Chapter 11. Hold the Banquet
"Wei Ping, you’re not buying food? It will be too late when we reach the next place. You can't do without food. Even if you are a temporary worker, you can get a subsidy of 3 dimes a day. You don't need to save everything. Multigrain mantou is 1 dime for three. It’s enough for you to eat."
This time there were four people in the transport team. They set off early in the morning and just left the county at noon. Li San Tie took them to a state-run restaurant for dinner. Seeing that Song Wei Ping didn't buy anything, he persuaded him.
Except for Li San Tie who bought a portion of beef noodles among the four, the other two only bought three white flour mantou. None of them were wealthy people. White flour mantou was considered a luxury meal these days.
Song Wei Ping shook his head, "Third Elder Brother Li, I brought some food. I don't need to buy this meal."
With one thought, Li San Tie grinned, "Alright boy. Now that you have a wife, you have someone to dote you. You even brought food."
In fact, there were people who brought meals with them in the past, but it was always wotou, vegetable pancakes, and the like. These hardened as time got longer. Those who followed him were all young and wanted face. Seeing that others could eat mantou, they gradually didn’t bring their own food. Anyway, the transport team had subsidies, so it wasn’t too much to eat something good when going out.
He thought that Song Wei Ping would just bring a few wotou to eat with plain water. So he didn't pay much heed. Shortly later, he smelled an aroma.
"Elder Brother Wei Ping, what food did you bring? It smells so good." Wu Ma Zi was the youngest among them. He was the first one who couldn't help but look up.
Song Wei Ping took a sip of fried noodles soaked in water and answered, "Mixed bean flour pancakes, do you want to try it?"
When making the pancakes, Xu Xiao Jiao considered how everyone was eating together. Song Wei Ping would have to let others sample. One pancake was as big as two palms. No one would be willing to give one to others in one go. So she cut the pancakes into four pieces. When Song Wei Ping ate, he could eat two slices together. It was also appropriate to share a slice with others.
Since she said so, Song Wei Ping did as she said. He noticed everyone was looking at him. He clipped a piece of pancake and handed it to Li San Tie first. Then he gave the remaining two a slice each, "It's homemade. Try it."
When cooking for Song Wei Ping, Xu Xiao Jiao wasn’t frugal. Neither did she have the personality to be a penny pincher. Although it was mixed bean flour, she asked Wu Chun Hua to use oil when making the dough and added chopped green onion and pepper noodles when rolling the dough. Salt was also added. It was conceivable that the taste of this pancake wasn't bad. Nicely soft and fragrant.
"En, it smells so good. Delicious." Wu Ma Zi took a bite, broke open the mantou and ate it sandwiched in the mantou. "Elder Brother Wei Ping, your wife made this for you? You are so lucky."
Another teammate Yang Man Jin copied Wu Ma Zi and then praised, "It's really good. Flavorful and soft. If my wife is willing to make such delicious pancakes for me, why would I even buy food? Last time the vegetable pancakes I brought became hard when cold and I almost choked to death."
Li San Tie also nodded and directed to Song Wei Ping, "This wife of yours, well married."
The corners of Song Wei Ping's mouth curled slightly, "This is the first time I've traveled far since she married in. She's worried."
Wu Ma Zi stretched out his head and looked into his canning jar, "She even fried white flour noodles for you. Elder Brother Wei Ping, Elder Sister-in-law really dotes you!"
Song Wei Ping took a big bite of the pancake and looked at him with a twinkle in his eyes, "Hurry up and marry a wife. Your wife will dote you too in the future."
Flour was a precious thing. Others wouldn’t open their mouths so carefree to ask for a taste. He wasn't foolish enough to share it with them. It was already generous to share a piece of the pancake. He asked where Li San Tie planned to stay at night. It can be regarded as a changing topic.
Thinking of the ten yuan in his chest pocket, he decided not to waste any of it and just return it to Xu Xiao Jiao when he goes back.
What he didn't expect was that there wasn't a cent left from the ten yuan.
When Song Wei Ping returned to Meilin Village, it was already past eight o'clock in the evening. It was already dark. He didn't go home. Instead, he went to find Xu Xiao Jiao first.
"Song Wei Ping? Why did you come back so late? Have you eaten yet? There are multigrain mantou and some sweet potato congee left from the afternoon. Do you want to eat?"
