Once the registration form was filled out, there was basically no turning back on the matter of going down to the countryside. Of course, Xu Qinghuan didn't intend to back out.
At that time, the state provided every educated youth going to the countryside with a settlement allowance, but it was given out to the production brigade.
"Are you ready for your departure in three days?" Yuan Huilan asked with concern, "Winters in the Northeast are much colder than here; you need to prepare thick quilts and cotton jackets."
She included fifteen pounds of cotton tickets in the papers prepared for Xu Qinghuan, but that was clearly insufficient.
It's only enough for one big quilt and padding; cotton jackets and coats still require cotton.
Xu Qinghuan said, "Auntie Yuan, it's already enough. You don't have to worry about me anymore, I will take care of myself."
In Yan City, Xu Qinghuan had a saleswoman introduced by an acquaintance at Yong'an Department Store, which was conveniently close to the office for educated youth, so she simply went there to handle her affairs.
Wang Juan and Tian Xia had a very good relationship. After finishing work yesterday, she took a pound of brown sugar and a jar to visit Tian Xia, who asked her to assist if her lifesaver came to buy something.
Wang Juan naturally agreed; making friends with a skilled doctor was something she couldn't refuse.
However, Wang Juan didn't expect Tian Xia's lifesaver to be so young.
"Are you Xu Huan?" Wang Juan asked in surprise.
"Yes, it's me. Is this Sister Wang?" Xu Qinghuan laughed and said, "I'm going to the countryside and need to buy some things."
"Just tell me what you need to buy; while I can't offer a discount, I'll definitely pick the best for you, and whatever's in the warehouse I can sell to you."
Wang Juan lowered her voice for the latter sentence.
Some so-called defective goods wouldn't be displayed on the counter; they were mostly in the warehouse, similar to the practice at the supply and marketing cooperatives, serving as staff's hidden benefits.
"Then thank you, Sister Wang!"
Xu Qinghuan asked for fifteen pounds of cotton. Cotton was a tight commodity, and Wang Juan, gritting her teeth, even gave up her share, asked her colleagues for two more pounds, and combined with Tian Xia's part, gathered fifteen pounds for Xu Qinghuan without requiring any tickets.
There was also a set of bed sheets and covers with damaged dye, and Wang Juan thought since she was helping, she might as well help thoroughly, so she just took them out, offering thirty dollars without tickets, and asked Xu Qinghuan if she wanted it.
The fabric quality was pretty good; it was just unevenly dyed, which didn't affect its use. Of course Xu Qinghuan wanted it.
Seeing Sister Wang's evident pain, Xu Qinghuan could understand; goods originally priced at sixty were now selling for thirty, surely a big bargain.
She smiled and said, "Sister Wang, all I have are my medical skills. If there's anything I can help you with, just let me know."
Sister Wang hesitated for a while, then leaned towards Xu Qinghuan's ear and said, "Little Xu, Sister does have a favor to ask you."
Although Xu Qinghuan was young, she had no choice but to take a gamble, after hesitating for a while, she said, "To be honest, my husband and I have been married for six years and still have no children. We've been to the hospital for checks, and they say there's no issue with us, but it's been years without a baby, which isn't right!"
There was indeed a cloud of sulkiness across her brows.
Xu Qinghuan could understand; in this time and place, people might have clean environments and healthy diets, and most would get pregnant soon after marriage. Three months without change would be suspect.
Not to mention being married six years without getting pregnant; Wang Juan must be under a lot of stress.
Xu Qinghuan didn't think too much, took Wang Juan's wrist, and Wang Juan was stunned for a second, realizing she was taking her pulse, thinking for someone so young, she wasn't sure if she had real skills.
But even a sliver of hope was something she wanted to grab hold of.
Switching hands, Xu Qinghuan felt for a while and said, "Normally, a woman ovulates once a month, but Sister Wang's situation is special; she ovulates roughly once every six months. If you miss those few days, you definitely can't conceive."
So, the problem was indeed on her side!
Wang Juan's face turned white in an instant, her whole body trembling, "Little Xu, Doctor Xu, do you have a solution, any solution?"
If she couldn't have children, she'd live her life in shame.
Previously, she had the hospital's proof that she was healthy, not her problem if there were no eggs.
But if she didn't give birth, with her mother-in-law's temperament, she'd have no future.
"This isn't a major issue." Xu Qinghuan said, "Here's the plan, I'll prepare three doses of medicine for you, take them for three days straight, and during the medication period, you must engage with your husband. Additionally, there is a risk to taking my medicine..."
"Tell me, whatever risk it is, I'm not afraid!" Wang Juan wiped the tears off her face, feeling slightly better.
As long as she could have children, she'd be willing to sacrifice anything.
Xu Qinghuan said, "Don't be too nervous, it's just you might conceive twins or triplets."
Wang Juan almost started crying again, "Doctor Xu, as you said, if I can conceive all at once, you'd be my benefactor, and I'd be grateful to you for life!"
Xu Qinghuan: …
That's unnecessary!
"Then I'll buy things first and deliver them tomorrow!" Xu Qinghuan said.
Despite being anxious, Wang Juan couldn't rush things with her husband today, as she didn't want to delay Xu Qinghuan's matters, and reluctantly agreed.
Xu Qinghuan continued shopping, buying two tubes of toothpaste, two toothbrushes, skipped buying underwear as she had stock in her storage, including sanitary pads – now only available in the Friendship Store and without wings. Fortunately, she always prepared a lot of stock while frequently traveling in her past life, or else using traditional pads now would drive her crazy.
Seeing the candy, there were three famous candies of this era: no need to mention Big White Rabbit milk candies, where seven pieces equaled one cup of milk, Xu Qinghuan bought 3 pounds, priced at 5 dollars a pound.
Yan City's crisp candy was also available here, Xu Qinghuan bought 2 pounds.
Fruit hard candy was cheap but not tasty, Xu Qinghuan only got 1 pound.
Peanut nougat was Xu Qinghuan's favorite; she also bought 2 pounds.
She exhausted tickets for candies and pastries, initially wanting to try some Sponge Cake, but ticketless, could only sigh in regret.
Salespeople were surprised to see her buying so much candy, "Comrade, can you finish all this candy?"
Wang Juan explained beside her, "This is a knowledgeable youth going to the countryside, stocking up since those things aren't available there!"
Upon hearing this, the salespeople were solemn, even while weighing out the candy, they couldn't help but raise the scale beam slightly higher, at least giving two extra weights.
"Thank you!" Xu Qinghuan expressed her sincere gratitude.
"No problem, you're going where your country needs you, you're incredible comrades!" The saleswoman gave Xu Qinghuan a thumbs up.
Seeing stationery for sale, Xu Qinghuan bought some writing tools, inks, papers, and inkstones.