Chapter 331: Borrowing Tickets

Zhou Dafu saw that it was finally lunchtime and immediately rushed to the cafeteria.

He had heard that Uncle Sixteen was back at work today. First, he helped Li Feng line up for food while keeping an eye out, but he didn’t spot Zhou Yimin.

As he sat down to eat with Li Feng, he kept glancing around.

Li Feng noticed and directly asked, “Dafu, who exactly are you looking for?”

“Master, I’m looking for Uncle Sixteen,” Zhou Dafu answered honestly.

He wanted to buy a gift for his master and needed some ration tickets. He had already agreed to treat everyone to hotpot at Donglaishun tomorrow. While he had the money, he didn’t have enough tickets.

Li Feng had considered this as well—Zhou Dafu was planning a treat at Donglaishun, so he was probably hoping to trade some meat tickets with Zhou Yimin.

“See? You can’t resist a little flattery. The moment someone praises you, you agree to treat them. Do you even have enough money for it? If not, I’ve got a bit you can use.”

He also believed that after this incident, Zhou Dafu would learn his lesson.

As the saying goes: “Words alone can’t teach a person, but one real experience sticks for life.”

Hosting a meal these days wasn’t easy. Without some real means, you couldn’t afford it. Money was secondary—everything was rationed. If you invited others to eat, that meant less or even none for yourself. That’s why people usually brought food when dining at someone else’s place.

“Master, I have enough money. I just wanted to find Uncle Sixteen to exchange some tickets,” Zhou Dafu said, sharing his thoughts when he heard Li Feng’s concern.

Li Feng nodded, understanding that Zhou Dafu had earned quite a bit from hunting in the past, so he didn’t pursue the matter. “Alright, then go find Zhou Yimin.”

He didn’t have many tickets left either, or he would’ve shared some with Zhou Dafu.

Zhou Dafu quickly finished his meal and headed to the Procurement Division to see if Zhou Yimin was there.

At the office, he saw Zhou Dazhong and quickly approached. “Dazhong, is Uncle Sixteen in his office?”

“No, he just came back this morning. Section Chief Wang came by and they chatted about something, then Uncle Sixteen left and hasn’t returned since,” Zhou Dazhong explained.

“But why are you looking for him?”

He knew Zhou Dafu fairly well—he wouldn’t come by specifically unless it was something important with Zhou Yimin.

“Today, Captain Li officially accepted me as his disciple, and then some guys from the Transport Division flattered me, and I just blurted out I’d treat them to hotpot at Donglaishun. So now I’m urgently looking for Uncle Sixteen to borrow some meat tickets,” Zhou Dafu said, slightly embarrassed.

Though he wanted to eat too, treating so many people was a huge expense. If he could do it over, he’d never agree so easily. And if he did, he’d only treat Li Feng and Zhou Yimin—maybe include Zhou Dazhong at most.

“Dafu, you could try checking Uncle Sixteen’s place. Also, when you mentioned treating, does that mean I’m included?” Zhou Dazhong reminded him.

The memory of the roast duck at Quanjude last time still made him swallow involuntarily. Donglaishun was just as famous. With the weather so cold now, hotpot would really hit the spot.

He was practically drooling at the thought.

Zhou Dafu saw Zhou Dazhong’s drooling, helpless expression and said, “Alright, alright—if you heard it, you’re in. After work tomorrow, meet at Donglaishun. But lend me your bike for a bit.”

Since he was already treating everyone, might as well borrow a bike—no need to walk.

“Take it, take it.” Zhou Dazhong tossed him the bike key.

Zhou Dafu caught the key and left without another word.

Riding Zhou Dazhong’s bike, he quickly arrived at Zhou Yimin’s home.

Seeing that the door lock wasn’t latched, it seemed Zhou Yimin was home, so he knocked on the door. “Uncle Sixteen, are you there?”

Zhou Yimin heard the voice and instantly recognized Zhou Dafu, so he opened the door and let him in.

Then he asked, “Dafu, what brings you here?”

“Uncle Sixteen, do you have any meat tickets?” Zhou Dafu asked a little shyly.

Zhou Yimin replied casually, “Meat tickets? Sure. How many do you need?”

The factory had rewarded him with quite a few, and he rarely used them since he didn’t need tickets for his meat. So he still had plenty.

If the factory leaders found out how many tickets Zhou Yimin had stashed away, who knows what they’d think?

“Uncle Sixteen, I’d like fifteen pounds’ worth,” Zhou Dafu said after thinking it over.

The Transport Division had a lot of people. Even if not giving each person a full pound, he couldn’t be too stingy—it was basically his official apprenticeship banquet. He couldn’t let his master lose face.

Zhou Yimin was so startled by the number that he couldn’t help spraying tea from his mouth.

Zhou Dafu, sitting across from him, took the full hit—his face got sprayed—but he didn’t mind. He just wiped it with his sleeve and kept looking at Zhou Yimin.

“Dafu, what do you need that many meat tickets for?”

Ordinary folks might not even get that many in a year. Sure, tickets didn’t guarantee you could buy meat, but without them, you definitely couldn’t—unless you went to the black market, which was the only alternative.

Zhou Yimin suspected Zhou Dafu might be reselling them on the black market. Though it seemed unlikely, he still had to ask clearly before deciding whether or not to lend them.

Zhou Dafu quickly explained, “Uncle Sixteen, Captain Li accepted me as his apprentice. Then during work, my colleagues joked around and I ended up promising to treat everyone to hotpot at Donglaishun. I don’t have enough meat tickets, so I came to you for help.”

He looked at Zhou Yimin anxiously. If he couldn’t borrow the tickets, he’d become a laughingstock.

Zhou Yimin listened to the explanation and let out a sigh, then congratulated him. “Dafu, you’re really lucky to have Captain Li as your master. You must study well under him.”

“Uncle Sixteen, don’t worry—I won’t let anyone down. So… about those tickets…” Zhou Dafu asked nervously.

“Fifteen pounds of meat tickets, right? I’ve got them. Also, what gift are you giving Captain Li for the apprenticeship?”

Zhou Yimin took out fifteen pounds’ worth of meat tickets and handed them to Zhou Dafu.

Zhou Dafu accepted the tickets and replied, “I haven’t figured out what to get him yet. I want to buy something nice, but I don’t have the tickets for it.”

Zhou Yimin saw what was going on and said, “Alright then. I have a carton of Zhonghua cigarettes here. Give me four yuan for it.”

These days, a pack of Zhonghua cigarettes cost around thirty-five cents. A carton had ten packs, so that would be three and a half yuan with cigarette tickets. Without tickets, it’d cost even more.

(End of Chapter)