There was no one in the store at the moment, so Su Ling tapped on the cash register screen to check the day’s sales.  

Number of customers: 40.  

Total sales: 45 yuan.  

“Huahua, are these rice and flour provided in unlimited quantities every day?”  

Huahua wagged her fluffy tail. “The system only supplies the initial stock. Once it’s sold out, you’ll need to restock from the shopping mall yourself. The profit comes from the difference between the purchase and selling prices.”  

Su Ling began taking inventory:  

Premium rice—high-quality rice—had forty-five bags left, flour had forty-nine bags, and lower-grade rice was down to less than thirty pounds.  

She opened the mall on the screen and searched for cheaper rice.  

The lower-grade rice was out of stock, leaving only inexpensive new rice.  

The cheaper rice lacked fragrance, costing one mao per pound to purchase. She could price it at two mao.  

There was also corn grits, priced at six fen per pound wholesale, which she could sell for one mao.  

Judging by today’s sales, few customers could afford the premium rice, while most could only buy the cheaper lower-grade rice. So, Su Ling decided to stock only inexpensive new rice and corn grits.  

“Host, you can also check out frozen meat,” Huahua suggested.  

After adding the new rice and corn grits to her cart, Su Ling browsed the meat section.  

“Is this meat frozen for several years?”  

Huahua shook her head. “No, it’s fresh meat that freezes solid upon delivery. The setting is that this winter is harsh, with extremely low temperatures and daily snowfall.”  

Reassured, Su Ling selected chicken, pork, and mutton. Cattle were still highly valuable at this time, so she didn’t dare start with beef.  

“How many pounds of each does the system reward?” Su Ling asked.  

“One hundred pounds.”  

Su Ling understood. “We’ll stock them tomorrow—chicken, pork, and mutton.”  

“Understood, Host.”  

Su Ling set the prices: a whole chicken for three yuan, fatty pork belly at one yuan per pound, and mutton also at one yuan per pound.  

After finalizing the meat prices, she purchased one hundred pounds each of corn grits and new rice, setting the delivery location to the shop. A total of sixteen yuan was deducted.  

With twenty-five yuan left, she bought sugar, brown sugar, salt, soy sauce, and other seasonings.  

Additionally, given the heavy snowfall, insulated rubber boots would likely sell well.  

The wholesale price for rubber boots was two and a half yuan per pair, which she could sell for five yuan. She ordered four pairs as samples—small to large sizes, in red, brown, blue, and black.  

That left her with just five yuan, which she decided to keep as emergency funds.  

Once everything was selected, a small storage room appeared next to the shop.  

Su Ling went in to retrieve the sugar, salt, and rubber boots to display.  

The corn grits and new rice would be stocked tomorrow—it would be hard to explain such a large quantity appearing suddenly, even though the shop’s existence was already somewhat miraculous.  

….

Back at the Educated Youth Point

The first thing Li Juan did upon returning was store her rice securely in her locker. Then, holding the instant noodles, she headed to the kitchen.  

Inside, Zhang Miaomiao was cooking a pot of thick porridge, sitting across from Xie Linfeng.  

The moment Li Juan entered, two pairs of eyes turned toward her, making her slightly uncomfortable. “I’m here to cook. Can I borrow some hot water?”  

“There’s freshly boiled water in the pot,” Zhang Miaomiao said with a smile.  

Li Juan thanked her, then took out a ceramic bowl and basin, tearing open the instant noodles.  

The rich, fried aroma wafted out, and Li Juan’s eyes lit up. Carefully, she placed the noodle block into the bowl and emptied the three small seasoning packets—one with green onion flakes, one with powdered seasoning, and one with sauce.  

Following Su Ling’s instructions, she added hot water, covered it with the basin, and waited.  

“Did you buy that at the shop too?” Xie Linfeng asked, his expression neutral.  

Li Juan answered blankly, “It’s a new product called instant noodles. It’s ready after five minutes of soaking—five mao per pack.”  

Xie Linfeng thanked her, then glanced at Zhang Miaomiao’s curious gaze, a faint smile tugging at his lips.  

“You want some?”  

Zhang Miaomiao nodded. “Yeah, I’d like to visit that little shop. I still have some money and coupons.”  

Xie Linfeng lowered his eyes, smiling helplessly. “I’ll go buy it. You stay here and wait, you little glutton.”  

Zhang Miaomiao rested her chin on her hand, conflicted.  

Unable to hold back, Li Juan interjected, “Zhang Miaomiao, I think you should go check out the shop yourself. It’s warm inside, and there are three types of instant noodles. The owner is a woman with a good temper.”  

Xie Linfeng gave Li Juan a surprised look.  

Zhang Miaomiao smiled. “Thanks, I’ll go.”  

Li Juan turned away, ignoring them.  

She’d seen couples before, but never one quite like this.

The woman has hands and feet—she’s not a kitten. What’s the difference between being cooped up in the house and the women of the old era who were forced to stay indoors?

