Chapter 46: She Even Dreams About How to Make Money

The poorer you are, the easier it is to get caught up in decision paralysis. So many colors—if people fuss and pick through them, it would take forever to decide and waste her money-making time.

Nine yuan ninety-nine cents for two pairs, free shipping. Later, she could sell three pairs for just one yuan.

She stocked up a bunch of goods in the space box, and Feng Mian had just finished brewing tea.

Yesterday, when Guo Yuelin came back, he drank two big bowls of cold water straight from the jar. He must have been thirsty but didn’t come back to drink water earlier.

After brewing the tea, she took the teapot and went to the field.

She had bought an earthenware teapot on Taobao, with matching cups—rustic but exquisite.

From a distance, she saw him digging soil with a group of village men. Feng Mian stood on the ridge calling out to him.

“Guo Yuelin, come drink some water.”

Guo Yuelin straightened up and looked her way.

Someone from the village nearby nudged him, “Mianmian’s calling you to drink water—go quickly.”

Guo Yuelin dropped his hoe beside the ditch and walked over to her.

“Why does Mianmian call him by his name?”

“What else should she call him?”

“Calling him by his name sounds too formal.”

“Direct is good, pretty straightforward.”

When Guo Yuelin reached the ridge, Feng Mian poured him a cup.

“Here.”

Guo Yuelin’s mood was complicated. She came to bring him tea, which made him happy.

But he always felt like something was missing.

She was always so formal with him.

Guo Yuelin took the cup and sipped.

“What kind of tea is this?”

“Tea made from goumi berries, quenches thirst and relieves fatigue.”

A faint smile appeared on her face as she poured him another cup.

After observing her for a few days, Guo Yuelin realized she didn’t just love beauty; she lived a refined life.

Cooking was done with care, brewing tea was elegant, even the clothes she wore were neat, without a single wrinkle.

Even when her shoes got muddy in the fields, she would sit on the porch to brush off the dirt before going inside.

Guo Yuelin gently swirled his cup and drank it all in one gulp.

Normally, who drinks tea like this? Most people just gulp it down from a big bowl.

She liked delicate little teacups, and he drank with refinement.

After three cups, Guo Yuelin said that was enough.

Feng Mian smiled and said, “I’ll leave the teapot here. If you get thirsty, come help yourself.”

“Good.”

Just as she put down the teapot, someone shouted, “Mianmian, can I have some? I’m thirsty too.”

Looking at their mischievous faces—familiar people. Didn’t she know them?

Feng Mian said, “Ask Guo Yuelin.”

Then she walked away quickly.

Guo Yuelin laughed watching her leave.

Two young guys stepped forward. “Brother Guo, can I have a sip too?”

“Get a cup, I’ll pour you some.”

The pot didn’t have much water, just enough for him.

“Tsk tsk, is this really tea? I thought it was plain water—taking tiny sips like that.”

“Brother Guo, can I just drink straight from the teapot? Sipping isn’t satisfying.”

Guo Yuelin’s face darkened. He snatched a cup and said sharply, “You go bury your head in the pond and drink—much more satisfying.”

The people around laughed at him, saying he’s like a wild boar that can’t appreciate fine things.

He blushed and said, “I’m not drinking. Last night, Sanwa was peeing in the pond. Whatever, small cups it is—pour me another.”

Everyone wanted a cup, and the pot was drained in no time.

“…
‘There’s a market today. I’m going to the county town to sell things. Let me know if you need anything, I can bring it back for you.’

Gu Yue Lin glanced at the woven bag on the chair, which was stuffed full.

He didn’t know where she got all the goods from and didn’t dare ask too much.

According to her, this was her privacy.

‘I don’t need much. If you have time, could you go to the post office and ask if there’s any mail for me? The address is Fengjia Village.’

‘Someone’s writing to you?’

‘Yes, my cousin sent me a letter.’

He even had a cousin?

‘Alright.’

Feng Mian packed a woven bag with several hundred pairs of nylon stockings and headed to the usual trading spot by the river in the county town.

Almost all the trading happened there. The higher-ups weren’t fools—they definitely knew.

But most of the time, they turned a blind eye, only coming around occasionally to make a show of it.

As soon as Feng Mian showed her goods, someone immediately asked, ‘How much for those nylon socks?’

‘One yuan for three pairs.’

‘That’s a bit expensive. How about one yuan for four pairs?’

‘Not expensive. You can check prices at the counter.’

The counter price was four mao (0.4 yuan) per pair, no bargaining allowed. She knew this well.

‘Alright, I’ll take three pairs.’

Feng Mian took one yuan and gave her three pairs.

Before long, a crowd gathered, all surrounding her to buy.

In times of scarce supplies, it’s a seller’s market. Whoever has goods is the boss. Buyers? Buy or don’t buy, your choice.

After selling for more than an hour, several hundred pairs were sold out.

By then, fewer people were around, so she quickly left the riverside and went to the post office to inquire about Gu Yue Lin’s mail.

No mail had arrived. She casually bought a newspaper as well.

She saw a news item about land reform—introducing a household contract system.

She couldn’t quite remember the exact implementation date, but from the timing, it seemed to be proposed around now.

If it was to be fully implemented, it would likely be within the next few years.

Their village wasn’t remote, so once the policy was announced, it would probably be among the earlier batches to implement it.

After lunch, Gu Yue Lin saw the news too.

‘They’re going to change to the household contract system?’

‘Yes, the land will be divided among families to cultivate themselves.’

‘Do you think it’ll work?’ Gu Yue Lin asked.

‘Of course it will. Any good policy, once the word’s out, generally succeeds. The household contract system is progress—why wouldn’t it work?’

She realized it was normal for him to wonder, since he didn’t have an overview like she did.

They probably hoped too much for the land to be theirs, but weren’t sure it could really be realized.

‘If it does work, that’d be great. No matter how much grain the land produces, it’ll be ours.’

Feng Mian smiled, ‘Then lazy folks can’t freeload from the communal share.’

Gu Yue Lin smiled and nodded, then looked down at the newspaper for a while. Suddenly, he looked up at Feng Mian and said, ‘There are only two of us. I’m afraid we won’t get much land.’

Uh…

‘It’ll definitely be divided by headcount. Two people means land for two people.’

‘Then won’t we lose out? What if we have children…’ He deliberately said this, wanting to see Feng Mian’s reaction.

Feng Mian’s smile stiffened, ‘What are you thinking? Have you forgotten your dreams? Are you planning to farm in this village your whole life?’

‘Ahem.’ Gu Yue Lin cleared his throat awkwardly, then, seeing her fair face, boldly continued, ‘Have you ever thought about us making do together?’

This time Feng Mian’s expression froze completely.

Have I thought about it?

She really hadn’t. All she wanted was to make money—she even dreamed about how to legally get money.