Hua Qingqing had been in the capital for several days.
Wu Yunhua offered to take her out for a stroll, but Hua Qingqing declined, saying she wanted to look around on her own.
But this was her first time here after all. How could Wu Yunhua dare to let her wander around casually? Although the public security in the capital was much better than in other places, it wasn't completely safe. If she ran into a human trafficker, it would be a big problem.
Hua Qingqing comforted her for a long time. Finally, they agreed that she would be back by dinner time in the afternoon. Only then did Wu Yunhua agree to let her go out alone.
As soon as she stepped out the door, Hua Qingqing asked for directions all the way and headed straight for the market.
The capital already had a bit of the prosperity of later generations. There were many individual vendors setting up stalls on the street, such as the stalls selling bright - orange drinks and breakfast spots...
However, these weren't her targets.
Previously, when dealing with Yu Linxiu's matter in Nan County, she got to know the tailor Zhou Cai, and she had some small ideas then.
The backpack she brought to the capital this time was modeled after the backpacks from more than a decade later. She gave the blueprint to Zhou Cai to make, and the latter sighed in admiration when he saw it, saying it had multiple uses.
Zhou Cai's craftsmanship was indeed good, but the fabric was just so - so. If she could find canvas and linen this time and make further improvements, the backpack would be even more practical. Then, if she sold it, highlighting the label of a new - style and practical bag with strong capacity, kids wouldn't have to worry about getting tired on their way to school. With such an advertisement, if it was sold in big cities, there would surely be no shortage of buyers.
After all, kids' studies were important.
She had gotten to know quite a few people in the compound these days, like Liu Ning. Since there was a child in Liu Ning's family, about the same age as Hua Miaomiao, and the parents doted on the child. It was said that the toys they bought, which were from abroad, cost at least two - digit prices.
It was a pity that she hadn't been able to see what those toys looked like with her own eyes.
She had plenty of toy designs in her head.
She'd find time to take a look later.
Hey! She was there!
She heard from Liu Ning that there was a big trading market here, where there were many cheap things and some new things from the south. If she was lucky, she might even find some overseas goods.
Although she didn't know what the overseas goods were, Hua Qingqing was quite interested in some of the things from the south that Liu Ning had mentioned.
Although it was called a big trading market, in fact, it was just a relatively large open space with the weeds around not completely cleared. The vendors either set up a wooden board or just laid their goods on the ground to do business.
Hua Qingqing looked around all the way but didn't find what she wanted. She couldn't help but feel disappointed.
There was no such thing in the capital either? Did she really have to go to the south?
Just as Hua Qingqing was about to turn around, she was bumped into by an old man and almost fell. She felt someone touch her waist, so she immediately grabbed the old man.
"Hey, are you stealing?"
The old man was wearing old clothes, with white hair and a white beard. He was so thin that probably few people would dare to confront him head - on.
So, even when exposed by Hua Qingqing, he wasn't flustered. With a typical capital accent, he looked fierce and was on the verge of scolding Hua Qingqing.
Hua Qingqing wasn't intimidated at all.
"Stop talking nonsense. Just admit it if you've stolen something. I'm not going to do anything to you just because you're old. Besides, take a look at what's in your hand!"
"This is half a steamed bun I left over from breakfast this morning."
"I even have to split a steamed bun into two parts. You have the nerve to take my stuff. You're really shameless."
The old man immediately looked down and pinched the bag in his hand. It was really a soft steamed bun.
Hey, this little girl had put the steamed bun in the money bag to deceive people!
The old man was extremely angry and raised his hand to hit her, but he was stopped by a young man in the crowd.
"Old Man Hu, come on. You stole from this little girl and you still want to hit her."
Hua Qingqing looked at the person. It was a tall young man with a crew cut, about the same age as her. What attracted Hua Qingqing wasn't the man's strong build, but the pants he was wearing.
Jeans!
Counting carefully, jeans had already entered the domestic market in the 1970s, so it wasn't really strange to see them.
It was really a pleasant surprise.
She had just spent a lot of effort looking for something but couldn't find it, and now what she wanted just appeared in front of her.
After the young man dealt with the old thief, Hua Qingqing immediately smiled and struck up a conversation with him.
"Brother, where did you buy these pants? The fabric is so special!"
If there was denim fabric, there might be a way to get other fabrics, like nylon, polyester, canvas, and linen!
She'd take them all.
The young man threw the small bag he had retrieved over.
Hua Qingqing caught it in one go and heard the young man say, "Want to buy? We've got plenty."
Hearing there was hope, Hua Qingqing quickly followed him.
She saw the man walk up to an un - set - up stall. There was only a girl with braids bustling around. The man stepped forward to take over, and the girl called out "Brother".
It seemed these two were siblings.
Seeing that the two of them didn't seem to want to talk to her, Hua Qingqing walked over to see what was on the small cart. Sure enough, she saw a few pairs of jeans.
Hua Qingqing picked one up and felt it.
The most suitable fabric for making backpacks should surely be wear - resistant first. It'd be better if it also had a certain degree of wrinkle - resistance, shape - retention, and didn't stick to hair. On top of these, it'd be even better if it could be easily dyed.
Now, kids carried military - green linen satchels to school, which were very characteristic of the era. But it was precisely because of this strong characteristic that they seemed overly monotonous.
As things became more open later, there would be more colors in the country, and people's aesthetics would also become more colorful.
Thinking of this, she didn't beat around the bush anymore. She just held the jeans and asked the siblings directly.
"Where did you get this batch of goods from? The south?"
The man didn't answer.
But his sister was eager to reply.
"We're legitimate. We don't engage in any illegal activities."
Hua Qingqing smiled. "I didn't say you were engaging in illegal activities. I just have some business to discuss with you."
The man looked up. "What kind of business?"
Hua Qingqing put the jeans on their table.
"This is the business. I can see that you have connections. I happen to lack connections, and I also need some fabric. If you can help me get it, I'll give you a reward."
She did want to get in touch with textile factories, but she really didn't have any connections. Maybe her biological father and step - mother did, but she couldn't just tell Wu Yunhua and Hua Jia, especially the latter. If that cheap father found out, he might even scold her for being idle and engaging in speculation.
The man thought seriously for a while and asked Hua Qingqing what kind of fabric she wanted.
"We can't get high - quality fabric. You can't get it even if you have money because there's a shortage of supply. But for other types, we have some ways."
Hearing there was hope, Hua Qingqing moved closer and explained, "It's a coincidence. I just need the not - so - good fabric, like canvas and linen. I don't know the width of the fabric, but I'll take 100 meters of each first. If you can't get that much, a smaller amount is okay too. I need them to be white and undyed."
"Brother, my name is Hua Qingqing. If you want to find me, just go to the military compound."
The siblings introduced their names respectively.
One was called Guang Hei and the other was called Guang Bai.
Hua Qingqing couldn't help but frown.
What kind of parents would give their kids such names?
It was like the God of Death in Chinese mythology!