Reborn in 1977

A cloth shirt costs 3 yuan, 2 mao, and 6 fen; a polypropylene shirt is 5 yuan and 4 jiao; an acrylic shirt is 2 yuan, 8 mao, and 6 fen; a T-shirt is 1 yuan, 5 mao, and 2 fen; but a Dacron double-purpose shirt is expensive, costing a full 15 yuan and 2 mao, plus two industrial coupons.

God knows why it needs both cloth coupons and industrial coupons. Is Dacron really that awesome?

Then Chen Fan bought one.

A double-purpose shirt is a type of outer garment with a collar that can be closed or folded back, without a back seam and with a straight waist. It mainly has long sleeves, and the front has 4 or 5 buttons. The style is simple and is mostly made of blended wool, medium-length fibers, Dacron, and other fabrics. It's a bit like a suit jacket without a waist or shoulder pads, with just a few pleats at the shoulders for a touch of fashion.

From the 1950s onwards, women's double-purpose shirts were the main attire for female comrades. Some say that clothes used to be black, gray, and blue for both men and women, and only became more colorful in the 1980s, but that's not true.

The colors were monotonous simply because people didn't have money. If you could spend more than ten yuan on a piece of clothing like Chen Fan, there would be double-purpose shirts in red, yellow, blue, green, white, and other colors for you to choose from.

In addition, women's shirts also came in a variety of colors, usually with plaid patterns, matched with different colors such as bright red, bright blue, light purple, and orange, becoming one of the most popular clothes for urban women.

Of course, this was limited to women's clothing. Men's clothing was still mainly in the 'black, gray, and blue' color scheme, with shirts or vests mainly in white. However, some thought was put into the design, and plaid and striped patterns were not uncommon. For example, sailor shirts were the most popular clothing for male compatriots in the summer.

In the 1960s, after slight modifications, the double-purpose shirt also became a popular style for men. Wearing it wasn't necessarily impressive or as eye-catching as the 'four pockets', but at least it wouldn't be embarrassing in any situation.

If the appearance is sufficient, the substance can be slightly worse.

Chen Fan abandoned the acrylic shirt for just over two yuan and the polypropylene shirt for just over five yuan, and bought two cloth shirts in the middle price range.

Zhang Juemin and Zhang Wenliang nodded secretly, exclaiming in their hearts that they had learned something.

Don't buy the expensive ones, don't buy the cheap ones, just buy the ones in the middle price range, then you definitely won't lose out! Or if you do lose, you won't lose much.

Chen Fan didn't think so much. It wasn't to save money, but because he knew that this kind of chemical fiber fabric was prone to static electricity, and it definitely wouldn't be as comfortable to wear as a cloth shirt made of natural cotton and linen blend.

The outside is for others to see, the inside is for yourself, so of course comfort is the first priority.

Afterwards, he bought two pairs of cotton-polyester blended trousers, which were also not cheap, at 12 yuan a pair.

So damn expensive!

If they were made of polyester, they would be another 3 yuan more expensive. It can only be said that the price of chemical products is high these days. After a few years, when the plan is relaxed and a large number of factories independently increase production capacity, the price can be immediately reduced.

Finally, he spent 10 yuan and 6 mao to buy a pair of leather shoes, and his 'clothing' was complete.

The salesperson saw that Chen Fan was good-looking and well-behaved, and enthusiastically recommended, "If you wear sunglasses, you'll look even better."

Chen Fan politely refused, "I'm too young, my family won't allow it."

The salesperson aunt didn't give up, "Then buy a pen, it only costs a few yuan. Looking at you, you're obviously an intellectual. How can an intellectual not 'wear' a pen?!"

Yes, it's 'wear', not carry.

These days, as long as you see someone with a pen clipped to their shirt pocket, they're basically either an intellectual or a cadre. Generally speaking, a clerk wears one pen, a cadre wears two, and wearing three or more means they repair pens.

The aunt recommended him to buy a pen, definitely not to promote sales, she wouldn't get a bonus for selling more goods. But she felt that it was a pity for such a good-looking young man not to wear two pens.

Chen Fan thought that the pens issued by the brigade headquarters often leaked ink, and he needed a good pen for writing, so he followed her advice and went to the stationery counter on the other side.

This corner of the department store was a direct competitor to the Xinhua Bookstore. In addition to various stationery items, there were also various propaganda posters, and… 'guns'?

Oh, this is the sports and recreation counter.

Looking at the dozens of air guns, hunting rifles, and pistols on the counter, Zhang Wenliang was a little relieved. Fortunately, he didn't have a conflict with the security guard just now, otherwise his opponents would have instantly increased from one to dozens. Even if he brought a platoon, he wouldn't be able to withstand it.

Chen Fan walked past the sports and recreation counter, and after carefully looking at it, an arrogant expression appeared on his face.

