Chapter 14: The Grand Purchase

After filling out the registration form, there was hardly any chance to back out of going to the countryside, but Xu Qinghuan had no intention of doing so.

At this time, the state provided each sent-down youth with a settlement allowance, though it was distributed to the production brigade.

“Only three days left before you leave. How’s your preparation going?” Yuan Huilan asked with concern. “The winter in the Northeast is much colder than here. You need to have thick quilts ready, as well as padded cotton clothes and jackets.”

Among the vouchers Yuan Huilan had prepared for Xu Qinghuan was a fifteen-pound cotton ticket, but that was obviously insufficient.

It would only cover one large quilt and some padding; the cotton clothes and jackets required additional cotton.

Xu Qinghuan said, “Aunt Yuan, it’s enough now. You don’t need to worry about me. I’ll make all the arrangements myself.”

Near Yong’an Department Store, Xu Qinghuan had a familiar sales clerk introduced to her. The Youth Work Office was conveniently close by, so she went straight there and took care of everything at once.

Wang Juan and Tian Xia were close friends. After work yesterday, Wang Juan brought a pound of brown sugar and a can of food to visit Tian Xia. Tian Xia asked her to look out for her lifesaver if they ever came to buy something.

Wang Juan naturally agreed. Having a capable doctor on good terms was a rare blessing.

However, Wang Juan did not expect that Tian Xia’s lifesaver would be so young.

“Are you Xu Huan?” Wang Juan asked in surprise.

“Yes, it’s me. Are you Sister Wang?” Xu Qinghuan smiled. “I’m going to the countryside and need to buy some things.”

“Just tell me what you need. Although I can’t offer discounts on prices, I’ll make sure to give you the best items. And anything we have in the warehouse, I can sell to you,” Wang Juan lowered her voice for the last part.

Some so-called flawed goods weren’t displayed on the shelves but kept in the warehouse, similar to the scratch-and-dent items in supply stores—a kind of invisible benefit for the staff.

“Thank you very much, Sister Wang!”

Xu Qinghuan wanted ten pounds of cotton. Cotton was in short supply, but Wang Juan bit her lip, gave up her own quota, and managed to gather two more pounds from colleagues. Together with Tian Xia’s portion, they made up the ten pounds for Xu Qinghuan without asking for vouchers.

There was also a set of sheets and quilt covers that had been stained unevenly during dyeing. Thinking she might as well help thoroughly, Wang Juan took it out and offered it for thirty yuan without requiring any vouchers. She asked Xu Qinghuan if she wanted it.

The fabric was of good quality; only the dyeing was uneven, which didn’t affect use. Of course, Xu Qinghuan accepted.

Seeing how much Wang Juan was sacrificing, Xu Qinghuan understood. The original price was sixty yuan; now it was half off—not a small favor.

She smiled and said, “Sister Wang, medicine is the only skill I have. If I can be of help, just say the word.”

Wang Juan hesitated for a long moment, then leaned close to Xu Qinghuan’s ear and said, “Xiao Xu, I do have something I need your help with.”

Though Xu Qinghuan was young, she had no other options and decided to try her best. After hesitating, she said, “To be honest, my husband and I have been married for six years but have no children. We’ve been checked at the hospital; they said both of us are fine. But to have no children after all these years isn’t right!”

There was indeed a cloud of frustration in her expression.

Xu Qinghuan could understand. In this era, perhaps the environment was very clean, food very healthy, and most couples conceived immediately after marriage. If nothing happened within three months, it was considered abnormal and caused suspicion.

Let alone being unable to conceive for six years—Wang Juan must be under tremendous pressure.

Without overthinking, Xu Qinghuan grasped Wang Juan’s wrist. Wang Juan was startled at first, then realized Xu Qinghuan was feeling her pulse. She wondered if this young person really had any skill but was willing to cling to any hope.

After trying another pulse position for a while, Xu Qinghuan said, “A normal woman ovulates once a month, but your case is special—about once every six months. If you and your husband don’t have relations during those ovulation days, conception won’t happen.”

So the problem really lay with her!

Wang Juan’s face instantly turned pale, her whole body trembling. “Xiao Xu, Doctor Xu, do you have a solution? Is there a way?”

If she couldn’t have children, she would never lift her head again in this life.

Previously, she had hospital proof that she was healthy and it wasn’t her fault. But if it was really her issue, with her mother-in-law’s temper, how could she survive?

“This isn’t a big problem,” Xu Qinghuan said. “Here’s the plan: I’ll prepare three doses of medicine for you to take continuously over three days. During this time, you must have relations with your husband. Also, there is a risk with this medicine…”

“Tell me. No matter what risk, I’m not afraid!” Wang Juan wiped away her tears, her color improving slightly.

As long as she could have a child, she was willing to risk her life.

Xu Qinghuan said, “Don’t be nervous. The risk is that you might conceive twins or even triplets.”

Wang Juan almost cried again. “Doctor Xu, if I could conceive all at once, you would be my greatest benefactor. I would be grateful to you my whole life!”

Xu Qinghuan: …

There’s no need for that!

“I’ll go buy the things first and bring the medicine to you tomorrow,” Xu Qinghuan said.

Though eager, she knew impatience wouldn’t help. Wang Juan wanted to start taking the medicine today and be intimate with her husband, but she couldn’t delay Xu Qinghuan’s affairs. As long as she promised, that was enough.

Xu Qinghuan continued shopping. She bought two tubes of toothpaste and two toothbrushes. She didn’t buy underwear because she had stock in her storage space, including sanitary napkins. At this time, only the Friendship Store sold sanitary pads, and they had no wings. Fortunately, in her previous life, she often traveled and had stocked plenty. Otherwise, having to use menstrual cloths now would drive her crazy.

Seeing candies, Xu Qinghuan noticed there were three famous kinds in this era. The White Rabbit milk candy was well known; seven pieces equaled a cup of milk. She bought three pounds in one go, at five yuan per pound.

She also bought two pounds of Yanshi crispy candy, which was sold locally.

Fruit hard candies were cheap but not tasty; she only took one pound.

She also bought two pounds of peanut nougat, a favorite of hers.

Her candy and snack vouchers were all used up. She had planned to buy some egg cakes to try, but with no vouchers left, she had to give up.

Seeing her buy so much candy, the sales clerks were somewhat shocked. “Comrade, do you really think you can eat all this candy?”

Wang Juan explained, “She’s a sent-down youth, going to the countryside. She needs to prepare well. There’s no way to buy these things out there!”

Upon hearing this, the sales clerks showed deep respect. Even those who usually refused to undercut socialist pricing couldn’t help but tip the scales a bit to give her more.

“Thank you!” Xu Qinghuan sincerely expressed her gratitude.

“You’re welcome. You’re going where the motherland needs you. You’re the remarkable comrades!” The sales clerks gave Xu Qinghuan a thumbs up.

Spotting the stationery section, Xu Qinghuan also bought some pens, ink, paper, and inkstones.