Jiang Cheng went to the black market.

She wasn’t there to sell anything, but simply to buy a few items, using the black market as an excuse to take some things out from her space.

These past few days, she had been entirely dependent on the Shen family for food. No matter how good-hearted they were, this wasn’t a sustainable arrangement.

So last night before bed, Jiang Cheng told Grandma Shen that she would be going to the black market this morning.

Grandma Shen had also been to the black market before and carefully explained some precautions to Jiang Cheng, who memorized them all.

Around 4:30 in the morning, after navigating through twists and turns, Jiang Cheng paid a twenty-cent entrance fee and entered the black market.

Everyone, whether buyers or sellers, had their faces covered.

Transactions were quick, with hushed negotiations, and people left immediately after purchasing.

Jiang Cheng inconspicuously bought two pounds of eggs, three pounds of high-quality flour, one pound of millet, a pumpkin, and a bunch of leeks.

Finally, she bought a tea mug and a washbasin.

She placed all the items in a basket and left quietly without drawing any attention.

When she returned to the courtyard, Jiang Cheng quickly entered her room. If anyone saw her, they pretended not to notice.

This was a shared secret among everyone.

Jiang Cheng’s basket was covered with an old piece of clothing, so Grandma Shen couldn’t see what was inside, nor did she intend to look.

In long-term relationships, it’s important to know boundaries.

After returning to her room, Jiang Cheng took out the leeks, eggs, and high-quality flour.

“Grandma Shen, how about we make dumplings for dinner tonight?”

Grandma Shen glanced at the items on the table.

It was a bit much, and a bit expensive.

“Grandma Shen, I’ve been busy with work and night school, so I don’t have much time. Could you help me out?”

Grandma Shen looked at Jiang Cheng, who was pretending to be pitiful, and said helplessly, “Stop with the act.”

She knew Jiang Cheng wanted to improve their meals, but Grandma Shen, who had lived frugally all her life, couldn’t bear to spend so much.

Yet, the items weren’t even hers.

Jiang Cheng giggled, slung her bag over her shoulder, and headed for the door.

“I’m serious. These ingredients would go to waste in my hands. My cooking skills are pretty mediocre.”

Grandma Shen looked up and smiled, “This is the first time I’ve seen you so humble.”

Humble… She wasn’t quite used to it.

Jiang Cheng, already at the doorway, stopped in her tracks. She placed one hand on the doorframe, her back to Grandma Shen, standing still.

Her silhouette looked somewhat desolate.

Grandma Shen wondered, “Was what I said too harsh?”

“Grandma Shen…”

“Hmm?”

“You always manage to spot my strengths! I admit, being too outstanding is also a kind of burden.”

Grandma Shen, who had been holding her breath, rolled her eyes in exasperation.

“Just go already!”

Hearing this, Jiang Cheng turned around, her smile wide and her voice cheerful.

“Yes, ma’am! I’ll be waiting for those dumplings!”

Jiang Cheng left happily.

Grandma Shen sat alone in her chair, shaking her head and chuckling.

What on earth did this girl eat to grow up like this?

She was truly… exceptionally endearing.

Grandma Shen immediately decided that since they were having dumplings, she would add some meat to make it a proper meal.

Jiang Cheng, unaware of Grandma Shen’s plans, headed to the recycling station.

Just like the day before, she tidied up, completed the registrations, and spent her free time reading.

Sister Wang arrived at ten as usual, knitting a sweater while chatting with Jiang Cheng.

After two days of interaction, Jiang Cheng learned that Sister Wang had come from a well-off family before marriage, and her husband’s family was even wealthier.

She was truly blessed by fate.

The reason Sister Wang worked at the recycling station was simply because the job was easy.

As for what her family actually did, Jiang Cheng didn’t pry, and Sister Wang wasn’t one to flaunt.

At lunch, Jiang Cheng and Sister Wang took their aluminum lunchboxes to get food.

There were few people, so the cafeteria prepared one meat dish, one vegetable dish, and a soup, with steamed buns and mixed-grain rice as staples.

The person serving the food was a woman in her forties, surnamed Kong, who was an excellent cook.

“Sister Kong made braised pork today! It’s been over a month since we last had it. Give me a portion!”

Sister Wang handed over her meat coupon and money, and Sister Kong scooped a generous, heaping portion for her.

“Sister Kong, you’re so generous—Sister Kong, what happened to your face?”

Jiang Cheng, standing behind Sister Wang, also noticed the bruise on Sister Kong’s face.

“Was it him again? I just—ugh—I don’t even know what to say to you.”

Sister Wang, frustrated and angry, walked away with her lunchbox, but then turned back, her footsteps heavy with indignation.

“Sister Kong, this can’t go on! If he hits you, why don’t you just run away?”

Sister Kong smiled weakly, “It’s fine.”

This only made Sister Wang angrier. The braised pork still smelled delicious.

Back in the office, Sister Wang vented her frustrations.

“What kind of mother lets herself be treated like this? Not only does she support her good-for-nothing son, but she also gets beaten by him. How can a son be so beastly? If I had known, I would’ve drowned him at birth!”

“Xiao Jiang, tell me, she’s not even angry, but I’m furious. It’s just—”

From the bits and pieces, Jiang Cheng gathered the situation.

Sister Wang had a strong sense of justice and was close to Sister Kong in private.

Sister Kong was a widow with a son in his twenties who was both useless and violent.

“Sister Wang, I don’t know much about these things, but I know you’re a good person, and Sister Kong knows it too.”

“The one who hits her gets to eat and drink without a care, while we’re here getting upset. It’s not worth it.”

With a few words, Jiang Cheng managed to calm Sister Wang down.

Once she had settled, Sister Wang felt closer to Jiang Cheng and chatted a bit more.

Of course, being close didn’t stop Sister Wang from leaving at two o’clock.

Jiang Cheng stayed until 4:30, then rushed back without a second to spare.

As soon as she entered the courtyard, Shen Yue pulled her aside.

“Sister Jiang Cheng, we’re having dumplings today!”

Just saying the word “dumplings” made Shen Yue drool.

The aroma of dumplings had already filled the courtyard. Several children stood holding their bowls, staring in the direction of the Shen family’s house as they ate their meals.

Eating with the scent in the air made the food taste even better.

When the dumplings were finally served, even a few adults couldn’t help but stand at their doors, sniffing the air.

After the dumplings were done, Jiang Cheng set aside a small plate of about ten dumplings and took them to Uncle Sun, the manager.

He had helped her twice now.

Maintaining relationships couldn’t rely solely on words.

After delivering the dumplings, Jiang Cheng returned with a bowl of seaweed soup from Uncle Sun’s house.

Back at the Shen family’s place, she saw the three of them sitting properly, mouths shut, eagerly staring at the dumplings—they were waiting for her.

She quickly put down the seaweed soup, and the four of them dug in.

“There’s meat?”

Jiang Cheng realized immediately that Grandma Shen didn’t want to take advantage of her and teased, “Grandma Shen, next time I’ll prepare the ingredients, and you can add the meat again.”

Grandma Shen pretended to glare at her, “Dream on!”

The four of them ate until they were full, each finishing with a bowl of dumpling soup to aid digestion.

After dinner, Jiang Cheng hurried off to her night school classes.

Two classes later, Jiang Cheng once again became the favorite student of the two new teachers.

After school, not wanting to keep Grandma Shen waiting, Jiang Cheng was the first to rush out of the classroom with her backpack.

Sun Jiandong, sitting in the last row, saw this and immediately thought Jiang Cheng was afraid of him.

Confident in his plan, he smiled and chased after her, certain of his victory.