Chapter 30

Chapter 30

The two of them sat at Commander Lu's house for a while longer. Wang Yulan held Ji Yunshu's hand and talked a mile a minute—from how to make yiba sticky rice cakes to which family on the island had the sweetest coconuts, from the backstage assignments for the National Day performance to which family members were easy to get along with. Ji Yunshu listened attentively, nodding in acknowledgment from time to time. The more Wang Yulan talked, the more animated she became, as if she wanted to pour out the entire family compound's worth of stories to her.

Finally, Commander Lu cleared his throat: "Alright, let them go rest. Comrade Xiao Ji still has things to do tomorrow."

Though that was what Commander Lu said, throughout Wang Yulan's nonstop chatter, he had kept his eyes fixed on her as she spoke with such gusto. If it truly hadn't been getting late, perhaps he wouldn't have interrupted at all.

Ji Yunshu could sense the deep affection between Commander Lu and Wang Yulan—because when Wang Yulan got carried away and laughed to herself, Commander Lu would watch her and smile along with her.

Only then did Wang Yulan reluctantly release Ji Yunshu's hand and walk them to the door, pressing two yiba wrapped in banana leaves into Ji Yunshu's hands: "Take these back as a midnight snack or tomorrow's breakfast. Eat them when you're hungry."

Ji Yunshu accepted them with both hands and smiled: "Thank you, Auntie Wang. You've already stuffed me with several today—at this rate, you're really gonna fatten me up."

Wang Yulan laughed heartily and patted the back of her hand: "Chubby is good—chubby means lucky. Look at you, skinny as a willow branch. Xiao Pei, you better feed your wife properly!"

Pei Yufeng smiled indulgently. He also thought Ji Yunshu was too thin: "I will."

It was late at night. The moon was bright tonight, hanging up over the coconut grove. The streetlights cast a dim yellow glow, spaced far apart. The sea breeze rolled in, cool and damp, feeling nice against the skin.

The two walked side by side. Pei Yufeng said, "When I'm not home, you can go find Auntie Wang anytime. Tomorrow evening, I'll take you to the beach to go beachcombing."

"Beachcombing?!" Ji Yunshu was incredibly curious. "Is it to pick up seashells? Conch shells work too—we can take 'em home, wash 'em, and put 'em on display!"

When she was little, Ji Yunshu had received a white conch shell ornament. She had never seen the ocean, but she'd read in books that if you held a conch to your ear, you could hear the sound of the sea. Curious, she'd done the same and held the conch to her ear—but heard nothing. When Ji Yunting heard about it, he'd teased her for being deaf, which made her so mad she didn't talk to him for days.

But from that day on, she'd shoved the conch to the very back of her drawer.

Later... later, Pei Yufeng went to the island. When he came home on leave that first year, he'd also given her a white conch.

What had she thought back then? Ji Yunshu couldn't quite remember. She only remembered that at that age, she wasn't that into conchs anymore, and no longer expected to hear the ocean's voice inside one. But she still remembered the look in Pei Yufeng's eyes when he handed her the conch—a little expectant, and... a little like the way Commander Lu had sat there quietly tonight, listening to Auntie Wang tell her stories, looking at her?!

That can't be right! Commander Lu and Auntie Wang had been married for nearly thirty or forty years, and she and Pei Yufeng were so young back then! She must be reading too much into it.

Ji Yunshu often heard He Qiuxia say that after many years of marriage, a couple becomes more like family—maybe more like siblings. Ji Yunshu felt that the way Pei Yufeng looked at her was clearly how an older brother looks at his little sister.

Because in Ji Yunshu's heart, she had always regarded Pei Yufeng as family. She'd thought that ever since Pei Yufeng's dad died in the line of duty when he was ten. She still remembered how Pei Yufeng's eyes were red every day back then—busy with his dad's funeral on one hand, and taking care of his grandma, who had collapsed from the shock of the loss, on the other.

Pei Yufeng had been so young then. Though Ji Haiguo and He Qiuxia had helped, the grief of losing both parents was something nobody could share. Ji Yunshu's heart ached for him, so she'd hugged Pei Yufeng and cried: "I don't want that big jerk Ji Yunting anymore—from now on, you're my only brother!"

Then Ji Yunshu had run home and announced to Ji Haiguo dramatically: "Brother Feng is too pitiful—there's no one left in his family with the same last name. So I've decided Brother Feng is my real brother now, and from now on, I'll be called Pei Yunshu!"

