Filled with joy at her find at the scrap yard, Lin Qian walked briskly to the supply and marketing cooperative. The cooperative was bustling with people, and the goods were dazzling. People moved between the shelves, selecting the items they needed, and the noise rose and fell.
After entering the supply and marketing cooperative, Lin Qian quickly scanned the surrounding goods. She already had a shopping list in mind, starting with household items such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, and towels. She went to the household goods section and carefully selected items. She picked up a tube of toothpaste, checked the production date and expiration date, smelled it, and after confirming it was safe, placed it in her shopping basket. Next, she chose a soft toothbrush and a highly absorbent towel.
After buying household necessities, Lin Qian went to the food section. Remembering 003's craving for delicious food, she decided to buy some snacks for him. Looking at the various snacks on the shelves—candies, cookies, and dried fruit—she was momentarily overwhelmed. After some selection, she chose some of 003's favorite candies and cookies, imagining 003's happy expression, and a smile involuntarily appeared on her face.
Besides daily necessities and snacks, Lin Qian also wanted to buy some fabric to make a few new clothes. She went to the fabric section, looking at the various colors and materials, pondering which one to choose. She touched the fabrics, feeling their softness and smoothness. Finally, she chose a light blue cotton fabric and a floral fabric, intending to make herself a shirt and a skirt.
The last time Lin Qian came to buy things, she encountered a sales clerk. This time, she saw the same sales clerk again. The clerk was extremely busy, but still greeted Lin Qian warmly. After Lin Qian smiled and responded, the sales clerk, seeing that Lin Qian had purchased quite a lot of things this time, found a colleague to cover her shift and then led Lin Qian to the warehouse.
The warehouse was now stocked with a wider variety of goods, and Lin Qian selected many items she needed. Before leaving, to express her gratitude, Lin Qian quietly slipped 10 yuan to the sales clerk. The clerk was a little surprised but happily accepted it and welcomed Lin Qian to come again.
Lin Qian browsed around the supply and marketing cooperative, her shopping basket now overflowing with various items. She went to the cashier, took everything out of her basket, and asked the cashier to calculate the bill. The cashier skillfully calculated the prices and told Lin Qian the total cost. Lin Qian paid, took her purchases, and left the supply and marketing cooperative, satisfied.
On her way to the state-run restaurant, Lin Qian saw several people hurrying by. An idea struck her, and she had 003 scan the location of the black market. Having learned its location, she decided to go check it out.
Arriving at the black market, the atmosphere was completely different from that of the supply and marketing cooperative. Hidden in a remote corner of the city, surrounded by dilapidated houses and narrow alleys, the black market exuded a mysterious aura. Stepping inside, it was bustling with activity; the narrow streets were lined with various stalls, and people came and went in a constant stream.
The goods here are dazzling and diverse, even more complete than those in the supply and marketing cooperative. The stalls are filled with all kinds of products, including fresh fruits and vegetables, rich in variety and vibrant in color; all kinds of daily necessities, from pots and pans to needles and buttons, you name it; and some rare items that are hard to find on the market, attracting people's attention.
The air was filled with a variety of aromas—the scents of food, the smells of goods, and the scents of people—creating a unique atmosphere. The sounds of conversation and bargaining mingled together, rising and falling, brimming with the warmth and vibrancy of everyday life.
Lin Qian carefully avoided the debris on the ground and walked to a relatively secluded corner. After looking around and making sure no one was paying attention to her, she whispered to 003, "003, take the food, fruit, and a few processed chickens that I bought in the last world out of the system inventory."
003 swiftly executed Lin Qian's instructions, and a pile of items appeared before her. Lin Qian organized the items and prepared to find a suitable stall.
Before heading to the black market, Lin Qian made a point of disguising herself. She wore a slightly worn coat, casually tied her hair into a low ponytail, and donned a wide-brimmed hat that covered most of her face. She carefully checked herself in the mirror to make sure she wouldn't be easily recognized before setting off for the black market.
Upon arriving at the entrance to the black market, Lin Qian deliberately lowered the brim of her hat, her eyes warily scanning her surroundings. The burly man with a fierce face sat in a simple shed, glancing at Lin Qian's attire casually without paying her much attention.
Holding the small sign, Lin Qian entered the black market. She found a slightly more spacious spot and discreetly placed the grain, fruit, and chicken she had brought into her backpack. Then, she found an empty space and carefully laid out the fruit and grain.
Soon, a crowd gathered around. A simply dressed middle-aged woman looked at Lin Qian's fruit, a hint of interest flashing in her eyes, and asked, "How much is this fruit?"
Lin Qian smiled and replied, "Big sister, this fruit costs eight cents a pound."
The middle-aged woman frowned and said with disdain, "Oh dear, why is this fruit so expensive? Pork only costs six cents."
Lin Qian patiently explained, "Big sister, pork on the black market costs a little over a dollar. What you're telling me is the price at the butcher shop outside, which is different."
The middle-aged woman said unwillingly, "It can't be this expensive, can you make it cheaper?"
Lin Qian shook her head and said, "Sister, my fruit is all fresh and of good quality. This price is already very fair."
The middle-aged woman hesitated for a moment, still feeling it was a bit expensive, but she really liked the fruit, and finally said, "Then give me five pounds."
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