Chapter Fourteen: The Feeling of a Nouveau Riche

As soon as Director Ma came to his aid, Liu Weidong hurriedly put on a smile and entered the director's office.

“I’m already aware of the situation with Team Two. Since you’ve helped the commune leaders and the village overcome difficulties, I want to commend you on behalf of the commune. If you encounter any other troubles, just tell me. As long as it doesn’t violate policy, I’ll assist you,” Director Ma said.

Liu Weidong quickly waved his hand. “Director, you handle so many affairs every day—I dare not trouble you further. I truly don’t know how to thank you for what you’ve done for my wife.”

Director Ma chuckled, “No need for thanks when things are done by the book. Comrade Lou Yanru has taught at Qingshan Elementary for two years now. By both seniority and ability, she deserves to be made permanent. I’ve already explained the details to the Education Department; just wait for the news.”

After flattering Director Ma a bit more, just as someone came in with business, Liu Weidong quickly pulled Lou Yanru out of the commune office.

“That Li Baotian really is like a lingering ghost. Weidong, you must be even more careful from now on. It’s not the thief who steals that’s scary, but the one who keeps you in his sights. Li Baotian is notoriously petty.”

Liu Weidong snorted. “Petty? He’d better not provoke me. If he pushes me too far, who ends up playing whom is anyone’s guess.”

They boarded a large bus heading to the city. Lou Yanru originally planned to go straight home, but Liu Weidong insisted she get on the number 8 bus.

“Don’t rush home yet. Didn’t I say after signing the contract, I’d take you to the Xinhua Bookstore to buy textbooks? Also, I really want to buy a sewing machine and a bicycle. These things require ration coupons, so I’ll have to ask Factory Director Li to talk to Director Wang.”

“You really want to buy them? Aren’t you afraid of making others jealous?”

“Whoever’s jealous can just work harder to earn more. Nowadays, as long as you’re smart and willing to work hard, can you really starve?”

Li Tie and Song Yi hadn’t expected Liu Weidong to get the land sorted out so quickly. One hundred and fifty acres of sandy beach land—though the yield wasn’t high, it was enough for preliminary experiments.

After signing the contract with a 10% advance to cover land disinfection, basal fertilizer, and seed purchases, while the accountant went to withdraw the money, Liu Weidong brought up the equipment issue.

“As far as I know, only one machinery factory in Binjiang can process this kind of precision equipment. Some parts and bearings have to be bought from Shenyang—I even know exactly where.”

“Our factory is currently just focusing on castor oil and hasn’t yet reached the stage of separating byproducts, so the machinery isn’t complicated. Once I get the experimental fields ready, I’ll return to help Engineer Song draft equipment blueprints. Once Factory Director Li and Engineer Song see it, they’ll understand immediately.”

Li Tie and Song Yi’s eyes widened in surprise, as did Lou Yanru’s.

Liu Weidong could explain polymerization principles and formulas after researching, but to claim he could design machines and draw blueprints was like listening to a foreign language for Lou Yanru.

“That’s wonderful! What you’ve given us are polymerization principles. I was just worrying about who could design the machines. Weidong, you really are our factory’s savior.”

Liu Weidong smiled. “Don’t say that, Director Li. I’m still just an external technical consultant for the factory—I’m not working for free.”

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“Yes, yes, I’ve discussed with the party secretary and the factory director. Your treatment will be according to the chief engineer’s standard, the same as Engineer Song,” Li Tie said.

After chatting a bit more, the accountant returned with the money—seven bundles of large, unsealed “Great Unity” bills. Song Yi specially got some book covers to wrap them.

“Director Li, I have one more favor to ask. I want to buy a sewing machine and a bicycle, and I need you to tell Director Wang about it.”

Li Tie readily agreed and called Director Wang in front of Liu Weidong.

After leaving the oil factory, Lou Yanru nervously clutched her book bag, sweat streaming down her face.

“Why are you nervous? Put the money in the savings bank first. You need to buy seeds, pesticides, and fertilizer. We have to last three months. Don’t forget the Qingshan Elementary teachers’ salaries and the school lunches all come from here.”

Lou Yanru nodded. Walking a short distance ahead, she spotted a credit cooperative. Only after depositing the money did she finally relax.

The previous advance of two thousand yuan, after buying grain, cigarettes, and liquor, left over five hundred, enough to buy the sewing machine and bicycle. The couple then boarded a bus headed for Henan Street.

Henan Street in ’78 wasn’t very bustling yet. Apart from the Fourth Department Store’s Electricity Building and the Fifth Department Store’s Chemical Building, most businesses were one-story shops, including tailors and ready-made clothing stores.

Liu Weidong didn’t lead Lou Yanru straight to the Fourth Department Store but instead entered a ready-made clothing shop.

There weren’t as many trendy styles as before. The most fashionable were Pragy shirts and “Dacron” floral shirts.

If it weren’t for the limited money, Liu Weidong wouldn’t have looked at these clothes.

“Boss, bring down that lake-blue skirt, the floral shirt, and the blue trousers over there.”

The shop owner hurriedly pulled the clothes down with a long rod.

“Weidong, why are you buying clothes for me? I can’t even wear them at work.”

Lou Yanru tried to stop him.

“Why not? In a month, you’ll be a university student. Even if you return to the village, you’ll be a teacher, not a farmer. Year-round you’ll be wearing green or blue. Don’t you want to look younger?”

“That girl’s got a good man, knows how to spoil his wife. I even have some men’s clothes here—want me to find you two to try?”

“No need; we have cloth at home. I still prefer wearing clothes my wife makes.”

Liu Weidong held up the Pragy shirt against Lou Yanru with a satisfied look.

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The feeling of sudden wealth was quite pleasant—he thoroughly enjoyed it.

Although Lou Yanru’s face was darkened from daily exposure to sun and wind, her figure remained slender and graceful. Wearing that skirt, she’d definitely turn heads on the street.

No matter how much Lou Yanru tried to resist, Liu Weidong bought the skirt and shirt.

“What are you so stingy about? Didn’t I say the man’s job is to support the family? In a few days when you go home to see your mother, you’ll still be wearing those rural clothes from your countryside posting. Aren’t you afraid your mother will scold me?”

Inside the Fourth Department Store, Liu Weidong also bought Lou Yanru a pair of leather shoes.

When they found Manager Wang, he showed them samples with a smile.

“We don’t have sewing machines or bicycles in stock right now, but as soon as we do, I’ll set some aside for you. Anything else you want, just tell me—I’ll report it all.”

Liu Weidong browsed around and ended up buying a Shanghai-brand semiconductor.

The Xinhua Bookstore was right next to the Fourth Department Store.

When Liu Weidong and Lou Yanru asked inside, they were told that the high school textbooks had all been snapped up long ago.

“Yanru, I think we really need to think of a way with your parents—either find a tutor or have someone help track down the textbooks.”

Lou Yanru nodded. “Alright. Since you’re already in the city, come with me to the central hospital to see my mother. Now that you’ve come into some money, you should be able to hold your head high when meeting her.”

Liu Weidong grinned. “It’s not the right time yet. Last time your mother scolded me till I was speechless. I still remember the look she gave me—disgust and contempt. She truly looks down on people from the countryside.”

Lou Yanru shot him a sharp look. “Stop making excuses and come with me. Maybe if you say you support me going to university, my mother will change her attitude?”

Liu Weidong quickly grabbed Lou Yanru’s arm.

“I say we should visit your father first. Your mother’s been cleared, but your father is still suffering at Red Star Farm. Visiting him now would mean more than seeing your mother.”