Chapter 55 Chapter 55 Buying an Electric Fan

After Han Jianhong returned home from the beach, she changed into dry clothes and went to the kitchen to cook. There was still one and a half bowls of rice left in the rice bag at home, just enough for the last meal tonight.

Wei Shufang's calculations were really accurate. She bought a bag of grain at the weekend and kept it at home, calculating the daily quantities. Today is Saturday, and she has just finished eating. She will go buy another bag of grain tomorrow when she has a holiday. In any case, she will not let Han Jianhong interfere with her purchases.

I washed the rice and put it in the pot to cook. There were some pickled beans in the pickle jar at home, so I took out a few, washed them, chopped them up, and stir-fried them. I also went to the vegetable patch in the yard and pulled out a few small Chinese cabbages, and rinsed them under the tap.

Finally, cook some seaweed and scallion soup, and dinner is ready. Her family now eats meat on weekends. Han Jianping has complained many times in the past few days, but Han Jianhong doesn't care. When she was in the countryside, she ate sweet potatoes and pickled vegetables the most. Now she is very good to have white rice.

After cooking the meal, Han Jianhong went to the faucet in the yard to wash the wet clothes. There was sea water on the clothes, and if they were not washed in time, the fabric of the clothes would be damaged.

Ever since Meng Yufei came to the Han family to express her gratitude last time, Han Jianhong now holds all of her cloth coupons in her own hands. However, she is reluctant to go to the market to buy clothes. She plans to go to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy a piece of coarse cloth and make clothes herself. Although her needlework is not very good, this will save a lot of money. After all, she will wear the clothes herself, so they don't need to be made very well.

When eating dinner, Han Jianping saw the dishes on the table and, as expected, she started to complain: "I took exams all day today and I'm so tired! And all I have to eat is this?"

Han Jianhong lowered her head and ate the rice in the bowl seriously, without even looking at her. Han Jianping said angrily, "Since some people started cooking, the food at home has been getting worse! People at home go to work or school, but some people stay at home and do nothing."

Han Jianhong raised his eyes to look at her and said calmly: "Ask your mother to give me the meat ticket, and I will roast meat for you tomorrow."

Wei Shufang immediately said, "Aren't these dishes delicious? Eating vegetables is healthy. I'll go to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy meat tomorrow morning and make braised pork for you guys."

He glared at Han Jianping and put the cabbage in her bowl with chopsticks. "This cabbage is very tender and sweet. Try it."

Han Jianping snorted, then shut her mouth and said nothing more.

A small friction at the dinner table was resolved in this way. This is something that happens almost every day. However, Han Jianhong used to remain silent, but recently she began to refute, and every time she spoke, the mother and daughter became silent for a moment.

At this time, a recruitment notice rang out over the loudspeaker. Wei Shufang was delighted after hearing it. She turned to head Han and said, "The supply and marketing cooperative is hiring so soon. The requirements are not high. You just need an elementary school degree or above and can do math."

Han Jianping said, "Mom, it would be great if you could work at the supply and marketing cooperative. I heard you could bring back leftover candies and cookies. When good things come to the island in the future, our family will be the first to choose them."

When Han Jianbao heard about candy and biscuits, he immediately said, "I want candy, I want biscuits!"

Wei Shufang smiled and said, "You also think that working in the supply and marketing cooperative is good. Tsk tsk, the commune only provided one position for our family compound before, and this time they are recruiting another one. I wonder who they will recruit this time?" As she said this, she looked at her husband beside her.

Head Han knew she wanted to go, so he glanced at her and said, "Don't worry so much, just take care of the kindergarten."

Wei Shufang wanted to continue talking, but then she glanced at Han Jianhong at the table and shut up. Forget it, I know I can't count on him, so I'll just have to rely on myself.

…

Deputy Head Chen was sitting at the dining table, eating with his lunch box. He heard the job recruitment notice on the loudspeaker and looked up at Qi Huiying sitting opposite him.

I originally thought that she would make a fuss about signing up like she did last time, but she just pretended not to hear me and just lowered her head to eat.

