The aunt was patching cloth nearby, "Xiao Yan, these two types of tickets aren't given to us members, these two ration tickets were exchanged by your uncle… But don't worry, your uncle knows a few people at the commune and county. It won't be much trouble to trade for one or two bags of milk powder's quota."
Ling Chengyan thanked her again, "Thank you uncle and aunt for your trouble. I will pay for the food ration tickets…"
The two didn't take Ling Chengyan's money, after some polite refusals, the aunt finally relented saying they'd settle accounts once the milk powder quota was traded, so Ling Chengyan temporarily gave up.
Seeing that it wasn't too late in the day, Ling Chengyan left Wang Futang's house, directly headed out of the village, following the direction toward the county town as told by Uncle Wang Futang.
Sending the mother and the three children out the door, the aunt turned back into the house, Wang Futang puffed on his old pipe and sighed, "With Liansheng in this situation, the mother and the three will have hard days ahead, help them as much as possible."
The aunt glanced at the old man, saying, "It's not that I don't want to help; it's about making things clear so that we don't waste resources and goodwill without benefit."
Back then, the parents passed early, and it was Wang Futang and his wife who raised the seven-year-old younger brother, helped him build his house and marry. Yet, now, his younger brother's family doesn't have a single good word to say about the elder brother and sister-in-law.
Hearing his wife mention these things, Wang Futang also showed some displeasure, knocking his pipe a bit, and got up walking out with his hands behind his back, "Alright, I'm going to the field for a look. With the thawing season starting, it's time to organize some work."
Li Wangzhuang Brigade isn't too far from the county town, five li southwest is the commune. Turning back southwest again, it is about ten li to the county town.
Ling Chengyan, with her two children, quickened her pace. Not only the walking little Apricot, but even now, Ling Chengyan couldn't walk very fast.
Fortunately, not far out of the village, they met an old man with a manure cart, whose kind heart bade them get on for a while.
At this moment, it was hard to mind the stench of earth and manure; after expressing thanks, Ling Chengyan and her children got on the cart.
On the way, chatting with the old man, Ling Chengyan learned he was from Lin Lake Brigade, south of the commune. Lin Lake Brigade bordered a large water surface with fish and lotus ponds, creating much pond mud during annual dredging. Their brigade couldn't use it all so they sold the rest to other brigades. The old man was aiding in transporting the pond mud.
Traveling past the commune, they went on for four or five li until the old man had to make a turn, putting the mother and children down.
Ling Chengyan thanked sincerely, carrying her kids forward on the road.
Lucky enough, after a while of walking, they hopped on a donkey cart arriving successfully in the county town.
Just entering the town, the rumbling noise approached rapidly, prompting Ling Chengyan to pull Xiao Apricot into her hold, while the cart driver jumped off and led his donkey to the roadside.
As the rumbling sound drew near, an oddly shaped green car rushed past them, stirring a swirl of dust.
Ling Chengyan lowered her head holding Xiao Apricot and Shi Tou, waiting with the children until the dust settled, then lifted her head again.
The cart driver spat repeatedly, looking at the car tail, "Bah, what's so great about driving a car!"
Ling Chengyan ignored the driver's mockery, focusing only on the new word 'car.'
She asked a question, "How come this car doesn't have oxen or horses?"
The driver looked back at her, suddenly laughing, "This is your first time entering town, huh? This is a car; it doesn't need oxen or horses, it drinks oil. Fill it up with oil, start the engine and it runs by itself…"
The driver was heading to an external trade company's processing plant; Ling Chengyan got off with her kids, following directions to find the county hospital.
In the village, looking at the residential houses, firewood kitchens, and ox carts and horse carts alike, it's not much different from Great Chu.
This trip to town, however, opened Ling Chengyan's eyes: two-wheeled foreign bicycles pedaled by humans, giant cars drinking oil, and the contemporary 'medical hall,' what here is called a hospital… More surprisingly to Ling Chengyan, there are women in the fields, women on bicycles, even women acting as doctors treating patients in hospitals…
Here, women can be like men, studying, working, even as she learned, there are women drafted into the army.
These details remain a topic for later discussion, so let's not mention them now.
After seeing a doctor in the hospital with her two children, a kind-looking female pediatrician told her: both children show obvious malnutrition, especially Xiao Shi Tou, whose severe malnutrition is already affecting health and must be supplemented promptly.
This pediatrician prescribed cod liver oil, calcium tablets, and glucose, and importantly, she issued a hospital certificate, allowing a purchase of a pound of milk powder at the department store without a food ration ticket.
This was indeed an unexpected delight; holding the hospital certificate, Ling Chengyan sincerely thanked the lady doctor.
Seeing the ragged and skinny trio, the lady doctor couldn't resist asking, "Will you have enough money for the medicine and milk powder?"
Ling Chengyan discerned the lady doctor's concern in the question, surprised for a moment, then smiled with thanks, "Thank you for your care, I have money…borrowed money."
A trace of admiration flashed in the lady doctor's eyes; she rose to escort them out, softly advising, "Once you finish with milk powder, if you still lack breast milk, come look for me again…"
Ling Chengyan, feeling grateful for the unexpected kindness, thanked once again, "Thank you, Doctor Shen."
The prescription bore this female doctor's signature: Shen Huiru.
"Can you read? Have you attended school?" Shen Huiru asked slightly surprised.
Ling Chengyan smiled, "Yes, I've studied a few years, know a few words."
Shen Huiru reconsidered the introduction letter content, rejecting any fleeting guesses in her mind, "Good, you're literate. The pharmacy will label the bag with usage instructions and dosage; follow the markings when giving the medication to your children."
Ling Chengyan thanked again, parting from Shen Huiru, went to the pharmacy for the medicine, leading the children towards the department store.
The department store, it's somewhat like a larger general merchandise shop, concerning folks' clothing, food, housing, and transportation.
Xiao Apricot was touring for the first time in the town department store, eyes alight with freshness and curiosity, constantly turning her little head to look at the dazzling array of goods.
Ling Chengyan, familiar with such locations, regained a serene calmness. Although there were commodities absent in Great Chu, their craftsmanship seemingly delicate compared to home, yet in opulence, they didn't quite match up, what's worth seeing?
Entering, her eyes swept across seeing signs on counters: cloth, stationery… Ration goods, that's the one.
Wang Lianxiang, Uncle Wang Futang, and Doctor Shen all mentioned, buying milk powder used ration goods tickets.
Ling Chengyan strode towards the ration goods counter, speaking to the woman knitting behind it, "I want to buy milk powder."
The woman didn't lift her head, replied indifferently, "No milk powder in stock."