C10 Sales and Marketing Cooperative

Sung Zhu had long passed the age of wide-eyed wonder, yet Sung Guodong always spoke to her in a tone reserved for children. Strangely enough, she found it rather pleasant.

"Grandpa, what are we going to buy?"

Sung Zhu tagged along with Sung Guodong to a bustling spot. Looking up, she realized they had arrived at the county cooperative.

"We've got quite a few things to pick up. I'll get you a treat later," Sung Guodong promised as he guided Sung Zhu through the crowd.

The place was packed. Sung Zhu hadn't been jostled like this in ages.

But that was the reality of the times. In the planned economy, shopping options were limited to department stores—which this county lacked—or the cooperative.

Purchasing anything required not just money but a variety of ration tickets. With high demand, any slightly scarce item would naturally lead to a crush of people.

"Comrade, I need half a jin of salt, two jin of meat, and some sugar..." Sung Guodong announced his list to the cooperative staff as he elbowed his way through.

"Wow, this old comrade is asking for so much!"

"Indeed, it's surprising. Hmm, does he even have enough tickets?"

Once Sung Guodong spoke up, envious murmurs rippled through the bystanders.

Sung Zhu was taken aback. They were buying all this? She knew well that these items required more than just cash; they needed the right tickets too. And as far as she could recall, their household didn't possess any of those rare tickets.

Unconcerned with the onlookers, Sung Guodong cheerfully pulled out a small cloth pouch, counted out the necessary money, and produced several tickets.

"Wow, those are military tickets!"

"That gentleman is a veteran! No wonder he has those—military tickets are universally accepted."

Envy swelled among the crowd as Sung Zhu gazed at the military tickets, lost in thought.

She was familiar with military tickets. Veterans were entitled to them, though they were not plentiful. For Grandpa to have enough to occasionally buy special items, he must have been an officer before retiring.

Grandpa must be quite the "wealthy" man!

It's no surprise he can make her sweet porridge with white rice and brown sugar!

Sung Zhu's eyes nearly twinkled with delight. The feeling was simply wonderful!

Sung Guodong didn't mind what others thought. He cheerfully packed the purchased items into his backpack and then took Sung Zhu back home.

"Grandpa, let me help you carry some of that."

Sung Zhu felt it wasn't right to walk empty-handed and offered to help share the load.

"Zhu, you're so caring. Grandpa is really happy. But you're still too little to carry these things."

How could Sung Guodong actually let her carry anything?

But inside, he was as thrilled as if he'd tasted honey. The child was always so considerate, and he couldn't bear the thought of her enduring any hardship.

Sung Zhu noticed Sung Guodong heading to a secluded spot, where he cleverly covered the backpack with an old, shoe-like object.

She quickly realized why Grandpa had done this: they had bought quite a bit at the cooperative—sugar, meat, and fabric. Without covering it up, it would be too ostentatious to walk back like that!

In those times, many people struggled to fill their stomachs, and their lifestyle seemed lavish in comparison. Going back that way could attract unwanted attention.

Sung Guodong, knowing the ropes, skillfully concealed the goods and prepared to head back with Sung Zhu.

"Zhu, is there anything else you want?"

Sung Guodong was clearly pleased with their shopping trip and inquired if Sung Zhu desired anything more.

As a thoughtful child, Sung Zhu wouldn't ask for anything else. Having such a loving relative was more than enough for her, and she felt extremely content and happy.