In these extraordinary times, material supplies are scarce. Living in the city, at least one can count on a grain ration, but in the countryside, conditions are harsh. In some places, food is even scarcer than in the city, and from one end of the year to the other, one might not see a scrap of meat except during the Lunar New Year.
As for Beidahuang, where Jiang Rou was headed, the winters were bone-chillingly cold. The howling northern winds alone were enough to freeze a person to death.
Jiang Rou was a high school graduate, and the job she held had been specifically reserved by her mother’s factory, left for her to inherit upon reaching adulthood. Her monthly salary was twenty-five yuan—not a fortune, but certainly not a small amount. Given that her mother had passed away many years ago, this special arrangement made many people green with envy.
Entering the factory, Jiang Rou went straight to the workshop office and found Director Yang to explain her intent.
Upon hearing her, Director Yang’s eyes lit up. She stood up, closed the door, and asked in a low, puzzled voice, "Xiao Rou, why on earth do you want to sell your job?"
"This job didn't come easily. If it weren't for the contributions your mother made to the factory during her lifetime, we wouldn't have kept it for you."
Jiang Rou lifted her gaze, tears shimmering in her eyes. "Auntie Yang, I don't want to, but you know the situation at my house."
"Just yesterday, my stepmother wanted Jiang Jie to take over my job and tried to force me to go to the countryside in his place. Now, she has even registered my name without my knowledge. I’m scheduled to be sent away in just a few days."
Director Yang was instantly enraged. "How could she do such a thing? Come, Auntie will take you there right now to demand an explanation."
"To think she’d force you to the countryside just to grab a job! With your frail constitution, how could you survive? She’s trying to kill you!" Gritting her teeth, Director Yang started to leave, looking every bit like she was ready to fight Jiang Jianguo and Zhou Hong to the death.
Jiang Rou quickly grabbed her. "Auntie Yang, Auntie Yang, please, calm down. The list for the countryside has already been finalized; it cannot be changed. Besides," Jiang Rou lowered her voice, "I secretly registered her son’s name too. He’ll be leaving just a few days after me."
Director Yang’s footsteps faltered. Jiang Rou looked slightly guilty, turning her head away and bowing her head.
Director Yang watched Jiang Rou with a pained expression. She and Jiang Rou’s mother had not only been close friends but comrades-in-arms. She had watched Jiang Rou grow up and had always treated her like her own daughter. She had seen the way Jiang Jianguo and that stepmother treated her, but since it was a family matter, it was hard for her to interfere. Even if she caused a scene, it wouldn't change much, so she could only offer extra care when she could.
"Xiao Rou, why are you so foolish, child!" Director Yang sighed, her eyes full of heartache and helplessness. "You’re throwing yourself into a fire pit. The hardships of Beidahuang are not something to be trifled with!"
Jiang Rou shook her head slightly, saying firmly, "Auntie Yang, I know you have my best interests at heart. But I cannot let them succeed so easily. I want them to know that I am not someone they can manipulate at will."
Seeing the stubborn look in Jiang Rou’s eyes, Director Yang knew that further persuasion was useless, so she nodded helplessly. "Sigh, since your mind is made up, Auntie won't say any more. But once you sell this job, you must think carefully about what you’ll do next."
Jiang Rou smiled slightly. "Auntie Yang, don't worry. I’m prepared. I have no ties in the city now, and going to the countryside might lead to new opportunities. Besides, it’s a way to finally be rid of them."
Director Yang gently patted Jiang Rou’s shoulder. "Alright, in that case, Auntie will help you find a buyer. But the job transfer must go to someone suitable; we can't just pick anyone."
"How much are you planning to sell it for, and who do you have in mind?"
Jiang Rou shook her head. "Auntie Yang, it doesn't matter who buys it or the exact price, as long as they are reliable and safe. Ideally, I would like some grain, oil, and cloth coupons that are valid nationwide."
"Done!" Director Yang said. "Auntie will find someone for you, and I guarantee they’ll be reliable."
At this stage, there were many families desperate for a job to prevent their children from having to suffer in the countryside. Since she had decided to sell, she would make the most of it. She wanted to pick a reliable family that could offer the best conditions. The amount of money wasn't as important as fairness; the most vital thing was the supplies for the countryside, as that would be the only guarantee for Jiang Rou’s future life. After all, her father and stepmother certainly wouldn't provide her with anything.
She suddenly thought of her brother-in-law’s family. Their daughter, Yang Xiaofang, was the perfect fit. They had already given up hope, and had prepared a pile of supplies for her—two cotton quilts, two sets of padded coats... Now that she had this job for Jiang Rou, those supplies were no longer needed and could go to her instead.
She shared this thought, and Jiang Rou didn't mind. Selling to anyone was the same, and since it was Auntie Yang’s niece and her own classmate, she knew she wouldn't be taken advantage of.
Director Yang walked to her desk and made a call. About half an hour later, a middle-aged couple pushed the door open—they were Director Yang’s brother and sister-in-law. They had already been briefed on the phone and understood Jiang Rou’s situation. They felt both grateful and impressed by Jiang Rou’s decision.
Without further ado, Director Yang’s sister-in-law pulled a stack of banknotes from her pocket, totaling one thousand yuan.
"Xiao Rou, this is all I can manage right now. Here is one thousand yuan; please take it."
"I won't take advantage of you. After your uncle gets off work, he will bring over all the things we prepared for Xiaofang’s trip to the countryside."
Afterward, the uncle pulled over a dozen various nationwide coupons from his pocket. Normally, a job like this could sell for at least sixteen or seventeen hundred yuan, and people would be fighting over it. But given they were acquaintances, combined with the coupons and the promise of various supplies—which were difficult for Jiang Rou to procure quickly—a thousand yuan was more than sufficient.
Jiang Rou accepted it all, only making one request: "Uncle, would it be possible to mail those supplies directly to where I’m being stationed?"
Although she had her Portable Space, she didn't want to use it for these items to avoid raising any suspicion. Mailing them ahead was the most convenient way to ensure they would be waiting for her when she arrived.
"Consider it done!"
A moment later, a girl about Jiang Rou’s age pushed the door open, walking in with a bright smile.
She said sweetly, "Rou Rou, thank you so much!"
...
After completing the job transfer, Jiang Rou took the money she had earned and prepared to go to the supply and marketing cooperative to purchase some daily necessities.
To avoid running into anyone she knew, she took a bus to a cooperative ten miles away.
In this era, the supply and marketing cooperative was equivalent to the large department stores of later generations, containing everything that was available in society at the time.
There weren't many customers inside, so Jiang Rou stood quietly in line, waiting.
Soon, it was her turn. "Comrade, I’d like thirty catties of white flour, thirty catties of rice, a catty of brown sugar, a catty of white sugar, three catties of vegetable oil, two sets of padded jackets, and a cotton quilt."
"Also, give me ten catties of White Rabbit creamy candies, ten catties of fruit candies, fifty eggs, two cartons of Da Qianmen, and one carton of Hong Shuangxi..."
The winters in Beidahuang were exceptionally cold. Even with the supplies promised by Auntie Yang’s family, Jiang Rou felt it was better to be well-prepared. Besides, she had her Portable Space, so she didn't need to worry about where to store it all.