And then her five-year-old self had almost been picked up by Ji Haiguo and spanked. Fortunately, He Qiuxia had intervened and Ji Haiguo hadn't caught her, but Ji Yunshu was still heartbroken—her dad had never hit her before, and he'd wanted to over this. She was so upset she ran back to Pei Yufeng's house and cried in his arms.

When Ji Yunshu cried, Pei Yufeng had to comfort her. He was at his wit's end—he had no room for his own grief, and could only keep trying to make her smile. She even refused to leave Pei Yufeng's house, crying by his grandma's bedside every day, insisting that Pei Yufeng become her real brother.

Maybe it was because her crying was truly heartbreaking to watch, or maybe because the grandma realized that Pei Yufeng was still so young—if she really collapsed, he would be all alone—the grandma's condition miraculously improved. She could not only get out of bed but also take care of Pei Yufeng and Ji Yunshu like she used to.

Once the grandma recovered, Ji Yunshu wanted even more to stay at the Pei house. In the end, He Qiuxia got her a little white bunny she'd always wanted, and only then did Ji Yunshu obediently go home with He Qiuxia, never mentioning changing her last name again.

But He Qiuxia was allergic to rabbit fur, so within two days, the bunny was sent over to Pei Yufeng's place.

Recalling those memories, Ji Yunshu thought she'd been quite a handful as a kid. But Pei Yufeng had always been good to her despite all her fussing, always thinking about her even when he was away, and bringing her gifts every time he returned.

Ji Yunshu felt a warm sense of closeness, and grew even more excited about the prospect of beachcombing with Pei Yufeng. Taking advantage of the night, she snuck her hand into his in the compound: "I just remembered something from when we were kids—when I was five and I insisted you be my real brother. Do you remember?"

"Mhm." Pei Yufeng hadn't expected Ji Yunshu to take his hand so openly in the compound. Though no one else was around, it was still their first time, and he couldn't help but feel a little nervous.

"If Dad had agreed to let me make you my real brother back then, I'd have three families now!" Ji Yunshu grinned at Pei Yufeng.

But Pei Yufeng stiffened for a moment. He couldn't count how many times he'd been grateful that Ji Haiguo—who spoiled his daughter—hadn't agreed to Ji Yunshu's unreasonable request, or else he could never have told her how he felt.

"Xiaoshu, you have three homes now too—the Ji family, the Meng family, and... the family we've built together." Pei Yufeng's voice was gentle. When he reached that point, his pace suddenly slowed, and he gazed at her intently, his eyes so deep they seemed to want to pull her all the way in.

Ji Yunshu felt her cheeks get warm under his gaze: "Right, everything you said is right."

She and Pei Yufeng were family now too—did that mean her childhood wish came true?

When they got home, Ji Yunshu set the yiba on the table and went to wash up. After she finished and returned to the bedroom, she found Pei Yufeng sitting on the edge of the bed, holding a wooden box with a lock.

"This is the passbook and the household ration coupons." Pei Yufeng opened the box, revealing a neatly arranged passbook, a stack of money coupons, and several books of ration tickets. "The money in the passbook is from my pay and allowances over the years. I don't have many expenses, so most of it went into savings. Take out what you need. The household money and ration tickets are here—you keep them."

Ji Yunshu walked over, picked up the passbook, and flipped it open. The figure inside was much larger than she'd imagined. She knew Pei Yufeng had money, but she hadn't expected him to be this wealthy! Closing the passbook, she put it back in the box, locked it, and hid it in the deepest corner of the wardrobe.

"Alright, I understand," Ji Yunshu said. "From now on, for big household expenses, we'll discuss them together—but for small things, like buying everyday stuff from the supply store, I'll decide on my own. Is that okay?"

Pei Yufeng nodded: "Fine."

"Let's get some sleep early—we still need to register your household registration tomorrow." After moving to the military base with him, Ji Yunshu no longer had to worry about being labeled a "capitalist's daughter." But the Meng family was too wealthy—if that day truly came, she had no idea what she would do.

She'd talk it over with Pei Yufeng later. He knew a lot and might come up with a good solution, Ji Yunshu thought.

Pei Yufeng didn't say anything more. He went downstairs, heated up some water, and brought it up for Ji Yunshu to soak her feet.

Ji Yunshu had anemia, and the doctor had advised her to soak her feet regularly. Sometimes she herself forgot, but Pei Yufeng always remembered.

