The car broke down, and everyone got out. Deputy Factory Director Wang noticed the confusion on Yu Xiang’an’s face and smiled. “Bad luck today, but this isn’t uncommon. The car is quite old and often has issues.”
The two drivers laughed and checked the problem. One reassured them, “Don’t worry, it’s a minor issue. We’ll fix it quickly.”
They took out a small toolbox filled with repair tools. Yu Xiang’an suddenly realized that, unlike in later times when repair shops were everywhere, drivers in this era had to fix minor issues themselves.
To be a driver back then, one had to know not only how to drive but also how to repair. Otherwise, situations like this would require finding someone who could fix the car, wasting a lot of time.
As the two drivers worked, Deputy Director Wang and Yu Xiang’an watched. Wang was a car enthusiast, while Yu Xiang’an secretly hoped to learn a thing or two—skills never hurt, and they might come in handy someday. The drivers didn’t think much of their curiosity. After all, one was the deputy factory director, and the other was a young woman. Would the deputy director switch to being a driver? And how many female drivers were there at the time?
It wasn’t that women couldn’t drive, but traveling long distances required some level of physical strength to deter troublemakers. A woman alone was more likely to attract unwanted attention, whereas a man would make potential wrongdoers think twice.
The two drivers were skilled, fixing the car in less than ten minutes before they hit the road again.
Deputy Director Wang returned to the back seat, loosened the top button of his Zhongshan suit, and took out his water flask. “Xiao An, did you bring water?”
Yu Xiang’an pulled out a flask from her cloth bag. “Yes, Director, I did.”
Since she was traveling, Yu Qing had given her the family’s only water flask.
Wang smiled slightly. He usually kept a stern expression, but in front of such a young female comrade, he softened his demeanor. “Comrade Xiao An, how old are you?”
“Eighteen.”
“Eighteen? My eldest grandson is thirteen this year.”
Yu Xiang’an naturally continued the conversation. “Thirteen? What grade is he in?”
“Fifth grade this year.”
“…”
Their back-and-forth, though formal, gradually eased the initial distance between them.
The drive from the county to the city usually took just over an hour. The drivers were familiar with the route, and the repair didn’t delay them much. They arrived at their destination smoothly in an hour and a half.
The oil mill mainly produced peanut oil. Deputy Director Wang, responsible for logistics and employee benefits, was there to place an order for Mid-Autumn Festival gifts.
This wasn’t his first time, so he knew the ropes. The mill’s deputy director, surnamed Li, greeted them warmly. He was around the same age as Wang but wore a constant smile, making him seem approachable.
The food factory wanted oil for their festival gifts, while the oil mill wanted sugar from the food factory—both sides had something the other needed.
Yu Xiang’an’s job was to take notes on their discussions and data. They even toured the production floor.
Workers in the workshop wore uniforms and caps, diligently focused on their tasks. Deputy Director Wang praised their efficiency, to which Li modestly replied that there was still room for improvement.
Yu Xiang’an also had the responsibility of “inspecting.” Watching the peanut oil flow from the machines, she couldn’t help but wish she could take a jar home.
Oil was a rare commodity.
After finalizing the order quantity for the festival—after some bargaining—it was already noon. Deputy Director Li took them to a nearby state-run restaurant.
This was Yu Xiang’an’s first time visiting a city state-run restaurant. She had been to the county one often, as her grandfather and uncle worked there.
After asking Wang’s preferences, Li turned to Yu Xiang’an. “Comrade, what would you like to eat?”
She smiled shyly. “I heard the pig ears here are delicious. Is that true?”
Li was surprised. “Oh, you know about that? Have you been here before?” Pig ears weren’t a common dish for entertaining guests, but one chef here was famous for them.
Yu Xiang’an shook her head. “My uncle works at the county state-run restaurant, and my grandfather retired from there. I must have heard someone mention it.”
Li’s eyes lit up. He called a waiter to summon Chef Sun.
Chef Sun came out with a plate of peanuts and pickled radish. “Director Li, what would you like today?”
Li chuckled. “We’ve already ordered. I called you out because of something interesting. This is Deputy Director Wang from Baishi County Food Factory, and this is his colleague. When I asked what she wanted to eat, she mentioned your pig ears right away. I asked if she’d been here before, and she said she’d only heard about them—her grandfather and uncle work at their county state-run restaurant. See? Your reputation has spread far!”
Chef Sun beamed, looking at Yu Xiang’an with warmth.
“What a coincidence! Comrade, don’t hold back today. I’ll make you my specialty right now!” His booming voice radiated enthusiasm.
