Signature for Moutai

"Why aren't you ready yet?" Zhao Zhengguo asked, seeing Guo Ping still pacing back and forth.

"Oh, this package is too small. There are so many things I want Dongchuan to take, but if I put this in, I can't put that in!" Guo Ping said, a little depressed.

"You don't need to bring so many things. Dongchuan is a grown man, and although Huangyuan is a bit remote, it's still a big city; he won't lack food or drink!" Zhao Zhengguo said, looking at the suitcase stuffed with food.

Zhao Dongchuan took out some candied fruits and dried nuts from the package and said, "These are what I brought from Huangyuan for you to eat. Why are you taking them all the way back? You keep them to eat!"

After some deliberation, many food items were left out. They only packed a bottle of pickled vegetables and some dry rations for the train tomorrow.

The tattered clothes Zhao Dongchuan had worn before were all replaced by Guo Ping with fashionable new clothes from the city. The old clothes would probably be cut into strips to make mops.

He had deliberately put those tattered clothes in to make it seem more authentic. In reality, ever since he was recruited into the unit, he hadn't worn those clothes again.

He didn't lack cloth coupons either; he had bought several identical sets of clothes of the same style and kept them in his space.

These past few days in Beijing, he had also specifically found time to put on his system glasses and go to supply and marketing cooperatives or retail stores to purchase supplies, buying from different stores to avoid suspicion.

Currently, his space, apart from lacking cannons and grenades, basically had everything else for daily life. Although the quantity wasn't large, the variety was complete.

This meant that even if he were thrown onto a desert island, he could live quite comfortably.

Because Zhao Dongchuan was leaving tomorrow, Zhao Zhengguo and Guo Ping were visibly a little down, but they pretended not to let Zhao Dongchuan see it. In fact, with Zhao Dongchuan's keen perception, he was perfectly aware of their emotions.

There was nothing he could do about it; this was already considered a special approval, such a long vacation. Although the nature of his work didn't require him to be in the office, gossips didn't care about such things.

It was only because he had literary works to back him up, and relatively speaking, people at that time were more simple. Otherwise, he wouldn't dare to operate this way.

Without his work permit and an introduction letter from his unit, he couldn't return.

With a unit, he couldn't stay in Beijing for a long time, unless his work relationship was transferred to Beijing?

Zhao Dongchuan secretly shook his head. Currently, he didn't have the conditions for that. At most, he would wait a little longer. Once the college entrance examination resumed, he would test his way back to Beijing.

Dinner that day was exceptionally lavish, with chicken, duck, fish, and meat all served, almost like New Year's. The aroma inevitably wafted into the courtyard, naturally stirring up a wave of curses and attracting a lot of resentment.

Old Lady Jia angrily slammed her bowl heavily on the table.

"They're not living life anymore! Eating like this every three days, is it great to have a double-income household! Damn it, eating like this every day, one day I'm going to report you! And they don't even know how to show filial piety to an old person!"

"You... why haven't you gotten anything over here these past few days? So useless!" Old Lady Jia asked Qin Huairu.

"Ever since we exchanged for a plate of meat last time, they've been guarding against us. They lock their doors and windows when they eat. I really don't have the nerve to go again. Why don't you try?" Qin Huairu said, eating shredded potatoes and taking a bite of rice, with a hint in her voice.

"Hey, you're rebelling, aren't you..." Old Lady Jia didn't expect Qin Huairu to dare to speak to her like that, and said angrily.

"Rebelling my ass, this is the new society, and you're not a landlord. At worst, I'll take the children back to the countryside, and you can live by yourself. I'd like to see if you can manage this shift!" Qin Huairu retorted.

"............"

Old Lady Jia really didn't expect Qin Huairu to confront her so aggressively, with a do-or-die attitude.

She knew her own situation. With her lazy and gluttonous nature, she definitely wouldn't do well at work. If she didn't do her job well and lost it, she would truly have no way to live.

Her momentum immediately weakened, and she smiled awkwardly, "Xiao Ru, how can the countryside be better than the city? Here, we have fixed rations to eat. Many people in the countryside go to the streets to beg for food. Don't say such angry words!"

Qin Huairu naturally wouldn't fall out over these things. She had finally become the envy of the surrounding villages as a city daughter-in-law, and she couldn't just slink back like that.

So, she stopped talking and didn't escalate the conflict.

The other nearby households in the courtyard, although they also smelled the aroma, just cursed under their breath. No one was so shameless as to go knocking on doors to beg for food.

Zhao Dongchuan had originally wanted to refuse, but Guo Ping and Zhao Zhengguo both thought it was necessary to have a big meal, so he couldn't object.

"Look what this is?" Zhao Zhengguo mysteriously pulled a bottle of wine from his bag and said to Zhao Dongchuan.

"Is this moutai?"

"Dad, where did you get this? This wine is limited edition, it's hard to buy!" Zhao Dongchuan said in surprise.

"Hehe, I'm also basking in your reflected glory..." Zhao Zhengguo chuckled.

"Didn't I tell a few good colleagues at the factory before that you were sent to the countryside in Huangyuan, and then about you being recruited by the Cultural Center... Once your poems were published, I borrowed the book to read... This clearly shows you have connections..."

"The workshop director guessed it... secretly gave me this bottle of wine... asking me to do him a favor!" Zhao Zhengguo blushed and said with a smile.

"What favor? To send such a good bottle of wine?" Zhao Dongchuan asked, a little puzzled.

"I asked, it's nothing troublesome, very easy for you to do!"

Zhao Zhengguo took out about ten brand new copies of Peoples Literature magazine from his bag, placed them on the table, and chuckled, "The director said, he wants you to help sign them~~"

Zhao Dongchuan truly hadn't expected that he would have "fans" even in Beijing.

"This isn't against the rules, we're just exchanging favors!" Zhao Zhengguo, not a pedantic person, said with a smile.

"Alright, I'll sign them!"

With that, Zhao Dongchuan took out his fountain pen from his bag and began signing.

Guo Ping brought the last plate of chicken drumsticks to the table, saw Zhao Dongchuan signing, and asked in confusion, "What's wrong? Why did you buy so many books!"

"Hehe, listen to me..." Zhao Zhengguo explained everything to Guo Ping again.

"Oh my, this is truly incredible. Just these ten or so signed books can be exchanged for a bottle of moutai?"

Guo Ping asked incredulously, looking at Zhao Dongchuan's hand, her eyes shining.

This was a "golden finger"!

"Mom, these things depend on the person. To those who don't like them, they're worthless, but to those who do, they have value! And if you sign too many, they won't be worth as much!" Zhao Dongchuan quickly explained.

"Haha, I understand, rarity makes things valuable!"

"Even so, your signature is still very valuable. Why don't you sign a few more for us to keep? This isn't considered speculation, is it?" Guo Ping suddenly thought of a way to get rich and said excitedly.