Chapter 68: Chen Guangjun

But…

Liu Yinyin realized that in the original owner’s memory, there was no information about the black market.

The original owner had never even gone to the county to buy anything.

Moreover, although the regulations on the black market were not as strict as before, it still wasn’t a place that just anyone could access.

Without the right connections, even city dwellers couldn’t reach the black market, let alone people from the countryside, who had no idea where it was.

So, Liu Yinyin needed to find out the black market’s location first.

When she arrived in the county, she went to the supply and marketing cooperative. As expected, the pork was already sold out—not even a single bone was left.

She walked around the store but ended up leaving without buying anything.

“Comrade Yinyin…”

Suddenly, someone called out to her. Liu Yinyin instinctively turned around and saw a young man dressed in a military green uniform standing at the entrance, staring straight at her.

Liu Yinyin was momentarily stunned.

She didn’t recognize this person at all. But how did he know her name?

Looking around and confirming that there was no one else nearby, she pointed at herself and asked, “Are you… talking to me?”

“Yeah.” Chen Guangjun took a few steps forward and asked, “Are you here to buy something from the supply and marketing cooperative?”

Liu Yinyin frowned. “Sorry, I don’t know you.”

She wasn’t sure if this man was just trying to hit on her because of her looks, so she turned around, intending to leave.

“Wait a minute, I’m not a bad person.” Seeing this, Chen Guangjun hurriedly explained, “I work here at the supply and marketing cooperative. My name is Chen Guangjun, and I’m an accountant. You’re from Liu Village, right? I’ve seen you before.”

Chen Guangjun?

She had no recollection of him whatsoever.

Liu Yinyin suspiciously looked him up and down until she noticed that his left arm hung stiffly by his side…

Only then did she recall—working at the supply and marketing cooperative? Wasn’t this the same Chen Guangjun that Granny Cai had tried to set her up with last time?

Though that situation had ended in a complete misunderstanding.

Liu Yinyin steadied herself and asked, “Do you need something?”

Chen Guangjun had just stepped out of the office to grab something when he unexpectedly spotted Liu Yinyin at the supply and marketing cooperative. He noticed that she didn’t buy anything before leaving.

Without thinking, he instinctively followed her out.

Only now did he realize he might have acted too impulsively.

After some thought, he said, “Well… I noticed that you didn’t buy anything just now. Are you having trouble finding what you need? Do you…”

He paused before explaining, “Don’t misunderstand. I just mean, since I work here, if you’re facing any difficulties, you can tell me. Maybe I can help.”

Liu Yinyin glanced at him and said, “Can you help me buy meat?”

She was just asking casually, not really expecting him to assist.

Unexpectedly, Chen Guangjun took her question seriously. “If you have a meat coupon, I can save a portion for you.”

It was common for employees at the supply and marketing cooperative to set aside items for their friends and family. After all, a little social courtesy was necessary.

However, it was just a matter of reserving something—not bending the rules. All required payments and coupons still had to be collected.

After all, every item in the supply and marketing cooperative was accounted for. If something was missing, they’d have to pay out of their own pockets to cover the loss.

Seeing Liu Yinyin hesitate,

Chen Guangjun explained, “Buying meat from the supply and marketing cooperative requires a meat coupon.”

That was true… but what about buying meat from somewhere else?

Liu Yinyin’s thoughts shifted. Since Chen Guangjun had been working in the county for so long—especially in a place like the supply and marketing cooperative—maybe he knew about the black market?

Glancing around to make sure no one was listening, she cautiously asked, “Do you know about the black market?”

At her words, Chen Guangjun’s eyes widened in shock. “How do you know about that?”

Most people from the countryside had never even heard of the black market.

Liu Yinyin chuckled awkwardly. “I’ve just heard about it, but I don’t know where it is. Do you?”

Chen Guangjun didn’t answer directly. Instead, he simply said, “It’s not safe for a girl like you to go to the black market.”

Liu Yinyin looked somewhat unnatural as she said, “It’s not for me. My husband gets meat coupons every month, and that’s enough for us. But as you know, other people in the countryside aren’t as fortunate.

I have a friend whose family has been exhausted from working recently. Their health has suffered, so they just want to buy some pork to nourish themselves.”

Of course, Liu Yinyin would never admit that she wanted to go to the black market to trade pork herself. She had no idea whether Chen Guangjun believed her excuse or not.

Fortunately, after a moment of thought, Chen Guangjun lowered his voice and gave her an address. After that, he reminded her, “It’s not exactly a legal trade. You’d be better off not going.”

In these times of material shortages, even city folks lacked adequate food and clothing. The existence of the black market was inevitable. The authorities didn’t actively crack down on it, but it wasn’t something respectable either. Openly engaging in trade there was out of the question.

Liu Yinyin, still half-convinced, said, “Don’t worry. I’ll let my friend know, and whether she goes or not is up to her.”

After thanking him, Liu Yinyin left.

She didn’t head straight home after leaving the supply and marketing cooperative. Instead, she wandered around the streets for a while.

Since it was working hours, the streets were mostly empty.

After some time, Liu Yinyin finally found the address Chen Guangjun had given her—it was a small courtyard house.

According to Chen Guangjun, the man of the house was surnamed Li, and everyone called him Brother Li. He had been in this business for many years and was reliable.

Liu Yinyin wasn’t sure if this Brother Li was truly reliable or not, so she didn’t dare to act recklessly.

Just as she was about to leave, the small door of the house suddenly opened. An elderly woman with bound feet quietly stepped out.

She carried a basket in her hand, but it was tightly covered with cloth, making it impossible to see what was inside.

However, the elderly woman’s light footsteps and cheerful demeanor suggested she was in a good mood.

Seeing this, Liu Yinyin thought to herself—looks like Chen Guangjun wasn’t lying to her.

Not lingering any longer, she picked up her empty basket and headed home.

On the way, she secretly smuggled two pounds of pork ribs, five pounds of rice, five pounds of white flour, and a pack of red sugar from the system.

By the time she arrived home, Liu Zhizhi had just returned from the communal canteen with some food.

Jiang Cuihua was also eating lunch there, and she had brought her food ration with her.

The staple food was still wild vegetable cornbread, but the side dishes were pretty decent today—garlic stir-fried romaine lettuce and sautéed red amaranth.

Some fresh greens had started growing in the fields, so at least they didn’t have to eat turnips and cabbage for every meal.

Having a communal canteen in the village was actually quite convenient. Like now, even though Liu Yinyin had come home late, she didn’t have to rush to cook. She could just sit down and eat.

After tidying up the items in her basket, she prepared to start the meal.

Jiang Cuihua didn’t react when she saw the rice and white flour, but when she spotted the large piece of pork ribs, she couldn’t hold back.

“Where did you get these ribs?”

Jiang Cuihua had never bought pork from the supply and marketing cooperative before, but she wasn’t ignorant—she knew how rare pork was.

Even in the city, meat was a hot commodity that required standing in long lines to buy.

It was already this late—there was no way the supply and marketing cooperative still had pork ribs for sale.

Liu Yinyin smiled at her and said, “I pulled some strings to get them.”