Chapter 109 Entering the City Again
The journey would normally take several days.
With the help of diesel motorcycles.
The two arrived at noon on the third day.
"Phew, thank goodness! I thought we wouldn't make it to the city!" Su Yun patted the little motorcycle beneath him and exclaimed with gratitude, "Thanks to you!" Although the motorcycle stalled in Xindu along the way, they still made it to X City without incident, so Su Yun was very grateful to the seemingly dilapidated little motorcycle.
As usual, we lined up to enter the city for inspection. We met the guide Qingji again, and we were somewhat familiar with each other.
Su Yun greeted them with a smile, "Thank you for your help again this time!"
The usually aloof Qingji politely replied, "It's my duty..." Looking at the girl's bright smile, which seemed a bit cold, she paused and, unusually, added, "Are you here to sell lotus roots?" The cart was loaded with lotus roots; what else could it be but selling lotus roots?
Qingji felt that her words were somewhat superfluous, and was feeling awkward.
The girl didn't seem to mind, and naturally handed her her ID card to register, happily replying, "Yes, yes, I'm exchanging lotus roots for some winter supplies."
To cure the pork, we've used up all the salt we had stockpiled at home, and there's not much else to be found in the county town and villages.
We can only go into the city to buy things.
Su Yun's smile remained bright, like a little sun.
Her smile was infectious, and Qingji also smiled slightly, her tone unusually gentle as she said, "Then you've come at just the right time. The New Year is coming soon, and this period is probably the liveliest time in the city."
"Chinese New Year?"
"Chinese New Year?"
Su Yun and Ye Feng were both stunned for a moment.
Su Yun thought to herself: New Year's Day~ I don't know how long it has been since I transmigrated here, I didn't expect it to be New Year's Day so soon.
Su Yun looked around.
The surroundings were bustling with all sorts of people—orcs and humans—watching the noisy crowds queuing to enter the city. Some were carrying goods, some were traveling in groups of friends, some were families of three… chatting, laughing, some were resting with their eyes closed…
It was bustling, just like when my grandmother took me to the city market when I was a child. The small street was crowded with noisy people, buying New Year's goods, performing, and strolling around... The small street was full of bright red lanterns and Spring Festival couplets. It seems that this kind of New Year's atmosphere has disappeared after I grew up.
Su Yun revealed a hint of nostalgia, in a sense... "It's been a long time since I celebrated the New Year."
Ye Feng looked puzzled: "What is Chinese New Year?"
“Um… Chinese New Year… that’s right…” Su Yun stammered for a moment.
Qingji continued, "It's probably a day specially chosen to celebrate new life, a new year, a new beginning..." Her gaze drifted to the thick city walls, the orderly guards, the bustling yet disciplined crowd, and the city, dilapidated yet vibrant, all moving in a positive direction.
Finally, she turned back and said, "Alright, you should go in now... The line is getting longer and longer."
Seeing the noticeably larger crowd outside the city wall, Su Yun felt embarrassed to linger at the entrance. She hurriedly stuffed a prepared lunchbox into Qing Ji's arms, smiled, and ran off, saying as she ran, "This is for your lunch. I made it myself."
Before Qingji could react, the girl had already run away and returned to her cat companion.
This is the first time someone has given her something...
In the post-apocalyptic world, resources are extremely scarce, and everyone wants to keep all the food with them.
Seeing her in a daze, the girl continued to wave with a smile and said considerately, "You must be tired from work! Remember to eat on time!"
The girl's eyes were clear and bright, like a spring that had never been polluted.
The lunchbox in her arms radiated warmth, which slowly rose up her body, and Qingji suddenly felt that gentle warmth slowly enveloping her heart.
After bidding farewell to Qing Ji, Su Yun jogged to catch up with Ye Feng, who was slowly starting his car.
Once they entered the city, the two of them didn't waste any time and went straight to the market, where they paid the stall rental fee and received their number plates and card readers.
The two of them set up their little stall.
Su Yun was in charge of selling the lotus root soup and braised dishes she made, while Ye Feng was in charge of selling fresh lotus roots.
It must be said that Su Yun's idea of selling lotus root soup was excellent.
Although their stall was inconspicuous and in an ordinary location, the aroma of their pork bone and lotus root soup was incredibly rich. A cold breeze would blow the long-simmered broth out, attracting passersby to take a closer sniff.
In addition, more than half of the people in the city are orcs with a keen sense of smell.
The weather is cold, and the journey is tiring.