The transportation team deliberately waited until it was completely dark to return to the transportation compound. After a rough inventory, they handed over the vehicle and the goods to the custodian. They came into agreement to unload the goods early in the morning. So taking their stuff, they went home. Not a bite was eaten. Song Wei Ping was hungry, "Okay, bring me something to eat."
Xu Xiao Jiao led him to her room and said something to Wu Chun Hua who heard the movement from within the main room. Then she asked him curiously, "Why are you carrying a bag? What's in it?"
Song Wei appeared a little relaxed, "I spent your ten yuan. On the way here, I met a cloth seller and bought some fabric."
Xu Xiao Jiao understood as soon as she heard it, "You guys did great. Even picked up a loophole. Who else bought it? Your transportation leader bought it too."
Song Wei Ping nodded. Only when the leader eats meat, those below dared to drink soup. It was rare for him to speak more, "En, I am lucky this time. Happened to encounter that person who needed money urgently. It’s in demand quality. No coupon required, only money. At the price, six dime a foot. Our team leader Third Brother Li collected fifty yuan worth. Me, ten yuan. The other two didn't have much money. Each received five yuan worth."
Even Li San Tie said that this kind of good thing had never been encountered before. Normally, it was collecting some small things on the way, such as hair ropes, matches and pancreas. The best thing was canned food, which can be sold for a few yuans. What a stroke of luck.
In fact, that person still had some fabric left, but they didn't bring enough money. At least, Song Wei Ping had brought ten yuan. While the two who only brought five yuan regretted it even more.
He gulped down the congee, ate a mouthful of mantou, and opened the bag to show Xu Xiao Jiao, "The best quality. I set aside a few feet for you to make a dress."
Although the color wasn't very clear under the kerosene lamp, Xu Xiao Jiao discovered that the color of the cloth was indeed very beautiful. It was a warm yellow. Very refreshing, suitable for the coming summer. Last time they went to the town to look around, there was no such color. It was estimated that it was in short supply. It was heard that the general price was one yuan per foot, and this one could only be more expensive.
Song Wei Ping was really thoughtful. Who wasn’t happy about making new clothes? But she can't be greedy, "Leave me three feet to make a shirt. This color looks good on the top. I don't want a dress. I'll make it later."
Song Wei Ping thought about it and didn’t be reserved with her, "Okay. I'll give you ten yuan once I sell the cloth."
If it can sell for more money, they can invite two tables of better feast.
Xu Xiao Jiao was in bliss, "Listen to me is the right way. If you go out next time, it’s still better to bring money with you. It's useless to leave the money with me. Giving it to you once for the trip and I got a quality shirt for nothing. It’s a profit."
The next day before dawn, Song Wei Ping headed out. Fearing that the cloth wouldn’t sell well, he discussed with Xu Xiao Jiao and only brought six-seven feet. Xu Xiao Jiao was at home thinking about how to comfort and encourage him if it didn't sell well. Unexpectedly, he didn't have a single foot left.
Song Wei Ping didn't expect it either, "I let an Elder Sister buy them all. One yuan two dime for each foot. She is planning to make a dress for each of her two daughters. So told me to get another seven feet for her tomorrow."
He collected a total of seventeen feet of cloth and left three feet for Xu Xiao Jiao. In this way, the rest were all sold out.
Xu Xiao Jiao felt that it couldn’t go any smoother this time. Not counting the cloth left for her, the net profit of seven or eight yuan had arrived in the account in one go. In her previous life, her expenses started from six figures. But in this era, the purchasing power of one yuan shouldn’t be underestimated. Thinking of the last time she bought so much food for five yuan. If she went to work to earn money, the money would take three months to earn. She immediately turned on the bragging mode, "Song Wei Ping, you are too capable .”
Good days are coming soon.
Song Wei Ping didn't say anything. He was very happy in his heart though. In fact, the money was earned because of Xu Xiao Jiao. He handed over the white flour and corn flour in his hand, "You keep these to eat. Grandmother said eighteen is a good day. That day, have a banquet?"
Xu Xiao Jiao had no objections. She put the flours and three-foot cloth in front of Wu Chun Hua. Wu Chun Hua had no objections.
"This is certainly good cloth, isn't it? The color is so beautiful. Did Ping boy get it?" Wu Chun Hua touched the cloth lightly.
Xu Xiao Jiao deeply felt Song Wei Ping was awesome, "Elder Brother Wei Ping works as a loader in the transportation team in the town. He can drive. The transportation team leader got him to go for a transportation tip. There’s oil content. He picked up a loophole. Mom, don't say it around."
