Most of the factory workers had already gone home for the day, but getting information about the larger factories wasn’t difficult. The workers all lived together in a company housing area, so finding someone who knew the details was easy.

With a plan forming in her mind, Song Wei led Heidan to a woman sitting by her doorway, munching on sunflower seeds. Song Wei reached into her pocket and pulled out three large walnuts—just three, but they were big.

“Sister, could I ask you something?” she said in a hushed voice.

The woman’s eyes brightened when she saw the walnuts in front of her.

“Ask away, dear! If it’s something in this town, I probably know about it.”

Song Wei couldn’t help but think, At this rate, I might just start coming to you for all my news!

“You see, my mother-in-law back home is sick and needs treatment, which has taken a good bit of money. My husband’s older brother works at the textile factory, so I thought to come ask him for help. We left early this morning and only just reached town, so I’m not sure where to find the place. My mother-in-law’s really counting on this money.”

She played her part as a worried, country woman to perfection.

Heidan’s face, on the other hand, was a picture of confusion.

Song Wei had even disguised herself with a headscarf and smeared some dirt on her face to look like a tired, middle-aged woman. With her and Heidan’s clothes both worn and dusty, the woman never questioned their story.

“Poor thing. Yes, I know where the textile factory housing is.”

Song Wei clasped her hands around the woman’s. “Thank you so much, sister! I don’t know what we would’ve done without you. You’re one of the kindest people I’ve met! But, Sister, could you tell me what the factory head there is like? I’ve only heard he’s quite impressive.”

One compliment after another, Song Wei showered her with praises until the woman was beaming, and before long, the woman spilled everything she knew—not just about the textile factory but about the other factories, too.

By the time they parted ways, the two were practically calling each other sisters.

Meanwhile, Heidan was still utterly bewildered.

“Let’s go to the steel factory,” Song Wei said cheerfully.

Heidan looked at her with confusion.

She ruffled his hair. Her hands were grimy from the walnuts, and his hair was greasy and messy, so neither could complain.

When they reached the steel factory housing, Song Wei had Heidan hide and told him not to wander off.

“I’ll be right back. Just stay put, alright?”

Heidan nodded earnestly, his big, round eyes shining with determination. “Got it, Sister Song!”

His serious look made Song Wei grin, especially now that Heidan was so much more open and friendly with her. She really liked this little guy.

Just need to wash that greasy hair and give him a trim, she thought. Looks like a wild bush.

With Heidan settled, Song Wei approached the gatekeeper at the housing area.

“Who are you?” he asked, giving her a once-over.

Song Wei pulled out a walnut, her eyes darting around as she leaned in closer.

“Uncle, do you want some pork?”

She’d done her research and knew this gatekeeper had ties to the deputy director of the steel factory. And these days, who didn’t want pork? Even just hearing the word made people’s mouths water.

The gatekeeper’s eyes darted around before he motioned for her to come closer. They huddled together, speaking in hushed voices.

“What kind of pork? Did you bring it?”

“No, but my brother caught two big wild boars. I heard your factory’s wanted some meat, so I thought I’d see if you’d be interested before I go to the textile factory.”

“We’re interested!” he blurted out, then immediately lowered his voice. “Don’t move—I’ll go get the deputy director. Don’t even think about heading to the textile factory.”

He repeated his warning a few times before hurrying off, not wanting her to slip away.

Meat was a rare treat these days. Even big factories struggled to procure enough to give their workers an occasional taste. They couldn’t always arrange for whole pigs to be brought in from farms, so any opportunity to get meat was taken seriously.

The steel factory’s deputy director had barely started his dinner when he heard the news. Leaving his chopsticks, he rushed out, practically dragging the gatekeeper with him. They arrived so quickly that Song Wei didn’t wait long before seeing them, with the out-of-breath director in tow.

“Where’s the meat?” he asked urgently.

Song Wei got right to the point. “Two wild boars—one over 300 pounds, the other more than 400, plus two smaller ones around 80 pounds in total. Will that be enough?”

The deputy director’s eyes gleamed with excitement. “Plenty! Though, to be honest, it’s not much once it’s divided among all our workers.”

“Glad to hear it,” Song Wei replied. “Just so you know, these boars are freshly hunted, and the two smaller ones are still alive. Since it’s wild boar, the price will be a bit lower. With ration coupons, it’s sixty cents a pound; without them, ninety cents. Is that acceptable?”

The deputy director agreed without hesitation. “Done!”

Pork usually cost around seventy cents per pound, and even though wild boar was cheaper, a few hundred pounds of meat was still in high demand. Even if she’d asked for a higher price, he would have been eager to buy it.

Pleased with the quick agreement, Song Wei grinned. “The meat’s in a nearby ravine just outside town. Do you have a cart?”

The deputy director immediately called for one and even had his son join them.

Along with the gatekeeper, the three men followed Song Wei outside.

After a bit of walking, Song Wei retrieved Heidan from a hidden spot, startling the men.

“Family circumstances, I can’t leave him alone at home, so I brought him along.”

The three men nodded, understanding the discretion required in this kind of transaction. Best not to ask too many questions.

They traveled quietly until they reached the spot where the boars were hidden. Under the dim flashlight beams, the men’s eyes widened.

“Wow, these boars are huge! They’re bigger than anything I’ve seen at the pig farms, must be over three or four hundred pounds each!”

The deputy director beamed, grinning ear to ear.