After a long and tiring journey, I was starving and exhausted. Even though I usually wouldn't spend money on food outside, I didn't care anymore.
The rich broth and the aroma of lotus root are simply irresistible.
People couldn't help but step forward.
A burly man with enormous bull horns poked his head out and asked, "Little girl, how much is this soup?"
The first customer arrived.
Su Yun smiled and said, "Ten yuan a bowl."
The price is neither very expensive nor very cheap.
The burly man with the horns had come to town to sell the fine hides he had hunted, but he hesitated when he saw the price.
"The pork bones have been simmering for a long time, they smell amazing!" Su Yun lifted the lid, and a rich aroma wafted out.
The burly man finally couldn't resist and exclaimed, "Alright! Give me a bowl!"
Su Yun smiled and said, "Okay!" She quickly and readily served the other person a bowl of lotus root soup.
The burly man eagerly took a sip of the soup. The steaming hot soup dispelled the winter chill, warmed his stomach, and then spread throughout his body.
"Delicious!"
Try the lotus root in the bowl again.
It's soft, fluffy, and delicious.
"Little girl, I didn't realize you had such good skills!" The uncle shook his ox horns and let out a long sigh.
Su Yun smiled and said, "Thank you for the compliment, brother. Here, it's cold, let me get you another bowl of soup."
Su Yun raised the spoon and was about to approach.
The uncle covered the bowl, saying, "No, no, you're all here to do business, how can you take it for free?"
Su Yun smiled and said, "It's alright, just add more soup. As long as you enjoy your meal, brother."
Seeing her enthusiasm, Brother Niujiao stopped covering his bowl, thanked her repeatedly, and then accepted Su Yun's kindness with some embarrassment. "Thank you so much!"
Su Yun smiled and said, "You're welcome!"
When the older brother left, he kept praising it and even bought two pounds of fresh lotus root.
After the first customer, a second customer soon followed.
Before long, Su Yun's lotus root soup stall was surrounded by a huge crowd.
The lotus root soup is steaming hot; a bowl of it warms both the body and the heart.
I wanted a second bowl after drinking one, and I even packed some to take home for my family because I thought it was so delicious.
If you're reluctant to drink it, you can buy some fresh ones and brew them at home yourself.
Some people who thought Su Yun was a good cook were willing to spend more money to buy more expensive braised meat.
The two of them were busy from the moment they set up their stall until night, working all day long, and to their surprise, they sold out of everything.
Su Yun put away the card reader and returned it to the marketing department.
Looking at the full balance in my card, I feel completely satisfied.
However, by the time Su Yun returned to the hotel that evening, she was so exhausted that she could barely straighten her back.
He didn't even bother to wash up; he just collapsed and fell asleep.
The night breeze helped her take off her heavy coat and then covered her with a blanket.
After unpacking the things I brought back and checking the doors and windows, I crawled into bed and cuddled her to sleep.
The next day was another busy one. While waiting for the car to be inspected, Su Yun and Ye Feng hurried to the market.
We purchased a lot of supplies needed for the winter.
Salt, noodles, soy sauce, diesel fuel...
The market was bustling with activity as everyone rushed into town before the New Year snow, bringing with them small animals they had hunted, citrus fruits they had grown, chickens they had raised, duck eggs they had laid, and even roasted chestnuts for sale…
"Night Breeze, look! There are chestnuts!" Su Yun's eyes widened when she saw the swaying chestnut roasting machine.
As the chestnut roasting machine whirred and hummed, the aroma of chestnuts, tinged with a hint of sweetness, wafted through the cool air, making Su Yun's heart itch with anticipation.
"These are freshly picked wild chestnuts from Luobei Mountain. They're big and sweet, and they're only available for this time of year. Once you miss them, they're gone!" the vendor shouted, shaking his chestnut roasting machine. "Little girl, would you like to try a pound? It's very cheap, only twenty yuan!"
Su Yun almost couldn't hold back, but then she thought of...
Because of the price, Su Yun was a little reluctant. "It costs twenty yuan... but that's enough to buy two jin of noodles and half a chicken. Never mind..." Su Yun gritted her teeth, made up her mind, and pulled Ye Feng away.
"Too expensive, too expensive. It's more practical to buy a few more bundles of noodles." Su Yun, familiar with the place, went to the little rabbit selling noodles again and began to purchase according to her plan. "Salt, sugar, medicine, noodles, diesel... I also need to set aside money for seeds, chicks, fertilizer... As for chestnuts, I'll just eat the ones Little Feather picked when I get back." Su Yun squatted on the ground, picking out noodles, muttering to herself to comfort herself for not getting to eat any chestnuts.
