Return to the 1982 Staff Compound

Chapter 233 The Show is Over

Song Fengwen later took sick leave and didn't come.

Time flies, and the Canton Fair is coming to an end in the blink of an eye.

On the last day, no one was in the mood to work. Even the exhibitors started their big sales promotions, hoping to sell the samples on display at the exhibition. This was especially true for the agricultural products booths, which had been counting their goods since early in the morning.

The organizers knew the procedures and it was the same every last day, so they simply let the students move freely.

People immediately entered the exhibition in groups of two or three to see if there were any bargains to be had.

If you work for 20 days, you will receive a subsidy of 40 yuan. Although you cannot buy big items, you can still choose a few small items.

Zhao Jiamin was pulled by Li Xiaoyue and Zhen Xin to help pick clothes. Ever since they learned about Zhao Jiamin's heroic act of beating up Song Fengwen, the two girls almost showed their admiration clearly on their faces.

Qiu Huoming looked at her with a bitter face as they dragged her away. Zhang Song patted him on the shoulder and said, "What's so fun about being with a girl? Come on, go with me to see the motor..."

"Okay, let's take a look at semiconductors and if there are any washing machines on sale, I'll buy one."

"Qiu Huoming, you're not planning on carrying the washing machine back home, are you?"

Zhang Song said in surprise.

"It can be shipped by sea, the shipping fee is not expensive."

Since 81, navigation between Shenhai and Yangcheng has been restored. At 14 p.m. every Tuesday, the small passenger ferry transfers passengers to Huangpu Port, where they will board a large passenger ship and arrive at Shenhai at 8 a.m. on Friday. This water route is also the fastest and most convenient route at present.

Before, Qiu Huoming took a detour on his journey in order to take a train. On the one hand, he wanted to experience the customs of different places, and on the other hand, it was also to collect folk songs.

"Unless it's extremely cheap, it's too much trouble..."

Zhang Song has no interest in these large electrical appliances. In rural areas, many places do not have electricity, and even if they do, power outages are common.

The two walked and talked, and soon they arrived at the motor booth...

The current motors are all bulky things, and Qiu Huoming looked around but didn't find any bright spots.

Zhang Song asked a lot of questions in front of the booth. After listening for a while, he finally understood some of the clues. The technology was still too backward, the workmanship was not up to standard, and it was difficult to improve the performance.

The staff at the booth were busy packing and had no time to pay attention to him. They only answered one out of ten questions. He felt bored after staying there for a while, so he suggested following Qiu Huoming to visit the semiconductor booth.

They all belong to the mechanical grouping and are very close together.

Some employees of Wireless Factory No. 3 knew Qiu Huoming. After all, it was Teacher Xu who brought him here last time and he knew the way.

"Hey, college students are here. We are busy organizing the exhibits. You can see for yourself that our place is different from other places. We are close and we don't clear out the goods. If you want to find bargains, go to the exhibitors from other places..."

"Okay, I'll go right away." Qiu Huoming thanked him with a smile and pulled Zhang Song away.

There are several exhibitors from the north here. They are so far away, so I am afraid there will be promotions.

Qiu Huoming took a look around and was quite disappointed. At the current 'Canton Fair', joint venture brands are not allowed to enter. They are purely domestically made. Just talking about electrical appliances, the washing machines are only single-cylinder, with a rough appearance, and he has no desire to buy them. On the contrary, small appliances such as radios and tape recorders are very well made, with not only advanced technology but also exquisite workmanship.

"Which one do you like, Qiu Huoming?" Zhang Song couldn't help asking when he saw him walking around here and there without stopping.

These days, electrical appliances are in short supply, and even exhibitors in the north are reluctant to promote sales. At most, they will cut off the price. But there are many benefits. In this era where supplies require tickets everywhere, buying is earning money.

Therefore, these booths were crowded and bustling.

"Forget it, let's go..." There were too many people and it was giving me a headache.

"Qiu Huoming, why don't we go to the textile department and take a look, so that we can at least bring some things home during the winter vacation..."

"Okay, I heard there's some chiffon fabric out there, it's really good for making skirts."

As soon as Qiu Huoming finished speaking, Zhang Song took a step back, "You...you are not a pervert."

"What the hell are you thinking about! I have two younger sisters and an older sister, so of course I'm buying it for them!"

Inspector Qiu Huoming punched him with his arm, "Oh, I also want to buy some for my mother..."

"Then I feel relieved." Zhang Song followed with a playful smile.

The textile section is probably the busiest place at the exhibition. This year's textile export mission has been successfully completed. Exhibitors have no intention of taking the samples back, and all the finished products are hung out.

There were four-piece bedding sets, ready-made clothes, quilts, and even more various fine-spun fabrics. The dazzling array of items made the group of young ladies unable to take their eyes off them.

Qiu Huoming took a fancy to several pieces of solid-color chiffon fabrics.

