Back to the 1970s: Building My Fortune Through Time Trading-Chapter 291: Half-Price Beef Cubes

A store is selling beef chunks at half price, eighty grams per bag, originally priced at fifteen yuan, now it costs only seven yuan and fifty cents, available in two flavors: five-spice and spicy.

Su Xiaoxiao was worrying about having no snacks on the road, and now here they are.

She immediately ordered ten packs for everyone at home to try.

Just as she placed the order, she heard a noisy commotion outside the door, faintly mixed with her mother’s hearty laughter.

What’s going on?

Hearing quite a number of people outside, Su Xiaoxiao put down her apple and walked out of her room.

As soon as she entered the courtyard, she was surrounded by a group of women, all looking at her with the excitement of spotting a national treasure.

"Xiaoxiao girl, I’ve always known you would be successful. Look, you’re already a leader at such a young age."

"Xiaoxiao, we’re all neighbors. Don’t forget to give us a hand when you succeed."

"Cuilan, these are freshly laid eggs from my family. Cook a few for Xiaoxiao to take on her journey."

...

Everyone’s words left Su Xiaoxiao bewildered.

No, since when did she become a leader? How did just going on a business trip turn her into one?

Her mother, Liu Cuilan, looked proud: "Don’t worry, my youngest daughter is very loyal and won’t forget everyone once she’s successful. Otherwise, why would she go to the trouble of bringing things from the city for you all the time?"

"Exactly, Xiaoxiao girl is the most loyal. If my son wasn’t married, I’d have wanted Xiaoxiao as a daughter-in-law."

"What are you thinking? With your son like that, Xiaoxiao would be a beautiful flower stuck in cow dung, right? My grandson is much finer. Xiaoxiao, let me tell you, if you’re considering finding someone, you might as well think about my grandson, my grandson... "

"What? How old is your grandson? Xiaoxiao is much younger. I think my nephew is more suitable."

...

How did the conversation suddenly shift to matchmaking for her?

Su Xiaoxiao was scratching her head.

Liu Cuilan’s face turned dark. Her youngest daughter has the looks and the competence, with such a good job; she should at least find a university graduate. What are these people thinking?

She just wanted to show off how promising her youngest daughter was, not to watch these frogs try to eat swan meat.

They should take a hard look at their children before coveting hers, shameless.

"My youngest daughter will be marrying a university graduate, what are you thinking?"

One of the women wasn’t amused and said: "Cuilan, I’m telling you, Xiaoxiao looks nice, but she barely graduated from high school. Why would a university student fancy her?"

Liu Cuilan’s face grew even darker: "What are you talking about? Not only will my youngest daughter marry a university graduate, but she’ll also be one herself!"

"With her grades, geez, if she can get into university, I’ll take your last name."

The speaker was Aunt Zhang from the village entrance. Her son, some years back, got a spot at a worker-peasant-soldier university through connections, making him the only university student in the village.

She always has her nose in the air, and hearing Liu Cuilan talk like this made her immediately disdainful.

"What? Zhang Dahua, you don’t believe it? My daughter came first in the store’s entrance exam."

Liu Cuilan looked proud, and she could boast about this for a lifetime.

"Oh, come on, can the store’s exam be compared to the university entrance exam?"

"Why can’t it be? My daughter not only came first in the store’s exam but also eighth in her graduation exam."

"Oh, come on, Liu Cuilan, you say your daughter came first in the store exam, I believe you. But eighth in the graduation exam, how is that possible? Everyone knows her grades."

Liu Cuilan indeed spoke the truth and, seeing the other disbelief, was ready to pounce and start a fight.

Questioning anything is acceptable except doubting her precious daughter.

Su Xiaoxiao rubbed her temples; what’s all this about, and how did it suddenly become heated?

She quickly pulled her mother aside and took out a big handful of beef jerky from her pocket: "Aunts and grandaunts, I’m going on a business trip for a week tomorrow. My brothers won’t be at home, so if anything happens at home, please help keep an eye out. I’ve brought beef jerky for everyone."

As soon as beef jerky was mentioned, everyone immediately calmed down.

This is meat, a rare commodity.

It must be said, although the Su Family’s daughter may not be good at studying, she’s generous.

Su Xiaoxiao first stuffed a big handful to her mom: "Mom, try it. It’s delicious."

She peeled one off skillfully and fed Liu Cuilan, then distributed the beef jerky to everyone else.

Each person received a few pieces, and soon, ten or more people were holding small handfuls and all wore happy smiles.

"No problem, we’re all neighbors. Even if you didn’t ask, we’d help out."

"Thanks to you all in advance. I have to catch a train tomorrow, so I won’t keep you. Please head home early to rest."

Receiving Su Xiaoxiao’s gifts brought great joy to everyone.

This is beef, very precious, and each person got several pieces.

They must hurry and take them home to let the children try this rare treat.

When Su Xiaoxiao closed the courtyard gate, she saw her mother chewing the beef jerky angrily, with a crunch.

"Why did you give beef jerky to that Zhang Dahua? It’s wasted on her."

Su Xiaoxiao found it amusing, her mother acting like a child.

She hugged Liu Cuilan’s arm: "Mom, I’m just afraid you’ll suffer. Look at that Aunt Zhang, she’s twice your size. If you two got into a fight, wouldn’t it be you who ends up at a loss? I’m just looking out for you."

She spoke the truth. Zhang Dahua’s family conditions were good, she was robustly built, and when her mother stood before her, it’s like Lin Daiyu facing a bear. Isn’t that ridiculous?

Besides, they didn’t have any deep-seated grievances.

Aunt Zhang was just a bit talkative, not inherently bad.

"Alright, I’ll bring you something nice back from the business trip to make them jealous."

Su Xiaoxiao continued to coax, and Liu Cuilan finally felt much better.

With care, she supported her mother into the house, just in time to meet the fourth and fifth sibling coming out of the room.

Su Jianwu immediately spotted the beef jerky in his mother’s hand, and his eyes lit up: "Mom, what’s that good stuff in your hand?"

"All you think about is eating. Your mother nearly got bullied by Zhang Dahua."

Su Jianwu scratched his head: "Mom, don’t be angry. If worse comes to worst, I’ll go with fourth brother tomorrow to throw fireworks in her outhouse."

Su Xiaoxiao twitched at the thought of that scene: "I’m not at home, you two behave yourselves. Mom was just venting, you’re not allowed to go, understood?"

By now Liu Cuilan was feeling much better, saying: "Listen to your third sister."

She actually didn’t have any real grudge against Zhang Dahua, just that Zhang Dahua always flaunted her son in front of her, and she wanted to show off a bit herself.

Who doesn’t have a bit of vanity?

As they spoke, she remembered her third daughter was leaving for her business trip tomorrow and pulled out a thick wad of money from her pocket to give to Su Xiaoxiao: "On the road, you shouldn’t eat pancakes, buy something else and don’t go hungry."

"Mom, I have money. You keep it for yourself."