Now she’s not going anywhere; she wants to go ho and pack the good things into the space.
Shang Zhenkun and Wei Kaiyun looked at the little girl like a mouse who had stolen so cheese, and felt relieved.
When the family got ho, Jiang Xinyu was already awake. Seeing the three dirty kids, she knew they must have gone to the junk station and quickly boiled water for them to wash up.
Wei Kaiyun loaded everything onto the cart and went to the grain station this ti.
He bought fifty pounds of rice and a hundred pounds of white flour, then went ho.
"Let’s go back; don’t we still have to go to the county’s supply and marketing cooperative?"
"Yes, the city’s supply and marketing cooperative can’t handle this many waterlons. We still need Li Yungui to stamp it, and we’ll have to sell them ourselves like the cabbage."
"A waterlon is too big of a target; is it okay?" Jiang Xinyu was a bit worried.
"We’ll see when the ti cos; if the city Revolutionary Committee agrees, then it’s okay.
The waterlons are too big; the factory can’t afford to give them as welfare, nor do we have that many."
"Hmm, the waterlons from the other two families should be ripe, right?"
"Yeah, not a few days apart, but I estimate it still needs a week."
"Oh. Then we have to sell ours first."
"Yeah, let’s talk about it when we get back."
The family drove out of the city and finally felt a bit more at ease.
Jiang Xinyu didn’t want to go out anymore; she was always on edge and felt really uncomfortable.
When they got to the county supply and marketing cooperative, they also wanted ten waterlons, which could be delivered tomorrow.
"Old Wei, let’s turn our waterlons over to the public; we just want our costs back. Let Village Chief Li give you work points."
Wei Kaiyun smiled, his wife sure had so guts.
"Got it, I’ll look for Li Yungui when I get back."
Shang Zhenkun was also very pleased with Jiang Xinyu, appreciating her ability to make trade-offs.
"Old Wei, wouldn’t the other two families have any objections?"
"We’ll go back and explain the situation outside to them first, state our position, and let them decide for themselves."
Wei Kaiyun knew his wife’s worries were not unfounded. After all, they weren’t the only ones growing waterlons, but actually, it wasn’t such a bad thing; at least they could keep so waterlons, and also get work points. It’s already quite good. At least the village is protecting them, and if soone from above really cos to investigate, then there would be danger.
Along the way, the three older kids all fell asleep; after all, they’re used to a very regular routine.
When the family got ho, Wei Kaiyun didn’t imdiately discuss the matter but went to the waterlon field to pick over twenty big waterlons, which were ant for Old Yang. If they were turned over to the team, there really wouldn’t be too many to pick from. He thought about it and picked another twenty or so to make fifty. His family also has a cellar, so they can keep them to eat gradually.
After loading them, he drove to Old Yang’s house to return the cart.
When he arrived, Old Yang hadn’t co off work yet, so he and Sister-in-law Wu put all the waterlons into the cellar.
"I won’t wait for Old Yang; there’s still sothing at ho."
When Wei Kaiyun got back, dinner at ho was already prepared.
The al consisted of leek, egg, and shrimp pancakes, along with sorghum rice porridge. For Jiang Xinyu, there were wild vegetable pancakes because leeks are not good for milk production.
After dinner, Wei Kaiyun went out. He didn’t go to the other two families but went directly to the waterlon field.
The two families were on good terms, lived close to each other, and their waterlon fields were adjacent.
Seeing Wei Kaiyun coming over, they quickly ca out to greet him.
"Master Wei, did you co for sothing?" Actually, the two knew Wei Kaiyun had gone to the city today to look for a market for the waterlons.
"I have sothing to discuss with you. I went to the city today; the supply and marketing cooperative wanted nine waterlons, but the director there reminded that they can’t handle the waterlons from our three families and are also afraid we might cause trouble."
When they heard this, the two imdiately looked troubled; they also knew things were really tight lately.
"Master Wei, what should we do? Our three families have several thousand waterlons."
"My suggestion is to turn the waterlons over to the public, so the team steps in and we won’t have a problem. The village will definitely give us back the cost, and the work points won’t be less. Actually, this way is the safest.
That’s my plan, so I’m here to inform you."
"Then we should do the sa. Hearing the news from outside, we’re on edge, just afraid they’ll co down and investigate, then it would be troubleso."
"Then you go ho and discuss it. We’ll go find Village Chief Li at six tomorrow morning to talk about it and solve it early. Your waterlons are later than mine, and mine in the field are all ripe, so we can’t afford to wait."
When Wei Kaiyun got ho, he quickly took a bath, fearing his wife was already asleep and he’d miss out on his benefits.
They discussed it, and then each went ho to discuss with their families.
The next day at five-thirty, Wei Kaiyun hadn’t even had breakfast, and the two n ca to find him. The three of them went to Li Yungui’s house together.
When Chaoyang saw Wei Kaiyun coming in, he rushed to greet him.
"Chaoyang, where’s your dad?"
"Xiao Wei? Why are the three of you here together?"
"We’re here to discuss turning the waterlon field over to the public."
"Chaoyang, go call your Fourth Uncle over."
The few of them gathered to discuss, and when Qu Xiaoli invited them for a al, they declined.
"Village Chief Li, I have a request; my family needs to keep a hundred waterlons for the kids to eat."
"That’s no problem."
"I’m not taking advantage of everyone; I don’t want the cost. The village can give it to them instead."
Actually, this was the best way, saving everyone from feeling unbalanced.
"Xiao Wei, lend your bicycle. I need to get the introduction letter done."
"It’s at ho; get it done quickly. The supply and marketing cooperative is still waiting for the waterlons."
After the three of them left, Li Yungui sighed and said to his brother, "This Xiao Wei is really cautious."
"It’s quite good this way, saving the villagers from being envious. This is now for everyone, but the cost must be given to them, and the work points shouldn’t be less."
"That’s for sure. I’ll go get the paperwork done first."
"Second brother, I’ve prepared so sweet lons for older brother; take them with you."
"Alright, our family will bring cornal.
Chaoyang, go borrow a cart from your Master Wei’s house."
Li Chaoyang was delighted; this ti they could surely sell the waterlons by driving a tractor.
Li Yungui went to get the stamp and didn’t ntion it again. Today, Wei Kaiyun and Shang Zhenkun took the three children to the waterlon field to pick waterlons, already having agreed on a hundred or so, so they picked them and took them ho.
The cantaloupes and honeydew lons were still theirs because there were only a few, just enough for the family to eat. So even if soone ca to check, there wouldn’t be a problem.
When the waterlons were transported ho, it was already past ten o’clock. The three kids’ faces were sunburned, but they were happy.
The waterlons stored in the cellar — it’s unknown how long they can be preserved there.
"I’m going to the private plot in the afternoon to see if the carrots have grown."
Of course, Wei Kaiyun wouldn’t stop his wife. The children and Sister-in-law Liu were watching them.
User Comments
0 comments from readers