Reborn in 1985, starting from a machine factory

The early spring wind was cold, but Chen Mo and Chen Fen weren't in a hurry at all on their way back.

Li Guihua and her aunt rode in a tricycle, while the brother and sister walked, as usual.

Fortunately.

The medicine cost nineteen yuan this time, which was cheaper than Chen Mo had expected.

Unfortunately, Li Guihua followed closely after the prescription was finished, and it was impossible to hide it from her.

Upon hearing that it cost nineteen yuan, Li Guihua didn't immediately react; she just kept a sullen face and remained silent.

In this state, both Chen Fen and Chen Mo wished they could stay far away from Li Guihua.

"Candied hawthorn, candied hawthorn."

As they passed the park entrance, a sudden hawking call made the brother and sister look up at the same time.

A vendor, carrying a large string of candied hawthorns, stood in the cold wind, constantly calling out his wares.

Bright red hawthorns, coated in sugar, some even have red bean paste and walnuts inside.

Chen Fen suddenly found herself unable to move.

Chen Mo chuckled: "Chen Fen, how many skewers do you want?"

Chen Fen turned her head in disbelief. Usually, when her mother saw these things, she would say she would buy them next time.

But what is she hearing now?

How many skewers do you want to buy?

Seeing that Chen Fen didn't answer, Chen Mo dragged her to the vendor and said, "Boss, two skewers, one with red bean paste filling and one with walnuts!"

"Okay!" the vendor replied loudly, deftly taking down two skewers and handing them to Chen Fen.

Chen Fen took them one in each hand, her face flushed from the cold, her eyes crinkling with laughter.

"It's a deal, you have to finish eating before you get home. If Mom sees you and scolds you, don't expose me."

"Okay, Second Brother."

When I got home, my aunt had already prepared dinner.

After a busy morning, everyone was starving.

However, Li Guihua still didn't give Chen Mo a friendly look.

Auntie patted Li Guihua on the shoulder: "Who are you trying to fool with that long face? What's wrong? Shouldn't Xiao Mozi treat you?"

"The doctor said you need to stay calm."

"Sister, this is really too expensive. This is only the first month, and I don't know how much longer it will take."

"This family has been relying on our second child for the past two years..." Li Guihua choked up a little.

"Mom, I'm getting a raise!" Chen Mo smiled.

Li Guihua didn't say anything.

My aunt asked, "Oh, how much has it gone up?"

"Sis, don't listen to his nonsense. He's just a temporary technician without a permanent position. He might not even make sixty a month, and that's not certain."

"His aunt came over yesterday and said that someone like him might get fired any day and might not even be able to work anymore."

Chen Mo cursed Li Ting under his breath: "Mom, this time is different. I'm an assistant engineer now."

Don't try to fool me!

Chen Mo was stunned for a moment. At this critical moment, he couldn't think of a suitable explanation.

Factory approvals take at least a few days, and announcements come even later.

Paying wages is still a matter for the month after next.

"Xiao Mo, try to persuade your mother not to overthink it. Heaven won't let a blind sparrow starve," Auntie said.

"Mom, I really am an engineer now. You'll see when I get my salary next month!" Chen Mo exclaimed.

Li Guihua turned her head away, refusing to look at Chen Mo.

"Little Mozi, you all sit down. Your uncle and I will head back first."

"If your mom doesn't want to stay at home, she can come stay at my place for a few days."

"Auntie, slow down!"

Chen Mo saw them to the door, then took the plastic bag from Chen Fen and put it into the tricycle.

"The factory gave out some gifts a few days ago. We can't eat that many, so we'll take them home to eat."

"No! Let your mom eat it."

"Take it with you..."

After a while of tugging, the aunt finally left, and Chen Mo rubbed his sore arms.

However, glancing back at the door, Chen Mo suddenly felt reluctant to go in: "Chen Fen, you stay home and look after Mom. I'm going out to buy something."

