At the Farm Machinery Factory's residential compound, the elderly gatekeeper had grown fairly familiar with Li Long. He slid open the window and asked him with a smile:
"Back to sell fish again, young man? New Year's almost here, and you're still not taking a break?"
"A break? This is my chance to earn a little money for New Year." Still cautious, Li Long carried a sack of fish on his back and a leg of lamb in one hand as he walked inside and said:
"We can't compare with you folks. We hardly see any money all year round. Whatever we can earn helps, or we won't even have money for candy, peanuts, and things for New Year."
"That's more than a little money you're making," the old man said cheerfully. "You earn someone else's monthly wages in a day. That's no small sum."
"But that money isn't all mine." Li Long slowed his steps. "I have to give the people catching the fish their share, don't I? You only see me selling fish here, but there are plenty of people working behind the scenes. Staying indoors is nice and warm in weather this cold, but breaking holes in the ice out on the lake is miserable work."
"That's true. It's hard-earned money." The old man was deeply sympathetic.
Li Long took the opportunity to ask:
"Sir, is there anyone at your factory who wants mutton?" he asked, raising the leg of lamb in his hand.
The Farm Machinery Factory was such a large work unit, and farm machinery was booming these days. The benefits ought to be good. Surely they could spare a little money to buy mutton?
"Mutton? You're too late." The old man shook his head. "The factory's logistics section handed out benefits a few days