Chapter 232 - 198: Little Tuanzi’s Kindness

Chapter 232: Chapter 198: Little Tuanzi’s Kindness

"Wendong, are all these people your friends?"

"Yes, Uncle. I don’t really like making friends. They’re all just humoring me. As you can see, I’m a very honest man."

Lin Huaimin opened his mouth, but ultimately swallowed the words he was about to say.

"Dongzi, your auntie and I will help watch the stall. You all should go take a stroll!"

Liangzi’s father said with a smile, seeing that Zhao Wendong and the others weren’t much help just standing around.

"Alright then. Thanks for the help, Uncle Zhang. Big Brother, if you come across a trade you’re not sure about, you can wait for us to get back to make the decision."

"Mm, got it."

On the way here and during their free time these past two days, the group had gone over their trading strategies multiple times. Zhao Wenjun waved them off, telling Zhao Wendong to take his group and go for a walk.

The Zhaos split into two groups. Zhao Wenjun, Song Xiaoyu, and Chen Yanmei stayed behind to watch the stall. Lin Huaimin and Wang Lulu didn’t want to tag along with Zhao Wendong’s group either, worried they would make them feel awkward. So, Zhao Wendong and Zhao Wenwu set off with their respective wives, plus Little Tuanzi. Shitou had wanted to come along, but Song Xiaoyu, not feeling at ease, made him stay put at the stall.

Liangzi’s parents watched the Zhaos and could clearly see how they stood out from the people around them. Most of the people at the market wore tattered old padded jackets, their faces etched with worry, sallow and gaunt.

In contrast, while Zhao Wendong and his family’s outer padded jackets were old, they were tidy, and one could even glimpse brand-new cotton clothes underneath. Most importantly, their complexions were rosy and healthy, and their eyes were bright and full of spirit. Seeing how well he took care of his family during a disaster year, they found themselves admiring Zhao Wendong even more.

Zhao Wenwu had to carry their things, so Little Tuanzi walked ahead on her own. Lin Zhiyin and the other woman flanked her closely, protecting her. Little Tuanzi’s short legs moved with surprising speed, making a beeline for the outermost stall a dozen or so meters away.

The stall owner was a middle-aged man. He wore a padded blue-cloth jacket that had been washed until it was a faded gray. The collar was completely frayed, and the jacket was covered in colorful patches sewn from even older, worn-out fabric, the stitches loose and crooked.

Zhang Laosuan’s home was far away, so by the time he walked to the Commune, all the spots inside the market were already taken. He could only find a spot on the very edge. He placed the half-bag of cornmeal he’d brought in front of him and squatted beside it with his arms crossed, waiting for a potential trade. The cornmeal sack was sewn from coarse burlap, its edges worn and fuzzy, and you could see the golden cornmeal inside. This half-bag was what his family had managed to save by scrimping and saving relentlessly.

He had carried it all this way for this big market day, hoping to trade for some things his family desperately needed: salt and meat. They still had some coarse grains left at home, enough to barely get by, but the family had been without salt and meat for a long time. If he didn’t get them some proper nourishment soon, he was afraid their health would fail completely. If he could trade for salt and meat, his family could also have a proper New Year.

A few people came to ask, but they all shook their heads and left when they heard he wanted to trade for salt and meat. Many people had salt to trade, but meat... that was just too scarce. A soft pattering of footsteps approached, PATTER PATTER, and then a pair of short little legs, followed by an adorable little girl, appeared before Zhang Laosuan.

"Hello, Uncle. What are you trading your cornmeal for?"

Hearing the little girl’s sweet, childish voice, Zhang Laosuan’s eyes lit up. For a moment, it was as if the gloom in his heart had lifted a little. He looked up and saw two women with scarves wrapped around their faces standing behind the little girl. They looked young, and though their figures were hidden by their padded jackets, he got the feeling they were very attractive. Behind them stood a towering, strong man carrying things on his back, and a young man in very stylish clothes.

"For salt and meat."

Zhang Laosuan gave the little girl a small smile and replied softly.

"How much meaty-meat for it?"

"Twenty jin of cornmeal for... for ten jin of meat and one jin of salt."

"Third Brother, I want to trade for the cornmeal."

Little Tuanzi turned her head to look at Zhao Wendong, her eyes full of longing. The deal was actually a losing one, by about the value of a jin of salt, but seeing the look in Little Tuanzi’s eyes, Zhao Wendong’s heart was stirred. He smiled and looked at Zhang Laosuan.

"Wolf meat or fish?"

Zhang Laosuan was stunned. ’I can actually choose?’

"Can I have half of each?"

"Sure."

With that, Zhao Wendong had Zhao Wenwu take out a fish and a chunk of wolf meat, which together weighed at least ten jin. Zhao Wendong didn’t bother calculating it precisely with Zhang Laosuan and also counted out thirty cents to hand to him.

"Buy the salt yourself with this. If there are any issues, you can come find us at our stall over there."

Zhang Laosuan took the meat and money. After checking them carefully, he glanced at the stall in front of Liangzi’s house where Zhao Wendong was pointing. A happy smile spread across his face. He never would have thought his plan for the day would go so smoothly. His eyes, full of gratitude, turned to Little Tuanzi.

"Thank you, little one. Thank you."

"You’re welcome, Uncle! I hope you’re happy every day!"

Hearing Little Tuanzi’s sweet, childish blessing, Zhang Laosuan felt a sudden pang in his heart for some reason. His eyes reddened, and tears nearly fell. He hurriedly nodded, repeating his thanks as he walked away with a spring in his step, carrying the bag. Once he was a few steps away, the group turned back, heading to their stall to drop off the grain Little Tuanzi had just acquired.

"Sweetie, our family doesn’t need cornmeal. Why did you trade for this?"

Chen Yanmei looked at the cornmeal they had received, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. Little Tuanzi blinked her big eyes, her face wreathed in a happy smile.

"Because that uncle was sad! When I traded for his cornmeal, he got really, really happy! Everyone’s happy when they see Little Tuanzi!"