Pei Yufeng set the basin on the floor by the bed. Ji Yunshu bent down to untie her shoelaces. She was wearing a pair of black cloth shoes today, with a thin layer of sandy dust on the surface. The laces were tied tight, and after two attempts she still hadn't gotten them undone. Just as she was about to bend further down, Pei Yufeng had already crouched in front of the bed.

His movements were natural, without a moment's hesitation, as if doing something entirely matter-of-fact. He knelt before Ji Yunshu—one knee on the ground, the other leg bent—reached out, and took hold of her ankle.

Ji Yunshu's foot instinctively pulled back: "I can do it myself—" she said quickly, a hint of fluster in her voice.

Pei Yufeng looked up at her. He was half-kneeling while she sat, their gazes meeting across the height difference. His eyes looked dark in the kerosene lamp's glow, a small flame dancing in his pupils. His expression was perfectly natural, as if he couldn't understand why she'd pulled away.

"Sit still. I'll wash them for you," Pei Yufeng said. His voice wasn't loud, and his tone was even, but there was an unarguable certainty to it.

Ji Yunshu's face flushed slightly, but she didn't refuse again. She was exhausted from the day, and truly didn't want to move anymore. She watched as Pei Yufeng deftly untied her shoelaces and rolled down her socks. When his fingers touched her ankle, the calluses on his fingertips grazed across her delicate skin, sending a faint shiver through her.

Ji Yunshu didn't know where to put her hands. She instinctively grabbed the bedsheet beside her.

Pei Yufeng tested the water temperature, confirmed it was about right, then lifted her feet and slowly lowered them into the water.

"Too hot?" Pei Yufeng asked.

Ji Yunshu shook her head. The water was actually slightly hot, but it wasn't unbearable—instead, it made her toes curl involuntarily before slowly relaxing. The hot water covered her instep, covered her ankles, wrapping her feet—which had walked all day—completely. Warmth rose from the soles of her feet, spreading up through her blood vessels and meridians to her lower back, until her whole body felt warm. Her stiffened shoulders relaxed on their own, and her grip on the bedsheet loosened.

Pei Yufeng let her feet soak for about ten minutes, washed them with soap, and then began to massage them.

Pei Yufeng dried the water from Ji Yunshu's feet, let her rest them on his leg, and worked his fingers from her calves down along her ankles—neither too hard nor too soft, just enough to knead the day's fatigue out of her muscles. When he reached the soles of her feet, his thumb pressed into the acupoint at her arch and made a circle—Ji Yunshu's whole body trembled, and she nearly yanked her foot away from his hands.

"Ticklish?" He stopped and looked up at her.

Ji Yunshu's face was already bright red. Her hands clutched the bedsheet, and her lips moved slightly, her voice much softer than usual: "A little... ticklish."

"Alright, I'll go lighter." Pei Yufeng lightened the pressure considerably.

From above, Ji Yunshu looked down at the top of Pei Yufeng's head. His hair was cut very short, the stubble dark and stiff, the shape of his skull round and well-proportioned. Because of his crouching posture, his shirt collar had loosened slightly, revealing a small patch of skin where his neck met his shoulder—darker than his face, tanned from long days in the sun. He crouched there, head bowed, washing her feet with complete seriousness, as if it were the most natural thing in the world—without any reluctance, without any of that "how could a man wash a woman's feet" awkwardness.

He wasn't awkward, but she was. Yet Ji Yunshu's awkwardness had nothing to do with distaste—it was about being embarrassed. Since growing up, no one had washed her feet for her. When she was little, He Qiuxia had done it, but that was a mother caring for her child—completely different.

But this man before her was crouching down, holding her foot in his hands, massaging it with such focused care, as if he were tending to something of great importance. Ji Yunshu felt her heart turn into a drum being beaten haphazardly—thump, thump, thump—its rhythm completely thrown off beat.

"You... aren't you tired?" Ji Yunshu asked, her voice slightly hoarser than before, carrying an emotion she couldn't quite name.

"Not tired." He didn't look up, continuing to massage the sole of her foot. After a moment, he added, "You walked a lot today. Let yourself unwind."

Only then did Ji Yunshu realize that she had indeed walked a great deal that day. Her nose stung a little, but warmth flooded her heart.

Brother Pei had always been good to her—and tonight was no different.

Pei Yufeng finished massaging Ji Yunshu's feet before going to wash up. Ji Yunshu tucked her feet under the blanket and lay down, feeling warmth radiating from her soles all the way to her toes.

