Chapter 413

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Protagonist:

Chai Mi

Chai Mi and Song Qiushui got to work immediately.

Chai Mi pressed down hard on it, then hefted it to gauge the weight.

"Standard size is two point five meters wide, eight meters long per quilt. One quilt weighs roughly... one hundred twenty to thirty catties. Inside is premium cotton, compressed and fluffed, insulation effect absolutely guaranteed. This canvas outside is thickened, sun-proof, waterproof, and wind-resistant, using it for ten or eight years is no problem at all."

Song Qiushui touched the snow-white cotton inside: "This cotton is really white, just looking at it feels warm. Better than the cotton my family uses for quilts."

"Of course, our factory uses only good cotton." Wang Dayong was a bit proud.

"Cover the greenhouse with this quilt in winter, as long as it's pressed down tight, at minus twenty-five degrees outside, inside the greenhouse can basically stay above plus five degrees, the seedlings won't freeze."

"Team Leader Wang, this price..."

"This... factory unified external price, four yuan fifty per square meter. You guys have twenty square meters per quilt, that's ninety yuan."

Chai Mi calculated rapidly in her heart: ninety yuan per quilt, one greenhouse by length and width needs at least twenty-some, thirty quilts... six greenhouses... she felt her heart bleeding! This absolutely exceeded the budget by too much!

Her face didn't show it, just frowned slightly: "Team Leader Wang, this price... is a bit high. Chenglei Ge said you're an honest person, we're also sincere in buying, and it's not one or two quilts, it's the volume of six big greenhouses!"

Wang Dayong was also straightforward: "Introduced by Chenglei, then definitely give a discount. Like this, within my authority, give you... four yuan per square? One quilt is eighty yuan!"

Chai Mi didn't answer, just squatted down, carefully felt the quilt's thickness and the canvas texture again, and tugged hard at the stitching: "The goods are truly good, Team Leader Wang. But us farmers setting up a few greenhouses isn't easy, the initial investment is too large. This quilt is a major expense. Look, how about this, we're ordering this many at once, you give a bit more? Three yuan five per square? One quilt seventy?"

Wang Dayong had some difficulty: "Chai Mi little sister, you're cutting pretty ruthlessly. Three fifty... the cost is scorching. Like this, for Chenglei's face, and seeing you're a girl who does big things, I'll concede another step, seventy-five per quilt! This is truly the bottom price! Any lower and I'd be paying out of my own pocket!"

"Deal! Team Leader Wang is straightforward! Then seventy-five! Later I need thirty per greenhouse, two thousand one hundred fifty, I'll give you two thousand one, deal."

"Rest assured! Absolutely guaranteed! If there's a problem you let Chenglei find me, I Wang Dayong can't escape in Shuiquan Township! When do you need delivery? Large quantity I have to arrange production, need a bit of time."

"The faster the better! The weather turns cold the moment it says so." Chai Mi asked: "How much deposit? We'll pay today."

"Deposit three thousand." Wang Dayong took out paper and pen.

"Okay." Chai Mi paid the deposit. "I'll give you the address, deliver directly there when the time comes, there's always someone there."

"Okay."

Afterwards Chai Mi and Song Qiushui rode the inverted donkey back.

Now it was late autumn, clouds piled up at the sky's edge, wind scraping the face carried obvious chill.

"This weather, visibly turning cold." Chai Mi sighed: "Even our family dog knows to hide inside at night and not go out."

"Mm." Song Qiushui wrapped her coat tighter, voice lazy: "Morning and evening we'll have to wear padded jackets. Your greenhouse seedlings can't withstand freezing."

"Exactly," Chai Mi exhaled, "the quilts are basically settled, but this money spent... tsk, heart liver lungs all hurt. Six greenhouses' volume, truly not a small sum." She paused, thinking of that small warehouse built at the village entrance, "Hey, Qiushui, you say our warehouse, just tidied up, seeing the cold I also have no time to set up a stall, leaving it empty is such a waste. If you have free time, all the equipment inside is ready-made, you push it out to sell something? Earn more or less all counts as yours, as pocket money? Better than idling."

Song Qiushui hearing this, shook her head instantly like a rattle drum: "Forget it Chai Mi! Spare me okay? That freezing cold day, pushing a cart drinking the northwest wind? Frozen snot running wild, with that time I'd rather stay home on the kang head eating melon seeds, playing with puppies, how comfortable? I don't have your kind of drive, money is good but why suffer that crime? Not going not going!"

Chai Mi long anticipated she'd say this, not surprised either, laughing shook her head: "Okay okay okay, just knew your lazy tendons acted up again. Then the warehouse stays empty for now, wait till I free up hands then talk."

The two were silent for a while, the cart entered the courtyard.

