Chapter 55: More New Year's Goods Delivered

 

**The grain prices this year were quite different. With grain coupons, you could still purchase grain at the regular price, but on the black market, rice was being sold for several yuan per kilogram, and there was no fixed price.

Even dining at the supply and marketing department's eatery, you had to pay more if you didn't have grain coupons. For instance, a steamed bun would cost four fen with coupons but six fen without.

Tang Erlong was quite envious of the fabric that Liu Xiujian received. However, he understood that it was earned by Tang Ailian, and it was designated for their mother and siblings to buy clothes. Besides, their father had contributed some money to the family budget, so he couldn't justify taking it for himself.

However, what he wanted the most was Tang Ailian's life-saving elixir. If he could get his hands on that elixir, it would be perfect.

He needed to come up with a plan.

Everyone had initially thought they wouldn't be able to afford new clothes this year due to their financial situation. However, Tang Ailian's unexpected earnings had brought joy to the family, as now everyone could have new clothes for the New Year. Everyone was elated except for Tang Erlong.

Tang Grandma couldn't help but think that if Tang Ailian could go out every day to save people, they would have a daily income of one hundred yuan and over a thousand yuan in goods. Unfortunately, Tang Shui Sheng had taken advantage of her, deducting two hundred yuan. Otherwise, they would have over three hundred yuan in cash.

She couldn't let that money go to waste. She had to make sure they returned it to her.

Her gaze shifted to the New Year's goods. Tang Grandma began to plan secretly. Those New Year's goods had been stored for years and might be worth selling. Meat products were quite expensive now. Chickens in the free market were selling for ten yuan per kilogram, and special preserved chicken and roast duck could fetch a good price.

Today, the happiest person was undoubtedly Liu Xiujian.

In general, rural women would sew several sets of new clothes before getting married. The gift fabrics given by guests during weddings were often kept as dowry and could range from several dozen to just a few meters. Newlywed brides wouldn't have to worry about clothes for several years. Additionally, mothers would usually give some pocket money when their daughters went out, which was considered private savings and couldn't be claimed by the in-laws.

Liu Xiujian, however, had not received any dowry fabrics because she had advocated for simplified weddings when she got married into the Tang family. She didn't invite guests and only bought a little sugar as a treat. Thus, she didn't have any gift fabrics, and her mother, who was a stepmother, didn't give her any pocket money. Consequently, she had been wearing the same few sets of clothes for many years, without ever buying new ones.

Today, not only did she buy a new set of khaki clothes, but she also received over ten meters of new fabric, making up for the regret of not having received dowry fabrics or pocket money during her wedding. Add to that the five hundred yuan that Tang Ailian secretly gave her last night, and she now had some pocket money of her own.

She couldn't contain her excitement and needed to take deep breaths to calm herself.

As the Tang family was returning from the market, Tang Xiaohu rushed over to Tang Ailian, saying, "Ailian, why haven't you gone home yet? Someone has delivered New Year's goods for you, but they couldn't enter the house because the door was locked!"

"What? Someone has delivered New Year's goods again?" The entire Tang family was excited.

Tang Ailian, however, was puzzled. Bai Laotou had delivered New Year's goods yesterday as a token of gratitude for helping his son. But who else would deliver New Year's goods to her today?

Tang Grandma, despite her happiness about receiving New Year's goods, had her doubts. She wondered who could be delivering New Year's goods to them today. Yesterday's delivery was due to Tang Ailian's assistance, but today, she hadn't gone out to help anyone. So why would someone be delivering New Year's goods again?

All eyes turned to Tang Ailian.

Tang Ailian suddenly remembered what Zhao Shuji had said. That's right, it must be him!

She touched her nose and said, "Well, yesterday I not only saved a wealthy man's son but also helped about a dozen workers. I used up all the elixir that Master gave me. Zhao Shuji was very grateful to me, so maybe he's the one sending the New Year's goods."

Tang Erlong was instantly furious when he heard this. He blurted out, "What? You used up all the elixir just to save a dozen workers?"

Everyone was taken aback by Tang Erlong's outburst. When did Tang Ailian's elixir become his?

Tang Erlong realized he had spoken without thinking and quickly corrected himself, "I didn't mean to say that Big Brother is a big brute. My brother is already the deputy factory manager, how could he be a brute? What I meant to say is that when workers don't have money, it's better to save wealthy people or officials. That way, you can get better rewards. Saving workers won't get you anything."

Liu Xiujian snorted, "Ailian's master gave her the elixir. She can use it however she wants, and it's none of anyone else's business."

Tang Erlong wanted to say more, but Tang Lao Ye gave him a stern look and said, "That's enough!"

Although he was concerned about the elixir, Tang Lao Ye wasn't shortsighted. He knew that Tang Ailian had a master behind her, and he understood that if he ever needed it, Tang Ailian would ask her master to provide the elixir. As for money, he patted his inner pocket. With Tang Ailian having some money now, she wouldn't forget to show filial piety to him.

Tang Erlong wisely decided not to say anything more.

(End of Chapter 55)