After washing up, Pei Yufeng returned to the bedroom, turned off the light, and got into bed. He lay down beside Ji Yunshu, his arm draping over the blanket to settle around her waist.

"Brother Pei," Ji Yunshu called softly in the darkness.

"Hm?"

"You have to keep doing this for me from now on." Ji Yunshu had her back to him, but her tone was utterly confident.

"Alright." Pei Yufeng agreed, his voice carrying a hint of a smile.

"Goodnight," Ji Yunshu said.

"Mm, goodnight."

The next morning, Pei Yufeng took Ji Yunshu out early. The military registration office was in the administrative area, not far from the family quarters—about a ten-minute bike ride. The registration process wasn't complicated: filling out forms, submitting documents, taking photos, and stamping papers, all done in about an hour. The clerk was a friendly woman in her thirties, who even pointed out a few sections Ji Yunshu wasn't sure how to fill in.

By the time they came out of the administrative building, it was nearly ten o'clock. The sun was high and the ground was baking. Pei Yufeng walked on Ji Yunshu's left side and went to grab his bike to take her home. Just as they walked out of the compound gate, Ji Yunshu noticed two young women standing at the entrance.

One wore the blue work uniform of the supply and marketing cooperative, with two short braids, not tall but sturdy; the other stood beside her in a floral-print shirt, looking like she was ready for some drama. Both women had their eyes fixed squarely on Ji Yunshu.

Ji Yunshu didn't know them, but the look from the woman in the work uniform made her uncomfortable. It was a shameless once-over—from her face to her clothes, her clothes to her shoes, back and forth twice, like she was inspecting merchandise.

Ji Yunshu ignored her and kept going.

Just then, Ji Yunshu heard the woman in the work uniform mutter something behind her. Her voice wasn't loud, but it clearly wasn't lowered to the point of being inaudible—the kind of remark meant for you to overhear while pretending to be chatting with someone else: "Who would've thought Pei Yufeng was this shallow. What's the use of being pretty? She's nothing but a spendthrift."

The woman in the floral shirt said nothing, only let out a short laugh—half agreeing, half enjoying the show.

Ji Yunshu stopped mid-step, turned around, and flashed a smug smile: "I won't comment on the rest, but at least your eyes work—I do think I'm pretty."

With that, Ji Yunshu walked away without looking back.

She could hear the woman sputtering behind her, "Did you see her—" but Ji Yunshu couldn't be bothered.

Pei Yufeng had just pushed his bike over and overheard the exchange. His brow knitted slightly. He turned to glance toward the supply cooperative entrance, his gaze lingering on the woman in the work uniform, turning colder by the second.

The woman, caught under his stare, lifted her chin as if to glare back, but in the end, she didn't dare meet his eyes. She pressed her lips together and looked away guiltily.

Pei Yufeng withdrew his gaze and led Ji Yunshu away. He walked on the outside, matching her pace. After a long pause, he spoke: "That was Fang Xue, Political Commissar Fang's daughter. She works as a salesclerk at the supply cooperative now."

Being a clerk at the supply cooperative was one of the most respectable jobs around, and with her father being the political commissar, no wonder she was so full of herself.

Ji Yunshu let out an "Oh." She'd actually guessed as much—from the moment Xiao Wang mentioned the name "Fang Xue," she knew this person would eventually cross her path. She just hadn't expected it to happen so soon, or like this. No wonder that sour, knife-like glare had been so intent on stripping her from head to toe.

But Ji Yunshu just found it baffling. She'd never seen someone with no connection at all acting like the aggrieved party, sizing others up like she was the one with the claim!

If she wanted to chase Pei Yufeng and he hadn't given her the time of day, she should take it up with him. What was the point of coming at her? It wasn't like Ji Yunshu had stopped Pei Yufeng from giving Fang Xue the time of day. And what right did she have to call Ji Yunshu a "spendthrift" when she didn't even know her!

Ji Yunshu racked her brain, trying to figure it out. Could it be because she'd seen Ji Yunshu spending Pei Yufeng's money at the supply cooperative yesterday, and she was sore that Pei Yufeng was spending money on her, so she called her a spendthrift?

That made no sense at all! Pei Yufeng's money was their joint marital property. If she wanted to spend it, she would—and what was it to Fang Xue!

At that thought, Ji Yunshu sized Fang Xue up: small-hearted and full of jealousy. But that was it—not worth getting angry over, not worth holding a grudge over, and definitely not worth ruining her good mood for the day.

