Chapter 26: Bidding Quotas

Zhang Mingyue forced her eyelids open to their limit and tugged at Old Four’s arm.

"Really? That’s great! We have to seize this opportunity no matter what."

"Right. I’m planning to start making some connections."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Mingyue leaned in and whispered, "The old lady has money."

Old Four had the same thought, but he had just offended the old lady that day.

"I’ll just work diligently for a few days first. When the time comes, I’ll talk to Mom. Considering the salary of a formal worker, she’ll be willing to put up the money."

"Fine!"

The whole family had gone to sleep. Without any nightlife and exhausted from the autumn harvest, they all turned in early.

The next morning, Su Li woke up and stretched. She felt her hands could reach a little further than before; there was progress, and she had to keep it up.

Dressed and ready, Su Li stepped outside. The eldest daughter-in-law was already tending to the firewood and cooking, calling out, "Mom."

Su Li gave a lukewarm grunt, maintaining her persona of being slightly angry and disappointed, and walked out to use the restroom.

If there was one thing wrong with the village, the restroom was certainly it. It was an all-natural pit latrine: one large hole and two wooden planks. The first time she used it, she had to mentally prepare for a long time, terrified that the planks wouldn't hold and she’d fall in. Fortunately, she was highly adaptable; she could now use the facility with a calm face and steady heart—though it would be better if she didn't have to carry a wooden stick horizontally in her hand for balance.

After leaving the restroom, Su Li headed to the chicken coop and gathered four eggs. With six hens, four eggs meant two of the old ones were molting and no longer laying. With just one look, Su Li decided it was time to eat chicken. She was an old woman now; she shouldn't shortchange herself. How many more decades could she even eat?

As she carried the eggs to the front yard, the eldest son, Cheng Jundong, happened to enter the gate.

"Mom."

"Oh, you're back. Rest for a bit."

"I'm not tired. I slept well last night."

Cheng Jundong walked over and whispered to Su Li, "Uncle Yang said he wants eighty."

Su Li blinked, signaling she understood.

The mother and son exchanged information like underground agents. Cheng Jundong went to wash up, change his clothes, and prepare to head to the fields.

At breakfast, Su Li brought out all four eggs and had the fourth daughter-in-law, who was on cooking duty that day, make egg and spinach soup to go with cornmeal cakes. Throughout the meal, Su Li remained silent, looking at no one, and left as soon as she finished.

Cheng Jundong noticed the atmosphere and asked, "What’s going on?"

Miao Xiaocao whispered the events of the previous day to him. Cheng Jundong’s expression darkened as he set down his bowl and chopsticks.

With a sharp clatter, Cheng Jundong spoke up.

"I’m not good with words, and I don't know any big principles, but I'll say this: if you upset Mom, I’ll beat you."

"Besides, none of you can take me in a fight anyway!"

Cheng Jundong was being honest; he was the strongest in the family and earned the most work points in the fields.

After saying this, he finished his soup in a few gulps, stuffed two cakes into his pocket, and headed back to the fields. He needed to earn more points so that when the family eventually split, he could support his mother and save her from worrying so much. Thinking of how upset the old lady was, yet how she hadn't said a word of complaint just to spare him the worry, Cheng Jundong felt even worse.

Su Li: I actually did forget this time.

The others felt a bit guilty about yesterday’s events, and since everyone had their own hidden agendas, they kept their mouths shut, hurried through their meal, and headed off to work.

Before long, the house was empty. The lazy Second Son's family, under the leadership of the newly motivated Li Meilan, failed in their attempt to slack off. The fifth son, Cheng Junguo, who had been praised so much the day before that he'd bragged about how easy the work was, had to head out with trembling arms.

With everyone gone, Su Li picked up the mooncakes and set off. She didn't borrow a bicycle today, but fortunately, she ran into an ox cart halfway. After a bumpy ride that left her backside aching, she finally reached town.

Su Li took the mooncakes to the Yang family. The trade was quick, and she left with twenty yuan. This mooncake business could only last another three or four times before it reached its limit. These were the only buyers the Yang family could contact, and it wasn't wise to expand too much right now—the timing wasn't quite ripe.

Su Li calculated her time and headed to the entrance of the Mining Culture Club, where the chess players gathered. She was spotted the moment she appeared.

"The young lady who played the Elephant move, that's you, right?"

"Yes, that's you! Come over here, come quickly!"

Su Li walked over, looking a bit bewildered.

"Oh, young lady, where do you live? Which family are you from?"

"I’m from Sanhong Village, surname Su. I came to town to take care of some business."

"No wonder we couldn't find you! Come, come, play a round before you go."

Su Li declined, "I can't, I haven't finished my business yet."

"Sister Su, what business are you taking care of?"

"Yes, tell us."

This group consisted of retired senior cadres—all of them had free time, skills, and, most importantly, a deep addiction to chess. Su Li didn't play coy; she was a fifty-year-old woman, what was there to be embarrassed about?

"I heard you all talking last time about how they’re allowing vendors inside the club. I went home and thought about it. I want to see if I can do it. I have a large family, and I want to send my grandchildren to school."

Su Li spoke sincerely, using the education of her grandchildren as her justification.

"Sister Su has high awareness. Children must be educated."

"Old Wang, isn't your son an administrator at the club? Ask him about it."

The man called Old Wang pursed his lips and glared at the one who called him, but he didn't refuse.

"Sister Su, the stalls there are subject to public bidding. It’s a policy experiment... I can ask for you, but whether it succeeds depends on what you're offering."

"Okay, okay, as long as there's a chance! I’ve really met a good comrade!"

Old Wang wasn't one to procrastinate. Since he was right at the entrance, he took Su Li into the club and went straight to his son. Old Wang was partly being helpful, but he also knew his son had been worried lately. His son was in charge of this project, but despite the announcements being posted, very few people had signed up.

The policy was brand new, and most people were nervous. What if the policy was reversed? If something went wrong, they might get arrested. After all, if things were truly "open," why was the black market still operating in the shadows? People were accustomed to caution, but Su Li had the advantage of knowing history, so she was bolder. Moreover, the small stalls inside the club were undoubtedly the safest and most guaranteed option available.

Just like that, Su Li successfully registered for the bidding. She had five days to prepare her goods; there would be an on-site vote, and the top three food items would be selected.

Su Li walked away with a stamped registration certificate, having showered them with words of gratitude.

After leaving the club, Su Li didn't rush off. She played three games of chess—winning two and drawing one—much to the delight of the spectators and players alike.

"I have plenty to do at home, thank you, comrades. I’ll be going now."

Su Li grabbed her basket and left with a brisk, purposeful stride.

She hurried and finally caught the ox cart just in time. She gave the driver twenty cents for the round trip. She got off at the crossroads and headed toward the village.

She hadn't gone far when she heard the village chief shouting in a rage.

"This is goddamn wicked! Who the hell mixed in bad seeds? May their ancestors rot for eight generations!"

Su Li approached with her basket and, seeing the pile of small corn cobs before the chief, her eyes lit up!