RYEY – Chapter 34 Big Shopping Spree

Jiang Guangrong and Qian Longkun shook their heads at the same time. It was the busy farming season, and they couldn’t afford any unnecessary trouble. Besides, the village head valued his reputation highly—if they reported this to the Public Security Bureau, the educated youths at the camp would all have a hard time in the future.

“Cheng Qiao, don’t worry. I’ll borrow Uncle Niu’s ox cart. We can take the bicycle to the county to get the tire patched. It won’t cost much.”

Li Huan gave Chai Jianmin a meaningful glance before turning to leave. Han Chunmei and the others also hurried to get back to work.

“Cheng Qiao, if it’s inconvenient, then don’t go shopping. There will always be another chance in the future.”

Xiao Fang walked up to Cheng Qiao and whispered. Cheng Qiao nodded slightly. But shopping was a must—she wouldn’t let such a good opportunity slip away.

“Doesn’t Cheng Qiao’s dowry include rice and meat? Why don’t you just buy from her?”

Xu Laidi had been eyeing the piece of meat Cheng Qiao received as part of her betrothal gift. Pointing to the cured meat hanging from the kitchen beam, she spoke.

“That meat has already been cured for Cheng Qiao. When she gets married, it’s hers to take away. Xu Laidi, if you dare touch it, I’ll have the camp leader write a letter to send you away.”

Han Chunmei suddenly turned serious, staring at Xu Laidi with firm resolve.

Xu Laidi was startled by Han Chunmei’s imposing tone. Sneaking a glance at the others, she saw only disdainful, sidelong looks cast her way. She pouted—acting as if she hadn’t taken advantage of Cheng Qiao before. Now they were all playing righteous.

Quickly packing the grains for lunch into a lunch box, she turned and headed to the fields. She had left work early yesterday, not sure how many work points would be deducted. She had to make up for it today.

After Han Chunmei and the others cooked and ate breakfast, they also went to work, leaving Cheng Qiao behind. She looked at her dowry and gifts with worry. She was going out today—what if someone sabotaged them?

Li Huan rode up on the ox cart to the educated youth camp. Seeing the piles of packages in the yard, he thought Cheng Qiao was moving out.

“Li Huan, I don’t feel safe leaving these things here. Let’s put them on the ox cart instead.”

Without a word, Li Huan moved the bundles onto the cart. Still, he couldn’t help but mutter to himself—it seemed like there were a lot more things than before. Maybe they were hers originally.

When Cheng Qiao was about to lock the door, Li Huan said he needed to use the toilet and told her to wait on the cart. She obediently nodded and climbed onto the cart. Li Huan quickly helped lock the door and hopped onto the cart.

The two of them set off for the county. Li Huan first took Cheng Qiao to the hospital to have her dressing changed, telling her to wait there while he found someone to patch the bicycle tire.

When the doctor examined the wound, he was surprised. This young girl’s healing ability was remarkable. Judging by the recovery, she could have her stitches removed today.

Cheng Qiao was delighted to learn this. She often drank water from the well in her space, which was why her wound healed so quickly.

After removing the stitches, the doctor shook his head regretfully. The wound was still a bit red and swollen, and the stitches had left a clear scar. Her face would definitely be marred.

“Doctor, does the scar look very bad?”

“It’s still red and swollen. Once it fully heals, it may look better. Try to keep it dry. If you think it looks bad, you can always grow out your bangs—it’ll cover it.” The doctor quickly tried to comfort her.

“Thank you, doctor, I understand. Should the wound still be bandaged?”

“Keep it bandaged for another two days. The skin there is still tender, it needs protection.”

The doctor stuck a small square piece of gauze to her forehead, re-bandaged it neatly, and told her she could take it off in three to five days when she felt ready.

Cheng Qiao slipped into the restroom and quietly pulled out two slabs of pork belly, four fish, and some pork bones from her space, placing them in a burlap sack she had prepared earlier. She then waited at the hospital entrance for Li Huan.

Li Huan had already placed the repaired bicycle on the ox cart and came over. Spotting the sack by Cheng Qiao’s feet, he was curious.

“Auntie came by asking if I wanted to buy these. They’re good stuff, so I bought them for ten yuan.”

Li Huan didn’t doubt it. Smugglers often sold things in crowded places like hospitals or factory gates. Business there wasn’t worse than on the black market.

Though the price was cheaper—on the black market, these things would cost at least fifteen yuan. Maybe this speculator was timid or inexperienced.

“How’s the wound on your forehead? What did the doctor say?”

“The doctor said it’s healing well. Unless there’s a problem, I don’t need to come back.”

“What about the stitches?”

“They’re already removed. The doctor just told me to keep it bandaged a few more days, then I can take it off if it looks fine.”

“So fast? Well, don’t take it off yet. Wait until after the autumn harvest.”

Li Huan smiled—he was just glad she was fine.

“Let’s go to the supply and marketing cooperative first. Xiao Fang asked me to bring back sponge cakes. I don’t know if they have any.”

“Alright. You be careful. Why don’t we store the dowry at the house instead of bringing it back to the camp? I’ll feel safer that way.”

The cart was loaded, and Cheng Qiao sat uncomfortably. Li Huan, distressed, suggested they drop things off.

“Good idea. We’ll leave the stuff and then store the ox cart. You can take me on the bike—it’ll be faster.”

Li Huan agreed without hesitation, driving the ox cart to the county house. Cheng Qiao opened the door with her key, and they carefully moved everything inside.

After leaving the cart in storage, the two rode the bicycle to the supply and marketing cooperative. When Qiu Min saw Cheng Qiao, her eyes lit up.

“Cheng Qiao, what a coincidence! A new shipment just came in today. I was just wondering how to get ahold of you.”

“I came here for you. Last time you said you couldn’t find fish—today I brought some.”

Cheng Qiao opened the sack slightly. Qiu Min spotted the black fish and nearly jumped with joy. Her sister had just given birth, and they’d been desperately looking for fish everywhere.

“How much? I’ll pay you.”

“One yuan each. I’ve got four here. Do you want one or two?”

“I’ll take two—no, I’ll take all four! Oh heavens, you even have pork bones? And pork belly? Perfect, Cheng Qiao, sell it all to me. My sister’s in confinement, her in-laws treat her well, but they just can’t buy these things.”

“Alright, but leave me two pork bones. Otherwise, I’ll have nothing to show back home. Excluding those, just give me ten yuan.”

“Wow, that’s cheaper than the black market. Wait for me—I’ll go store these and come right back. Take a look around in the meantime. If you need anything, I’ll get it for you when I’m back.”

Cheng Qiao started browsing seriously. Behind the counters were sponge cakes, chicken biscuits, walnut crisps, sweet pastries, and all sorts of colorful fruit candies.