Xie Linfeng had just returned to the educated youth compound with rice and flour when a female educated youth wrapped in an old cotton-padded jacket walked toward him with a smile.  

“Comrade Xie, you’ve worked hard going out so early in the morning, and you even brought back rice and flour,” Zhang Xiu said, her slightly sunken cheeks lighting up with delight. She bit her lip and stepped forward to take the bags.  

“Let me handle the cooking in the kitchen, I’ll—”  

“What I bought with my own money has nothing to do with you. If you’re short on food, go to the foot of the mountain. There’s a new shop there that still has rice and flour. If you’re late, you’ll have to wait until tomorrow.”  

Xie Linfeng’s expression was cold, but he deliberately raised his voice. Soon, people from the other rooms heard the commotion and opened their doors.  

A group of them, bundled tightly in their coats, came out. After confirming with Xie Linfeng, they hurried back to fetch their money.  

Xie Linfeng stopped a fair-skinned, delicate-looking female educated youth. “I don’t know how to cook. You handle it, and I’ll share some with you.”  

Zhang Miaomiao’s almond-shaped eyes brightened. “Deal!” she said, taking the rice and flour before heading to the kitchen with Xie Linfeng.  

Xie Linfeng lowered his gaze, a hint of fond amusement in his eyes.  

Zhang Xiu’s face darkened with resentment as she stormed back into her room.  

Inside, the other female educated youth were trying to pool their money. Even if their families had sent funds, the heavy snow made it impossible to retrieve them now, so they had to make do with what they had.  

“Zhang Xiu, are you joining us?”  

Zhang Xiu irritably refused. “No!”  

The others didn’t press further. Once they left, they met up with the educated youths from other rooms and braved the snow to head for the shop.  

As soon as they were gone, the aroma of cooking rice wafted from the kitchen, fueling Zhang Xiu’s anger.  

Since childhood, she had hated being compared to Zhang Miaomiao, and yet this woman kept haunting her like a ghost.  

Now, even after being sent to the countryside, they were assigned to the same place—and as soon as they arrived, Zhang Miaomiao stole Xie Linfeng, the man she had her eye on!  

She wanted nothing more than to storm into the kitchen and tear Zhang Miaomiao’s mouth apart. Eat, eat, eat—I hope you choke on it, you bitch!  

…

In the grocery store, Hua Hua suddenly tilted her head and looked at Su Ling.  

Su Ling immediately stood up and glanced outside. “Are customers coming again?”  

Hua Hua: “Host, it seems this world is a fusion world. Besides the lucky koi female lead, there’s also a sweet pampering female lead.

Su Ling nodded blankly.  

Hua Hua continued, “The lucky koi female lead is easy to understand—she gets whatever she wants. The sweet pampering female lead starts off as a lively, innocent girl, but after meeting the male lead, her intelligence drops sharply. Then the plot introduces a dozen or so vicious female antagonists, who take turns causing trouble, only to be dealt with one by one by the male lead.”

“However, this won’t affect Host’s business. We’re just passing through and won’t interfere with the world’s progression.”  

Su Ling frowned in confusion. “Isn’t it the male lead who stole the female lead’s intelligence? And without the male lead, wouldn’t there be no vicious female antagonists in the first place?”  

Hua Hua’s cat eyes widened. “Host, between 100 yuan and a handsome, wealthy man with a six-foot frame, eight-pack abs, and a chiseled face, which would you choose?”  

Su Ling: “100 yuan.”  

Hua Hua: “……Fine.”  

Ding ling—

The bell chimed. Su Ling turned to look—another group of young people had arrived, both men and women, likely notified by the Educated Youth from earlier.  

“Welcome! What would you like?”  

A male educated youth suddenly pushed forward from the group. Without a word, he leaned an arm against the glass counter, a greasy smirk on his face.  

“You’re the shopkeeper here? How much for the rice and flour?” Feng Qi asked.  

As he spoke, he waved a hand to signal the others behind him to wait—he wanted to gather more information first.  

This was his usual tactic. Some young girls would blush at the sight of him, and he’d have them wrapped around his finger in no time.  

Su Ling pinched her nose. “You smell a little.”

Feng Qi froze on the spot and instinctively sniffed himself.  

In winter, it was hard to take baths—wasn’t it normal to smell a little?  

Feng Qi smirked smugly. “Probably just manly charm.”  