There's no way around it, there are just too many places where I need to spend money.
With income not covering expenses, we have to be very frugal.
Su Yun carried a basket on her back and purchased the items on her shopping list along the way...
They even haggled with the vendors from time to time. The street was bustling with noise, and for a moment they didn't notice the night breeze.
After she weighed the noodles and put them into the basket on her back, she suddenly realized that Ye Feng had disappeared.
"Huh? Night Breeze, where did you go?" Su Yun slung her basket over her shoulder and looked around. She was just following right behind me, how did she suddenly disappear?
Could I have been kidnapped? The people here are known for their strong and open-minded attitudes towards love and sex. Could I have been abducted?
Just as Su Yun stood nervously on the nearby steps, unable to stop looking around.
A pair of black cat ears pushed through the crowd and appeared at the end of the road, swaying left and right as if searching for something.
Su Yun waved to Ye Feng, "Night Wind! I'm here!"
As if receiving a signal, the cat ears twitched slightly twice, then quickly pushed through the crowd and ran towards her.
The handsome cat-eared boy returned to her side, and Su Yun scolded him playfully, "Where did you go? I thought you were lost!"
Night Breeze remained silent, his eyes shining as he gazed at her. He handed her the chestnut he had been holding close to his chest, smiling as he replied, "I went and bought this~"
A warm lump landed in Su Yun's arms. Looking down, Su Yun exclaimed in surprise, "Roasted chestnuts!"
Then she realized, "Oh, that's so expensive! Where did you get the money, Ye Feng? You wouldn't...?"
Su Yun stared at Ye Feng in surprise. She had transferred some money to Ye Feng's card earlier, so that he wouldn't be broke if anything happened. Besides, Ye Feng didn't like coming to towns like this before, and probably hadn't bought anything there. She wanted him to have money to buy anything he liked if he saw it...
"I told you to buy what you like... not to..."
Night Breeze's ears twitched slightly as she said earnestly and gently, "But I saw you liked this... so I bought it for you... is that... wrong?"
The boy's eyes were a beautiful light gold, and when he gazed intently at her, they shimmered with a light that was filled with her image, and only her image.
Bathed in the glow of the setting sun, her beautiful lips gently revealed her feelings, "What? Su Yun, don't you like it?"
"Su Yun, what do you like? I'll buy it for you..."
The cat-eared boy tilted his head slightly, earnestly asking for her opinion, his expression serious and focused.
She finally couldn't resist hooking her arms around his neck, placing a light kiss on his neck, and replying, "Thank you, I like everything you have."
These next few days, after repairing the car and buying winter supplies, I'll be leaving the city.
Su Yun handed the pork bone and lotus root soup that she had prepared in advance to Qing Ji.
Qingji took the steaming bowl of lotus root soup, a hint of surprise in her eyes. Seeing that the two were heading in the direction of leaving the city, she asked, "Are you leaving? Why are you in such a hurry to leave? The guards just sent word that things are not safe around here, there have been mutated bears... Should we wait a little longer?"
A hint of hesitation flashed across Su Yun's face. "We've already stayed several days longer than expected... I heard the last time we encountered a mutated bear was in the north, but we're going to the south, so we shouldn't run into one... Never mind, there are people waiting for us at home, so it's probably not good to stay too long. Let's hurry back before it snows!"
Ye Feng, riding his tricycle, was already waiting on the road leading out of the city.
Seeing that her mind was made up, Qingji said nothing more, but touched the bowl of warm lotus root soup and once again advised, "The mutated bear is extremely ferocious. If you discover its tracks or encounter it, run if you can. Never try to fight it head-on... I wish you a safe journey..."
"If...we run into them...we'd better run back as fast as we can...there are lots of people in the city, we can ask the guards for help...we absolutely must run as fast as we can..."
Qingji couldn't help but remind her again, the soup in her hand was very warm, and the little girl in front of her had a pair of clean and clear eyes...
"Okay! I won't force myself on you... I ran away with Night Breeze the moment I saw you... Hehe." Su Yun waved goodbye again, jumped into the car, and said, "See you next spring!"
"See you next year~" Qingji smiled, a rare occurrence, and waved goodbye to Su Yun.
Watching the motorcycle drive away, Qingji couldn't help but feel a little worried. "We probably won't run into it, right?"
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