Deputy Head Chen couldn't help but ask, "Um, did you hear the announcement over the loudspeaker just now?"

Qi Huiying said, "I heard it. Isn't it just recruiting salespeople for the supply and marketing cooperative?"

Deputy Head Chen looked at her calm face and didn't think she was pretending, so he asked curiously, "Don't you want to go?"

Qi Huiying said while eating, "It's just a waiter. I won't go. It's not a good job." There was some disdain in her tone.

Deputy Head Chen was silent. You know, in the planned economy era, the domestic material supply was tight, and many people were trying their best to get into department stores and supply and marketing cooperatives. A salesperson is one of the 'eight major members' and is very popular. It is no exaggeration to say that this job is a 'golden rice bowl'.

But Qi Huiying actually gave up?

Qi Huiying, who came from several decades later, naturally looked down on the position of salesperson. In her opinion, being a teacher was a respectable job, while being a salesperson was a pure service industry, a job that required serving others and reading people's faces. She would not even want the job if it was offered to her.

Although she has traveled to this era for several years, her way of thinking has not changed, and she still views many things of this era from the perspective of later generations.

For example, she feels that as a descendant of a capitalist, her status is superior to others, and the best job is to be an official, followed by some public institutions, such as a teacher, a doctor, etc.

As for the current popular "eight jobs", such as driver, childcare worker, barber, and salesperson, she thinks they are all undignified.

Perhaps in a few decades someone will agree with her idea, but in this era when working people are in charge, her idea is completely opposite to others.

Although Deputy Head Chen felt strange, he saw that Qi Huiying was really not interested in this recruitment, so he didn't say anything. It would be best if she didn't make trouble.

After dinner, Qi Huiying said, "Let me wash the dishes today." Then she stood up, picked up the lunch boxes and chopsticks for both of them, and walked towards the kitchen.

Deputy Captain Chen nodded with satisfaction and said, "Then I'll boil the bath water." He also went to the kitchen.

Since the two of them had a big fight and were in a cold war for a few days, Qi Huiying's attitude changed. She no longer complained about this and that at home, and she also started doing housework.

After that quarrel, Deputy Head Chen revealed the truth about the two people's marriage: one for the other's status, the other for the other's beauty, it was all an exchange of interests.

Qi Huiying was devastated. She kept asking herself in her heart: Why doesn't he like me? He actually doesn't like me!

After thinking about it for a few days, Qi Huiying realized that her mission after traveling through time should be to conquer her husband first, make him fall in love with her, and then he would obey her in everything...

Based on her experience from the novels she had read before, she began her own journey of conquest. She first changed her attitude and stopped looking down on Deputy Head Chen at home. She also started doing laundry, mopping the floor, and cleaning. Recently, she is even preparing to start learning how to cook.

She wants to give this man the feeling of being at home, to let him see her own strengths, and to win his heart step by step!

Although Deputy Head Chen found these changes in Qi Huiying a little strange, he was happy to see them happen.

Deputy Head Chen is a somewhat patriarchal person. He thinks that a wife should stay at home to do housework and take care of children. However, because of Qi Huiying's advantages such as being young, beautiful, well educated and a city dweller, he can accept that his wife does not do housework at home.

Now, Qi Huiying has started to learn how to do housework, regardless of her merits. Deputy Head Chen doesn't care what her purpose is, as long as she enjoys the happiness.

—————

When Captain Fang saw that he had to get his meal from the cafeteria again, he felt unhappy. But when he thought of Tong Caifeng's words, he sat down and ate obediently.

The eldest daughter Zhaodi complained to Head Fang: "Dad, my milk was drunk by Mom today."

Except for the children in kindergarten, the other children in the family compound go to the cafeteria to get their daily milk. Zhaodi is ten years old and Xiangdi is seven years old. Everyone gets a portion of milk every day.

Because Tong Caifeng doesn't cook, the family has been eating three meals a day in the cafeteria recently. Zhaodi takes her sister Xiangdi to the cafeteria for breakfast every day, and then goes to school together.

