My 1978 Hotel

Chapter 16: Steamed buns as a return gift, everyone in the dam eats buns

"What's wrong? What's wrong?"

"Come on, I'm a steelworker."

"What? Steelworker, five dollars? Holy shit, this much is worth half a month's work for me."

Well, these shouts almost made Li Feng fall down.

Those who didn't get in took a deep breath when they heard this. Oh my god, this is five dollars for steelmaking in cash. Even though everyone talks about getting two or three cents a day, in the end, more than half of the families not only don't get any money by the end of the year, but also have to owe money for food rations. It's hard to get one dollar at ordinary times, let alone five dollars for free.

How could everyone not be envious? Even Han Fuguo, Han Futian and others felt that the reward was quite high. You have to know that the usual rewards given by the commune were one or two yuan at most, and rarely more than three yuan. After all, Maya Commune had never been rich.

The reward was nothing compared to the wealthy communes outside. I never thought that so much money would be spent this time. It was a five-yuan bill for steelmaking, and that was not counting the money. There were some banknotes mixed in it, which was quite a lot. Monthly tickets were very tight in those days, and basically every family did not have enough.

"Oh, there are still tickets here, quite a lot."

"Dad Daya, come and tell us what good things we have given you."

"Yes, yes, what did you give?"

Those who couldn't squeeze in stretched their necks and stood on tiptoe to get a look. Not only did they have to pay five yuan for tickets, but they didn't know what kind of tickets they were. They were as anxious as ants on a hot pan.

"I'm afraid they gave me meat tickets."

"I wonder if there are any food coupons."

"I think they even gave me some candy tickets."

"Sugar tickets, that's a good thing."

"What tickets are good?"

"That's not true."

There are not many tickets available in the countryside throughout the year. Sugar tickets, meat tickets, and non-staple food tickets are all rare and valuable things for farmers.

Of course, it is not only the farmers who cherish it, but also ordinary workers.

"It's nothing, actually. I won't say any more. I won't say any more."

Li Feng waved his hand nonchalantly, saying, "There are quite a few things, so it's okay."

"Tell us about it and open our eyes." Han Anqing came over with a smile.

"That's right, Daya's dad should tell us about it, so we can share in the good fortune." Dabang's wife also joined in the fun, and Han Anshu, the big stick, laughed. "My wife is right, Daya's dad should tell us about it, so we can share in the good fortune."

"Don't hide this kid anymore, tell everyone about it."

Han Fujing said with a smile. "What's the matter? Are you afraid that everyone will borrow your tickets?"

"No, Uncle Han Liu, what are you talking about?"

Li Feng thought to himself that Han Laoliu was truly a fool, with a fake smile on his face. This guy was even more unpleasant than Wu Gou, who was openly hostile to him. He should pay more attention to him in the future. "It's nothing, everyone knows the five yuan."

"Here are ten kilograms of national grain coupons, two kilograms of meat coupons, one kilogram each of sugar coupons and non-staple food coupons. Those are just some odds and ends. Nothing special. I'm afraid everyone will be disappointed."

"Boy, this is still fragmented."

Han Fuguo felt that Li Feng was getting cocky. Not to mention the five yuan, the national food coupons included oil, not to mention sugar coupons and non-staple food coupons. Cadres only got a few yuan a month, and the meat coupons were two kilograms. Many families in Hanjiaba were afraid that they could not even buy two kilograms of meat during the New Year.

Brigade cadres like Han Fuguo and Han Futian had never expected that the commune would give such a large reward. Five yuan was surprising enough, and there were so many popular tickets.

They didn't realize that these ten kilograms of food coupons, non-staple food coupons, sugar coupons, and meat coupons were the result of Gao Tiancheng and Wu Feng's hard work and effort. It was easy to imagine how valuable they were. Li Feng happily counted them all, finally showing off in front of everyone.

This commune cadre is pretty good. Li Feng didn't know how many years it had been since Maya Commune had such a big happy event. It was really an honor for Maya Commune. This was already the highest reward of the commune. In ordinary areas, it would be considered good if a county model worker got half of the reward.

"Oh my goodness, that's a lot."

"Yeah, this guy can still be called odds and ends. You have a big appetite, kid."

"I think this thing is enough for the New Year."

"Of course, we're not this rich even during Chinese New Year, so why doesn't this kid think it's enough?"

Everyone's eyes were on the banknotes and tickets in Li Feng's hands, and their mouths and hearts were full of envy.

"This is just a reward from the commune. The county will also give rewards in a few days." Han Anjun thought to himself that this was just the beginning. There was more to come. This was just a reward from the commune. The county might have some good things.

"What, there are rewards from the county? Oh my God, why is it so good to be in the newspaper?" Big Foot Sister-in-law exclaimed. Well, the rewards from the commune are scary enough, and there are maybe even more rewards from the county.

"Of course. Not only the commune rewards, but the county also provides some. Look how happy Daya and Erya are." The sister-in-law shouted, looking at Li Feng, then at Daya and Erya. These two children have found a good backer.

How could Daya and Erya not be happy, especially since Daya's father did not steal or rob, and not only did he not get arrested, he also received reward money and tickets from the commune. It was great. Erya did not think as much as Daya did.

But the little girl also knew about meat tickets and candy tickets. With them, she could eat meat and candy. The other little kids who came to join in the fun also had their eyes full of meat tickets and candy tickets.

Especially candies, many little kids can't eat them once a year, and some of them envy the abilities of Daya and Erya's new father.