Women should go out and buy what they want themselves.

Five minutes later, Li Juan lifted the ceramic lid, and a rich aroma instantly filled the entire kitchen.  

She couldn’t help but swallow her saliva. Carefully holding the bowl, she sat at another table, picked up her chopsticks, and took her first sip of the broth.  

“Wow! This is so good!”  

Zhang Miaomiao’s heart raced even more upon hearing this.  

Li Juan blew on the noodles and took her first bite.  

Mmm! Delicious—and so convenient!  

“Zhang Miaomiao, if you’re going to buy instant noodles, let’s go together. I want to stock up on more,” Li Juan couldn’t resist adding.  

Zhang Miaomiao immediately nodded. “Okay!”  

She wanted some too!  

After Li Juan finished eating, the three of them left the kitchen together, returning to their rooms to get money before heading back to buy more instant noodles.  

A few other educated youths saw them and asked about it, but in the end, the price deterred most—except for Zhang Xiu, who insisted on tagging along.  

Chen Li couldn’t hold back and tried to advise Li Juan: “Xiao Juan, you should save your money. If you spend so recklessly, how will you manage in the future? I’m saying this for your own good.”  

Li Juan replied, “Huh? My older brothers, sisters, mom, and dad all earn money for me to spend.”  

She wasn’t short on cash.  

Chen Li looked exasperated, his meaning clear. “But what about later?”  

“Later?”  

Before Li Juan could react, Zhang Xiu cut in.  

“What he means is, after you get married, if you keep spending so freely, you won’t be suited for a frugal life.”  

Zhang Xiu was sick of Chen Li, especially when he started lecturing people in that tone. It was insufferable.  

Li Juan finally understood. She immediately straightened up and said seriously, “We came to the countryside to build a new rural society, not to save money for marriage. Comrade Chen, that’s not a good mindset.”  

Chen Li panicked, but before he could speak, she cut him off again.  

“Comrade Chen, don’t say such things carelessly in the future. If someone misunderstands, it could be dangerous.” With that, she turned and walked away.  

Chen Li, thoroughly scolded, flushed red and hurried back to his room.  

Inside, someone whispered, “Sigh, these young ladies come to the countryside, but their habits don’t change. Just leave them be. Once they’re married, they’ll realize you meant well.”  

Chen Li seemed to have found a kindred spirit, and the two began chatting back and forth.  

Feng Qi looked at them like they were idiots.  

Li Juan’s family isn’t poor—why should she pinch pennies? Whatever. He might as well go buy some instant noodles too. Staying any longer might infect him with stupidity.  

…

Meanwhile, Su Ling had just finished arranging the rubber boots when the educated youths arrived.  

Zhang Miaomiao immediately spotted the neatly displayed instant noodles and excitedly asked Su Ling, “Boss, one of each flavor!”  

Xie Linfeng spoke up, “Boss, no discount on the instant noodles?”  

Su Ling explained, “That’s right. Rice and flour are daily necessities—instant noodles aren’t.”  

Xie Linfeng understood. “Boss, two of each then. We’re together—I’ll pay for both.”  

Suddenly, Zhang Xiu snapped, “Why should you pay for her? She’s not broke! Zhang Miaomiao, you’re not poor—why let Xie Linfeng pay? Don’t you have your own money?”  

Before Zhang Miaomiao could respond, Xie Linfeng pulled her aside and shot Zhang Xiu a cold glare.  

“None of your business. Stay out of it.”  

Zhang Xiu’s eyes reddened with anger. “I—we’ve known each other longer! I just don’t want you to get taken advantage of! Zhang Miaomiao’s family isn’t well-off—I think she’s just trying to spend your money on purpose—”  

“I said it’s none of your concern,” Xie Linfeng said impatiently.  

“Xie Linfeng, you’re being too harsh! I’m just worried about you! Zhang Miaomiao, you’re so shameless, spending someone else’s money!”  

“Enough. I told you it’s not your business. You’re really annoying.”  

“I’m annoying? I’m just looking out for you!”  

“It’s not your place! Boss, I’m paying.”  

Zhang Miaomiao wanted to explain—she and Xie Linfeng had a partnership selling goods, but with the roads blocked by snow, the money hadn’t come in yet. Xie Linfeng had said he’d deduct it later when they split the profits, so she wasn’t actually spending his money.  

But the two were arguing so fiercely that she couldn’t get a word in.  

Li Juan, annoyed, glanced back and noticed villagers approaching. She quickly interjected, “Stop arguing. The villagers are coming—hurry up and buy what you need. Boss, two packs of each flavor for me.”  

Feng Qi chimed in, “Same for me.”  

Xie Linfeng still paid for both orders, then pulled Zhang Miaomiao away.  

Zhang Xiu, tears streaming, gritted her teeth and bought one pack of instant noodles before storming off.  

Once all the educated youths had left, the villagers entered.