Shanghai was relatively warm.
Heicheng, on the other hand, was located in the north, where winters were long and bitterly cold.
Her wardrobe full of pretty dresses would probably be completely useless once she arrived in Heicheng.
As for the clothes in her space, they were mostly modern styles—completely unwearable in this era!
Buying everyday spring and summer clothes, as well as thick winter clothing for warmth, was absolutely necessary.
Besides, supplies in Heicheng were not particularly easy to procure.
It was best to get everything ready while still in Shanghai.
With the ration coupons she had gathered, Su Su headed straight for the state-run department store.
In this era of material shortages, most families bought fabric and sewed clothes themselves, so the variety of goods in the department store was far from the dazzling abundance of modern times.
The ready-made cotton-padded jackets on display looked plain, but they felt especially soft to the touch. Judging by their thickness, warmth wouldn’t be an issue, and the price was reasonable too.
Even though purchases were limited to two pieces per person, this posed no problem for Su Su at all.
After asking a few aunties, and learning that she was going to Heicheng, they enthusiastically agreed to transfer part of their quotas to her—after all, such thick clothes were hardly needed for Shanghai winters.
In the end, Su Su bought a total of six cotton-padded jackets, more than enough to last her a long time.
In addition, she spotted a black wool-lined coat with a relatively modern design: a long coat with a notched lapel, double-breasted buttons, and a belt. It looked both vintage and sharp, with thick material and excellent warmth.
Su Su was tall and slender, and wearing it didn’t make her look bulky at all. Instead, it gave her a distinctive aura that made it hard to look away.
Amid the surrounding aunties’ praise, Su Su decisively bought the coat.
At the same time, she also purchased several padded hats and red cotton scarves. Though simple in style, they were warm and easy to match with outfits.
After another round through the store, she noticed that clothes in this era were mostly blue, green, gray, or black. The fabrics themselves, however, came in various colors—they just didn’t sell well.
Su Su bought all the clothes that fit her size and pulled large amounts of fabric in different colors, just in case she needed them later.
After finishing her clothing purchases, Su Su went straight to the agricultural supplies counter.
There were all kinds of seeds on display.
Rice, wheat, cabbage, spinach, chives, eggplant, tomatoes, carrots, potatoes, mung beans, broad beans, scallions, ginger, garlic…
The crops in her space were nearly ready to harvest.
Once harvested, she would need a new batch of seeds to plant.
She didn’t know how long she would be staying in Heicheng.
So Su Su bought large quantities of every type of seed and stored them in her space.
When she passed by the watch counter, Su Su stopped.
She remembered that Qin Xutao didn’t seem to wear a watch.
Watches were scarce items in this era, and Heicheng likely wouldn’t have them for sale.
Without much hesitation, and following the salesclerk’s recommendation, Su Su bought a simple and elegant men’s wristwatch, planning to use it as a meeting gift.
She took another lap around the department store. Although most items were rationed, she still bought everything she could.
Under the stunned gazes of the salesclerks, Su Su walked out of the department store.
Next, she planned to go to the black market.
In this era, black market trading often took place near transportation hubs or in hidden locations.
One of Shanghai’s black markets was located on a street next to the train station.
Following the book’s description, Su Su arrived at the black market.
Sure enough, there were many people there. Some women carried bamboo baskets covered with a layer of coarse cloth.
Su Su guessed there were eggs inside!
Without hesitation, she took out money and bought all the eggs from one woman.
There were also young men squatting on the ground, a blade of foxtail grass dangling from their mouths, eyes darting around.
Seeing how generously Su Su spent, a young man wearing a Liberation cap immediately lit up, casually walked over, and whispered,
“Want pork?”
“Our family just slaughtered a pig—fresh as can be. Any cut you want.”
If there was pork, that meant pig farming!
Su Su had all kinds of crops in her space, but she lacked livestock.
She immediately nodded and followed the young man through winding alleys until they reached a street. After checking that no one was around, he opened a door and led her inside.
