Chapter 15: Encountering a "Good Samaritan"

"Really, people these days are too cocky, not even considering a few miles' walk." Li Dong rubbed his sore legs and sighed helplessly, but he was relieved to finally find the textile factory.

The factory was quite large, with the gate wide open. However, Li Dong noticed that the factory had a security guard on duty, which was different from the security guards he knew from the future. These guards were armed, and Li Dong's two rounds of circling the factory gate drew attention, almost getting him caught.

"Comrade, comrade, it's a misunderstanding."

It was terrifying; they pulled out their weapons so casually. No wonder people had to do small businesses secretly in this era; one wrong move and you could lose your life. If not for dire circumstances, who would risk their neck like this?

Even Li Dong, from the future, felt a bit regretful. What was he thinking? Life was more important than doing business. Why not wait a few more years? He was being too greedy.

If he got caught for speculation, it would be too unjust. There would be no place to appeal. This wasn't a novel where you could just make things up. In this era, a small mistake could cost you your life. Li Dong now admired the first people who ventured into the black market. Every time they went out, it was a matter of life and death. Who would risk their life for a meal?

Li Dong lied, claiming he was looking for his cousin and even showed an introduction letter. "See, this is the turtle my mother asked me to bring. She's pregnant, and I'm bringing her these turtles to nourish her body."

The guard checked the introduction letter and the turtles, then nodded. "Don't be sneaky, or you might be mistaken for a spy and shot."

Spy? Li Dong was speechless. Why would a textile factory need a spy? But in this era, if you were caught, you really would be shot. "I can't go in now. What's her name, and which workshop is she in?"

"I'm not sure which workshop, but her surname is Gao, and her nickname is Xiaolan."

Li Dong was anxious, scratching his head. He knew the surname Gao was common in the city, and the name Xiaolan was also very common. If he went in, he might not be able to find her, and if he couldn't, he'd be in trouble.

"This is a problem."

"Comrade, have a cigarette. It's fine, I'll wait. I'll recognize my cousin when I see her." Li Dong took out a cigarette, surprised to see it was a high-quality brand. The guard was quite surprised.

"Alright, you can wait over there."

Li Dong watched the guard leave, feeling relieved. It was indeed dangerous to run around in this era.

Li Dong squatted in a corner of the courtyard, thinking about how to sell the goods. He couldn't do it in public; speculation was a crime.

Even selling vegetables to farmers was tolerated by the Revolutionary Committee, but speculation was not. It wasn't until the early 1980s that the first official individual business license was issued.

Even then, individual businesses were looked down upon. People with regular jobs wouldn't even consider dating someone who did speculation, and temporary workers would report them immediately. It was a time when the first individual business almost had to close due to the disdain of neighbors and passersby.

Now, people were even more hostile. The situation was unclear, and the authorities had relaxed their control, but it was still risky. You could breathe a little, but if you were too bold, you'd be in trouble.

Li Dong thought for a long time but couldn't come up with a good plan. If he approached a woman, and she didn't know him, she might shout "pervert," and that could be serious. The penalty for being a pervert could be death.

Li Dong didn't want to risk it. He sighed, considering going back home. He couldn't afford to get caught and end up in jail, or worse, be executed. That would be too unjust.

Li Dong found a small alley and took out a piece of的确良 (polyester) women's shirt. He had bought it on Taobao, a style for middle-aged women. Even though it was a middle-aged style, it was fashionable in this era, especially the waist-cinched design, which was rare in the county.

The middle-aged style had a slightly cinched waist, but a young style would be too risky. Modern tight white shirts were out of the question. It was too scandalous, and Li Dong wouldn't dare sell them. Women in this era preferred modest clothing that didn't show their figures.

The middle-aged indeed良 (polyester) floral shirts were perfect for young girls who wanted to be fashionable. They could wear them now and still wear them when they were older. Li Dong found it interesting.

He was thinking about how to display the shirt when a voice came from behind.

"Hey."

"Ah!"

Li Dong jumped, dropping the package. He was terrified, looking back to see if it was a cadre or a patrol team. If it was, he was in trouble.

He turned around to see a girl in a Lenin suit with two large braids. Li Dong quickly picked up the package.

"I saw everything."

"What? This is a shirt I bought for my wife."

He quickly packed the items and was about to run, not wanting to get caught.

"I don't believe you. So many shirts, can your wife wear them all?"

