Chapter 20: Large Meat Buns

"Fine!" Yue Feng nodded and followed him, pushing his bicycle.

Leaving the ghost market, the two turned a corner at the intersection and arrived at the street where the Mining Bureau was located.

It was only then that Yue Feng could clearly see the other man's face.

He was a middle-aged man in his early forties with a round, chubby face and a double chin.

"My name is Niu Fusheng! I work at the second canteen of the coal mine, specifically serving the mine leaders and occasionally handling external receptions! And you, young man, how should I address you?"

"I'm Yue Feng! Hello, Brother Niu!"

"Can you provide a stable, large-scale supply of these Sand-Half Chickens and Flying Dragons? If you can, you won't have to rush to the ghost market to set up a stall anymore—I'll take the whole lot!"

"How much volume do you need daily?" Yue Feng had already guessed the man's identity before he even spoke, but he kept his expression composed.

Niu Fusheng said with great confidence, "There are nearly twenty thousand people in the Hongqi Coal Mine! The heads of every department have a demand for these delicacies! As much as you can deliver on your own, I'll take it all!"

"It's just me and one hawk. At most, I can catch maybe twenty or thirty Flying Dragons or Sand-Half Chickens a day!" Yue Feng shrugged, speaking with a hint of helplessness.

"Too few. That's not enough to go around! Never mind live Flying Dragons—even if they're caught with snares or killed with traps, not many people sell them! Can't you raise more hawks and catch more?" Niu Fusheng asked.

Yue Feng's heart stirred at this. "Dead ones work too?"

"Dead ones are fine, but the price has to be discounted by seventy percent! I'm a former chef; the flavor is different whether the ingredients are dead or alive, and those big leaders have very picky palates!" Niu Fusheng said.

"Alright! By the way, do you want other game? Wild chickens, rabbits, wild boar, roe deer, things like that! Once the mountain grass dries up in a while, those will be easier to catch!"

"People sell those at the ghost market, so they aren't in short supply. If you can get your hands on them, I can help you move them, but the price won't be as high as the Flying Dragons!"

"Good! Let's leave it at that for now. I'll go back and make some arrangements. We'll meet at the ghost market once I have something concrete!"

...

After a brief exchange with Master Niu, the two parted ways.

He had sold thirteen small chickens today, bringing in 13.8 yuan. Including the money left over from buying meat and flour yesterday, Yue Feng now had a "massive sum" of over 15 yuan in his hands.

One had to realize that an ordinary worker in a coal mine production group earned only 33.52 yuan a month of back-breaking labor, yet Yue Feng had earned more than half a month's wages for an ordinary worker just by going up the mountain with his hawk for two days.

With large bills stuffed in his pocket, Yue Feng felt quite emboldened.

According to his original plan, he should have cycled home to eat breakfast and then returned the bicycle to the Secretary. However, as he passed the entrance of the State-Owned Grand Hotel, he was stopped by the irresistible aroma of freshly steamed meat buns.

The meat buns were nearly the size of an adult's palm. They cost 0.23 yuan with a ration coupon, or 0.30 yuan without. For someone with Yue Feng's appetite, two buns would almost fill him up, and three would definitely do the trick.

Thinking of how much his little sister, Yaomei'er, had craved dumplings yesterday, Yue Feng quickly convinced himself: you earn it, you spend it. Now that he had money, he should treat his family to something delicious!

Having made up his mind, Yue Feng decisively pulled out three yuan and bought ten large meat buns. He wrapped them in oil paper, stuffed them into his satchel, and pedaled furiously toward home.

Though his stomach was growling with hunger, Yue Feng forced himself not to eat along the way. What was wrapped in his bag wasn't just mere meat buns; it felt more like his aspirations for a better future.

Influenced by this special mood, the journey that usually took about half an hour was completed in just twenty minutes as he reached the village.

Upon entering the village, he first went to the Secretary's house to return the bicycle, then walked toward his home, where smoke was curling from the chimney.

By the time Yue Feng entered the house, his mother was sitting by the stove brewing corn porridge. On the warming tray was the leftover wild chicken stewed with potatoes from last night, along with some previously steamed mixed-grain buns.

"Cycling is definitely faster. Son is back! Wash your hands and wake up your father and Jingjing; it's time to eat!" His mother, Meng Yulan, greeted him warmly upon seeing him enter.

Yue Feng opened his satchel and pulled out the still-warm meat buns.

"Mom, I sold over thirteen yuan today! I bought meat buns on the way; we're having meat buns for breakfast!" Yue Feng said with great pride.

Seeing her son pull out such a large bag of meat buns, Meng Yulan was completely overwhelmed.

"How much did this cost! You child, you work so hard for a few coins, why are you so reckless? There are so many places in this house that need money! If you want meat buns, I'll just buy some meat and make them for you at home!"

Seeing his mother's complex expression of both joy and heartache, Yue Feng grinned and said, "What's the point of earning money if you don't spend it? If I earn ten yuan a day, that's three hundred a month! Money is meant to be earned, not just hoarded! Besides, my dad is an injured worker and my sister is growing; we should eat well to make up for what we've missed!"

To shut his mother up, Yue Feng decisively took out a warm meat bun and broke it in half.

"Jingjing, wake up! It's time for meat buns!"

In this era, there were no "chemical additives" to worry about; meat buns from a State-Owned Grand Hotel were absolutely the real deal.

As the bun was broken open, the meat filling rolled out in a plump ball. The rich aroma of fat mixed with green onions filled the room, making even Yue Feng unable to stop himself from swallowing hard.

"Where are the meat buns? Did you buy them from the city, Second Brother?" Hearing that there was something delicious, the little foodie Jingjing scrambled out of the east room without even putting on her socks.

"Go wash your hands! Come eat once you're done!"

"Okay, okay!" Jingjing's bright eyes were fixed intently on the bun in Yue Feng's hand, terrified that if she turned away, it would vanish.

Soon, her small hands were washed, and Yue Feng handed the broken bun to Jingjing.

The little girl couldn't wait to take a huge bite, her eyes squinting in pure satisfaction.

"Buns from the State-Owned Grand Hotel aren't cheap. Did you strike it rich?" At that moment, his father, Yue Lei, walked out of the room leaning on a crutch.

"Hehe, Dad, you and Mom eat too! All four of us have a share. I bought ten large meat buns! A Flying Dragon is one yuan each; catching one Flying Dragon is almost enough to buy four buns!"

"Alright, your mother and I are lucky to be riding your coattails! You can't eat meat buns without garlic. Lan, go to the storehouse and grab some garlic!" His father gave his son a very satisfied look and turned to instruct his wife to get the garlic.

"I'll go, I'll go! Let Mom rest!" Yue Feng responded, turned out of the north room, and quickly returned from the storehouse with several heads of garlic.

Even though the buns Yue Feng bought were enough for four people, not all ten were consumed by the end of breakfast.

His father and mother each only ate one to taste the novelty. His sister had a small appetite, and one bun filled her up completely. Yue Feng polished off two buns and a bowl of corn porridge, yet five buns were still left on the table.