The price is 30% cheaper than on the market, and the latest models are displayed at the exhibition. It will probably take more than half a year for these fabrics to truly enter the domestic market.

Qiu Huoming made a prompt decision and selected three colors and tore five meters of each. As for the exact amount he would need, he had no idea, but Chen Suniang would naturally take care of it when he got home.

The staff wrapped the cloth with scraps of cloth, and Qiu Huoming squeezed out of the crowd holding the full bag of cloth.

Not far away, Zhao Jiamin was serving as an advisor to Zhen Xin and the others, who were working with the finished clothes.

Zhang Song selected a few pairs of shoes and met Qiu Huoming at the passage. "My family members do farm work and have a lot of shoes, so I bought a few extra pairs."

Qiu Huoming was inspired when he heard this. He had big feet and it was not easy for him to buy shoes that fit him. This kind of venue for foreigners might have shoes in his size.

Also, I bought cloth for my mother. If I don’t buy some for my father, I’m afraid he will give me the cold shoulder during the New Year.

"I'll go take a look too..." Qiu Huoming was about to rush over holding the cloth.

"I'll hold the cloth for you, go ahead."

Zhang Song picked up the fabric from Qiu Huoming's arms, found a place with few people, and waited there.

Qiu Huoming squeezed in quickly. The shoes here are for foreigners, so there are many large sizes. At the exhibition, other people chose regular sizes, so he had more styles to choose from.

He was like a mouse falling into a rice jar, and immediately chose three pairs for himself, two pairs of leather shoes and one pair of sandals.

I chose a pair of size 42 sneakers for Qiu Jianshe. My dad often goes to the mountains and the countryside, and sneakers are more stable when walking.

After thinking about it, I took advantage of the discount and bought a pair for each of my two younger sisters.

Both of them are active by nature, and sneakers are more suitable for them.

When he rushed out of the encirclement carrying six pairs of shoes, Zhang Song came over and said, "That's not the case. You must have bought the shoe factory."

"I really have this idea. My feet are so small that ordinary shoe factories don't have shoes of my size."

Qiu Huoming took his cloth, tucked it under his armpit, held his shoes in his other hand, and followed Zhang Song, fighting their way out of the crowded crowd one after the other.

Back in the lounge, they were so thirsty that they went into the cafeteria and brought out two cups of herbal tea. When they sat down, they realized that they were the only two people back in the lounge.

The others are probably still shopping.

Zhang Song was so hot that he unbuttoned a few buttons of his shirt.

"Hey, Zhang Song, your clothes look familiar."

Qiu Huoming saw that the cuffs of the shirt were stained with oil.

"I have two shirts in total. I wear them alternately these days. I wash them once a day, and they are all worn out. The oil stains cannot be washed out. I will go back to ask my classmates in the Chemistry Department for some stain remover..."

"Students in the Department of Chemistry are really affordable."

"They deal in raw materials and can make their own vanishing cream, but I don't dare to use it..."

Zhang Song sighed, "When I graduate, I will probably work in the power industry, but I'm not interested in this field. I want to work in a factory and build large heavy trucks!"

"Not bad, your idea is good, maybe you can get into a military unit."

"A good man should serve his country..."

Zhang Song raised his eyebrows slightly. "These days, I have finally realized that the gap in technology between us is too big. After I graduate, if I can be sent abroad, I want to learn some skills and bring them back."

He accompanied a few foreigners to look at heavy industry a few days ago, but they failed to reach an agreement. They were not interested in domestic heavy industry products, but instead tried to purchase only ore.

Because the amount was large, and even though we knew that energy would be consumed, we still signed the contract in order to earn foreign exchange.

After several attempts, these students have more or less realized their family financial situation, and it is still too poor... Several of them have secretly made up their minds to go abroad.

Qiu Huoming didn’t know whether they would forget their original intentions after going abroad, but at this moment, they were indeed full of patriotism.

"You can take the TOEFL. There are test centers in Yangcheng anyway."

Qiu Huoming suggested.

The School of Engineering now has the most advanced laptops available, and Qiu Huoming plans to find an opportunity to develop the "C" language quietly.

Build momentum for the Institute of Technology.

"Let's wait until my senior year. I heard that taking the TOEFL requires a certificate from the school. I may not be able to choose to study abroad on a government scholarship. If I pay for it myself, my family can't afford it..."

Zhang Song sighed. He was now a sophomore and it was still a long way from his senior year. He was quite prepared for a rainy day.

"When you reach the mountain, there will always be a way out. Hey, Liang Wensheng and his men are here..."

Not far away, Liang Wensheng and Shu Yang came over, each holding a quilt.

When I got closer, I found that there were four sets of clothes sandwiched inside.

Zhang Song was surprised and said, "Why buy a thick quilt? We won't need it in Yangcheng for more than a few days."

Liang Wensheng put down the things in his hand and said, "I bought this for my parents. They have never seen this before. I want them to sleep on the same quilts as the city people."

As soon as these words were spoken, there was silence.

