Jiang Yanxia dared not laugh at her anymore, afraid that Zhuang Zhimeng would tickle her again. She was very ticklish, just like Zhuang Zhimeng, so she sat obediently against Zhuang Zhimeng.
Shi Meiling and the others didn't hear what Zhuang Zhimeng and Jiang Yanxia were saying; they just assumed they were joking around because they were close friends.
"Auntie, do you need coupons to buy things at the market?" Zhuang Zhimeng suddenly thought of this question.
"It depends on what you're buying. Items with limited supply require coupons, such as grain, sesame oil, tobacco, alcohol, and tea."
Zhuang Zhimeng listened attentively and understood what was going on.
The oxcart traveled for quite a while before finally arriving at the market. The atmosphere was indeed different; there were so many people, a dense, bustling crowd that it was impossible to move.
People of all ages, including the elderly, children, women, and men, were there, all with happy smiles on their faces as they bought the New Year's goods they needed.
The market was bustling with vendors selling candied hawthorns, New Year pictures, firecrackers, fruit, flowers, eggs, brooms, vegetables, steamed buns, fried dough sticks, comic books, toys, paper incense, and popsicles—you name it. There were also vendors selling rat poison, and beggars along the streets.
There is a supply and marketing cooperative in the middle of the market. You have to buy fabrics, clothes, shoes and socks, hardware and daily necessities at the supply and marketing cooperative.
Shi Meiling was worried that Zhuang Zhimeng and Jiang Yanxia would feel uncomfortable following them, so she suggested, "Zhimeng, you two can look around on your own first. I'll go to the supply and marketing cooperative to look at fabrics. If you need anything, just call me."
"Okay, Auntie, we'll take a look first, and then we'll come find you in a bit."
"OK!"
The group then parted ways.
Jiang Yanxia linked arms with Zhuang Zhimeng, "Wow, Zhimeng, there are so many people! Let's start shopping right away!"
"good."
Zhuang Zhimeng and Jiang Yanxia were both looking forward to exploring the market.
"Zhimeng, what kind of fruit is that? It's pitch black!"
"Those must be frozen pears. I heard they're a specialty of Northeast China, and that they taste good. Shall we buy some and try them?"
"Is it good? I've never had it before! Let's buy some then."
Seeing that the stall also had frozen persimmons and frozen tangerines, the two of them bought some to try when they got home.
Seeing that there were popsicles for sale, Jiang Yanxia wanted to eat one. "Zhimeng, let's buy a popsicle. Eating a popsicle in the middle of winter should be fun, right?"
"I can't eat it, I don't have time, it's a special circumstance."
"Oh, then I won't eat either. It's no fun eating alone. Let's go buy firecrackers, some New Year pictures, couplets, the character '福' (fortune), and red lanterns."
"OK."
After buying these items, Zhuang Zhimeng and her companion were drawn to the sound of popping popcorn. A large crowd had gathered around the popping area, especially children, who covered their ears and cheered with each pop.
The two also wanted to buy some popcorn to take home and eat, and they waited in line for a long time before it was their turn.
I went to a broom stall and bought a feather duster to use for cleaning.
As they continued walking, they came across a stage where a performance was taking place. Jiang Yanxia pulled Zhuang Zhimeng along to watch the show, saying, "Zhimeng is performing, let's go see. Look how many people are watching, it must be really good."
Zhuang Zhimeng was also quite curious, so she followed Jiang Yanxia to watch the performance.
There was a two-person comedy performance on the stage. The two of them watched for a while and found it quite amusing. As everyone laughed, they stayed there for a bit too long.
Although the performance was great, we couldn't stay any longer and had to hurry up and explore other places.
They saw fish for sale, all frozen and stuck on the ground. The two bought a few fish to eat during the New Year. The production team didn't know if they would distribute fish this year, as they hadn't heard the brigade leader mention draining the pond and distributing fish before the New Year.
Having bought almost everything, Zhuang Zhimeng and Shi Meiling put the items in their baskets and headed to the supply and marketing cooperative to meet up with Shi Meiling.
"Zhimeng, let's go to the supply and marketing cooperative and buy some more melon seeds, peanuts, pastries, red sausages, and biscuits."
"Okay, we should at least buy some snacks and candy for the New Year. Let's go to the supply and marketing cooperative."
The two arrived at the supply and marketing cooperative, where there were even more people. It was packed with people everywhere, and there wasn't a single counter with few people around.
Looking at the fabric counter, it was so crowded that it was impossible to squeeze in. Everyone there was preparing to choose fabric to make new clothes for their families for the New Year.
Zhuang Zhimeng and Jiang Yanxia peered around for a long time, searching for Shi Meiling. Zhuang Zhimeng was a little taller than Jiang Yanxia, and she even had to stand on tiptoe to see her. She was at the very back, holding a piece of cloth up to her body.
Zhuang Zhimeng glanced at Shi Meiling's spot; it was really difficult to squeeze in. So she decided to go buy some snacks first and then come back to find Shi Meiling.
Zhuang Zhimeng and Jiang Yanxia went to buy snacks, buying three portions each. Su Mengmeng asked them to take them back for him. Zhuang Zhimeng was paying for everything, and they would calculate the cost and split it equally when they got back. The two of them then gave the money and coupons to Zhuang Zhimeng.
Then the two of them squeezed into the heart of the fabric selection area, where Shi Meiling was. Shi Meiling had finally chosen her fabric and was already having the sales clerk wrap it up.
Shi Meiling saw the two of them and pulled Zhuang Zhimeng aside, saying, "Zhimeng, have you bought everything?"
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