We quickly went over to say hello, put down our things, and got into the oxcart. The group didn't chat while sitting in the cart; it was too cold outside, and the wind was howling so loudly that you couldn't hear anything you were saying.
Also, to avoid freezing up there, we would get off and walk around every now and then to stretch our muscles. It took us three and a half hours to finally reach the county town. By the time we got to the train station, it was already 9:30, and the train was arriving in half an hour.
Looking at the things on the ground, he said to his older brother, "Brother, why don't you take this time to make a phone call? Otherwise, what will you do when you get to the station?"
"Okay, then you guys keep an eye on things for now, I'll be right back."
Not long after, my older brother returned, and after another ten minutes or so, the train arrived at the station.
Whether it was a coincidence or not, the train arrived on time today, just like everyone else. As everyone helped load my things onto the train, I told my older brother, "Don't worry, brother, I'll take good care of myself."
"Yes, brother, there are still the two of us."
"Okay, then you two should take care of yourselves. If anything happens, Mianmian knows what to do."
"Don't worry, brother, I know what to do."
After the train started moving, he said, "Let's get on with what we're doing, finish quickly so we can go back sooner. It's so cold, don't keep Grandpa Huang waiting."
"good."
They didn't have anything else to do; they were just accompanying him to see his older brother off. They went to the post office first, dropped off their things at Uncle Ma, and ran off without daring to stay a minute longer. They also dropped off their things at Uncle Zhou's place and left.
Then go collect the subsidy, then go to the grain store to exchange it for grain, and also exchange the grain coupons received before the New Year. Junjie asked, "Mianmian, why are you exchanging the grain now? It's not like we're without food."
"If we don't exchange it now and save it for when we run out of food, think of how much food we'll have! Not only will the production team attract their attention, but it'll be hard to say whether we'll even be able to leave the city."
Mianmian is right.
"Besides, I'll only feel at ease if I can exchange these grain coupons for grain."
You're right.
"Alright, let's go to the supply and marketing cooperative. These receipts have an expiration date, so let's use them before they expire."
"What you said is indeed correct. Let's use them together. The next time we go into town will be before spring planting, and some of the tickets will expire then."
Did you bring your tickets?
"I always bring it with me when I go out, just in case I need it, and here it is, I've come in handy."
As we were talking, we arrived at the supply and marketing cooperative. I'd been there a few times and was quite familiar with it. Seeing Sun Yingying there, I went over and said, "Comrade Sun, could you please help me with some things? I have all the ration coupons here."
"Oh, it's Comrade Li!"
"yes"
"Just tell me what you need."
"Okay," he quickly used all the receipts he received during the New Year's work assignments, as long as they weren't indefinite or had a validity period of more than one year.
Sun Yingying wasn't surprised that I had so many tickets. She knew that the lower-level brigades all had a side business: collecting Chinese medicinal herbs, which not only brought them money but also tickets.
When she has free time, she goes back to collect some and takes it to the purchasing station to sell. This is hardly a secret in Fusong County.
Gu Cuicui, who was standing to the side, was not surprised this time. She had heard her mother talk about it when she went home for the New Year. This Li Zhiqing had received a lot of money and ration coupons during the New Year because he collected medicinal herbs in the mountains.
In addition, her older brother had just visited her, so she was not short of money or food. Why would she buy so much stuff? I don't understand.
I don't really want to buy it, but I only come to the city a few times a year. Can I really not buy anything? Besides, these days, almost everything, whether food or household items, has no additives. And I'm not even allowed to stock up on things in my storage space to eat later. It's better than using or eating things with excessive additives later on.
Chen Junjie and his companion had used up all their recent receipts while shopping. They were about to leave when they unexpectedly heard, "Li Zhiqing, wait, I have something to ask you."
"Comrade Gu? Is there anything I can do for you? Please speak frankly."
"Why don't we find a place to sit down and talk?"
"No, thank you. We're in a hurry."
"Even if you're in a hurry, you still need to eat, right? It'll be 12 o'clock in just a few minutes. Let me treat you to lunch at a state-run restaurant."
"No need, Comrade Gu, we're really not that close. Just say what you need. If there's nothing else, I'm leaving now."
"Alright, I just wonder if Li Zhiqing could give me your third brother's address? I... I admire him."
"What? No, Comrade Gu, when did you start liking Third Brother? By the way, I haven't heard that Third Brother has anyone he likes."
"I've only met your third brother once. Doesn't he recognize me? So could you give me his address? I want to write him a letter to express my feelings."
"To be honest, I can't make that decision myself. Perhaps I should write a letter and ask him first?"
"Alright then," Gu Cuicui said with a sigh of relief, having mustered all her courage. She knew this was her only chance.
I really didn't expect Gu Cuicui to be so bold, but it's too cold outside now, so I should hurry back. But before I go back, I should have a bowl of noodles at the state-run restaurant.
After leaving the supply and marketing cooperative, he grabbed Chen Junjie and the other man and headed straight there. Once inside, he said, "Comrade, give me three bowls of meat noodles."
"Okay, comrade, that's 1.2 yuan and 6 liang of grain coupons in total."
"Okay, here's the money, and the food coupons too."
We quickly found a place to sit down and said, "You two sit down and eat quickly, then we'll head back as soon as we're done."
"Okay, Mianmian will give you the money and food coupons later."
"No rush, let's finish eating and then leave quickly, this damn weather is so cold!"
Who can argue with that?
"Comrade, your noodles are good."
"Thanks"
He finished his noodles as quickly as possible, then got up and went to the waiter, saying, "Could you please bring me ten more large meat buns?"
"Okay, 10 steamed buns will cost 50 cents, plus a pound of grain coupons."
"Okay, here are some cloth bags. Could you please use this small one to put two of them out separately?"
"OK"
"Mianmian, why did you buy steamed buns again? Are you still hungry?"
"The food was alright. I bought the steamed buns for Grandpa Huang; he definitely wouldn't accept less, so I bought a lot to take home. Besides, the big meat buns at this state-run restaurant are pretty good."
"Oh, I see."
"Alright, let's hurry up and go." He put the two pieces into his pocket and said that he would give them to Grandpa Huang later. It's so cold, we really can't go without something hot to eat.
"good"
In less than half an hour, they arrived at the place they had agreed to meet with Grandpa Huang.
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