Today, medicine became available for purchase.  

Next to each vending machine, a simple canopy was set up with a doctor on duty who would prescribe medication based on individual conditions. People could then buy the medicine themselves.  

Most medicines were in stock, and the prices were much lower than expected.  

……  

Under one of the canopies, Wen Li rubbed her frozen hands and carefully repeated the list of medicines to the elderly man: “Uncle, do you understand? Just these medicines.”  

“Doctor… I can’t read.”  

The man’s face was gaunt, his sunken cheeks sallow and withered. His hands trembled as he looked at Wen Li with pleading, pitiful eyes.  

“And… I have no money.”  

Wen Li was at a loss. She wanted to help but was strapped for cash herself.  

She couldn’t bear to meet his gaze, afraid of giving him hope only to plunge him into greater disappointment. Fearfully, she averted her eyes.  

“You can sell snow for money outside,” a male police officer stepped in, bending slightly to address the patient. “There are several large machines near the station. Go back, fill a basket with clean snow, and take it there. The machine will pay you.”  

“Sell snow?”  

“That’s right. Snow can be sold, but it has to be clean. They won’t take dirty snow. And if you try to cheat them, they’ll blacklist you, and you won’t be able to earn money anymore. So be careful.”  

After sternly delivering his instructions, the officer asked Wen Li what medicines she had prescribed.  

Wen Li sighed. “Just painkillers, really, and something for malnutrition.”  

The old man had suffered a leg injury in his youth. Now, in his old age and the bitter cold of winter, the pain was unbearable. On top of that, malnutrition from lack of food had taken its toll.  

The officer nodded in understanding—most cases were like this.  

“Dr. Wen, a box of painkillers will be delivered soon. For cases like this, we can give out a small packet after registration. After that, they’ll need to buy it themselves.”  

As he spoke, someone brought in a box of medicine along with small pre-packaged paper bags.  

Wen Li immediately opened a bottle, counted out ten small pills, placed them in a paper bag, and handed it to the patient, instructing him to take only one pill a day.  

The officer then turned to the patient. “For families in extreme hardship, you can register at the counter outside to receive three packets of powdered milk, one can of mixed congee, and half a kilogram of cornmeal. It’s a one-time allowance—after that, you’ll need to buy them yourself.”  

After exchanging a few more words with Wen Li, the officer led the patient away, patiently explaining how to sell snow for money along the way.  

Wen Li exhaled deeply, the worry between her brows easing slightly.  

She didn’t need to worry anymore. The state would take care of them.  

…

Su Ling went about her usual routine, opening the shop and treating herself to a can of yellow peach slices.  

“Everything’s on track now, and the numbers keep rising in real-time.”  

Su Ling opened the backend system and watched as the numbers jumped by the hundreds in the blink of an eye.  

Huahua paused the tablet. “Host, a new wave of extreme cold is coming.”  

Su Ling froze mid-bite. “Extreme cold?”  

So suddenly?  

Huahua: “Yes, extreme cold. It’s dangerous.”  

Su Ling immediately issued a notification through all the snow-collecting machines: a new wave of extreme cold would arrive in three days, and everyone should prepare for warmth.  

Those maintaining order on the ground sprang into action—first broadcasting the alert, then helping gather more snow to exchange for warm supplies.  

……

“Extreme temperature drops are usually most dangerous at night. Proper insulation is a must, or people won’t survive.” Su Ling opened the system store and added thick quilts and blankets to the inventory.

Heating pads had already been listed earlier, but their sales weren’t great.

“We should highlight the heating pads more prominently. The rest is up to them.”

Huahua: “Heating pads are starting to sell in bulk now. They’re useful, but the most important thing is staying warm—people can’t afford to fall asleep and never wake up.”

“Right—electric blankets!”

Su Ling immediately listed electric blankets, then searched the store for external power sources, since some areas still didn’t have electricity.

Huahua helped out as well.

“Here—it’s not unlocked yet, but it’s close. It should be available by tonight.”

Su Ling gave a solemn nod. After finishing the day’s work, she didn’t rest but waited until nightfall when the unlock conditions were met, then immediately listed portable solar power stations.

….

Early the next morning.

Inside the Grocery store.

Wang Zhaodi eyed the electric blankets, quilts, and solar power stations loaded onto the cart and asked worriedly, “Boss Su, will this temperature drop be really severe?”

Su Ling nodded. “Very severe.”

Li Juan grew uneasy, her thoughts drifting to her little niece at home.

Zhou Yan and Zhang Miaomiao stood on either side of Li Juan, supporting her, though their own faces were pale with worry.

Su Ling looked at them. “The temperature will plummet that night, so staying warm is critical. I’ve already notified everyone, and the vending machines are stocked—anything can be bought as long as they have the money.”

Li Juan forced a weak smile. “It’s fine. My family has a lot of people. We should be okay.”

Zhang Miaomiao patted her shoulder. “Don’t worry. Boss Su said the vending machines have everything, and now there are even more new items. We’ll be fine.”

Wang Zhaodi turned to Su Ling with a suggestion. “Boss Su, could you add a rental option for the solar power stations? Some people can’t afford to buy them outright… but I’m worried they might not be returned.”

“That won’t be an issue.” Once Su Ling left, all these items would be retrieved anyway. “I’ll add a rental option so everyone can use them.”

Wang Zhaodi let out a relieved breath—she could rent one now.

Su Ling reminded them again, “You can keep doing business today and tomorrow, but once the extreme cold hits the day after, it’s best to stay indoors.”

Wang Zhaodi hesitated. Some families would prioritize survival, but others would still risk going out to sell snow.

But there was nothing the boss could do—she couldn’t stop people from trying to earn money.

Wait, I can talk to the village chief!

Once Wang Zhaodi made up her mind, she bid Su Ling goodbye. This time, their delivery load was even heavier, so everyone bundled up thoroughly.

They wore fleece-lined rubber boots, thick cotton-padded coats, scarves, hats, masks, and thick gloves—only their eyes were left uncovered.

They even stuck heating pads to their stomachs, backs, and knees, making the journey far more bearable.

After they left, Su Ling temporarily closed the shop.

Huahua lay curled up in a cardboard box, looking up at Su Ling. “The reborn female lead seems more willing to wear thick clothes now. Before, she was too scared of her mother to dress warmly. It’s so sad.”

Su Ling shook her head slightly. “She’s too young. Right now, she can only wear them under my name. Once I’m gone, some things might get taken from her.”

But it didn’t matter. She had already come a long way, and the road ahead would be much smoother.

Besides, this kind of extreme snowfall was only happening this year. It would never be this bad again.