Su Wan was just coming out of the kitchen pouring water, Chai Youqing holding a broom sweeping fallen leaves in the courtyard.

"Mom, Dad, we're back!" Chai Mi stopped the cart.

Su Wan raised her head: "Back? Quilt matter settled?"

"Mm, settled, Shuiquan Township factory, Team Leader Wang Dayong gave a decent price, just have to wait a few days." Chai Mi said, then changed the subject.

"Right, Mom, Dad, I've been thinking of something, want to discuss with you two."

Chai Youqing stopped sweeping, leaning on the broom: "What matter? Money not enough?"

Chai Mi patted dust off her hands: "Not money matter. I'm thinking, wait till our greenhouse side quilts are laid, everything arranged properly, Guoyun Sister-in-law and them can watch over it, I'll make a trip to the Capital City."

"Capital City?! How far is that place! You a little girl, running there to do what? How dangerous! Heard that side lots of people lots of cars, chaotic!"

Chai Mi turned back to hold Su Wan's hand, softened her voice: "Mom, don't worry, I'm not going alone."

"Ah? Who else?" Su Wan and Chai Youqing both looked at her.

Chai Mi pursed her lips toward the side: "There, Qiushui accompanying me. Us two partner up, look after each other. Besides..." she turned to Chai Youqing: "I also plan to call Liu San! He's traveled north and south been to many vegetable markets, and that big build of his, on the road can also act as a bodyguard. Us three go together, just treat it as... just as going for a trip, broaden horizons, conveniently handle proper business. You think okay?"

Song Qiushui originally watching the show eating melon seeds at the side, froze a moment.

"Right Uncle, Aunt! I'm accompanying Chai Mi! And Liu San Ge! More people more strength, fear what? Just treat as tourism! I've never been to Capital City! Heard it's super lively!"

Su Wan hearing Qiushui accompanying, and also calling that reliable and able-to-fight Liu San, worry in heart reduced a bit, but still hesitated: "This... this can work? That'll cost quite a bit right? Travel expenses, food and lodging..."

This counted as... tacit agreement.

Chai Mi and Song Qiushui looked at each other, both pursed lips.

"Then it's settled! Wait for quilts to arrive, lay them, explain greenhouse matters clearly, Guoyun Sister-in-law and them can hold the fort, we set off! To the Capital City!"

Capital City compared to home this countryside, is two worlds.

Two days later, the quilts arrived.

Chai Mi again troubled Liu Chenglei and Liu Zhijing to help unload quilts.

Put the quilts up on the greenhouse roof, took another two days.

And during this time, seedlings had all been transplanted and finished, Chai Mi saw Wang Guoyun and them working didn't need to supervise, they knew how to work themselves, she also had peace of mind.

After everything was tidied up, Chai Mi specially went to find Liu Chenglei.

This neighbor of hers was quite good, capable, reliable, and got along well.

When she went, Liu Chenglei was just using a chaff cutter to cut grass for his family's cow.

Chai Mi directly entered the courtyard: "Busy."

"Mm."

Chai Mi anyway had nothing to do, just helped Liu Chenglei cut grass together.

The two Liu brothers, Liu Chengjie and Liu Chenglei, were both fine young men.

Liu Chengjie had married long ago; his wife was even a city person, but after marriage the couple lived in a semi-separated state — Liu Chengjie spent most of his time at home.

Liu Chenglei was already twenty-five or six and still unmarried.

This era was like that: when a family had many sons, the eldest married a wife and the second son had it harder.

However, Liu Chenglei had someone introduce a match; it was estimated he might marry by winter.

Chai Mi helped cut fodder, and Liu Chunren and his wife said this child Chai Mi was already a big boss yet still helped with the work.

Chai Mi smiled bashfully.

After finishing, Chai Mi said to Liu Chenglei: "Second Brother, I'm thinking like this. You don't have much to do this winter either; why not help me haul and lay cotton quilts and such? It's just morning and evening work, won't delay your daytime labor; I'll give you five hundred yuan a month, what do you think?"

Liu Chenglei stared blankly: "Chai Mi, look at you, just helping is fine, why talk about money?"

"Money must be given, otherwise I'm afraid you won't work properly......"

"Hahaha...."

Days seemed wound up like clockwork; Chai Mi's six greenhouses ran more and more smoothly.

Lao Liutou stole trees by day, and at night was full of spirit, pacing back and forth among the greenhouses; the rice, flour, oil, and meat Chai Mi gave him made him work with vigor, and he told everyone Chai Mi was righteous.

Wang Guoyun and the few people under her tended the tomato vines in the greenhouses as if they were their own children.

At home, Su Wan and Chai Youqing had also recovered their energy.