Su Su found the experience rather novel.
“So, how much meat do you want?” the young man asked.
Su Su smiled. “I want all of it. And besides that—are these for sale too?”
She pointed toward the livestock shed, where chickens, ducks, pigs, and cattle were being kept.
The young man swallowed hard. He’d run into a big spender!
“Selling! Of course we’re selling!”
“But you’re just a young girl—how are you going to transport all of this back?”
Su Su smiled again and said, “I’ll have to trouble you to make a trip and deliver everything to this address. I’ll naturally arrange for someone to collect it.”
After paying, Su Su retraced her steps and continued browsing the black market, using money to exchange for various ration coupons—grain coupons, meat coupons, fabric coupons, sugar coupons, soap coupons, and more.
These coupons weren’t particularly valuable in Shanghai, but in Heicheng, they would be extremely useful!
Judging by the time, the young man should have already delivered the goods to the alley next to Uncle Wang’s home.
Sure enough!
Su Su spotted a handcart parked by the alley near Uncle Wang’s house, thoughtfully covered with oilcloth.
She put everything into her space, setting aside a separate area specifically for raising livestock.
After coming out of her space, Su Su brought the eggs and half a pig to Uncle Wang’s home.
“You didn’t have to bring things just because you came to visit,” Uncle Wang said.
Hearing him cough, Su Su frowned and asked, “Uncle Wang, are you feeling unwell?”
Uncle Wang smiled. “It’s nothing serious—just an old problem. I’ve already told Zhao Guoxiang that starting tomorrow, I won’t be going back to the Su residence. You could say I’m retiring.”
“Oh right, have you taken care of everything you needed to do?”
Su Su nodded, helped Uncle Wang sit down, and told him about her plans for the future.
“I’ve handed over all of the Su family’s factory land deeds to the government. Tomorrow they’ll send people to the Su residence, and then they’ll discover Zhao Guoxiang’s illegal trading of state assets!”
“Once they’ve been punished, I’ll set off for Heicheng.”
“By then, I don’t know when we’ll be able to meet again. Please take good care of your health.”
Uncle Wang nodded with satisfaction.
“Miss, I’m still strong. You and that Qin family boy just need to live your lives well! Oh right—don’t forget to send him a letter so he can go pick you up in advance.”
Su Su nodded. She had no intention of telling Uncle Wang that she and Qin Xutao had already verbally annulled their engagement—no need to make him worry.
Before leaving, she took some strengthening spiritual spring water out of her space and added it to the well.
When she returned to the Su residence, Zhao Guoxiang was already back. He looked radiant, clearly having had a smooth business negotiation. Seeing Su Su, he immediately put on a weary expression, rubbed his temples, and said,
“Susu, I couldn’t accompany you today to pay respects to your mother. You’re not angry with Dad, are you?”
Su Su shook her head and replied considerately,
“Dad, how could I blame you?
“Today I thought a lot about things. I understand that you’re doing this for the good of the Su family, and I should trust and support you.”
“So, I’m willing to sign the property transfer agreement right now!”
The joy on Zhao Guoxiang’s face was impossible to hide.
“Really?!”
He immediately went to the study and brought back the agreement, along with a severance-of-kinship document, handing them to Su Su while pretending to be earnest.
“Susu, no matter what, you’re still the daughter I love the most. This severance document is only to protect you better. Let’s sign it together.”
Su Su’s gaze grew colder and colder as she unhesitatingly signed her name.
That scumbag father Zhao Guoxiang had really planned this well!
The Su family was too prominent and had been among the first batch on the liquidation list in the book.
Once the severance document was signed, he would have nothing to do with the Su family and wouldn’t be implicated, while all of the Su family’s assets would fall into his hands.
Watching Zhao Guoxiang’s excited expression, Su Su sneered inwardly.
Let him be happy for a little while longer.
After all, only those who fly high enough fall hard enough.