Ancestors, I told you to seduce the villains, not to turn evil.

The steamed bun was about the size of Xu Manman's palm, but much heavier than steamed buns in later generations, quite substantial.

She'll probably be about 80% full after eating one.

Aunt Lin also bought two meat buns, put them in an aluminum lunchbox, and stuffed them into a cloth bag.

She explained with a smile, "Back then, you needed food coupons to buy steamed buns. With a food coupon, you could buy one for three cents."

“We farmers didn’t have any grain coupons. Later, the state-run restaurants changed leadership and the rules were changed.”

“In the past, you needed grain coupons to buy steamed buns. Now, on the 10th and 20th of each month, state-run restaurants sell meat buns for five cents each without grain coupons, but each person can only buy two.”

The market day happened to be on the 10th, and since meat buns didn't require ration coupons, Aunt Lin was willing to buy two to take home.

Xu Manman then remembered that nowadays you need a ticket for everything.

Luckily, she didn't go in to eat earlier, otherwise it would have been too embarrassing if she had ordered the food but didn't have any food coupons.

Just as she and Aunt Lin were about to go back, Xu Manman saw some people reading newspapers in the queue.

She saw a job posting.

Xu Manman couldn't resist and stepped forward: "Hello sir, may I ask where you bought this newspaper?"

The middle-aged man was surprised to see Xu Manman. He glanced at the newspaper and said with a smile, "The only place in town that has newspapers is the post office. Mine is yesterday's, and I've already finished reading it."

"I bought it for five cents, so you can give me three cents."

Without saying a word, Xu Manman spent three cents to buy the newspaper.

Xu Manman plans to go back and take a good look.

If she can find a way to make money, it will provide her with an extra layer of security in this era.

She knew Fei Huainan might still have money, but it was Fei Huainan's money, so she spent it without any sense of righteousness or conviction, buying whatever she wanted.

If she wants to have the freedom to spend money, she has to earn it herself.

Aunt Lin saw that Xu Manman spent three cents to buy a useless newspaper and thought she was being wasteful.

Xu Manman and Fei Huainan were already struggling financially, and now they were wasting money on these useless things.

However, she didn't say anything more, after all, she was just a neighbor aunt and not familiar with Xu Manman, so she had no right to interfere in other people's affairs.

Now, they really are going back.

After walking for nearly two hours, Xu Manman finally got home. She was exhausted. She went into the kitchen to rest and pick wild vegetables.

Fei Huainan is not here, and we don't know where he went.

For dinner, I made cold wild vegetable salad, hot meat buns, and sweet potato porridge.

She had already prepared dinner, but Fei Huainan still hadn't returned. Remembering that he still had an injury on his leg, she went to the door to take a look.

From afar, a figure could be seen limping towards them.

It is Fei Huainan.

He had an injury on his leg, so he walked very slowly, stopping every few steps. He stared blankly at his leg, his pale face covered in sweat.

Although it's very hot during the day in July, this place is very close to the ancient western region, so the temperature difference between day and night is large. At night, it's not just hot, you need to wear a jacket when you go out.

Despite the cool and refreshing sound, Fei Huainan was covered in sweat, his face was pale, and his lips were almost bloodless.

But he was a man of great endurance; his face remained expressionless, showing no sign of pain.

Fei Huainan quickly spotted Xu Manman waiting at the door. A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, but he quickly concealed it and walked indifferently toward Xu Manman.

Xu Manman stared at his face for a while, then stepped forward and helped Fei Huainan up.

A hint of embarrassment flashed in Fei Huainan's eyes: "I can walk by myself."

Xu Manman didn't respond. While supporting Fei Huainan, she changed the subject: "I've made dinner. Let's eat first."

Now we have to finish eating before dawn. There are no power lines in the village yet, so if we don't finish eating before dawn, we have to use kerosene lamps.

At that time, kerosene was quite expensive, so people who were frugal would lie down on the kang (a heated brick bed) after eating.

