed away during a previous mission. Calculating the date, his child should be going to school soon. I haven't been back for a long time, and I want to go visit his parents and child."
Hearing this, Su Wan was somewhat touched.
She smiled and said, "Then let's go together. We can buy some things for the baby. Is it a boy or a girl?"
"It's a girl. She's almost five years old and should be old enough to go to kindergarten."
"Then let's go and take a look together."
Su Wan said, and the two of them said goodbye to their families and went to the provincial capital.
It took less than half an hour to drive there and they arrived at the store.
It was not yet ten o'clock, but there were already quite a few customers in the store. When Wang Yue and Jiang Xue saw Chen Yuan, they couldn't help but shout out.
"Vice-Captain!"
"Comrade Wang Yue, Comrade Jiang Xue, hello!"
Chen Yuan greeted the two of them, a smile spreading across his face. "Thank you for coming to help Wanwan."
"Deputy Captain, please don't say that. We should thank our sister-in-law. She gave us a job opportunity."
This was not a good time to exchange pleasantries, so Chen Yuan said a few words to them and went out to wait.
Su Wan looked at the accounts for a while and found that the clothing sales this month were still very good. The sales performance was more than 50,000, and the profit was at least more than 20,000.
After checking the accounts, she took out the clothes that had been sent here and asked Chen Yuan to put them in the car.
The store manager was only mentioned when the customer went to try on clothes.
Su Jianguo did not plan to open stores in many provinces. He planned to open branches in other downtown areas. The only store he would open would probably be in Henan Province.
When Wang Yue and Jiang Xue heard that they could get commission based on total sales by becoming store managers, they were both willing.
Su Wan finished speaking before leaving the store.
Back in the car, Su Wan asked Chen Yuan, "Should we buy something and go see the kid?"
"Well, I want to buy some food, rice and flour. The elderly at home is usually reluctant to eat or drink. Whenever we go to the provincial capital, we will go to see her and see if there is anything I can help with."
Hearing this, Su Wan nodded.
The two quickly drove the car to a state-owned store. Some items in the state-owned store required tickets, but many items did not require tickets.
Su Wan bought five kilograms of White Rabbit candy, which children like to eat, six cans of malted milk, ten bags of milk powder, two boxes of milk biscuits, towels, toothpaste and other daily necessities, all enough for a year.
Chen Yuan also bought 20 kilograms of cooking oil and a pack of Daqianmen cigarettes. After paying, the two went to the black market again.
We bought 80 kilograms of rice, 50 kilograms of corn grits, 20 kilograms of corn flour, 10 kilograms of pork, and 5 kilograms of pork fat on the black market. Then we put all the things in the trunk and drove to a village called Wangjiacun.
On the way, Su Wan also learned that Chen Yuan’s comrade-in-arms was named Wang Cheng, who died while on a mission four years ago. His wife couldn’t bear the shock after hearing the news, and did not come back when she went out on the third day. She was later found in the river. Only his elderly parents and daughter Wang Tiantian were at home.
Normally, whenever people came to the provincial capital of Su Province, they would come to the Wang family to see if they needed any help. Chen Yuan hadn't been here for more than two years, and this time he came specifically to see them.
When he arrived at Wangjia Village, Su Wan saw a village that was even more dilapidated than Datong Village.
There are quite a lot of young people in the village, but for some reason, the people in this village feel a bit lifeless, as if they have lost their vitality.
Chen Yuan also explained, "Wangjia Village is poorer than other villages. A few years ago, there was a natural disaster, and Wangjia Village has had a difficult time in recent years."
"I see."
Su Wan sighed, "It's really hard for rural areas to be hit by natural disasters."
As they were talking, they had already arrived at Wang Cheng's house.
There was a wall outside Wang Cheng's house that was taller than an adult, about two meters high. Chen Yuan knocked on the door, and an old voice came from inside.
"Who is it?"
"Uncle Wang, it's me, Chen Yuan."
