C23 Mushroom to Change to a Towel

Tang Jin arrived at the back of the cafeteria, where he weighed his mushrooms, totaling seventy-seven catties and four taels. Rounding down, he counted it as seventy-seven catties, just enough to exchange for forty-four towels.

In this small town, towels were a coveted commodity.

In the villages, they still used coarse linen cloths.

The local factory, though modest in size, was meticulous about the quality of materials used for their towels, which were not only absorbent but also incredibly soft.

With the towels slung over his shoulder, Tang Jin made his way to a newly opened department store in the town.

Tang Jin couldn't help but marvel at the town's rapid development, spurred by the winds of reform. It was transforming so quickly that it could be described as changing with each passing day.

The department store did stock towels, but as each one had to be shipped in, the prices were steep—each costing between one and a half to two yuan.

Back then, a worker's monthly wage was only eight or nine yuan, making the purchase of a towel for one and a half to two yuan a true indulgence.

Tang Jin displayed a few towels on top of a bag.

"Towels, top-quality towels! Soft material, a rare and durable find. Not expensive at all—just seventy-five cents each!"

The townspeople, particularly those who were regulars at the department store, knew the real value of these towels.

It wasn't long before a crowd had gathered around Tang Jin.

"You're selling these towels for just seventy-five cents? But in this store, isn't a towel at least one and a half yuan? Your towels aren't stolen, are they?" one of them questioned.

Annoyed, Tang Jin held up a towel.

"Take a good look. These towels are produced by the factory over there. I managed to get these forty-odd towels through some connections. If you don't want them, that's your loss!"

Upon hearing Tang Jin's words and seeing the factory's name on the towels, many were convinced.

Before long, people were flocking to Tang Jin, buying two or three towels at a time.

The forty-some towels were quickly snapped up by the eager customers.

Tang Jin had wisely kept two towels aside—one for Little Milk Bun and one for Xia Churan.

The customers walked away content with their purchases, while those who missed out were left wanting.

Those who managed to buy the towels were thrilled, while those who missed out hung their heads in disappointment.

"Hey, buddy, is there any chance you could snag a few more towels from the factory? For some reason, they just won't sell to us locals. It's maddening that we can't even use the towels our own people make!"

The others around chimed in with agreement.

Tang Jin scratched his head and grinned.

"I just got lucky this time. Tell you what, I'll check again later. If I can get more, I'll bring back a few!"

The crowd around him nodded appreciatively.

"Thanks a lot, brother!"

After finishing his conversation, Tang Jin hoisted his bamboo basket and headed home.

On his way, he stopped by the grocery store to pick up two pounds of pork for his family. Since he started his business, they had never run out of pork.

In the evening, he arrived back home.

Xia Churan and Little Milk Bun had been eagerly waiting for him at the doorstep.

Upon seeing him, Xia Churan quickly took the bamboo basket from him.

"Try to come home earlier next time. You had me worried sick!"

Tang Jin let out a sheepish laugh.

"Hehe, I'll make sure to listen to my wife from now on!"

Xia Churan smiled knowingly.

Then, like a conjurer, Tang Jin produced two towels from his pocket.

"Check out what I've brought for you!"

Little Milk Bun's eyes sparkled as she gazed intently at the towels.

"Daddy, daddy, are these yummy?"

Tang Jin laughed and handed her one of the towels.

In her innocence, Little Milk Bun actually tried to take a bite.

After a moment, she looked up at Tang Jin and Xia Churan, her face the picture of dismay.

"I can't chew it!"

Tang Jin and Xia Churan burst into laughter.

Having been to college in the city, Xia Churan was well-acquainted with such items.

She glanced at Tang Jin and asked, "These towels aren't cheap, are they? How much does one cost?"

Tang Jin smiled and recounted the day's events to her.

Xia Churan's eyes were fixed on Tang Jin, full of admiration.

"You're quite the clever one. Forty-two towels at seventy-five cents each—you've made a tidy sum today, thirty-one yuan and fifty cents!"

Tang Jin nodded proudly.

"What do you think? Impressive, isn't your man?"

Xia Churan gave Tang Jin an affectionate eye roll.

"Just so-so!"

After saying that, she took the slab of pork from Tang Jin's hands.

Xia Churan was feeling generous; this time, she stewed a whole pound.

"Yuh Hua hasn't been producing milk lately. Once the pork is ready, could you bring some over to her? When we were going through tough times, nobody was there for us except Yuh Hua."

Tang Jin nodded in agreement.

"Alright!"

But just then, they saw someone stumbling in through the darkness.

It was none other than Yongzi!

Yongzi made a beeline for Tang Jin and collapsed to his knees with a thud.

Both Tang Jin and Xia Churan were taken aback by the sight.

Even though Tang Jin disliked Yongzi, they were still kin.

"What are you doing? Get up!"

Yongzi, sobbing, said, "Jin, I'm at my wit's end. My dad's in the hospital. You know how things have been for us over the years; just getting by. His hospital bills are three to four yuan a day, and we've run out of money. I know you can help, please..."

Seeing Yongzi like this, Tang Jin's face grew stern, and he went to help Yongzi to his feet.

"Stand up and talk. A man's knees are too precious to kneel so easily."

Yongzi shook his head.

"No, Jin, I'm desperate. If you don't agree to lend me the money, I can't stand up!"

Tang Jin was rendered somewhat speechless by Tang Yong's brazenness.

"How much do you need to borrow?"

"Would twenty yuan be okay? I'll pay you back as soon as I can!"

Tang Jin shook his head.

"Let's do this: I'll accompany you to the city to see Uncle Fugui and help with the hospital fees."

Yongzi avoided Tang Jin's gaze.

"You're busy too. Just give me the money directly, there's no need to trouble yourself with another trip!"

"Come on, don't talk like that. Your dad is my uncle, after all. It's only right for me to visit him."