Chapter 64: Chapter 64 Also benefits the target
Jiang Changhai lowered his head to look at the past, noticing that the dye on these pieces of fabric was not very even, but the material itself was good, just not as aesthetically pleasing.
But for the common folk, aesthetics weren’t important, what mattered was that it was practical and cheap!
“How much for this cloth?” Jiang Changhai thought of an excuse, “Our family has a lot of members, and many relatives too. We made some money this year and want to give back to the elders. Miss, what do you think?”
The salesperson thought for a moment, “Usually it’s fifty cents per chi, these are going for thirty cents per chi, but…”
Since it’s not yet open for business, who knows if he’s trying to speculate.
Jiang Changhai was smooth-talking and quick-witted, “Miss, you can trust me, I can tell you’re smart and educated, kind and reasonable. If these fabrics spoil, they’ll be of no use. Why don’t you sell them to me for cheap? I’m here in town to exchange for cloth tickets and milk coupons, and I have industrial coupons too. Next time I come to the Supply and Marketing Cooperative, I’ll bring you a few coupons, how about that?”
The salesperson was somewhat tempted upon hearing this.
Jiang Changhai was handsome and had a way with words, and even suggested bringing her coupons, it seemed like a great offer.
She blinked, “Really, no tricks?”
“If I come to town to shop, I’d definitely look for you, right? If I go back on my word by then, you can refuse to sell to me!”
Jiang Changhai thumped his chest to assure her, and suddenly, his tone changed as he said cheerfully, “Can you make it even cheaper, miss? I’ll bring you a few more milk coupons. I heard that girls who drink more milk will have skin as white as milk, which is also good when looking for a partner.”
Of course, this was a lie, but others wouldn’t know that.
The salesperson had indeed not found a partner and immediately blushed, “All right, two and a half cents per chi, it’s a total of eight zhang, that’ll be twenty yuan for you.”
Jiang Changhai took out all the money in his pocket, “I only have eighteen yuan and three jiao on me, plus two cloth tickets, is that okay with you?”
“Okay.” The salesperson hesitated for a while before agreeing, “Next time you have industrial coupons, remember to come to me first to exchange.”
Jiang Changhai loaded the fabric onto his ox cart and arrived at the commune school just before eleven o’clock.
He greeted Old Man Zheng and then entered the school’s cafeteria.
The chef was baking corn pancakes when Jiang Changhai placed the pork and fine flour on the table and grinned, “Master, can we add a new dish for lunch today? How about noodles? I just bought this pork, it’s fresh?”
The chef was an honest fellow and hesitated, “Isn’t this against the rules?”
“What’s this about rules? It’s all about whether the kids eat well to study well,” Jiang Changhai added as he slipped a big bone over, “Make something tasty for the kids, will you? The girl in fourth grade, Jiang Mianmian, she’s easy to spot—fair and delicate. You can keep this bone to make yourself some soup or something.”
Although a big bone wasn’t worth much, stewed into soup, it could yield plenty of nutrients.
So, without another word, the chef agreed, “You’re too kind. Don’t worry, I’ll make something special for your girl later on.”
As Jiang Changhai left the cafeteria, he headed to the classrooms and stood by the window to see his daughter answering the teacher’s questions and receiving praise.
Pride swelled in his heart, that was his girl!
It was then that he cheerfully made his way to the entrance, where from a distance, Old Man Zheng shouted, “Xiao Jiang, a bunch of old dames are surrounding your ox cart up to something!”
Jiang Changhai ran over and saw a group of about a dozen women, from who knows which village, surrounding his ox cart, touching the fabric with their hands all over.