"What are you showing off for!" Wu Gou muttered as he squeezed out. He couldn't stand seeing people praising Li Feng, and his face looked disgusting.

"Hey, Wu Gou, where are you going?"

Shouting "sister-in-law" made Wu Gou walk even faster. This guy wanted to run away as soon as he saw Han Anjun take out the money and receipts. Damn it, how could this pretty boy be so lucky? The commune was also blind, why did they give him such a large reward.

Li Feng glanced at Wu Gou's embarrassed back and chuckled. "Wu Gou, why don't you check to see if the ticket is real?"

"Hahaha."

Wu Gou secretly resented Li Feng for deliberately trying to embarrass him. Furthermore, he was the one who had mentioned him when he called her "Sister-in-law." This widow wasn't a good person; she probably had some feelings for the pretty boy. "He'll be labeled a Rightist sooner or later, bah." "What's there to be proud of? If you keep eating like that, you'll be starving in two days."

The more Wu Gou thought about it, the more he felt that was true. A dog can't hold two ounces of sesame oil in its stomach. Look at how proud he is. "Han Fuguo and the other team leaders are the same. Once they heard someone was in the newspaper, they forgot everything. How come they ignored the steamed buns in the room? They haven't inherited the good revolutionary tradition of thrift and diligence. We're told to be frugal every day, but now they're not saying anything. What a snob!"

"What are you mumbling about?"

Han Anbing pulled Wu Gou. Wu Gou wanted to squeeze out of the crowd and run away, as there was no way to stay in this place, but he was caught by Han Anbing. "What's wrong? What I said is wrong. Even if he has the ability to be in the newspaper, it doesn't mean that the white flour and steamed buns in the house will be wasted, right?"

"A room full of white flour buns?"

Han Anjun looked at him in confusion, and Han Fuguo explained.

Han Futian, standing nearby, spoke earnestly to Li Feng. "Even though you've been in the newspapers and brought honor to the community and the commune, we still believe in frugality. We shouldn't waste flour like you do. It's not good."

"Uncle Abacus, you really misunderstood."

Li Feng thought to himself that he was not stupid. No matter how delicious the food was, it was impossible for him to steam fifty or so buns at once in such a hot day. That would be stupid.

"Misunderstanding, then tell me what misunderstanding it is."

Han Fuguo had been suppressing his anger, but it suddenly flared up again. Could it be that this kid hasn't realized his mistake yet?

"That's right, what's the misunderstanding? How can white flour buns be fake?"

Wu Gou really wanted Han Fuguo to hit Li Feng a few more times to make this guy proud.

"You, stop talking, what's your business?"

"What's the matter? You're yelling sister-in-law. What's wrong with me saying a few words? What else I say is none of your business."

Wu Gou muttered to himself, "Don't you fancy me because of my ability?" He shouted, "Sister-in-law, I can hear it faintly. This is unacceptable. I will tear Wu Gou's mouth apart."

"Ouch."

"okay."

Han Fuguo knocked hard on the table, and each one of them was a cause for concern.

"What's going on? Tell me."

"It's like this. Uncle Fuguo, when we settled here yesterday, everyone gave me so much food. I didn't have much to give in return. When I saw the five kilograms of food coupons from the royalties, I thought of buying some white flour and making some steamed buns. I'll give them to everyone as a token of my appreciation."

"what?"

Han Fuguo really didn't expect this answer. He felt a little embarrassed for a moment. After all, he had just beaten Li Feng and even suspected that Li Feng had sold the gifts given by everyone. He never thought that this kid would be so capable and write an article in the provincial newspaper.

"Good good."

Han Fuqiang patted Li Feng on the shoulder again. He was a man of character, and what Li Feng did was exactly what he wanted.

“Although the approach is debatable.”

Han Futian said with a smile, "But it's a good idea."

"You should have told me earlier."

Han Anmin patted Li Feng lightly. "You are a good kid. I didn't make a mistake in choosing you."

"This kid is kind and righteous."

"He's a good kid."

Even Han Anjun thought Li Feng was a good person, which made Li Feng feel a little embarrassed by the praise. "Oh, if I had known that the commune could still give out ten kilograms of food coupons, I would have waited and bought more white flour, and given each family an extra white flour bun."

"I said you were fat and you were breathless."

"Come on, Uncle Fuguo, why are you hitting someone again?"

"Hahaha, you deserve it."

"Keep the remaining food coupons safe."

"Life should be long-lasting and steady."

Shi Chunhua, the women's director, rushed over upon hearing that her third daughter had returned, and this was the perfect opportunity to smooth things over. "That's enough of a thought."

"Stop talking and stop getting angry."

"Oh, look, I almost forgot. Daya, check if the steamed buns are ready. Don't burn the pot dry."

"Everyone, don't leave. Bring some steamed buns back later and I won't deliver them to every household." Li Feng said as he took Daya and Erya to the kitchen to help. Shi Chunhua also went over to help.

"This kid is too polite."

"Grandma, I want to eat white flour buns."

"Okay, okay, I'll wait for your uncle to make it and give it to you."

The families who received the gifts were chatting and laughing, while the families who didn’t receive any gifts were quietly preparing to leave.

"Wu Gou, don't go. I don't want to eat white flour buns anymore."

"Hahaha, you don't know him. I didn't send him any housewarming gifts yesterday. How dare you eat white flour buns?"

(End of this chapter)