Jun Ning spent the entire night absorbing spiritual energy and power, feeling as though her body were about to burst from the sheer volume of it. She quickly began practicing her physical arts to transform and assimilate the energy. Only when her body finally felt comfortable did she cease her cultivation.
The time flow in this Primordial Fragment Space was the same as the outside world. However, the spiritual energy and spring water within possessed the power to accelerate the growth of plants and animals. Under the management and control of the space’s spirit, Dahuang, the space also naturally acted as a preservation chamber.
In such a vast space, it was thanks to Dahuang and the team of robots that the flora and fauna flourished in a state of perpetual vitality. Even though Jun Ning had arrived in this world with a “cannon fodder” script, she was turning it into a “winning queen” script.
Before exiting the space, Jun Ning assigned new tasks to Dahuang and the robots: they were to immediately set up the food processing plant. The machinery for the factory had been salvaged by Jun Ning from various food plants during the post-apocalyptic era. It was a comprehensive collection: meat grinders, mixers, bone cutters, stuffing machines, smokers, sausage stuffers, bun machines, steamer bun machines, noodle makers, roasting ovens, oil presses, rice millers, sterilizers, sealing machines, packaging machines, and more.
Once the spatial arrangements were settled, Jun Ning heard movement outside and exited the space. She squeezed out some toothpaste, grabbed her cup, basin, and face towel, and headed out the door.
Xiao Yanru, who was brushing her teeth in the courtyard, waved at Jun Ning the moment she saw her. “A-Ning, come over here.”
Jun Ning walked over and asked with a smile, “What is it, Ru?”
Xiao Yanru lowered her voice and asked, “Did Lin Qingqing, Gu Xiangwen, and the others ever come back last night?”
Jun Ning nodded. “Lin Qingqing hasn’t returned. I assume she’s still at the hospital.”
Xiao Yanru asked curiously, “Do you think there’s actually something wrong with her hand?”
Jun Ning gave a faint smile. “We’ll find out when they get back. Anyway, hurry up and wash. You still have to make breakfast and head to work.”
Xiao Yanru immediately picked up the pace. After finishing her routine, she asked, “A-Ning, are you not going to work today?”
Jun Ning replied, “That’s right. I’m moving out of the dormitory today. You all should come over for dinner tonight. Once I’m done moving, I’m heading to the commune market to buy some food.”
The cities surrounding Yangcheng (Guangzhou), being adjacent to Hong Kong and Macao, were the first to feel the “spring breeze” of the Reform and Opening-up. Although it was only 1975, the general environment around Yangcheng had already improved significantly. The major markets in various communes had reopened, allowing goods to circulate rapidly among the people. Many people were even secretly smuggling electronic products and clothing from Hong Kong to sell.
Once the reform policies were officially implemented, Yangcheng would serve as the central hub, leading the rapid development of surrounding cities. This region would become the fastest-growing economic engine in China. Of the four major cities that would eventually become international metropolises, Guangdong Province would claim two: its capital, Yangcheng, and the Special Economic Zone, Pengcheng (Shenzhen).
Knowing the future and having studied the historical data of the coming decades, Jun Ning felt deeply fortunate to have been reborn in a city at the forefront of reform. Many things would be much easier to handle here. She would be able to enjoy the policy advantages of the nation’s opening up; the mere thought of it was wonderful.
After finishing her wash, Jun Ning joined the others for a breakfast of watery porridge—so thin you could see your reflection in it. Then, she headed out to find the Old Branch Secretary.
“A-Ning, wait for me!”
Jun Ning turned around to see Fu Jingwei. She smiled and asked, “Why are you calling me?”
Fu Jingwei smiled back. “You’re moving today, aren’t you? I’ll help you.”
Jun Ning shook her head immediately. “No, no. I said yesterday that I can handle it alone. You should go to work.” Seeing Fu Jingwei prepare to argue, she purposefully darkened her expression. “If you keep pestering me, I’ll get angry!”
Fu Jingwei had no choice but to raise his hands in surrender. “Alright, alright. Since you don’t want my help, I won’t help. Just don’t blame me!”
Jun Ning laughed. “I definitely won’t blame you. I told Yanru that you should all come over for a housewarming dinner tonight—my treat. I’m going to the commune market in a bit to buy supplies.”
Fu Jingwei looked at her seriously. “A-Ning, do you have enough money and coupons? If not, I have some here.”
Jun Ning gave him a knowing look. “Don’t worry. I have money and coupons. Oh, by the way… that Plum Blossom watch was from you, wasn’t it?”
Fu Jingwei nodded and asked with a smile, “Do you like it?”
Jun Ning looked at him, feeling a bit helpless. “Of course I like it. However, you must realize that a valuable watch like that carries a very different significance. I appreciate the sentiment, but I cannot accept it.”
With that, Jun Ning reached into her pocket—actually retrieving the watch from her space—and pressed the Plum Blossom watch back into Fu Jingwei’s hand. She told him earnestly, “Fu Jingwei, take this back. If you really want to give me a gift, do as the others did: give me a small red envelope or a token worth a few yuan. That’s enough to show your heart.”
Fu Jingwei looked at her with a helpless expression. “A-Ning, I didn’t mean anything else by the watch. I just wanted to give it to you.”
“I know your intentions, but I really can’t keep it.” Jun Ning waved him off. “Go to work. I’m going to see the Old Branch Secretary. See you later!”
Holding the watch, Fu Jingwei watched her walk away, shaking his head with a bitter smile. This Jun Ning was truly special. She was the type of person who would rather the world let her down than let down anyone else. If you were lucky enough to meet a friend like this, you had to cherish them.
Jun Ning went to the Old Branch Secretary’s house and quickly obtained the keys. When she checked the house she was renting, she found it had been emptied and even the floors were swept clean, saving her a lot of effort. She felt even more grateful to the Old Branch Secretary and those who had helped. She decided that for the housewarming dinner, she would also invite the Old Branch Secretary, the Production Captain, and the helpers to join the festivities.
Jun Ning locked the door and rushed back to the settlement. Seeing that everyone had gone to the fields, she moved her heavy items into her space, leaving only two large bags filled with light items as “camouflage.” Having the space made everything incredibly convenient; she finished the move in a single trip.
The thought of no longer living with Lin Qingqing made her feel exceptionally happy. Once the move was complete, she locked her new door and headed toward the commune market.
She had said she was going to buy things at the market, but that was just an excuse. In reality, she intended to sell goods and make money.