When the tractor reached the County Town, Sun Jiaqiang called from the trailer:
"Boss Li, go to the Bus Station. I want to see if there are any tickets available now."
Without turning his head, Li Long said:
"Why not stay in town for a night? Aren't you going to get some rest?"
"No, no, I'm dying to get home." Sun Jiaqiang laughed. "I can't wait, not a moment longer. You're married, so you ought to understand..."
Well, Li Long really did understand, so he drove straight to the Bus Station.
Sun Jiaqiang climbed down and waved to Li Long.
"Boss Li, see you next year."
"Sure, see you next year." Li Long watched Sun Jiaqiang enter the Bus Station, then turned toward the Big Courtyard.
Gu Xiaoxia had not finished work yet. Li Long first took the bear gallbladder out of his shoulder bag, found a room, and hung it from a cord to dry. Then he spread the bear skin out in a side room to dry and put the basin of cooked bear meat in the kitchen.
He had brought back all four bear paws. Without distinguishing between front and rear paws, he put one in a bag, got on his bicycle, and rode to the Supply and Marketing Cooperative.
It was almost closing time at the Supply and Marketing Cooperative. Some people had already begun packing up when Li Long arrived, and those who knew him greeted him.
"Xiao Li, here to see Section Chief Li?"
"Yes. Is the section chief in?"
"Yes, yes. What have you brought the section chief this time?" the man asked.
"The section chief asked me to find some medicinal herbs for him in the mountains. I found them, so I brought them over." Li Long told a lie.
The man