When they went out this morning, Tong Caifeng also got up early to go to the cafeteria with them. When they arrived at the cafeteria, the two little girls each took a bowl of milk and put it on the table. Zhaodi ran to another window to get breakfast. When she came back, she saw her sister complaining that her milk was drunk by her mother.

Tong Caifeng was still cursing, saying that the two girls didn't deserve to eat good food and should respect their elders...

Zhaodi looked at her empty bowl and knew that she could not win the argument over Tong Caifeng, so she swallowed her anger and went to comfort her sister.

Leader Fang didn't come back for lunch at noon, so Zhaodi complained in the evening.

After hearing what his daughter said, Captain Fang looked at Tong Caifeng speechlessly and said, "This milk is given to the children by the troops. How dare you snatch it from the children?"

Tong Caifeng said confidently, "I'm not in good health. Milk is good stuff and very nutritious. It would be a waste to give it to these two girls!"

Leader Fang said unhappily, "Aren't the peach cakes and malted milk at home nutritious enough?"

Tong Caifeng said, "How can it be compared with milk! The doctors have said that drinking milk is the most nutritious, otherwise why would the army go to the trouble of getting a bucket of it every day. The one in our family who should drink this good stuff is me. Only when I have a healthy body can I give birth to a son. Before, it was because I didn't eat well that I gave birth to a few girls..."

After listening to her, Captain Fang sighed and said to his eldest daughter, "Zhao Di, why don't you give your mother a bowl of wine in the future? There is still one bowl left. You and your sister can drink it together. You two can't drink that much."

As he spoke, he took out a piece of money from his pocket and said, "Here, buy some candy for you and your sister. Candy tastes better than milk."

When Tong Caifeng saw the money, her eyes widened and she yelled, "Why did you give her so much money?"

Leader Fang said, "Buy some candy, or you won't be able to drink milk."

Tong Caifeng snorted and said nothing.

Zhaodi took the money silently and thought: I really can't count on anyone. I have to get up early and go to the cafeteria tomorrow morning. I'll drink the milk with my sister first. Humph! I won't give it to my mother!

The child, who is only ten years old, has already learned how to compete with such parents.

At this time, the loudspeaker sounded the sound of the supply and marketing cooperative's recruitment notice. Tong Caifeng paused and asked, "It's April now, right?"

"Yeah, didn't you just receive this month's tickets? Are you confused?" Captain Fang said speechlessly.

Tong Caifeng thought, that's not right, I remember that the supply and marketing cooperative only recruited people in May last year, and that new woman just happened to take advantage of it.

At first she wondered how that woman could be so lucky, but later she found out that she was the heroine of the novel.

How come this supply and marketing cooperative has started recruiting people when the heroine hasn’t arrived yet?

She couldn't help but ask Director Fang: "Hey, why is this supply and marketing cooperative suddenly hiring?"

While eating, Captain Fang said: "The troops have taken over the supply and marketing cooperative, so they will naturally recruit people from the family compound."

Tong Caifeng thought for a moment and said, "Then just let me go. It's just selling things there, it's easy."

Captain Fang said, "I can't make the decision on this matter. Didn't the loudspeaker say that those who want to sign up should go to Captain Chen?"

Tong Caifeng said: "Aren't you the leader? How come you can't even handle such a small matter?"

Captain Fang said unhappily: "You also know that I am the captain. The most powerful person on our island is the division commander!"

…

The next day was Saturday, and adults didn’t have to go to work and students didn’t have to go to school.

When Tong Caifeng got up, her little daughter was the only one left at home lying in bed; everyone else had gone out.

She cursed, "You stay out all day long. All you kids, big and small, just run outside. What good things are there outside that are tempting you..."

When we arrived at the cafeteria, we were told that Zhaodi and Xiangdi had already finished their milk!

"Your two little girls came here early in the morning and drank today's milk during breakfast. Your children are really easy to take care of. They ate their meals by themselves without the adults having to worry about them." The person serving food at the window said with a smile.

Tong Caifeng's role was stiff. She turned her eyes and saw a child drinking milk at the table next to her. She said to the person at the window, "The kindergarten is closed today. Can I get my child's milk here?"

"Yes, I do."

