Xia Liang and Gu Yanxiao didn't return directly to the county town. After Xia Liang asked Liu Hongli to help her get leave, she stayed in the provincial capital with Gu Yanxiao. The two went to the provincial zoo. Although the zoo didn't have as many animals as in later years, perhaps because the people around them were different, their feelings were different. Although it was winter, Xia Liang felt warm all over. The two walked side by side in the zoo, and Gu Yanxiao took pictures of Xia Liang with a borrowed camera. When they were almost finished with a roll of film, Gu Yanxiao asked a passerby to take a picture of the two of them together, and Xia Liang borrowed the camera to take a few pictures for him. Afterwards, the two went to the provincial capital's state-run restaurant and department store.
As expected of a provincial capital department store, the selection and variety of goods far exceeded those in the county town. Gu Yanxiao led her to the watch counter and asked the sales clerk to bring out a Longines women's watch. The sales clerk, probably impressed by their good attire and demeanor, offered excellent service: "You two have excellent taste. This watch is from a major brand; many people love it, and it's a popular choice for weddings." She mistakenly assumed they were getting married. And rightly so, why would they buy such an expensive watch if they weren't getting married? She then took out the watch for Xia Liang to try on. Xia Liang felt good about it and didn't say no. Gu Yanxiao paid and was about to leave with Xia Liang when she stopped him. He turned back in confusion and asked, "What's wrong? Is there anything else you want?" Xia Liang said, "You should pick one too." Gu Yanxiao was overjoyed, but still said happily, "No need, I have a watch." Xia Liang said regretfully, "Then what should I get you?" Gu Yanxiao patted her head and whispered gently, "You don't need to buy me anything, and you don't need to feel guilty. I'm happy to spend money on you." Xia Liang didn't insist, and the two continued walking. When they reached the belt section, Xia Liang stopped, pulled Gu Yanxiao forward, and picked out a belt for him. Gu Yanxiao smiled from ear to ear, wishing he could treasure it.
The two spent a day sightseeing in the provincial capital before heading back. On the bus back to the county town, Gu Yanxiao said reluctantly, "I have to go back to the army the day after tomorrow. Take good care of yourself, remember to write to me, and remember to miss me." He held Xia Liang's hand tightly, as if afraid she would run away. Xia Liang nodded obediently and replied, "Yes, yes, I will." When they arrived in the county town, Gu Yanxiao took Xia Liang home and then went back home. Xia Liang said goodbye to her mother and went out. She headed straight for the black market, hoping to see if there was any pork to make some jerky for Gu Yanxiao to take back. This trip had cost him a lot of meat coupons, and Xia Liang didn't want him to go without meat later. When she arrived at the black market, she found that not only pork but also beef. Xia Liang bought all the remaining beef and about ten pounds of pork before going home to prepare.
When Xia Liang returned home, she cut the meat into strips, put it in a bowl, sprinkled it with seasonings, mixed it well, and hung it on the wire outside to dry. It took her more than half an hour just to cut the meat. When she finished, she saw that Xia Rong had not returned yet, so she asked her mother, "Mom, why hasn't my brother come back yet?" Xia's mother was also puzzled. She came out of the kitchen and looked at the door with an anxious face, saying, "I don't know either. He's usually back by now. Has something happened?" As she spoke, she was about to untie her apron and go out the door, as if she had frightened herself. Xia Liang quickly stopped her and said, "Don't worry, something must have delayed him. If you're really worried, I'll go out and check." Xia's mother let go of her hand that was untying the apron and said, "Okay, then you be careful, A-Liang. Come back as soon as you find your brother. I'll cook and wait for you." Xia Liang agreed and washed her hands before going out.
It took about twenty minutes to run into Xia Rong. He was happily riding his bicycle home. Xia Liang quickly stopped him, "Brother, where have you been? Why are you only coming back now?" Xia Rong saw his sister and braked abruptly, jumping off his bicycle and pushing it home with her. As they walked, he said, "I can't keep going like this, so I'm planning to find a stable job. That way, Xiao Hui's mother won't feel comfortable leaving Xiao Hui in my care." Before Xia Liang could say anything, Xia Rong blushed. He nodded, agreeing, "If I don't find a job, people will see me as a country bumpkin. It's not as desirable as living in the city with a government-supplied job, and finding a partner will be relatively difficult." Although Xia Rong was an honest and hardworking young man, he was still a country bumpkin. Back home, he earned his living on government-supplied work points; if the harvest was bad, his whole family would go hungry. In the city, people received government-supplied work points... If it were a grain ration coupon system, these problems wouldn't exist. The fixed monthly grain and meat coupons would be enough for the family if they were frugal. Therefore, Xia Liang supported Xia Rong's decision and asked, "Is there any progress?" Xia Rong beamed, "Yes, I met a young man on the black market. He works at the same factory as you, but in the transportation department. His girlfriend is from S province, and I heard her family is quite well-off. She's their only daughter, and they said if he goes to S province, they'll arrange a better job for him than his current one in the garment factory. So he's planning to sell his current job." Xia Liang thought this job was good—in the transportation department, not only would the fixed salary be high, but he could also smuggle goods on deliveries and carry things for others. Although the earnings weren't much, each trip would add up to almost his fixed salary over time. Xia Liang knew that such a job would cost a lot of money, so she asked her brother, "How much does he want?" Xia Rong held up two fingers and waved them in front of Xia Liang: "Two thousand. He said it only costs two thousand yuan, and he'll take me to the factory for handover next Monday." Although she knew that transportation work was lucrative, Xia Liang was still shocked by the amount. But then she thought about it, and it made sense. Following the truck drivers would allow her to get close to them, and if she could gain their favor and even a little favor, it would be enough to benefit her for life. After all, in this era, drivers were very powerful because not many people knew how to drive, and there weren't driving schools everywhere like in later generations. Ordinary people rarely even had the chance to drive, and even the factory manager commuted by bicycle. Xia Liang asked with concern, "Is the money enough? If not, let me know." Earlier, Xia Liang had said that she would keep the money from the black market, but Xia Rong refused, insisting on giving Xia Liang a share, saying it was because of her connections and sources of goods. He insisted on a 30/70 split, with him getting 30% and her sister 70%. Xia Liang disagreed, and in the end, the siblings agreed to a 50/50 split, which Xia Rong reluctantly accepted. Xia Rong patted Xia Liang's head: "Don't worry! It's enough. Besides the share I didn't give you recently, I still have that much left." As he spoke, he held up three fingers and waved them. Xia Liang understood immediately and was also surprised. Even in the 1980s, twenty years later, a person with ten thousand yuan was a very impressive existence, let alone in the late 1960s. Indeed, this was a good deal, and it would be a pity to let it go.
The two had arrived at their doorstep as they talked. Xia Liang had arranged to meet his older brother after dinner to discuss things further, so the two of them pretended nothing had happened and went home. Xia's mother was delighted to see her children return and greeted them warmly, looking her son up and down before asking, "Are you alright? Are you hurt anywhere?" Xia Rong quickly helped his mother up, saying, "Don't worry, I'm fine. Something just kept me waiting." Seeing that her son was alright, Xia's mother was relieved. Then she remembered she was cooking some vegetables and hurried to the kitchen. Xia Liang followed to help.
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