Shen Ping’an and his grandfather first brought their purchases back home.  

This time, they had bought flashlights and aluminum foil. However, considering their situation, the shop owner had suggested they buy two simple tents.  

By lining the tents with aluminum foil, they could stay warm. In the summer, they could roll up the inner fabric for ventilation while keeping mosquitoes out.  

Following the shop owner’s instructions, Shen Ping’an took out one of the tents, removed the packaging, and unfolded it. The tent instantly popped open and settled on the ground.  

Shen Ping’an stared in delight. “Isn’t this just like a little house?”  

“It really is.”  

Grandpa Shen helped place the tent on the makeshift bed frame, stuffing old padding and straw inside. Once set up, he sat inside and looked around.  

“This fabric is light and blocks the wind. I doubt we’ll feel cold anymore.”  

Shen Ping’an then tried rolling up the inner fabric, revealing a mesh-like material on the outside—perfect for keeping mosquitoes out.  

He then unpacked the second tent. Once everything was arranged, his nose tingled with emotion. “We won’t be cold anymore. And the shop owner said they’ll have quilts and pillows later. Grandpa, when that happens, we’ll replace everything with new ones.”  

Grandpa Shen hugged his thin grandson tightly.  

“Yes, we’ll replace it all.”  

As dawn approached, the grandfather and grandson locked their door and pushed their two carts through the snowstorm to the neighboring village.  

Not daring to get too close, they stopped at the ridge of a hill, and Shen Ping’an went down alone to call out.  

Crunching through the snow, he reached the vicinity of a cowshed and shouted,  

“Want to buy food?”  

A door cracked open slightly, revealing a pair of weary, clouded eyes. The person had messy hair and a severely hunched back. Recognizing Shen Ping’an, they quickly waved him inside.  

Shen Ping’an shook his head and pointed to the carts on the hill.  

The person’s eyes lit up, but then they shook their head bitterly. “I have no money.”  

“Items are fine too,” Shen Ping’an said.  

The person still refused—they had nothing left to trade.  

Still young, Shen Ping’an wasn’t sure how to handle the situation. He could only ask, “Haven’t you been delivering snow? Do you know about the shop in Dawang’s Village?”  

“They take snow?”  

The person shook their head—they knew nothing about it.  

Shen Ping’an explained how the shop traded goods for snow and advised them to go at night if they were afraid, when fewer people were around.  

The person’s eyes reddened, and they repeatedly bowed in gratitude.  

After waving goodbye, Shen Ping’an returned to the hill and continued on with his grandfather.  

Soon, they arrived outside another rundown house.  

This time, Shen Ping’an successfully made a trade—rice, flour, brown sugar, eggs, pork belly, and a whole chicken were exchanged for a wristwatch.  

Shen Ping’an tucked the watch away for himself. They needed a way to keep track of time.  

They continued like this, selling as they went. By the time they finished, the sky had brightened, so the grandfather and grandson leisurely collected snow along the way and delivered it as usual.  

….

Perhaps because she had walked the route once and was now familiar with it, Wang Zhaodi arrived slightly earlier today.  

But as soon as she reached the compound, she spotted two men waiting there.  

A strong sense of foreboding made her turn around immediately.  

“Canmei! Canmei, I’m here!”  

Auntie Fatty hurried after her, calling out a few times before glaring at the two men.  

Wang Zhaodi gripped the handlebars of her cart, her tension visibly rising.  

Auntie Fatty stepped forward to steady the cart and whispered, “Their wives came to buy, and they were worried, so they waited outside.”  

Wang Zhaodi shook her head. “Maybe we should forget it today…”  

“Ah, what do you mean ‘forget it’? Listen to me—no, I’ll make sure you’re safe!”  

Auntie Fatty insisted, pulling Wang Zhaodi firmly into the compound. The two men didn’t follow.  

“I gave my daughter-in-law’s family some sugar. When she went back, someone noticed and questioned her. They followed the trail to me. But I made it clear—if they don’t keep their mouths shut and you stop coming to sell, every person who starves in this town will be on their heads.”  

Auntie Fatty was still fuming as she shielded Wang Zhaodi and led her inside, shooting dark looks at the others.  