Chai Youqing watched his daughter's career flourishing; he said nothing, but the number of times he walked around the greenhouses with hands behind his back had obviously increased.

Su Wan kept the house spotlessly clean, occasionally bringing hot water and baked flatbreads to Wang Guoyun and the others; days were plain but permeated with steadiness.

This evening, Chai Mi helped Wang Guoyun and the others put away their tools, watched Liu Chenglei cover the last cotton quilt, dusted off her hands, and said to Song Qiushui beside her: "Qiu Shui, this side has Sister-in-law Guoyun and them watching, Liu Chenglei and Lao Liutou are also reliable; I think our trip to the capital can be set."

Song Qiushui's eyes brightened: "Really going? Great! I've never been to such a big place; they say the capital has everything!"

"Mm, must go. Hearing is false, seeing is true. When our persimmons come down, what price they'll fetch shipped to the capital — we need to have a clear idea in our hearts."

Just as they spoke, Chai Xiu came running with her schoolbag on her back, little face flushed red.

Beside her, Chai Youqing pushed a bicycle over as well.

Clearly he had just picked Chai Xiu up from school.

She grabbed Chai Mi's arm: "Sister! I heard! You're going to the capital? Can you... can you take me too?"

Before Chai Mi could answer, Chai Youqing who had followed spoke first: "Go where! The capital is so far, your sister is going on proper business, what trouble would a little girl like you add tagging along? Stay home and study properly!"

Chai Youqing also frowned: "Exactly, that place is unfamiliar, crowded with people and vehicles; what if you get bumped or knocked? No."

Chai Xiu pouted, her eye rims reddening: "I'm so big already! Every day just wandering around the village and town, I want to see what the outside is like too! Sister——"

She shook Chai Mi's arm hard.

Chai Mi looked at her younger sister's longing eyes, then at Chai Youqing's worried face, and calculated in her heart.

Bringing Chai Xiu along meant one more person for company; looking after her on the road should be no problem. Most importantly, she also wanted her younger sister to broaden her horizons, not stay cooped up in this small place forever.

"Xiu'er isn't small anymore; taking her out to see the world won't hurt. Reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles; let her see what a big city is like — it might be better than just burying herself in books. The four of us can look out for each other, no problem. Liu San is going too, he knows the ropes." She turned to ask Chai Xiu: "On the road you must obey, no running off."

Chai Xiu immediately broke into a smile through tears, nodding vigorously: "I promise to obey! Whatever Sister says to do, I'll do!"

Chai Youqing sighed: "Ai, since your sister has put it like that... then go. Be extremely careful yourselves!"

"Got it, Dad!" Chai Xiu was so happy she nearly jumped up.

The matter was settled. Chai Mi didn't take extra money; she settled the greenhouses and home, brought only necessary travel funds and a bit for emergencies, traveling light.

A few days later, at a dawn when the sky was just turning pale, Chai Mi, Song Qiushui, Liu San, and Chai Xiu — who was so excited she hadn't slept much all night — boarded the tractor Liu Zhijing drove to the county seat, then from the county seat took the green-skinned train bound for the capital.

The train clattered, Chai Xiu's face pressed tight against the window glass, her eyes not enough to take it all in.

"Sister! Look! That mountain runs so fast! And that river!"

"Sister, look at that house, so terribly tall! Is that the county seat?"

"Wow! What's that iron frame for? There are wires on top too!"

"Qiu Shui Sister, look what's planted in that field! A whole stretch of green!"

Liu San sat by the aisle, legs crossed, looking utterly unsurprised: "This is nothing yet; wait till we enter the capital, that's when you'll see crowds and traffic and tall buildings. Ke County to the capital is only two hundred li or so; express train three-plus hours, slow train four hours tops, a blink of an eye. You two save your strength; later you'll have plenty to look at."

Chai Mi sat by the window, relatively quiet, listening to her younger sister's chatter, watching the plain, villages, and small towns flash by outside.

"The capital's big markets, like Xinfadi — are they far from the train station?" Chai Mi asked Liu San.

"Depends which station you go to. This trip's terminus is Yongdingmen, right? Not too far from several big markets in the south city; bus or hired tricycle both work." Liu San answered lazily: "Rest assured, once we arrive I'll take you to find a place to stay; tomorrow morning early we'll go scout."

"Mm-hmm." Chai Mi nodded.

Chai Xiu's attention was drawn again by the pushcart moving through the carriage: "Peanuts melon seeds mineral water! Beer drinks ham sausages! Comrade, pull your legs in!"

The salesperson's hawking made her feel extraordinarily novel.

"Sister, let's buy something to eat? I'm a bit hungry." Chai Xiu touched her belly.

