Su Xiaoruan wasn't here, otherwise, she would definitely praise Grandma for drawing such a good circle with the flatbread.
A job these days wasn't that easy to find.
Even if you were willing to pay money to buy one, you still needed connections.
The reason Grandma Su told this to Su Xiangdong was, on one hand, because he was the Eldest Grandson, and on the other, because she knew Su Xiangdong hadn't stopped running to the Black Market these past two years.
Over these years, Su Jianye had taken the children into the mountains quite a bit, and the Mountain Goods and Wild Game they obtained were either sent to the Purchasing Station or sold at the Black Market.
However, Grandma Su was very cautious, considering their safety, so they only made a trip there once every one or two months, and they absolutely had to scout the location beforehand, find an escape route first, and only then could they start selling Things.
It was precisely because of Grandma Su's caution and foresight that Su Jianye and Su Xiangdong encountered the inspection teams several times but were never caught once.
Still, it was quite heart-pounding.
Su Jianye was called in again, and seeing the Things Grandma Su took out, he knew he would have to make another trip there.
"These Fine Grains are high quality; we can't let them lowball the price."
"Understood, Mother."
Su Jianye didn't ask, only assuming this Grain was sent over by Eldest Brother.
"You take Xiangdong with you early tomorrow morning. Be extremely careful. After you arrive, first check if the escape route is safe and sound. You must separate: one guards the escape route, and the other sells the Things as quickly as possible. Remember, nothing is more important than your and your son's safety."
"Understood, Mother."
That Afternoon, Su Jianye finished his work early and borrowed the Production Brigade's Bicycle to head to the county town.
Su Jianye arrived at the County No. 1 Middle School and waited for about fifteen minutes until the school's dismissal bell rang.
Some Students lived in the county town and didn't board, so the entrance quickly became lively.
Su Jianye jogged to the teaching building and waited outside.
Su Xiangnan and Su Xiangbei, the brothers, were holding their Lunchboxes ready to go to the Canteen when they saw a familiar figure.
"Dad, why are you here?"
Su Jianye patted both of their Shoulders, "Your Grandma asked me to bring these for you."
Su Xiangnan's eyes went wide.
Su Xiangbei swallowed hard and said, "Dad, is this Smoked Chicken?"
"Yes, this is Smoked Chicken. Your Eldest Uncle asked someone to send it over. There were two in total; we ate one at home at Noon. Your Grandma said this kind of Thing doesn't keep well, so she told you two to eat them tonight."
"Thank you, Dad."
The brothers split into two groups.
Su Xiangnan ran to the Canteen and got four Big White Mantou, while Su Xiangbei took Su Jianye to sit on a wooden chair not far away.
Su Xiangnan came running back.
The brothers shared this Smoked Chicken, each eating two Steamed Buns and drinking a Jar of hot water; their stomachs were completely full.
"It's so delicious! My Eldest Uncle is the best!"
While they were eating, Su Jianye rode the Bicycle back.
It would be hard to travel once it got completely dark.
Around three in the middle of the night the next day, Su Jianye got up.
The Bicycle borrowed yesterday evening hadn't been returned and was parked in their own Courtyard.
It was convenient to ride it out later, which was why Grandma Su asked him to deliver Things to the two Grandsons so late.
Su Jianye carried Su Xiangdong on his back and the Bamboo basket on his back, hurrying toward the county town under the cover of night.
Su Xiaoruan was sleeping soundly right now; if she knew her father was about to do such hard and dangerous work, she would definitely have insisted on going along.
This time, Grandma Su didn't prepare Grain for them; those Things were too heavy and took up space, making them easy to be seen.
Su Xiaoruan took out two boxes of Milk Powder for toddlers, along with several Smoked Chickens and Roast Ducks.
Upon arrival, Su Jianye first parked the Bicycle next to a hay bale, and then the two of them busied themselves until they finally managed to hide the Bicycle.
"Xiangdong, you go stand guard there again; I'll go sell the Things."
"Dad, why don't you leave two Smoked Chickens for me? I think these Things sell well."
Su Jianye also wanted to finish up quickly and go home, so he agreed.
There were only two tins of Milk Powder; this wasn't a necessity for everyone, so in the end, only these two containers of Things were left unsold.
After Su Jianye met up with Su Xiangdong, Su Xiangdong remembered the man from the Black Market the last time they visited.
"Shouldn't we ask him? Last time we heard him say they had a new child at home."
Su Jianye told him to go first to find the Bicycle, while he went to find that Hei Zi.
Hei Zi's family had indeed welcomed a new Son, but they hadn't been happy for long, mainly because the child's mother had very little milk for Lactation Soup.
There was nothing to be done; in those years, just being able to eat one's fill was good enough; how could they dare to expect good food to help with Lactation?
Coincidentally, when Su Jianye came to ask, Hei Zi immediately took out money and bought the Things.
These Things were precious, and one needed coupons at the Supply and Marketing Cooperative, so they weren't easy to buy.
"Uncle, if you have any more of these good Things in the future, remember to think of me. My home is on that street just ahead; if you ask about Hei Zi, everyone will know."
"Okay, I'm leaving now."
The money and goods were settled; Su Jianye didn't plan to linger.
The father and son met up and hurried back on the Bicycle.
They arrived home before dawn.
Su Jianye and Su Xiangdong didn't plan to go back to sleep; instead, one swept the Courtyard while the other went to chop firewood.
"Mother, this is what we earned this morning. It totals thirty-six yuan and fifty cents, plus a few coupons."
Grandma Su took the money and coupons, then asked if they had encountered any danger or any Acquaintances while they were out.
Only after receiving negative answers was she relieved.
"All these Things were obtained by our Ruan Bao. To outsiders, just say your Eldest Uncle sent them or dropped them off; be sure not to let it slip."
Su Jianye stood there stunned: "What? Ruan Bao obtained them?"
Grandma Su glared at him: "What's with the big fuss! Alright, go do what you need to do, talk less, and work more."
At this moment, Grandma Su, who was finding fault with her Son, completely forgot how astonished she had been when she first learned of her Granddaughter's ability.
"I've only told Xiangdong about this, and you shouldn't tell your Wife either. Only a few of us in this family know. The fewer people who know, the safer our Ruan Bao will be."
"Yes, understood, Mother, I definitely won't say anything."
Su Jianye went out in a daze, still not fully grasping where his daughter got such great ability.
In the morning, Su Xiaoruan took a turn around the Kitchen, and the basket holding the Eggs was already full of Eggs.
Zhao Yingzi noticed there were more Eggs and was about to ask when Su Xiaoruan explained, "I bought them yesterday and left them in Grandma's room."
Zhao Yingzi didn't say anything more and continued cooking.
Su Xiaoruan directly washed six Eggs and handed them over.
"Sister, steam them all; one for each person."