Chapter 41: Why Is This Bun So Familiar?
Gu Qingyao was in excellent spirits as she rode the bicycle!
The village looked different in the moonlight.
In her previous life, she had left the place decades ago. Now that she had returned, the feeling was completely different.
“Are you cold?” asked Mo Beihan, who was behind her.
Gu Qingyao shook her head. “No. The wind is so cooling, it’s pleasant to feel the breeze.”
The two of them gradually left the Qing River Brigade and the village, and reached a desolate spot.
Gu Qingyao asked, “Brother Beihan, have you had breakfast?”
“No!”
“Then stop, and I’ll give you something to eat. We can continue after you’ve eaten.”
Mo Beihan stopped the bicycle and Gu Qingyao took two meat buns from her bag. Actually, she took them from her interspace. She handed them to Mo Beihan and said, “Here, eat this!”
Mo Beihan looked at the meat buns in shock. “Did you make these?”
“Um!” Gu Qingyao nodded. “Eat up! They’re delicious.”
Mo Beihan had his suspicions, but took a bite without asking any more questions.
The meat bun was delicious. The filling was well seasoned and the outer skin was very soft. It was made of pure white flour.
But more importantly, the taste… was very familiar!
Whenever Gu Qingyao had made buns for him in her previous life, they had tasted like that. But this was impossible!
At that time, Yao Yao had the interspace. He had brought her around and collected a lot of food. But Yao Yao would only discover her interspace half a year later. At this time, Yao Yao should not know about the interspace.
So these buns…
Mo Beihan did not ask any more questions. He just finished the buns and continued towards the town with Gu Qingyao.
Dawn was breaking as they reached the town.
Gu Qingyao could tell that the town was rather shabby at present. It was mainly composed of low-lying brick houses and a few stone houses.
Mo Beihan led her straight to a door, and knocked.
The door immediately opened.
An 18- or 19-year-old boy, who looked especially lively, smiled the moment he saw Mo Beihan. His eyes were sharp and incisive.
Mo Beihan pushed the bicycle into the courtyard, and brought the basket with him into the house. The young fellow hospitably poured tea for Mo Beihan and Gu Qingyao.
Mo Beihan placed the basket on the table. “Take a look!”
The young fellow was called Chen Jin. He removed the cloth covering the basket. His eyes brightened the moment he saw its contents.
“Wow! Elder Brother, you are so capable!”
The basket was filled with things that he had obtained from his trip up the mountain.
There were two haunches of wild boar meat, each weighing about ten kilograms. There were five kilograms or so of pork ribs, and two pork legs. There were four pork knuckles, and two dried rabbits.
Right at the bottom was a metal box. This box was rather large and deep. Next to it was the head of the wild boar.
It was almost the new year. Many people would want these things.
Chen Jin was overjoyed!
Mo Beihan said, “There are fish in the metal box. Six grass carp, which are still alive!”
Chen Jin hurriedly opened the box in surprise. He was delighted to find that there were indeed grass carp in there, looking quite lively. “This is great. I know someone who is about to do her confinement, and needs this!”
In his line of business, he had many connections and knew many important people. Everyone knew what line he was in. If they wanted anything special, they would contact him.
He had recently added a well-to-do family to his books. The daughter-in-law was about to do her confinement and needed better food to improve her milk supply and her health.
“Elder Brother, I’ll take all these things. What would you like?” Chen Jin looked at Mo Beihan, his face wreathed in smiles.
Chapter 42: The Rewards Of A Bountiful Harvest
Mo Beihan had already estimated the worth of his items, and knew this fellow’s ability. He knew that Chen Jin would reap many benefits in exchange for these items.
So he said, “Ten kilograms of rye flour, five kilograms of white flour, five kilograms of white rice, ten kilograms of cornflour, and three hundred dollars. Also, a few vintage items.”
Chen Jin thought for a while. He had many connections. With these items in hand, he could find various people who would barter for them. So he would still make a substantial profit from this exchange.
Chen Jin immediately smiled and said, “Elder Brother, you certainly get straight to the point. Alright, I’ll get them for you!”
He quickly packed the grain in cloth sacks and handed 300 dollars to Mo Beihan. Then he went to fetch the vintage items.
Gu Qingyao looked on from the sidelines, and recalled the circumstances of that era.
It was the seventies, and although things were slightly better than in the time of the Great Famine, their province had been poor, and resources had been scarcer.
