"No, this came from the capital. We didn't originally have any quota here, but the provincial government didn't want it, so it was put here. You want to buy it?"
"I want to buy it. I'll go back and get the money first, and I'll be right back." With that, she ran downstairs.
Zhang Hongmei carried the radio box and walked around outside for a while before returning to the third floor.
"Comrade, issue the receipt." He then slammed the money on the table.
The sales clerk was surprised that the little girl could actually buy so much, and glanced at her with astonishment. She then pushed the money and receipt over.
He took out two watches, set the time, told Zhang Hongmei how to use them, and then started packing the two watches. With a heavy heart, he took out two exquisite boxes to put them in, and then took out a cloth bag to put the two boxes together.
"The instruction manual is in the box. There are no quality issues with these imported watches. Keep the receipt safe. If there are any problems, come back."
After saying that, he put the stamped receipt into the bag and handed it to Zhang Hongmei.
Zhang Hongmei took it and put it in her handbag. Only then did she have the mood to look at the domestically made watch.
"Comrade, how much do men's watches cost here? Could you tell me?"
"They range from 130 to 300. The cheapest panda is 130, and the most expensive plum blossom is 300. This plum blossom one is also imported, but you need a receipt for this one."
"Thank you, I understand?"
Zhang Hongmei went downstairs, bought two jin of peach shortbread, two jin of steamed rice cake, two jin of brown sugar, and two packs of candles on the first floor, and then left.
He had to carry a big box and six paper packets; only the batteries and candles could fit in his handbag. He also had to wait for Liu Maocai at the station. It was truly not easy.
As for Zhang Xingguo himself, he won't go see it; he'll talk about it later. They haven't heard from him, so they must be quite busy.
When I arrived at the station, I found a place to sit down, took out a handkerchief to wipe my hands, and ate a steamed bun.
The sweet aroma of the steamed buns attracted many people, but people were quite reserved at the time, and even the children, who were drooling with envy, did not come over to ask for some.
At this point, Zhang Hongmei calmed down and realized that she really shouldn't have bought the watches, but she just couldn't resist at the time.
Even if someone investigates him, he knows where the money comes from. Zhang Aiguo and Cui Lin received 2,000 yuan in compensation, so he's not afraid of being investigated. He's just still very upset.
I'm such an ignorant bumpkin.
More than an hour passed, and Liu Maocai and the others still hadn't arrived. Realizing he'd come too early, and that a hospital checkup would take a long time, plus he still needed to see Liu Jianguo, he figured he'd be lucky to catch the last bus.
Waiting here for hours is so boring, but I don't dare to move. I'm still feeling guilty after buying the watch.
Take out a book and read it; there's nothing else to do.
Liu Maocai was furious. The doctor at the hospital said Liu Daya wasn't sick at all.
The couple walked ahead, with Liu Daya following dejectedly behind. This time, her good days were over.
They arrived at the factory where Wang Jianguo worked. Only then did smiles appear on their faces.
Li Cuihua wiped away tears as she looked at her son, whom she hadn't seen for six months.
"They got it, why are you crying? The child is perfectly fine, so what's there to cry about?"
Liu Jianguo worked at the textile factory, and because of the old lady's connections, he became a permanent employee as soon as he joined.
I've been working overtime for the past six months to meet deadlines. I haven't had any time to go home, so when I saw my parents come to visit, their eyes were red with tears.
"Mom and Dad, my younger sister, what brings you here?"
"It's nothing, I just came to see you. Are you tired?" Li Cuihua didn't want her son to know about this upsetting matter.
"Mom, I've saved up a hundred yuan. I'll go get it for you."
Liu Maocai stopped him, saying, "No need, you keep it. Here's the watch voucher and a hundred yuan. Take it and go to the building to buy a watch when you have time."
"Where did Dad get the tickets? These are extremely rare."
"This was given to you by Hongmei. You'll be lucky if you hurry up and buy it."
“Jianguo, these are steamed buns made by Hongmei. Keep them and eat them. They won’t spoil now that it’s getting cold.”
"Okay, I understand. You're going back today?"
"Yes, you go to work. We're leaving. Hongmei is still waiting for us at the station."
"Mom and Dad, I can go back next month."
"You can focus on your work. Don't worry about home. Go back when you have time, and don't worry about it if you don't."
The elderly couple watched their son go into the factory before turning around and heading towards the bus station.
Liu Daya followed behind without saying a word, but she was resentful. She was still hungry, so how could she give all the steamed buns to Liu Jianguo?
I spotted Zhang Hongmei as soon as I arrived at the station. She was the only little girl reading a book in the noisy station, which made her stand out.
Zhang Hongmei looked up and saw the family of three. However, judging from the displeased expressions of the couple, she knew that Liu Daya must be alright, otherwise Li Cuihua would not be so calm. The most likely explanation was that she had been caught faking illness, otherwise the couple would not look so unhappy.
"Uncle, you're back! If you had been any later, there wouldn't have been any more buses."
"Luckily you made it back in time. You must have been waiting for quite a while, right?"
"Yeah, it's been several hours. Have you guys gone to see my brother Jianguo yet?"
"I went there, and everything is fine."
The two chatted idly, while Liu Maocai smoked on the side. No one paid any attention to Liu Daya, and no one saw her say a few words to a man.
The car finally arrived, and the four of them got in.
It was already dark when we got off the bus in the village, and we could vaguely see the oxcart.
"Third Uncle, why are you only getting back now? Hurry up and get in the car, let's go back."
It turned out that Er Lengzi had come to pick them up.
No one noticed that a young man also got off the bus. He whispered something in Liu Daya's ear and then left.
Liu Daya was absent-minded the whole way, and Li Cuihua thought she was scared.
"Hongmei, have you taken a look for me?"
"I looked. The cheapest panda is 130 yuan, and the most expensive plum blossom is 300 yuan. They are also imported, but you need a ticket for them. The ones without tickets are too expensive, probably several hundred yuan. I didn't ask."
"Okay, I like plum blossoms, but they're too expensive!"
"You get what you pay for; there's a reason why it's expensive."
"That's true, I'll go back and try to raise the money."
Zhang Hongmei didn't arrange to lend him money, but thought she should put off the wolf skin for now and talk about it later.
Er Lengzi was finally satisfied and had the energy to talk to Liu Maocai: "Third Uncle, how is Jianguo doing at the factory?"
“We were rushing to produce a while ago, so I figured I'd have time to come back soon. Why don’t you find a way to get a job in a factory? That’s a secure job.”
"No, I was thinking of joining the army in the future, and I hope I can catch up with this recruitment."
"Sigh! I told you but you wouldn't listen. It's dangerous to be in the army, and your great-grandmother probably won't let you go."
“My great-grandmother agreed, and I’m just waiting for this year’s conscription. I want to go to the battlefield.”
Er Lengzi's tone was firm, leaving Liu Maocai with no choice. He was the only child in his family, and Liu Maocai genuinely didn't want him to go to the battlefield.
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