Chapter 33: Beef – The Daily Life of a Sickly Young Lady in the Compound

Chapter 33: Beef - The Daily Life of a Sickly Young Lady in the Compound

Lin Qing finally bought a pair of blue pillowcases and headed back.

After buying the pillowcases, she left the department store. Originally, she had wanted to see if there were any red pillowcases available, as red is more festive. However, she knew that red items were very popular and it was unlikely she would get her hands on one.

She had come hoping to find some, but not finding any didn't bother her. After leaving the department store, she planned to take the bus back, as she still needed to visit the co-op store later.

Actually, the main reason for going to the co-op store was Cen Xi's instruction. Last night, when she told Cen Xi that she would be going out today to buy some things for Lin Shu's wedding trousseau, he asked her to check if there were any eggs available at the co-op and buy as many as she could. He even gave her a stack of ration tickets, telling her to buy anything she liked.

Lin Qing was hesitant to accept, as the family relied on him for support. Spending money and ration tickets so freely didn't seem right.

Cen Xi was not satisfied with Lin Qing's reluctance, and after much persuasion, she finally agreed.

Lin Qing felt a warm glow inside, as it was nice to have someone thinking of her.

However, even though she accepted the money and ration tickets, she didn't plan to spend them carelessly.

When she arrived at the co-op store, she found that there were eggs available. She immediately went to the counter to pick out some eggs.

Eggs were sold individually, so she had to choose carefully.

With so many people around, she had to act fast to get the best ones. Lin Qing and several other mothers engaged in a rapid shopping spree, and in the end, Lin Qing managed to pick out 50 eggs, which were considered quite good compared to what the other mothers got.

She couldn't help but marvel at how fast these mothers were!

After the rush, she was sweating buckets. After paying with the ration tickets, she decided to stand and rest for a while before heading back.

Lin Qing didn't realize how charming she looked standing at the entrance of the co-op store. Unnoticed by her, several passing men kept glancing her way, almost bumping into others before snapping out of it.

Lin Qing was used to being stared at, as long as no one approached to harass her, she didn't mind.

Just as she was about to head home, she noticed a sign suddenly appearing at the butcher's stall in the co-op.

Lin Qing glanced casually and immediately rushed over.

It turned out that the butcher's stall at the co-op had opened. The stall's opening hours were quite unpredictable, and being able to catch it open was a matter of luck.

Lin Qing's quick movement caught the attention of many people, who also rushed over upon seeing that the stall had beef.

"Boss, is this really beef?" someone asked, looking at the sign outside the stall.

"Of course! I heard that a cow from a village under An City died from a fall, and they contacted our co-op. Hurry up, or it'll be gone soon."

After confirming, Lin Qing immediately spoke up, "Uncle, cut me two pounds." She had brought all her ration tickets today, including the meat tickets that Cen Xi had specially exchanged a couple of days ago.

She had brought them out today to take a chance.

Lin Qing was among the first to arrive. Upon hearing her request, the boss immediately cut her two pounds of beef.

After Lin Qing came out with the beef, she noticed a long line had formed outside.

She also saw Mother Li and Mother Sui. She was amazed at how quickly these two mothers had caught on and acted so swiftly!

"Xiao Lin, you're here too?"

"Yes, I just bought some and came out."

"Is it really beef?" Mother Li and Mother Sui looked at what Lin Qing was holding.

Hmm, it's really true. The two pounds of bright red beef in Lin Qing's hands stood out vividly.

"It's real."

"That's good to hear. But I don't know if there will be any left when it's our turn?"

"Don't worry, Mother Jiang, each person is limited to two pounds of beef. I saw there's still quite a lot left. You're not too far back in the line, so you should still be able to get some." Lin Qing glanced at the large piece of meat on the butcher's table and then at the line of people, estimating that the two mothers should still be able to get some.

"That's good to hear." The two mothers finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Well, Mother Jiang, I'll head back now!"

"Go ahead, go ahead!" Mother Li, noticing that Lin Qing's nose was already beaded with sweat from the heat, didn't want to keep her any longer and quickly urged her to go home.

Luckily, the co-op wasn't far from home, and Lin Qing walked briskly for 10 minutes before arriving back.

"Lin Qing, what are you carrying?" Mother Su noticed the meat in her hand and asked.

"Mother Su, this is the beef that just arrived at the co-op. Do you want to get some? Better hurry, or it might run out." Lin Qing replied.

Just then, Sister Zhang, who had just returned from the public restroom, overheard Lin Qing's words. "Are you saying there's really meat at the co-op?"

"Sister Zhang, it's true. If you want some, you'd better hurry. It's limited to two pounds per person, and there's already a long line. If you're too late, you might not get any."

"Ah, I'll go right away." Sister Zhang hurriedly ran back home, grabbed her money and ration coupons, and rushed out of the yard.

"Mother Su, aren't you going?" Lin Qing looked at Mother Su, who was still standing steadily at the door, watching her without making any move, feeling a bit puzzled.

"I... our family's struggling. We've already used up all our ration coupons. Where would we get extra money and coupons to buy meat?" Mother Su said with a bitter expression.

"Oh, I see. Well, wait until next month when Sister Su gets her coupons, and then you can buy some! Well, Mother Su, I'll head back now. I'm exhausted from walking all this way!" Lin Qing said with an understanding tone.

"Alright... alright!" Mother Su's deliberately sorrowful expression froze as Lin Qing turned to leave.

How could this be? She had made herself sound so pitiful, yet Lin Qing didn't offer to share any meat with their family?

If Lin Qing knew what she was thinking, she'd probably want to spit in her face. What kind of person is this? So shameless!

Perhaps because most of the people behind Lin Qing bought only a few ounces or half a pound, by the time it was Mother Li and Mother Su's turn, there was still quite a bit of meat left. The two gritted their teeth and each bought a pound to take home.

Even Sister Zhang, who found out the news last, managed to buy half a pound of beef to take back.

Finally, Mother Su watched from the window as everyone returned with their beef, looking very satisfied!

Seeing the smiles on Mother Li and the others' faces, she felt a bit resentful and couldn't help but mutter: They only care about themselves, never thinking to share some meat with us poor folks. Hmph!