The main reason for going to the supply and marketing cooperative was to buy things for the children. When it was her turn, Cheng Zhenzhu asked for some school supplies and six picture books. She saw glass marbles on the counter and ordered a few, specifically in different colors, one for each child.
Children in those days had little to do, but a handful of glass marbles was enough to entertain them. She had some old marbles at home, all riddled with holes, but she treasured them dearly... With these new marbles, she planned to ask Uncle Dezi to make a checkers board to teach the children how to play, just to while away the time...
"Sister, you have taken such good care of your children. They are all so handsome... We have just received a few bags of milk powder. This is more nutritious than malted milk. Do you want to buy a couple of bags for your children to try?" Zhou Xiaohong waited for Cheng Zhenzhu to pay the bill. She pointed to a few bags on the side of the counter and changed the subject enthusiastically but stiffly.
"Milk powder?" Cheng Zhenzhu raised an eyebrow at the sight of the powdered milk on the counter. Sanshidao actually had powdered milk; before, they didn't even have malted milk. Qi Tiao had mentioned that they were using powdered milk at home, and she'd been thinking of getting two bags, but powdered milk was in short supply in Haishi. Then her eldest sister brought over a can of malted milk, saying it was the same...
Milk powder? Qi Tiao heard it and stood on tiptoe to see. Mom said that drinking milk powder would make you taller, but he hadn't had milk powder in a long time, and he and his brother were only a hand taller...
Bajiao had no interest in milk powder and felt that it was not as delicious as malted milk. He concentrated on playing with the rabbit's fur.
What's milk powder? The little ones looked at the counter curiously. Mom already bought them picture books and marbles, so is there anything else she needs to buy them? It sounds like food...
Seeing the expression on the sister's face, Zhou Xiaohong guessed something was up and said with a smile, "Sister, this milk powder may not be as fragrant or sweet as malted milk, but its nutritional value is definitely high. You can buy it with confidence, it's a good choice."
Cheng Zhenzhu also smiled. Seeing that the supply and marketing cooperative was deserted, she deliberately chatted with the enthusiastic girl in front of her. "This comrade looks familiar. Are you the comrade Zhou from before?"
When Zhou Xiaohong heard the words "Comrade Zhou", she realized that the other party was talking about her cousin Zhou Xiaoyu. She said in a clear voice, "Oh, I'm her cousin. My name is Zhou Xiaohong. I will take over my cousin's job here from now on... Just call me Xiaohong..."
Her cousin married off in style, marrying into a wealthy family, so naturally, she no longer looked down upon her job as a salesperson. Then her father spent a large sum of money to buy her the job from her cousin.
Her father meant that her cousin had married into a wealthy family because of her job, and she couldn't let herself be outdone. She should also learn from her cousin and make more friends. The family had spent so much money, so there had to be a big return...
She scoffed at this. At most, she could earn more money and give it back to her father. She didn't want to get married so early. And she always felt that her cousin's husband was not a good person...
Turns out they're cousins, and she said they look a bit alike. It feels like the two sisters have completely different personalities. The older sister is impetuous, while the younger sister is passionate...
"Comrade Xiaohong, how much is this milk powder? Do you need a ticket?" Cheng Zhenzhu held up a bag of powdered milk and asked the price. The girl was so enthusiastic about recommending it, so she probably didn't buy much on the island. That was perfect, she could save it for a while and snag a bargain...
"Three dollars and a half a bag, 500 grams a bag, no ticket needed." Asking the price means half of it! Zhou Xiaohong was delighted when she heard Cheng Zhenzhu's words.
Actually, these bags of milk powder have been here for a while now. I thought some of the military wives on the island would be willing to spend money, so I specially sent a few bags over. But no one is interested. They say they are just fine with breast milk and don't need this stuff...
But milk powder is still quite expensive, and they don't want to have a backlog. Sanshi Island doesn't issue milk powder coupons, so they won't accept it, but the price can't be lowered. I wonder if this sister will think it's too expensive and not buy it...
"It's so expensive!" The three and two curved light-colored eyebrows that were already used to money twisted together, and the words sounded "old-fashioned", just like the old lady in the grocery factory who likes to wander around and buy nothing. But the voice was soft and sticky. The huge contrast made Cheng Zhenzhu laugh.
Even one or two seems expensive. Three dollars and a half for such a small bag, and I just bought such a big rabbit for two dollars and a half! I'd rather spend the money on the rabbit and stew it with two potatoes. It's so delicious...
"Mom, don't buy this. We still have malted milk at home." Yi Tiao pulled his mother to prevent her from making impulse purchases. Just now, the sister inside heard her say "malted milk." These two should be the same, right? There's still a can of malted milk in the cabinet!
"It's okay. Milk powder and malted milk are different. Milk powder is more nutritious. I'll buy some to replenish your body..." Cheng Zhenzhu finished explaining to the children, then took all three bags of milk powder in front of her and asked, "Comrade Xiaohong, are these the only three bags?"
Three dollars and fifty cents a bag, no ticket required, it’s a little more cost-effective than the Hai Shi, so you can buy more.
Er Tiao gasped. Three bags weren't enough? Aunt Yumei always said Mom was a spendthrift, and today he finally knew...
"Three dollars and fifty cents a bag, how much do three bags cost?" Er Tiao quickly asked his brother to count the money.
San Tiao counted on his fingers and told his second brother, "Ten yuan and fifty cents left. That's four rabbits."
Four rabbits! "Mom! Mom!" One of them grabbed his mother and said, "Mom, I don't want to eat them, so you don't have to buy them for me!"
"I don't want it either," Er Tiao followed closely behind. He didn't want to lose a big rabbit just to buy a bag of milk powder...
Liu Tiao, not knowing how much the money was, stretched out his hand and said, "Try it!" He had never eaten milk powder before, but after hearing so much, he knew that this milk powder was edible and the same as malted milk. He liked malted milk and wanted to try it too.
"Try it first..." Cheng Zhenzhu couldn't help laughing as she looked at the dolls with different reactions.
"There are still three bags." Zhou Xiaohong straightened her back and said immediately after hearing these generous words.
"I want all six bags." Cheng Zhenzhu generously bought up all the remaining milk powder. She'll buy a bag for each baby when the time comes, so they can get some extra nutrition. Especially San Tiao, who's lost a lot of size and needs some supplementation.
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