In 1959, what's wrong with me pedaling a tricycle?

Around 3 p.m., Wang Xingguo rode his tricycle, carrying a bucket of fish, to the entrance of the General Hospital of Liberation.

Not long after, Wang Xingguo saw Jiang Yue'e looking around and quickly stood up to wave.

Jiang Yue'e saw him waving, so she turned around and called out, then came over with a group of patients' family members.

Some people carried buckets of water, while others went empty-handed. However, it wasn't that they were unprepared; they simply brought receipts.

Jiang Yue'e looked at the fish and then asked Wang Xingguo to help catch them and put them in the bucket. The person who got the fish put the things aside, thanked Wang Xingguo, and hurriedly carried the bucket of fish to the side.

Although it was a barter system using fish, Wang Xingguo brought too many fish at once, making him vulnerable to being accused of speculation and profiteering.

So they left after exchanging the fish, which actually made Wang Xingguo safer. It was all for his sake, not because they were cold-hearted or ungrateful.

Jiang Yue'e asked, "Comrade Wang, quite a few people heard that you can help exchange goods for fish, and they all asked me to ask you if you can still help get fish tomorrow?"

Wang Xingguo nodded and said, "If someone else asks, then of course I can't. But if Nurse Jiang asks, then there's definitely no problem. You're helping me spread the word, so I have to help you save face, right?"

Jiang Yue'e smiled and began to tell Wang Xingguo the fish they needed for tomorrow.

Some of the people she brought along didn't get any fish; instead, they came to Wang Xingguo in person to order fish.

Wang Xingguo agreed to all of them, and then he asked Jiang Yue'e, "Nurse Jiang, do you need any eels over there? If you know how to prepare them, they're like black carp and can be good for post-illness recovery."

Jiang Yue'e paused for a moment, then shook her head and said, "I'm not too sure about that. I'll ask around for you later and see if anyone needs this."

"Okay, thank you, Nurse Jiang. You've gone to so much trouble."

"You're welcome. I'm happy to be able to help the patient and also to help you."

After finishing his work here, Wang Xingguo didn't linger and left with what he had acquired.

I've got some apples, cigarettes, and alcohol these past few days, so I need to bring some home.

I can bring some apples over tonight; they're a rare treat these days.

Although some early-maturing varieties were launched, they never entered the market.

People who want to buy apples will have to wait another half month, until mid-September, when a large quantity of apples will be available on the market.

So when Wang Xingguo brought the apples home, the siblings, whose clothes were covered in matchboxes, had their eyes light up.

Wang Xingguo joked, "How is it? Doesn't this apple smell good?"

The siblings nodded repeatedly. Wang Xingning tried to coax Wang Xingguo, but he interrupted her, saying, "Stop. You're a grown girl now, why are you still being so coquettish? Go wash it if you want to eat. We'll keep half for our family, and I'll take the other half to your future sister-in-law's house as a gift tonight."

Wang Xingning agreed and happily went to get the apple to wash. Then he cut the apple into four pieces and asked everyone to share it.

Wang Xingguo took a piece and ate it. The early-ripening apple had a strong sweet and sour taste, which was really delicious. The apples of later generations did not have a sour taste; they were all purely sweet.

Many people talk about the "fruit flavor," but what they really mean is that fruits used to be sweet and sour, while fruits nowadays are purely sweet, so they naturally don't have the fruit flavor they remember.

Wang Xingguo said to the two of them, "There are quite a few apples, but we need to save a few for when my older brother goes on a blind date. It will also show off our family's wealth."

The two nodded repeatedly, agreeing to the matter.

I really crave it. Last year was okay, but this year all the good things have become scarce, to the point that even if you have money, you can't buy them.

Once winter arrives, wild vegetables and various fruits and vegetables will disappear, and that's when food will become even more scarce.

Wang Xingguo can't control others. For example, when he took cornmeal and sweet potatoes back to Gaobeidian to exchange for eels, he could actually earn more by spending money.

But they are all members of the Wang clan. It would have been fine if he hadn't known, but now that he does, he wants to lend a hand, even if it's just a little bit.

Although eating too many sweet potatoes causes heartburn, and he didn't take much back with him, every extra bite he could eat was still helpful.

Based on the growth of the sweet potatoes in the space, another batch can be harvested around the New Year. If the Wang family members are having a hard time then, he can take out sweet potatoes and corn to help them out.

Just like how Grandpa Wang might swear harshly, but every time he went back to his hometown, he would sell him whatever he wanted.

People who share the same roots always have a sense of connection through blood.

Next, he plans to get some pigs, and if they have a lot of chickens, ducks, and geese, he'd like to get a batch of those too.

For him, who has the space, selling chickens and ducks is the least profitable option; raising them to sell eggs is the most suitable way for him.

Although there is no shortage of eggs now, they are actually very difficult to buy; otherwise, they wouldn't be so expensive on the black market.

The supply is insufficient. For example, a household may only need one pound of eggs per month, but when you go to buy them, you can't even get them even if you queue up.

Then this quota is updated every month. If you don't buy it this month, it will be gone next month. Only the quota of one jin for the new month will be available.

Wang Xingguo went to take a shower. He had been running around all day and was covered in sweat. He needed to tidy himself up before going to the Su family's house for dinner so he wouldn't be impolite.

Wang Xingning took the clothes and went to wash them for him.

This girl is really sensible, hardworking and well-behaved. Wang Xingguo likes his little sister very much. Of course, his little brother is also sensible and he likes him just the same.

At first, he felt a little awkward merging with the original owner's memories, feeling that his personality was somewhat split.

However, after spending more time with his family, he accepted his identity and gradually integrated into the family.

He greatly admired his elder brother's sense of responsibility and commitment, as he had never had such a family member in his previous life, so he cherished his current life.

In the evening, Wang Xingguo carried two bottles of Erguotou liquor and half a bag of apples, and walked towards Mao'er Hutong.

He didn't ride the tricycle; he walked for about fifteen minutes, as that would have been a bit inappropriate.

Regardless of the circumstances, it's really embarrassing for a tricycle driver like the Li family to be in such a poor situation.

Wang Xingguo must acknowledge this and accept the Li family's complaints about him.

Fortunately, the Li family understood his choice and at least didn't try to break them up, for which Wang Xingguo should be grateful.

"Xingguo is here! You silly child, you've come all this way, but why did you bring gifts?"

The speaker was Aunt Li, Wang Xingguo's future mother-in-law. He quickly replied, "Auntie, we were just lucky to get some early-ripening apples, so we brought some for you to try."

Aunt Li took the things and led Wang Xingguo into the house. Li Xiuping hadn't come home from get off work yet; it was only seven o'clock, and she wouldn't be home for another twenty minutes.