If there was one drawback to her aunt’s house, it was that it was too small, with only two rooms in total.
At night, Yao Yunzhen had no choice but to share a bed with Yao Meimei, while Yu Feng, Yu Wen, and Yao Sheng slept on makeshift beds on the living room floor.
Yao Yunzhen pouted.
She didn’t like sharing a bed with others.
Under the dim yellow light, she sat on the bed, her entire person seeming to emit a halo, so beautiful she appeared almost unreal.
Yao Meimei’s eyes uncontrollably fell on Yao Yunzhen, and she instinctively wanted to speak up, saying she could sleep on the floor instead.
Just as the words were about to leave her mouth, she bit her tongue hard and abruptly snapped back to reality.
Fortunately, she had been reborn for several days now and possessed the memories of her eighteen years with Yao Yunzhen before her rebirth, having developed some resistance to her captivating beauty.
Yao Meimei forcefully turned her head away, saying nothing, and climbed onto the bed first, lying down with her back to Yao Yunzhen.
Why, as fellow members of the Yao family, could she be so beautiful?
“Hmph.”
Yao Yunzhen let out a light snort and also climbed onto the bed to lie down.
When Yao Yunzhen woke up the next day, Yao Sheng and the others had already gone to work, and the Yu Feng brothers had left for school. Surprisingly, Yao Meimei was still at home and hadn’t gone out.
Yao Yunzhen ignored her and proceeded to take out the food kept warm in the pot to eat.
After finishing her meal, she took out her picture books, preparing to continue reading.
Suddenly, Yao Meimei spoke up: “Ahem, are you going out today? I can accompany you.”
Yao Yunzhen looked up in confusion and saw Yao Meimei slightly lowering her head, her gaze fixed on the ground, lost in thought.
“Are you talking to me?”
Yao Meimei nodded, her eyes still fixed on the ground.
“Yeah, do you want to go out and have some fun?”
“No.”
Yao Yunzhen refused outright.
She didn’t think there would be anything fun about going out with Yao Meimei.
“You!”
She had humbled herself like this, and yet Yao Yunzhen still refused.
Yao Meimei angrily lifted her head, but as soon as her eyes met Yao Yunzhen’s, she quickly lowered her head again.
She took a few deep breaths and then continued, “Are you really not going? There’s something good.”
Yao Yunzhen was a bit curious: “What good thing?”
“It’s… meat buns, yes, meat buns. I know a private seller who sells meat buns without requiring ration tickets, and the price is about the same as the State-run Restaurant. If I had money, I wouldn’t be inviting you. I know you have money and can afford it. I’ll take you there, but you have to promise me that afterward, you’ll give me two meat buns.”
Yao Yunzhen was tempted.
She had money now, but no ration tickets.
Without ration tickets, even with money, she couldn’t spend it.
If she could buy buns without needing tickets…
“Is what you’re saying true?”
Yao Meimei nodded vigorously: “It’s true. I saw it yesterday when I was wandering around the county.”
Yao Yunzhen didn’t doubt Yao Meimei’s story.
Although private business wasn’t allowed now, she knew that many people secretly conducted business underground, even forming things like black markets.
Her father had once bought Malted milk extract for her from the black market.
However, she had never considered going to the black market herself. According to her father, the black market was particularly dangerous and full of bad people.
When she went out for walks, she only dared to take the main roads and never ventured into those remote alleys.
Thinking of this, Yao Yunzhen asked directly.
“You’re not talking about the black market, are you?”
“Don’t worry, it’s not the black market. I wouldn’t dare go there either. It’s just in an alley off the main road, in a private house owned by an older sister.”
Yao Yunzhen was somewhat tempted and continued asking, “Where exactly is it located?”
Yao Meimei paused before saying, “Right in the alley behind the grain and oil shop.”
She knew that Yunzhen’s uncle and aunt were strict, and Yunzhen herself wasn’t very bold, so she basically never went into those kinds of alleys. Therefore, Yao Meimei didn’t dare describe the location as too remote, afraid of scaring her off.
“You probably don’t know that place. If you want to go, I’ll take you there.”
However, what she didn’t know was that Yao Yunzhen had actually wandered through that very alley before.
While she wouldn’t normally venture into small alleys alone, it was different when accompanied by others.
Anyuan County wasn’t very large. Accompanied by her younger brother and cousin, Yao Yunzhen had explored most of the county and was familiar with many areas.
Especially since the alley behind the grain and oil shop wasn’t particularly remote – she had been there more than once. But she had never seen any older sister selling steamed buns there, nor had she ever smelled the aroma of buns.
Yao Meimei urged, “Are you going? She sells limited quantities every day. If we go too late, they’ll be sold out.”
Yao Yunzhen curled her lips and coldly spat out two words: “Not going.”
Yao Meimei was baffled: “Why not?”
She had clearly seen the other’s interest, so why had she suddenly changed her mind?
Yao Yunzhen twirled her glossy black braid around her finger and said carelessly, “Why does there need to be a reason? I just don’t feel like going anymore.”
Hmph, she thought to herself, no wonder the other was suddenly being so nice – she was just trying to mess with her.
Having grown up in the village, Yao Yunzhen had seen little of the darker sides of life. Now that she had discovered Yao Meimei’s lie, she only thought the other girl wanted to play a trick on her, not considering any other possibilities.
A flash of urgency appeared in Yao Meimei’s eyes as she persuaded, “Are you really not going? They’re delicious meat buns with thin skins and generous fillings – incredibly tasty. It would be such a shame if you missed out.”
Yao Yunzhen glanced at her sideways and said deliberately, “Why are you so insistent that I go? Do you have some ulterior motive?”
Yao Meimei’s heart skipped a beat, and her voice became somewhat flustered: “Wh-what nonsense are you talking? What ulterior motive could I possibly have? I was just kindly trying to take you to buy meat buns. Since you don’t appreciate it, forget it.”
Having said this, she immediately stood up and ran out.
Yao Meimei ran downstairs, turned back to glare hatefully in the direction she’d come from, gritted her teeth, and continued running into the distance.
Still trying to fool me? I’m not that easily deceived.
Yao Yunzhen smiled triumphantly, picked up her comic book, and continued reading.
She idled away the time at home until afternoon, then went out to play with her cousin who had returned from school.
They planned to buy some snacks and then go watch a movie.
The group bought some fried peanuts and fried melon seeds, chatting and laughing as they walked toward the cinema.
Just then, rapid footsteps sounded behind them, followed by the sensation of someone rushing past them, creating a slight breeze.
Simultaneously, Yao Yunzhen felt a sharp pain in her ear.
“Ouch…”
Yao Yunzhen cried out in pain and instinctively reached up to touch her ear.
Her earring had been snatched away!
“Cousin, are you okay?” Yu Wen asked anxiously.
Yu Feng was more direct – he immediately gave chase while shouting, “Help! Someone’s being robbed!”
Yao Yunzhen was startled. Without stopping to check if she had lost anything, she quickly grabbed Yu Wen and hurried after him.
“Yu Feng, stop chasing! Come back quickly.”
The boy was only fifteen—what if something happened to him?