Chapter 81: Chapter 81: Giving You a Message
Jiang Changhai, holding the new milk coupons and money, happily headed to the Supply and Marketing Cooperative.
He often came here to shop and dearly loved his wife and daughter, so the sales clerks all knew him.
Seeing him approach, one clerk even called out proactively, “Comrade Jiang, what are you here to buy today?”
Jiang Changhai took out the milk coupons and whispered, “I’m not buying anything. Didn’t you mention last time that your sister had given birth and didn’t have enough breast milk? I specially exchanged these milk coupons for her. Do you want them?”
The clerk’s eyes lit up as soon as she saw the milk coupons in Jiang Changhai’s hand, and she asked in surprise, “Where did you get so many milk coupons? These things are hard to come by.”
“I have my ways,” Jiang Changhai said with a proud smile.
Seeing that Jiang Changhai was unwilling to reveal where the milk coupons had come from, the clerk did not pry further, “Then hand over all the milk coupons you have. Do you want to exchange them for other coupons or for money?”
Recalling how his wife had spent days tiring herself out making clothes for Mianmian and had pricked her fingers several times, Jiang Changhai felt a pang of heartache and asked, “Do you have any sewing machine coupons?”
The clerk, seeming a bit troubled, shook her head, “I really don’t have sewing machine coupons, but…”
Seeing her , Jiang Changhai knew she probably had some connections and quickly prompted, “But what?”
The clerk whispered, “If you don’t mind, I could get you a second-hand sewing machine that doesn’t require coupons.”
Upon hearing this, Jiang Changhai immediately agreed, “That’s wonderful, then help me get one. How much is it? I’ll pay you right now.”
“No hurry with the money. I have to contact them first; I’ll let you know when I have news.”
Finally, Jiang Changhai exchanged those milk coupons for two dollars and fifty cents, and the clerk was very grateful to Jiang Changhai for helping her solve this urgent problem.
Her sister’s child had been crying at home every day because they were not getting enough to eat, and her mother also felt so heartbroken that she kept wiping tears at home; seeing this made the clerk feel quite uncomfortable.
The clerk knew Jiang Changhai’s family didn’t live in the county town. She had just complained to him casually before, not expecting him to take her words to heart and bring the milk coupons especially for her.
She immediately felt that Jiang Changhai was a sincere man. Since he had taken such good care of her, she couldn’t let him be at a disadvantage.
After thinking for a moment and checking to ensure no one was nearby, she whispered, “Brother, I can tell you’re a good person, and you’ve done me a big favor, so I’ll give you some information.”
Jiang Changhai had already intended to maintain a good relationship with the clerk so that she could inform him in advance about any good items coming into the Supply and Marketing Cooperative or help him reserve them, but he hadn’t expected benefits to come this quickly.
“That’s great, sister, what’s the news?” Jiang Changhai quickly called her ‘sister.’
“A few days ago, someone brought a large batch of cotton from the north wanting to sell it to our Supply and Marketing Cooperative, but he didn’t have a certificate from the local brigade so our manager didn’t dare to accept it.”
“Your family is large, right? If you go to buy, you might not need coupons and it could be cheaper than what we sell here. Buy more and you won’t have to worry about winter clothes this year,” the clerk very thoughtfully considered for Jiang Changhai.
The reason the clerk mentioned that Jiang Changhai’s family was large was because he had once told a lie to buy more fabric, which she remembered.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Changhai immediately felt it was a great opportunity to make money.
He quickly inquired, “Really? Sister, that’s so kind of you. Do you know how to get in touch with the cotton seller?”