Chapter 70: A Small Suggestion

Chapter 70: A Small Suggestion

"If you say so, then I dare not accept it even more."

Su Zhaozhao said, "You yourself have said that this is a new society, where the old ways of the past are no longer relevant. In this new society, everyone is equal, and no one can bully another. By doing this now, aren't you making my husband commit a mistake?"

She turned around and locked the door. "Sister-in-law, if I accept these vegetables from you, it would be like accepting a bribe indirectly. This isn't an apology; it's harming me."

Commander Zhao's wife was stunned by her words. How did this become a bribe? She had never heard of bribing with vegetables.

"That's not what I meant, Sister, these vegetables are really for you to eat."

"I still stand by what I said. There's no need for them. Regarding what happened yesterday, I haven't taken it to heart and won't whisper anything in anyone's ear. My husband wouldn't do anything to harm your husband. Our soldiers are upright and honest people. Saying such things is an insult to my husband and also underestimates our soldiers." Su Zhaozhao's face darkened as she lost her usual gentle smile.

Commander Zhao's wife didn't dare push the basket of vegetables into Su Zhaozhao's arms anymore. "Sister, I didn't mean it that way, don't misunderstand!"

If her husband knew about this, he would surely send her back to the countryside.

Su Zhaozhao's face showed no trace of a smile. "I'm not misunderstanding. Your words just now could easily lead to misunderstandings. Alright, take the vegetables back. I need to go to work, so I won't entertain you further."

With that, she walked past her.

By the time she reached the Supply and Marketing Cooperatives, Xiao Tang hadn't arrived yet. The door to the Purchasing and Sales Department office was open, and Yang Yuanzheng and He Fang were already there. She greeted them and went to the front store.

The shelves were fully stocked, so there was no need to restock. Su Zhaozhao tidied up the goods on the shelves and waited for opening time.

A little while later, Xiao Tang arrived just in time.

"Good morning, Sister Su." Xiao Tang tossed his bag into the cabinet and came over to help Su Zhaozhao open the door.

"Good morning to you too."

After opening the door, only two customers came in the entire morning, making it particularly quiet. Xiao Tang volunteered to teach Su Zhaozhao how to use an abacus.

Then Xiao Tang felt embarrassed.

"Sister Su, have you really never learned before?"

Su Zhaozhao: "...No, I haven't." The original Su Zhaozhao indeed hadn't learned, so she wasn't lying.

Yes, that's right, exactly.

"You're so smart! You picked it up so quickly." It took her over half a month to become proficient, and several days to learn the basics. Compared to Su Zhaozhao, she felt like a fool.

Su Zhaozhao modestly replied, "I remember it now, but it will take some time to become proficient."

"You should practice more. But your mental arithmetic is impressive, so you might not even need the abacus. Actually, learning it or not isn't that important."

"We have rules at the Supply and Marketing Cooperatives, so we should follow them. As the saying goes, 'A good memory is not as reliable as a poor pen.' The same applies to the abacus. Once you're proficient, it's more efficient than mental arithmetic and less prone to errors. If you get interrupted during mental arithmetic, you have to start over." Su Zhaozhao planned to use the abacus regularly to pick up this skill.

Su Zhaozhao once read a quote that said our ancestors created the best computer early on, which is the abacus they have been using.

The algorithms of the abacus are as numerous and complex as the stars in the sky. These algorithms are like mysterious treasure troves waiting to be explored and discovered. However, they are currently using only the most basic and simple part—addition and subtraction.

While this simple calculation method is easy to master, it fails to showcase the true charm and power of the abacus.

Only by delving deeper and becoming proficient in various advanced algorithms can one truly appreciate the infinite wisdom and subtlety behind this ancient tool.

If there's an opportunity, Su Zhaozhao hopes to master it.

Lunch was still at the canteen. After eating, Su Zhaozhao went back for a nap and returned to work when it was time. In the afternoon, Director Xie came over with his teacup to inspect the work, something Xiao Tang said he did every day, often visiting the market in the morning as well.

"How's your day going, Xiao Su?"

Su Zhaozhao naturally said it was good.

"You've been here for two days. Do you have any suggestions? If you do, speak up. As long as it benefits our Supply and Marketing Cooperatives, we'll adopt it." Director Xie sipped his tea, leaning against the shelf.

"The cooperative is quite comprehensive..."

Su Zhaozhao started with some compliments and then made a small suggestion. "Could we label the prices of the goods on the corresponding shelves with paper strips, like in state-owned restaurants, so that customers know the prices in advance? This way, when they enter the store, they can understand their purchasing power without asking."

Director Xie took a sip of tea. "Xiao Su, have you thought about how many people would actually understand the prices we label? You must know that not many people can read. Even if we label them, they'll still have to ask."

Su Zhaozhao was taken aback. That was indeed a problem. Before she could respond, Director Xie continued, "However, your suggestion is good. Let's do this: you and Xiao Tang will handle it. Try to get the prices labeled within the next couple of days. Get glue and white paper from Xiao He in the office."

With that, he slowly walked away.

Su Zhaozhao: ...Why does it feel like I got hit?

Xiao Tang also thought the suggestion was good. "This will make things easier for us too. We won't have to keep checking the price list."

That was true. Memorizing prices was really troublesome, especially the cents and fractions, which gave her a headache.

Deciding to act immediately, Su Zhaozhao went to the office and got glue and white paper from Xiao He. The store had a pencil sharpener, which she borrowed. She wrote the names and prices of the goods on the white paper, cut them into rectangular pieces, and stuck them below the goods on the shelves.

If only there was a way to laminate them. Unfortunately, there was no laminator, or perhaps card sleeves...

Never mind, let's do it this way for now. In difficult times, everything needs to be overcome; one can't expect everything to be perfect.

Su Zhaozhao had good handwriting, so she took charge of writing the prices, copying them from the price list.

Xiao Tang, who was most familiar with the goods at the Supply and Marketing Cooperatives, handled the labeling. They worked together, and before they knew it, it was time to close the store.

After closing the store and handing over the accounts to the finance department, Su Zhaozhao, who had already reached the door, turned back and put the white paper and price list in her bag to take home and continue copying.

Since she had suggested it, she should do a bit more, as she would benefit from it as well.

Today, she didn't run into Gu Xiang or Gu Nian on the way. Su Zhaozhao went straight home. She thought Gu Heng wouldn't be back yet, but as she approached, she saw the gate was half-open. Gu Heng, wearing a tank top and bent over, was digging the soil with a hoe. Around him were about a dozen plants of various sizes.

Su Zhaozhao's eyes lit up, and she ran over. "What kind of flower is this sapling?"