Xu Manman helped Fei Huainan sit down and then went to clear the dishes.

Upon exiting, they saw Fei Huainan washing his hands to the side.

When Fei Huainan returned, he paused for a moment upon seeing the meat buns on the table.

Afraid that he would think she was wasting money, Xu Manman immediately took out the rest of the money.

"The seeds cost 50 cents, the chicks cost 1 yuan, the steamed buns cost 10 cents, no food coupons were needed, and I also bought a newspaper. I'll give you the rest of the money later."

Fei Huainan thought for a moment before speaking: "The money is with you; consider it for household use."

Xu Manman didn't refuse; she felt really insecure about the two cents she had on her.

Since Fei Huainan gave it to her, she would use it for now and pay him back when she made money.

However, since she had money, she decided to go to the county town as soon as possible to find that traditional Chinese medicine doctor and cure Fei Huainan's leg.

It can also prevent him from turning evil.

However, we still need to plant the vegetables before going to the county town, otherwise they won't grow big enough if we miss the planting time.

That evening, Xu Manman and Fei Huainan each ate a meat bun.

After finishing her meal and cleaning up the kitchen, Xu Manman returned to her room.

She took a nap, and when she got up in the evening to go to the toilet, she suddenly heard a faint sound coming from the yard.

Xu Manman's heart tightened, and she couldn't help but look outside.

The moonlight was bright outside. She saw Fei Huainan go into the kitchen, and then open the door and go out.

After Fei Huainan left, Xu Manman lit a candle and went into the kitchen, only to find that eggs and flour were missing from the cupboard.

She didn't say much, silently closed the cabinet, made sure the mice wouldn't get in, then went to the bathroom, and then went back to her room to lie down.

The thought of being alone at home made her somewhat unable to sleep.

She simply stared blankly at the dark ceiling with her eyes open. She didn't know how much time had passed before the door closed, and Xu Manman finally fell into a deep sleep.

For the next few days, Xu Manman was busy with matters concerning her private plot.

Fei Huainan would also help, but Xu Manman saw that his face was as white as a ghost, which was really scary. She forced him to rest, and only then did Fei Huainan calm down.

Xu Manman never asked what Fei Huainan did when he went out at night or during the day.

Fei Huainan didn't care what Xu Manman did; the two lived their own lives and didn't bother each other.

That day, as Xu Manman was watering her garden, Fei Huainan suddenly asked, "Where is that highly skilled old doctor you mentioned?"

This question really stumped Xu Manman.

Looking up, she met Fei Huainan's dark eyes and understood. Fei Huainan pretended not to care on the surface, but actually wanted to heal his leg as soon as possible.

Yes, it's normal for people to be anxious.

However, she still doesn't know where the old man is, so she can't give Fei Huainan a definite answer.

She thought for a moment before speaking: "That old gentleman was sent down to the county town. I'll go check on him tomorrow and let you know when I have the results."

Fei Huainan stared at Xu Manman for a while before finally speaking, "Thank you for your trouble."

His legs had been given a death sentence, but Xu Manman gave him hope.

He secretly decided that as long as his leg could be healed, he would wipe the slate clean of his grudges with Xu Manman.

Xu Manman felt a pang of sadness watching this.

For the first twenty years of his life, Fei Huainan was loved by his parents, had dreams, was driven, and was also intelligent, achieving numerous military exploits.

When Fei Huainan gave her money last time, there was a stack of military medals in that green backpack. Xu Manman glanced at it and saw that there were seven or eight medals, and there were many more underneath.

In her dream, she also saw Fei Huainan, whose legs were uninjured and who was full of vigor.

He was a figure who struck fear into the hearts of his enemies, a top-secret national asset, a top individual soldier in the military, and an invincible commander on the battlefield.

Such an outstanding person as him is now struggling to take care of himself in this small mud-brick house.

Xu Manman didn't say anything more. She silently finished watering the plants and then went to cook.

Fei Huainan stared blankly at his legs.