The Space-Time Boss: 1970s Revolution

Chapter 21: County Town

"Let's meet here at 4 PM this afternoon. Don't be late, or you'll have to find your own way back," Uncle Song instructed everyone.

The group disembarked from the ox cart and went their separate ways. Fu Xiao approached Uncle Song, handed him a few candies, and walked away without waiting for a response.

"That child..." Uncle Song watched them leave, tucking the candies into his pocket. He had two grandsons at home and planned to give the candies to them. He appreciated the care the village leader's family had shown him and intended to reciprocate by looking after Fu Xiao in the future.

Xu Yue watched the three of them leave with a dark expression, clearly deep in thought.

As the three of them walked through the county town, Fu Xiao found it very different from what she had imagined. The town was much more underdeveloped compared to what she had seen in the city of Shanghai, though it was still more advanced than the rural areas.

The county town featured mostly low buildings. Compared to the village, there were fewer mud houses and more brick and tile houses, with only a few high-rise buildings scattered around. Various slogans were plastered on the walls everywhere.

Most people on the streets looked thin but had a relatively good demeanor.

Instead of heading straight to the county party headquarters to find Fu Weiliang, they decided to visit the department store first.

They bought several pieces of dark-colored fabric for Fu Xiao's grandfather and uncles. Although Fu Xiao didn't need any new clothes herself—having brought plenty from Shanghai—she bought two pieces of corduroy and two pieces of fine cotton fabric to have her aunt make a new outfit for her.

Given the frugality of rural people, she noticed that her family wore mostly old clothes.

In the end, Fu Yu paid for everything.

As Fu Xiao was about to pull out her purse, Fu Yu pulled her back and paid the cashier directly from his pocket.

The cashier, smiling widely, packed the fabrics and handed them to her.

The reason for the cashier's cheerful attitude was simple: the more items purchased, the more commission she earned.

They also bought a pound of pastries for Fu Kai but didn't purchase any milk candies, as Fu Xiao's space had more than enough from the milk and sheep milk machine she used. The family was unaware of the exact contents of her suitcase, which she had secretly packed with five or six pounds of milk candies, wrapped simply without any modern labels. They assumed it was candy bought in Shanghai and had no reason to doubt it.

As they exited the department store, Fu Xiao suddenly remembered something. She stopped and turned to her brothers, saying, "Should we buy a bicycle?"

The heavy packages reminded her brothers of how much their little sister had spent, not that they minded the money—there was plenty at home—but it was inconvenient that they were the ones carrying the load.

Hearing her, the two brothers exchanged glances and reminded her, "Bicycles require tickets."

Fu Xiao took out two bicycle tickets from her bag and waved them in front of them. "I have two tickets."

Fu Yu said, "First, let's drop off the stuff at Uncle's dormitory. I'll ask him about the bicycle."

"Okay..."

The department store was very close to the county party headquarters. It took them about ten minutes to walk there.

The guard at the entrance, who knew the two brothers, let Fu Hong go up to get the key. Fu Yu and Fu Xiao waited at the entrance.