Huang Yingnan looked at Li Dong with a sly smile. Who would buy so many shirts at once?

Li Dong tried to stay calm, observing the girl. Her clothes were worn and faded, but not patched. She couldn't be a cadre from the city. She was probably a temporary worker like him.

"I don't care if you believe me." He turned to leave, but Huang Yingnan was prepared. "You can't sell clothes like this."

"Oh?"

Was she a fellow speculator? Li Dong was more cautious. He had a bad start and decided to go home and think it over. He might not sell the clothes at all.

"I suggest you don't wait outside the factory."

"Who said I was? I don't know what you're talking about."

Li Dong regretted his words. It was like admitting it. The girl was young but clever. She was probably sixteen or seventeen, an age when girls in the countryside might already be married and have children.

But this girl was sharp and didn't look like a rural girl. Li Dong didn't want to tangle with her and decided to leave. "Don't go, I can help you."

"Help me?"

A good Samaritan? Don't joke. Speculation was a serious crime in this era. Who would help you?

"What do you want?"

Li Dong found the girl persistent, which was not good. If she shouted, he wouldn't be able to outrun the guard. "Tell me."

"I really want to help you."

Huang Yingnan relaxed, thinking this person was a beginner like her. Otherwise, he would have run away. "I'll help you, and you can buy me a meat bun, how about that?"

She licked her lips, almost drooling.

Li Dong laughed, thinking she was asking for something simple. "How will you help me?"

"It's easy."

Huang Yingnan seemed experienced. "You give me the clothes, I'll wear them, and walk around the factory gate at lunchtime."

"Is it that simple?"

"Very simple. Trust me, it will work."

Li Dong finally looked at Huang Yingnan. She was tall, at least 1.65 meters, which was rare in the 1970s. Most people were malnourished, and girls especially didn't get enough to eat.

The average height was around 1.5 meters, and 1.6 meters was rare in the countryside. Li Dong thought the girl had a good figure. "Is there a place to change?"

"Follow me."

Huang Yingnan waved, and Li Dong followed her to a cinema. "Give me the clothes."

Li Dong hesitated but decided to trust her. He gave her the shirt. Huang Yingnan hesitated, thinking about running away with the shirt. It was clearly from the coastal areas or Taiwan. It was worth a few yuan, and she only had two cents. She struggled but eventually changed into the shirt. She looked good, and Li Dong noticed.

She had big eyes and a delicate face, like a popular actress from the future. "Do I look good?"

Huang Yingnan blushed, and Li Dong felt a bit embarrassed. "Not bad."

"Let's go."

Huang Yingnan hadn't worn new clothes in a couple of years and liked the shirt, but she sighed, thinking it was too expensive. They went to the factory gate to wait for the workers to finish their shift.

They chatted to pass the time. "Are you also a sent-down youth?"

Huang Yingnan was surprised Li Dong was also a sent-down youth. She thought he was a city dweller without a job. "You too?"

"Yes, where are you from?"

"Chikou Commune, I'm Liu Dehua."

"Chikou Commune? I'm from there too, but I've never seen you." Huang Yingnan was puzzled. She often went to the commune to get food, but had never seen Li Dong. Li Dong thought it was a coincidence. They were planning to speculate, which was a serious crime. He didn't want to reveal his identity.

"I'm Huang Yingnan." Huang Yingnan didn't press the issue, thinking Liu Dehua might not participate in commune activities. Some people stopped to study.

"Liu Dehua."

Li Dong felt guilty, but was relieved that Dehua wasn't famous yet.

"Liu Dehua, let's think of a plan."

Huang Yingnan touched the shirt, thinking it was beautiful. She wanted one but only had two cents. She was hungry for meat buns, which she hadn't had in half a year.

"What do you think?"

Li Dong thought she had suggested the plan. "You said it yourself, just walk around the factory gate."

"Let's do this. You pretend to be my brother, a college student, who came to visit me and lost his wallet."

Huang Yingnan clapped her hands. "That's a good idea."

"Will people believe it?"

Li Dong was skeptical. Were people in this era so naive?

"Don't worry. They'll be too focused on the clothes to think much."

Huang Yingnan patted her chest, and Li Dong noticed her figure. She didn't notice his slightly lecherous gaze and continued, proud of her idea.

"The workers are coming out."

"Let's go."

"Good luck!"