1986: Old Stories in Northeast China

"Yingzi, I really think Director Hu is a very good leader."

The next morning, Chen Tiezhu rode his bicycle to the town's big market, carrying Doudou in front and Han Xiuying behind.

"Of course, but what do you think I should buy today? I came out in a daze." Han Xiuying said.

"Buy cotton-padded jackets, cotton-padded pants and cotton-padded shoes." Chen Tiezhu said.

"Don't I have a coat? Why do you buy these?" Han Xiuying frowned and asked.

"This is called when in Rome, do as the Romans do." Chen Tiezhu said seriously.

"Just look at the female comrades in our village. Who wears a military coat all day long? Mushrooms can't be grown in a short time. You have to go deep into the masses."

"Is that the truth? Others are dressed that way, but you are wearing a big hat, a military coat, and small cotton shoes. Doesn't it seem a little inappropriate?"

"Uh..., is it?" Han Xiuying hesitated.

Is what I wear out of line? These are all issued by the bureau.

"Trust me, it's right. How can I cheat you? Look at Lao Fang. Do you see he's wearing a white coat?" Chen Tiezhu said again.

"Teacher Chen, please ride slowly. I can't keep up." Fang Zhiyong shouted from behind.

"Lao Fang, come on, you can do it." Chen Tiezhu shouted without turning his head.

"Yeah, I'll do it." Fang Zhiyong replied.

Han Xiuying was so amused. Fang Zhiyong was really honest.

It was not far from the town. She greeted the villagers who passed by and drove carts warmly.

This is also the norm for rural people to go to the market. They habitually make appointments for cars.

If you buy something, you can also take a car back to the village together. Help each other. Not everyone has a car.

When they arrived in the town, Han Xiuying was almost the same as Doudou when he first saw the big market.

Everything was new to her.

"What's wrong? Have you never been to a big market before?" Chen Tiezhu asked curiously.

"Where do I have so much time? There are always things to do at work." Han Xiuying said.

"Don't worry about it for now. Buy some of what you like. Oil grate, fried dough sticks, or fried cakes? There are queues for them all."

"Tsk, only children would choose. Let's buy them all." Chen Tiezhu waved his hand, which was very impressive.

Very rarely, Han Xiuying did not express any other opinions. She ran to the fried dough sticks stall excitedly. She also wanted to try all of them.

After queuing up, paying, and buying, Doudou looked at the pile of things she was holding and drooled a little.

"Dad, what do you want me to eat?" After looking around carefully, the little guy was actually at a loss.

"Haha, just eat fried cakes. They are very fragrant." Chen Tiezhu said after taking a bite of the oil grate.

"Yes, sister Yingzi, Doudou eats fried cakes." The little guy nodded in agreement.

The fried cakes were crispy on the outside and glutinous on the inside, with a strong red bean aroma, and Doudou fell in love with them after taking a bite.

"Dad, fried cakes are more fragrant than fried dough sticks."

After taking another bite, Doudou expressed his opinion and raised the fried cake.

"Oh, this is really fragrant, my eldest daughter is so good." Chen Tiezhu also took a bite and praised the little guy.

Doudou was even happier.

"Let's go, eat and shop at the same time." Chen Tiezhu waved his hand.

"Don't you want to finish eating before you go?" Han Xiuying asked hesitantly.

"It doesn't matter, look, we eat while walking." Chen Tiezhu said indifferently.

This is also one of the fun of going to the market, just like going to the night market. Eat and walk at the same time, without delaying anything.

This time, Chen Tiezhu had "evil intentions" and went directly to the place where he bought clothes.

"Auntie, how much are these cotton trousers and red jackets with big floral fabrics?" Chen Tiezhu liked them at first sight, his eyes sparkling.

In his mind, he had already put on the cotton jacket and trousers for Han Xiuying.

"Oh, you can't buy this, it's too bright." Han Xiuying said hurriedly.

"Comrade, what's so bright about this? Look at our fabrics. There are so many cotton waddings in it. They are all made at home." The auntie hurriedly promoted.

"Let's put it this way, wearing mine is no worse than your military coats. The key is that it is flexible to wear, and it won't hinder you from doing anything."

"Okay, let me measure it first to see if it fits. Are they all made by myself?" Chen Tiezhu said with a smile.

He didn't care whether Han Xiuying was willing or not, and measured it directly.

"Look, your family is already handsome, and it will definitely look better when you wear it." The auntie praised.

"I don't..."

"Yingzi, don't worry about the money. Auntie, how much is this? Give me a fair price." Chen Tiezhu interrupted Han Xiuying.

"Brother, I sell it to others.It's thirty-five yuan a set. Cotton is expensive now, three yuan and sixty yuan a pound. Seeing that your family is so happy, I'll give you a two yuan discount. "The aunt said.

Thirty-three yuan a set, but it's really not expensive.

After wearing the cotton-padded jacket, it feels a little heavy. The cotton used in this set must be about six pounds.

How about the fabric, the cost of handwork, etc.?

"Did you make these cotton shoes yourself?" Chen Tiezhu picked up the embroidered cotton shoes next to him.

"Brother, you really have a good eye." The aunt said happily.

"Look at how well I sewed the soles of these shoes. I have to sew at least two more lines than the ones sold in the store, and they are made of rags. Wearing them is not only light, but also warm."

"Don't give me a two yuan discount. Add the cotton shoes, and then make a set for my daughter, a total of forty-five yuan. "Chen Tiezhu said, and took the embroidered cotton shoes to measure Han Xiuying's feet.

He admired his own vision, the size was just right.

"Brother, this is a small business, how can you give so much money. Look at these cotton shoes, the soles are so well sewn. You gave too much, seven yuan."

"Oh..., I won't buy it, how can I wear it."

As soon as the aunt finished speaking, Han Xiuying finally reacted and pulled Chen Tiezhu to leave.

He felt relieved, seven or eight yuan is not a small amount of money, just not buying it.

"Oh..., who asked me to see your family happy, I will just take it as a waste of work." The aunt hurriedly shouted again.

Han Xiuying was dumbfounded, why did she agree to this? Didn't you say that you can't give so much money?

"Okay, give me the bag skin next to it, it's convenient to carry it. "Chen Tiezhu counted the money happily.

"You are such a good shopper, you only care about buying things for yourself." The old lady said helplessly.

"Life is tight, so I just want to go all out." Chen Tiezhu said.

When Han Xiuying held the cotton jacket, cotton pants and embroidered cotton shoes, her head was still a little confused.

"Yingzi, you are really amazing. You can bargain with me." Chen Tiezhu said.

"Yes, I thought she couldn't give me a discount anymore." Fang Zhiyong nodded in approval.

Han Xiuying didn't know whether to laugh or cry. She really wanted to leave. This thing seemed to have been worn when she was a child, right?

Looking at Chen Tiezhu's smiling eyes, she knew that this guy was saying it on purpose.

She was a little angry, but she had no choice.

"What are you talking about, young man? That was you who threw it on my hoe, why are you still asking me for money? ”

“If I don’t ask you for money, who else should I ask? Your hoe is so long, and you can see that it has broken my bottle. This is an antique, and I am waiting to sell it to marry a wife.”

“Then you can’t blame me, right? I didn’t put it outside.”

“I can’t stand this. I just saw you secretly pulling the side back.”

“Young man, how can you slander others with your red mouth and white teeth?”

…

While walking, a group of people gathered in front, and there was a faint quarrel.

“Let me go over and take a look. It seems to be from your village.” Han Xiuying said.

Chen Tiezhu pulled her, “This is a scammer. Don’t show up, let me do it.”

Although he only heard a few words, he had to take care of this matter.