They had all studied in school for many years, so this topic was just uncomfortable for them. Seeing the atmosphere suddenly become somber, Tan Yajun quickly steered the conversation back on track.
"But you're right. I remember there used to be a small bookstore in the commune, but I don't know if it's still open. Let's go check it out tomorrow."
As he spoke, he looked around, then turned back and lowered his voice.
"However, I've heard them say that you can sometimes find some useful things at scrap yards."
Think about it, schools are not stable now, so what about students who don't like studying? Do you think they can keep their books?
I reckon quite a few people probably took them to scrap yards to sell. Go check if they're still there."
The scrap metal yard was simple, but she'd never actually been there before. She wasn't looking for a bargain like on Taobao, and she certainly didn't have the chance to stumble upon one, so she agreed immediately.
"Okay, I'll go take a look tomorrow."
A short while later, Jian Xin excitedly ran back. The dishes for the group were almost finished and they were putting the finishing touches on.
Seeing this, Jian Dan also pulled out her basket. In the end, it turned out quite well; there were two big fish, three medium-sized fish, and some small fish inside.
If we disregard size and only look at the number, including the ones we just mentioned, it would be enough for one person.
As soon as the suggestion was made, the boys immediately waved their hands. In the end, Jian Dan and Mingzhu each took a large one, and the rest went to Chen Jianguo. After all, they were cooking together. Chen Jianguo grinned.
"Looking at it this way, we actually benefited. With so many, we can stew the big ones in one pot and make a fish sauce with the small ones!"
They didn't separate as they walked down; the group chatted and laughed, much happier than when they arrived.
On the way, they ran into Wang Jiancheng, Li Jianye, and several female educated youths. They didn't say much, just nodded and walked past. Wang Hongmei, however, stared at Li Yan and the others' baskets and muttered something to herself.
Since they had decided to go to the commune, they didn't dawdle. After descending the mountain, the group went straight to Liu Weimin to get a letter of introduction. Liu Weimin looked worried but didn't ask any questions and just gave them the letter.
The next morning, Li Yan and Tan Yajun, who had agreed to meet early, arrived at the village entrance. When they arrived with their children, the car was already half full.
Everyone knew it was time to go to work, and Chen Hongli and Du Xiuling were also in the car.
However, everyone was just trying to save face, so no one said anything.
To Jian Dan's surprise, Liu Weimin was also in the car, and he didn't look too good.
The old ox trotted along, and the people on the bus chatted quietly. Little Jianxin sat next to Jian Dan, her big eyes darting around.
The last time I came out was before the Lunar New Year. At that time, everything was covered in snow, so I couldn't see anything. Now everything looks fresh and new.
Liu Weimin sighed and whispered something to Liu Sanye, but Jian Dan didn't pay attention. Once they arrived at the commune, he told Li Yan and the others, then took the children and left.
"Sister, where is this?"
Although it was different from the county town and quite new, everywhere was grayish-brown, and to a simple eye, it looked almost identical.
"This is the commune. We're going to the bookstore. What else would you like to eat? We'll go check out the supply and marketing cooperative later."
The bookstore is indeed small, located on the same line as the supply and marketing cooperative, in a corner, with a tiny storefront.
Pushing open the door, there were no customers inside, only a shop assistant in his thirties sitting there, looking utterly bored.
Even the sound was incredibly lazy.
What books do you want to buy?
"Do you have elementary school textbooks? Or books suitable for children?"
Perhaps seeing her serious demeanor, and considering she had a child with her, and didn't seem like someone who was there to cause trouble, the shop assistant became more serious and stood up to guide her.
"The children's books are all here,"
Actually, there are only four rows of bookshelves in total. The room is long and narrow, with two rows of bookshelves on each side of the entrance, and a table by the door. The shop assistant was sitting inside just now.
Follow the shop assistant to the back, point to the bookshelf on the left and say,
"The children's books are all here, take a look."
Jian Xin had seen books when she was a child, so they were not unfamiliar to her.
"Xin Xin, go see if there's anything you like?"
Even so, Jian Xin had already seen it; on the bottom shelf of the bookshelf was a row of comic books, and sure enough, Jian Xin went straight there.
After walking around the middle, Jian Dan had a general idea of what was going on.
Aside from textbooks and a limited number of supplementary materials, all that's left, besides the prominently displayed quotes on the bright red cover, is stuff about pig farming, vegetable growing, and agriculture.
What? Agricultural science popularization? How to castrate a chicken? How to be a good commune member? Rural health worker's medicine textbook? Lecture notes on animal breeding? etc., are all books that are more practical for rural areas and are very down-to-earth. As for essays or novels, there are none of them.
It's simple and clear; just by looking at the location of the quote, you can tell how tense the current situation is.
Jian Xin was engrossed in reading a children's book, so there was no need to ask her anything.
"I want all the comic books you have left."
The shop assistant was stunned and couldn't even speak coherently.
"You want them all? Are you sure? That's over three hundred books in total."
"I'm sure, I'll take them all."
Looking at the bookshelf behind him, thinking about the village, and how happy Cheng Chao and the others were about an indoor vegetable garden, he waved his hand again.
"This, and these, both farmed and cultivated, we'll take them all."
The shop assistant looked around blankly. After this order, the store would probably be empty. However, she was also secretly thrilled, afraid the customer might change her mind.
"No problem, no problem, I'll install it for you right away."
Books can't be packed in sacks, so the shop assistant found some rope and bundled them up one by one. In just over half an hour, all the books except the ones the children were holding were packed up, and the scene was quite spectacular.
"Um, where should I send it to?"
They asked the question very carefully, as if they were afraid that the issue of moving the item might cause them to change their minds and not want it anymore.
"Where do you want it delivered to? I'll deliver it to you, for free."
After a brief thought,
"There's no alleyway around here, just leave it there for me, I'll have someone come and get it."
The shop assistant clapped his hands.
"How did you know? There really is one. There's an alley right next to each other, and it's a dead end. Nobody goes there usually. I'll send it over for you right now."
That urgent manner made it seem like he was simply bullying someone.
"Okay, you calculate the money, then we'll go over there and wait for you."
The clerk finally breathed a sigh of relief after the money was tallied.
Carrying the still engrossed child, I went ahead.
Before long, the shop assistants busily began their work as porters. Jian Dan stood at the entrance of the alley, watching as the shop assistants neatly arranged the bundles.
Finally, the staff member was so tired that his legs were about to give out the last serving. He looked at Jian Dan with the same kind of affection as if she were looking at a god of wealth, and he was reluctant to leave.
The child was looking at it intently, which made things convenient for her. She kept one bundle and put the rest away.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