Li laughed as Chef Sun hurried back to the kitchen. “We’re in for a treat today!”
Praise from a fellow professional was especially gratifying. With such encouragement, Chef Sun would surely put in extra effort—perhaps even offer some bonuses.
Wang also smiled, his gaze at Yu Xiang’an slightly different. State-run restaurants were coveted workplaces—no matter how tough times were, chefs never went hungry. His brother-in-law worked at one, though not in the kitchen.
Li was a regular here, so the usually indifferent waitstaff were unusually attentive. Soon, their braised pork, roasted chicken, egg soup, and a large bowl of rice arrived—generous portions.
Yu Xiang’an: “…”
I want to eat!
Li had also brought a colleague, so the four of them had no trouble finishing the meal—especially with three men in the group.
Wang observed Yu Xiang’an’s reaction to the rare feast. Her eyes sparkled, but she remained composed, eating neatly without slowing down.
Either she was well-traveled or had remarkable self-control.
He nodded inwardly.
Halfway through the meal, Chef Sun personally brought out a plate of braised pig ears—its aroma irresistible.
He also included a plate of braised offal: “This is on me. Comrade, try it and tell me what you think.”
He was confident.
Though today’s batch wasn’t his best, the difference was negligible to most—even some fellow chefs couldn’t tell.
Yu Xiang’an, however, was a fellow professional. She didn’t know his peak skill, but she gave a thumbs-up after tasting it. “Lives up to its reputation!”
Her straightforward praise delighted Chef Sun.
She genuinely found it delicious. Chefs of this era often had signature dishes—her grandfather excelled at noodles, while her uncle surpassed him in dumplings.
This braised dish rivaled famous ones she’d tried in her past life, each with its unique charm but equally unforgettable flavor.
Though personally, she preferred it slightly sweeter.
Wang, trying the pig ears for the first time, didn’t praise them outright, but his frequent chopstick visits spoke volumes.
They cleaned their plates—not a grain of rice or drop of soup remained.
Chef Sun emerged to see the spotless dishes and, delighted, gave each of them a jar of leftover braising sauce in repurposed fruit cans. He even gave Yu Xiang’an his address, inviting her and her family to visit.
Li happily accepted the sauce—a harmless yet valuable gift. With it, any meal at home would be flavorful.
After the meal, Wang thoughtfully suggested, “Xiao An, you probably haven’t had much chance to explore the city. It’s lunch break now—why not take a walk? Just be back by three.”
Li immediately offered his young colleague as a guide, but Yu Xiang’an declined politely. “No need, thank you. I’d like to visit the department store—I saw it on the way here.” She smiled sheepishly. “I might stay there a while, but I know the way. Please don’t let me disrupt your work.”
Li laughed understandingly. “Of course! Women always want to browse there. Just keep an eye on the time.”
Suppressing her excitement, Yu Xiang’an headed for the department store. In a secluded spot, she changed clothes, darkened her face and eyebrows with charcoal and sifted soot, tied her collar, and donned a hat—now resembling a young housewife. After checking her disguise, she carried a bamboo basket and set out.
Her plan was to scout the market first.
The largest supply and marketing cooperative, called “Department Store,” had the most comprehensive selection. Yu Xiang’an saw many items unavailable in the county—new-style leather shoes, bicycles, radios, towels, watches, and even sanitary pads filling an entire cabinet.
She noted the prices—uniform across locations.
After surveying the food section, she left, discreetly following shoppers who hadn’t found what they wanted.
Some noticed her and changed routes; others didn’t, leading her to a small black-market hub in a maze-like alley.
Basket-carrying individuals exchanged knowing glances, giving each other space.
Yu Xiang’an lifted her basket’s lid, revealing a slightly shriveled apple. She rotated it for all to see before replacing it.
Some ignored it; others approached. She was direct: “Thirty cents each, fifty for two, eighty for three, one yuan for four!”
These were smaller apples, priced per piece for convenience.
The price wasn’t cheap, but those who could afford it didn’t balk. Those who couldn’t took one look and moved on.
Yu Xiang’an whispered, “First come, first served on picking.”
Some apples looked fresher than others—visibly so.
A woman immediately pulled out one yuan, swiftly grabbed four apples, stuffed them into her bag, and hurried off without a word.
With that start, others followed. Yu Xiang’an traded while staying alert—getting caught was no joke.
Soon, only the driest apples remained. She sold them cheaply and left immediately, weaving through alleys until she stumbled upon a larger transaction.
A young man carried a load into a house, looking guilty upon spotting her.