Wu Chun Hua was overjoyed. This was a great capability. After going out for a trip, it was the cloth plus the money for flour, which was a few yuans. She nodded again and again, "Okay, okay, Mom isn't stupid. How could I possibly yell it everywhere?"
She thought about the red dress and today's things. These things were considered money. It was more than most people in the village paid for marrying their wives. This was proof that Daughter can live a good life in the future. She felt blissful for a while, "It’s still Daughter who has good eyesight."
Letting go of her worries, Wu Chun Hua was in a good mood all the way. Xu Xiao Jiao was still a little puzzled when she saw this. Song Wei Ping took the first place in the village as the 'calamity star'. Her Mom never seemed to care.
In fact, she was overthinking. The two families were back to back to each other. Wu Chun Hua watched Song Wei Ping grow up. From an adorable cute baby to looking blessed to getting a calamity star label. She knew it was the gossip in the village. She herself also got called a calamity star to husband because her in-laws and her husband passed away early. The two families can be considered to have the same illness. She had had enough of the bitterness of being gossiped about and had long since stopped taking these things seriously.
On the morning of the 16th, Xu Xiao Jiao packed up and went to Song Wei Ping's house with Wu Chun Hua and Xu Xiao Gang. There were two lively banquet tables. No ceremony. Xu Xiao Jiao was dressed in a red dress and didn't have to do anything. Song Wei Ping welcomed the guest.
The yard had been cleaned long ago. Two sets of tables, chairs and benches have been set up. Red paper had been pasted on the windows. Song Wei Ping also bought a red thermos bottle and a big red basin. Plus the displayed red bed sheet and red pillow towel that Wu Chun Hua gave to Xu Xiao Jiao, it had quite a festive vibe with such set up.
Song Wei Ping made the bed sheet. Xu Xiao Jiao stepped forward to look around. It was red and red. She smiled and turned to ask him, "It’s not bad, right, Song Wei Ping?"
She stood by the bed in a red dress with a bright grin. Song Wei Ping felt his face was so hot, "I, I'll go out and have a look."
He turned his head and ran away, leaving Xu Xiao Jiao laughing even louder, "Song Wei Ping, are you shy again?"
"Wei Ping, you’re not buying food? It will be too late when we reach the next place. You can't do without food. Even if you are a temporary worker, you can get a subsidy of 3 dimes a day. You don't need to save everything. Multigrain mantou is 1 dime for three. It’s enough for you to eat."
This time there were four people in the transport team. They set off early in the morning and just left the county at noon. Li San Tie took them to a state-run restaurant for dinner. Seeing that Song Wei Ping didn't buy anything, he persuaded him.
Except for Li San Tie who bought a portion of beef noodles among the four, the other two only bought three white flour mantou. None of them were wealthy people. White flour mantou was considered a luxury meal these days.
Song Wei Ping shook his head, "Third Elder Brother Li, I brought some food. I don't need to buy this meal."
With one thought, Li San Tie grinned, "Alright boy. Now that you have a wife, you have someone to dote you. You even brought food."
In fact, there were people who brought meals with them in the past, but it was always wotou, vegetable pancakes, and the like. These hardened as time got longer. Those who followed him were all young and wanted face. Seeing that others could eat mantou, they gradually didn’t bring their own food. Anyway, the transport team had subsidies, so it wasn’t too much to eat something good when going out.
He thought that Song Wei Ping would just bring a few wotou to eat with plain water. So he didn't pay much heed. Shortly later, he smelled an aroma.
"Elder Brother Wei Ping, what food did you bring? It smells so good." Wu Ma Zi was the youngest among them. He was the first one who couldn't help but look up.
Song Wei Ping took a sip of fried noodles soaked in water and answered, "Mixed bean flour pancakes, do you want to try it?"
When making the pancakes, Xu Xiao Jiao considered how everyone was eating together. Song Wei Ping would have to let others sample. One pancake was as big as two palms. No one would be willing to give one to others in one go. So she cut the pancakes into four pieces. When Song Wei Ping ate, he could eat two slices together. It was also appropriate to share a slice with others.
Since she said so, Song Wei Ping did as she said. He noticed everyone was looking at him. He clipped a piece of pancake and handed it to Li San Tie first. Then he gave the remaining two a slice each, "It's homemade. Try it."
