Even though it's the weekend, the trust store is still extremely quiet.
Wang Dabao doubted that anyone would visit this place all day.
After all, some people have their own special channels for buying good things, while people who buy junk don't care if it's the weekend or not.
The store's layout was largely the same as that of the supply and marketing cooperatives during that era, except that instead of cigarettes, alcohol, and tea, the shelves were stocked with old goods.
The shop owner was a middle-aged man in his forties, thin, with his hair neatly combed.
His two goatees were neatly groomed, clearly trimmed daily, and looked much better than Xu Damao's.
The moment Wang Dabao and Xiao Su entered the store, they were noticed by the owner.
There was no one in the store, so it was hard to go unnoticed.
In this day and age, there are not many young people with such temperament as Wang Dabao and Xiao Su.
The two were well-dressed; the man was handsome and dashing, and the woman was elegant and intellectual, perfectly matching the shop owner's personal aesthetic.
"Gentlemen, the first floor is mostly old items and decorations. If you'd like to find something good, you can come with me to the second floor."
The shop owner could tell that these two were definitely not short of money, and that such people were likely to become regular customers, so he started making arrangements.
Wang Dabao smiled at Xiao Su, then nodded to the shop owner.
Upon arriving on the second floor, it was clear that the items here were of much higher quality than those on the first floor, and there were also many unusual items, including many fashionable yet old-fashioned things.
Pocket watches, wristwatches, English books, leather shoes, suitcases, wallets, suits—but what attracted Wang Dabao's attention the most was the lighter.
Wang Dabao, who was used to using lighters in later generations, always felt awkward taking out matches from his pocket, especially now in winter when the matches often got damp and he often had to strike two or three to light them.
In the end, Xiao Su bought a Zippo lighter for 24 yuan and gave it to Wang Dabao.
This is almost equivalent to her current monthly salary.
Wang Dabao couldn't help but sigh, "It's really wonderful to be a kept woman."
Of course, he also spent more than ten dollars to buy three foreign books for Xiao Su, including the famous "Boule de Suif".
It was lunchtime when they left the trust store, but instead of going to the state-run store, they found a restaurant on the street.
The food at the canteen was more expensive than what you'd get in the factory, but much cheaper than what you'd get in a state-run restaurant.
We ordered two servings of meat and vegetable dumplings, which cost four mao (0.4 yuan) plus four liang (200 grams) of fine grain coupons. If you didn't have the grain coupons, you could pay directly, but it would cost six mao (0.6 yuan).
Their relationship is progressing rapidly, and Xiao Su is no longer as shy about actions like holding hands as before.
As if afraid that Wang Dabao wouldn't have enough to eat, Xiao Su almost put most of her plate of dumplings onto Wang Dabao's plate.
In the afternoon, Wang Dabao took Xiao Su for a stroll in the south area of the steel rolling mill, and also took her to sit for a while in Section Chief Hu's lounge.
When Section Chief Hu saw the two arrive, he smiled broadly, his eyes practically disappearing from his brow.
Later, at Wang Dabao's suggestion, the two went to the factory's cinema to watch a movie, "Ashima," a romance film that wasn't really a love story.
It was already four o'clock in the afternoon when they came out of the movie theater. After dropping Xiao Su off at her apartment building, Wang Dabao went back to the factory to get his bicycle and drove back to the courtyard house in a good mood.
As Wang Dabao moved the car into the yard, he was surprised to see that Yan Bugui had actually returned.
He was sitting on his windowsill, basking in the sun, when he heard a noise and opened his eyes. The moment he saw Wang Dabao, Yan Bugui seemed to come back to his senses and ran over in a few steps.
"Da Bao, how about we go fishing together next weekend?!"
"I'm busy, I'm not going."
Wang Dabao pushed his bicycle at an undiminished pace.
Yan Bugui became anxious: "Dabao, listen to me. I've been thinking that you definitely have a talent for fishing. Listen to me, you'll be famous throughout Beijing in less than a month."
"Then what?"
Wang Dabao's question left Yan Bugui speechless.
Yes, so what? Is being famous for fishing in Beijing a great achievement for Wang Dabao?
He's the deputy head of the security department at the steel rolling mill.
Yan Bugui slapped his forehead. Perhaps it was because he was too familiar with Wang Dabao that he often forgot about the other party's identity.
"That's true, Da Bao. You're too busy with work to do this much." Yan Bugui scratched his head awkwardly.
"Hey Lao Yan, what's up? Back so early? Got some fish?"
Wang Dabao looked at Yan Bugui with amusement.
Yan Bugui's face twitched. "I...I caught one, but it's not even as long as a finger."
This was exactly what Wang Dabao had expected. He patted Yan Bugui on the shoulder and said, "Don't be discouraged. Try again next time."
Wang Dabao pushed the cart away, leaving Yan Bugui standing in the front yard, bewildered.
When they arrived at the Intermediate People's Court, they indeed ran into Qin Huairu washing clothes by the pool.
Wang Dabao suspected more than once that Qin Huairu had ulterior motives for doing laundry; otherwise, where would she get so many clothes to wash?
"Brother Da Bao is back."
Qin Huairu put down her wet clothes and wiped her hands, which were red from the cold, on her body. "Brother Dabao, I'm free today. Do you want me to come over and tidy up your house?"
As she spoke, Qin Huairu's facial expressions were extremely rich, her eyes fixed on Wang Dabao, as if she wanted to convey something else to him through her gaze.
Qin Huairu thought about it for half the night. She realized that relying on Yi Zhonghai and Sha Zhu was not a sure thing, and she still had to stick with Wang Dabao.
Who is Wang Dabao? He is the head of the security department, and his status and position are absolutely top-notch, whether in the factory or the residential compound.
Judging from the trouble she encountered, it was just a matter of a word from Section Chief Wang.
As long as Wang Dabao speaks up in the kitchen, Liu Lan will never dare to make things difficult for her again. In fact, if Wang Dabao just strolls around the kitchen and shows that he's familiar with her, Liu Lan might even start treating her like royalty.
But Qin Huairu also knew that getting close to Wang Dabao wouldn't be easy, otherwise she would have taken action long ago.
"No need, I can handle this myself."
By this time, Wang Dabao already regarded Qin Huairu as an ordinary neighbor, so he smiled and responded, then returned to the backyard without lingering.
Before Wang Dabao could even settle in, Qin Huairu came knocking again.
“Brother Da Bao, it’s really no trouble. I’m just killing time anyway. You can rest, I’ll take care of it.” Qin Huairu’s eyes kept glancing at Wang Da Bao.
Wang Dabao looks so smart today; Qin Huairu has only ever seen him dressed like this in movies.
Looking at the handsome Wang Dabao, Qin Huairu was momentarily confused and infatuated.
If I could get close to Wang Dabao, the head of the security department, wouldn't my future be soaring to new heights?
Forget about the kitchen or the workshop; with Wang Dabao's connections, even if she's not very capable, she'll still have to work in an office.
Whether it's looks or circumstances, Yi Zhonghai and Sha Zhu are no match for Wang Dabao. Even if she has to put in more effort, as long as she serves him well, she won't lose out at all!
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