"Then give me my little daughter's, Fang Lai Di. She is in the kindergarten's small class."

"Okay, I'll get it for you."

Most people cannot imagine that someone would compete with their own children for milk.

Tong Caifeng walked back with milk and breakfast, thinking viciously in her heart: I will go back and give those two damn girls a good lesson!

—————

After getting up in the morning, Xia Qinqin changed into the little skirt sent from Shanghai, put on round-toed leather shoes with laces, put on her old little schoolbag, and went to the dock with her parents.

Today they plan to go to the department store to buy two electric fans and also go to the photo studio to pick up the photos they took last week.

After getting on the boat, Xia Qinqin remembered her mother's instructions last time, and leaned over the window to look out, happily greeting the seagulls.

After arriving in the city, the family of three went to Fang Yuan Hotel first and sat in the same seats as last time.

Xia Junshan said, "Yesterday, the division commander asked us to go to his house for lunch today. He said that he had guests coming and asked me to go and keep them company."

Meng Yufei asked: "Then shall we go back later?"

Xia Junshan said, "I refused. We are going to the city today, so we don't have time to go there."

Meng Yufei smiled and said, "You missed a big meal today."

Xia Junshan poured her a glass of water and said with a smile, "Aren't you going to treat me to dinner today?"

Meng Yufei said: "Okay, just order, I'll pay for all the expenses today."

Xia Junshan turned his head to his daughter and said, "Qinqin, did you hear me? Mom said that you can eat whatever you want today. Mom will treat you. Come and see what you want to eat."

Xia Qinqin said: "I want to eat double skin milk!"

"Okay, double skin milk, what else?"

"Hmm...shrimp dumplings."

We ordered the double skin milk and shrimp dumplings that we ordered last time, and they also ordered a few snacks that they didn’t have last time, and they all tasted good.

After dinner, the family of three came to the department store as if they were familiar with the place, went up to the third floor where electrical appliances were sold, and prepared to buy an electric fan.

There are mainly two types of electric fans sold here, half-person-high floor-standing fans and table-top fans, both of which are Watson brand with guaranteed quality.

The price of a floor fan is 105 yuan, which is two industrial coupons. The price of a table fan is 85 yuan, which is 20 yuan cheaper, but it also requires two industrial coupons.

Although the floor fan has stronger wind, it is too noisy. I can't sleep at night if I turn it on. It is also too heavy to carry back, so I bought two table fans.

One hundred and seventy yuan was spent at once, plus four industrial coupons.

Xia Junshan still brought the snakeskin bag from last time and carefully put the two fans in it.

After buying the fan, the family of three went shopping in the department store. Meng Yufei saw a shop selling headwear on the second floor and couldn't help but stop to take a look.

The saleswoman was a young girl. She smiled and recommended to Meng Yufei: "Sister, we have a new headband. It is made of scarves. Compared with ordinary headbands, it has richer colors and looks better when tied on the head. It has a floating feeling. Look at the one on my head. It looks good, right?"

As she spoke, she shook her long braids, and the scarf on her head fluttered.

Meng Yufei nodded and said, "It is indeed very beautiful."

"Right, this batch of goods is produced in Guangzhou, and people in Hong Kong use this hair tie. Sister, do you want to buy one?"

Xia Qinqin stared at the fluttering scarf and praised, "Mom, this hair tie is beautiful."

Meng Yufei smiled and said, "Please buy me two, one for me and my daughter."

Meng Yufei thought for a moment and said, "I'd better buy a few more. Give me five."

"Okay, you can pick any of these colors."

After buying the hair tie, Xia Qinqin quickly opened her small schoolbag and said, "Mom, put it in my bag."

Meng Yufei smiled and said, "Okay, put it where you want."

I walked around the second floor again. I had just bought some clothes last week, so today I just bought two pieces just for show. After all, I got a bonus, so I still had to spend some money to celebrate.

Meng Yufei bought Xia Junshan a pure cotton sweatshirt and a pair of pure cotton pants, which were comfortable to wear at home. She also bought a skirt for herself and Xia Qinqin, and then went downstairs.

