Chapter 72 (Catching Bugs)
After finding a state-owned restaurant nearby and having something to eat, Zhou Jiani took the two of them to a famous park here for a walk. There was a photo studio near the park, so she called the photographer out and took a picture of each of them.
While they were taking pictures, Zhou Jiani casually looked around and noticed a phenomenon: many children aged seven, eight or ten were wearing brand new military green octagonal hats with a bright five-pointed star pinned in the middle of the hats.
She suddenly remembered that when she was having lunch at a state-owned restaurant at noon, several children she met were also wearing such hats.
Army green hats were common at this time, but with so many kids wearing them at the same time, it was different.
Zhou Jiani suddenly thought of the movie she watched with her brother last time. Isn't this the hat Pan Dongzi wore in the movie? This is a trend.
Seeing her looking at the hats on several children's heads, the photographer said, "Girl, don't look at them. They're not available at all. The department stores have been out of stock for several days, and the supply and marketing cooperatives can't even touch the brims. These hats are really hard to buy right now."
Zhou Jiani laughed and said, "Did you learn how to wear it from Pan Dongzi after watching a movie? Movies really have a lot of appeal."
The old craftsman said, "Of course not. The kids are going crazy these days, they all want this hat. My little grandson is the same, he's crying and begging for it. My wife goes to the department store every day to keep an eye on it. When she saw the notice of the new stock, she lined up at one in the morning and finally snagged one."
Zhang Laosi didn't know what movie it was, but he thought that if the city kids liked it, the village kids would like it too, so he wanted to buy one for his grandson. However, when he heard that it was so difficult to buy, he gave up the idea.
Liu Tong paid the photographer and gave the receipt to Zhou Jiani.
This time, there is no need to ask them to send it. Zhou Jiani can come and pick it up in a few days and take it back to them.
However, because they were obsessed with taking photos at the station, the three of them went to the station together to buy tickets and took two more photos there, fulfilling their dream.
I've bought the train ticket, it's at 8:10 in the morning, so I don't have to get up early.
The two of them looked a little depressed at this moment. Zhou Jiani found a guesthouse close to the station, booked a double room for them, gave them some instructions, and left with their luggage.
After going out, he found an empty corner and put away the shoes in his bag, leaving only the pairs prepared for his family. He then took out the walnuts that the eldest brother of the Zhao family had given him a few days ago and put them in his bag, then took it to a nearby supply and marketing cooperative.
I went to the counter and looked around, but I really didn't see the octagonal hat. I asked the teller about it, but the teller rolled his eyes and said, "I still want it, but they can't even get it in stock."
Zhou Jiani said, "Then bring me some handkerchiefs, some teacups, and some brooms for sweeping the kang."
In the past two days, someone in the group asked her for a handkerchief.
The popularity of the handkerchief was a bit beyond her expectations. She thought the enamel pot should be ranked first, but she didn't expect it to be the handkerchief.
However, when the enamel products were sold in bulk, the speed of the chain was very fast, so we had to continue to purchase enamel products.
In addition to the small handkerchief, she was asked about stamps and hand-woven kang sweeping broom. Because she didn't start a group and didn't want to send red envelopes specifically for chatting, she never responded.
Forget about the stamps, we can buy some brooms for sweeping the kang and a few more baskets.
Although the teller had a bad attitude and a bad face, he didn't ask any questions. He slammed the things she wanted on the counter with an impatient look on his face and said coldly, "You have cloth coupons and industrial coupons, right?"
Zhou Jiani quickly counted the money and tickets and handed them over.
She opened her handbag, took out a woven bag, and put the things she wanted in it.
Ten handkerchiefs, six teacups, six brooms for sweeping the kang, two baskets, and two enamel basins.
Seeing that there were cloth shoes in the store, but the soles had a layer of rubber, she leaned in to take a closer look and saw XX Shoe Factory printed on the inside of the shoes. She thought that although this type of shoes is more popular than handmade thousand-layer soles now, in the future, it really cannot compare to pure handmade thousand-layer sole cloth shoes.
He didn't take the shoes, but went to the counter next to him, bought two packages of snacks and a can of malted milk, and left with his things.
I found a place to put away what I needed to collect, and took the things I was going to take home with me. I then found a state-owned restaurant and bought a dozen meat buns. Then I took the tram straight to the No. 2 Spinning Factory dormitory.
She didn't tell her parents this time. When Zhou Jiani walked downstairs and the neighbor greeted her, Yu Huifang, who was cooking in the hallway on the second floor, thought she had misheard. But when she looked over, it was really her daughter. She exclaimed in surprise, "Nini is back? Why didn't you tell me in advance so that your dad could pick you up at the station?"
She thought her daughter had just gotten off the train and came back directly from the station.
Zhou Jiani noticed Liu Ailing's mother also looking down. She laughed and said loudly, "Mom, I came back early this morning to deliver goods to the department store. I was busy all day and just finished."
A neighbor playing downstairs asked, "Nini is back on business again? How long will she stay this time?"
"I don't know. I'll go back when I finish work." Zhou Jiani smiled and called everyone around, then went upstairs.
Jiang Xinfeng and the twins had already come out of the house and were very surprised to see her.
"Milk--"
Jiang Xinfeng smiled and said, "Hey, you should have told me earlier. I'll buy some meat and make you some braised pork."
"I have to stay home for a while. There's no rush to eat the braised pork. I bought some meat buns." Zhou Jiani handed them over. The twins were so happy that they cheered and shouted "Long live sister!"
Jiang Xinfeng intercepted the two grandsons and said, "Even Wansui has to sit down at the table before eating. Go back and do your homework."
On the other side, Lu Cuilan curled her lips and muttered something, then turned around and went back to the house.