The middle-aged man at the door laughed loudly. “Nephew, thanks for the help! Come in for some tea!” He hurried the young man inside, preparing to shut the door.
Yu Xiang’an called out, “Comrade, wait!”
Startled, the man eyed her warily. “Yes? What is it?”
She knew she was being abrupt, but unfamiliar with the city, she didn’t have time to find the right contacts slowly.
So she decided to take a risk. If things didn’t work out, she could always hide in the Xixi Farm. Even if the other party noticed her disappearance, they wouldn’t dare make a fuss—as long as no one saw her vanish into thin air right in front of them.
She had a backup plan.
Suppressing her voice, she said, “I’m thirsty, comrade. Could I trouble you for a drink of water?”
The middle-aged man exchanged a glance with the young man before opening the door and letting her in. “Of course, come on in.”
He left the door ajar, and Yu Xiang’an relaxed slightly.
The middle-aged man walked over and patted the young man on the shoulder. “Here, help me carry these things inside. Comrade, wait here for a moment. I’ll fetch you some water.” The last sentence was directed at Yu Xiang’an.
Yu Xiang’an nodded and watched as they went inside. Before long, an older woman came out holding a rough ceramic bowl.
“Young lady, you must be thirsty. Here, have some water.”
Yu Xiang’an took it with both hands, lightly touching it to her lips without drinking. Instead, she discreetly transferred some of the water into the farm, creating the illusion that she had taken a sip.
“Auntie, thank you. I’d like to ask you about someone—do you know a man named Cao Tiancheng around here? He’s probably in his forties or fifties.”
The woman shook her head firmly. “Young lady, you must be mistaken. There’s no one with the surname Cao around here.”
Yu Xiang’an sighed. “The address was written so vaguely. I’ve already checked a few places, and no one knows him. I guess I’ll have to go back. It wasn’t easy for me to come here, but it’s a shame about these apples. My mother knew he loved them and went out of her way to prepare them.” As she spoke, she lifted the lid to reveal the apples inside.
The woman’s eyes widened immediately. Real apples! And such large, vibrant ones—rarely seen!
She grabbed Yu Xiang’an’s hand. “Young lady, what do you plan to do with these apples now?”
Seeing the apples, she couldn’t bear to let the girl leave just like that. She knew quality when she saw it. “You’re not in a hurry to leave, are you? It’s still early. Tell me, what do you want to do with these apples? They must’ve cost a fortune. Are you just going to take them back? You should think about it—just eat them yourself? Not to be blunt, but that’s no small sum.”
Judging by the girl’s clothes, she didn’t seem to come from a well-off family. There were at least ten pounds of apples here.
Yu Xiang’an hadn’t actually planned to leave. Seizing the opportunity, she said, “Auntie, you’ve hit the nail on the head. My mother went through so much trouble for these apples and even owes someone a big favor. Now that I can’t find the person, it’s all for nothing. For families like ours, a few apples aren’t worth much—tasty but not filling. Auntie, you’ve seen the world. Do you have any ideas?”
The woman’s heart leaped with joy. “To be honest, young lady, I love these myself. You know we’re in the south—northern fruits like these are hard to come by. My daughter-in-law is from the north, and she’s pregnant. She’s always craving fruits from back home, but I’ve had no luck finding any. If you’re willing to part with them, I won’t let you suffer a loss.”
Yu Xiang’an’s face first lit up with joy, then clouded with hesitation, clearly conflicted. “Auntie, you’re not fooling me, are you? These cost a lot. My mother only did this because she owed him a debt of gratitude.”
The woman nodded. “Just name your price, young lady. I’m a straightforward person!”
The apples, untouched and naturally appealing, were even more enticing, and the price was higher than before. Yu Xiang’an looked embarrassed, her voice dropping. “They’re four mao each. Auntie, I’m not trying to cheat you. If that’s too much, I understand. Really, this is what my mother paid—I’m not making a profit!”
Each apple weighed nearly half a pound—eight mao per pound, about the same as pork. But apples were rarer than pork. The woman didn’t hesitate long. She had money. “How many do you want to sell?”
Yu Xiang’an sighed. “If I can’t find him, I’d like to sell them as soon as possible. My brother’s at the age where he’s thinking about marriage. I’m already married, but my family isn’t well-off, so I can’t help much. My mother got carried away and even used the betrothal money for this.”
The woman nodded sympathetically. “I understand. Let me go get the money. Wait here.” She left the door slightly ajar—a considerate gesture, since a woman alone would naturally feel safer that way. Soon, she returned with a small basket. Yu Xiang’an counted the apples while the woman watched, then handed over the money accordingly.
