Chapter 6 Procurement
The next day, before dawn, Su Tao was pulled out of bed by Hu Xiao, "Hurry up, I'm taking you to town to do some shopping!"
Su Tao got up sleepily, "It's so early, it's not even daybreak~" Su Tao looked at the sky and estimated that it was only 5 or 6 o'clock.
"It's dawn now. There won't be anything good left when you get to town." Hu Xiao explained as he packed up his things quickly.
Su Tao got up and washed up, then took back the clothes that had been washed and dried last night, picked out a white floral cotton dress to change into, combed all her hair into a fishbone braid, and then loosened the braid to make her pretty face even more charming!
Hu Xiao handed Su Tao a bamboo basket and said, "Carry it on your back. We'll be buying a lot of things later, and you can put them in the bamboo basket."
Su Tao also carried a small cloth bag, which contained five large-denomination bills, some small-denomination bills, and some coupons. Money alone couldn't buy anything these days; sometimes coupons were more useful than money. Many things required both money and coupons to be purchased.
Su Tao took the bamboo basket and put it on his back, then followed Hu Xiao out. "Are we just walking?"
Su Tao remembered that it took two hours of ox cart rides to get to the village from town yesterday. If she had known it was so far, she should have bought all the necessities in town yesterday. Oh, but yesterday was no match for her. Her luggage was in the village, and she had no money or tickets, so she couldn't buy anything. It wasn't like the convenience of the 21st century, where a phone in my hand could take me anywhere.
"We are lucky today. Someone from the brigade drives a tractor to the town to purchase goods. We can take a ride together and then take the brigade's car back. This way we can be back by noon." Hu Xiao said as he pulled Su Tao towards the village entrance.
When they arrived at the village entrance, there was already a tractor waiting at the door. Several young men and peasant women were already sitting on the tractor. Hu Xiao waved to the tractor driver and said, "Uncle Wang, sorry for the wait!"
Uncle Wang saw Hu Xiao holding the hand of a young girl of about 17 or 18 years old. She had a shiny black fishbone braid hanging down her shoulder and was wearing a white floral dress. She looked like a blooming lily, pure and elegant.
"Wow, this girl is so pretty. I haven't seen her before. Is she a new educated youth?" Uncle Wang grinned and exclaimed.
"Yes, she just came yesterday. I took her to town today to buy some daily necessities." Hu Xiao replied with a smile.
"Hurry up, get in the car, we're leaving. If you're late, you won't be able to buy anything good!"
Everyone saw Su Tao and Hu Xiao come up and spontaneously make room for two seats. Hu Xiao was a senior and knew most of the people on the bus, but Su Tao didn't know anyone, so he followed Hu Xiao and greeted them with a smile.
The car sped along the road, Su Tao sitting quietly in her seat. The breeze blew, her skirt swaying in the wind, and her long black hair brushed against her delicate face. She was as beautiful as a painting, and you couldn't help but want to look at her. It's human nature to like beautiful things. The young men in the car all sat upright, their eyes secretly glancing at Su Tao.
Tractors are faster than oxcarts; they can reach town in an hour. Uncle Wang turned around and told us to leave the tractor here on the way back, and wait until noon at the latest; it won't wait any longer.
Hu Xiao and Su Tao thanked him and hurried towards the town. It was just dawn and there were many people coming and going in the town.
"Come with me to buy meat first. Pork is the most in-demand. As soon as the supply and marketing cooperative takes it out every day, it is sold out immediately. There is no worry about selling it." Hu Xiao pulled Su Tao and walked towards the pork stall of the supply and marketing cooperative.
Su Tao had been wanting to buy meat in the first place; he'd been eating bland, vegetarian food for the past few days. In the past, Su Tao had always had meat with every meal; a day without it made him feel sick. The thought of meat piqued Su Tao's appetite, and he quickened his pace as he headed towards the supply and marketing cooperative.
When he arrived at the pork stall, it was already crowded with people and a long queue. "I'm still late," Hu Xiao sighed helplessly. He had no choice but to continue waiting in the queue.
The sun was gradually rising, and the scorching sun made Su Tao feel a little dizzy. Finally, it was Su Tao and Hu Xiao's turn.
"Why are there only two left? Do you have any more, comrade?" Hu Xiao asked the salesperson in a lost voice.
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