The uncle's apology was mixed with envy for the young couple. After all, in this era, it was rare to find a couple who could face separation so calmly, especially Xu Qinghe. She came with a smile as beautiful as a flower, and her face was full of sunshine when she left. How could she have any sadness that a couple should have when parting?
Yin Yunjie responded indifferently and walked into the station. Although he had not slept all night, he was extremely clear-headed, but his heart was filled with mixed emotions.
Looking at Xu Qinghe's gradually blurred back, his chest seemed to be gently torn by something, and he felt empty.
In his pockets were two large jars of Xu Qinghe's secret spicy beef, which she had prepared for him before leaving, as well as eggs that still had the warmth of her palms and steaming buns. These simple and warm items became his only comfort at the moment.
On the other side, Xu Qinghe did not go straight home, but quietly turned into a corner where no one cared.
From the magical space she carried with her, she took out two cabbages with bright leaves and several juicy green vegetables as if by magic.
She planned to give these fresh vegetables to Feng Jie from the supply and marketing cooperative.
Xu Qinghe knew very well that compared to a sudden approach, planning ahead was obviously more efficient and sincere.
To her, that magical space was like a supermarket hidden outside the real world, and next to its door, next to a stream of clear water, there was miraculously a small piece of fertile land.
Xu Qinghe meticulously cultivated several kinds of vegetables on this land, carefully irrigating them with clear spring water. These vegetables grew exceptionally lush, looked bright and juicy, and their taste surpassed that of ordinary farm products.
She felt that using vegetables she had grown herself as gifts not only showed her thoughtfulness but was also a proper courtesy.
Xu Qinghe went directly to the supply and marketing cooperative and bumped into Feng Jie as soon as he entered the door.
Xu Qinghe was not shy about the vegetables she grew herself. She approached them generously and called them affectionately in a tone that was almost family: "Sister."
Fengjie was quite surprised by her sudden appearance. After all, she had just seen her buying beef yesterday, and today she brought fresh vegetables from her own garden. Her intention was self-evident.
"I really miss Cao Cao, and here comes Cao Cao!" Fengjie smiled so hard that her eyes narrowed into slits. The onlookers couldn't help but mistakenly think that Xu Qinghe was here to visit relatives.
Xu Qinghe explained modestly, "I planted these myself. They're not worth much. Sister Feng, please don't mind my small token of appreciation."
She handed the vegetables to Fengjie one by one. The other party was surprised but a little at a loss.
"How can this be worthless? Look at how green and transparent it is, how juicy and tender it is, it makes people feel good just looking at it! But, girl, these are all for me?" Fengjie's tone was full of disbelief.
Xu Qinghe smiled and confirmed, "Well, there are not many people in my family, so it would be a waste if we can't finish it."
In that era, private transactions were subject to many restrictions, and excess vegetables at home were either left to rot in the fields or used to feed poultry. It was truly an era of extremely unbalanced resource distribution.
Fengjie felt the same way and her heartache was beyond words.
Although she felt mixed emotions, she had no choice but to accept Xu Qinghe's kindness and sighed softly.
Sister Feng was busy at the counter, and she smiled when she saw Xu Qinghe.
Xu Qinghe gently placed the fruits and vegetables in the basket on the counter and was about to say goodbye when Fengjie suddenly grabbed her hand with a flashing look in her eyes.
"My girl, I tasted the bag of five-spice melon seeds you gave me yesterday. The unique flavor kept me awake all night. Could it be that they were made by your skillful hands?" Sister Feng's voice was low, but full of curiosity and anticipation.
Xu Qinghe had already made up his mind, but he pretended to be confused. His bright eyes flickered slightly under his long eyelashes, as if he was really trying hard to recall.
"Oh, Sister Feng, that's not my cooking. It's the cooking of a distant friend. He knows I like this taste, so he fried some specially for me." There was a hint of shyness in her words.
When Fengjie heard this, she had an idea in her mind. She moved closer to Xu Qinghe and lowered her voice, as if she was afraid that others would hear her.
"Then could you please ask him to fry more on my behalf? I have a big client here who wants to buy more than ten kilograms at a time to satisfy his craving." Fengjie's eyes were full of pleading.
Xu Qinghe deliberately put on an awkward expression, frowning slightly, "This... Sister Feng, isn't this too much trouble for me?"
Seeing this, Fengjie immediately put forward her own plan, her tone full of sincerity and determination.
"Don't worry, my girl. We'll do this quietly. It's known to heaven, earth, you, and me. Besides, how can I let you work in vain? This dollar is your hard work fee, how about it?"
When she returned home, Fengjie's family praised the melon seeds highly, which made her more determined to buy more, not only to enjoy them herself, but also to share them with her family.
Therefore, in front of Xu Qinghe, she gave him another shot of confidence, "How about this, to show my sincerity, I'll give you a deposit now. I've worked at the supply and marketing cooperative for many years, so my reputation goes without saying. Besides me, who else can you trust?"
Xu Qinghe felt the time was right and nodded in agreement, while at the same time raising a practical question, "Okay, Sister Feng, I'll go back and ask. But if he agrees, how should we hand it over?"
Upon hearing this, Sister Feng felt relieved and immediately gave a plan. "I live at 105 Chengfeng Lane, very close to here. I'll tell my family in advance and have your friend pretend to be a relative visiting. Just say they're stopping by and you can pay him directly in person."
As she spoke, she pulled out five crumpled bills from her pocket and handed them to Xu Qinghe. "Of these five dollars, one is for your hard work, and the rest is the advance payment for the melon seeds."
To outsiders, the conversation between the two people was just an ordinary family talk, but little did they know that a secret little deal had been completed quietly.
After leaving the supply and marketing cooperative, Xu Qinghe went straight to the garbage station. The sun was shining, her goal was clear, and her actions were decisive.
Qian Ming had not returned yet, and only Grandpa Qian was busy in the garbage dump alone. His figure looked particularly lonely among the debris.
Xu Qinghe's arrival undoubtedly added some vitality to this dull environment.
"Grandpa Qian, let me help you!" Her voice was clear.
The car stopped steadily under the shade of the tree, and she immediately got down to work, her hands and feet quick and skillful, without any sign of squeamishness.
Grandpa Qian looked up, his eyes filled with surprise and warmth, but his tone remained teasing. "Hey, girl, are you treasure hunting again? What goodies have you found this time?"
Xu Qinghe smiled slyly, "Grandpa, you misunderstood. I'm not here to shop today. I'm here to look for Brother Qian Ming, but I don't know where he went, so I had to try my luck here."
Upon hearing this, Grandpa Qian's mouth curled up slightly. He secretly laughed at the interaction between the young couple, but he also understood the pure friendship between them.
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