Humph, the hunting rifles here are not as good as my hunting rifle, and the pistols are not as good as my pistol. Unless they put out rifles and submachine guns, I wouldn't bother to look at them.

After only taking two more glances, he finally arrived at the pen counter.

Now Chen Fan knew that all the goods in the glass counter had price tags. If you could afford it, you could directly inspect the goods; if you couldn't afford it, don't even bother asking.

Chen Fan leaned on the counter, looking at the neatly arranged pens inside.

The cheap ones were just a row of loose pens, placed side by side and fixed with a tray with slots. There weren't many brands, Hero, Gold Star, and Yongheng, these were all old brands, and they were all 'superior goods' from BJ and Shanghai.

Fewer people may know about 'Yongheng', but it was also an old factory in Shanghai, founded in the 1930s. It once competed with 'Hero', but unfortunately, its luck was bad. The 'Hero' brand pen became popular all over the country with a movie, and since then, 'Yongheng' has never won again.

As for Gold Star, it was originally founded in Shanghai, but later a branch factory was established in BJ, and it became the brand of the BJ Pen Factory, known as 'North Gold Star, South Hero'.

And the original Shanghai Gold Star Pen Factory didn't focus on its main business and went to make televisions. That's right, it was the later 'Gold Star' brand television, which was also popular in the postal area in those years, daring to compete with the 'Panda' television from the Huijing Electronic Factory.

Since they were all old brands, Chen Fan didn't need to consider the quality. He skipped the loose pens that cost two or three yuan each, and didn't want the ones with boxes that cost 5 yuan and 4 jiao, and bought a Gold Star iridium-tipped pen for 12 yuan and 8 jiao.

In fact, he wanted to buy a more expensive gold pen, the nib of which was really made of gold, and it had a luxurious feel when held.

But Zhang Juemin and Zhang Wenliang, who were following beside him, already had bloodshot eyes. In order not to continue stimulating them, Chen Fan decided to be low-key and not be too hateful.

(Gold Star Pen)

Carrying a bag out of the department store, Zhang Juemin couldn't hold back, "You bought something, why did you have to buy a bag specifically?"

As he spoke, he gestured to his canvas bag, "I can put it here too, why waste that money."

Zhang Wenliang also nodded and said, "That's right, I saw a lot of kinds of cloth in the cloth counter, and there's also corduroy. Buying one set of clothes is enough, and you can save more than ten yuan by using the money for the other set of clothes to buy cloth."

Chen Fan shook the small travel bag he bought for 6 yuan and 40 cents and said, "It's not a waste of money. We don't know how many days we'll be here. Two sets of clothes are just enough to change. I don't have an extra set. When we go back, I'll buy some fabric and some souvenirs. I'm afraid this bag won't be enough to hold everything."

"You still want to buy more?"

Zhang Wenliang widened his eyes, "Are there enough fabric coupons?"

He originally wanted to get some fabric too, but when he saw that Chen Fan had bought so much, he remembered that there were only 20 feet of fabric coupons, so he was too embarrassed to ask.

Chen Fan looked around, leaned closer, and chuckled in a low voice, "What are we here for? To help the health department! I don't want their salary. When we're done, we'll ask them to help us exchange for some coupons. They can't be completely stingy, can they?!"

Zhang Wenliang and Zhang Juemin were stunned at first, then they both gave a thumbs up, "Good calculation!"

Seeing that Chen Fan had his own plans, the two of them stopped talking.

After buying the things, the next step was to find a place to stay.

Without asking anyone, looking ahead, there was a guesthouse sign in the distance. The three of them walked directly towards it.

Zhang Wenliang, walking on Chen Fan's left, suddenly thought of a question, "You just bought two sets of clothes and a pen. That must have cost a lot of money, right?"

Chen Fan nodded, "Two shirts cost 6 yuan, 52 cents, two pairs of pants 24, leather shoes 10 yuan, 60 cents, a pen 12 yuan, 80 cents, a handbag 6 yuan, 40 cents, a total of…"

He calculated with his fingers.

Zhang Juemin next to him said faintly, "A total of 60 yuan and 30 cents."

60 yuan and 30 cents, that's about as much as a strong laborer's dividend last year, but this kid spent it all in half an hour. Even a spendthrift couldn't spend money like him!

Chen Fan turned his head and looked at him in surprise, "Oh, you calculated that so quickly?"

Zhang Juemin said, "I calculated as you said each item, of course it's fast."

Then he looked at him and asked in confusion, "Didn't you say that the money was used to build the house? Old Ye only approved 50 yuan for you. Where did you get so much money?"

Chen Fan's expression didn't change, and his heart didn't beat faster. "Oh, I also collected your share of the money."

Zhang Wenliang and Zhang Juemin were struck by lightning. They looked at him, one on the left and one on the right, with blank expressions, "Ah?"

Chen Fan smiled slightly, "Calm down, don't panic. 150 yuan, and we've only spent more than 60. We won't be sleeping on the streets."