“It’s more like a fermented stench. Are you sick or something?” Su Ling waved her hand, wrinkling her nose. “I’m the owner here. Premium rice and flour are fifty cents per pound and can be sold separately. Aged rice is twenty cents. For the first three days of opening, there’s a 12% discount. We also have newly stocked instant noodles—fifty cents per pack, three flavors to choose from.”  

Feng Qi’s face stiffened, and the other educated youths behind him quickly pushed him aside.  

Usually, since they saw each other every day, it wasn’t good to make things too awkward—at most, they’d just avoid him.  

But today, if they offended the shop owner and she refused to sell to them, what would they do?  

“Boss, what kind of noodles are ‘instant noodles’?” Li Juan asked.  

“They’re pre-cooked noodles with a sauce packet and seasoning. Just pour boiling water, wait five minutes, and they’re ready. They’re flavorful and delicious.”  

Su Ling smiled again. “We have old hen soup flavor, braised beef flavor, and pickled vegetable flavor—all fifty cents per pack.”  

Li Juan was tempted. Her family had sent money just before the heavy snow, so she didn’t need to pool funds with others this time. She could buy whatever she wanted.  

“Boss, give me one pack of the chicken soup flavor.”  

Not wanting to stand out too much, Li Juan decided to try just one pack. She also bought a pound of premium rice.  

Su Ling weighed it quickly, took the money, and handed over the rice.  

Seeing this, the others lined up in an orderly fashion.  

Those who had already bought their goods lingered nearby instead of leaving. And maybe it was their imagination, but the shop was incredibly warm, as if there was a fire burning beneath the floor.  

Soon, it was almost Feng Qi’s turn again. His face was dark, his expression ugly.  

A meek-looking man tugged at his sleeve and smiled apologetically at Su Ling. “Old Feng isn’t great with words and can be a bit impulsive, but he doesn’t mean anything by it. He just likes to joke around. Hope the boss won’t take it to heart.”  

Feng Qi shook him off and glared at Chen Li, clearly displeased.  

Chen Li sighed slightly, shaking his head, but his honest smile remained.  

Li Juan spoke up. “Chen Li, don’t bother with him. He’s always like this—completely unreliable.”  

Chen Li straightened his expression. “We’re all educated youths. Even if we’re not particularly close, we live together in the same compound. Harmony is precious.”  

Li Juan: “…?”  

Wasn’t it normal not to be close?  

Who had time for romance when they were sent to the countryside? They’d all be returning to the city eventually.  

Chen Li turned to Su Ling, his tone gentle. “With this heavy snow, it must’ve been hard to transport food in. We’re really lucky to have you here. You’re so kind. If you ever need anything in the future, just call for me. I may not be good for much, but I can still lend a hand.”  

Su Ling’s face remained blank.  

“I’m here to do business. A fair exchange is all that matters. Your personalities and relationships have nothing to do with me.”  

Chen Li smiled awkwardly and bought a pound of aged rice.  

When Feng Qi stepped up next, he splurged on a whole bag of premium rice. “If Xie Linfeng can afford it, so can I. My family spoils me—they send money all the time.”  

Su Ling crossed her arms and looked at him. “That’s great. Come back tomorrow—we’ll have frozen meat.”  

Feng Qi puffed out his chest. He’d clean up properly tonight and definitely come back tomorrow!  

Chen Li glanced at Feng Qi, exchanged a few more words with the group, and prepared to leave.  

Just as they were about to go, Su Ling called Li Juan back, saying she wanted to teach her how to prepare the instant noodles properly.  

Seeing that the others hadn’t gone far and she could catch up, Li Juan stayed. “Boss, is there a trick to it?”  

“Keep the lid on while it steeps—don’t lift it halfway. And when judging people, don’t just look at the surface. Two people standing together aren’t always one good and one bad. Sometimes, they’re both bad.”  

After saying this, Su Ling smiled and let Li Juan go.  

Li Juan walked out of the shop in a daze. The cold wind snapped her out of it immediately.  

She hunched her shoulders and hurried to catch up with the others.  

Chen Li waited for her briefly. “Let me carry that for you. You women aren’t as strong—no need to push yourself.”  

Li Juan tightened her grip on her groceries. “No thanks.”  

Chen Li chuckled. “You—always so stubborn.” He shook his head helplessly.  

Before, Li Juan hadn’t understood—she’d just found it a little odd. But now, she was starting to get it. She quickly caught up with her roommates.  

Damn, that’s terrifying!