Era: 1962, the rise of vocabulary and related terms

"I followed the aroma of the cakes to the center of the street, where I saw peddlers lining the streets. I looked for a pair of auspicious ones..."

Yan Xiao hummed a little tune, hopping and skipping as he walked, shaking his head and looking quite carefree.

"Regardless, I've successfully landed a job in the purchasing department, and the advantage—is in my hands!"

Although he didn't know what the purchasing department's work would be like in the future, he believed that with his knowledge of the dictionary system, any hardship could be overcome.

"Life is finally getting better, the clouds have parted and the sun is shining again."

After letting my mind wander for a while, I finally returned to the dormitory area.

The dormitory area wasn't a tenement building; they weren't qualified to live there. They lived in a group of courtyard houses near the steel rolling mill.

Each room contains 3 to 5 bunk beds, but Yan Xiao's room is relatively small, so there are fewer beds.

Upon entering, a whiff of the sour, fermented sweat, the acrid burnt smell of cheap tobacco, and some indescribable stench of stale urine assaulted the senses.

Cigarette butts and matchsticks were carelessly discarded and scattered on the uneven ground. Old enamel basins, oil-stained towels, and a few pieces of work clothes were haphazardly draped over the bed frame and the only two broken wooden chairs.

Having just arrived yesterday, Yan Xiao also felt that the environment was really unbearable, but his mind was full of the drinking party that night, and he had no time to pay attention to these things.

Now that everything has settled, facing this "new home" again, the discomfort was magnified tenfold.

"Tsk, no matter what, this is where we'll be living in the future. How could anyone want to make it so dirty? I don't understand!"

Although Yan Xiao is not a germaphobe, he doesn't want to live in a dirty place.

This is dirtier than the construction site dormitory.

"No, absolutely not!"

He picked up a broom from outside and began sweeping, cleaning up cigarette butts on the floor and table, and unidentified trash in the corners...

After cleaning, he filled a bucket with water from the water tap in the courtyard and started mopping the floor.

After all that effort, the house was much cleaner.

The ground was a bit brighter and could even reflect the light from outside. Even without opening the windows, there was no strange smell coming through.

The whole house, while not completely renovated, has undergone a significant transformation.

"All done, let's call it a day!" Yan Xiao clapped his hands and closed the door.

"It's time to properly clean up our cheat codes."

A semi-transparent panel, visible only to him, appeared before his eyes.

[Entries: A person of great capacity for tolerance (white), A promise is worth a thousand pieces of gold (white), Unyielding even at the cost of a hundred pounds (white).]

Currently, there are only three entries: one for gifting space, one for enhancing the credibility of speech, and one for increasing alcohol tolerance and resistance.

"I already have three entries in just a few days. There's still a long way to go. I'll have so many entries that I can't keep up with the demand." Yan Xiao laughed heartily, as if he could already see the magnificent scene of a future filled with dazzling entries.

He quickly calmed down: "But... how do I upgrade these entries? Is it by accumulating usage counts? Or by achieving specific accomplishments?"

The golden finger had only been around for a short time, and he hadn't had time to explore it in depth.

Yan Xiao immediately put it aside and looked at the ring on his right hand.

Currently, there are quite a few things inside the ring.

The materials I just received, such as work clothes, food coupons, gloves, enamel mugs, enamel basins, clothes, etc., as well as all my belongings, cost 24.5 yuan.

可别小瞧这24块多的钱，在这个大米2毛多一斤、猪肉6毛钱上下、茅台10块一瓶、中华烟也才1块一包的年代，这笔钱的购买力绝对称得上是「巨款」。

This is especially true for him, a temporary worker who had just started his job.

Of course, money alone isn't enough; you also need tickets.

These days, ration coupons are king!

Grain coupons, cloth coupons, oil coupons, meat coupons... Without these colorful little pieces of paper, no matter how much money you have in your pocket, you can't move an inch in front of the supply and marketing cooperative counter and can only stare blankly.

"There will be bread, there will be milk, there will be everything." Yan Xiao's eyes shone brightly.

Compared to the miserable state of yesterday and the day before, his life is now getting better and better, but that doesn't mean he can rest easy.

Temporary workers are just temporary workers.

Whether or not he can stay depends on Sun Yongkai's decision.

If you offend him, he might just decide to kick you out.

Even Yan Xiao couldn't change it.

However, he had just started working and had just solved a big problem for Sun Yongkai, and the two were currently in the honeymoon phase.