So the price of grain in the black market had been extremely high. Sometimes, they were not even available even if one could afford it.
During the three years of hard times, the price of coarse grain in the black market was approximately 5 dollars a kilogram. Fine grain was more expensive, and meat was even more so. At its most expensive, pork had cost 20 dollars a kilogram. The prices were sky-high!
But those were the prices during the three years of hard times and were confined to the black market.
Now, it was the seventies, and things were slightly better. But black market prices were still shocking, and food was still the most valuable item.
Based on current valuation, pork was around 12 or 13 dollars a kilogram. Based on the prices in the black market, Mo Beihan’s items were worth about five to six hundred dollars.
There was definitely some fluctuation in prices in different parts of the country. This was so even in their area.
So Chen Jin would still make a profit despite what Mo Beihan had asked for.
After a while, Chen Jin returned with two wooden boxes. When he opened the boxes, they saw the contents glitter.
He must have seen that Gu Qingyao was there, so Chen Jin had brought jewelry and precious stones.
In the boxes was a set of diamond jewelry – a diamond ring, a diamond necklace and a diamond bracelet, that formed a set.
Gu Qingyao glanced at the diamond ring. In later years, this would be worth tens of thousands of dollars in the jewelry shops. Today, it could only be exchanged for a few kilograms of food. Or perhaps, not even that.
There were also four gold bracelets. Two of them had green gemstones embedded on them. The gems glowed and glittered. They were translucent and beautiful.
There were also four pairs of jade bangles, all made from top-grade material. But Gu Qingyao immediately took a fancy to the best pair. They were made of jadeite of the old pit glass variety. They were completely green, translucent and beautiful.
Gu Qingyao loved them.
When Mo Beihan saw her glittering eyes, he smiled and said, “Pick a few that you like.”
Gu Qingyao thought about it. She did not refuse, but selected the diamond set, a gold bangle with a green gemstone embedded in it, and the jade bangles.
In these times, the national banks did not take jewels or gemstones. They were close to worthless. People who had no liking for these things had no desire to own them. So Chen Jin was happy for Gu Qingyao to take them.
She only took one gold bracelet. In today’s world, gold was the universal currency.
Mo Beihan’s eyes flashed when he saw Gu Qingyao select the best jade bangles.
After Gu Qingyao had finished her selection, Mo Beihan got up and prepared to leave.
Chen Jin smilingly saw them out. “Elder Brother, remember me if you have any other special items! Or I can come to you.”
Mo Beihan glanced at him. “I still have plenty of meat on hand!”
Chen Jin smiled until his eyes almost disappeared!
Chapter 43: How Extravagant!
Mo Beihan placed all the items in the basket, and left with Gu Qingyao.
The jewelry was placed in small boxes and kept in Gu Qingyao’s bag. Gu Qingyao felt rather embarrassed as she fingered the small boxes.
“Brother Beihan…”
“These are for you. You keep them yourself.”
“But these are awfully valuable! I… tell you what! When we get back, I’ll give you something in exchange. Alright?”
Mo Beihan smiled. He was happy to accept Yao Yao’s presents!
“Alright! I’ll look forward to it!”
Gu Qingyao immediately smiled. This man belonged to her anyway. Anything good that came her way in future would also belong to the two of them. Gu Qingyao would not argue anymore.
The girl before him was smiling brilliantly. He could tell that she was delighted to receive the jewelry, acting as if she had found some great treasure. Also, she showed no sign of being repelled by them.
This was completely different from the Gu Qingyao that Mo Beihan remembered.
In her previous life, Yao Yao had grown up in the environment of the Gu family. The Gu family were major landlords and her grandparents had to undergo rehabilitation. Their entire family lived carefully. In a special environment like that, coupled with the Gu family’s scholarly traditions, Yao Yao had developed a quiet and gentle personality.
Because of the composition of the Gu family, Yao Yao had always been somewhat repelled by jewelry and precious stones. It was not that she did not like them, but that she did not dare to accept them.
She was afraid of getting into trouble. In the Gu family’s circumstances, these things spelt danger for the family if they were discovered.
But the Yao Yao before him showed no signs of being repelled by them.
Also, Mo Beihan somehow felt that Yao Yao seemed livelier.
This was a good sign!
Mo Beihan’s eyes flickered and he said to Gu Qingyao, “Yao Yao, you must hide these things carefully. They are not valuable in these times, but perhaps they will become valuable in the future. In our thousand years of history, these were valuable items, and I believe they regain their value in the future. These are unusual times and will only last a couple of years. If you hide the items carefully, you can bring them out and wear them in the future!”
