Chapter 21: You’re Crazy for Money

“Siran, do you think the village chief’s nephew is trying to chase after Jian Zhiqing?” Wen Lin asked, her face full of curiosity.

“I don’t know.” Ye Siran replied disinterestedly, rolling up her sleeves to start cleaning the cave dwelling.

“Oh, I forgot! You’re still just a little girl, haven’t figured out love yet.” Wen Lin blinked at her.

“I’m already eighteen. How old are you?” Ye Siran asked casually.

“Oh my! I’m eighteen too, but you seem so much older than me. If you hadn’t said, I would’ve thought you were fifteen!”

“You may be bigger, but that doesn’t mean you’re older.” Ye Siran glanced at Wen Lin, raising an eyebrow and smiling mischievously.

“My goodness! I didn’t know you could be so cheeky.” Wen Lin was so surprised her mouth could fit a whole egg.

After a moment, she leaned closer and said, “Tsk tsk… it’s no wonder I thought you were younger, you’re just way too thin!”

“I’ll gain weight soon,” Ye Siran said seriously. She knew she was a bit frail now—she had just been reborn and hadn’t had time to strengthen herself.

Although she secretly ate a few slices of meat in the kitchen, she was wary of others and didn’t dare overindulge.

Lack of nutrition was one reason, but the main one was that her mother scolded her in countless ways every day, making her depressed and insecure.

In her previous life, she only became fuller after marrying into the He family, and even grew half a head taller a year after marriage.

Now she was just 1.6 meters tall, very thin, her face deliberately darkened with soil, making her look completely unremarkable. No wonder Wen Lin thought she was still a minor.

“Siran, wuwu… it’s probably impossible for you to gain weight now. We should just thank heaven we’re not dying from exhaustion here!”

Wen Lin pretended to cry, clasping her hands together and bowing solemnly toward the cave entrance.

Then she added firmly, “Siran, I won’t let you starve. I’ll borrow a bucket from the old Zhiqing next door to fetch water and do the cleaning.”

Seeing Ye Siran’s frail figure, she thought heavy chores like fetching water should be hers to do.

“Wen Lin, the neighbor’s door is locked. The old Zhiqing have probably gone out to work. I brought a bucket and a basin.”

Ye Siran reached into her woven bag and pulled out a clay-red plastic bucket, a ceramic basin, and a kettle full of hot water…

Wen Lin’s eyes followed Ye Siran’s every move, dazzled by the array of items she pulled out.

She sighed with envy again: “Siran, your parents really take care of you! I didn’t bring anything, just money and food coupons.”

Seeing Wen Lin’s admiration, Ye Siran kept silent about how much crueler her stepmother was compared to others.

“Money is good! I have two porcelain basins, two sets of bed sheets and covers, plus two quilts…”

“Siran, Ranran, can I buy some of your spare bedding first? You can charge me a little more—I’m not short on money.”

Wen Lin dashed up to Ye Siran, her large round eyes wide with eagerness.

“Wen Lin, you seem nice enough. Alright, I’ll sell you some daily necessities. Pick what you need and set your own price.”

Ye Siran said casually. Her space contained plenty of useful items; turning them into cash was always a good thing.

The more money, the better. Nobody ever complains about having too much.

Having lived a hard life before, she wouldn’t give anything away for free this time. She wasn’t going to be anyone’s sycophant.

Her grandmother was the only exception—after all, the space was a gift from her, and debts of gratitude needed to be repaid.

“Ranran, a basin normally costs 1.5 yuan. Since you carried it so far, I’ll pay 2. And I’ll buy a kettle. Oh! There’s universal ointment too, I’ll take a box. Fan-brand soap…”

Wen Lin quickly calculated prices for all the items Ye Siran had pulled out, buying half the rice and rapeseed oil.

She had money and didn’t want to just rely on Ye Siran—she was far too skinny!

Rice with food coupons cost 0.15 per pound; considering how far Ye Siran had carried it, she paid 0.2 per jin plus coupons.

“Ranran, that comes to 101.23 yuan plus thirty pounds of food coupons. I’ll take all of these. Do you really still have more?”

“I… my mom prepared double the amount. You only need half of the rice and oil. After we eat it, we’ll go to the town to buy more together.”

“Ranran, that’s great! My parents, five older brothers, and three sisters-in-law send money and food coupons every month. Next time, I’ll take you to the state-run restaurant.”

“Alright, Wen Lin. You need to understand: I counted everything at a higher price. If you feel it’s unfair tomorrow, I won’t refund you.”

“Hehe, I’m grateful enough, I could never regret it. I, Wen Lin, never go back on my word.”

With daily necessities and food settled, Wen Lin carried a plastic bucket to fetch water.

As soon as she stepped outside, she heard Xia Tiantian’s sharp voice: “Comrade Qu, why are you taking all this junk? Isn’t this insulting us?”

“Xia Zhiqing, don’t be ungrateful. Brother Gang just took what my aunt never uses herself,” Comrade Qu Chenggang’s assistant said indignantly.

“Good stuff? Three patches on the quilt, the porcelain basin’s bottom is chipped. Look at all these ugly black marks.”

“Xia Zhiqing, this is already the best we have. If you don’t like it, I’ll take it back,” Qu Chenggang replied unhappily.

After speaking, he started packing the items. “My parents usually use wooden basins. This porcelain one was a government gift back when I was in the army.”

Seeing that not a single wooden bucket was left for her, Xia Tiantian complained: “Comrade Qu, you’re just trying to curry favor with our Shishi, but with this attitude…”

“What’s wrong with Brother Gang’s attitude? You refused them yourselves. Brother Gang keeps this good porcelain for my aunt’s use.”

“Comrade Qu, can I buy these items from you?” Xiao Zhiyu asked as he caught up, seeing Qu Chenggang carrying all the supplies.

“Comrade, if you want daily necessities, it’s still early. I can take you to the town department store to buy them,” Qu Chenggang’s assistant said warmly.

He usually hated doing farm work but loved running errands for the Zhiqing; sometimes he even got treats or candy.

“This comrade’s enthusiasm is unmatched. Let’s go now. Tiantian, do you want to come along?” Xiao Zhiyu asked casually.

“How far is it to town?” Xia Tiantian hesitated. After just over an hour on the ox cart, her waist ached, back hurt, and legs cramped.

“About sixteen or seventeen li. Do you want to go by ox cart or bicycle? Bicycle is slightly more expensive,” the helpful youth explained.

“Charge money to ride a bike to town? Are you crazy for money?”

“Then don’t ride! Walking only takes two hours,” the youth replied, slightly annoyed.

He usually charged just 0.15 yuan to take other Zhiqing to town. Helping them carry things often earned him a little extra candy.

“This female comrade’s thoughts are wayward!”

“What are you muttering about?”