"Go take a shower! You'll stink if you don't." Yan Xiao hadn't showered since arriving yesterday, and he felt very uncomfortable.

Before he transmigrated, he felt uncomfortable if he didn't take a bath for a day, and even being sick or catching a cold couldn't stop him from taking a bath.

.......

evening.

All six students in the dormitory returned and gathered together.

Zheng Daniu looked at Yan Xiao: "Brother, judging from your expression, it seems you've made up your mind?"

"That's right, it's settled."

Congratulations!

Immediately, several people clapped and cheered.

Yesterday, because it was unclear whether Yan Xiao could stay, everyone naturally didn't get to know each other.

Now that even sanitation has been done, the result is self-evident.

Zheng Daniu suggested, "Now that all six of us from our dorm are here, and we didn't know each other very well before, let's introduce ourselves, what our names are, what we do for a living, so we can look out for each other in the future!"

"I think it's a good idea," Zhao Tian agreed.

"Agreed!" "No problem!" The others chimed in.

So, the six people began to introduce themselves according to their bed assignments:

Zheng Daniu, fitter, also serves as dormitory head.

Zhao Tian, ​​blacksmith.

......

Liu Laifu, transport team, maintenance worker.

"Um?!"

"A transport team?!"

The moment Liu Laifu's identity was revealed, it caused an immediate uproar among the crowd.

Zheng Daniu's eyes widened: "The transport team? So...you're going to be a driver in the future?"

The high status of drivers these days can be seen from the saying, "One turn of the steering wheel and I wouldn't trade it for a county magistrate!"

It's clear how popular drivers are; while that's an exaggeration, there's some truth to it.

"Of course." Liu Laifu's lips finally curled up involuntarily, and he proudly raised his head, enjoying the undisguised envious glances from everyone.

"I never expected such a big shot to appear in our shabby dorm. If you ever get any connections, don't forget to give us brothers a hand!" Zheng Daniu laughed and cupped his hands in a half-serious gesture towards Liu Laifu.

Zhao Tian and the others echoed his sentiments, their gazes toward Liu Laifu becoming much more eager.

"Of course, of course!" Liu Laifu nodded reservedly, but his lowered gaze and slightly disdainful attitude made people feel uncomfortable.

However, they certainly have reason to be proud.

Finally, everyone's attention focused on Yan Xiao.

"Yan Xiao, Purchasing Department."

"Huh?!" This exclamation was even louder than when Liu Laifu announced the name of the transport team.

"You...you're a purchasing agent?!"

"That's right, I just started working here."

"Good, good, good. I thought the driver was already very capable, but I didn't expect there would be a purchasing agent as well. Brother Yan Xiao, you... you really are a hidden talent! My apologies." Zheng Daniu solemnly cupped his hands in greeting.

Zhao Tian and the others immediately surrounded them, expressing their amazement and curiosity all at once.

Purchasing agent! This is someone who can procure unplanned supplies and has connections everywhere!

"Not at all, I've just started working here, I'm just a temporary worker, it's not certain whether I'll actually become a purchasing agent," Yan Xiao replied with a cupped-fist salute.

He understood the principle that a tall tree catches the wind, especially since his own foundation was not yet stable and he had to keep a low profile.

"Hmph!" Liu Laifu was very dissatisfied, seeing that Yan Xiao had stolen his thunder.

He was just enjoying the spotlight, but in the blink of an eye, Yan Xiao, the newcomer who looked even younger, stole all the limelight!

This purchasing agent's job is no less demanding than his work in the transportation team, and in some ways even more so.

Especially during the famine a few years ago, purchasing agents had to be careful and even the drivers had to smile and be obsequious in order to get supplies for the factory. Sometimes they would be yelled at but they didn't dare to say anything.

Seeing Yan Xiao surrounded by enthusiastic crowd, Liu Laifu turned his head away with a gloomy expression, his resentment and frustration at being overshadowed growing stronger.

"Wow, Brother Yan Xiao is amazing!" Zheng Daniu exclaimed sincerely, patting Yan Xiao's shoulder hard as if to confirm that this was not a dream.

"Purchasing department! That place isn't easy to get into! Brother, you've got real skills!"

"No, we're all temporary workers right now. The most important thing is to secure this job first."

"That's right, let's see who stays first!"

"Alright! Let's have a competition!"

A seed of competition was quietly sown.

We are all young people, and although we have different jobs, we believe that we are no worse than anyone else.