Because today's lunch at the cafeteria featured the special Jiaji white-cut duck. Ji Yunshu had eaten breakfast at the cafeteria that morning, and the blackboard had already announced the lunch menu. She'd been looking forward to it all morning.

After Pei Yufeng dropped Ji Yunshu off at home, he told her he'd be done with training at 11:20 and she should wait for him at the cafeteria entrance.

Ji Yunshu nodded, deciding to go a bit early—she was going to be the first in line for that white-cut duck!

At 11:15, Ji Yunshu was already at the cafeteria entrance. Pei Yufeng showed up five minutes before the meal service started. About a dozen people were already waiting at the door, probably all there for the white-cut duck. Ji Yunshu was ready, standing on her tiptoes, craning her neck toward the serving window. She could see a row of prepared ducks on the counter, their skins golden and glistening with oil—just the sight made her mouth water.

At 11:30, the window opened right on time. Ji Yunshu dashed over without a second thought and grabbed the first spot in line, with Pei Yufeng right behind her.

The cook at the window asked in a local accent what they'd like. Ji Yunshu ordered two portions of white-cut duck, one with each of the two dipping sauces. The cook's knife moved fast, slicing the duck into even, thin pieces laid out neatly in an aluminum tray. The sauces were poured over the duck—one a pale yellow sour lime juice, the other a hot duck broth with chili, ginger, and garlic.

"Try both," Ji Yunshu said to Pei Yufeng. "What else are you getting?"

"One more order of pan-fried tofu," Pei Yufeng said.

Ji Yunshu also ordered a serving of dried shrimp fried rice and a portion of braised sea cucumber from the cook, and got a plate of pan-fried tofu for Pei Yufeng. Pei Yufeng went to get the free dried scallop soup.

The two of them carried their aluminum trays to their usual spot and sat down. Ji Yunshu dug in without delay.

She picked up a slice of duck and put it in her mouth—hers was the sour lime juice version. The duck was tender and white, with thin skin and thick meat. The refreshing aroma of the sour lime juice instantly awakened her taste buds—tangy, sweet, and refreshing, neither greasy nor fishy. Ji Yunshu couldn't help but eat four or five slices in a row.

Finally pausing, Ji Yunshu reached over and picked up a slice from Pei Yufeng's tray. His portion had the broth with chili, ginger, and garlic—bolder in flavor, with a rich, smoky aroma clinging to the duck that warmed her as she ate it.

"The sour lime juice one is still better," Ji Yunshu concluded, then picked up another slice, dipped it generously in the sour lime juice, and popped it into her mouth.

"Eat as much as you like," Pei Yufeng said.

Ji Yunshu thought today's meal was even better than yesterday's. The dried shrimp fried rice had the savory saltiness of tiny shrimp, crunchy when bitten into—completely different from plain white rice. The braised sea cucumber was thick and sticky, seemingly seasoned with a variety of spices, and Ji Yunshu found the layers of flavor quite rich.

She asked Pei Yufeng about it, and he said the sea cucumber was from the small bag they'd bought at the supply cooperative yesterday—the same one. As for the seasonings, he'd ask the head cook later. Since Ji Yunshu liked it, and tomorrow was his day off when the cafeteria kitchen wouldn't be open in the evening, he could make it for her himself.

Ji Yunshu nodded, saying she wanted to taste Pei Yufeng's cooking.

After finishing their meal and returning home, Ji Yunshu spread out a sheet of letter paper and began writing to He Qiuxia and Wang Wanru to let them know she was safe.

"Mom, I've arrived on the island, and everything is fine here. The scenery is beautiful—I can see the sea right from the window. Brother Pei treats me very well. He takes me to the cafeteria for meals every day and bought a bunch of seafood from the supply cooperative. The dried shrimp here are very fragrant, especially fried into rice—delicious. The dried scallop soup is also very fresh; I had two bowls today. Mom, don't worry—I'm very happy here. Tell Grandma that Pei Yufeng treats me well and she shouldn't worry. I'll write to you every month from now on, and I look forward to your and Dad's replies. Your daughter, Xiaoshu."

After finishing the letter to He Qiuxia, Ji Yunshu laid out another sheet for Wang Wanru, writing much the same, with an added line: "The coconuts here are very sweet—I wish you could taste them. When the opportunity arises in the future, Brother Pei and I will return to Su City to visit you. Please take care of yourself. Your daughter, Yun Shu."

