Rebirth in 1972: Redemption in Changbai Mountain

"I don't need it. The Mauser 98K is accurate and has a long range, making it good for shooting down those big armored vehicles." Zhou Rui refused; the speed of the 5.5-6 didn't affect him much.

"Okay, I'll write a receipt and deduct the cost of the guns." Zhang Zhenbei wrote out another receipt, listing the prices of the two guns.

Type 56 semi-automatic rifle, 70% new, 800 yuan each, quantity 2. Zhang Zhenbei handed the note to Zhou Rui, grabbed the warehouse key, and got up.

"Come on, I'll take you to the warehouse, you can choose whatever you want."

As soon as he stepped outside, Zhang Zhenbei greeted Wang Shouye: "Wang Pao, why don't you come in for a cup of tea now that you're here?"

"Haha... I've brought a lot more dogs, so I have to keep an eye on them. I don't want them to scare the forestry workers and cause you any trouble." Wang Shouye smiled broadly, accepting the courtesy he was being shown, especially since it was the deputy director of the forestry station.

"It's alright, come to my office for tea next time. Come on, Ruiwa said he wants to get his two senior brothers a new gun, let's go to the warehouse and take a look."

"But what about these dogs?" Wang Shouye asked, somewhat troubled.

Zhang Zhenbei waved his hand dismissively: "It's alright, we can just tie it outside the warehouse later."

"Alright, let's go together." Wang Shouye's personality is generous and straightforward; he doesn't engage in polite back-and-forth negotiations.

Upon entering the warehouse, Wang Zhen and Zhang Shitou were overwhelmed by the sights, just like Gu Shaofeng was the first time he visited. Zhou Rui didn't stand on ceremony; he provided them with backpacks, coats, and water bottles—it wasn't like he didn't pay for them.

It's not because things are cheap here, it's just that they're hard to find elsewhere.

Zhou Rui tossed the items to the two men, who quickly put them on.

Wang Zhen had long been envious of Gu Shaofeng's equipment, and that damned senior brother kept showing off beside him.

After putting on her coat, Wang Zhen walked ahead of Gu Shaofeng, occasionally touching her water bottle and adjusting the shoulder strap of her backpack.

Gu Shaofeng looked up and rolled his eyes. What kind of person is this, showing off in front of me? How childish.

The guns were personally selected by Zhou Rui, and they were all quite good. Perhaps because of the tense relationship with the Russians to the north, the military had higher requirements, which is why these older-looking guns were discarded.

Everything went smoothly after that, including settling the accounts and selling the hides from Lao Xing. The lynx meat and bones weren't sold; Gu Shaofeng took them all home, saying he'd distribute them to everyone after the wine was made.

After the money was divided, everyone wanted to go home, but Wang Shouye was a little worried about Zhang Shitou.

"Stone, just rest for two days. We have to gather the day after tomorrow. It's too far away, so why don't you stay at Master's house for two days instead?"

"No, Master, I still want to go back. I've earned so much money, I want to make my parents happy."

Zhang Shitou clutched his chest; he had never earned so much money at once. The wild boar meat sold for 8,091 yuan, and the lynx pelt later sold for 3,500 yuan. He received a total of 1,655 yuan, and after deducting the cost of his gun, backpack, and other equipment, he still received nearly 800 yuan.

"Alright. But you should come home with me first, ride my bicycle back, get some rest, and ride it back the day after tomorrow."

"Yes." Zhang Shitou nodded heavily.

"Then, Master, I'll be going now. I still need to visit the supply and marketing cooperative."

Wang Shouye knew that Zhou Rui would spend money on things like cigarettes and alcohol whenever he made money, so he waved his hand helplessly and said, "Go ahead, go ahead."

Zhou Rui wanted to leave, but Gu Shaofeng insisted on following him no matter what.

After Zhou Rui left, Wang Shouye lectured Zhang Shitou, "You still need to learn this from Rui: you should spend the money you earn. What are we earning money for? Isn't it so that our families can live a better life?"