The first floor is full of grocery stores, but yesterday Haishi sent over some biscuits, candies, and chocolates, which are enough for the family to eat for a while, so we didn't buy any more food.

After leaving the department store, we went straight to the photo studio. The photographer immediately recognized the family of three and said with a smile, "You are here. The photos have been developed. I will give them to you now."

Although it is a black and white photo, you can still see the outstanding appearance of the family of three at a glance.

Holding the photo, Xia Junshan looked at it carefully, his brows softened, and his fingers gently touched the smiles of Meng Yufei and Xia Qinqin in the photo.

"This photo is really well taken." Xia Junshan said happily.

Meng Yufei said: "Send one back to Haishi."

Xia Junshan said, "Okay, let's go and mail it now. The post office is across the street."

When she arrived at the post office, Meng Yufei bought a stamp and sent the photo to Haishi, and also sent the letter she had written last night.

Seeing a phone next to her, Meng Yufei walked over and asked, "Can I call Haishi?"

Nowadays, communications are not well developed and only certain units have telephones. Most of these phones are used for office purposes. Ordinary people rarely use telephones for communication.

You can't make outbound calls from the phone on Nanya Island. Although many offices in the army have phones, they can only be used internally, and there is an operator on the other end when you make a call.

Only some leaders' office phones can be used for outgoing calls. If anyone else needs to use the phone for important matters, they need to go to the communications room and write an application.

Calls from outside could be received, but they would first be connected to the communications room, where they would be asked questions before being transferred. Of course, the entire call was monitored.

"It can't be transferred. Now it can only connect to Guangzhou, Beijing and Jingzhou. The other lines are not connected yet. If you have official business, you can use the unit's phone to transfer to Qianmen Automatic Branch, and then transfer to the other party. If it's personal business, don't use the phone. If it's urgent, send a telegram, and if it's not urgent, write a letter."

"Oh, okay. Got it."

Meng Yufei was a little disappointed and wanted to call home to ask what was going on.

Seeing Meng Yufei was a little disappointed, Xia Junshan walked over and patted her shoulder and said, "I will apply for family leave during the Chinese New Year this year. It just so happens that I haven't taken a leave for several years. The higher-ups should agree this time. Then we can go back to Hai City to see them together."

Meng Yufei nodded and said, "Yes."

After sending the letter, the family of three went out to eat, still at the same state-owned hotel as last time, and ordered sweet and sour pork ribs, coconut chicken, and the steamed sea bass mentioned last time.

Xia Qinqin, who was eating sweet and sour pork ribs, suddenly asked: "Mom, when will grandpa, grandma and uncle come to our new home?"

Meng Yufei said: "You miss them."

Xia Qinqin nodded and said, "Yeah, I haven't seen my grandparents and my uncle for many days. They brought my clothes and schoolbag yesterday, as well as my favorite White Rabbit and chocolate. Are they coming soon?"

Meng Yufei said: "This is our new home. It's too far from our home in Hai City. It's not convenient for them to come here. After the New Year, we can go back to see them together, okay?"

Xia Qinqin asked: "When is the Chinese New Year?"

Meng Yufei said: "It's April now, and it will be the Chinese New Year in nine months."

Xia Qinqin opened her hands and counted to nine, which seemed pretty fast. She smiled and said, "Then I'll be able to see them soon."

Xia Junshan stroked his daughter's hair and said with a smile, "Dad will go back with you guys when the time comes."

"Really?" Xia Qinqin happily took Xia Junshan's hand and said, "Dad, when you go to Haishi's home, I will take you to see my secret base~"

Xia Junshan nodded and said, "Okay, Dad will wait."

"Dad, I'll take you to eat soup dumplings. I'm an expert at eating soup dumplings. I'll tell you how to eat it then." Xia Qinqin puffed out her chest confidently.

"Okay, Dad will study hard." Xia Junshan said softly.

"Dad, I'll take you to the zoo again. It's so much fun. We'll take grandpa's camera and let my uncle take lots of pictures of us."

"Okay, take a few more pictures."

