Ten and a half pounds of lychees, eight pounds and two ounces of plums, nine pounds and three ounces of cherries, and seven pounds and one ounce of peaches—all totaled to 76.65 yuan. Shen Zhihuan generously rounded off the 65 cents.

The young woman, who initially seemed a bit pained about spending over 70 yuan, now smiled more genuinely.

Seventy-six yuan…

For many factory workers, a month’s wage was only 20 to 30 yuan. Seventy-six yuan was equivalent to two or three months of a worker’s salary.

“Little girl, can you still get more lychees and cherries like these in the future?” The young woman smiled, handing Shen Zhihuan 76 yuan and a bundle of grain coupons.

Ren Fangfang, the director of the obstetrics and gynecology department, who lived in the same family compound as the director, told her privately that the director’s daughter-in-law who could not lay eggs had recently become pregnant.

Suddenly, even wild grass was treated like a “national treasure.”

The director’s family was sparing no effort to send all kinds of nourishing foods to the daughter-in-law, hoping she’d deliver a big, healthy grandson.

Unfortunately, the “treasure” couldn’t tolerate the supplements and had developed severe morning sickness. Lately, she couldn’t eat anything without vomiting.

When word spread that she craved fruit, the director ran around, pulling strings and asking for rare fruits, fearing the baby would suffer.

That’s why this woman had gone to the department store today under the blazing sun.

“Of course I can. My second uncle and his brothers go to Nancheng every day. Getting these fruits is no trouble. Why? Do you need more?” Shen Zhihuan accepted the money and grain coupons, tucking them into her pocket.

She had originally come to the county to scout opportunities. This unexpected windfall was a pleasant surprise.

“Can you ask your second uncle to get fruits we don’t have here in Sichuan City? As long as they’re fresh and taste good, price isn’t an issue,” the young woman said, her eyes lighting up.

“Sure, I’ll let my second uncle know,” Shen Zhihuan replied, her lips curling into a faint smile.

“Price isn’t an issue…”

What a delightful phrase.

“I’m at home every Saturday morning. Just bring the fruits over when you get them,” the young woman instructed after some thought.

“Alright. I’ll deliver them this Saturday morning,” Shen Zhihuan said, picking up her basket and nodding.

“They must be fresh!” the young woman reminded her.

“Don’t worry, they’ll be fresh,” Shen Zhihuan promised, slinging the basket onto her back and heading out.

“I’m He Rujin. You can call me Sister He,” the young woman said with a smile, escorting her out.

She had a strong feeling that this girl’s fruits would be a big help.

After leaving He Rujin’s neighborhood, Shen Zhihuan ducked into a nearby alley. Ensuring no one was around, she reached into her right pocket…

The 76 yuan and grain coupons He Rujin had given her were safely stored in the small house at the resort. While putting them away, she noticed something extra in her pocket.

Su Ziyu…

Interesting.

Shen Zhihuan tossed the money into the resort’s space and headed for the street near the department store.

It was almost noon, and the bowl of wild vegetable soup she’d had in the morning had long since been digested. Her stomach was empty, and she wasn’t about to neglect her appetite. She turned into a state-owned restaurant by the roadside.

Taking out money and grain coupons, she ordered a bowl of meat noodle soup and five large meat buns.

The buns, already steamed, were quickly served. Shen Zhihuan asked the server for two sheets of oil paper, wrapped the buns, and placed them in her basket.

The meat noodle soup arrived shortly after.

Say what you want about state-run restaurants in this era, but they were quite generous.

For one dime and a grain coupon, the meat buns were as big as small grapefruits.

For two dimes and two grain coupons, the noodle soup came in a large bowl, topped with three pieces of pork rib and a few stems of lettuce leaves, all drenched in a flavorful broth that could make anyone’s mouth water.

The greasy, delicious meat noodle soup had Shen Zhihuan sweating as she ate. After finishing her meal, she sat for a while to rest before grabbing her basket and leaving the restaurant.

With money in hand, it was time to stock up on supplies.

Shen Zhihuan went straight to the supply and marketing cooperative, heading for the farm tools section.

Her eyes skimmed over hoes, sickles, shovels, baskets, and sieves before landing on a pile of bamboo baskets in the corner.

“Comrade, how much for these baskets?” Shen Zhihuan asked, pointing at the bamboo ones.

She didn’t need anything fancy—just something sturdy and practical for carrying fruit.

“The large ones are three dimes each, and the small ones are two,” the farm tools clerk said lazily, popping sunflower seeds as she chatted with a nearby colleague. She glanced at Shen Zhihuan with some impatience.

“I want 100 of the large ones. Can you deliver them to the alley off East Street?” Shen Zhihuan asked after some thought. That dead-end alley seemed the safest.

“Sure, we can deliver them!” The clerk perked up immediately.

One hundred baskets…

In this era, whether in the countryside or the city, almost everyone knew a bit of bamboo weaving. These baskets had been gathering dust in the store for a year.

Finally, someone was willing to buy them in bulk.

“Li Dabao, get over here. We’ve got a job!” the clerk called out, quickly pocketing her sunflower seeds as she began writing a receipt and taking payment.

Once Shen Zhihuan handed over the money, the 100 bamboo baskets were loaded onto a tricycle in front of the store.

Holding three crisp 10-yuan bills, the clerk felt like she was dreaming.

After working at the supply and marketing cooperative for a year, she’d never seen these baskets sell so quickly.

East Street wasn’t far—just two blocks away. After the delivery boy pedaled off, Shen Zhihuan scanned her surroundings before swiftly stashing the baskets in the resort’s storage space.

With the scorching midday sun overhead, Shen Zhihuan wandered down a shaded street, her mind turning to a familiar concept from her past life as a voracious reader: the black market.

But where could she find one?

Her memory of the villagers mentioning the black market was vague, and even then, it was shrouded in secrecy.

Sichuan City was vast. Without a guide, she’d wear out her shoes searching in vain.

Feeling a bit defeated, she found a shaded place to sit on and rest.

Nearby, she overheard a conversation.

“You’re lucky, sister. Your daughter-in-law gave you another big, healthy grandson. Not like mine—she’s been married for three years and hasn’t even laid an egg. All she does is complain about being hungry all day.”