That afternoon, after returning from visiting the graves, Li Ye took his two younger sisters to visit Principal Chang at his home.
Both he and Li Juan had graduated from County Second High School, while their youngest sister Li Ying had studied there for half a year, so all three siblings counted as Principal Chang's students.
But when the three of them drove halfway there, they discovered that the street ahead was completely blocked, packed tight with a surging crowd.
Li Ye asked curiously, "It's already the twenty-ninth, isn't it? Why are there still so many people?"
Qingshui County's markets were usually held on dates ending in five or zero, once every five days. Before the New Year, though, there was a market every day. But tomorrow was the last day, and every household should have bought what they needed. In this freezing weather, there was barely enough to earn three melons and two dates from setting up a stall. How could there still be so many people?
"Brother, wait here. I'll go ask around."
Little Ying opened the car door and hopped out to scout ahead. Kids were naturally overflowing with curiosity.
Before long, Ying came running back excitedly. "Brother, they're drawing lottery tickets up ahead! For two yuan, you could win a big color tv, even a motorcycle."
"A lottery draw? No wonder there are so many people. Get in, we're leaving."
Li Ye called Li Ying back into the car and prepared to turn around and take a detour. He knew perfectly well how tempting these lottery draws were. As long as the organizers did not pack up, the crowd ahead would never disperse.
In 1987, the country approved the issuance of the "China Social Welfare Prize Donation Bonds" to raise funds for social welfare and develop