26: Can I afford to pay for the fabric if I damage it?

"Aunt Sun said that Battalion Commander Lu personally denied that this Female Comrade is his younger sister."

"Looking at her, she definitely isn't Battalion Commander Lu's girlfriend. Battalion Commander Lu is such an outstanding person, why would he marry a Female Comrade like that."

"Maybe she’s just a distant relative who came with Lu Jing's grandmother."

"Could she be a nanny?"

Hearing people discussing her as a nanny, Xiao Niannian laughed.

"Don't say that, but maybe you're right. I heard that Battalion Commander Lu's family background is excellent; perhaps they really do have a nanny at home."

Grandma Xiao didn't say much more to these people. When they reached the gate, after asking the sentry, she learned that a vehicle would be heading to the County Government in about ten minutes.

Looking at this county town, Xiao Niannian felt that it was very similar to her hometown's county town. The roads were cement, but some areas were currently bumpy and uneven. They were packed into the large truck, swaying back and forth.

Inside the large truck, there were not only Xiao Niannian, Grandma Xiao, and Uncle Xiao Shu, but also several Soldiers, a few young Female Comrades, and several Aunts and grandmothers.

Xiao Niannian sat in the corner, listening to them talk.

"Aunt Jiang, are you going to the county town or the city?"

"I'm going to the county town. The New Year is coming soon, and I plan to buy some meat to eat for the holiday."

"Sister-in-law Fang, you teach in the County Government. When does school start after the New Year?"

"Aunt Liu, are you carrying all those bags because you plan to return to your hometown?"

After getting on the truck, they arrived at the county town half an hour later.

Everyone arrived at the entrance of the Supply and Marketing Cooperative.

"The next vehicle should arrive here in two hours. All family members must gather here on time, or you will have to find your own way back..."

Watching the large truck drive away, Xiao Niannian withdrew her gaze.

Back then, she had also driven trucks like this. Their training involved everything from ascending to descending, parachuting, maritime training, and more. They even went skiing on snow mountains. While others used club equipment, they had to make their own skis and ski poles... The military dependents, some holding children, some supporting the elderly, walked toward the Supply and Marketing Cooperative.

Xiao Niannian also supported Grandma Xiao, while Uncle Xiao Shu took the train to the city to buy tickets.

"Grandma, let's buy some gifts for Tenth Grandfather's family, like specialties from Yangcheng, and the most fashionable fabrics from here. We can have Uncle Xiao Shu take them back..."

Hearing Xiao Niannian's words, Grandma Xiao nodded cheerfully.

"Good, good, good, buy plenty."

Grandma Xiao still had over a hundred yuan in her hands. She had saved this money in previous years for her Granddaughter's college education, but who knew what happened later with college... This time, coming south, she brought all the money with her.

Fortunately, she still had this money; otherwise, life wouldn't be easy for her and Niannian here.

After the New Year, she would also have to think of a way to earn some money. She couldn't rely on Niannian's allowance; Niannian was a newly enlisted Soldier and didn't earn much per month.

When there was no farm work, she would not only help people make clothes but also paste cardboard boxes, quietly saving this money.

The second son and his wife, however, were intent on stealing all the money from her. They searched everywhere in the house. Later, she came up with many methods to hide the money.

She should have issued a statement in the village long ago, severing ties with the second son's family. Otherwise, the second son and his wife wouldn't have dared to sell Niannian... Upon entering the Supply and Marketing Cooperative, Xiao Niannian saw that it was very large and the displays were extremely tidy. There were also many customers inside.

However, the Sales Clerks were all busy, serving other customers.

"Niannian, look at this suit fabric. If we make a suit for Xiao Jing out of this, it would look absolutely splendid."

Grandma Xiao was looking at a black suit fabric. When Xiao Niannian saw the fabric, the image of Lu Jing wearing a suit also appeared in her mind; it was indeed quite good.

Lu Jing could be described as a natural model; he was at least 188 centimeters tall and had very long legs. She was twenty centimeters shorter than Lu Jing, only 168 centimeters.

Xiao Niannian had secretly looked in the mirror. The original host's face looked exactly like hers, except the original host's complexion wasn't as good as hers. She believed that with a period of exercise, the original host's physique could become the same as hers. After all, she now had a System with her.

"hicks, what are you touching randomly? Can you afford to pay if you ruin this fabric?"

Xiao Niannian heard the voice and looked up, seeing several Female Comrades approaching. All of them wore military uniforms. The one speaking was Chen Ke, a Female Comrade with a somewhat round face and some freckles.

"Keke, don't say that. Everyone is the same. It's the New Year now, and the masses are all coming to the Supply and Marketing Cooperative to buy things..."

"Jiaojiao, you are too kind. Look at how they are dressed; they don't look like people who can afford fabric. Didn't you say you wanted to buy fabric to make clothes as a gift? I think this fabric is great and very suitable for you to give away."

"Keke is right. Looking at them, they can't afford it. If you aren't buying, don't touch."

Xiao Niannian felt that this Keke and her friend seemed to have something wrong with their heads.

"Sales Clerk, hurry over, we want to buy this fabric."

Wu Jiaojiao glanced at Xiao Niannian, and when she saw Xiao Niannian's face, her expression changed.

The Female Comrade in front of her, wearing a gray cotton jacket, looked very ordinary in dress, but why was her face so beautiful? Her eyes seemed to speak, she had cherry lips, a beautiful nose, and very fair skin. She was much prettier than the Female Comrades in their Cultural Troupe.

A sense of crisis immediately arose in her heart. Could this Female Comrade also be planning to join the Cultural Troupe?

Xiao Niannian noticed Wu Jiaojiao's gaze. Initially, Wu Jiaojiao's look was condescending, but it quickly turned into scrutiny and examination. Later, Xiao Niannian even sensed jealousy and displeasure.

The Sales Clerk walked over. Seeing Wu Jiaojiao and Chen Ke, she knew these Female Comrades were comrades from the Cultural Troupe. They came to the Supply and Marketing Cooperative every month after receiving their allowances. They were regular customers, so the Sales Clerk was even more enthusiastic upon seeing them.

"Comrade Wu, comrade Chen, which fabric have you set your sights on?"

"Jiaojiao is buying this fabric as a gift."

Hearing Chen Ke's words, the Sales Clerk said with a smile.

"Comrade Wu, you truly have good taste! This is a brand new arrival. I heard this material is supplied abroad, and many high-status leaders also use this kind of fabric..."

Hearing this, Wu Jiaojiao and Chen Ke were all excited. If leaders wore such fine fabric, then this fabric must be truly excellent.

"How much is it per meter?"

"This fabric is ten yuan per meter, and it also requires three Ten-Chi Fabric Coupons."

What? That expensive.

Hearing these words, the Female Comrades were all shocked.

"A suit requires at least three or four meters, so that's thirty or forty yuan, plus three Ten-Chi Fabric Coupons, and then the labor fee—wouldn't that be eighty yuan?"

They only earned twenty-something yuan a month now. For one piece of clothing to cost eighty yuan, that was simply too expensive.