Chapter 14: Debt Collection (1)

The weekly market days in this era are vastly different from those after the reform and opening up.

In the planned economy era, market supervision was very strict, and farmers could only trade a limited range of goods. These were usually simple handmade agricultural tools like chicken coops, duck cages, baskets, and small wicker baskets, or a small amount of vegetables and fruits from private plots. With the low yields back then, families with many children often didn’t have enough to feed themselves, let alone surplus for trading.

As for peanuts, beans, wheat, rice, and all kinds of grains, as well as all meats—including chickens, ducks, fish, and even eggs—these were all purchased and sold by the state. Individuals weren’t allowed to trade them freely; otherwise, they’d be seen as fostering capitalist tendencies and could end up in prison.

The dried goods Su Taotao brought, especially the dried mushrooms and wood ear fungus, couldn’t be openly traded. If caught with large quantities, market management staff could confiscate them, and offenders might even face fines or re-education through labor. Therefore, most people didn’t dare take such risks.

At home, Su Taotao divided these dried goods into two parts. One part was indeed meant to be sent to her family in the city. She didn’t know the original owner’s mindset, but Su Taotao believed that a father who left 200 yuan as a safety net for his daughter couldn’t be a bad father.

After the money was recovered, she planned to send another letter, but that was a matter for the future. For now, the priority was to reduce the burden and send some of the dried goods first.

Seeing that Su Taotao only sent part of the dried goods and the bag of colorful clothes—which she didn’t wear anyway—she decided to send them as a favor. Whoever found them suitable could take them.

Zhou Linglan couldn’t help but ask, “Taotao, aren’t you sending these mountain goods?”

Su Taotao shook her head and said, “No, these are gifts.”

Noticing Zhou Linglan’s confusion, Su Taotao explained, “Mom, it’s only natural for us to collect debts, but if people try to make things difficult or refuse outright, we might have to put in some effort. It’s said that courtesy costs nothing. We can’t go empty-handed. These things aren’t worth much where we are, but in the city, they’re treasures that money can’t buy. They’re perfect for testing the waters.”

Zhou Linglan was greatly impressed and said, “You’ve thought this through. I didn’t think of all this.”

She noticed her daughter-in-law had really grown and was speaking with a lot more confidence since everything that happened.

Fu Yuanhang listened thoughtfully, and even Chenchen, who was sitting on Fu Yuanhang’s back, listened intently.

Su Taotao smiled at the little one, who was staring at her with wide, round eyes, and said, “Yuanhang, are you tired? Let me carry Chenchen for a while.”

Fu Yuanhang shook his head and said, “No, Chenchen is very light.”

Hearing this, Su Taotao felt a twinge of sadness. Indeed, the little one was almost two years old but was probably not even ten jin (about 5 kg). He was very light.

Su Taotao rubbed the little one’s head and fell silent.

Guohua Cao had given them the address of the county meat processing plant dormitory. When the family of four arrived at the small side door of the courtyard, it was only a little past nine in the morning. At this time, everyone was likely still at work, so it might be more prudent to wait until the lunch break.

However, Su Taotao had deliberately chosen this time. It was exactly when retired aunts and uncles went out to buy groceries. The spot Su Taotao picked was out of the way but right by the entrance, so everyone coming in or out would pass by. When Zhou Linglan put down the baskets containing the dried goods, several aunts noticed them.

One aunt, seeing that the family of four, though dressed in old clothes, looked neat and had clear eyes, boldly approached and asked, “Sister, do you want to trade these goods?”

Zhou Linglan was about to wave her hand and say “No,” but Su Taotao had already replied with a smile, “Auntie, we’re here to visit relatives and planned to give some dried goods to our relatives to try. But they haven’t come off work yet, and we brought too much. If you’d like to try some, we can trade a little.”

Hearing this, the aunt was very pleased. She touched the sun-dried, fragrant mushrooms and the thick wood ear fungus, feeling that they were much better than the supplies from the local supply and marketing cooperative, where goods were rationed and sold. She nodded repeatedly and said, “That’s wonderful. What do you want to trade?”

Su Taotao didn’t beat around the bush and directly said, “Meat. Auntie’s family probably doesn’t lack meat. If you don’t mind, you can trade some meat with us. If you have any tickets, we can give you more in return.”