"Brother, Mom knows you're doing this for her own good, but she's unhappy because you're working so hard."

"I know."

"Well, actually I don't want to go back now, can you take me with you?"

"No, Mom needs some time to talk to herself. She gets annoyed just seeing me, but she can't be without someone by her side."

"I even bought you candied hawthorns," Chen Mo said.

"You didn't mention this when you bought the candied hawthorns!" Chen Fen said, looking indignant.

"Of course! Would you still eat it if I told you?"

"Okay! I'll eat it too!" Chen Fen said softly.

"Good girl!"

Chen Mo patted Chen Fen on the head, then turned and walked out of Jianshe Village.

What Sun Dapao said yesterday made some sense. Whether it's repairing watches or fixing other things, tools are indispensable.

At that time, it was unthinkable to buy a complete set of tools; one could only slowly search for them, and the prices were extremely high.

A good screwdriver costs two or three yuan in a state-run department store, and if it's a rare model, you need industrial coupons.

The best way is actually to go to flea markets and look for good deals. If you're lucky, you might find a few good ones.

...

"Ding-dong!"

The bell hanging at the shop entrance rang out with a clear, crisp sound.

Looking exhausted, Chen Mo walked into the bookstore. He knew that secondhand stores were crowded, but he didn't expect there to be this many people.

Every single item was examined by five or even ten people.

Anything of even the slightest use has long been picked over, leaving only the utterly useless ones lying there collecting dust.

Unfortunately, the chubby salesperson was quite rude, constantly shouting that if they weren't going to buy anything, they should hurry up and leave.

I've never seen such an easy business to run.

Chen Mo couldn't squeeze past those battle-hardened comrades, so he had to give up.

As soon as he came out, the bookstore next door caught Chen Mo's attention.

The bookstore was crowded, with many people looking at books but few buying them.

The shop owner also seemed indifferent.

Chen Mo approached the crowd. This person was about the same age as Chen Mo and was engrossed in reading "How the Steel Was Tempered".

The others were similar; they read "The Red and the Black" and "Les Misérables," which amazed Chen Mo.

It's hard to believe that these classic works are so popular.

I wonder how much longer these classic works will last before martial arts novels completely overwhelm them.

Wait, martial arts!

Chen Mo blinked and walked to the counter: "Comrade, do you have any martial arts novels?"

Upon hearing Chen Mo say this, the man, who had almost leaned over the counter, instantly sat up: "Don't talk nonsense. We're a legitimate bookstore; we don't sell that kind of stuff."

There is a play!

"How much?"

"Which one do you want? These are all old books; we just put them here for you." The shop owner asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Jin Yong's 'The Legend of the Condor Heroes'".

"I have this one, it's in two volumes, ten dollars a volume, and the print here is clear."

Twenty yuan!

Chen Mo felt his heart tremble violently.

He tried hard to control his expression: "Oh dear, I don't have enough money. I'll come back later to get it. Please save two copies for me."

"Okay!" The shop owner slumped back to the counter. He had seen too many people like this. Eight out of ten people had this expression after asking the price.

Chen Mo was also speechless with astonishment.

too expensive!

Twenty yuan can buy thirty kilograms of rice or watch a hundred movies.

What a pity, what a pity.

Chen Mo had read many martial arts novels before, but judging from the shopkeeper's cryptic manner, he could be certain of one thing.

This stuff is definitely not very safe now; if I write this, something bad might happen.

You can't expect to earn money this way!

Chen Mo sighed and wandered around the bookstore twice more.

This bookstore has study materials for night school, which are slightly cheaper than The Eagle Shooting Heroes. They say it's the latest edition, and it's currently 17 yuan.

This price made Chen Mo hesitate.

I'm short of money!

Seriously, besides martial arts stories, what else can I write to earn some royalties?

"Snapped!"

Suddenly, Chen Mo clapped his hands loudly, startling everyone around him.

He gave an awkward smile and then walked out of the bookstore.

Got it!