Gu Qingyao smiled and said, “I know. Don’t worry, I will hide them well!”
Mo Beihan was even more surprised by her response.
She had not doubted his word at all, almost as if she knew that these items would become valuable in the future. When she said she would hide the items well, her expression had been confident and resolute.
This exactly the same expression that she had in her previous life, when she had her interspace!
But something was amiss! In her previous life, Yao Yao only had the interspace half a year later.
“Where are we going now?” Gu Qingyao asked.
Mo Beihan said, “We’ll go to the cooperative for supplies. Where would you like to go?”
Gu Qingyao thought for a moment, then said, “I’ll go with you.”
The two of them headed for the cooperative in town. The sun had risen by now, and there were pedestrians on the road. Although there were some people in the cooperative, most of them were just window shopping. After all, in times like these, most people were poor and did not have money to spare for shopping. The salesladies were all knitting behind the counter.
These ladies had a coveted job. In a time of scarcity, they led an enviable existence.
Mo Beihan headed straight for the cloth.
“Comrade, what kind of cloth are you looking for?” The saleslady became attentive when she saw Mo Beihan, because she observed that he was wearing a Rolex watch on his wrist.
This was an imported item, and worth a few hundred dollars. Only someone with an especially large salary could afford it.
If he could afford the watch, then he naturally could also afford other things.
Chapter 44: How Extravagant! (2)
There were many bolts of cloth behind the counter – khaki, denim, corduroy, fleece, and fine cotton. Their colors were rather monotonous, mostly gray, blue, black, or olive green.
As Gu Qingyao looked at them, a wave of nostalgia suddenly swept over her.
This was what her life was like when she was young!
“Yao Yao, which one do you like?” Mo Beihan asked Gu Qingyao.
Actually, he did not like any of these materials. He looked at them with the eyes of someone who had been reborn. Now that he had returned, how could he possibly like any of these?
But there was no choice. In these times, this was all that was available.
Gu Qingyao chose a piece of olive green khaki, and some fine cotton. She was not interested in the rest.
She did want the fleece, but it was too expensive.
Although Mo Beihan’s drew a good salary, he put his life on the line in exchange for it. She could not just fritter it away.
When she sold the grain in her interspace on the black market in the future, she would come back for it.
But Mo Beihan was reluctant to buy so little. “It’s too little. Yao Yao, you should buy more. Don’t save money on my behalf. These things are sometimes unobtainable. It’s unusual to be able to get them today, and some of the coupons will expire if they aren’t used. I have a plentiful supply and many cloth coupons. If you don’t use them, they’ll expire.
“You should buy more and bring it back to make some clothes.”
Gu Qingyao looked at Mo Beihan. This fellow seemed very used to paying her bills!
But before Gu Qingyao could reply, Mo Beihan looked at the piece of fleece and said, “I’ll take the fleece.”
“Good!” The sales assistant excitedly brought out the material. “There are ten meters of this material. Do you want to take it all?”
“I’ll take it all!”
Mo Beihan replied without hesitation.
The fleece was in red and blue checks and was very fashionable in these times. Girls loved to make clothes from this type of material, and they felt proud to wear it out.
The sales assistant was also very happy.
Gu Qingyao glanced at Mo Beihan, and perceived the sincere love in his eyes. Her heart softened.
This was a truly good man. In her previous life, he had kept her company and doted on her all her life. If they had not been trapped by Bai Youran and Gu Ruoqing’s schemes, they would have had a blissful life.
Gu Qingyao thought about it and did not hesitate anymore. Anyway, she had plenty of resources. With her around, Mo Beihan would not suffer any lack in this life.
So Gu Qingyao stopped arguing and said, “Give me another twenty meters of cotton and thirty meters of this blue, gray and black checked material. Also, do you have any wool?”
“Of course!” The sales assistant was even happier when she saw that they were buying so much.
“For wool, we have blended yarn and sheep’s wool. You’ve come at the right time, our stock has just arrived.”
All these were hard-to-get items and were very expensive. Even so, they sold very well. So Mo Beihan and Gu Qingyao were considered lucky to be able to get them.
Mo Beihan immediately smiled as he looked at the colorful wool. Gu Qingyao was also rather happy.
Mo Beihan immediately pointed to the bright red and pink wool. “I’ll take both of these!”