Zhou Jiani followed her grandmother into the house, took out the snacks, malted milk, and walnuts, and began to take out the cloth shoes from her bag. Yu Huifang came in with the cooked dishes and was about to ask for more dishes when she heard her daughter say, "Grandma, Mom——"
She looked around but didn't see Comrade Zhou Wanli. She asked, "Where's my dad?"
"Tell him to go buy some vinegar. He'll be back soon."
Zhou Jiani took out a pair of shoes to show them and said, "There are so many people with good hands in the Qianjin Brigade where I'm staying. My sister-in-law from the village where I'm staying is very good at needlework. I asked her to make a pair of cloth shoes for you. Try them on and see if they fit you well."
Jiang Xinfeng was also good at sewing. She took the shoes, squinted her eyes, and praised them, "Oh, these shoes are really well made. The stitching is so detailed and straight."
Yu Huifang put down the dish and came over to take a look. She said, "It's very good. Let me try it after I finish cooking."
The twins also came over, and Zhou Jiani said, "Don't look at it. I didn't make it for you two. I'll make two pairs of children's shoes for you two next time and mail them to you when they're done."
They weren't greedy for this. Jia'ant asked cleverly, "Sister, does that sister-in-law know how to make an octagonal hat? Can you make one for me?"
Jiaping raised her hand and said, "Sister, sister, this is the hat that Pan Dongzi wore in the movie we watched last time. I want it too."
Yu Huifang said helplessly, "They keep asking for octagonal hats, but they can't buy any. Your grandma has gone to the nearby supply and marketing cooperative several times, but they said they can't get any."
Zhou Jiani glanced at the dejected twins and said, "Mom, octagonal hats are so popular right now, the demand can't keep up with the supply. The weaving workshop in the factory must be super busy, right?"
"That's right. We haven't even finished producing the last batch of floral fabrics when a new order came in. We're fully focused on producing military green cotton fabric. All the fabric we produce can't even be put into the warehouse, so it has to be taken away from the workshop. We can't even meet the demand." Yu Huifang said, "Take a break. I'll go cook some more dishes. I'll try on the shoes later."
Jiang Xinfeng's pair is quite special, being a pair for small feet. When Zhou Jiani gave Zhao Mei instructions, she was worried that she wouldn't get the size right, but unexpectedly, the shoes turned out to be a perfect fit for the old lady.
"It's just right. These shoes fit me perfectly. Nini, please thank them for me when you go back." Jiang Xinfeng stood up and took two steps, saying with a smile on her face.
"Don't worry, grandma. Your granddaughter won't let anyone's hard work go to waste. I'm recommending Sister Zhao Mei to work in the processing workshop as a quality inspector... Oh, and by the way, I have some good news for you." Zhou Jiani started showing off, smiling, "We're going to open a factory there, and your granddaughter has become the section chief. She's now the sales section chief of our Qianjin Knitting Factory. Our commune director made the announcement himself."
Jiang Xinfeng's face lit up instantly. He clapped his hands excitedly and exclaimed, "Oh my god, is this true? This is incredible! My granddaughter is already a section chief at such a young age."
Yu Huifang was listening outside, and came in carrying the vegetables she was washing. She asked, "What section chief?"
"Your daughter is the sales manager of their Qianjin factory. That's a big deal. Isn't it worth making braised pork?" Jiang Xinfeng said happily.
Yu Huifang was also very happy: "Braised pork and braised spareribs, mom will arrange them for you one by one."
When Zhou Wanli went downstairs, a neighbor said, "Your daughter is back."
Zhou Wanli quickly went upstairs. Before he could talk to his daughter, he saw the whole family was in a happy mood. He asked what was going on, and his mother said, "Our Nini is much more promising than you. She became a section chief at the age of seventeen. You must have been over thirty when you became a leader, right?"
Zhou Wanli: ...
After figuring out what was going on, Zhou Wanli said with a mixture of laughter and tears: "You can praise your granddaughter if you want, but you have to step on me."
Jiang Xinfeng couldn't stop smiling. She got up and went out to help her daughter-in-law cook. Before she finished cooking a dish, all the residents on the second floor knew that Zhou Jiani had become the section chief.
Zhou Wanli asked his daughter in the house: "What time did you get off the bus? Why didn't I tell you in advance that I would pick you up?"
Zhou Jiani recounted today's itinerary and finally asked, "Dad, are there any defective green cotton fabrics produced recently in your factory?"
Zhou Wanli said with amusement, "What? Section Chief Zhou is still in charge of procurement tasks?" He shook his head and said, "Nowadays, as long as it's green cloth, let alone defective cloth, you can't even see a scrap of cloth."
Zhou Jiani looked at the twins who were staring at her eagerly and discussed with them, "Look, we have such a big factory, but we can't even get a piece of cloth. It seems that the green octagonal hat will be out of stock in a short time. How about making two blue ones for you two? It's not noticeable if both of you wear green. Let's try to be different from others."
The twins hummed and hawed as they continued to discuss: "We need a five-pointed star."
Zhou Jiani nodded: "Embroider one with red thread."
"Okay." Jia'an nodded first and asked in a milky voice, "Sister, can we eat the meat buns now?"
Zhou Jiani was furious and yelled, "Are the two related? Go do your homework!!"
The neighbors came over to join in the fun and congratulate the newly appointed Section Chief Zhou. Zhou Jiani felt a little embarrassed again and said modestly: "The village enterprise section chief can't be compared with the leader of our factory, no comparison."
Although everyone was joking, they all felt that the Zhou family's daughter was amazing.
Some people also asked about weaving baskets. Zhou Jiani talked about the orders they had received and the development of their processing workshop. Many neighbors were quite interested.
Everyone basically understands why Zhou Jiani can be the section chief. This order was arranged by her. With such a great contribution, it would be inappropriate not to assign her a job.
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