Chapter 15 - 015 Little Soldier Zhang Ga
Li Erfu just wandered around the health center, while Li Jianqing, familiar with the area, led Li Xianglu away.
The health center is the first row of buildings as you enter the ancient Guji commune. A walk of about fifty meters further leads to a row of neat streets.
By now, the day had fully dawned, the air pollution was minimal, and the morning fog dispersed quickly under the sunlight, revealing the surrounding buildings clearly to everyone.
Li Jianqing, excitedly clutching three yuan, looked around, feeling that everything seemed better than at home, though how much better could it really be? Most of the buildings were just earthen houses, with the better ones being brick houses, and the most upscale buildings being those two small buildings, probably the commune's office buildings.
People had started appearing on the streets in twos and threes. Li Xianglu's eyes were wide open; most girls on the street had long, dark, braided pigtails; some wore floral padded jackets and black pants, but most wore black and gray padded jackets with dark blue pants, with the more fashionable ones sporting a striking red scarf.
Most were walking; a few were cycling. Those on bicycles seemed much more prestigious, like people driving luxury cars in a previous life, all holding their heads high, looking quite distinct from the others.
Walking a few steps further, they saw a big sign with black characters on a yellowish-brown background: "State-owned Canteen." Li Xianglu curiously stood at the entrance, watching people continuously walking in with their lunch boxes—they were coming here to eat.
Unable to curb her curiosity, Li Xianglu followed in. The canteen was traditional, with each food-serving window above which were carved wooden characters stating the prices: pork buns for one dime, fried dough sticks for one dime, tofu pudding for five cents, and soy milk for three cents.
Everyone lined up orderly, ordered their food, handed over their lunch boxes, then received their food at another window and went to eat at big tables.