His words successfully frightened the sales assistant.
She said almost disbelievingly, “Comrade, the sheep’s wool is twenty dollars a kilogram. These two will weigh twenty kilograms altogether. Are you sure?”
“I’m sure, I’ll take them all!”
Mo Beihan was very excited. It was unusual to come across wool in such nice colors. Bright red and pink were exactly right for a young girl. So Mo Beihan, who was not short of money, felt that if he might not have such an opportunity again!
It was now or never. Since they had come across it, they had better snap it up.
Chapter 45: People Buy Watches When They Get Married (1)
“No, no, no!” Gu Qingyao was shocked and quickly tugged at him. “Brother Beihan, I can’t possibly wear so much. Get some other colors. There are so many other people in our families!”
Mo Beihan was taken aback. He had been immersed in the joy of being reborn and his mind was filled with thoughts of spoiling his wife. He only remembered now that there were many other people in the Gu Family!
However, these two types of wool were a rare find. Mo Beihan could not bear to relinquish them.
“Then buy some other kinds. We’ll take all these. You can keep it and knit a few sweaters so you can rotate them throughout the winter.”
Gu Qingyao: “…”
Mo Beihan would brook no refusal. He insisted on buying up the two types of wool. The sales assistant was shocked by his extravagance!
The remaining wool was in more sedate colors. They could be worn by either men or women. Mo Beihan liked the red and pink ones the best because Yao Yao could wear them.
In the end, Gu Qingyao bought another four kilograms of blue sheep’s wool and ten kilograms of blended yarn before she stopped!
The sheep’s wool cost 20 dollars a kilogram. The ten kilograms of red wool, ten kilograms of pink wool and four kilograms of blue wool cost 480 dollars in total. The blended yarn was 10 dollars a kilogram, so ten kilograms of it cost a hundred dollars.
Together with the cloth they had chosen earlier, the total came up to about 700 dollars.
In modern times, 700 dollars was not a lot of money. But this was the seventies, when the average city worker’s salary was about 30 to 40 dollars. It was only because Mo Beihan drew a high wage that he could afford it.
Even so, 700 dollars was several months’ salary for him.
Mo Beihan had left home at fifteen. Today, his wages, together with his allowance, added up to 160 dollars a month.
Seven hundred dollars…
Mo Beihan happily handed over the money and coupons, then left with Gu Qingyao.
Gu Qingyao lowered her head to look at the large heap of wool and cloth in her hands. Then she turned to look at this fellow who was still jubilant despite having spent so much money. She really did not know what to say to him.
She herself did not have that much money. But she knew this man all too well. Even if she could produce the money, he certainly would not allow her to pay.
“Don’t buy so many things for me in the future. You work hard for your money. These things are… too expensive!”
Mo Beihan smiled and drew closer to Gu Qingyao. He lowered his voice and said, “Didn’t I just earn three hundred dollars? The things we got from the mountain can still be exchanged for quite a lot of money! Don’t worry.”
“That’s different!” Gu Qingyao said. “Those opportunities are rare. You are usually away from home and seldom get any leave.”
Mo Beihan could not help but smile when he looked at the girl standing in front of him. “Don’t worry. I’ll definitely give you enough money to spend.”
Gu Qingyao: “…”
Women of every era found it impossible to refuse men who spent money on them. Especially a man they liked.
Gu Qingyao’s heart was filled with tenderness as she looked at his smiling eyes, brimming with love.
Forget it, why quibble. They had already bought it anyway. Also, she had so many resources at hand, she would never be short of cash.
He was good to her and she too, would be good to him.
Gu Qingyao happily hugged the cloth and wool. “Brother Beihan, I’ll knit a few sweaters for you when we get back.
Mo Beihan grinned with delight.
The two of them were childhood sweethearts and had grown up together. This girl had followed him around since she was young, calling him elder brother. He had liked her since they were children.
A pity that they had been cruelly trapped in their previous lives, and their lives ruined by a series of unfortunate events.
Mo Beihan was glad that they could do it all over again, without the hurt from the past. When he thought of the future, his heart burnt with passion.
Then he brought Gu Qingyao along to buy an iron teapot for his mother, Jiang Yingqiu. After some thought, Mo Beihan turned to Gu Qingyao and said, “Let’s go. I’ll buy you something.”
With that, he brought Gu Qingyao to a counter that was selling watches. Gu Qingyao was taken aback. “A watch?”