Chapter 33 Conserving Energy

"Achoo!" Cen Yan had no idea what had happened in the health center ward after she left.

She arrived at the guesthouse on Dongming Island with her light suitcase and handed her letter of introduction and identification to the staff.

"Comrade, could you please book me a suite on the third floor? I need it to be very clean."

Cen Yan was not short of money, so she was naturally unwilling to compromise herself. The guesthouse on Dongming Island charged 1.2 yuan per person per night.

She opened the account for a week, but handed over a large black dollar bill, and the rest of the money was a tip for the receptionist.

When the receptionist at the guesthouse saw that Cen Yan was very generous, she immediately greeted her with a smile and invited her to go up to the third floor.

"Comrade, this is the most spacious room in our office. You can stay here. It's equipped with a bed, a quilt, and a pillow. A thermos of hot water will be provided free of charge every day. Any other needs will be charged separately. A thermos of hot water costs two cents."

"The public toilets, washrooms, and bathhouse are all on the first floor. The second floor has a canteen where you can order food by paying with money and food coupons."

Cen Yan stood outside the door and glanced into the room. The guesthouse room was about 20 square meters, not very big, but more than enough for her to stay for a while.

The only downside is that it doesn't have a private bathroom and toilet.

However, this was in 1974, the era of collective farming. I doubt there were many people on the entire Dongming Island who could afford to build their own bathrooms and toilets at home.

Thinking this, Cen Yan took out her food coupons and five yuan from her wallet. "I've just arrived on Dongming Island and there are still many places I'm not familiar with. Comrade, could you recommend some of the chefs' signature dishes? Could you bring them to my room later? I've been traveling by train and boat all the way here, and I'd like to take a hot shower first."

"Sure! Please wait a moment, comrade, I'll go down and arrange it for you right away!" The receptionist looked at Cen Yan as if she were a goddess of wealth. For an ordinary person, ordering a meal and some dishes wouldn't cost five yuan!

After seeing the receptionist off, Cen Yan closed the door, took out toiletries from her personal space, and then carried a thermos and a small basin containing soap, shampoo, toothpaste, a toothbrush, and a towel into the public bathroom.

When she came out a short while later, still damp from being wet, she looked like a peeled egg, so tender and white that the receptionist who brought the food was immediately stunned. This woman is so beautiful!

"Comrade, here's your food." The receptionist was stunned for a moment before remembering why she was there, and quickly carried the food into the room.

Cen Yan gently said thank you, then stopped the receptionist who was about to leave and asked, "Comrade, I'm here on Dongming Island to see my fiancé, but it's my first time here and I don't know anyone. Could you tell me how to get to the naval base?"

"The sea, the navy? Once you leave the guesthouse, turn left and walk for about an hour. You'll see the sea. This is a small, square island, easy to find."

"Thank you." Having found out the information she wanted to know, Cen Yan breathed a sigh of relief. She planned to rest well today and recharge her energy.

She should go see Qi Jingchuan again tomorrow to discuss the marriage. Otherwise, with her haggard face and smelly body, people might think she's here to freeload.

When the receptionist reached the door, she finally couldn't help but ask.

"Comrade, how do you take care of your skin? It's so white and smooth! Do you use face cream every day?"

Um?

Cen Yan touched her face. Was it white? Was it tender?

That's true to some extent, but just using snow cream wouldn't be enough to achieve her skin condition. Maybe it's because she's been drinking the spiritual spring water from her space whenever she's thirsty lately?

In addition, when she has free time, she will use the aloe vera grown in her space to apply to her face, and then supplement it with her own Seven White Cream. Both of these products have the effect of moisturizing the skin and fading blemishes.

Cen Yan wasn't stingy. Hearing the receptionist say that, she immediately used her suitcase as cover to take a small box of Seven White Cream from her personal space and hand it over.

"This is a beauty cream I made with Chinese herbs. I use it myself regularly. Maybe it's because of this. If you don't mind, you can try a little bit. But I can't guarantee that the Seven White Cream will work for everyone."

Cen Yan didn't want to sit around and do nothing. The receptionist's words reminded her that most of the people living on Dongming Island were often exposed to the sun, and their faces not only had spots but were also generally dark and yellow.

If she uses the medicinal herbs grown in the black soil of the space to make some aloe vera cream, seven-white cream, and Chinese medicine sunscreen, wouldn't she have a steady stream of income?