Bai Fumei in the ’70s Chapter 17
Translated by Serena Love
Proofread by Soupysuspicions
Edited by Ladyhotcomb
Chapter 17
This time, He Songbai was too absorbed in his meal to even lift his gaze. He took a generous bite, savoring the oily tenderness of the meat as the flavors burst in his mouth.
The fatty meat was delectably rich, and the lean meat was equally fragrant.
Liang Tiezhu observed Brother Bai’s composed expression and couldn’t help but feel a twinge of disdain, which he didn’t bother to fully conceal. A sense of frustration welled up in his chest.
He slowly remarked, “Look at how well she treats you, serving you such a delicious meal.”
Even though Liang Tiezhu came from a relatively affluent background, he rarely enjoyed meat at home. A meal drenched in oil was a luxury he could indulge in perhaps once a month. When had Tiezhu ever had a bowl of rice blanketed with slices of meat? Where else could he taste such scrumptious braised pork rice? If a woman ever treated him this well, he would be willing to dig out his heart and ready to lay down his life for her.
He Songbai polished off his bowl of rice and responded nonchalantly, “My grandma used to make rice porridge during the good times, but it was only for a few meals. Even if she served me a pitiful meal, I would still eat it. What’s your point?”
Liang Tiezhu felt a pang in his liver from He Songbai’s dismissive tone. Frustrated, he reached over, snatched some meat from He Songbai’s bowl, put it in his own, and devoured it.
“I’m shallow, poor, and greedy. All I can see is this meat.”
He swiftly finished his own bowl of rice, even licking the fragrant, salty sauce from the bowl, which earned him a playful beating from He Songbai.
...
After lunch, Liang Tiezhu patted his stomach and bid farewell to He Songbai. Although Zhao Lanxiang had served him a generous portion of rice, he still felt unsatisfied, his cravings unfulfilled.
He wiped his mouth, fully aware that asking for a second bowl of rice would be pushing his luck. Instead of heading home right away, he sought out Zhao Lanxiang.
With enthusiasm, he inquired, “What are you planning to sell next time?”
Zhao Lanxiang replied, “I won’t know until next week. We’re almost out of meat and noodles at home. I’ll head to the store in a few days to check things out and decide based on what’s available.”
Zhao Lanxiang had already experienced the scarcity of supplies in the 1970s. Even with money and ration tickets in hand, there were still numerous items that remained out of reach. The queues at stores were so scary that only those who lived through that era could truly comprehend the struggle.
She frequently visited supply and marketing cooperatives and grocery stores, grabbing whatever was available. A trip to the county town was considered successful if she didn’t return empty-handed.
Zhao Lanxiang’s response was within Liang Tiezhu’s expectations.
He grinned, revealing his white teeth. Although he couldn’t provide meat, his business revolved around selling food.
“Well... what kind of food do you need to buy? If I have it, I can give it to you.”
Hearing this, Zhao Lanxiang’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Really? If that’s the case, it would be fantastic!”
“Of course. If it’s convenient for you, I need flour, rice, millet, beans, mushrooms, and bamboo shoots. However, I’ll take whatever you can get.”
Zhao Lanxiang wasn’t just boasting. After years of researching and refining various cuisines, she had become quite skilled, even if she wasn’t a “recipe encyclopedia.” She could create dishes from any ingredient available. However, even the most talented cook needs ingredients to work with. Now that Liang Tiezhu was offering to supply her with food, what more could Zhao Lanxiang ask for?
This proposition made Zhao Lanxiang very happy.
Liang Tiezhu was involved in black market transactions, so buying food from him was safer than purchasing from a grocery store. Plus, it would save her the trouble of having to shop for ingredients every week.
After listening to her requests, Liang Tiezhu spoke in a low voice, “Sure, I will send it to you as soon as I get it.”
