As soon as Su Xiaoruan spoke, she startled Su Erlan.
"What? Who are you asking for?"
Su Erlan didn't believe Su Xiaoruan wanted to buy a bicycle, much less that she had the means to buy one.
After all, the family had just built a few new houses, and they hadn't eaten fine grains for several months; where would they have the money for a bicycle?
"No, I just saw someone riding one downstairs, so I was asking."
Su Erlan then had an expression of realization.
"There are bicycles for sale, but you need connections to get one. Besides, a bicycle costs almost two hundred, which isn't cheap."
Su Xiaoruan nodded, "I know, thank you, Second Aunt."
Grandma Su ate at the house, rested for half an hour, and then hurried back with Su Xiaoruan.
Su Xiaoruan had originally thought she might see her male and female cousins this time, but since none of them were there, she felt a little down.
"Ruan Bao, why did you suddenly think to ask about a bicycle?"
Su Xiaoruan immediately perked up; she knew her grandmother understood her best.
"I received a bicycle ticket, so I was wondering if they sell them in the county town."
Grandma Su was surprised, "Where did you get it? No, how did you get it?"
Su Xiaoruan naturally didn't dare tell the truth.
"I saw an old woman who felt unwell and fainted. I helped her to the side of the road, and then I gave her some of my candy. After the old woman woke up, she insisted on showing her gratitude, but she didn't have much money on her, so she gave me the ticket instead."
After speaking, Su Xiaoruan looked around and lowered her voice, "When we get home, I'll give you the money and the ticket."
Grandma Su looked disapproving, "How could you casually accept things from strangers? You only gave her one piece of candy; how could that be worth her giving you money and a ticket?"
"Grandma, can we talk about it when we get home?"
Grandma Su gave her a deep look, then dropped the subject.
When they returned home, Zhao Yingzi was feeding the chickens.
"Grandma, Ruan Bao, you're back. Come inside and rest for a bit; you must be exhausted from the trip, right?"
Su Xiaoruan nodded; she truly was very tired.
That ox cart ride nearly shook her to death.
Su Xiaoruan helped her grandmother inside, washed her face, and then took out the money and tickets she had obtained today.
"Grandma, this is all there is. That old woman said that was all she had on her. She even wanted me to go home with her to get more candy, but I didn't dare, so I didn't go."
This story sounded even more plausible.
Indeed, Grandma Su didn't doubt her anymore.
"You were right not to go. If it had been a swindler, it would have been trouble."
Su Xiaoruan nodded, strongly agreeing.
Grandma Su took them over to count and nearly couldn't catch her breath!
"Heavens, how is there so much?"
"Grandma, quickly put them away. Look at these tickets; are any of them about to expire? If so, we need to spend them quickly."
Grandma Su nodded; some tickets had time and location restrictions, so once obtained, they needed to be used quickly, or they would be wasted.
"Not bad, there are cotton tickets too. Those have a long time limit; it won't be too late to buy things in the autumn. I can make you a new cotton coat then."
Hearing her grandmother only thinking of her, Su Xiaoruan felt indescribably moved.
In her previous life, Grandma had also been this good to her, but regrettably, she hadn't lived up to expectations and caused her grandmother to pass away early.
In this life, no matter what, she had to ensure her grandmother lived a long life, healthy and happy.
"Grandma, I see there are sugar tickets too; let's use those up soon as well."
Grandma Su sorted the tickets; there weren't actually that many—only twelve in total.
"Alright, I'll have your father take them to town to spend later, to avoid them expiring."
"Mm-hmm, exactly."
As for the bicycle ticket, Grandma naturally put it away separately.
That thing was too precious; it could be used like money.
Regarding a bicycle, Grandma Su didn't dare to think about it now.
She knew the family's situation.
If it weren't for Jian Guo's support, it would have been a blessing if even one of Jianye's four children could go to school.
Even with the Old Man's secret help now, at most they could eat their fill and eat well; they couldn't expect to get rich overnight, could they?
Grandma Su didn't know that the current Su Xiaoruan was plotting how to get rich legitimately.
Being rich in this era wasn't a good reputation to have; moreover, one had to constantly guard against being reported and face the danger of having property confiscated.
So Su Xiaoruan planned to get rich stealthily. Even if they ate better, she needed to give herself a legitimate reason.
For example, her Eldest Uncle in the military was an excellent excuse.
Su Xiaoruan had earned quite a bit of money selling grain this time, but it was clearly far from enough to ensure the whole family ate well and dressed well.
After two days, Su Xiaoruan found another excuse to go to the town.
There was a Garment Factory in the town, established jointly by the Commune and the County the year before last.
The Garment Factory wasn't large, and most of the people working there were Temporary Workers; Formal Workers were few.
But even as a Temporary Worker, the monthly salary wasn't small, which was better than earning Work Points in the Countryside.
Su Xiaoruan loitered near the Factory entrance for a while, then headed toward the rows of Small flats behind the factory.
Most of the people living there were Formal Workers at the Garment Factory, or some worked for the Commune; in short, none of them lacked money.
Su Xiaoruan changed her disguise again. This time, she didn't dare brazenly grab someone to ask. Instead, she walked back and forth somewhat blankly, carrying a Bamboo basket.
Soon, Su Xiaoruan attracted the attention of a middle-aged Woman.
"Oh, is this older sister looking for someone?"
Su Xiaoruan paused, and a clear hint of vigilance flashed in her eyes.
The middle-aged Woman smiled, trying hard to appear harmless.
"Are you looking for relatives? Don't be afraid, my man works at the Garment Factory up ahead. I'm quite familiar with this area; if you're looking for someone, I can help you."
Su Xiaoruan saw that the other person's eyes were clear, and she kept glancing into her Bamboo basket, knowing what the other person was scheming.
"I, I took a wrong turn. I was planning to go back, but the meat I'm carrying will probably spoil by the time I get home, so I don't know what to do."
The middle-aged Woman's eyes lit up—meat!
"What's the big deal! How much meat do you have? I can just buy it!"
Su Xiaoruan pretended to be startled and quickly stepped back a few paces, "I'm not selling. I can trade."