"It's Xiao Chen!"
The gate of the yard was opened, and Su Wan saw an elderly man about sixty years old. It was Wang Cheng's father. He opened the door and looked at Chen Yuan at the door with a smile on his face.
Chen Yuan took Su Wan and introduced her to Uncle Wang, "Uncle Wang, this is my beloved Su Wan."
"Hello, Uncle Wang!"
Su Wan called out sweetly. Uncle Wang looked at Su Wan and Chen Yuan, nodding his head. "That's great! Xiao Chen is getting married too. Come in and sit down. Your aunt has gone out with Tiantian and will be back soon."
Chen Yuan and Su Wan quickly unloaded the items from the car. Looking at the things they brought, Uncle Wang kept saying, "We have food and drinks at home. Don't waste that money. It's so hard to earn!"
After Wang Cheng's death, the state did give him a pension.
But when the money is all gone, they still dare not spend much and can only save the money for their children's schooling.
After moving all the things into the house, Su Wan and Chen Yuan were pulled to sit in the yard.
Uncle Wang brought them two bowls of water and wiped his hands apologetically. "Xiao Chen, Wanwan, we're out of sugar at home. Drink this first. I'll ask your aunt to buy some more when she comes back."
"Uncle Wang, plain water is fine."
Chen Yuan said this, and quickly picked up the water and started drinking.
Su Wan didn't dislike it and drank most of the water in the bowl.
Seeing that Su Wan didn't despise him, Uncle Wang felt relieved and quickly started chatting with Chen Yuan.
After chatting about their affairs, a very happy voice was heard from outside.
"Grandma, we can go back and make fish soup for Grandpa."
The sound arrived before the person arrived. Su Wan turned around and saw a very cute little girl holding the hand of a white-haired woman. The little girl had two pigtails and was wearing clothes that should have been made by herself. They were not very new, but very clean.
Seeing Chen Yuan and Su Wan beside him, Aunt Wang called out, "Little Chen is here!"
Chen Yuan stood up, "Aunt Wang."
Aunt Wang uttered an "ah" and tugged at Wang Tiantian beside her, "Tiantian, this is your Uncle Chen, your father's comrade-in-arms."
Wang Tiantian smiled with her eyebrows curved, "Hello, Uncle Chen!"
"Xiao Chen, who is this person next to you?"
Aunt Wang looked at Su Wan, but didn't dare to call her because she didn't know her.
"Auntie, this is my lover Su Wan."
"I can't believe you're already married, Xiao Chen." Aunt Wang smiled, and Su Wan immediately called out, "Hello, Auntie. I'm Su Wan, you can call me Wanwan."
After saying that, Su Wan squatted down again and greeted Wang Tiantian, "Hello, Tiantian!"
Wang Tiantian blushed when she saw the pretty and gentle Su Wan, and blinked shyly, "Hello, Auntie!"
After rubbing Wang Tiantian's head, Aunt Wang asked them to sit in the yard and pointed at the bucket in her hand and said, "We just caught some fish on the way. Would you two like to have lunch here at noon today?"
"Of course, we'll have dinner here today."
As Chen Yuan said this, Su Wan nodded at him.
"Chen Yuan, you cook here. I'll take Tiantian to the city to buy her two sets of clothes."
"Then go ahead!"
As soon as Chen Yuan finished speaking, Su Wan pulled Wang Tiantian and said, "Tiantian, do you want to go out shopping for clothes with me?"
I thought Wang Tiantian would agree, but unexpectedly, she shook her head and whispered back, "Auntie, Tiantian has clothes to wear, so I don't need to buy clothes."
Su Wan was stunned for a moment, then touched her head, "Don't you want new clothes?"
"don't want."
Wang Tiantian said sensibly, "Grandpa and grandma have made me new clothes. I already have new clothes to wear. Thank you, auntie, for your kindness!"
"Silly girl, since I don't have any children, I just like to buy new clothes for you."
"Auntie..."