It was Shu Yang who broke the deadlock. "Oh, actually, if I take it back, I may not be able to get anything good out of it. With my mother's personality, I'm afraid she will sell it right away..."

Zhang Song held his chin in his hand and said, "My family is not rich. We only have a good meal during the Chinese New Year..."

"My family was also very poor before. My parents had to take care of not only the children but also the elderly with their wages. My second uncle and grandmother were in poor health, and we spent more money on the hospital than on the grain store..."

Qiu Huoming said: "But our family has finally turned from bad to good, and your family will also get better and better..."

Liang Wensheng looked at him with complicated eyes. This man was his competitor, but strangely, he didn't hate Qiu Huoming.

Shu Yang smiled and said, "Thanks for your kind words. With a college student like me in our family, our lives will definitely get better and better."

"Let me see, what did you buy?" He stretched his neck to look.

They were chatting.

Several female students finally came back with their shopping. Except for Zhao Jiamin who came back empty-handed, the other two came back with large and small bags.

"What a bargain!" Li Xiaoyue started yelling as soon as he sat down.

"Half price! Discounted items are also available at 70% off!"

Zhen Xin laughed and said, "We are just like mice falling into a rice jar. Look at Jiamin..."

Zhao Jiamin sighed, "I would like to pick out a few pieces, but the styles I like are not available." She had no shortage of clothes, but didn't want to be special, so she found an excuse to get away with it.

A few people share the joy of picking up bargains...

A staff member came over carrying a big cake. "Everyone is here. The cafeteria will not open fire to students today. Everyone can go home after eating the cake..."

There was a burst of excitement at the scene, and the staff also laughed, "There is tea in the cafeteria."

Qiu Huoming volunteered to cut the cake. It was a cream cake, probably made in the foreign affairs canteen. The ingredients used were very solid and the main feature was that it was generous in size.

Liang Wensheng and his friends went to the cafeteria to get basins, and Zhao Jiamin and several other girls were responsible for serving tea...

Everyone worked together and soon everyone had a piece of cake and a cup of tea.

"We are fortunate to be gathered together, so let's raise our glasses." Qiu Huoming suggested, holding up the enamel teacup.

"Cheers!" Zhang Song followed closely behind...

"Bang" seven cups clinked together, and everyone smiled...

"Delicious, this is the most delicious thing I have ever eaten." Shu Yang exclaimed.

"The layer on top is called cream..." Zhen Xin explained.

"I know that. Our Agricultural College can also make our own cream!" Li Xiaoyue shouted.

"I've eaten the homemade yogurt from your school, and the taste...it's really hard to describe," said Zhao Jiamin.

"It needs to be poured with a spoonful of honey. Tsk tsk, you are close to me. Come to me some other day and I will steal some honey and show you my skills."

"Okay, everyone who listens will get a share!" Qiu Huoming responded immediately.

"What about us?" Shu Yang asked.

"Everyone has a share..." Li Xiaoyue said generously.

Sweet foods bring joy to the heart.

The cake was finished, the table was cleaned, and the borrowed utensils were returned to the cafeteria.

A few people finally showed reluctance.

"I'm from the student union, responsible for external liaison. When the time comes, we'll organize an event and gather everyone together. Everyone should participate enthusiastically..."

Qiu Huoming put on his schoolbag, stood up holding the items he purchased and said.

"Okay, I'll be the first to sign up." Liang Wensheng responded.

Shu Yang looked at him in surprise.

Several other people immediately laughed and echoed a few words.

Several people walked out with large and small bags. These days, in addition to earning subsidies, the biggest gain was the expansion of knowledge and the friendship they gained.

Outside the gate, several people went their separate ways.

Li Xiaoyue and Qiu Huoming were riding in the same car. Zhang Song had few things in his hands, so he took a few things for her.

The shoes in Qiu Huoming's hand were held by Zhao Jiamin, and he couldn't snatch them away.

It was afternoon, the autumn sun was still warm, and four people were walking in the wide square outside the exhibition.

Someone came over and whispered, "Do you have any foreign exchange certificates? Buy them at a high price."

Zhang Song responded: "What's the price?"

As soon as he finished speaking, a few more people came over and said, "Come on, let's talk aside."

Qiu Huoming frowned, "He's just talking nonsense, there's no such thing."

Zhang Song also shook his head quickly, "I'm just curious, just asking casually, we are poor students, how can we have such a thing."

Li Xiaoyue followed Zhao Jiamin, feeling a little unhappy, "This guy really likes to cause trouble."

Zhang Song finally got rid of those people and followed Qiu Huoming with lingering fear.

"Don't mess with these people," Qiu Huoming warned.

There must be people behind these "scalpers", but in this era, they are not called scalpers, they should be called "traders".

Asking for a monthly ticket, it’s the end of the month :)

I wrote this on the high-speed train using my phone... The high-speed train is already feeling a bit like the Spring Festival travel rush, with people thronging and children crying... the sounds are endless...