Chapter 20 : Money is hard to spend

After dinner, the two went to the photo studio to take pictures.

At this time, the cameras used for taking pictures were all Seagull brand, with two models to choose from: 135 and 120. However, the 120 camera produced better pictures with a wider frame.

Lu Changzheng naturally chose the best option for the shoot.

Using a 120 camera, it cost 0.43 yuan per photo. If you wanted a 6*6cm photo, it would cost 30 cents to develop it. Enlarging the photo cost 1 yuan.

The two took two group photos, one sitting and one standing. Additionally, Su Mo had a separate photo taken. Lu Changzheng developed one of the three photos and also enlarged one of the group photos of the two of them.

They took 3 photos for 1.29 yuan, developed 3 more for 0.9 yuan, and enlarged 2 photos for 2 yuan, bringing the total to 4.19 yuan.

The film could be picked up in three days.

After taking the photos, the two returned to the commune and planned to visit the commune workshop to inquire about making quilts.

Lu Changzheng initially wanted to ask Lu Xiaolan about the situation, but she had taken a leave of absence and was not there. It was said that she was out doing some work with her mother.

Lu Changzheng realized that they were likely discussing not seeing each other.

Lu Changzheng asked other salespeople about the situation. When they saw he was Lu Xiaolan’s brother and an officer, they enthusiastically guided the two of them there.

With the help of an acquaintance, the two quickly arrived at the collective workshop and met the workshop’s production director.

This workshop was somewhat similar to the handicraft workshops of later years. It was divided into several sections, including a carpentry shop, a blacksmith shop, an oil mill, a sewing shop, and a cotton shop, gathering craftsmen from all trades in the commune.

When there was work to be done, these craftsmen would come to work, and the workshop paid them daily wages. When there was no work, they returned to the brigades to participate in agricultural production.

During the slack season, the workshop would produce some items according to plans or take on work from large factories. The products made were sold to cooperative members or to purchasing stations.

This initiative not only generated income for the commune but also alleviated the problem of farmers’ difficulty in shopping to some extent. It also increased some families’ income and revitalized the commune’s economy to a degree.

After Su Mo told the production director of the workshop about her needs, the production director immediately agreed, saying it was no problem.

“Su Zhiqing, don’t worry. This year’s new cotton has just arrived. We’ll use the latest harvested cotton for your quilts,” the production director smiled. As long as he could generate income for the commune, he was happy to help.

“Our workshop’s masters have been working for 20 to 30 years. Their craftsmanship is impeccable. The quilts they make are soft and warm, and the mattresses are just the right hardness, breathable, and keep you warm. Lying on them feels like sleeping on a cloud.”

Su Mo: …

No need to exaggerate so much!

“I definitely believe in the craftsmanship of our commune’s masters. Director, please calculate the cost,” Su Mo said with a smile.

“Not difficult, serving the people. Su Zhiqing needs two 7-jin double quilts and two 3-jin double mattresses, right?”

“Yes.”

“Two quilts require 14 kilograms of cotton, and two mattresses require 6 kilograms of cotton, so you’ll need a total of 20 kilograms of cotton. The supply and marketing cooperative sells cotton for 1.15 yuan per kilogram with coupons. The secretary said that our workshop aims to improve the lives of members. For custom orders in the workshop, members of this cooperative don’t need coupons for the cotton, just pay the price.”

“Since Su Zhiqing came to our commune as an educated youth, she is naturally a member of our commune. One kilogram of cotton costs 1.15 yuan, so 20 kilograms of cotton will cost 23 yuan.”

“For 4 cotton quilts, the labor cost for each 7-jin one is 1.5 yuan, and for each 3-jin one is 1 yuan, so the total labor cost is 5 yuan.”

“The cotton price plus the labor cost brings the total to 28 yuan,” the production director said as he wrote a note for Su Mo. “You can come pick it up in three days.”

Su Mo paid the money, took the note, and asked, “Can the cotton clothing workshop make it?”

The production director was stunned.

In rural areas, people typically buy their own cotton and cloth and make the products themselves. While this had never been done before, it wasn’t impossible.

Items made by sewing machines in the sewing studio were naturally better than those sewn by hand.

“We are serving the people. If the people need it, we can certainly do it. But you would need to go to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy the fabric yourself.”

“Okay, thank you, Director.”

—

On the way back to the brigade, Su Mo silently calculated her expenses for the day.

She had spent 6.48 yuan at the post office, 62.65 yuan at the supply and marketing cooperative, and 28 yuan at the commune workshop, totaling 97.13 yuan.

In just one day, the 100 yuan was almost gone.

So, money isn’t worth much if you spend it seriously.

Fortunately, the items she spent a lot of money on would last a long time and wouldn’t need to be bought again for at least a few years.

The most important purchases were the quilt and mattress, and the only remaining item was the cotton-padded clothes.

It took about one pound of cotton to make an adult’s cotton coat, and half a pound for cotton pants. If three people each made a set, five pounds of cotton should be enough.

Then, there was the fabric.

For someone of her figure, 10 feet of cloth would be enough to make a set of clothes. Mo Yurong’s figure was similar to hers, and Su Tingqian was taller, so he would need about two more feet.

Her parents’ cotton-padded clothes were made of coarse cotton fabric on the outside, so they only needed about 9 feet of cotton cloth for the lining. Adding the 10 feet she needed for herself, she would still require 19 feet of cloth coupons.

She remembered that there used to be a cloth coupon subsidy for registering for marriage, but she wasn’t sure how much.

Today, Lu Changzheng wore his military uniform and couldn’t go to the black market, but he would try again another day.

Because he had a basket of items, Lu Changzheng deliberately took a small, less-traveled road back to the educated youth site. After moving the items to the door of Su Mo’s room, he prepared to leave. There was no adult at home, so he had to go back to look after his grandfather.

“Wife, I will ask my mother to come over and propose tomorrow,” Lu Changzheng said before leaving.

“Okay! But I have to go to work tomorrow, so we can only do it after work,” Su Mo responded.

Lu Changzheng frowned, “You’re in good health now, don’t go. Don’t worry about those few work points.”

“I’ve already taken a few days off. It would be bad if I don’t go now,” Su Mo explained. She mainly wanted to take the opportunity to pick peanuts and absorb some wood energy.

“It won’t have any negative impact. I can support my wife,” Lu Changzheng declared confidently.

“It’s okay. It’s just picking peanuts. It’s not tiring. I don’t want people to think I’m going to marry the son of the village chief and then won’t even do my job.”

“Then don’t get tired. I’ll help you with it tomorrow. First, I’ll help my wife with the welts, then I’ll help my mother.”

After Lu Changzheng left, Su Mo moved her things back into the room.

She first took out Ma Xiaojuan’s things and placed them on her bedding, then organized the toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, and toilet paper. After that, she took out a very retro cup from her space.

The enamel basins, enamel pots, and thermoses with the word “happiness” on them were still in the bamboo baskets, covered with coarse earthen cloth.

She planned to borrow Ma Xiaojuan’s enamel basin these days. She wouldn’t actually use it, and when she entered the bathroom, she would use the plastic bucket from her own space instead.