Yu Xiang’an accepted the money with a smile. “Auntie, I can’t thank you enough!” Then she hesitated. “Earlier, I saw your nephew bringing something over. Is he from the countryside? Do they have more fine grains there? If he brought you any, would you mind sparing some for me? My son is still young—he can’t handle coarse food. It breaks my heart to see him so thin. If it’s not convenient, that’s fine. I know times are hard for everyone.”
The woman’s heart softened. “I’m not sure, but I’ll check. If there’s any, I’ll share some with you. How much do you need?”
Yu Xiang’an: “I’d like twenty pounds, but I know that’s a lot. Even two pounds would be enough. To be honest, we’re running low on grain coupons.”
The woman sighed—who wasn’t in the same boat? Monthly rations were fixed, and most of it was coarse grain. Fine grain was always in short supply, especially for families with elderly or children. Without coupons, they had to resort to buying overpriced grain on the black market.
The woman went back inside and returned with five pounds of rice. “Take a look. It’s good quality.”
The rice was hulled. At the grain station, this grade would cost fourteen fen per pound (twelve fen for standard), but without coupons, it was sixty fen per pound.
With the early rice harvest approaching, prices were lower as people sold off last year’s stock. During holidays, prices could spike to over one yuan per pound. No wonder people still risked trading despite the severe consequences—the profits were tenfold.
Yu Xiang’an took the rice, paid, and thanked her profusely. The woman added, “This should last your son a while. Once the summer harvest comes in, things will get easier.”
Yu Xiang’an packed the rice away. “That’s what I think too. Once the new grain arrives, it’ll be better. Auntie, I should go now. Since I couldn’t find the person, I won’t be back anytime soon. If fate allows, I’ll thank you properly next time.”
The woman agreed. After Yu Xiang’an left, her husband gave her a knowing look. After that back-and-forth, he’d figured out the girl’s game—she was in the same line of work as them. He glanced at the nervous young man. “Your brother was busy, so he sent you, but you’re too timid. If you keep this up, someone will catch on.”
The young man wiped sweat from his brow, shaking his head vigorously. “My brother had no choice but to send me this time. I’m not cut out for this—I won’t come again!”
The money was good, but it came with too much stress. He could already imagine sleepless nights ahead.
After waiting a while to avoid running into the girl again, he gathered his things and hurried off.
Once he was gone, the woman asked her husband, “What was that look about?”
The man sighed. “You actually believed her story about looking for a relative? There’s no Cao family in this alley—anyone could tell you that. She was here to sell. When she said ‘next time,’ she meant she’d be back with more goods.” He eyed the apples approvingly. They were top quality. If she brought more like this, he’d gladly buy them—keep some for himself and sell the rest at a markup.
The woman paused. Now that he mentioned it, she realized the girl hadn’t revealed her name or where she was from. She’d kept her lips sealed.
But if she was in the same trade, discretion was a good thing.
*
Yu Xiang’an’s apple tree in the farm had yielded over two hundred pounds. After selling thirty pounds, she still had nearly two hundred left. She kept some for herself and planned to sell the rest.
The first twenty pounds sold for sixteen yuan (eight mao per pound). The latest batch went for twelve yuan (one yuan per pound). In total, she’d made a month’s salary in one day.
Next, she wound her way to a factory residential area. But spotting someone with a red armband in the distance, she quickly changed course. She found another spot, observing the comings and goings of the local women, gauging who might be open to a deal.
Some people wouldn’t dare. If she ran into someone overly righteous, they might even report her on the spot. Though she was disguised and confident in her escape, such trouble would delay her. She needed to be back by three in the afternoon.
After watching for a while, she zeroed in on an elderly woman carrying a pomfret fish. Earlier, she’d overheard someone complain about missing out on pomfret at the market. Where had this woman gotten hers?
Yu Xiang’an quickened her pace and called out, “Auntie! Auntie, wait!” When she caught up, she feigned embarrassment. “Oh, sorry—wrong person.” Then she pulled an apple from her pocket before putting it back, giving the woman a meaningful look. “From behind, you looked just like my aunt. My mistake!”
The old woman was sharp. Recognizing the signal, she laughed. “Really? What a coincidence! Come, let’s talk…”
When the time came, Yu Xiang’an stopped selling. She changed clothes and reapplied her makeup, this time disguising herself as a young wife with rosy cheeks, giving her a simple, honest appearance.
In the factory district, she hadn’t taken just money but also various coupons. Now, armed with both, she went on a shopping spree. Her first stop was the sanitary napkin counter at the department store. She handed over a list, playing the part of a naive shopper. “Comrade, could you get me these?”