This suited the aunt perfectly. Her family had four workers, and they had been city dwellers for generations, never living in the countryside. They didn’t have any farming relatives, so meat and various tickets were in abundance. Fresh produce and dried goods were what they treasured.

Zhou Linglan didn’t expect Su Taotao to be so bold and tugged at her sleeve, saying, “Taotao…”

Su Taotao patted her hand and reassured her, “Mom, we’re just trading goods, not doing business. It’s okay.”

The aunt also nodded and said, “Yes, yes, sister. People often trade goods near residential areas. As long as there’s no money involved, the local authorities or neighborhood watch (often identified by red armbands) won’t interfere. I’ll try your village’s vegetables, and you try my bacon. It’s just mutual courtesy. You’re not as bold as your daughter.”

Zhou Linglan wanted to say that she wasn’t her daughter but thought better of it. They were strangers who met by chance, like passing ships in the night, and there was no need to explain so much.

In the end, Su Taotao successfully traded half a bag of mushrooms and wood ear fungus for a large piece of bacon. The kind aunt even gave Su Taotao two fabric coupons, explaining that her daughter worked in a textile factory and didn’t need them.

That’s what they call getting a pillow just when you need it most.

Su Taotao also gave the older woman a small bag of dried bamboo shoots, telling her to try them and asking her to keep any defective fabric from her daughter’s factory, if available. If anyone wanted to exchange mountain goods, she could let her know. Su Taotao would wait at the same spot every last market day of the month for an exchange.

The older woman happily carried the fine mountain goods back home.

Su Taotao got the meat she had been longing for.

Everyone was happy.

Fu Yuanhang and Chenchen looked at each other, then both glanced at the basket of bacon, wondering if they were dreaming.

Fu Yuanhang asked incredulously, “Sister-in-law, is it really possible that those few mushrooms and wood ear were worth this big piece of meat?”

In Fu Yuanhang’s fixed mindset, meat was so valuable, while these mountain goods seemed almost worthless.

Su Taotao explained, “These days, everyone craves meat, but think about it: a chef wouldn’t starve even after three years of drought. Similarly, employees at the meat processing factory have plenty of meat. Just like we have vast bamboo forests in our village and don’t lack dried bamboo shoots or vegetable preserves. So, the value of something depends not only on its inherent worth but also on where it is available.”

Fu Yuanhang had an epiphany and nodded, “I think I understand now, Sister-in-law.”

Zhou Linglan was still worried, “Taotao, is it really okay to do this?”

Su Taotao reassured her, “Mom, don’t worry. I won’t do anything illegal. We’re just exchanging things, not selling anything.”

Zhou Linglan said, “But what about the fabric tickets?”

Su Taotao replied, “The elderly woman saw Chenchen’s worn-out clothes and gave him some extra fabric tickets.”

Chenchen looked at his clothes. They were fine, except for a small patch near the pocket, which he had accidentally torn while eating peanuts. Grandma had sewn it into the shape of a peanut. He then looked at his uncle’s clothes, which had even more patches, and shook his head, “For uncle…”

Su Taotao was stunned for a moment but then laughed happily. What a good kid.

Su Taotao rubbed his head and said, “Okay, when Mom saves enough fabric, I’ll make a set for your uncle too.”

Fu Yuanhang lightly bit Chenchen’s hand, “No need for uncle. Make it for Chenchen.”

Chenchen insisted, solemnly nodding, “For uncle…”

Everyone chuckled at his insistence.

…

Amid chatting and laughter, another older woman came to exchange things. This time, Su Taotao exchanged for a pig tail.

After a while, she exchanged for a pig ear from an old man. Although these weren’t as valuable as proper meat cuts, when prepared well, they could be even more delicious than meat.

Su Taotao decided not to exchange the rest, as they were truly meant for gifting.

Time flew by, and soon it was lunchtime. After registering, Su Taotao led them to the main entrance and then to Unit 3, Building 6, Apartment 305.

Su Taotao knocked on the door.

“Who is it?” someone inside asked before opening the door.

They both stood there, stunned.

“It’s you?”

“It’s you?”