Chapter 140: How Do You Know Each Other?
The basket was lined with white cotton cloth, and the most eye-catching items were still the golden corn cakes.
As expected, Team Leader Song counted the corn cakes and flaky pastries and then gave Lu Qiaoge a slip of paper.
It was priced according to the department store’s rate for the food factory. Since the corn cakes were a new product but the main raw material was corn, each was priced at three cents and two liang of grain ration tickets.
The flaky pastries were eight cents each, two liang of grain ration tickets.
There were one hundred of each, which was easy to calculate, but local grain ration tickets were still needed.
Lu Qiaoge had investigated the department store’s food counter, and at noon when work ended every day, there was always a long line here.
No matter what was put out, it would sell out completely.
Backed by a large factory with nearly one hundred thousand people, most of whom were workers with fixed monthly salaries, and many families even worked in the factory.
The monthly salary was quite considerable.
It wasn’t like decades later when supplies were abundant and people were tired of big fish and meat; now, even with money, many things couldn’t be bought.
Except for flashlights and light bulbs, which didn’t require tickets, radios, black and white televisions, and even refrigerators all required industrial tickets.
So there was no worry about unsold goods.
What’s more, the taste was so good.
The facts indeed matched Lu Qiaoge’s investigation.
The corn cakes had just been put out, and in a few minutes, they were all sold out.
There were even some who bought one, took a bite midway, found it too delicious, and came back for more.
But it was only two hundred in total, and they were snapped up almost instantly.
Moreover, everyone was praising how delicious they were, and those familiar with the salesperson loudly asked if there would be more in the evening or tomorrow.
Because in this era, many products were frequently out of stock.
So now, there was no shortage of market; what was lacking was product.
Meng Qingshan and Su Hui, who had been anxious all along, finally breathed a sigh of relief this time.
As long as people bought them and praised them, it proved their food passed muster.
However, signing the contract would have to wait until the afternoon, because today was just a trial production, so there was no stock in the evening, but the food factory could prepare for tomorrow.
Lu Qiaoge thought of the 1,500 yuan that was about to come in and happily invited Meng Qingshan and Su Hui to eat.
Meng Qingshan was the oldest, and Lu Qiaoge was the youngest.
If they were dining out, it wouldn’t be her turn no matter what.
But Lu Qiaoge was now the factory director of the food factory, albeit temporarily, and everyone knew no one could replace her unless she quit herself.
So Meng Qingshan wanting to treat Lu Qiaoge to a meal seemed a bit inappropriate.
Thus, he stayed silent.
Su Hui always addressed her as Director Lu outside.
At this moment, she just needed to follow Meng Qingshan’s lead.
Anyway, listening to her little sister-in-law was sure to be right.
Thinking of her husband who had already returned to his hometown to transfer his household registration, Su Hui felt that skipping lunch didn’t matter.
Lu Qiaoge had no idea these two had thought so much.
There were several state-run restaurants near the department store, and noon was the busiest time.
It was unknown if there would even be seats.
The facts proved it so.
They went to three in a row, and all told them there was no food left and to come back in the evening.
It seemed that as long as there were raw materials, Meng Qingshan and Su Hui no longer had to worry about their flaky pastries and corn cakes not selling.
Su Hui said, “Otherwise, let’s go home to eat. The weather has been hot these days, and many people don’t want to cook lunch. So these state-run restaurants don’t have enough to sell.”
It was just at this moment that a jeep slowly stopped beside the three of them.
The door opened, and Qin Hengzhi, sitting in the passenger seat, cast his deep gaze upon Lu Qiaoge.
It was so hot, what was Qiao Ge doing with two people from the factory?
Lu Qiaoge saw Qin Hengzhi, and her eyes lit up instantly.
She had been about to look for him, and here he was. What a coincidence.
Qin Hengzhi greeted Su Hui and Meng Qingshan, then asked Lu Qiaoge, “What are you doing?”
“Finding a place to eat.”
Qin Hengzhi pointed ahead: “I’ll take you to the Oriental Red Restaurant.”
This was the best state-run restaurant near the department store, and also the most expensive.
Meng Qingshan and Su Hui hadn’t let Lu Qiaoge head this way.
They knew Lu Qiaoge hadn’t received her salary since starting work.
How could they let her spend so much.
But since Qin Hengzhi was leading them this way, they had no choice but to follow.
Qin Hengzhi had already gotten out of the car and told the driving secretary Xiao Su to take the car to the entrance of the Oriental Red Restaurant first.
As he walked, he talked with Lu Qiaoge, while Meng Qingshan and Su Hui exchanged a glance and deliberately slowed their steps, putting distance between themselves and the two.
Qin Hengzhi’s voice wasn’t loud: “Tonight, the municipal workers’ cultural palace is holding a social dance party. Do you want to go?”
Lu Qiaoge grinned: “What a coincidence! This morning, An Leilei called me and invited me to the dance too.”
An Leilei?
Qin Hengzhi gazed deeply at Lu Qiaoge: “How do you know her?”
Lu Qiaoge glanced around. This was a shaded road, and it was hot, so there were almost no pedestrians.
Meng Qingshan and Su Hui had deliberately kept their distance.
Thus, Lu Qiaoge softly told Qin Hengzhi about what had happened that morning.
Qin Hengzhi looked at Lu Qiaoge with a half-smile.
Lu Qiaoge deliberately asked him, “Why are you looking at me like that?”
“So, are you planning to go by yourself?” Qin Hengzhi asked lightly.
Lu Qiaoge’s eyes curved with a smile: “No, taking my younger sister to see the world.”
Qin Hengzhi curved the corners of his mouth and said no more.
Lu Qiaoge chuckled: “But I was planning to find you this afternoon.”
Qin Hengzhi asked leisurely, “Director Lu is such a busy person. What do you want from me?”
She seemed busier than him these days.
Lu Qiaoge smiled even more happily: “Want to invite you to be my dance partner!”
Qin Hengzhi’s ears turned a bit red, but his mouth carried a smile, his brows and eyes full of pleasure.
As long as she was thinking of him, that was enough.
The distance wasn’t far; it seemed they hadn’t said much before they arrived.
Xiao Su was truly capable.
Everything had already been arranged.
In the small hall, there were six dining tables, all separated by screens.
It was on the third floor by the window, with a view of the park outside.
“I’ve ordered dishes for you, and the bill is settled. I’ll pick you and Qiao Ling up tonight.” Qin Hengzhi’s voice was low and gentle, yet carried the crisp decisiveness unique to a soldier.
He paused, his gaze falling on Lu Qiaoge’s face: “Qiao Ge, I have to entertain some guests, so it’s inconvenient to eat with you.”
Lu Qiaoge smiled brightly: “Go ahead with your business. Besides, if you ate with us, my sister-in-law and Brother Meng would feel awkward.”
After all, they weren’t familiar.
Qin Hengzhi smiled, clenching the hand at his side. He really wanted to tuck a stray strand of his little partner’s hair behind her ear, but this was a public place, and he was a soldier, so he couldn’t make such an intimate gesture.
But he still couldn’t help wanting to say a few more words to her, yet his little partner waved at him: “See you tonight!”
Then she turned crisply and walked away with light, cheerful steps.
Qin Hengzhi chuckled helplessly.
He stood in place until Lu Qiaoge’s figure completely disappeared from sight before withdrawing his gaze.
He straightened his collar and walked unhurriedly toward the innermost private room in the restaurant…
End of the month, continuing to ask treasures for monthly passes. Love you all!
