Chapter 4: Keep on Buying, Buying, Buying

If one were to travel back to the early days of the People’s Republic of China, a time of national poverty and extreme scarcity of resources, rural areas might not even have electricity. She needed to prepare even more thoroughly for any eventuality.

“100 bottles of kerosene, hand-crank flashlights (the oldest kind, battery-powered), 100 boxes of candles, 1000 packs of matches, 1000 lighters, 1000 AA batteries, 1000 AAA batteries, 10 pairs of knives, 10 pairs of Wang Mazizi scissors, 100 boxes of needles and thread in various colors, 10 measuring tapes, 100 boxes of chalk.”

Ruan Xiaotang continued scrolling down the screen, carefully selecting items, “Old-fashioned snacks, every variety, 100 boxes of each.”

“100 kilograms  of every kind of fruit in the supermarket.”

“100 each of pots, pans, bowls, chopsticks, spoons, cups, cutting boards, colanders, teacups, kettles, and mirrors.”

“Four-piece bedding sets, the oldest style with dragon and phoenix patterns, 100 sets of pillowcases and pillow covers each, 100 quilts each weighing two, four, and eight kilograms, 1000 kilograms of cotton, 1000 kilograms of buckwheat husks, 100 pairs of cloth shoes (men’s and women’s, single shoes, cotton shoes) in various sizes, 100 pairs of rubber shoes (men’s and women’s), 100 pairs of cotton gloves, 100 hats (men’s and women’s), 100 pairs of arm warmers, 1000 pairs of black and gray cotton socks, 100 sets each of long underwear (tops and bottoms), cotton-padded jackets and trousers, only in black and gray.”

“100 enamel washbasins of various sizes.”

Ruan Xiaotang let out a long sigh of relief, as if completing a task, leaning back in her chair with an air of exhaustion.

Today’s stockpile was about 80% complete, leaving a small portion for tomorrow’s purchases. Her energy was waning.

From dawn until 4 pm, her stomach had been protesting wildly.

“Ms. Ruan, please verify your shopping list. If there are no objections, please provide your correct and detailed delivery address and phone number, and sign your name at the bottom.”

Ruan Xiaotang opened the document sent by the manager, meticulously verifying it, afraid of missing a single item.

Actually, she was starving and had no energy to check. She had ordered so many items, she couldn’t remember them all. She glanced over the list, accepting anything useful.

With a flourish, she signed her name.

She took out her bank card, paid, and left.

Manager Liu respectfully escorted Ruan Xiaotang to the escalator at the corner.

“Ms. Ruan, please be careful. We look forward to your next visit!”

“Thank you, goodbye!”

Humming a cheerful tune, she walked towards the exit.

Now a wealthy woman, she could finally fulfill dreams she had never dared to imagine before.

Her first indulgence: the most expensive restaurant in the city. A luxurious black truffle dinner. Black truffles without limit – she had the money!

Ruan Xiaotang, in a black dress, with long straight black hair and red high heels, walked confidently and proudly into the restaurant with a per-person average cost of 3000 yuan.

As soon as she stepped into the third-floor hall, Ruan Xiaotang spotted a pair of “dog and man” sitting opposite each other by the window.

In the past, this sight would have upset her.

But now…

Ruan Xiaotang glanced at them, her lips curling into a faint, indifferent smile.

She walked directly to her reserved private room.

She had more important things to do. Before settling everything, she would deal with this despicable couple. She would settle accounts with the world completely, without a single regret! Her eyebrows arched playfully.

At a cold storage facility in the west of the city…

Ruan Xiaotang moved the last batch of goods delivered from the supermarket into her spatial storage.

Looking at the empty 1000-square-meter cold storage, which had been packed to the brim just moments ago, her heart settled.

As the saying goes, “It’s not the thief you fear, but the thief who keeps eyeing you.” This warehouse full of goods was worth over 30 million yuan. She didn’t trust anyone, so she didn’t even hire a security guard.

The fewer people who knew about this, the better and safer it would be for her.

After locking the door, she could finally sleep soundly.

Just after 8 am the next day…

Ruan Xiaotang appeared at a hardware store in the Dongcheng District.

“Boss, are you there?”

Picking up a flat iron shovel, she called out to the inside of the shop in a mature voice.

“Yes, yes.”

The boss, with a youtiao (fried dough stick) in his mouth, quickly ran out, responding while pulling the youtiao from his mouth.

He greeted Ruan Xiaotang cheerfully.

It was Monday, and having a customer so early meant a good day for business.

“Miss, what would you like to buy? I have the most complete hardware and sundry goods in the city, with a wide variety and ample stock. Feel free to look, choose, and try. We offer not only good quality and low prices, but also free home delivery. You’ll be satisfied.”

She scanned the tall metal shelves, where the various items were neatly arranged. It was a sight that would please anyone with OCD. The boss must be a Virgo.

“Boss, 10 flat shovels, 10 digging shovels, 10 pickaxes, 8 iron rakes, 8 bamboo rakes, 5 three-pronged hoes, 10 small iron shovels, 5 fire hooks, 10 dustpans, 8 fine sieves, 10 pot lids, 20 brooms, 20 large brooms, 5 rolling pins, 10 snow shovels.”

“10 toolboxes with complete sets of tools, 10 kilograms each of steel nails, iron nails, dovetail nails, and brads. That’s all for now; I’ll come back if I need more.”

As soon as Ruan Xiaotang finished speaking, the boss expertly pulled out a pen and paper from his pocket and began writing without hesitation.

Ruan Xiaotang looked at him, pen cap in his mouth, and his simple demeanor reminded her of someone she knew. She couldn’t help but smile softly.

“Can you deliver today?”

“Yes, I’ll deliver it to you on my three-wheeled cart. I won’t delay you.”

“Okay, thank you, boss.”

With these tools, she could transform the wasteland in her spatial storage and realize its potential.

Food and medicine were crucial necessities in that era. No one could guarantee a lifetime without illness or medication.