Yu Yao looked down at the box and asked in confusion, "What is this?"
Before Lu Ze could answer, the saleswoman at the counter enthusiastically introduced the Seagull brand cameras to Yu Yao: "Comrade, these are Seagull brand cameras that our supply and marketing cooperative just transferred from Guangdong Province."
Only these two have arrived in the last few months. If your husband hadn't paid me to come and inform him, they would have been sold long ago.
"Besides the one you have, there's this one too. Which one do you like?"
The older woman took out a silver and black camera from behind the counter and placed it on the counter.
Yu Yao never expected that Lu Ze would bring her to the supply and marketing cooperative specifically to buy her a camera.
Seagull brand cameras are high-quality domestic products, and are more expensive than watches, which are also one of the three major electronic devices.
She recalled reading an interview where Director Zhang, who planned the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympics, bought a Seagull brand twin-lens camera in 1971 for about 187 yuan.
The camera she's holding looks even better than that one; with the film, it probably costs over two hundred.
This is almost equivalent to her annual salary as an apprentice.
Although she and Lu Ze are now dating, she is still a little reluctant to spend such a large sum of money.
Seeing her hesitation, Lu Ze assumed she was worried about the tickets, and said in a deep voice, "I've brought enough tickets and money, don't worry, just choose."
Yu Yao was reluctant to put the camera on the counter. "I'd better not. This camera probably costs more than two hundred yuan, which is too expensive. I'd better not waste my money."
The saleswoman chimed in, "Sir, this camera is in high demand. If you miss this opportunity, who knows when you'll get it again?"
Lu Ze picked up the two cameras and looked them over. Holding one up, he said to Yu Yao, "As long as you're happy and like it, it's not a waste. What do you think of this one?"
Upon hearing his words, Yu Yao's gaze fell upon the small, exquisite camera in his hand. She took it and tried it out carefully, finding it quite good.
She looked at the other camera again, but still thought the one in her hand looked better.
This camera is designed for women, featuring a black, white, and gray body with a subtle metallic sheen. Its simple yet sophisticated design reflects the fashionable colors of this era.
Even by today's standards, it remains a very retro and classic design.
Holding the camera, Yu Yao whispered to Lu Ze, "I think this one looks better."
Lu Ze said to the saleswoman, "Then I'll take the one my wife has here, plus three rolls of film. How much and the receipt?"
Hearing him casually refer to his lover in public, Yu Yao's heart skipped a beat.
These were just two simple words, yet she could hear a hint of doting affection and sweetness in them.
After Lu Ze paid, Yu Yao put the camera and film back into the box, but Lu Ze stopped her.
He pulled a blue strip of cloth adorned with seashells from his pocket. "This is a camera lanyard. I'll string it on for you."
He kept his head down, his expression focused and meticulous.
After the blue cloth strip was threaded through the camera and tied tightly, Yu Yao put it on and I helped her adjust the length of the camera strap.
From her angle, Lu Ze's long eyelashes cast shadows on his straight and prominent nose, and his thin lips were slightly pursed, giving him a calm and noble air.
"Okay, try it out and see if it suits you."
Yu Yao snapped out of her daze, took the camera, tried taking pictures, and nodded. Not bad.
Seeing their satisfaction, the saleswoman smiled and said, "Comrade, this camera looks really good on you. It's the first time I've ever seen someone wear a camera like jewelry."
The older woman looked at the two of them and enthusiastically suggested, "How about I take some photos of you two together as a souvenir of buying the camera? In my years of experience, the clothes you're wearing today will definitely look great in the photos."
Yu Yao's heart skipped a beat, and she looked at Lu Ze expectantly, "Can we take pictures?"
Lu Ze looked at her and nodded slightly.
Yu Yao happily took the camera off and handed it to the saleswoman, saying, "Thank you for your help, ma'am."
The saleswoman had never met such a good-looking and loving couple before, so she was happy to take their picture. She waved her hand dismissively and said, "No trouble at all."
She looked around, trying to find a good spot to take a picture.
At this moment, Yu Yao spoke up: "Big sister, why don't you help us take a picture in front of the counter? The counter of the supply and marketing cooperative is so unique, it will be very meaningful to look back on it in the future."
The older woman nodded upon hearing this, "This lady is right. Then please stand in front of the counter and I'll take a picture of you first."
Yu Yao and Lu Ze stood in front of the counter, their shoulders naturally touching, showing none of the awkwardness they had when taking their wedding photos.
The older woman pointed her camera at the two of them and directed, "That's the pose, very good. I'll count to three, and you laugh. One, two, three!"
When they counted to three, Yu Yao instinctively looked at the camera, and Lu Ze instinctively looked at Yu Yao as well. They both smiled simultaneously.
This scene, along with the counter of the supply and marketing cooperative behind them and the red slogan on the wall that read "Develop the economy and ensure supply," was also captured in the photo, forming a picture with a very distinctive period feel.
Afterwards, the older sister helped them take a few more pictures outside the supply and marketing cooperative.
Yu Yao thanked her older sister and walked with Lu Ze towards the family compound, carrying the expensive camera they had bought.
Back home, Yu Yao busied herself in her room writing down the next steps in the canned food research and development plan.
Lu Ze went to the cafeteria to get food. When he came back, he saw that she was still writing. She also watered the vegetables and fruits in her private plot and swept the fallen leaves in the yard.
Yu Yao finally finished writing after he finished his housework.
Lu Ze placed the food he had brought back on the table and asked Yu Yao, "Have you finished writing the list?"
Yu Yao nodded and handed him a piece of paper: "In addition to regular canned pork and beef, I plan to develop Guangdong-style canned fish with fermented black beans and canned anchovies for seafood. For vegetable canned goods, I will mainly focus on canned mushrooms. In addition to jackfruit, I also plan to make canned mangosteen and canned longan."
She checked the transaction records of the Canton Fair over the years.
Perhaps due to similar food cultures, merchants from Hong Kong and other parts of Asia are the biggest buyers of canned goods and also place the largest orders.
Therefore, the new canned food she developed was mainly based on the tastes of the two countries and regions.
The reason for choosing canned dace with black bean sauce and canned anchovies is not only because they represent the characteristics of Guangdong Province, but also because the raw materials are easy to obtain and inexpensive.
Mud carp generally live in rivers with warmer waters near islands, and now is the peak season for fishing.
As for anchovies, they are easy to obtain. Except for specific weather conditions, they can be caught almost all year round, and mass production can be carried out at any time.
Lu Ze looked at the list. "You can buy mullet and anchovies at the pier from the fishermen. As for the other fruits, I'll take you to visit an elder in a few days; he has some."
After discussing work, the two started eating. They had barely taken a couple of bites when they heard a buzzing sound from the radio.
"Island troops broadcasting station, now relaying an urgent notice from Guangdong Provincial People's Broadcasting Station. Island troops broadcasting station, now relaying an urgent notice from Guangdong Provincial People's Broadcasting Station."
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