Zhou Rui went to the street to look for Tong Lei, but couldn't find him. He went to his house, but he wasn't there either. He was at his wit's end; he had money in his pocket but no receipts. Zhou Rui felt uneasy, like he had money but couldn't spend it.

Well, I'll go take a look anyway, since the supply and marketing cooperative still sells some things that don't require coupons.

The two men walked in carrying military backpacks, but to their surprise, an elderly woman standing behind the counter waved enthusiastically to Zhou Rui: "Young man, you're here. What are you buying this time?"

Zhou Rui had come many times, and each time he bought a lot of things. The old lady had noticed this young man who was young and wealthy long ago, and since she also had an unmarried niece at home, she thought it would be a good opportunity to inquire about him.

"Hello, ma'am. Not planning to buy anything? We don't have tickets, just browsing around."

"It's alright, it's alright. Our supply and marketing cooperative also has some items that don't require coupons. We have discounted substandard goods and products that were originally intended for export but are now being sold domestically. Take your time looking around."

The old lady spoke in a very gentle tone, which didn't seem like that of a salesperson in a supply and marketing cooperative in this era.

"Young man, what do you do for a living? Where are you from?"

As Zhou Rui was looking around the counter, wondering what else his family might be missing, the old lady suddenly asked a question.

Zhou Rui didn't pay attention and just casually replied, "Me? I'm a farmer, from Jiaolongxia Village." "Oh, a farmer? Then how do you have so much money and ration coupons to buy things every month?" The old woman's tone was full of doubt.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Rui immediately became alert. Could this be a deliberate attempt to trick him into revealing something, so they could report him to the joint defense station? He needed to find a source for the money and ration coupons.

"I am a temporary purchasing agent for Xiangyang Forest Farm. I usually go to various villages to buy eggs and other things to send to the canteen. Occasionally, I also go up the mountain to hunt some wild game. The money and tickets are provided by the forest farm."

Zhou Rui spoke in a gentle and sincere tone, making every effort to demonstrate that his income was legitimate.

"Oh my, so you're a purchasing agent from Xiangyang Forest Farm. I knew it! The employee benefits at Xiangyang Forest Farm are really good."

"Young man, do you have a girlfriend? Let me tell you, I have a niece who just turned eighteen and doesn't have a boyfriend yet. She has a good job; she works as a sales clerk at the Lotus Leaf Brigade Supply and Marketing Cooperative. How about I introduce you to her?"

The old woman's sudden enthusiasm left Zhou Rui at a loss. He didn't even know this old woman; he had only bought things from the supply and marketing cooperative a few times and was somewhat familiar with her. Why did she take a liking to him?

"Auntie, my junior brother doesn't have a girlfriend yet. If you think he's good, why don't you set him up?" Gu Shaofeng was bored, but when he heard the auntie say this, he immediately perked up.

The old woman noticed the tall man next to Zhou Rui striking up a conversation and couldn't help but look over. He was tall, good-looking, and wearing a military overcoat—a very desirable man. It was just a pity he was a bit too old.

"Young man, are you your junior apprentice? Then you're also a purchasing agent at the forest farm? You're quite handsome. Are you married? Otherwise, I can introduce you to someone."

When Gu Shaofeng saw that the fire had spread to him, he quickly pushed Zhou Rui forward.

"Auntie, I'm married and have several kids. Let's talk about my junior brother instead; he's not married. Let me tell you, my junior brother..."

Enraged, Zhou Rui instinctively swung his elbow backward, striking Gu Shaofeng in the stomach and silencing Gu Shaofeng's subsequent words.

"Auntie, don't listen to his nonsense. I'm not even sixteen yet, not old enough to get married. I'll come back to you for an introduction when I'm eighteen. You go ahead with your work, we'll go check out the other counters."

Zhou Rui pulled Gu Shaofeng away quickly; the old lady was too enthusiastic, they couldn't handle it.

"Hey young man, don't run away. I'll introduce you to my niece. You can date her first, and then get married when you're old enough."

The old woman called out behind Zhou Rui, which startled him so much that he ran even faster than when hunting.