Song Qiushui took out from her cloth bag a tightly wrapped enamel mug: "Hungry for what, it's only what time. I brought dumplings; your mom specially wrapped them last night, Chinese cabbage and pork filling, still warm, eat a few to tide you over."

Chai Xiu cheered, took the chopsticks her sister handed her, picked up a dumpling and stuffed it in her mouth, mumbling: "Mm... delicious! Mom's dumplings are the best! Qiu Shui Sister, does the capital have dumplings this good?"

Song Qiushui ate one too: "Who knows, have to taste to know. But they say the capital has lots of good food — roast duck, fried sauce noodles, stewed offal..."

Liu San interjected: "That stewed offal, you out-of-towners might not stomach it, strong smell of innards. Roast duck's alright, just expensive."

"Afraid of expensive? Once our greenhouse persimmons sell for money, I'll treat you all to roast duck!"

Chai Mi rarely cracked a joke, making everyone laugh.

"Dear passengers, the next stop ahead is this train's final destination — Beijing Station. Please collect your personal belongings and prepare to disembark..."

"Sister! We're here! The capital is here!"

Song Qiushui also hurriedly put away the remaining dumplings, checked her small bag.

Liu San stretched, stood up: "Let's go, stay close, don't get separated in the crowd. Be extra careful from now on; too many people here, don't lose your things."

Chai Mi took a deep breath, picked up her simple luggage, watched through the window the city outline growing clearer and vaster, mixed with the unique clamor and vibration of the train pulling into the station; a feeling blending excitement, anticipation, and a trace of apprehension surged in her heart. She gripped her younger sister's hand tight, nodded to Song Qiushui and Liu San: "Go, get off. Let's see this capital, just how good it really is."

(Starting May 31, 1985, the Capital City had already issued some policies, had already formally opened agricultural trade markets, and had also formally opened some other domains; entering the Capital City no longer required proof.)

Exiting the station, the city's breath rushed at them — gasoline smell, dust smell, faint food fragrance, and ubiquitous clamor. Liu San familiarly hailed two pedal rickshaws.

(At this time in the Capital City, taxis were still few and expensive; pedal rickshaws were the common short-distance tool.)

"Driver, find a cleaner, cheaper guest house, closer to the big vegetable market." Liu San said to the first driver.

"Hao La, you!" The driver, speaking in a Capital accent, pedaled off.

The rickshaws wove along the broad avenue, lined on both sides with rows of buildings and huge propaganda posters.

Chai Xiu's eyes weren't enough; she kept asking: "Sister, what unit is that?"

"Qiu Shui Sister, look, that building has a big clock!"

"Brother, how is this road so wide?"

After seven twists and eight turns, they finally stopped at a street that wasn't too bustling but also not too remote. Before them stood a four-story corridor-style building, hanging a faded sign: "xx Guest House".

"Here will do, clean enough, transportation passable too." Liu San paid the fare and led them inside.

The front desk was a middle-aged woman wearing a blue cloth jacket, expression somewhat wooden.

Liu San stepped forward: "Comrade, open two rooms, staying two days."

"Letter of introduction." The woman didn't even lift her eyelids.

"Hey, Comrade, isn't it open now? We peasants entering the city, didn't bring a letter of introduction." Liu San accompanied with a smile.

Only then did the woman lift her eyelids and sweep a glance over them, especially at Chai Xiu and Song Qiushui who were obviously dressed as countryside young ladies, tone cold: "No letter of introduction? Then it's charged at the out-of-town reception standard."

"What standard?" Song Qiushui asked curiously.

"One room, one night, two hundred." The woman spat out a few words.

"Two hundred?! Robbery!" Song Qiushui's mind instantly flashed to Chai Youfu laboring huffing and puffing for a whole month to earn just over two hundred, her heart aching sharply.

Chai Mi also knitted her brows tight; this price far exceeded expectations.

Liu San hurriedly smoothed things over: "Comrade, look, we're all honest people, just ordinary rooms, as long as we can sleep it's fine, any cheaper ones? This two hundred is too……"

"No letter of introduction, this price, stay or don't stay." The woman rolled a white eye, then lowered her head to look at the dog-eared magazine in her hand.

Chai Mi pulled back the still-wanting-to-argue Song Qiushui, took a deep breath: "Fine, two rooms. One room for the male comrade, one room for us three female comrades."

She knew reasoning wouldn't work right now; tomorrow they still had to go to the market.

Got the keys, second floor, two adjacent rooms. Opened the door and entered, the room not large, two single beds, a bedside table in the middle, a thermos, a paint-peeling washbasin rack, walls painted halfway up with green paint.

Song Qiushui plopped down on the hard bed, touching the rough sheets, wailing incessantly.

This place is too shabby, not even as good as home.