The invention of the train meant that even very long distances could be crossed in just a few days. If one relied on horse drawn carts instead, the journey might take a month or even longer.
In the cultivation world, there were also ordinary people. Some were born without spiritual roots, others had false roots and required large amounts of medicinal herbs to nurture them. In a world where strength was supreme, there were clear hierarchies.
Here, however, things seemed different. It felt as though everyone was equal, at least on the surface.
“Let us go. I will take you around,” Zhao Tianlei said. He wanted to hold Lin Siya’s hand, but since they were on a busy street, he abandoned the thought.
Believing that Lin Siya had truly come to buy things, Zhao Tianlei led her to the supply and marketing cooperative.
At this time, the county town was far from the bustle and prosperity of later years.
Most purchases were made at the supply and marketing cooperative.
There were department stores as well, but they were small and limited.
Wearing his military uniform, Zhao Tianlei drew many admiring glances toward Lin Siya.
She did not dwell on it.
Instead, she was quietly lamenting how expensive everything was. The money Zhao Tianlei had given her could not buy much at all. It seemed she would have to find a way to earn money, but where to begin, she had no idea yet.
“Xiao Ya, is there nothing you want to buy?” Zhao Tianlei asked. He had not seen her show interest in anything.
Could it be that there was truly nothing she wanted?
When they held their wedding, he had given her two hundred yuan as bride price and bought her a wristwatch. Yet these past few days, he had never seen her wear it. If he had not been mistaken this morning, he had seen that watch with Xiao Yun. It must have been taken by her.
He had only kept enough money for his train ticket. Now he had just five yuan left, hardly enough to buy anything.
Still, in the future he would definitely buy things for Xiao Ya. He would find a way to get a bicycle coupon. If there was a chance to get a television coupon, he would try as well. The regimental commander’s home already had a television.
“I did not see anything I wanted,” Lin Siya replied.
In truth, she had noticed a small embroidered piece priced at thirty yuan. If she remembered correctly, Zhao Tianlei’s monthly salary was just over forty yuan. That embroidery was truly expensive. There was money to be made there someday.
The two soon left the supply and marketing cooperative.
After wandering around for most of the day, Lin Siya still bought nothing. Zhao Tianlei felt a pang in his heart. His wife must have known that he had given her the money and coupons. If she wanted something and he, a grown man, could not afford it, or if she paid instead, the clerks would surely look down on him.
She was thinking of his pride as a man.
In reality, Lin Siya simply did not want to waste money and truly had nothing she needed.
Many things were already in her spatial abode, except for the currency of this world.
They found a small restaurant and ordered a few dishes.
In the end, Lin Siya paid the bill, discreetly slipping the money to Zhao Tianlei through a brief touch, preserving his dignity.
When they left the restaurant, it was almost time for the train to depart. Zhao Tianlei had wanted to see Lin Siya off, but she insisted on accompanying him to the station instead.
Zhao Tianlei was delighted and agreed at once.
Lin Siya watched as the train pulled away, then turned and left the station. She transformed into the appearance of a fifty year old woman and headed to the black market.
No sooner had she entered than someone approached her in a low voice. “Auntie, are you buying or selling?”
Lin Siya looked at the young man, barely in his twenties.
“Do you have millet?” she asked quietly.
The young man glanced around and lowered his voice further. “How much do you want?”
“Ten jin. What is the price?”
“One yuan per jin. You know that if we get caught, we will be criticized and punished.”
So expensive.
That meant Zhao Tianlei’s monthly salary could only buy about forty jin of millet.
It was hard to believe.
The price was truly high.
Still, black market goods required no coupons, which explained the cost.
“I will take it.”
“Come with me,” the young man said, leading the way after another cautious glance around.
Lin Siya followed him into a narrow alley, where he unlocked a small door.
“Wait here for a moment.”
She silently noted his vigilance.
With a slight flicker of her eyes, she saw through the wall and watched him retrieve millet from an underground cellar, weighing out ten jin and placing it in a cloth sack.
“Auntie, here are ten jin of millet.”
Lin Siya handed him a ten yuan bill, hid the sack beneath her padded coat, and hurried away, imitating how others handled black market purchases.
Once she left the alley, she returned to her original appearance. The ten jin of millet went straight into her spatial abode.
It was time to go home.
She moved swiftly back toward the town.
By the time she arrived, it was just in time for the end of the workday.
Five o’clock, work finished.
Lin Siya returned home and prepared to cook, only to see the three of them coming back from the fields.
Seeing that no meal was ready, Zhao Meiyun immediately erupted. “Do you think you are some young lady? We went to work, and you did not even cook.”
She was exhausted and irritated from the day’s labor, and all her resentment poured out toward Lin Siya.
“Father, Mother, please wait a little,” Lin Siya said calmly, not even looking at Zhao Meiyun. It seemed last night had not frightened her enough. Tonight, perhaps another lesson was needed.
Father Zhao waved his hand. “Go cook.”
“Zhao Meiyun.”
At once, Zhao Meiyun wilted. She pouted and retreated to her room, collapsing onto the bed. She was truly exhausted.
Mother Zhao wanted to say something, but Father Zhao’s glance stopped her. She turned instead to tend the small family plot.
Lin Siya worked quickly. The meal was soon ready, and she even fed the chickens and pigs.
“Lin Siya, can you even cook? The rice is not done,” Zhao Meiyun complained.
Father Zhao shot her a sharp look. He found the food perfectly fine. Yet his daughter claimed it was undercooked. She was clearly picking a fight.
“Xiao Yun, eat quickly,” Mother Zhao said, trying to smooth things over.
“Mother, the rice really is not cooked.”
“If you do not want to eat, then do not,” Father Zhao said. He glanced at Lin Siya, who was eating with her head lowered, her expression slightly strained.
His son had just left. The Zhao family could not afford rumors of bullying their daughter in law. Xiao Yun was clearly stirring trouble again.
“Xiao Yun, eat. The food tastes good.”
The matter was settled for the moment.