Chapter 41

After going upstairs to put things away, Wang Qifang also got up. They had all been quite exhausted these past few days. With Wu Xiaoxiao’s guidance, everyone sorted the parts much faster. Once they completed the first batch, the factory sent over a second batch. The second batch was more complex, but the blueprints had clearly been revised, making the content much clearer, with an added two-level classification system. Many suspected that Wu Xiaoxiao and the factory’s technicians had modified them together. So, even though the parts were complicated, they managed to sort them within a few days.

With this batch completed, their temporary assignment was technically finished. However, since they had already agreed to a one-and-a-half-month transfer, the factory didn’t immediately send them back. One reason was that these young people had shown great enthusiasm, energy, and a quick learning ability, so they could help the factory with more tasks during the busy season. Another reason was that work points were generally calculated based on time, and the budget was set for a month and a half.

If they were sent back in less than two weeks, their work points would be calculated for a much shorter period, making it seem like they were being shortchanged. It wouldn’t be fair for them to earn fewer points just because they worked faster. However, paying them the full amount as planned might also cause complaints from both the factory and the villagers.

After some discussion, the factory decided that since they were all capable and there was indeed a labor shortage, they would give them a brief training session and assign them to simple assembly work in the production workshop. There were even rumors that, although the factory hadn’t hired new workers for years, those who performed well this time might have a chance to be officially recruited.

With such a tempting opportunity in front of them, everyone gave their best effort. Naturally, they were also exhausted.

Finally, Sunday arrived—a much-needed rest day. Wang Qifang took the chance to sleep in.

But “sleeping in” wasn’t too late—just a little past 7:30. After all, the factory’s cafeteria only served breakfast until 8:20. If she missed it, there would be nothing left to eat. Besides, she had already made plans with Wu Xiaoxiao the night before to go explore the county town together.

The others had already gone out the previous Sunday, but Wu Xiaoxiao hadn’t taken a break at all. Since Wu Xiaoxiao stayed, Wang Qifang also stayed in the dorm, focusing on studying the mechanical part blueprints. As a result, she became even more skilled than the others in the following week.

Wu Xiaoxiao mentioned that someone from their village would be joining them, which made Wang Qifang hesitate. She always felt uncomfortable around strangers. But the opportunity to go out was too rare, so after some consideration, she decided to go along.

—-

After breakfast, the three of them left the factory grounds.

“Qifang, is there anywhere specific you want to visit? Anything you need to buy?” Wu Xiaoxiao asked.

Wang Qifang shook her head. “Not really, I just want to look around. I don’t have anything particular to buy.”

Everything in town was expensive and required ration tickets. She just wanted to see and experience new things.

Hearing this, Wu Xiaoxiao said, “Then let’s just wander around.”

They browsed through several stores and visited two semi-public markets that Chen Si knew about.

The county town indeed had more variety than their town. Wu Xiaoxiao even took a liking to some pastries and snacks, planning to buy them later to take home for Xiaohua and the others to try. Chen Si noted that the markets had grown larger and offered more goods than before. This aligned with the trends Wu Xiaoxiao had read about in newspapers—signs that the country was starting to consider making changes. People were cautiously testing new waters, though such transformations would still take time.

However, the market’s products remained within the expected categories—mainly agricultural goods, ready-made clothing, and fabrics. Compared to department stores, the biggest advantage was that no ration tickets were required.

Wang Qifang was somewhat envious, wondering if she could sell her family’s eggs for cash. But Wu Xiaoxiao analyzed the situation for her, making her realize that their distant village wouldn’t have such an opportunity.

“Sigh, no wonder people say ‘A golden corner, a silver corner, nothing beats a city corner.’ Living close to a city really does bring more ways to make money,” Wang Qifang sighed.

After wandering around, without finding anything they particularly wanted, they decided to check out a clothing store. Since they were already in town, they might as well explore.

When they entered the store, a deal was already being negotiated inside.

“Oh dear, this price really can’t go any lower. Honestly, if it weren’t for the fact that you’re an educated man and I know you’ll keep quiet, I wouldn’t even be offering this for sale. Selling this is actually risky for me.” The speaker was a middle-aged woman, holding a small red bottle and speaking earnestly.

The buyer was a middle-aged man who frowned slightly. “But 40 yuan is just too expensive. For that price, I could buy over ten catties of pork.”

The woman laughed. “How can you compare this to pork? If it weren’t for your son’s wedding, I wouldn’t even be willing to sell it. Look at this—French writing! Just having this little bottle at home would impress your relatives and friends.”

The man still frowned. “What’s so impressive about this? Weddings are about the ‘three rounds and a sound’—that’s what matters.”

—-

The woman chuckled. “But not everyone can afford the ‘three rounds and a sound’—they’re much more expensive! This, on the other hand, is a luxury with a practical touch. It depends on whether you think it’s worth it. French perfume—famous worldwide! Anyone can buy the ‘three rounds and a sound,’ but this? No one else in Beishan County has it! A relative sent it to us from abroad as a gift for my mother-in-law, but she doesn’t appreciate it, so I’m selling it. The price they bought it for overseas was much higher than this. I’m just trying to make a little money for my family. Normally, you wouldn’t need something like this, but for a wedding? It’s different!”

The man hesitated. His son’s wedding was a big deal—it only happened once in a lifetime. To make things worse, his wife had mentioned that the bride’s family seemed somewhat dissatisfied. They had already spent a lot, but he couldn’t let his son’s wedding drain their entire savings. If he could buy this French perfume, at least he’d have something unique to show.

And the woman had a point—French perfume was known worldwide. The ‘three rounds and a sound’ were hard to buy without ration tickets. He had gone through great trouble just to get a bicycle ticket. He already had a wristwatch prepared, so that covered two items. The radio and sewing machine were out of reach, but if he could replace one with perfume, would a ‘two rounds and a scent’ be just as impressive?