After the mother and son left the town government building, Lin Laosan pulled Lin Li aside and asked her a question.
"Mom, why didn't you choose a job on the train?"
Seeing that Lin Laosan had his own ideas today and was starting to try to persuade her, Lin Li smiled with satisfaction, "Silly child, have you forgotten what your mother told you yesterday? Trust me! In the future, the power sector will definitely be more sought after than the transportation sector."
Lin Laosan suddenly realized what Lin Li meant. He patted his head and grinned foolishly, "I forgot, I believe Mom!"
"However, Mom is also very happy today because you were brave enough to express your thoughts to me!"
Lin Laosan lowered his head shyly after recalling how excited he had been.
"Silly child, you are my only son now. You must tell me what you're thinking, and we'll discuss and solve it together, okay?"
Lin Laosan's eyes immediately reddened, and he nodded vigorously at Lin Li.
"We're going to report for duty tomorrow. Let's go to the supply and marketing cooperative now to buy some things, and also to buy you some clothes. Then we'll go do business."
Lin Laosan happily took Lin Li's arm, grinning from ear to ear. He was truly happy right now!
Upon arriving at the supply and marketing cooperative, it was just as bustling and lively as it had been the day before. Lin Li led Lin Laosan directly to the clothing section.
Cotton clothes hung neatly on the wire, blue, gray, and indigo, all in simple styles.
Lin Laosan stared intently at the dark blue Zhongshan suit, unable to look away. Lin Li smiled and picked up a pair of work clothes: "This one is dirt-resistant and suitable for working."
She held the clothes up to her son, muttering, "The shoulders are wide enough, but the sleeves are a bit long. We'll have to alter them when we get home." Seeing this, the saleswoman pulled a paper package from under the counter: "Ma'am, this is leftover scrap material. Five cents a big piece, good value for cutting up some underwear or something." Lin Li's eyes lit up, and she quickly took it to examine it. "Great! Wrap up this work uniform and that Zhongshan suit for me."
"Mom..." After hearing Lin Li's words, Lin Laosan stopped her from taking out money and shook his head vigorously, "You don't need so much, one piece is enough!"
“One piece is not enough. One piece is for work, and one piece is for everyday wear. You’re almost 22 years old, and it’s time to start dating. You can’t be as sloppy as you are now.”
The words "dating" immediately made Lin Laosan blush.
"Okay, we still need to buy some daily necessities."
After picking up the two sets of clothes, the two went to the daily necessities counter. Behind the glass counter, the sales clerk, wearing sleeves, was working on accounts with an abacus. The sound of the abacus beads clattering together, mixed with the clinking of enamel basins stacked on top of each other, echoed in the air.
"I'd like to see some enamel basins." Lin Li stood on tiptoe and pointed to the top shelf, her eyes sweeping over the red and white enamel basins printed with the words "Serve the People".
The saleswoman pulled off the white towel hanging around her neck to wipe her hands, and deftly took down two basins: "The large one is 58 cents, and the small one is 42 cents. Which one do you want?" Lin Li took the basin and examined it carefully, rubbing the texture of the rim with her fingers, and then gently tapping it to listen to the sound and distinguish the texture.
"Five large-cap stocks and five small-cap stocks, ten in total."
After hearing this, the saleswoman looked at Lin Li and Lin Laosan's beaming faces, and then at the two sets of clothes Lin Laosan was holding. "Auntie, is this some good news?"
"My son is going to work at the power company tomorrow, so I'm getting him some things to take with him to work."
"The power sector? That's a good company, with good benefits and it's close to home."
As the salesperson slowly wrapped the enamel basins in old newspapers for them, she tried to get closer to Lin Li.
"Auntie, how old is your son? Is he married?"
"I'm almost 22 and still don't have a boyfriend!"
"Auntie, I have a cousin who just turned 20 this year, the same age as your son. Why don't you introduce them to each other?"
Lin Li looked at the sales clerk's enthusiastic attempt to play matchmaker, then glanced at Lin Laosan, who was blushing and had his head down, and smiled. "I'll let you know after my son reports to the power department tomorrow and we see what position he'll be in, okay?"
"Sure!"
Upon hearing this, the sales clerk's eyes lit up. If the job was good, she could introduce it to her younger sister. It's good to keep the good stuff in the family!
After making an appointment with the sales clerk, Lin Li left the supply and marketing cooperative with the clerk's warm farewell.
Seeing Lin Laosan's face flushed and his head down, Lin Li smiled and pulled him to a back street corner. "Why is your face so red, kid? Are you shy?"
"Mom~~~" Lin Laosan's voice rose slightly at the end, with a hint of sweet coquetry in it.
"Men should marry when they are of age, and women should marry when they are of age; there's nothing to be ashamed of. I just want to know your own thoughts: do you want to work diligently at your workplace and find a girl you like to marry, or do you prefer to continue your studies, broaden your horizons, and then consider your personal life?"
After listening to Lin Li's words, Lin Laosan fell into deep thought, and Lin Li did not want to make a decision for him.
At 22 years old, you are an adult and should take responsibility for your choices and bear the consequences.
Lin Li didn't disturb Lin Laosan's thoughts. She just whispered to him to pay attention to his surroundings before quickly entering the space.
After putting away the newly purchased items and setting up the animal feed, he took the freshly produced milk, eggs, and duck eggs and left the space.
Lin Laosan's tense expression relaxed only after he saw Lin Li come out.
The first time I saw my mom suddenly disappear in front of me, my heart almost jumped out of my chest!
Lin Li looked at Lin Laosan, whose face was pale and drained of color, and patted his arm. "Don't be afraid, Mom's here!"
Her son had grown up, and it was no longer convenient to pat his head. Lin Li looked at the tall and strong Lin Laosan, whose height only reached his shoulder, so she could only smack her lips and pat his arm.
"Oh no! We're going to be late!" Lin Li turned around and looked at the time in the state-run canteen. It was almost four o'clock in the afternoon. She had arranged to meet the milk seller at four o'clock yesterday.
The mother and son hurriedly ran towards the place they had agreed to meet the day before. Before they even arrived, they saw many women and elderly people holding bamboo baskets waiting there.
"They're here! They're here!"
"Luckily I waited a little longer, otherwise I would have missed it!"
"That's right!"
...
Upon hearing everyone's words, Lin Li hurriedly apologized, "I'm sorry, everyone, I'm late today!"
"It's alright, ma'am, it's enough that you're here!"
"Yes, your milk is delicious! My grandson, who hates milk the most, drank a whole bottle by himself!"
"Yes, it has a strong milky flavor and a sweet taste..."
The customers who bought milk yesterday started promoting Lin Li's products. When they heard about the new customers, their eyes lit up. They wanted to buy some to take home and try!
"As long as you like it!"
After Lin Li put the milk, eggs, and duck eggs away, she took out the notebook she had kept yesterday and began to give them the milk they had ordered.
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