Meanwhile, Miao Miaomiao and Song Aidi also got off the bus when they reached the city.
“Aidi…”
Song Aidi’s mother called her, so she had to say goodbye.
“Big Sis Daniu, I’m leaving. See you next time…”
“See you.”
Miao Miaomiao smiled and waved back.
It was rare to meet someone she clicked with today, and her previously gloomy mood had improved a lot.
Alright. Time to work hard and find a job.
Turning around, she watched bicycles stream past in the opposite direction.
Although she had long been used to seeing bicycles in modern times, seeing them again in this city atmosphere still filled her with envy.
Bicycles in this era were not cheap — she had asked around and learned one cost about 128 yuan, even more expensive than her own bride price.
In the village they were rarely seen, yet in the provincial capital they were everywhere.
Clearly, city people were really wealthy.
After standing there for a while, she finally stepped forward in her black cloth shoes and walked toward the city center.
…
Miao Miaomiao’s first targets were the state-run restaurants. But after visiting many of them, not a single one was hiring.
Either they rejected her outright or told her to find connections — positions were so scarce that even dishwashing required pulling strings.
After running around the whole morning, she collapsed onto the steps, exhausted.
Seriously? Finding a job in 2025 was already hard enough — who knew finding one in the 1970s would be even harder.
With no other choice and her stomach rumbling loudly, she decided to fill her belly first at a state-run restaurant.
Standing outside one, she peered through the display window. Bowls of meat and vegetables were arranged inside — bright in color, fresh, and giving off mouthwatering aromas.
Braised pork!
As she walked past, she kept staring and swallowing.
She was starving.
After long-term lack of oil and fat, and having only eaten two coarse buns this morning, she was practically dying of hunger.
But she didn’t have much money left.
How could she afford meat?
Greenwater Village wasn’t far from the provincial city — only about two hours — but the bus fare was expensive. One trip cost 1.3 yuan; a round trip nearly 3 yuan.
She now only had a little over 12 yuan left. Even without eating, it would only cover about four more trips into the city.
She stood outside the window, staring longingly.
At that moment, a woman in a light-blue floral blouse bumped into her.
“Ouch…”
Miao Miaomiao was sturdy and didn’t fall, but the woman did.
Uh… this couldn’t be… someone trying to scam her, right?
“A-Auntie, are you alright?”
Miao Miaomiao looked at her nervously.
“Waaah…”
The woman grabbed her pant leg tightly and refused to let go.
“…Kind comrade, please help me chase that thief! He stole my vegetable basket!” she cried.
It turned out the auntie had been careless on the road and someone snatched her basket — inside were the meat and vegetables she had painstakingly bought. Of course she panicked and chased after him, accidentally colliding with Miao Miaomiao.
Hearing this, the heavy stone in Miao Miaomiao’s heart instantly dropped.
She thought the woman was trying to extort money — turns out people of this era were quite honest and simple.
“Don’t worry, Auntie, I’ll help you…”
She turned and scanned the distance. Her sharp eyes quickly locked onto a man carrying a basket.
Seeing the auntie fall, he had stopped running and was strolling leisurely.
“Help! Catch the thief!”
She shouted loudly.
“That man in a white hat and suspenders is the thief! He stole my basket!”
The auntie had only shouted “thief” without describing him — of course no one could catch him.
But Miao Miaomiao clearly described his appearance.
After shouting once, she sprinted after him, repeating his description as she ran.
The thief saw her and panicked. He hadn’t expected someone this sharp — so he bolted.
But before he could get far, several helpful passersby grabbed him.
“White hat, suspenders, carrying a basket — that’s you, thief!”
The thief nearly cried. “I’m innocent! People can wear similar clothes!”
Miao Miaomiao ran up, snatched back the basket, and said,
“Thank you, kind comrades, for catching the thief for me.”
With the victim present, the thief was truly finished.
“You’re welcome, girl. We’ll escort him to the police station.”
The young men dragged him away.
Watching their backs, Miao Miaomiao couldn’t help sighing — people in this era were truly upright and simple.
Unlike modern times, where everyone was indifferent — few dared help others, and even helping a fallen old lady was feared. The social atmosphere couldn’t compare.
While she was thinking, the auntie caught up slowly, holding her waist.
“Good girl, thank you so much for retrieving my basket…”
She checked the contents like treasure. The first thing revealed was white-fat pork belly. Seeing it made Miao Miaomiao swallow hard.
Braised pork belly — the very thing she had wanted most outside the restaurant!
She froze.
Noticing her expression, the auntie warmly held her arm.
“Good girl, thank you today. If you don’t mind, come to my home for lunch?”
Really?
Braised pork?
Her throat gulped. She hadn’t eaten meat in nearly half a month.
But…
She remained cautious — many traffickers lured girls home with meals before kidnapping them.
She might be tempted, but she couldn’t be careless.
“Hehe, no need, Auntie. I won’t go.”
She waved quickly, wanting to escape.
“Ah, what are you afraid of?”
The auntie tugged her sleeve.
“I saw you starving outside that restaurant… Why spend ration tickets? Just come eat at my place!”
“No, no… no need… Auntie…”
She struggled, but the auntie kept pulling her through an alley, soon arriving at a large compound.
This is… a military compound?
Seeing the sign at the gate, her heart finally relaxed.
So the auntie lived here.
“Now you feel safe, right?”
The auntie smiled brightly.
“You don’t need to call me Auntie anymore. My name is Wu Qiuju — call me Aunt Wu.”
“…Okay, Aunt Wu…”
She felt a bit embarrassed — she had misunderstood again.
Was always assuming the worst a modern person’s aftereffect?
After greeting the guard, Wu Qiuju happily led her inside.
Just then, cursing voices sounded from behind.
Wu Qiuju stopped and called out,
“Oh, Huifang, where did you go? Why are you scolding all the way back?”
Curious, Miao Miaomiao also turned.
“Don’t mention it — today was terrible. I’m never going to that countryside again. Came back dusty and embarrassed…”
Li Huifang walked in supported by Huo Qilan. When she saw Miao Miaomiao, her eyes paused…