“Cousin, where do you want to look around?”
As soon as they stepped out of East Fourth Fifth Alley, Li Lingyi’s eyes darted around restlessly, occasionally glancing at Lu Ping’an’s pocket.
Having lived two lifetimes, Lu Ping’an saw through her thoughts at a glance—she had her eye on that one yuan.
Smiling, he said, “Lingyi, little cousin, I’m not too familiar with this place. How about we go to the Supply and Marketing Cooperative first?”
The moment she heard that, her eyes lit up. She had been about to suggest that exact place.
“Alright, let’s go to the cooperative!”
Lu Ping’an chuckled inwardly. He was carrying a huge sum of one hundred yuan—how could he possibly care about a single yuan?
Still, he had to admit that one yuan at this time was truly valuable.
Standard flour cost eighteen cents per jin.
Japonica rice was only twenty cents per jin.
Deboned pork was eight or nine cents per jin—but required a meat coupon.
A jin of tofu cost only ten cents—but required a tofu coupon.
In this era, families who could afford the “Three Big Items” were considered well-off.
And anyone who could afford a black-and-white television costing around 400 yuan was absolutely wealthy.
Li Lingyi was very familiar with the area. Soon, the two arrived at the entrance of the Supply and Marketing Cooperative.
As soon as she entered, she went straight toward a woman in her forties and called out, “Auntie!”
The woman, seeing Li Lingyi, immediately smiled. “Lingyi, what brings you here? Did your mother send you out to buy something again?”
After speaking, her gaze shifted to Lu Ping’an, carrying a trace of scrutiny.
Although Li Lingyi was only twelve or thirteen, her good family background had already given her the budding look of a young lady.
Seeing a tall, handsome young man beside her naturally drew attention.
The woman was named Zhang Ximei, Li Lingyi’s eldest maternal aunt and her mother’s biological older sister. She worked at the cooperative.
“Auntie, this is my aunt’s son—my cousin, Lu Ping’an!”
“Cousin, this is my eldest aunt!”
Li Lingyi hurriedly introduced them both, sensing her aunt’s scrutinizing gaze.
“Hello, Auntie. My name is Lu Ping’an.”
Lu Ping’an stepped forward with a polite smile.
The moment Zhang Ximei heard the introduction, the scrutiny vanished. She smiled warmly. “So you’re Lingyi’s cousin—then we’re family!”
“Come, come, let me get you some candy!”
As she spoke, she took five or six White Rabbit milk candies from her pocket and handed them to the two.
“Thank you, Auntie!”
They didn’t stand on ceremony and accepted them with thanks.
“No need to be polite. It’s just a few candies. By the way, what did you come here to buy?”
Zhang Ximei smiled, clearly not taking it seriously.
At her words, Li Lingyi glanced at Lu Ping’an.
He instantly understood and smiled. “Auntie, I just came along with Lingyi. She probably has something she wants to buy.”
Li Lingyi’s eyes brightened.
“Auntie, I want to buy a hair clip—the newest style your cooperative just got in. But… I don’t have the coupon.”
Zhang Ximei laughed. “I thought it was something serious. Come with me!”
“Just so happens there are two slightly defective ones. No coupon needed—you can buy them directly.”
“As for the price, sixty-five cents each.”
She took Li Lingyi’s hand and led her toward a counter.
As for whether they were truly defective—that was hard to say.
Lu Ping’an quickly took out the one yuan and slipped it into Li Lingyi’s hand. She shot him a grateful look.
Though he followed behind, his eyes curiously surveyed the cooperative.
The Supply and Marketing Cooperative of this era resembled a small-town general store.
Rows of wooden shelves neatly displayed various goods.
Enamel washbasins and enamel mugs—items full of the flavor of the times—were arranged brightly, giving a festive feel.
He noted that the shop was only about sixty square meters, yet it had five sales clerks.
At this time, cooperative employees were considered one of the “Eight Great Occupations”—a secure “iron rice bowl” job with high social status.
There was quite a variety of goods. Lu Ping’an noticed cigarettes and liquor displayed—classics of the era.
Especially Zhonghua cigarettes and Moutai liquor—even decades later, they would remain iconic.
He had one hundred yuan, but no coupons.
Suddenly, he saw a shelf labeled “No Coupon Required.”
Stepping closer, he saw salt, soy sauce, vinegar, soybean paste, pickled vegetables, pastries—daily necessities that ensured people’s basic livelihood.
Another shelf also required no coupons—matches, soap, toothpaste, light bulbs, toilet paper.
After walking around once, he had a clear understanding. These were indeed things he needed.
But he wouldn’t buy them here. With acquaintances around, it would be troublesome—he couldn’t easily explain where the money came from.
If strangers were involved, he could purchase without worry.
In his previous life, he had come from a special department—he naturally acted with extreme caution.
If he wanted to avoid attention, he could visit several cooperatives.
That way, even if he bought a lot, no one would notice.
With the Spirit Spring space, no matter how much he bought, it would all fit.
Just as he finished surveying the store, Li Lingyi returned, looking slightly embarrassed.
She had spent the entire one yuan.
“Cousin, let’s go. I’ll show you around some more!”
She smiled at him, and he nodded.
“Auntie, we’re leaving!”
Both greeted Zhang Ximei, who smiled. “Alright, come visit Auntie again when you have time!”
They nodded and left the cooperative.
“Cousin, here—these candies are for you. Can you not tell my mom about today?”
Li Lingyi looked at Lu Ping’an pleadingly.
He laughed. “It’s no big deal. Don’t worry, I won’t tell Second Aunt.”
Her face instantly broke into a bright smile. “Thank you, Cousin!”
As they walked forward, Li Lingyi fiddled with her new hair clip, eyes sparkling.
Lu Ping’an tucked the candy coupon into his Spirit Spring space. If he remembered correctly, candy coupons would soon become unnecessary.
Soon, buying candy wouldn’t require coupons—but popular brands like White Rabbit would still be hard to get.
Looking at the surrounding buildings, he knew that in a few years, after Reform and Opening-Up, many of Kyoto’s old structures would become history.
Just then, he suddenly noticed a burly man hurrying along while carrying a young girl in his arms.
Beside him walked a woman. The two moved quickly, glancing around from time to time.
Something wasn’t right.
“These two definitely have a problem.”