Chapter 147: Making Full Use of Resources
Principal Chen almost thought he was hearing things. What? A major department store in S City reserved just for them to shop?
Su He explained quietly, and only then did Principal Chen come to his senses.
The old man was completely amazed—this trip had truly broadened his horizons!
They got to ride a sleeper train, stay for free at a foreign affairs guesthouse, had cars picking them up and dropping them off, and now even had exclusive access to a department store for shopping?
Even top officials in their county wouldn’t get this kind of treatment!
After leaving the department store, Su He took Principal Chen to “Xiang Garden,” a classic Chinese-style garden full of elegant, ancient charm.
The visit revitalized Principal Chen. He was no longer tired and ran around the garden like an excited child.
Seeing a photography booth, they each took a portrait and then one together. Since cameras still used film at the time, the photos wouldn’t be ready until the next day.
Su He suggested, “We should get a camera for our night school. It’d be convenient.”
Principal Chen gave her a stern look. “Get one for what? A camera costs over 400 yuan—that’s enough to pay a teacher’s salary for a whole year!”
He wasn’t wrong. In this era, cameras were a luxury item.
After a pause, he added, “You could convince the broadcasting station to buy one. You’re a journalist, after all—you should be equipped with a camera.”
Su He: “…”
Principal Chen, you’ve learned bad habits!
They were joking, of course.
After strolling through the garden, they went to a state-owned restaurant.
Although the servers acted snobbish, Su He wasn’t fazed. She managed to not only get them the restaurant’s signature dishes but also scored a complimentary plate of watermelon.
Seeing Principal Chen looking a bit tired, Su He negotiated with the staff and arranged for him to nap in their break room for the entire afternoon.
Principal Chen: …This is outrageous.
Meanwhile, Su He stayed in the dining hall chatting with the servers.
You couldn’t underestimate these waiters—they saw all kinds of customers and often had access to news and gossip that ordinary people wouldn’t hear. Like ancient taverns, restaurants had become hubs of information.
One waiter commented, “Those foreigners are weird—they ignore fresh vegetables and insist on buying our dehydrated ones. I’ve tried them—not as good as our homemade dried veggies! But they’re convenient—just soak them in hot water.”
Another replied, “You don’t get it. Foreigners aren’t into stir-frying or steaming like we are—they just want convenience.”
Su He blinked. Aha—instant noodle veggie packs were a thing!
Now she had everything she needed. The last step was to secure the instant noodle production line from S City’s food factory.
When Principal Chen woke up, he found Su He wearing an apron, helping the servers pick vegetables. If you didn’t know better, you’d think she worked there too!
Su He figured it was about time and returned with Principal Chen to the department store.
Sure enough, around 5:30 p.m., the staff started ushering people out. But Sister Zheng, who was in charge of order, let Su He and Principal Chen stay after confirming their names.
Su He noticed they weren’t the only ones—several others were scattered near the counters. This post-closing time, from 5:30 to 6:00 p.m., was apparently reserved for “insider” shopping.
She first went to the hair accessory counter and felt confident—the department store’s products couldn’t compare to the samples she had brought from An County.
Then she moved to the clothing section, buying a summer outfit for each family member. Luckily, summer clothes were light; otherwise, she wouldn’t have been able to carry them all.
Finally, she went to the watch counter and dropped 120 yuan on a watch for Gu Chiyan. Honestly, it pained her a little.
But considering how generous he had been to her, she couldn’t be stingy.
Principal Chen also bought a few things, though much more modestly compared to Su He.
Then he asked, “Aren’t you going to buy something for the leaders of those few work units?”
That would’ve been more in line with Su He’s usual pragmatic style.
She replied, “Didn’t I bring a whole suitcase of White Rabbit milk candies? Enough to divide among them! Everyone gets the same, so no one feels I’m playing favorites.”
Principal Chen: “…”
You really know how to make full use of everything!
After finishing her shopping, Su He chatted a bit with Sister Zheng and then asked, “Sister Zheng, which department handles the purchasing for our department store?”
“All the products are centrally allocated by the Supply and Marketing Company. Why? Do you need something from them?”
Seeing Su He nod, Sister Zheng added, “Their office is in the building of the Friendship Souvenir Store on Nangang Road. They’re a haughty bunch, but since you’ve worked with foreign guests and have ties to the food factory, they’ll probably treat you with more respect.”
Su He smiled and chatted a bit more before leaving the store.
Right next to the department store was a manned public phone booth—a sign of how much more developed S City was compared to An County.
Su He dialed the tricycle dispatch center. “Hello, I’d like to call for a tricycle to pick me up in front of the department store on Jin Qiao Road.”
The person on the line sounded annoyed. “All our vehicles are out. There’s a long wait. Earliest you’ll get one is in two hours.”
Su He said, “Comrade, I’m Lao Luo’s relative. Please help me out.”
“Oh! Lao Luo’s family? One moment—a ride will be there in 15 minutes.”
…
After paying for the call, Su He and Principal Chen waited outside the store.
Suddenly, the Trade Exchange System popped up: “Didn’t you promise to buy fabric for the textile factory? Why didn’t you? Are you planning to buy from me instead?”
Though it spoke in subtitles, Su He could feel its excitement.
The system was truly thrilled—regardless of how small the transaction, it was always excited to earn money from its tightwad host.
But Su He replied lazily, “Buy fabric? Why bother? Once I finish with the food factory, I’ll stroll over to S City’s textile mill and have them send me some samples.”
The system: %@$#&@%@&！
Fifteen minutes later, the tricycle arrived.
Su He chatted the whole ride, while Principal Chen quietly played the role of a shy old quail.
As they got off, he couldn’t help but ask, “Don’t you get tired talking this much all day?”
Su He sighed, “Of course I do! But what can I do? Isn’t it all for saving you some money and helping the people of An County live better lives? Principal, every other work unit has raised my salary—shouldn’t you give me a bit of a bonus too?”
Principal Chen blinked, confused. “Little Su, what? My ears seem to be acting up!”
Su He grinned. “Oh my, Principal, did you lose a hair?”
Startled, he dropped what he was carrying to check his head.
Seeing Su He trying not to laugh, he realized he’d been tricked by the little rascal and grumbled in mock frustration.
Just then, Director Qu came out of the guesthouse and spotted them.
“You two went to the department store? It’s a nice place, but it’s always too crowded. You must be exhausted.”
Su He blinked innocently. “It wasn’t bad. The only problem was… the whole department store only had me and Principal Chen shopping. A bit too quiet, really.”
Director Qu: “…”
