Their base belongs to Hecheng, and even though Harbin has gradually replaced Hecheng's former status, Hecheng remains prosperous.
The train station, once known as the first stop in northern Manchuria, was quite a sight in those days, and some people even brought photographers specifically to take pictures there.
Before the country's transition period was over, Heilongjiang Province created countless jobs through heavy industry, and the people there looked much more energetic than those in Hongshan Brigade.
The differences from later generations are naturally still significant, but Xia Wenhua saw the city's current vibrant vitality.
She used to have an employee from Heilongjiang Province, and she had also heard that a hundred-yuan bill in Hecheng was considered a rare sight in the area in the 1950s and 60s. Before Wang Weiguo asked them where they were going to buy things, Xia Wenhua had already decided on a place.
"I'd heard that the No. 1 Department Store was very well-built and had a wide variety of goods, so I went there to shop!"
Wang Weiguo, a local, smiled even more broadly upon hearing Xia Wenhua's words: "Sister-in-law, you've heard of our 100, right? I'm not bragging, but apart from having a lot of people, 100 is really perfect. Even Lianhua Store might not be as extravagant as 100!"
Xia Wenhua had long heard of the fame of Hecheng No. 1 Department Store, and after Wang Weiguo mentioned it, she became genuinely interested.
The train station wasn't far from the department store; it took about ten minutes for the car to stop in front of the No. 1 Department Store.
The outside world is a bit chaotic right now, but the public security is really good. The car has a military sign on it, so no one will be foolish enough to touch it. Wang Weiguo parked the car outside with peace of mind and followed Xia Wenhua and her family of four into the store.
The First Department Store truly lived up to its reputation as a place most people in Hecheng talked about with great enthusiasm during this era; even a three-story building was a rare sight these days. At least, in all the years Pei Songbai had been away, he had never seen a place more impressive than this.
He couldn't help but glance back at Xia Wenhua. He didn't see a hint of surprise on her face, as if the department store was just an ordinary place in her eyes. Something in Pei Songbai's heart suddenly stirred.
Xia Wenhua is almost ten years younger than him, and she used to live a very wealthy life. Even a large department store like a hundred-yuan bill was nothing special to her. Now that Xia Wenhua is willing to live a good life with him, he must not let her suffer.
The No. 1 Department Store has the most complete selection of goods in the entire city of Hecheng, so it's naturally very crowded.
The first floor was a section selling daily necessities, and it was packed with people as soon as you entered. Xia Wenhua glanced at the pastries and candies on the counter next to her, and then decided to come back later.
According to Pei Songbai, the family compound currently has nothing, so the first thing to do is to buy cooking supplies.
There are pots for sale on the second floor. Nowadays, all the large iron pots are handmade, so the quality is naturally excellent.
However, due to certain special reasons, iron is not as scarce as it used to be, but it is not cheap either.
She had asked Pei Songbai before, and they said they applied for a small courtyard, and they still have a wood-fired stove, with two small stoves currently.
As soon as Xia Wenhua entered, she spotted two pots in the corner and pointed at them, asking, "Comrade, how much are these pots?"
Compared to the bustling scene on the first floor, the second floor was not crowded. Occasionally, someone would come up, but they would just browse around; not many people were buying anything. The sales clerk was even knitting with yarn in her hand. They had been standing next to each other for so long, but the clerk hadn't even given them a second glance.
Upon hearing Xia Wenhua's question, the saleswoman selling knitting immediately frowned and looked over.
Her gaze paused for a moment when it fell on Xia Wenhua and Pei Songbai in military uniform behind her, but she quickly broke into a smile: "Oh, little sister, are you here to accompany the army? Which pot have you got your eye on? Let me show you."
Nowadays, sales clerks in department stores have secure jobs. In addition to being highly capable, those who can sit in these positions also come from very well-off families. It's common for them to argue with customers while selling things.
Chang Yingying used to work at the downstairs counter, but because she was often interrupted while knitting and caused a commotion downstairs, her uncle, who was the director of the department, moved her to the second-floor counter where there were fewer customers.
Chang Yingying, who was spoiled by her family since childhood, has a bad temper, but there are almost no people in the entire Northeast region who disrespect soldiers.
Her impatience was immediately soothed by Pei Songbai's military uniform, and his attitude towards Xia Wenhua was unexpectedly good, which even attracted the attention of the people at the counter next to them.
Xia Wenhua was unaware of Chang Yingying's thoughts. Since Chang Yingying's attitude was good, she also showed a kind smile.
"Hello comrade, I'd like to ask what the prices are for this pot and this pot?"
In the ancient county supply and marketing cooperative, the pots are usually only one or two sizes, and they are always in high demand and people fight over them.
It must be said that Heilongjiang Province was quite powerful in this era. They had a dozen or so different kinds of pots and pans for sale, which were dazzling to the eye.
Chang Yingying has a bad temper, but her business skills are quite good. Even though she has only been here for a few days, she has already memorized the prices of all the goods.
"The larger one costs twenty-five yuan plus three industrial tickets. The smaller one costs twenty yuan plus two industrial tickets. Which one do you need?"
Upon hearing the price quoted by Chang Yingying, Wang Weiguo, who was following behind Pei Songbai, couldn't help but hiss softly.
He only earns twenty yuan a month, and he can only get one industrial ration coupon a year. It would take him several years to save up enough coupons for just this one pot. No wonder all those women say that you have to save up for a long time to get married. Isn't that what it means to save up?
Xia Wenhua was wealthy and didn't lack money, but she didn't actually have any industrial vouchers here. She subconsciously glanced at Pei Songbai next to her.
Pei Songbai was quick to understand. He immediately took out a small cloth bag from his pocket, counted out five industrial tickets, and put the rest into Xia Wenhua's hand.
"These are industrial tickets. I exchanged them with someone else before, but since you're traveling with the army, I'm returning them to you. Just buy whatever you need."
Xia Wenhua asked casually, but Pei Songbai immediately understood what she meant.
Xia Wenhua gave him a look that said, "You're a promising young man," and simply accepted the industrial invoice without taking the money Pei Songbai offered.
"Hello comrade, could you please help me pack these two pots? Thank you."
Chang Yingying was taken aback by Xia Wenhua's arrogant tone: "Comrade, you want both?"
For most families, having one pot is already a great achievement. You should know that many families use earthenware pots for cooking. Those who are slightly better off can exchange an old pot with someone else, and after some patching and mending, it can last for many years.
Xia Wenhua's decision to buy two brand-new, perfectly intact pots was considered by everyone to be an act of extravagance!
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