Zhao Lanxiang then inquired about the price of the grains. Liang Tiezhu waved his hand dismissively, “Forget it. Since you take good care of my brother Bai and you’re one of us, I’ll give it to you at the purchase price. It might not be as cheap as the supply and marketing cooperatives, but at least you won’t need food stamps.”
Zhao Lanxiang felt a deep sense of gratitude; this was undoubtedly an excellent deal.
She was aware that food prices on the black market were slightly higher. Farmers with surplus rations would secretly sell them on the black market at marginally higher prices in exchange for living expenses. They didn’t require food stamps, which was also convenient for Zhao Lanxiang, an urban resident who received a fixed allotment of food every month.
Liang Tiezhu said, “I’m leaving. Brother Bai fell off his bicycle today, and his legs are injured. If you have...” He paused, biting his tongue, and under Zhao Lanxiang’s questioning gaze, he hesitated before adding, “If you have any medicine, could you lend it to him?”
Despite being ignored by He Songbai, Liang Tiezhu still hoped that there was a woman who knew how to take care of him.
Finding a woman who didn’t disdain Brother Bai’s family situation and was willing to cook for him was truly a challenge!
Liang Tiezhu might not have been the sharpest tool in the shed, but he was at the age where he was starting to think about marriage. If he had a wife who treated him as well as Zhao Lanxiang treated He Songbai, even if she wasn’t initially interested in him, he would work hard to win her over.
Zhao Lanxiang recalled the man’s pale lips. She had thought it was due to low blood sugar from skipping breakfast, but she hadn’t realized he was injured.
He had acted so normally that she hadn’t noticed anything amiss.
Zhao Lanxiang managed to suppress the urge to scold He Songbai on the spot and calmly saw Liang Tiezhu off.
As soon as she returned to her room, she rummaged through her belongings and quickly found a bottle of medicated oil. It should be suitable for all kinds of skin injuries and bruises! She had bought this valuable item during a trip to the county town’s health clinic.
Spending a few yuan on medicine was not something to be stingy about!
She went to He Songbai’s room and knocked on the door.
“Is anyone there?”
He Songbai, full from his meal, had been taking a nap and was startled awake by the knock. He had been sleeping shirtless, so he got up reluctantly and first put on a jacket.
“What’s up?”
Zhao Lanxiang heard the man’s lazy voice from inside the room. His deep voice was husky, filled with an unconcealed ambiguity, and mixed with slight annoyance, as if he had just been rudely awakened.
He suddenly opened the door, staring down at her with his sharp eyebrows furrowed. “What... is the money short, or are the tickets short?”
Zhao Lanxiang glanced at the bloodstains on the man’s trousers and handed him the medicated oil. “Tiezhu said you fell and got injured. He asked me to check on you.”
“You should use this medicine first. Apply it three times a day.”
He Songbai only felt the soft touch of the woman’s hand on his own, sending a wave of numbness through his rough palm. The electric current seemed to flow from his fingers straight to his heart, making him feel as if the blood in his chest was about to flow backward.
He stiffened as if struck by lightning. In the next instant, the medicine bottle fell from his hand in a straight line, the delicate glass container plummeting to the ground and shattering upon impact.
Zhao Lanxiang stood frozen in place.
He Songbai’s pupils contracted slightly.
The air itself seemed to freeze in that moment. He Songbai, too, was taken aback, his fingers trembling slightly before he regained his composure and spoke calmly.
“This… How much did this bottle of medicine cost? I’ll pay you back.”
Zhao Lanxiang felt a surge of anger, sorrow, and frustration.
In that moment, when the man had reacted as if he had touched something filthy and pushed her hand away, Zhao Lanxiang was left in shock and heartbreak.
“You’re always talking about paying me back. Just how much do you think you owe me at this point?”
She wasn’t upset that her good intentions had gone to waste, nor was she bothered by his instinctive physical rejection. However, He Songbai’s constant need to keep their relationship strictly transactional, ensuring he owed her nothing, infuriated her.
She bent down to carefully pick up the shards of broken glass and left without another word.
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