Rebirth of Rural Literary Life

Chapter 126 Summer Sandals

Late August is the hottest few days of the year in Ping County.

Taking advantage of the free time in the afternoon, He Ping hurriedly rode his bicycle to the county seat.

The sun in the afternoon of August was harsh and dazzling, and sweat flowed down his temples. He Ping felt that the corners of his eyes were stung and hurt a little.

He went to the department store in the county town to buy sandals, and he was to blame for this.

In later generations, he didn't have the habit of wearing sandals. On the last date, Mao Chunhua asked him why he didn't wear sandals. He Ping realized this problem. Remembering that Xiao Zhuer didn't have sandals yet, he hurried to the commune supply and marketing agency to buy sandals. It's the end of the month, and the supply and marketing cooperative is not the supermarket of later generations, so there are only two pairs of plastic sandals left. He Ping tried on the size, and his own pair was a bit uncomfortable.Xiao Zhuer's pair was a bit small for him to take home and put on, so he asked Xiao Zhuer, "Is the shoe small?"

Xiao Zhu'er said he was not young, but He Ping didn't take it seriously, and let Xiao Zhu'er wear sandals to go to school.

In the next few days, He Ping sometimes saw the red marks on Xiao Zhuer's heels, and asked Xiao Zhuer again, but Xiao Zhuer still said that he was not young.

He Ping thought it might be because the shoes were a little too small, and they were a little bit worn out, and it would be fine after a few days, so he didn't care about it anymore.

Unexpectedly, when Xiao Zhuer came home yesterday afternoon, he found blood on the back of Xiao Zhuer's heel. He took off Xiao Zhuer's sandals and saw that Xiao Zhuer's sandals were too small, and the heel was squeezed in hard. Yes, it’s okay to sit still, but as long as you move, you will definitely grind your feet, and you can get big blisters in less than a day.

He Ping blamed himself in his heart. He is a big man with a rough heart. It's fine if he didn't buy sandals for his children in summer. After finally buying a pair, the size was not right, and the heels were worn down like this, so it's not too small.

He understands Xiao Zhu'er's psychology. The current supply and marketing cooperatives don't offer refunds or exchanges. If you buy something that costs a few dollars, it would be a pity if you throw it away and don't wear it because it's a little small.

He Ping put his arms around Xiao Zhu'er, feeling guilty and blaming himself, "It's my father's fault. Tomorrow, my father will buy you a pair of sandals that fit your feet in the county."

After all, it was a department store in the county town. When He Ping arrived there, the cheap plastic sandals were gone, but there were still leather sandals that cost twice as much.

How could he not know about those broken plastic sandals after wearing them for several days, not to mention pinching his feet.In summer, the ground is hot, and the sandals become limp after standing on the ground for a while, and the soles are extremely hot, and there is a strange smell.

"I said you're really good. It's been a dog day before I remembered to buy sandals."

This is really the first time Liu Aixia has seen such a person. This is the same reason as it took three or nine days to remember to wear a padded jacket. Even a big man can't be so thick-hearted.

He Ping didn't dare to explain further, it made people laugh when he told about it, so he walked back after buying the sandals.

Before He Ping arrived at Dingtun Primary School, he went to the office for a while and chatted with Principal Wang.

When the school bell rang, He Ping hurriedly greeted Principal Wang and went out to pick up Xiao Zhuer. He was afraid that he would walk slowly, so Xiao Zhuer walked back first.

"Xiao Zhu'er!" He Ping shouted to Xiao Zhu'er who was walking among a group of children.

"Dad!" Xiao Zhuer ran over with her sandals in her hands. He Ping saw that the sandals were too tight yesterday, so he cut off the heel of Xiao Zhuer's heels, so that he didn't have to stretch his feet when he went to school today. My heart aches.

He Ping took out the newly bought leather sandals, "I bought the shoes, let's try if they fit this time."

He Ping specially measured Xiaozhu'er's feet today and then went to the department store to measure and buy them, which made Liu Aixia unhappy, "How can you buy sandals like this? Why don't you use calipers."

Xiao Zhuer put on sandals under the envious eyes of all the friends. Most children in this era wear rubber shoes. There is a pair of plastic sandals that everyone envies in the class. Wearing leather sandals like Xiao Zhuer , it was the first one in Dingtun Primary School.

"Take two steps, is it suitable?" He Ping asked with concern.

Xiao Zhu'er took two steps, but felt soft and cool, "It's suitable, it's comfortable."

"It's fine, let's go home."

He Ping originally planned to throw away the broken sandals, but Xiao Zhu'er held them tightly in his hands and said he would not let them throw them away.

He Ping had no choice but to put Xiao Zhuer on the beam of the bicycle, kicked off, and left.

Behind him was a group of elementary school students who looked enviously, Xiao Zhuer's father was really kind to him.

"Popsicles, popsicles..."

Before He Ping's bicycle reached the door of his house, he heard shouts from not far away.

"Popsicle seller." He Ping called out.

"Come on." The popsicle seller replied crisply, and rode over.

"Two sticks of butter." He Ping took out the money and handed it to the popsicle seller.

"Here." The popsicle seller was a girl in her early twenties named Zheng Wenzhi.Her family belongs to the ice fruit factory in the county, and her father is an employee of the ice fruit factory. In 77, her elder brother returned to the city to take his father's place. She returned to the city later, so she had nowhere to go. She could only work as a temporary worker in the ice fruit factory. In summer, it's okay to have a popsicle seller. To make a living, there is no hope at other times.As far as this is arranged by the factory to take care of the family members of the employees, the ice fruit factory these days is not worried about not being able to sell the goods.

He Ping has frequently patronized the little girl's business this summer. Not only did he buy it himself, but he also often hired chicken farm employees.Such a big customer who can take care of the business, of course Zheng Wenzhi has to maintain a good relationship, and chat a little more when selling popsicles. People in this era are not very defensive, and the situation of the little girl is clear when they chat.

"Why did you come here so late today?" He Ping asked.

"Don't mention it, the tire was punctured, and I came out after finding someone to fix the tire. I didn't sell a few ice fruits in total, and it wasn't enough for my food. I still have to fix the tire." Zheng Wenzhi said despondently.

"You just listen to me, pay some money to your factory to buy and sell yourself, it's not much better than this."

"I don't have any money. It would be nice if I could earn some food money. It would be great if everyone had the conditions like your Hantun." Zheng Wenzhi looked helpless. The family had to save money for the elder brother's wedding, where did he get the money? She runs a small business, and what she usually earns by selling iced fruits to the factory is food money, and she can't save any money.

Hantun's life this year is much better than in previous years. Don't look at last year's chicken farm, which gave each family an extra 70 yuan, but this money was not included in the work points for working on the chicken farm. The income of each household in Hantun is nearly [-] yuan more than in previous years because of the chicken farm. In addition, the situation of the chicken farm is very good this year, and the expenses of Hantun people have also become extravagant.

It is good for a hawker like Zheng Wenzhi to go to Hantun to buy things from two or three stores, but this year her business in Hantun can already be compared with the county town, not even the commune.

After hearing Zheng Wenzhi's words, He Ping didn't say any more. Letting the little girl do business by herself was something that she had talked about in the previous few chats, and she would be suspected of exchanging shallow words and deep words.

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(End of this chapter)