Auntie Li handed Wang Zhaodi a cup of warm sugared water. “Here, drink this to warm yourself up.”  

Wang Zhaodi forced herself to stay calm and took a sip, then lowered her head in frustration. “I didn’t know there’d be so many people today. I didn’t bring much vegetables—I thought only you and Auntie Li would need anything.”  

“Vegetables?”  

Auntie Fatty couldn’t believe it. After checking with Wang Zhaodi, she lifted the tarp—and was instantly dazzled by the vibrant green vegetables.  

Actual fresh vegetables!  

And… mushrooms? Tofu?  

What was this—dried goods?  

Wang Zhaodi set the cup aside and pulled the tarp all the way back.  

On top were soft tofu and dried tofu sheets, next to tomatoes and chives, with a pile of cabbage underneath. Below that were radishes, potatoes, and sweet potatoes.  

“Is there no rice today?” a young woman asked, stepping forward.  

Auntie Fatty shot her a glare, and the woman flushed in embarrassment.  

Wang Zhaodi quickly understood. “Yes, it’s underneath. There’s rice, flour, and cornmeal. And I brought a thermos and a hot-water bottle for Auntie Fatty, a whole chicken for Auntie Li, and a few pounds of meat.”  

“What’s this?” someone else asked.  

“Seaweed. You can tear off a little, soak it, and make egg drop soup—it’s very flavorful. This whole piece can last you half a month.”  

As she spoke, Wang Zhaodi pulled a cloth bag from behind her.  

Auntie Fatty’s heart pounded as she opened it first—and sure enough, there were eggs, carefully packed in a paper-lined box!  

“How many eggs are there? I’ll take them all!” Auntie Fatty immediately reached for them.  

“Auntie, Auntie Wang, please spare some for us! My child is so hungry he can’t even wake up properly!” A young woman clutched Auntie Fatty’s arm, tears streaming down her face.  

Unable to shake her off, Auntie Fatty huffed. “Canmei brought these especially for me, traveling all this way. Look how perfectly intact these eggs are—do you know how hard that is? Of course I should get more!”  

“Just share a little with us,” the young woman pleaded, turning to grasp Wang Zhaodi’s hand with desperate eyes. “It’s my husband’s fault for lurking outside today. I won’t let him do it again. Will you come back tomorrow?”  

“I will. If your child needs nutrition… do you want milk powder?” Wang Zhaodi asked.  

“Yes! Yes!”  

Wang Zhaodi borrowed a pen and paper from Auntie Li. “Write down what you need—your name and the items. I’ll try to bring as much as I can. Or you could go to the village to buy—it’s cheaper there, but the road is very rough.”  

“Ah, we’d love to, but we just can’t get away.”  

“True. Maybe when the snow lets up… but with this blizzard, it’s too dang—”  

The woman suddenly cut herself off.  

Wang Zhaodi smiled faintly, unbothered, and used Auntie Li’s space to lay out the goods as best she could.  

This time, she had deliberately brought extra salt, sugar, soy sauce, and vinegar—knowing they’d be in high demand.  

Sure enough, within fifteen minutes, everything was claimed.  

“Canmei, do you have rubber boots like the ones you’re wearing?”  

“Yes. The shop owner will also stock fabric soon, along with quilts and other supplies. Rice and flour won’t run out. There are chicken, duck, and goose eggs, and even some rare goods.”  

The group stared at her in disbelief.  

A village shop that had everything?  

Wang Zhaodi, aiming to spread the word, added meaningfully, “The shop owner is incredibly resourceful—there’s nothing they can’t get. If they dare open a shop like this, it means they’re not afraid of… complications.”  

The tension in the room eased.  

That made sense. Having a few special items was one thing, but having everything? That was a sign of real power.  

Wang Zhaodi folded the tarp back into her cart and looked at them. “Actually, the shop also has meatballs for hot pot, hot pot base, sauces, and even beef and lamb.”  

“I need yeast powder. And sewing supplies?”  

“They have it.”  

“Do they have flashlights? Bicycles?”  

“Flashlights, yes. Bicycles will take some time. If enough people want them, I can deliver a batch, but they won’t be cheap.”  

“Price isn’t an issue. I’ll reserve one now.”  

“Me too.”  

“Put me down for one as well.”  

“…”