Zhang Wenliang felt a little depressed, "I was thinking, how are we going to report the expenses when we get back?"

Chen Fan held the handbag in one hand and put the other hand in his trouser pocket, confidently saying, "Don't worry, when we go back, I'll only report the food and accommodation expenses and the travel expenses. The things I bought are of course mine. As for the money, we'll deduct it from the rabbit fund."

Zhang Wenliang breathed a sigh of relief, "I almost forgot about the rabbits."

Zhang Juemin quickly searched out three train tickets from his pocket, "Report these train tickets for me first."

Chen Fan's expression froze. He turned his head and glanced at him, then pretended to be mysterious and looked around, whispering, "Don't show off your wealth. This isn't appropriate on the street. Let's go to the guesthouse and settle down before we talk."

Zhang Juemin didn't say much, and immediately put the train tickets back in his pocket.

Soon, the three of them arrived at the entrance of the guesthouse.

A four-story building, of course not as grand as a department store, but a width of a dozen meters was not small either.

Chen Fan pushed open the door and went in, took out the letter of introduction and handed it over, "Comrade, hello, we want to stay here."

The clerk was a female comrade in her twenties. Her attitude was not enthusiastic, but it was not bad either. She took the letter of introduction and looked at it, then looked at them. Her eyes lingered on Chen Fan's face for two seconds, "Do you want to stay in the dormitory or a three-person room?"

Zhang Juemin was frightened by Chen Fan's extravagance and quickly asked, "What's the price for the dormitory, and what's the price for the three-person room?"

The clerk said, "The dormitory is 50 cents per person, and the three-person room is two yuan."

(The fixed amount for accommodation fees varies from place to place. Cities and counties are generally 50 cents, provincial capitals are generally 70 cents, and Shanghai is the most expensive, with dormitories starting at 1 yuan. Some places do not charge by the room, but by the bed, regardless of the room type.)

After a pause, the clerk added, "In addition, single rooms are 2 yuan, and cadre rooms are 3 yuan. They only have one bed, but it's a large bed. Other rooms have small beds. Besides the dormitory and three-person rooms, there are also two-person rooms, which cost 1 yuan and 40 cents."

Hearing that the three-person room was only two yuan, Zhang Juemin wasn't stingy either. He turned his head and looked at the two of them, and after confirming, he said, "Then please give us a three-person room."

The clerk registered the information while casually asking, "You're going to the health department on official business, why don't you stay at the health department's guesthouse?"

Zhang Juemin chuckled, "We just arrived and wanted to wash up a bit before reporting."

The clerk looked up at him, smiled slightly, "I didn't realize you were so particular."

She then casually asked, "What are you here to do?"

This question was a big deal. Zhang Wenliang immediately had a radiant face and said excitedly, "This is Teacher Chen from our production team. He was invited by the leaders of the health department to come and impart first aid knowledge and write a book…"

Chen Fan had already lowered his head and covered his face with one hand, so embarrassed that he could dig out a three-bedroom apartment from under his feet.

The clerk, however, felt more and more magical as she listened, looking at Chen Fan with surprised eyes, seemingly skeptical. But thinking that they didn't need to lie to her, and the letter of introduction did write that they were going to the municipal health department to assist in the work, could it be true?

Regardless of whether it was true or not, the clerk's attitude improved a lot. After registering, she picked up the key and enthusiastically led them to the room, "The room I gave you is on the second floor, towards the inside. It's convenient to go up and down, and it's also quieter. The water room and toilet are at the end of the corridor. There's hot water in the water room for showering, available until 9 pm. You can get hot water on the first floor. I'll bring you two kettles of hot water later. Hey, are two kettles enough to drink?"

Zhang Juemin quickly nodded, "Enough, enough, thank you."

Zhang Wenliang was smug. He knew that promoting Teacher Chen's advanced deeds would definitely bring convenience.

Only Chen Fan had an embarrassed smile, thinking whether he should insist on traveling alone in the future?!

Under the clerk's guidance, they entered the room. The furnishings inside were relatively simple. At the entrance was a long table with three cups on it. Inside were three beds arranged side by side, each with a bedside table. Outside the window was a small garden. The flowers in the bushes were in full bloom, and there were several people walking in the garden.

In the corner of the room by the window, there was also a clothes rack. A ceiling fan was also hanging on the roof.

Chen Fan pushed open the window and looked at the few iron wire racks extending out below the window. He knew that this was the place to dry clothes, and he nodded in satisfaction. As long as he could dry clothes, it was fine.

Zhang Wenliang and Zhang Juemin tightly held their bags, looking around the room, somewhat at a loss for a moment.

Chen Fan looked back at them and said with a smile, "Let's put our things down first, go out to eat something, then come back to take a shower and sleep. Let's have a good rest tonight and report to the health department tomorrow morning."

Zhang Juemin and the other nodded together, "Okay."