When cooking for Song Wei Ping, Xu Xiao Jiao wasn’t frugal. Neither did she have the personality to be a penny pincher. Although it was mixed bean flour, she asked Wu Chun Hua to use oil when making the dough and added chopped green onion and pepper noodles when rolling the dough. Salt was also added. It was conceivable that the taste of this pancake wasn't bad. Nicely soft and fragrant.
"En, it smells so good. Delicious." Wu Ma Zi took a bite, broke open the mantou and ate it sandwiched in the mantou. "Elder Brother Wei Ping, your wife made this for you? You are so lucky."
Another teammate Yang Man Jin copied Wu Ma Zi and then praised, "It's really good. Flavorful and soft. If my wife is willing to make such delicious pancakes for me, why would I even buy food? Last time the vegetable pancakes I brought became hard when cold and I almost choked to death."
Li San Tie also nodded and directed to Song Wei Ping, "This wife of yours, well married."
The corners of Song Wei Ping's mouth curled slightly, "This is the first time I've traveled far since she married in. She's worried."
Wu Ma Zi stretched out his head and looked into his canning jar, "She even fried white flour noodles for you. Elder Brother Wei Ping, Elder Sister-in-law really dotes you!"
Song Wei Ping took a big bite of the pancake and looked at him with a twinkle in his eyes, "Hurry up and marry a wife. Your wife will dote you too in the future."
Flour was a precious thing. Others wouldn’t open their mouths so carefree to ask for a taste. He wasn't foolish enough to share it with them. It was already generous to share a piece of the pancake. He asked where Li San Tie planned to stay at night. It can be regarded as a changing topic.
Thinking of the ten yuan in his chest pocket, he decided not to waste any of it and just return it to Xu Xiao Jiao when he goes back.
What he didn't expect was that there wasn't a cent left from the ten yuan.
When Song Wei Ping returned to Meilin Village, it was already past eight o'clock in the evening. It was already dark. He didn't go home. Instead, he went to find Xu Xiao Jiao first.
"Song Wei Ping? Why did you come back so late? Have you eaten yet? There are multigrain mantou and some sweet potato congee left from the afternoon. Do you want to eat?"
The transportation team deliberately waited until it was completely dark to return to the transportation compound. After a rough inventory, they handed over the vehicle and the goods to the custodian. They came into agreement to unload the goods early in the morning. So taking their stuff, they went home. Not a bite was eaten. Song Wei Ping was hungry, "Okay, bring me something to eat."
Xu Xiao Jiao led him to her room and said something to Wu Chun Hua who heard the movement from within the main room. Then she asked him curiously, "Why are you carrying a bag? What's in it?"
Song Wei appeared a little relaxed, "I spent your ten yuan. On the way here, I met a cloth seller and bought some fabric."
Xu Xiao Jiao understood as soon as she heard it, "You guys did great. Even picked up a loophole. Who else bought it? Your transportation leader bought it too."
Song Wei Ping nodded. Only when the leader eats meat, those below dared to drink soup. It was rare for him to speak more, "En, I am lucky this time. Happened to encounter that person who needed money urgently. It’s in demand quality. No coupon required, only money. At the price, six dime a foot. Our team leader Third Brother Li collected fifty yuan worth. Me, ten yuan. The other two didn't have much money. Each received five yuan worth."
Even Li San Tie said that this kind of good thing had never been encountered before. Normally, it was collecting some small things on the way, such as hair ropes, matches and pancreas. The best thing was canned food, which can be sold for a few yuans. What a stroke of luck.
In fact, that person still had some fabric left, but they didn't bring enough money. At least, Song Wei Ping had brought ten yuan. While the two who only brought five yuan regretted it even more.
He gulped down the congee, ate a mouthful of mantou, and opened the bag to show Xu Xiao Jiao, "The best quality. I set aside a few feet for you to make a dress."
Although the color wasn't very clear under the kerosene lamp, Xu Xiao Jiao discovered that the color of the cloth was indeed very beautiful. It was a warm yellow. Very refreshing, suitable for the coming summer. Last time they went to the town to look around, there was no such color. It was estimated that it was in short supply. It was heard that the general price was one yuan per foot, and this one could only be more expensive.
Song Wei Ping was really thoughtful. Who wasn’t happy about making new clothes? But she can't be greedy, "Leave me three feet to make a shirt. This color looks good on the top. I don't want a dress. I'll make it later."
Song Wei Ping thought about it and didn’t be reserved with her, "Okay. I'll give you ten yuan once I sell the cloth."
