Time moved forward at its own pace, and soon it was December in the Gregorian calendar, another new month's first day.
This time, Buling was assigned to go to the grocery store with Aunt Zhao and Aunt Tian. She was still pushing her bicycle, wearing the army overcoat her brother had given her, floral cotton trousers, suede shoes, and a scarf she had knitted herself, all wrapped up tightly, as she left the yard under the moonlight.
To be honest, winters in Hebei Province are really cold. If she hadn't been well-prepared, she would have had to rely solely on her righteous spirit to get through the winter.
There weren't many fresh vegetables available in winter except for potatoes, radishes, and cabbage, but Buling didn't mind and bought ten pounds of each. She also had vegetables stored up from the summer in her storage space, which was enough for her own consumption.
After returning to the courtyard, the three of them went into Aunt Tian's house, where little Chen Cong thoughtfully brought them hot water.
Aunt Zhao praised the child so much that the child blushed.
"Alright, Congcong, go play. I have something to tell you about Grandma and Sister Buling." Grandma Tian patted her grandson's head.
"Okay~" the child said obediently.
Aunt Tian's family has a heated kang (a traditional heated platform bed). Because there are children in the family, the kang is always heated, and a small table is placed on it. Little Chen Cong reads and does his homework on the kang, which is warm and doesn't interfere with his work.
After seeing the child off, the three of them checked the bill, divided the dishes, and went their separate ways.
Back in his room, Bling poured himself a glass of hot water, sat by the stove, and ate breakfast or lunch while warming himself.
Halfway through the meal, Sangshen and Tiehe returned. They first went to Aunt Tian's house next door, left the grain for the grandmother and grandson, and after settling the money, Tiehe went straight to the backyard. Sangshen then knocked on Buling's door.
Bling opened the door: "Come in quickly, I saved some food for you, eat first."
Sangshen was very compliant. The feeling of being cared for and having someone offer him a meal after a long journey made his heart feel as if it were soaking in warm water.
He washed his hands, sat down at the table, and watched as Bling served him a bowl of bone broth and a plate of stir-fried potato slices. He didn't mind, picking up a cornbread bun and eating it. Only after finishing one bun did the burning sensation in his stomach subside, and he slowed down.
"There's a bit more grain this time, twenty-five catties per person. I bought ten catties of refined grain for your share, which cost thirteen yuan in total. Grain's a bit expensive these days," Sangshen said, knowing the little black girl wouldn't lack that little bit of food.
Putting everything else aside, Little Black Girl's brother had secretly sent her a lot of food before, but because it was done quietly, no one else knew. He only found out because he was concerned about Little Black Girl's room.
Bu Ling had no objections and readily gave him the money. After finishing their meal, Sang Shen offered to wash the dishes and then said, "Wait for me a moment, I have something to give you."
After saying that, he quickly went back to his house, and returned a minute later carrying a cloth bag.
"Here you go!" He placed the heavy-looking cloth bag on the table.
He took out a bright yellow orange from inside: "This is an orange Xie Dong brought me. It's very sweet, you should try it." As he spoke, he peeled an orange and handed it to Bu Ling.
Buling's eyes widened in surprise. Oranges? She hadn't expected that Sangshen would bring her so many oranges when it was so cold and snowy that even eating vegetables was difficult.
Smelling the sweet fragrance of oranges, she didn't hesitate, took one, broke off a segment, and put it in her mouth. The mulberry was very careful, cleaning out all the veins.
"How is it? Delicious, right?" Mulberry said proudly. He knew that Little Blackie liked fruit, which was why he specially asked Xie Dong to bring some.
"Mmm! Delicious!" Bu Ling nodded frantically. "Where did Xie Dong buy this? I've never seen it before?"
"In the south, he's a truck driver at a transport station. He travels frequently, so he can bring back some fresh things." Seeing how much the little black girl was enjoying her mulberry, Mulberry took one for herself and slowly peeled and ate it.
"But drivers~" Bling sighed, she was even a little envious. What to do? Come to think of it, she could drive too. Should she give it a try? "Does the transport station hire female drivers?"
Sangshen was surprised by the little black girl's whimsical idea: "Of course I won't confess. What, you can drive?"
Bu Ling quickly shook his head and said awkwardly, "No, I was just envious of Xie Dong for being able to travel all over the country and bring back some rare foods."
"Hey! What's there to envy? Truck driving is tiring and dangerous. If you want anything to eat, just tell me, and I'll have Xie Dong bring it back for you," Sangshen said casually. He had initially refused to become a driver with Xie Dong precisely because he thought it was too tiring.
"Wouldn't this be a bit inappropriate?" Bling asked, feigning politeness.
"It's nothing, he just did it on the side." The little black girl is his future wife, Xie Dong's future sister-in-law; what's wrong with asking him for a favor?
"Xie Dong is going to Northeast China in a while, is there anything you'd like to see?"
"The Northeast?" Bu Ling's eyes lit up upon hearing this.
Mulberry nodded
"I want so many things! Ginseng, tiger skin, chestnuts, walnuts, all sorts of mountain products!" Buling said greedily, counting on her fingers.
Sangshen sighed, "Let's be realistic. They're not stupid. Do you think you can just come across ginseng and tiger skin so easily?" How could that little black girl be so naive?
Bu Ling chuckled, "Then let's go with mountain produce, it's not hard to find, is it?" Can't people even have dreams?
"That works, it's not hard to find in Northeast China. How many do you want?"
"The more the better."
"Okay, I'll talk to Xie Dong tomorrow." Sang Shen didn't think Bu Ling's stitches were too big and readily agreed.
"Hehe, thank you, mulberry."
"Don't be so polite with me. Okay, I'm going back now. I'm exhausted after a whole night of this." With that, Sangshen stood up and walked outside.
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