The salesclerk glanced at the list—quite a large order—and nodded dismissively. “Buying for someone else? Money and coupons?”
Yu Xiang’an placed them on the counter. The clerk scribbled a receipt and fetched the items. Yu Xiang’an stuffed them into a large sack, relieved. These would last her months.
With that major task done, she happily shopped for everything else—coarse and fine grains, candy, canned meat—anything her coupons allowed.
By the time she left, she’d spent all the coupons from the apple sales and most of the cash. She stopped by a pharmacy to buy spices, finishing off the last of her money.
Her mission was mostly accomplished. The only regret? She hadn’t found an iron pot—those were hard to come by.
Seeing Yu Xiang’an return on time, Deputy Director Wang smiled. “What did you buy?”
She opened her basket. “I spent a long time at the department store. It’s so impressive—so many people! They had shoe styles we don’t have back home. If I’d been working longer, I might’ve splurged.”
“I bought some milk candy and pastries.” She smiled sheepishly. “My brother will be thrilled when he sees these.”
Deputy Director Wang nodded approvingly. Caring for one’s younger brother was a virtue.
“And a notebook for my father. His old one’s almost full, but he wouldn’t buy a new one. I got this for him.”
The deputy director’s expression grew even warmer.
They didn’t wait long before the drivers arrived with the cargo. Yu Xiang’an climbed into the back again. This time, the trip was uneventful.
By the time they returned, most of the factory workers had left. Yu Xiang’an didn’t go back to the office. After saying goodbye, she headed straight home.
When she returned, Yu Xiangju and Yu Mingjie stood guard at the door like two door gods. Seeing her back, they cheered and hugged her arms from either side: “Fifth Sister, what did you buy?”
Yu Mingjie chimed in unison: “Auntie, what did you buy?”
Yu Xiang’an couldn’t help but laugh. “Come on, let’s go inside and talk.”
Once inside, the two little ones circled around her excitedly: “Fifth Sister, Fifth Sister!”
“Auntie, Auntie!”
Their overlapping calls softened her heart. “I’m thirsty.”
Yu Xiangju reacted swiftly. “I’ll get water for Fifth Sister!” With that, he dashed into the kitchen.
Yu Mingjie was a step slower. “Auntie, you must be tired. Let me massage your shoulders.” His small hands began kneading her back.
Yu Xiangju brought the water to her. “Fifth Sister, here’s the water.”
Yu Xiang’an took the cup, unable to hold back her smile as she affectionately ruffled their hair. She stopped teasing them and opened her bag. “I bought egg cakes and milk candies. What do you want to eat?”
Yu Mingjie and Yu Xiangju shouted in unison: “We want both!”
Not long after, Yu Qingshan returned home and saw his daughter already there. He nodded with a smile. “When did you get back?”
“Just a short while ago, Dad. I noticed your notebook is almost full, so I bought you a new one—a style you can’t find in town. I thought it looked nice. What do you think?”
Looking at the notebook with the words “Hard Work and Struggle” emblazoned on the cover, Yu Qingshan, who had been about to scold the kids for the crumbs around their mouths, found himself speechless. He could only sigh fondly, “You…”
What father wouldn’t feel warmed by a gift from his daughter? Compared to his eldest son, who had been working for so long without ever giving him anything, it was no wonder people said daughters were like little cotton-padded jackets.
Yu Xiangju peeked into the bag. “Fifth Sister, what else did you buy?”
Yu Xiang’an pulled out the contents. “This wasn’t bought. Today, I went on a business trip with the deputy factory director, and the hosts treated us to a meal at the state-run restaurant. This was a gift from Chef Sun there. Let’s have this with our meal tonight—it’s delicious. Smell it, isn’t it fragrant?”
Yu Xiangju exclaimed excitedly, “It smells like meat!”
After a long and tiring day, Yu Xiang’an was exhausted. Before bed, she followed her routine and checked into the farm, collected the acceleration drops, and slept soundly through the night. However, the next day at the factory, she was met with evasive glances from her colleagues.
Puzzled, Yu Xiang’an looked around, but everyone avoided her gaze, leaving her no chance to ask. Confused, she walked into the office, where Yan Yuzhen was already waiting. Yan Yuzhen hesitated, then seemed to make up her mind and stepped forward, patting her shoulder reassuringly. “Xiao An, don’t worry. Sister Zhen will definitely find you a good match!”
Yu Xiang’an: “???”
What on earth happened in the one day she was away?
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