The old man didn't say a word or turn around, and raised the whip again. Wang Hongmei immediately fell silent.
Lin Dongfang, standing behind the old man, saw everything and couldn't help but chuckle. It was amusing. Luckily, he was quick-witted and grabbed the car platform the moment he heard it.
However, judging from this, this educated youth holds a rather special place in the hearts of the villagers.
I didn't see how close they were, but the aunties on the same bus all defended each other. Wasn't that bumpy ride just now a blatant act of revenge?
As everyone knows, no matter what kind of vehicle it is, when the vehicle bumps, the people at the back suffer the most. In particular, he glanced at the back of the vehicle again and saw that the five people there were all newly arrived educated youths from yesterday, and the ones who had spoken unpleasantly earlier were also there.
Yeah, this is fun.
The area behind quieted down. The old man slowly lowered his whip, resumed his previous pace, and stopped at the same spot where he usually parked.
“At exactly twelve o’clock, head back. I’ll wait for you here. If you’re late, figure out how to get back on your own.”
Not too fast, not too slow, neither too hot nor too cold.
The aunties were naturally used to it.
"Third Uncle, we're going now. We'll be back after we finish eating."
Jian Dan and Tan Yajun also jumped off the carriage.
"Third Master, we're going to the post office and the supply and marketing cooperative. Is there anything you need to bring back?"
The old man looked up.
"Go quickly, I'll wait for you here."
He glanced around briefly, then pointed to the corner of the wall in front of him.
"Third Master, there's a big tree over there. Why don't you park the car there? It'll get too hot here when the sun comes up."
The old man neither agreed nor disagreed, but still steered the old ox around the corner.
The two little girls skipped ahead, while Lin Dongfang followed slowly behind with his long legs. The commune was only so big, and everyone's destinations were only a few. He glanced back briefly but didn't ask any more questions.
The post office was nearby, so they went there first. Tan Yajun put the envelope in the mailbox, briefly inquired about her own mail, and then the two of them headed straight to the supply and marketing cooperative.
Jian Dan stopped in front of the supply and marketing cooperative.
"Cheng, Chao?"
The tall guy standing in front, isn't he the one we picked up in the back garden?
He was dressed in a very smart outfit.
Upon seeing the simplicity, Cheng Chao's excitement was palpable.
"Jian Zhiqing, what are you doing here?"
He simply pointed to the side.
"I came to buy some daily necessities. Are you... taking a break?"
Cheng Chao paused for a moment, then a look of grievance crossed his face. He scratched his head.
"I'm here to buy something,"
"Then, shall we go in?"
Cheng Chao's ear tips turned red.
"I forgot to bring my money and tickets. I'm wondering whether I should go back to get them, but I'm afraid I won't have enough time."
careless!
She simply pulled him to the side.
"Are you buying something here? I have some money and tickets here, you can use them first, don't delay things."
As she spoke, she pulled out a large wad of cash. She hadn't used much of the tickets she had since arriving here, and still had quite a few left. She shoved them all at him.
"Here you go, take it and use it first. Give it back to me when you have time. Anyway, I don't leave the village, so I don't need it."
Cheng Chao was at a loss after being stuffed with a large amount of colorful money and tickets. This was the first time in so many years that a young girl had given him money. It was an unprecedented experience. Although there was no romantic intention involved, he still couldn't quite describe the feeling.
"No, not so much,"
Jian Dan could tell that he wasn't particularly skilled in these mundane matters, so he simply picked out a few.
"We'll use this for dinner later. Take the rest and go buy something. You seem to be in a hurry, so don't delay us."
Indeed, although Cheng Chao was talking to Jian Dan, he kept glancing at his watch, too embarrassed to say anything. Jian Dan, being so observant, had already noticed, and it wasn't a good time to tease him.
"Go quickly, we'll be back soon."
After hesitating for a few seconds, Cheng Chao's sense of responsibility prevailed, and he straightened his face.
"Jian Zhiqing, then I won't stand on ceremony with you. I'll find time to send it back to you when I get back."
Without waiting for a simple reply, he quickly entered the supply and marketing cooperative.
Regardless of the era, this outfit always comes with privileges, especially during special times.
Soon, he came out carrying two net bags, nodded to Jian Dan, and walked towards the end of the street.
I didn't pay much attention, bought the things, and met up with Tan Yajun.
Have you bought everything?
Tan Yajun weighed the basket on her back and muttered to herself, one by one.
"Li Zhiqing's gloves, my gloves, my envelope, our soy sauce... everything's here. Is it almost time?"
Although we left early and the oxcart swayed slowly, it was already late morning when we arrived at the commune. After queuing and buying things, it was almost noon.
None of the older educated youth, including Tan Yajun, had watches, but knowing that Jian Dan had one, they still checked with her to confirm.
I took a quick look.
"We still have time. I'd like to go buy some steamed buns. Shall we go?"
Tanya Jun and the others have always been very frugal, so Jian Dan didn't even mention eating at the state-run restaurant. Why bother? If they're happy, fine; if they're unhappy, it'll just be a lingering scar.
Besides, she doesn't need that one bite.
Tanya Jun and the others also enjoy the simple and comfortable way they get along, without any pressure.
"Okay, I'll buy a few too, and treat them to a better meal when I get back."
The two little girls ran happily toward their next destination.
For simplicity, we packed some steamed buns, vegetable buns, and mantou (steamed bread). Tan Yajun packed a few steamed buns. Since we were trying to improve our diet, we decided to go all out and eat something with more oil.
Knowing that Jian Dan is lazy and avoids cooking whenever possible, she is now accepting it without any surprise.
As she took the things and turned around, she seemed to see a few familiar faces. Jian Dan didn't pay any attention, carried the things out the door, put them in her basket, and strolled back to the oxcart.
The old man was sitting in the shade of a tree. When he saw them return, the first thing he did was look up at the sky.
Why are you all here so early today?
He chuckled simply, placed his basket on the oxcart, pulled out two oil paper packages, and, like the little old man, squeezed into a shady spot to sit.
"Here, I'll come back and have dinner with you."
After such a long time, the old man didn't stand on ceremony with her and simply took it. When he opened it, wow, it was a white steamed bun, glistening with oil, fresh out of the steamer, and still steaming hot. The aroma was incredibly tempting.
Tanya sat in the shade of the oxcart, while Jian Dan and the old man sat by the roadside, each holding a package of oiled paper and eating with relish.
Just after they finished eating, Lin Dongfang returned first, carrying a rather large package, and handed the old man a paper packet as well.
"Uncle Liu, I'm sorry to have to wait for us here in the middle of the day. Here are some steamed buns I just packed. Please have some with them."
The old man was taken aback. Apart from the young educated youth, this was the first time someone had brought him food. However, since they weren't familiar with each other, he declined.
Lin Dongfang glanced at Jian Dan, said nothing, and didn't insist on giving it to him, but simply put the item away.
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