…

—————

After Han Jianhong finished her breakfast at home, she washed the dishes and prepared to go out. Han Jianping called her, "Hey, where are you going? Today's clothes haven't been washed yet."

Han Jianhong looked at the people at home and said calmly: "Today is the weekend. You don't have to go to work or school. Wash your own clothes." Then he turned around and left.

Han Jianping stamped her feet in anger, "Mom, look at her!"

Before Wei Shufang could say anything, Team Leader Han spoke up, "Shufang, you should wash the clothes today. Jianhong is bored doing housework at home every day. Let her go out and play on the rare weekend."

Wei Shufang frowned slightly, feeling unhappy, but still smiled and nodded, saying, "Okay, then I'll help Jianhongxi. This child is getting older, and his heart has become wild."

Head Han glanced at her and said, "What nonsense are you talking about? It's normal for children to like to go out and play. You haven't seen children in the countryside. They are wild. And Jianping, it's a rare weekend, don't stay at home all the time, go out and play with your friends more."

Han Jianping pouted and said, "I don't want to play. I'm going to read a book." Then she turned and went into the room.

Wei Shufang said to Head Han, "This child just loves to study. She is taking the time to review for her midterm exam soon. I'm going to the yard to do some laundry first."

Leader Han nodded and said, "Learning is the most important thing."

Han Jianhong trotted to the beach and saw five girls standing there from a distance. The one standing in the middle was Qi Zhuzhu.

Qi Zhuzhu also saw Han Jianhong and waved happily towards them. Han Jianhong quickened his pace and ran over.

"I'm sorry I'm late."

"No, we came early." Qi Zhuzhu introduced them to her with a smile: "The two on the left are Zheng Xiaoliu and Zheng Xiaoqi, and the two on the right are Qi Caixing and Qi Caiyue."

Zheng and Qi are the two most common surnames on the island. More than half of the residents on the island have these two surnames, and most of the people in various units on the island are also from these two families.

Qi Zhuzhu pointed at Han Jianhong and introduced her to them: "This is my new friend Han Jianhong, from the family compound."

Han Jianhong smiled at the group, and Zheng Xiaoliu said, "Hello, I heard from Zhuzhu that you have only learned to swim for a few days and you have already beaten my No. 11. You are really amazing."

Zheng Xiaoqi smiled and said, "Now Eleven knows what it means that there are always people better than you. He used to be said to be the most talented besides Zhuzhu."

Qi Caixing looked at Han Jianhong in surprise and asked her, "Jianhong, what did your ancestors do?"

Qi Caiyue said, "Could it be that they are also pearl divers like our family?"

Han Jianhong said: "My family is from the mountains, and our ancestors have been farmers for generations."

Qi Caixing said: "With your talent, if you grew up in our family and started learning swimming at a young age, you would probably be on par with Sister Zhuzhu."

Qi Zhuzhu said, "It's not too late to learn now. Well, let's talk business first. I just told you that I plan to form a female militia. I carefully selected you on the island and found you to be the most suitable. Do you want to join us?"

Several people looked at each other for a while, and Zheng Xiaoliu said, "Secretary, do you agree? There have never been female militias on the island before."

Zheng Xiaoqi said, "If Second Uncle disagrees, we can go and convince him. I heard from Third Brother that the militia training uses real guns and cannons, which is really interesting! Why do only the boys go every year? We girls should go too!"

Qi Zhuzhu nodded and said, "Yes, let's go find the secretary together." She turned to look at Qi Caixing and Qi Caiyue and said, "What about you? Do you want to join us?"

The two sisters nodded and said, "Let's follow Sister Zhuzhu."

Qi Zhuzhu said happily: "Okay, our women's militia team is officially established. The first action goal: to convince the secretary to agree that we participate in militia training."

As she spoke, she stretched out her hand, and the two sisters Qi Caixing and Qi Caiyue immediately smiled and put their hands on it, and Zheng Xiaoliu and Zheng Xiaoqi followed suit.

The last one was Han Jianhong. Amid the expectant looks of several girls, she firmly stretched out her hand and placed it in everyone's hands.

Several people laughed and shouted loudly: "Let's go!"