By evening, everyone had finished their shopping and left one after another.  

Once they were gone, Su Ling’s task count had already reached a thousand people, unlocking a new category.  

“The vending machine can sell anything—what are you all in need of the most?”

Su Ling took out a pen and paper and handed it over.  

Chief Liu stepped forward to accept it, first expressing his gratitude: “Boss Su, thank you for providing timely help.” Then, he wrote down the items they currently needed most.  

When Su Ling took the list back, she saw rice, flour, cooking oil, seasonings, chili sauce, vegetables, meat, instant noodles, congee, canned food, snacks, coal briquettes, woolen sweaters, cotton-padded clothes, toilet paper, soap, candles… Basically, everything the store already carried.  

“All of these can be stocked.” Su Ling gave a firm answer.  

Chief Liu let out a sigh of relief—that was good to hear.  

Su Ling continued, “The vending machine will be delivered tomorrow. It’s very simple to use—just make your selection. It gives change, and no coupons are needed.”

Chief Liu nodded solemnly. “Don’t worry, Boss Su. We’ll assign someone quick-witted to familiarize themselves with it first, then teach others. We’ll absolutely ensure a steady stream of customers for you.”

Su Ling’s lips curved into a smile. What she needed was precisely more customers.  

After seeing Chief Liu and the others off, the villagers began trickling in to shop.  

Song Lianhua’s braised goods were also gradually delivered. This time, the accounts were almost settled, but they had ordered a bit more, so it would take another couple of days before they turned a profit.  

When Wang Zhaodi returned and learned about the vending machine, she wasn’t particularly fazed. The boss had promised to secure her sales area, so she trusted that it would be done.  

Besides, she had already built up a base of regular customers.  

“Boss, do you have sewing machines? I also need a bicycle, three small heaters, and five household heating boxes.”

Su Ling looked at her in surprise. “Can you carry all that?”

“I can!” Wang Zhaodi couldn’t help but grin.  

In her past life, she had often wondered in the dead of night why she couldn’t afford school when tuition was so cheap at this time.  

Now, having seized the opportunity, she had already saved up enough for elementary school tuition and extra expenses, hiding the money away.  

But she knew she couldn’t stop. The boss was kind, but she might not always be around. In the end, she had to rely on herself.  

She had to take advantage of this chance to earn as much as she could.  

Su Ling: “I have everything you asked for, but you won’t be able to push it all with just one cart.”

Wang Zhaodi grinned. “I’ve asked the educated youth sisters for help. They also want to check if there’s any mail for them in town, so we’ll go together.”

Besides, they might even collaborate on business in the future. Transporting more goods at once meant more sales—quality products would always find buyers.  

Su Ling was genuinely surprised this time. After her initial shock, she felt a deep admiration—women were truly resilient. No matter how difficult their circumstances, they always found a way to carve out their own path.  

“Alright, tell me exactly what you want, and I’ll load it onto the cart for you tomorrow.”

Wang Zhaodi added a few more items to her list. After Su Ling noted them all down, Wang Zhaodi bid her farewell and headed home.  

These days, Liu Guihua hardly waited up for her anymore. Since Wang Zhaodi was returning later and later, and Liu Guihua believed her unborn son was too precious to lose sleep over, she went to bed early.  

Wang Zhaodi placed a one-yuan bill on the table, weighing it down with a teacup.  

…

By 8 p.m., when no more customers came, Su Ling closed the shop and retreated to the back room.  

“Let’s see what’s new on the menu tonight.”  

She opened her space, selected a bowl of shredded chicken noodles and a portion of fish slices, then sat down happily to eat.  

Huahua sidled up and flopped at Su Ling’s feet. “Host, the vending machine is huge. The clothing section even has items hung up, not folded, with sizes available to choose from.”  

“Is the vending machine directly linked to the mall? So purchases will be made from there, and all I have to do is ensure the funds for restocking?” Su Ling asked.  

Huahua: “Exactly!”

Su Ling sighed—that sure was convenient.

After finishing her meal and cleaning up, Su Ling opened the mall to check the size of the vending machine and added a few more items.  

Women’s sanitary pads were a must. Soap, shampoo, hair ties, headbands, fabric, dresses, pants, and long cotton-padded coats—she stocked them all.  

For drinks, she added Erguotou liquor, cola, orange juice, coconut milk, mango juice, Wangzai Milk, and Wahaha.  

For fruits, she chose apples, bananas, oranges, and pears—common and affordable.  

“Huahua, take a look. Anything else we should add?” Su Ling picked up Huahua and held her close.  

Huahua glanced at the mall and extended a tiny paw to tap the simulation section.  

After loading all the items Director Liu had requested, plus additional necessities, there were still plenty of empty slots left in the vending machine.  

Su Ling thought carefully. Aside from the sections reserved for medicine later, there were still a few spots to fill based on what people might need.  

Winter called for warmth—thermos flasks, kettles, hot water bags, small heaters, and heating boxes were added.  

“They won’t be in the same section, so it won’t affect Wang Zhaodi’s business.”

For meat, she included frozen fish, lean pork, ribs, assorted meatballs, duck, and goose.  

Chicken and duck eggs were also added, along with mushrooms and soy products.  

There was one last slot left—aluminum foil. “In case the city walls are drafty too, at least it’ll help insulate and it’s cheap.”

If aluminum foil was going in, then tents should too—windproof and durable.  

Su Ling exhaled. “Alright, that’s it.”

After finalizing the selections, she entered the delivery address Chief Liu had provided, scheduled everything for early the next morning, and set up the payment terminal before closing the mall.  

Lights out—time for bed!  

…

The next morning.

Su Ling arranged seven or eight carts’ worth of goods in front of the glass display, packed tightly and stacked high.  

Wang Zhaodi came in first to confirm the items, signed for them on credit, then slowly wheeled the carts out with Zhang Miaomiao and Li Juan. She also carried a backpack, stuffing in the towels, hats, and small shoes the village women had brought over.  

“Boss, I’m heading out.”  

After saying goodbye, Wang Zhaodi left with the group.  

Outside, snowflakes drifted down, quickly covering the winding path they had taken.  

Su Ling closed the shop door, ready to go back for a little more sleep.  

…

At the Wang household.  

Wang Baozhu suddenly woke up, murmuring to herself: “I wish everyone could have enough to eat… that they could exchange snow for food.”

In her dream, many people were starving and freezing because the snow never stopped.  

Someone had told her that the snow was for her—to make her stronger. That she alone would thrive because she was a fish raised by a deity.  

Wang Baozhu shook her head and whispered, 

“Everyone should have enough to eat. I can’t be the only one who lives well.”

Her grandparents, parents, uncles—they had all taught her to think of others.  

With that, she fell back asleep. The strange voice let out a sharp, fading screech before disappearing entirely.  

[Ding—]

[The Lucky Koi World’s fortune descends, covering all. A three-month crisis becomes an opportunity. Reward: A Path.]

Su Ling, who had just lain down, exchanged a glance with Huahua beside her.  

After checking the system, Huahua explained the situation.  

Su Ling couldn’t help but sigh. “Little Baozhu is just too sweet. But I never expected a knockoff system would try to invade while this world was weak.”

Huahua nodded. “Luckily, it failed. And now that the koi’s luck covers everyone, no one will go hungry. The crisis will be completely resolved.”

As for the rewarded path?  

Once the mission was complete, it would stretch from the shop all the way to town—making travel much easier for the villagers.