Chapter 43: Going to the County Again (Part 3)

As Guo Aidang spoke, he took out a pen and a piece of paper, wrote down his home address, and handed it to Zhao Xiulan.

Zhao Xiulan tucked the note into her pocket, knowing that she could indeed find Guo Aidang for another transaction after some time.

As long as she didn’t appear to be able to produce a lot of grain all at once, it would be fine.

After completing the transaction, the two hurriedly went their separate ways, fearing they might be discovered.

Zhao Xiulan planned to go to the black market again. She had plenty of grain and supplies in her space, and she aimed to make more trades and earn more money and coupons.

Finding a secluded spot, Zhao Xiulan took out some grain and put it into her basket.

As soon as she arrived at the black market, she saw an old lady asking people about grain. However, after asking several people, the old lady didn’t get any answers, and her eyes were filled with disappointment.

After walking a few steps, the old lady suddenly stumbled and fell to the ground.

Zhao Xiulan hurried over to check and found the old lady very weak, with shallow breathing, a pale complexion, and signs of malnutrition, as if she had fainted from hunger.

Supporting the old lady, Zhao Xiulan led her to a locust tree and let her lean against the trunk. This place had few passersby and wouldn’t attract attention.

“Auntie, are you okay?” Zhao Xiulan called out.

The old lady weakly opened her eyes and replied, “Girl, thank you, I… I’m just a little hungry, nothing serious…”

Seeing the old lady like this, Zhao Xiulan felt some sympathy.

People in this era were suffering too much, especially during the three years of famine. Grain was scarce everywhere, and those who couldn’t get grain might starve to death.

Unable to bear seeing a living person being starved to death before her eyes, Zhao Xiulan pretended to take out a meat bun from her pocket and handed it to the old lady.

“Auntie, take this bun and eat it!”

Seeing the white flour bun handed to her by Zhao Xiulan, the old lady’s eyes lit up with surprise.

This was a white flour bun! She knew how precious white flour was. Not only did this girl take out a white flour bun, but she also gave it to her to eat?

Although she was dizzy from hunger, the old lady still refused the white flour bun handed to her by Zhao Xiulan, saying, “Girl, thank you, you have a kind heart, but this is too valuable, I can’t accept it.”

Zhao Xiulan didn’t expect the old lady to refuse even under these circumstances. She seemed to have some ‘dignity’ left. It seemed that she had good character and wasn’t someone who liked to take advantage of others.

Looking at the old lady again, although she was dressed in tattered clothes, she was clean, and her demeanour couldn’t be concealed. It was obvious that she came from a good background and had received education.

It’s just that in this special era, many people from wealthy families were brought down and declined. It was probably the same for this old lady.

Thinking like this, Zhao Xiulan felt even more sympathy for the old lady.

Zhao Xiulan continued to push the bun towards the old lady and said, “Auntie, don’t be polite to me. Since I gave it to you, just take it. If you don’t eat something, how can you walk or go back?

“These days, everyone is in a bit of trouble. I happened to encounter it and did what I could. Let’s just say we’re destined to meet. Don’t refuse me anymore.”

The old lady swallowed her saliva. She was extremely hungry at the moment. Staring at the bun, she finally couldn’t refuse Zhao Xiulan’s kindness anymore and tremblingly took the bun, taking a bite.

After tasting the bun, the old lady realised that what Zhao Xiulan gave her was not an ordinary bun, but a meat bun.

(End of Chapter 43)