Wang Tiantian's eyes were red, "I really have clothes to wear."
Su Wan looked at the pretty girl and felt a little jealous.
She really likes such a sensible child.
She held Wang Tiantian's hand and said to Chen Yuan, "Why don't I take my aunt and the others to the provincial capital? It only takes an hour to go there and back. We can cook together when we get back."
"Wanwan, that's not necessary."
Aunt Wang shook her head, and Uncle Wang quickly said to Chen Yuan, "Xiao Chen, don't waste your money. You brought so many things today, it must have cost a lot of money. It's really not necessary."
Chen Yuan glanced at Su Wan, waiting for her to speak.
Su Wan smiled at Uncle Wang and said, "Uncle Wang, Chen Yuan and I have money, so don't worry. Besides, Chen Yuan hasn't been here for a long time. This is what we want to do, so don't refuse."
In the end, they couldn't refuse, so they followed him to the provincial capital.
Sitting in the car, Chen Yuan and Uncle Wang sat in the back seat, Su Wan was driving, and Wang Tiantian was held in the passenger seat, looking at this beautiful car very nervously.
Soon, the car drove out of Wang's house.
The people in the village were not curious at all, because people from the army often came to visit the two elders of the Wang family and Wang Tiantian, and everyone was used to it.
After driving for about half an hour, they arrived at the provincial capital, and Su Wan drove directly to his shop.
She picked out clothes for Uncle Wang and Aunt Wang, three sets each of spring and summer clothes, while Wang Tiantian chose five sets each of spring and summer clothes.
Looking at the clothes Su Wan chose for them, the two old people wanted to refuse, but Su Wan just chose clothes for them and didn't give them a chance to refuse.
While they were changing clothes, Su Wan had already called He Jun and asked him to help choose clothes for spring, summer, autumn and winter according to the sizes of the three of them. She chose five sets for each season. Because Wang Tiantian was still a child, she chose three sets for each season. The other three sets were one size larger, enough for her to wear when she was older.
After changing clothes, Su Wan paid the bill and left the store with them.
Wang Xue and Wang Yue both put the money away. When the boss came into the store just now, she didn't say that the store belonged to her, so they were tactful and didn't say anything.
After getting in the car, Su Wan suddenly asked, "Auntie, is it easy to raise chickens and ducks in the village?"
Aunt Wang sighed and said, "It used to be easy to raise chickens and ducks, but unfortunately in the past two years, chickens and ducks have become more likely to be stolen, so we have fewer of them."
It’s not that they are lazy, but the chickens and ducks they raise on a daily basis are stolen, so they have no choice but to raise fewer.
But even so, there are still many people in the village who steal chickens and ducks, making them complain bitterly.
In fact, everyone knew in their hearts that this was not an accident, but the people in the village bullied their elderly and children. Knowing that they had no other choice, they became more and more addicted to stealing.
"It should be okay to raise chickens in the yard, right?" Su Wan asked curiously.
"Raising them in the yard is fine, but one side of the yard wall collapsed at some point, so we can't protect them anymore."
Hearing this, Chen Yuan frowned unconsciously.
Su Wan also felt that she had to help the two old people with this matter, otherwise the things she bought today might be stolen.
What she could think of, Chen Yuan could naturally think of as well.
"When I return later, I'll ask the village chief about the situation."
Su Wan thought about it, drove the car to the building materials store, and bought several pieces of glass.
Of course Chen Yuan could guess what Su Wan wanted to do, but he didn't say anything and let her do it.
When the car arrived at Wang's house, there was no one at the gate of the yard, but there were many people leaning over to look inside, but when they heard the sound of the car, they all stood away.
After parking the car outside the yard, Chen Yuan said to Su Wan, "You go in first. I'll go to the village chief's house to take a look."
After saying that, Chen Yuan took out a few packs of cigarettes from the trunk, cut a piece of pork in front of the village, and went to the village chief's house.
Uncle Wang looked at Chen Yuan's back as he left, wanting to say something but still remaining silent.