If it can sell for more money, they can invite two tables of better feast.
Xu Xiao Jiao was in bliss, "Listen to me is the right way. If you go out next time, it’s still better to bring money with you. It's useless to leave the money with me. Giving it to you once for the trip and I got a quality shirt for nothing. It’s a profit."
The next day before dawn, Song Wei Ping headed out. Fearing that the cloth wouldn’t sell well, he discussed with Xu Xiao Jiao and only brought six-seven feet. Xu Xiao Jiao was at home thinking about how to comfort and encourage him if it didn't sell well. Unexpectedly, he didn't have a single foot left.
Song Wei Ping didn't expect it either, "I let an Elder Sister buy them all. One yuan two dime for each foot. She is planning to make a dress for each of her two daughters. So told me to get another seven feet for her tomorrow."
He collected a total of seventeen feet of cloth and left three feet for Xu Xiao Jiao. In this way, the rest were all sold out.
Xu Xiao Jiao felt that it couldn’t go any smoother this time. Not counting the cloth left for her, the net profit of seven or eight yuan had arrived in the account in one go. In her previous life, her expenses started from six figures. But in this era, the purchasing power of one yuan shouldn’t be underestimated. Thinking of the last time she bought so much food for five yuan. If she went to work to earn money, the money would take three months to earn. She immediately turned on the bragging mode, "Song Wei Ping, you are too capable .”
Good days are coming soon.
Song Wei Ping didn't say anything. He was very happy in his heart though. In fact, the money was earned because of Xu Xiao Jiao. He handed over the white flour and corn flour in his hand, "You keep these to eat. Grandmother said eighteen is a good day. That day, have a banquet?"
Xu Xiao Jiao had no objections. She put the flours and three-foot cloth in front of Wu Chun Hua. Wu Chun Hua had no objections.
"This is certainly good cloth, isn't it? The color is so beautiful. Did Ping boy get it?" Wu Chun Hua touched the cloth lightly.
Xu Xiao Jiao deeply felt Song Wei Ping was awesome, "Elder Brother Wei Ping works as a loader in the transportation team in the town. He can drive. The transportation team leader got him to go for a transportation tip. There’s oil content. He picked up a loophole. Mom, don't say it around."
Wu Chun Hua was overjoyed. This was a great capability. After going out for a trip, it was the cloth plus the money for flour, which was a few yuans. She nodded again and again, "Okay, okay, Mom isn't stupid. How could I possibly yell it everywhere?"
She thought about the red dress and today's things. These things were considered money. It was more than most people in the village paid for marrying their wives. This was proof that Daughter can live a good life in the future. She felt blissful for a while, "It’s still Daughter who has good eyesight."
Letting go of her worries, Wu Chun Hua was in a good mood all the way. Xu Xiao Jiao was still a little puzzled when she saw this. Song Wei Ping took the first place in the village as the 'calamity star'. Her Mom never seemed to care.
In fact, she was overthinking. The two families were back to back to each other. Wu Chun Hua watched Song Wei Ping grow up. From an adorable cute baby to looking blessed to getting a calamity star label. She knew it was the gossip in the village. She herself also got called a calamity star to husband because her in-laws and her husband passed away early. The two families can be considered to have the same illness. She had had enough of the bitterness of being gossiped about and had long since stopped taking these things seriously.
On the morning of the 16th, Xu Xiao Jiao packed up and went to Song Wei Ping's house with Wu Chun Hua and Xu Xiao Gang. There were two lively banquet tables. No ceremony. Xu Xiao Jiao was dressed in a red dress and didn't have to do anything. Song Wei Ping welcomed the guest.
The yard had been cleaned long ago. Two sets of tables, chairs and benches have been set up. Red paper had been pasted on the windows. Song Wei Ping also bought a red thermos bottle and a big red basin. Plus the displayed red bed sheet and red pillow towel that Wu Chun Hua gave to Xu Xiao Jiao, it had quite a festive vibe with such set up.
Song Wei Ping made the bed sheet. Xu Xiao Jiao stepped forward to look around. It was red and red. She smiled and turned to ask him, "It’s not bad, right, Song Wei Ping?"
She stood by the bed in a red dress with a bright grin. Song Wei Ping felt his face was so hot, "I, I'll go out and have a look."
He turned his head and ran away, leaving Xu Xiao Jiao laughing even louder, "Song Wei Ping, are you shy again?"
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