A little madman moved into the courtyard house next door.

Xiao Sanfeng and his grandmother returned to the courtyard house at No. 93 Nanluoguxiang, where a large pile of cabbages was found outside the door.

Bai Wushuang asked in confusion, "Who puts a cabbage in front of our house?"

Lin Dabing came over and said, "Aunt Bai, Xiao Xiao, you're back! At noon, the neighborhood committee came to tell us to buy Chinese cabbage, so my family bought about two hundred catties for your family as well."

"Xiaolin, why did you buy so many cabbages for us?"

"Aunt Bai, you're from Western Sichuan, so you probably don't know the living habits of the capital. It snows in the capital every winter, and vegetables can't be brought in because of the snow and ice. So, every household has the habit of buying vegetables for winter storage."

"Won't all these cabbages freeze and rot if you leave them out like this?"

"No, there's a cellar in the yard. We can put the cabbages in the cellar, and in winter the outer layer of leaves will freeze dry and rot, then we can just peel them off."

Xiao Sanfeng said, "Uncle Lin, thank you. How much is it? I'll give you the money."

「大白菜2分钱一斤，你家这堆196斤6两。3块9毛3分钱。」

Others offered genuine help, even if it wasn't a huge favor. At least the intention was there.

Xiao Sanfeng cannot simply accept things without giving them back, taking other people's good intentions for granted.

He went back to the kitchen and brought out a dried pheasant, then took out four yuan and handed it over, saying, "Uncle Lin, this is for the vegetables. Take this pheasant back and stew it too."

Lin Dabing took the money and said, "I'll take the money. I'll have Rui Rui bring you the change later. We don't need the pheasant."

"Uncle Lin, keep the change. Let Rui Rui keep it to buy candy. Consider this pheasant my treat to your meal, and a thank you for helping me buy the groceries."

"Xiao Xiao, your family has always helped us a lot. We just bought some groceries for you, how could we possibly accept your things?"

"Uncle Lin, please accept it!"

"Alright, Uncle Lin won't stand on ceremony with you. We're all neighbors, let's see how things go."

"That's more like it! I still have to go get these cabbages into the cellar, so I won't keep you company any longer."

"Xiao Xiao, what are you doing, a child? You and Aunt Bai should just rest!" After saying that, Lin Dabing shouted in the direction of his house, "Lin Jiajie, Lin Hongjie, you two, come and help Xiao Xiao move the cabbage to the cellar."

Lin Jiajie led Lin Hongjie out and they ran over to start moving the cabbages. Hearing Lin Dabing's shouts, the others in the yard came out to help, and Lin Rui also came out to help.

Lin Dabing took out 5 cents and gave it to Lin Rui, saying, "Rui Rui, take this money and buy some candy."

Xiao Sanfeng thought to himself, "Lin Dabing is quite the doting father!"

Seeing that his sister had money, Lin Hongjie said, "Dad, I want money too."

The eldest child is favored, the youngest is pampered, and the second child is sidelined. Therefore, the second child is generally not favored at home.

Lin Dabing felt the same way, and he said disdainfully, "You're useless at everything, and you eat everything without leaving a trace. You still want money? Get back to work!"

"Oh..." Lin Hongjie carried the cabbage and continued towards the cellar.

Lin Rui walked up to Xiao Sanfeng and said, "Brother Sanfeng, let's go to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy some candy."

Xiao Sanfeng's space contains hundreds of tons of candy, including milk candy, fruit candy, chocolate, and more.

He noticed all kinds of candy available, and then he started looking at the hard candy in the supply and marketing cooperative that cost one cent for two yuan.

"RuiRui, I'm not going. Be careful when you go."

"Thanks for the reminder, Brother Feng. I'll bring some candy back later." Lin Rui said, then skipped away.

.........

There was a type of candy in the supply and marketing cooperative that could be bought without coupons. This hard candy was about the size of small rock candy in later times, and each piece was sold individually without being wrapped in candy paper.

This candy is dark brown in color, and although it doesn't look very appealing, it's still a rare treat and a favorite among children.

Hard candy costs two for one cent. If you buy a small amount, you can just hold it in your hand. If you buy a lot, the salesperson will wrap it in a piece of paper.

Lin Rui went to the Jiaodaokou Supply and Marketing Cooperative at the entrance of the alley and bought 10 pieces of hard candy from the food counter.

She eagerly took out a piece of hard candy and put it in her mouth, then walked out of the supply and marketing cooperative with the paper package in her hand.

………………

Liu Guangfu is 12 years old and is in the fifth grade at Hongxing Primary School.

That brat just stays home all day eating the Seven Wolves snacks his dad wears. He can't even afford cornbread, let alone snacks.

Liu Haizhong is on holiday today and is resting at home. Liu Guangfu, afraid of being beaten at home, ran out to play with Yan Jiefang in the alley outside.

Yan Jiefang was born in 1949 and is 9 years old this year, in the third grade. When his mother gave birth to him, it coincided with the army entering Beijing, so his name was Jiefang (meaning liberation).

The Yan family has a shrewd numbing coin who even divides pickled vegetables by the root. Wanting a snack is not only impossible, it's completely out of the question.

Liu Guangfu and Yan Jiefang saw Lin Rui come out of the supply and marketing cooperative alone in the alley. She was carrying a small paper packet, which was probably filled with snacks.

The two then had wicked thoughts. Liu Guangfu said, "Yan Jiefang, do you think Lin Rui is holding something to eat?"

"Liu Guangfu, are you stupid? You must have gone to buy snacks after leaving the supply and marketing cooperative."

"How can a little girl like you get snacks? What kind of logic is that!"

"Anyway, there's no one in the alley right now, why don't we just rob Lin Rui of her things?"

"I think it's a good idea."

"Walk."

The two men ran over and stopped Lin Rui. Liu Guangfu asked, "Lin Rui, what are you holding?"

Lin Rui isn't stupid; if she said it was hard candy, wouldn't it be snatched away? She quickly said, "My mom told me to buy salt."

Yan Jiefang said, "Then show it to us."

"No, what if you spill it?"

"Lin Rui, do you really think we're stupid? If your family is buying salt, this is all you're buying. Hurry up and give it to me."

"No way! I won't give it to you!" Lin Rui said, and then ran away.

Liu Guangfu and Yan Jiefang grabbed Lin Rui, snatched the paper package from her hand, and ran far away.

The two opened the paper package, and Yan Jiefang excitedly shouted, "Candy, it's candy!"

After Yan Jiefang finished shouting, he grabbed a piece of candy and put it in his mouth. Liu Guangfu quickly grabbed the rest of the candy and stuffed it into his mouth as well.

Lin Rui stomped her feet in anger and shouted, "Yan Jiefang, Liu Guangfu, you just wait! I'm going to tell my older brothers on you!"

Yan Jiefang was already upset that he only got one piece of candy, so he said, "So what if I ate one piece of your candy? You have your brother, but I have my brother too!"

"Hmph, you just wait." Lin Rui said and headed towards courtyard house number 93.