The discomfort in his eyes flashed by, but was caught by Su Wan immediately.
Her eyes darkened slightly, and she pretended to be casual and asked, "Uncle Wang, have you ever thought about opening a shop in the city so that Tiantian can study there and make a living by learning a craft?"
Uncle Wang sighed, "We still have land here, but going out there costs money for everything, and the pensions are simply not enough."
"You and your aunt aren't living well in the village. Why don't you go to the city? If you have any cooking skills, you can make a lot of money there. I can teach you how to cook, and you can help me so that Tiantian can study in the city. What do you think?"
Aunt Wang was silent beside them, and the two of them seemed to be thinking about something.
After a while, Uncle Wang said, "Wanwan, I know what you're thinking, but if our family goes to the city, we won't have a place to live. What will we do with our house here?"
As soon as Uncle Wang finished speaking, Aunt Wang spoke first.
"Old man, let's move to the city!"
Uncle Wang looked at his wife, hesitant to speak, "But if we go to the city, what will happen to our land?"
"We live here, but Tiantian isn't having a good time. The kids in the village bully her, and her things are often stolen. We might as well try living in the city."
"Uncle, aunt, if we go to the city, I can find a restaurant for you to cook. As long as your cooking skills are not too bad, it will definitely be good."
Su Wan could see that the Wang family was not living very well here.
The eyes of those people in the village were very unfriendly. Although she could not understand and did not know the reason, she could vaguely guess that many people were probably thinking about the pension from the royal city.
Thinking of this, Su Wan felt a little uncomfortable.
"Old man, let's just listen to Wanwan!"
Aunt Wang's tone was filled with tears. "Those people are eyeing our son's pension. If we go out and no one recognizes us, that's not a bad thing."
"Alright!"
Uncle Wang responded and agreed to go to the city.
When Chen Yuan came back, his face didn't look very good.
He also didn't expect that the village chief would take the things and do nothing, and even wanted benefits in his words and deeds.
When he came back, Su Wan told him her plan.
Chen Yuan had originally been thinking about whether there was any way to help Wang Cheng's parents. After hearing Su Wan's words, he asked, "Have you decided where to go?"
"I just noticed that there's a high school on the left side of the intersection across from the clothing store. It's in a good location. If I open a restaurant there, it's bound to be popular and profitable."
"Then I'll do as you say. I just met with the village chief, and he also thinks it would be best to move out of the village."
When Chen Yuan said this, Su Wan understood what he meant.
What she just thought was right. The atmosphere in this village was indeed bad. Not only did they bully the families of the martyrs, but they even coveted the martyrs' pensions. It was really too much.
With this idea in mind, Chen Yuan also planned to get this matter done in the next two days.
Aunt Wang prepared lunch.
Because I bought some oil, the food I cooked was delicious and my cooking skills were not bad at all.
Su Wan ate two bowls of rice and praised Aunt Wang's cooking skills.
"Auntie, with your cooking skills, what are you worried about? You'll definitely make money in the city."
Aunt Wang felt embarrassed by Su Wan's praise, and even Uncle Wang showed a long-lost smile.
After dinner, Chen Yuan did not go home. He planned to build a wall at Wang's house in the afternoon. Su Wan drove back by herself.
She did not go home directly in the afternoon, but went to the intersection of the provincial capital and found the owner of the store.
"This shop is over 60 square meters, and the rent is at least 40 yuan a month."
When the woman said this, her eyes were fixed on the off-road vehicle behind Su Wan, her eyes full of greed.
"I see there's a yard behind your store. Can I get water from there?"
After all, water is free. The woman nodded generously, "Of course, you can use the water from the well as much as you want, but I have to pay the rent at least every six months. I won't rent it for less."
"I'll pay one year's rent first, but we have to sign a contract. You can only rent the store to me for ten years."
——My child is not feeling well today. I will make up for the 4,000 words tomorrow. Sorry!
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