With the New Year approaching, who wouldn’t want to have something nice to eat for the celebrations?
In the village, however, most people’s wallets were too tight to afford much, and even though fresh vegetables were available, few could afford to buy them.
During the winter season, especially nearing the New Year, the price of vegetables was ridiculously high—three times more expensive than usual. This time, it was even pricier by an additional three cents.
Yet, when the vegetables were transported to the textile factory and the steel factory residential areas, a swarm of people crowded around like a pack of zombies.
“Give me five pounds of tomatoes, five pounds of eggplants…”
“Wow, these are so fresh! I want seven pounds of eggplants and eight pounds of lettuce…”
“Why is it so expensive? Can’t you make it a bit cheaper?”
The brigade leader shouted to be heard over the noise, “No discounts! To grow these vegetables, our brigade specially built greenhouses, and everyone in the brigade worked hard to nurture them. This winter, only our Ping’an Brigade managed to grow these. Half of this truckload still needs to be delivered to the steel factory!”
Hearing this, the crowd became even more frantic.
“I want ten pounds!”
The scene became increasingly lively.
Song Wei was busy helping weigh the vegetables, her sharp eyes scanning for trouble. If anyone tried to sneakily grab some for free, she would immediately smack their hand away.
“Auntie, just tell us what you want, and we’ll get it for you,” Song Wei said with a smiling face, though her eyes were as fierce as a hawk.
The older woman who had been caught stealing pouted without a trace of guilt, even giving Song Wei a glare as if she were being unreasonable.
“Give me three pounds of green peppers. Also, peel off the outer leaves of that lettuce.”
“No yellow leaves here. They’ve already been removed. We don’t have time to peel more for you.”
“Hey, you young girl, do you even know how to work?”
“Just tell me if you want it or not. If not, please step aside so others can buy. All the outer layers that were inedible have already been dealt with.”
The old lady was about to cause a scene when Song Wei turned to the man behind her and said, “Sir, what would you like? I’ll weigh it for you.”
Excited, the man shoved past the old lady, who had been dawdling, his large frame pushing her aside.
“Give me three pounds of tomatoes, five pounds of eggplants, four pounds of cucumbers, and some lettuce…”
Song Wei quickly weighed the vegetables, took the money, and sent him off with a cheery, “Thank you! Next in line!”
Half of the vegetables in the tractor were sold in no time. The brigade leader, holding a loudspeaker, announced, “There are only about fifty pounds of vegetables left. Once they’re sold out, we’re leaving!”
Those who hadn’t bought anything yet began to panic.
“But there are still plenty left in the truck!”
“Those are reserved for the steel factory residential area.”
The reserved vegetables were a benefit negotiated by the factories for their employees and their families. However, the money to purchase them still had to come from the families themselves. After all, the factories had already provided essentials like rice and oil as holiday benefits. Sending free vegetables as well would be overkill.
Even so, many factory directors, deputy directors, and school leaders had already reserved large amounts of vegetables to ensure a splendid New Year feast. The brigade leader had carefully set aside additional greens for them.
Leaving the enthusiastic crowd behind, the brigade leader wiped the sweat from his brow as they headed toward the steel factory.
On the way, their tractor was stopped by procurement officers from two major factories in the city.
“Are you from the Ping’an Brigade?”
A man and a woman, both carrying bags, lit up at the sight of the remaining vegetables in the truck. However, they quickly exchanged wary glances.
“Director Liu, your sources are impressive,” the man said.
“Ha! Not as impressive as yours, Director Li,” the woman retorted.
After some sarcastic back-and-forth, the woman, Director Liu, turned to the brigade leader.
“I’m from the Daily Goods Factory.”
The man, Director Li, quickly added, “And I’m from the Paper Mill.”
“Brigade Leader, could you take the remaining vegetables to our factory’s residential area instead?” they asked, almost in unison.
Sensing that an argument was imminent, the brigade leader quickly intervened. “This half-truck of vegetables is already promised to the steel factory. We’ve made arrangements and have to deliver them.”
Director Liu pressed on, “Can’t you spare just a little for us?”
The brigade leader sighed, realizing that having popular goods could sometimes be a hassle. “Even if I did, it wouldn’t be enough for your factory. But we’re bringing more tomorrow, and it should be enough to supply both your residential areas.”
Hearing this, the two directors’ eyes lit up.
“Bring more to us tomorrow! We’ve got a lot of people in our factory,” Director Liu said eagerly.
“Hey, don’t forget about us! We’ve got just as many people!” Director Li shot back.
After much effort, the brigade leader managed to appease the two directors and continued to the steel factory.
Upon arrival, they were immediately surrounded by eager buyers, many purchasing large amounts to stock up. Some bought on behalf of relatives who had heard about the fresh vegetables.
However, there wasn’t enough to go around.
“Each person can only buy up to five pounds,” Lin Zhen announced, stepping in to maintain order. “We have to make sure there’s enough for everyone.”
The brigade leader nodded in agreement. Today’s harvest was limited, and they needed to distribute it fairly.
While busy selling vegetables, the brigade leader was discreetly pulled aside by the steel factory’s deputy director, who gave him a knowing look.
“Brother Lei, I heard you’re bringing more vegetables tomorrow and plan to supply the Daily Goods Factory and the Paper Mill?”
The brigade leader sighed inwardly. How did news travel so fast in the city?
“You’re not being fair! Bring some more here tomorrow. Just look at the demand!”
The brigade leader forced a smile. “We’ll try to bring about two truckloads tomorrow.”
They had held back on some of the crops today, unsure if they’d sell, but the New Year’s rush proved that demand was endless.
“Great! Just make sure one truck comes here.”
With everything finally settled, the remaining vegetables sold out quickly.
As they left, the brigade leader shouted to the crowd, “We’ll be back tomorrow! If you missed out today, come early tomorrow!”
Hearing this, the crowd’s faces lit up with anticipation.
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