Looking around, she strode to the supply and marketing cooperative, bought ten lunchboxes, and returned to the restaurant. It wasn't mealtime, so there weren't many people. She leaned close to the window and whispered...
"Sister, may I get some braised pork for my classmate?"
Next to the mesh bag that held the lunchbox were three bright yellow tangerines, which made the plump woman inside swallow back her words of refusal. Then she saw the dark purple handprints on the little girl's neck, the bandage on her head, and her hoarse voice. It was clear that she had just come out of the hospital and had suffered a lot. Her heart softened a lot.
Seeing that no one in the lobby was paying attention, he quickly slipped the orange into the sleeve of his work uniform before asking,
Okay, do you have a ticket?
This is much simpler. Without saying a word, she handed over the money and tickets together, then sat down nearby to wait. While waiting, she took out a handful of tickets and flipped through them. Some of them would expire soon. Since she had made a plan, she had to spend the local ones as soon as possible, otherwise, it would really be a waste.
Surprisingly, most of these tickets are local, with only a small portion being national. On the other hand, my parents' tickets are mostly national, and the expiration dates are still long, so we can leave them for now.
Another part was actually military stamps, which should have been issued by Jian Liye's unit. She didn't know much about them, but she hadn't read novels for nothing. Military stamps should be the kind that were very popular, then there were national stamps, and finally local stamps.
"Girl, girl,"
"Hey," Jian Dan looked over at the sound and saw it was the same plump woman from before. She quickly put away what she was holding and went over to her.
"Sister, is the braised pork ready yet?"
She didn't see the lunchbox that was taken out, but judging from that smile, he must want something from her.
The plump woman leaned closer and said in a low voice,
"Our head chef is an expert at making steamed buns. His xiaolongbao and meat buns are especially delicious. Want some?"
Jian Dan's eyes lit up, "Great!"
"Sister, how can you be so kind? I was worried about what to bring back for the elderly at home. They are getting old, and I didn't dare to give them anything too oily. You are truly my savior, sister."
No one cared whether it was true or false; it was all about who could say the best thing. The plump woman was so flattered that she couldn't stop smiling.
"Sister, you've helped me so much, how can I ever repay you?"
The plump woman smiled knowingly. "Look at her," she thought, "so young, yet so savvy."
"How many steamed buns do you want? I'll have the chef save some for you."
"Sister, I'd love to bring some back for the family to enjoy, but I'm afraid it might cause you trouble?"
The plump woman's smile widened even more. She was indeed a woman who wasn't short of money and was also sensible; it was worth it for her to give up her share.
"No, no, wait, I'll get you some freshly cooked food."
In just five or six minutes, the plump woman came out carrying a net bag containing ten lunchboxes and a large amount of oil paper packets. Even from this distance, you could easily smell the rich aroma.
"What's wrong? Feeling hungry?"
He nodded simply and honestly.
"Yes, I've been drinking thin porridge for the past two days."
They sounded so pitiful, and the plump woman couldn't help but offer them some advice.
"That won't work either. I think you have a sore throat. Try to avoid greasy, spicy, and hard foods. You're young, so you'll recover quickly. Once you're better, you can eat whatever you want."
She nodded obediently in agreement.
"Sister, you are so kind. I've always wanted a sister like you, but what a pity."
The plump woman smiled so wide her eyes disappeared.
"What's the big deal? Just treat me like your older sister, and we'll get along like sisters."
Let me tell you, relationships are built over time. Even the closest people become strangers if you don't spend time together.
"Yes, you're absolutely right, sis."
After discussing feelings, let's talk about transactions.
"Hey sis, did you have a ticket?"
He subtly and appropriately revealed a hint of embarrassment.
"Sis, everyone asked me to help carry these things, but you're my sister, so your business is my business. If you need any tickets, give them to me first, and I'll figure out how to get their things later."
Before the plump woman's face could even darken, she heard the words "Xian Ke Ni" and immediately felt incredibly comforted.
"Girl, you're so young, but I love listening to what you say and do."
"That's why we have this sisterly bond."
"Hey sis, it's like this, my younger brother and my husband's younger brother are both getting married, and we need to prepare three big items, but we still haven't found the money for it."
"Don't worry, sister. Let me look for it for you. I remember there is one. My cousin is getting married at the end of the year. I'll try to find a way for him."
"Little sister, you really saved me from a crisis. From now on, you're my little sister."
Tell your sister, is it to give you money or what?
My sister's family and her husband's family are both in this city; they can handle some things. I absolutely won't let you suffer any losses.
As more and more people arrived, the plump woman went back to the kitchen and called a waiter out. She then took a simple meal and headed outside.
"Let's talk as we walk."
"Sister, to tell you the truth, I'm all alone at home. I feel like the city is getting more and more chaotic, so I don't really want to stay here anymore. What if something happens to me? I'm just a young girl, and I'm all alone. What am I going to do?"
"You?" The plump woman, Zhu Yan, hadn't expected the child to be so pitiful.
"So what are your plans? If you don't stay in the city, there won't be any food rations. Besides, if you go to the countryside, you'll have to work in the fields to earn work points. With your small frame, can you even handle that?"
Even a simple answer can elicit a sigh.
"What can I do? I'm only fifteen, I can't get married. If my dad finds out, he'll come looking for me in the middle of the night."
I figured that once I got to the countryside, I could just settle down and go to work; it would be safer than staying in the city, wouldn't it?
"That's what they say, but this year has been tough in the countryside too. There hasn't been much rain this year, and the crops are suffering from drought."
Okay, let's not talk about that. What are your plans? Do you absolutely have to go? Is there anywhere you'd like to go? South or North? The South is warmer, but food is more readily available in the North, and the work only lasts for about half the year, with a break in the winter.
Simple thought so too.
"The north, it's closer to the capital."
"You silly child. Since that's the case, I'll give you the money for the ticket. You don't need a ticket, so you can prepare more things so you won't be scrambling when you get there."
After asking around, I realized I'd oversimplified things. There's no choice at all.
"How about the Northeast? Not many educated youth have been sent to the countryside these past two years. It seems like only the Northeast is going this year. Everything there is great, except the winters are extremely cold. If you think it's okay, I can find someone to help you find a better village. Let's go."
Buying braised pork and getting all the paperwork done for going to the countryside was simple and worry-free. Before leaving, Zhu Yan gave her a bunch of instructions. Although she was nagging, after what happened with the Lin family, Jian Dan really liked the feeling of being cared for.
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