Chapter 94 Reserve Targets
A cool breeze blows through the night, and the earth steams with heat as the breeze relentlessly caresses it.
The twelve patrolmen circled the surrounding area several times before returning to rest under a shed built for night patrols not far from the camp.
A layer of reed stalks was laid on the ground, and a layer of grayish-brown tattered blanket was placed on top of the stalks. Just like the "bed" in the dugout, turning over on it would make quite a bit of noise.
The twelve people took turns keeping watch. Six people slept for three hours, then everyone got up and went for a walk around the area. Then the remaining six people slept for another three hours, went for another walk, and came back. They could only stay up for less than an hour before dawn broke.
They said they would take turns sleeping, but in reality, when everyone was tired, all twelve of them would fall asleep.
It's only because the nights have been peaceful these past few days that everyone has been able to sleep so soundly.
The next morning, Song Lubai was woken up by Feng Ying while catching up on sleep in her dugout.
She asked sleepily, "What's wrong?"
Feng Ying whispered in her ear, "Wei Yang came to see you. He's at the construction team's place. He must have brought you some delicious food again."
Song Lubai didn't want to eat anything delicious right now; she just wanted to get a good night's sleep.
It was midday, and the company members were all taking a midday nap in their dugouts to avoid the sun, while only the construction team members were sleeping in the brick houses with roofs.
As Song Lubai yawned, she saw Wei Yang sitting on a pile of bricks in a brick house that was not yet fully sealed off.
The roof wasn't sealed yet, so half of the room was in the sun and the other half in the shade, and he sat in the shade.
Seeing her arrive, Wei Yang laughed and said, "I thought I'd let you eat alone, so I had Feng Ying call you out. I arrived early today, and everyone went down for lunch break, so I had Feng Ying call you. Don't worry, no one should notice."
He paused for a moment, then added, "To keep Comrade Feng Ying's word, you can give her one of the steamed buns; this one is on me."
Song Lubai thought he was quite considerate, and he was incredibly skilled at this kind of underground work.
She couldn't refuse the big meat bun that she had already paid for and paid for.
Wei Yang made way for the pile of bricks and squatted on the threshold to keep watch for her.
Song Lubai felt strange, but she ate with a sense of peace as she watched his broad back blocking the doorway.
Today's meat buns aren't filled with scallions and pork; they're filled with preserved mustard greens and pork.
The bun's outer skin is soft yet slightly chewy. When you bite into it, the rich and unique aroma of preserved mustard greens wafts out, offering a delicious and satisfying chewiness while cleverly absorbing the essence of the meat juices.
Song Lubai was almost mesmerized by the aroma of the steamed buns today. Her previous drowsiness vanished, and she became more and more energetic as she ate.
"Were you on duty yesterday?"
Song Lubai hummed in agreement.
He ate three steamed buns in one go, and there were still two left wrapped in yellow paper, one of which was for Feng Ying.
Song Lubai decided to eat slowly, and that evening she secretly put the buns in her pocket and went to eat elsewhere with Feng Ying.
"Comrade Wei, how's the injury on your arm?"
Wei Yang turned around, rolled up his sleeves, and showed her his strong, wheat-colored forearms.
There was a noticeable scar on his arm; it wasn't large, but it looked quite menacing.
"It's healed, it's nothing to worry about."
Song Lubai shook her head inwardly. It was clear that he didn't care about the scar at all and really didn't cherish his body at all.
She thought this in her heart, but didn't say anything.
She didn't want to get too close to him through this back-and-forth.
She has deviated from the life trajectory of Song Lubai in the book featuring Lin Jinyao as the protagonist.
Although she is not opposed to finding a partner, it is a major life event, and she will not rush into a relationship with anyone before her job is settled.
But just as Feng Ying said, Wei Yang's personal qualities are really good, and he is also good-looking. She couldn't bear to let someone with such good qualities slip away.
Let's leave it at that for now!
Anyway, she didn't promise anyone anything, and she would give them the money and tickets she was owed for food and drinks.
Song Lubai still felt a little ashamed.
"Comrade Wei, it's quite a hassle for you to bring me these things. Next time I have a holiday, I'll treat you to a bowl of shredded pork noodles at a restaurant."
Wei Yang knew she felt bad about it, so he agreed without thinking.
If he didn't agree, it would put a psychological burden on her, and he was afraid that Song Lubai would refuse to let him help her bring things in the future, and thus gradually distance herself from him.
At this moment, Wei Yang had no idea that he was just a potential partner in Song Lubai's eyes, and he was secretly pleased with himself, thinking that everything was under his control.
Although she hasn't figured out the specifics of what to do next, just like Xiao Liu said, within a year, even if Song Lubai doesn't take the initiative, she will be arranged by the organization to find a partner and settle her life's most important matter. This is something that all female comrades who come to Xinjiang must go through, and no one can stop them.
Song Lubai belongs to the Commercial Department of Shicheng General Farm. Future job transfers can only be within the Commercial Department system. He is currently a deputy and regimental-level cadre. If Song Lubai also likes him, he will do everything he can to pull strings to arrange for the two of them to be together.
Seeing that the person was about to step out of the door, Wei Yang quickly grabbed him and then let go.
He took a bar of sulfur soap out of his pocket and handed it to her: "Didn't you have lice on your head? Use this for now. I'll ask my comrades to send a few more from Shanghai. Let me know when you've used this up."
Seeing that she wouldn't take it, Wei Yang reacted quickly and said, "Sulfur soap costs two cents a piece, and you also need to give me an industrial ration coupon. If you don't have a coupon, just give me an extra cent, three cents will do."
Song Lubai nodded.
The price is fair; she's not taking advantage of him by giving him three cents.
Industrial coupons were not easy to obtain under normal circumstances, but apart from grain coupons, they were the most frequently used coupons by every household. They were an indispensable part of daily life.
The number of industrial tickets required for a bicycle varies depending on the brand.
Buying a bicycle requires approximately 60 to 100 industrial tickets.
Industrial invoices are required for purchasing towels, yarn, aluminum pots, iron pots, enamel basins, metal thermos flasks, cotton shoes, umbrellas, sewing machines, and electrical appliances on a regular basis.
From small sewing needles to large sewing machines, you need an industrial invoice to buy them.
The high consumption in daily life has led to industrial tickets being in short supply. Wei Yang calculated that each ticket cost Song Lubai one cent, which was a fair price.
Song Lubai kept all her money in the inside pocket of her clothes, and the ten-yuan bills were sewn into the left pocket. The pocket was sewn so that only a small opening was visible, so it wouldn't fall out no matter how she moved around.
She had small change in her right pocket, and she took out three cents and handed it to him.
"Thank you very much, Comrade Wei."
Wei Yang put the money in his pocket and said bluntly, "I would be happier if you didn't treat me so politely."
Song Lubai said seriously, "No way. Nobody's money and tickets come from thin air. Even if we have some past relationship, I can't take advantage of you like this."
With only the two of them present and no one else around, Wei Yang brazenly said, "Then I'll wait for you to treat me to noodles at the farm headquarters next time you have a holiday."
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