Chapter 23: Male Lead (Part 1)

Guo Aidang quickly agreed, “Okay, okay, I’ll wait for you here tomorrow!”

“Yeah!”

With the agreement made, the two parted ways as if the transaction from earlier hadn’t happened at all!

After this trip, Zhao Xiulan had gained a lot, obtaining eighty yuan and so many coupons.

Seeing that it was already noon, Zhao Xiulan decided not to trade anymore. She was afraid that trading too much in one day would attract suspicion and unwanted attention. Instead, she went to eat something first before heading home.

Zhao Xiulan knew that in this era, people usually ate at state-owned restaurants.

Fortunately, she had seen one while searching for the black market earlier, so she headed in that direction.

Inside the state-owned restaurant, there weren’t many customers, just a few tables.

During this era, most people usually ate at home unless they were away from home or hosting guests, or if they had the means to afford it. Normally, people were quite frugal and couldn’t afford to eat at state-owned restaurants.

Zhao Xiulan found a table and sat down. The waiter glanced at her attire, seeming to think that she couldn’t afford to eat here.

Before Zhao Xiulan placed her order, the waiter asked her, “Do you have money and coupons?”

The attitude of the waiter in the state-owned restaurant was similar to that of the salesperson in the supply and marketing cooperative, aggressive and imposing when asking questions.

Zhao Xiulan didn’t bother to argue and took out her money and coupons, saying, “Of course, if I didn’t, why would I come here to eat?”

Seeing Zhao Xiulan take out money and coupons, the waiter’s attitude softened a bit.

“Comrade, what would you like to eat?”

Before ordering, Zhao Xiulan asked, “What do you have here?”

“We only have noodles and some vegetables. The meat that was supplied today has already been reserved by others.”

Hearing the waiter’s words, although Zhao Xiulan was somewhat disappointed, she could understand.

After all, during the 1960s, there was a severe shortage of supplies, especially meat. Ordinary families could only afford meat a few times a year.

Even with meat coupons, it wasn’t guaranteed that you could buy meat. Otherwise, Guo Aidang wouldn’t have been willing to give her half a jin of meat coupons.

Similarly, there wasn’t enough meat supply in state-owned restaurants.

Originally, Zhao Xiulan had planned to eat something better, but now it seemed she could only make do with what was available.

As long as it was warm, it was better than the miscellaneous grains eaten at home.

Zhao Xiulan ordered a bowl of noodles and a plate of stir-fried radish. Noodles with a side dish was considered a decent meal.

A bowl of noodles cost ten cents, plus two liang of grain coupons, and a plate of stir-fried radish cost eight cents, plus two liang of grain coupons. So, the total was eighteen cents, and four liang of grain coupons. [[1 liang = 50 grams; 1 jin = 500 grams = 10 liang = ½ kilogram]]

Probably due to the influence of 21st-century prices, Zhao Xiulan felt that it was too cheap.

After paying the money and coupons, the waiter went to the kitchen to prepare the food.

While waiting, two men walked into the state-owned restaurant.

Since Zhao Xiulan had nothing to do, she glanced over.

Both men were tall and sturdy. One of them had a square face and a pair of eyebrows with a hint of heroism. Although he wasn’t particularly handsome, he was much better looking than the rural men Zhao Xiulan had seen in this era. He was dressed in worker’s clothing, simple and clean, which made people feel comfortable.

As for the other man… Zhao Xiulan couldn’t help but sigh inwardly when she saw him.

She didn’t expect to see a handsome guy in this era!

(End of Chapter 23)