After writing the letters, Ji Yunshu pulled out the dried scallops, dried shrimp, and sea cucumber she'd bought a couple of days earlier. Remembering what Pei Yufeng had said, she thought the quality of these seafood products was indeed excellent. It would be nice to send some to He Qiuxia, Wang Wanru, and her grandmother as well, so she decided to go back to the supply cooperative to buy more.

Ji Yunshu grabbed her ration tickets and the letters and headed out. The supply cooperative wasn't busy. She walked to the seafood counter and looked up—standing behind it was none other than the woman who had glared at her at the door at noon—Fang Xue.

Fang Xue was tallying receipts. When she saw Ji Yunshu, her expression soured, but she spoke in a businesslike tone: "Comrade, what can I get you?"

"Three packs each of dried scallops, dried shrimp, and sea cucumber," Ji Yunshu said.

Fang Xue frowned, set down her receipts on the counter, and raised her voice half a notch: "Didn't you just buy some yesterday? Why so much?" She paused, then added, "How much can one person eat? Buying all this seafood—isn't it wasteful if you can't finish it?"

Ji Yunshu looked at her, her tone calm: "I'm sending it back home, to my mother and grandmother."

That answer completely shut down Fang Xue's attempt to label her. No one could say a word against sending things to one's own family. Fang Xue clearly realized this too. Her lips moved, as if her prepared speech had been thrown off track. She paused for two seconds before finding a new angle of attack.

"Comrade, the state now advocates thrift," Fang Xue tried a different angle, her tone harder than before, stressing the words "advocate thrift" with extra emphasis. "Even seafood shouldn't be wasted like this. I heard you're from the capital—a package sent there takes half a month, and who knows if they'll spoil by then. We all work for the country; we can't just think about our own cravings. It's not like your family is short on this, is it?"

Ji Yunshu listened to this speech, the corners of her mouth curving slightly. She was practically laughing at Fang Xue's stupidity.

"Comrade Fang Xue, I'd like to ask you a few questions." Ji Yunshu's expression remained unchanged, her voice still unhurried. She naturally folded her hands on the counter, her demeanor composed. "First, the state advocates thrift—meaning no excessive waste, but it never said you can't send some local specialties to your own relatives! My mom raised me for over twenty years, and my grandma raised my husband. Is sending some seafood back to honor them wasteful? Tell me, which regulation, which document says this is waste?"

Fang Xue's lips pressed into a thin line. She wanted to say something, but Ji Yunshu didn't give her a chance to interject.

"Second, I'm buying with my own money and ration tickets—not using public funds, and not getting in the way of you serving other customers. The supply cooperative is here to serve the military and their families. I'm here to buy things, with money and tickets, in full compliance with regulations. As a salesclerk, your job is to sell things, not to decide what customers should or shouldn't buy."

Fang Xue's face was already starting to flush, especially around her ears. She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but Ji Yunshu beat her to it again.

"Third, you say it spoiling would be waste—then let me tell you, dried scallops, dried shrimp, and sea cucumber are all dried goods. As long as they're stored properly, they won't go bad even after a year. I'm sending them to the capital; even if they're on the road for half a month, they'll still be fine when they arrive. My grandma and mom will store them separately and can eat them for months. How is that waste? You can't even tell dried goods from fresh ones, yet you're so eager to label me—aren't you a bit too hasty?"

Fang Xue was completely stumped by her words, her lips pressed into a thin line, her face going red and then pale. Another older salesclerk nearby couldn't bear to watch anymore, walked over, and patted Fang Xue on the shoulder: "Xiao Fang, if the comrade wants to buy, just wrap it up for her. Don't keep the customer waiting."

Fang Xue bit her lip, reluctantly turned around, and took down dried scallops, dried shrimp, and sea cucumber from the shelf behind. She weighed out three packs of each, wrapped them in kraft paper, tied a knot in the string, and placed them on the counter.

"That'll be two yuan and eighty cents total."

Ji Yunshu took out money from her pocket, her movements unhurried, forming a sharp contrast with Fang Xue's flustered demeanor. She placed the money on the counter, picked up the three paper packages, and gave Fang Xue another calm look.

There was no other emotion in Ji Yunshu's eyes—just pure calmness, as if to say, why bother? She hadn't done anything, so why get herself so worked up?

After that, Ji Yunshu didn't linger. She took the packages and walked out of the supply cooperative.

Author's note:

Xiaoshu is slow when it comes to emotions, but she never lets herself be wronged when it comes to matters. Thanks for reading. I think my new cover looks really nice, hehe.