Era: Starting with the struggle to refuse being taken advantage of

Chapter 31 Braised Pork

Wang Chengpeng had already seen the radio, but what caught his attention was the standing electric fan that Ji Yongyue had mentioned.

With his gaze sweeping across the area, Wang Chengpeng quickly spotted a metallic lump.

Underneath the simple fan cover are four metal fan blades, while the motor and other components are hidden in a metal box at the back.

However, this seemingly simple machine can bring people a touch of coolness during the sweltering heat, making it a rare and precious gadget.

The price is several times higher than that of a radio, with even the most basic one costing over a hundred yuan.

Price is only one part of the cost of using an electric fan; the continuous electricity bill is also a major expense.

Even if you can afford to buy an electric fan, you may not be able to afford the electricity bill for daily use.

In any case, the profit from repairing electric fans is much higher than that from repairing radios.

Since Ji Yongyue had not anticipated that Wang Chengpeng could repair the radio so quickly, he was not prepared at the moment.

With a try-it-and-see attitude, he decided to let Wang Chengpeng try to see if he could repair the electric fan.

Before Wang Chengpeng could speak, Ji Yongyue added, "It's just a trial, Brother Wang, you don't need to worry too much."

"If we can't come up with a solution, we can just return this electric fan."

"It doesn't matter if it's disassembled into parts, since these scrapped items are meant to be disassembled and disposed of anyway."

Ji Yongyue's request could be described as unreasonable, so he was willing to offer the most favorable terms: it didn't matter whether Wang Chengpeng fixed the electric fan or not.

Not only that, he also took out fifteen yuan from his wallet and said:

"I can't accept something for nothing. Brother Wang has helped me so much, I can't let you suffer a loss."

"Since you don't want the job, you have to accept this money, otherwise I won't feel comfortable asking you for help."

"Still the same price, five yuan for repairing a radio."

“It’s only right to do things for money, Brother Wang, please don’t refuse.”

"As for those books, they are worthless to me, so don't count them as payment."

Offering compensation might seem like Ji Yongyue was losing out, but in reality, it was to secure this sure-fire business.

Asking Wang Chengpeng to help once or twice for free is understandable.

However, if this continues for a long time, any normal person will inevitably develop feelings of estrangement.

By making the compensation transparent, they were actually trying to solidify the business.

Understanding Ji Yongyue's meaning, Wang Chengpeng did not refuse and directly pocketed the money.

This was the result of his labor, and he had no intention of taking it.

After quickly packing up his belongings, Wang Chengpeng rode his bicycle and soon found Wang Zidong waiting near the butcher shop.

Wang Zidong came to Hetian Town to buy supplies for his family, and he also brought some things for Wang Chengpeng. He looked a bit disheveled with all the bags and packages.

However, this is also a microcosm of this era. Whenever there is an opportunity to go out and buy things, people will buy as much as they need at once.

After all, it's not easy to go to town; it takes time and effort.

Looking at the things hanging on the bicycle, Wang Zidong was a little curious and said:
"Pengzi, what did you buy?"

"Three turns and one sound? It doesn't seem like it."

Shaking his head slightly, Wang Chengpeng smiled and said, "How can I make such a big decision as buying a 'three turns and one sound' by myself?" "These are all books that Brother Ji gave me, and some small things that he asked me to help fix."

"It looks like a lot, but it's all just some worthless junk."

"Alright, let's not waste any more time. If we delay any longer, it will get dark."

"It's not safe for us to walk at night with all these bags and packages."

It's also thanks to the decent quality of bicycles in this era that they could carry two grown men and so much stuff.

Even so, it was quite difficult for Wang Chengpeng to ride his bicycle, and the wheels were spinning erratically, putting him at risk of falling over at any moment.

It seems like it's time to buy myself a bicycle.

Although I have a good relationship with Wang Zidong, it is neither ethical nor convenient to borrow other people's bicycles for a long time.

I remember there was a bicycle ticket at home, which was specially prepared for Wang Chengpeng to buy betrothal gifts. It just so happens that it can be used to solve our immediate problem.

Although buying a used bicycle is cheaper, it is easy to get involved in speculation and profiteering.

Buying a used bicycle from a reputable organization isn't much cheaper than buying a new one, so it's better to just buy a new one.

After about thirty minutes of Wang Chengpeng's vigorous stomping, the two finally returned to Wangjia Village.

After exchanging familiar greetings with the village intelligence team at the entrance, Wang Chengpeng first escorted Wang Zidong back home before leisurely returning to his own house.

After putting the items he brought back from the scrap yard into the room, Wang Chengpeng carried the remaining items into the kitchen.

Although the main purpose of this trip to the city was to scout out the bride price, it's impossible that Wang Chengpeng only did that.

He not only bought some more meat for the family, but also some small cakes as a gift for his sister.

These small cakes not only fooled the gatekeeper of the Hongqu Textile Factory, but also served as a gift for Wang Meiyan, making the most of everything.

As dinner time approached, Liu Chunhua was busy.

Wang Chengpeng didn't stand on ceremony and took out a piece of fine pork belly from his pocket.

In this day and age, fatty meat is more valuable than lean meat, and this piece of pork belly is extremely valuable.

After a quick wash, Wang Chengpeng cut the more than one-pound piece of pork belly into small pieces.

Braised pork belly—that's the dish Wang Chengpeng plans to make today.

Although it is extremely resource-intensive, it tastes incredibly delicious, a delicacy that ordinary families rarely get to enjoy even once every few years.

First, blanch the chopped pork belly in boiling water to remove blood and impurities, then drain.

No need to add oil. Simply put the blanched pork belly into the pot and sauté over low heat to render out the excess fat.

This not only allows you to collect excess oil for other dishes, but also makes the final pork belly dish more flavorful without being greasy.

After rendering out the excess fat from the pork belly pieces, remove the excess oil and pork belly pieces, then add scallions, ginger, and star anise and sauté until fragrant.

In this era, seasonings are more expensive than the ingredients themselves, and most families are reluctant to use them, which is one of the reasons why it is difficult to make food taste very good.

Just a little bit of spices is enough to make the whole kitchen smell wonderful.

Even Liu Chunhua, who had been busy nearby, sniffed and looked curiously at where Wang Chengpeng was, saying:

"Son, what are you making? It smells so good!"

(End of this chapter)