Wang Zhaodi carefully stored the notes they had written, watched as they left one by one, and then handed two small packets of white sugar to Aunt Li and Auntie Wang.  

Neither of them hesitated before accepting.  

Auntie Wang even patted her chest and assured her, “You can come anytime in the future. They’re short on too many things, and this snow just won’t stop falling.”  

Wang Zhaodi thought to herself, This is just the beginning.

In her past life, the snow had lasted for three whole months—completely relentless. Fortunately, there was Baozhu.  

Baozhu was incredibly lucky. Because of her, their village had survived such difficult times.  

This year, it was also Baozhu’s suggestion that led them to collect snow, ensuring everyone had food to eat.  

After finishing the remaining sweet water, Wang Zhaodi didn’t linger. She bid them farewell and prepared to leave, but halfway home, she realized someone was following her.  

Wang Zhaodi grew nervous. Gritting her teeth, she changed course and headed for the police station.  

The man following her smirked—this was like “walking right into the trap.” But he still strode forward.  

“Kid, don’t be scared. I’m actually a policeman.”  

Wang Zhaodi stopped in her tracks and looked up at him.  

He was the husband of one of the young wives she’d just met.  

Realizing he was a policeman, her tension eased. “I already told them—buying from the village is cheaper. But I came all this way to sell at a higher price, and everyone who buys from me knows that.”  

“No, I wanted to ask how you dare to sell goods like this?” Liu Tong bent down to look at her, his tone gentle.  

“If I don’t sell, everyone will starve. And since you followed me without arresting me, you must already know that.”  

Wang Zhaodi’s mind worked quickly. In her past life, she’d juggled multiple side jobs, and sales had been the most profitable—but it also required sharp communication skills.  

She could tell this policeman wasn’t angry or planning to arrest her, so she guessed there might be another reason—perhaps they also needed to buy food.  

Liu Tong laughed. This kid was clever.  

“Yes, we need to buy a large amount of food. Does the small shop in your village have that much stock?”  

Wang Zhaodi understood. The sudden appearance of such a shop in their village was unusual, especially since the owner had agreed to collect snow right after Baozhu’s suggestion—something that wasn’t profitable. Yet the owner had done it anyway.  

So, the owner might be here to save them!  

The owner had allowed her to sell goods outside the village and must have known that sooner or later, she’d be discovered. But the owner didn’t seem to care—meaning she wasn’t worried.  

Wang Zhaodi’s tense heart relaxed slightly.  

“The owner is a good person. She even collects snow, paying the poor so they can buy rice and eat.”  

As she spoke, she cautiously glanced at the policeman.  

Liu Tong was taken aback.  

Collect snow? In this endless blizzard?  

Wang Zhaodi said seriously, “The owner came down to help us. She has rice and flour, and if people buy normally, she’ll save a lot of lives. But if someone tries to harm her and she leaves, many people will starve. This snow will keep falling for three months.”  

Liu Tong understood now. And the child’s clear eyes didn’t seem like she was lying.  

“Alright, go back and ask your owner if she’s willing to take on a big client buying a lot of food. If she agrees, bring me confirmation tomorrow when you deliver the goods. I’ll hold off on reporting it for now.”  

Wang Zhaodi let out a sigh of relief. After saying goodbye, she braved the snow back to the village.  

Liu Tong returned home, where there was now rice, flour, eggs, brown sugar, and even seasonings. And the packaging… was unusual.  

…

Back at the shop, Su Ling was preparing hot pot when she noticed the steady rise in the number of buyers. She knew Wang Zhaodi must have found new customers again.  

“What a smart girl,” she murmured.

Hua Hua crouched on the chair, watching as Su Ling arranged various ingredients on the table. The air was filled with the spicy aroma of beef hot pot and the tangy fragrance of tomato broth.  

“Host, can you really finish all this?”  

Su Ling sat down gracefully. “I’m going to eat slowly, letting the smell linger as long as possible. I want every customer who walks in to experience the magic of hot pot.”  

No sooner had she spoken than the door opened. Lin Mei walked in, holding Wang Baozhu’s hand, ready to express their gratitude.  

“Boss Su, what… are you eating?”  

The smell was absolutely intoxicating.  

Su Ling stood up and introduced, “Hot pot. Spicy beef tallow and rich tomato broth. In winter, you should eat something warm, dipping ingredients as you go.”  

Lin Mei was tempted, but she first handed over a plate of freshly made chive boxes.  

“Boss Su, thank you. This is something we made ourselves. It’s the only way we can show our appreciation.”  

Su Ling took the chive boxes. They glistened with oil, the aroma irresistible, the wrappers crispy and golden—clearly made with care and no small amount of precious oil.  

After all, oil was in short supply in these times.  

Smiling, Su Ling asked, “Would it be rude if I took a bite right now?”  

Lin Mei, relieved that she had accepted the gift, said, “Please try it! It’s a recipe I learned from my father. The taste is wonderful.”  

Su Ling took a bite. It was delicious!  

[Ding—]

[New Mission: Collect more cooked food—it will make your future work much easier. Bonus: Unlimited Stasis Space.]  

Hua Hua transmitted a message: “Unlimited Stasis Space means whatever you put inside will stay exactly as it was when stored. ‘Unlimited’ means you can store an infinite amount.”

Su Ling looked at Lin Mei. “Are these chive boxes for sale? I’ll buy them—as many as you can make.”  

Lin Mei hadn’t expected that bringing a gift would lead to a business opportunity.  

“Of course they’re for sale! Boss, do you want a lot?”  

Su Ling nodded. “Yes, I’ll take as many as you can make. But the taste has to be good. Also, I’ll buy other ready-made dishes too, including full meals.”  

Lin Mei immediately thought of several women in the village.  

“Boss Su, some of the women in the village have their own signature dishes. Should I have them cook for you to try?”  

Su Ling agreed. “Sure, send them over.”  

Lin Mei thanked her profusely and was about to leave with Wang Baozhu when Su Ling quickly transferred the chive boxes to her own plate and returned the serving dish.  

Lin Mei took the dish back, deeply moved. “Boss Su, you really are too kind.” Then she left with Wang Baozhu in tow.  

Once outside, Wang Baozhu looked up at her mother and said, “I told you your chive boxes are the best, even better than the ones sold in restaurants!”  

Lin Mei didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Who would’ve thought her daughter’s offhand praise would lead to the boss actually wanting to buy them in bulk?  

“Come with me to visit some aunties first. We’ll help everyone out and earn some good karma for you.”  

“Okay!”  

……  

Su Ling chewed on the half-eaten chive box, her gaze distant.  

It seems that in some future world, there must be a shortage of food—especially ready-to-eat meals.

As she enjoyed her hot pot, several customers came in to shop.  

They were all regulars, so the number of new customers didn’t increase, but she did sell a fair amount of hot pot broth and meatballs.  

By the time night fell, Wang Zhaodi returned.  

“Boss, I ran into a policeman today.”