With Shen Ci's matter resolved, Sang Shen returned to live in the compound, and Bu Ling could once again enjoy Sang Shen's special cooking. Life had been wonderful for her lately.
That day, after dinner, Sangshen asked, "Hey~ Buling, it's almost the Little New Year, what are your plans for spending it?"
Bling lay sprawled on the bed like she had no bones: "I'll live however I want, I'm all alone anyway."
Nowadays, people don't celebrate the New Year anymore; it's mainly because they can't afford it. Only families who are particular about tradition have that idea.
"Perfect, I'm single too, how about we live together?"
Bu Ling glanced at him sideways: "Aren't you going with your brother?"
“My brother is busy!” Sangshen said firmly, even if he were free, he wouldn’t be.
"Then let's live together, we can keep each other company." Buling didn't delve into whether he was telling the truth or not.
"Okay, what do you want to eat? I'll start looking for ingredients now. This is our first New Year together, so we can't be careless."
Bu Ling hesitated for a moment, then said, "How about we have hot pot? It's been so long since we've had it. Do you know how to make the broth?" Just thinking about eating hot pot in the dead of winter made her mouth water.
Mulberry tossed her head arrogantly: "Just you wait and see!" She was joking; there was nothing he couldn't do. Who was this little black girl underestimating?
"Then it's settled. I'll look for ingredients these next few days; hot pot tastes better with a variety of ingredients!" Bu Ling chimed in enthusiastically.
"No need, I have a way." Mulberry has her own channels.
But Bu Ling didn't take his words to heart. How could Sang Shen have to travel alone for the New Year's Eve celebration for two?
"Do you eat lamb or pork?" Sangshen suddenly asked.
"Can you still get any mutton?" Buling's eyes lit up; she hadn't eaten mutton in ages.
Mulberry nodded reservedly.
"Lamb! The most authentic lamb!" Of course, lamb is the choice. "I also have a pound of pork, enough for the two of us." This was meat she bought four months ago, and only two pounds were left.
"Okay!" Seeing that the little black girl liked it, Sangshen didn't say much more, thinking that she should get her some more mutton, since it was cold now and it wouldn't spoil.
After the two reached an agreement, Sangshen went back inside.
After Buling left, she locked the door, fastened the safety bolt, drew the curtains, and darted into bed. This damn weather is freezing! I wonder what it's like back in Northeast China.
She took out a plastic water bottle filled with hot water from her spatial storage, tucked it into her coat pocket, and used it as a thermos. Back in the day, this was her most cherished water bottle, something she took everywhere. Now, it only served this purpose.
Thankfully, I had this water bottle. The blankets in winter are so cold; even my strongest will couldn't withstand it.
Since they had already agreed to spend New Year's Eve together, Bu Ling saw no reason to sit around waiting for food. The next day, on her way to work, she made a point of going to the grocery store with Wu Yuanyuan to check it out.
Sure enough, there were no surprises; all that was displayed were cabbage, radishes, and potatoes. In the end, Bling only bought a few potatoes.
"Sister Yuanyuan, shall we go check out the black market after work?"
"Okay, do you know where the black market is?"
"Hey! You're underestimating me, aren't you? It's just the county hospital."
"Sure, you've got some information, Xiao Bu. But we're not going there. They require a password to get in, and they charge money. We're going somewhere else." And it costs a lot of money; whether you buy or sell something, you have to pay 50 cents to get in. Wouldn't it be better for her to use that 50 cents to buy a meat bun?
"Are there other places?" Bling really didn't know.
"It's just east of the grove of trees near the machinery factory. We always buy things there. Farmers often come to sell pheasants and things like that, and you can exchange them with coupons, which is quite a good deal," Wu Yuanyuan explained to her.
"Alright, let's go check it out tonight!"
"OK!"
By evening, the food was sold out. After Buling finished checking the accounts with Manager Zhu and Grandpa Tan, handed over the money and receipts, and then told Wu Yuanyuan to go home.
Wu Yuanyuan immediately followed
The two rode their bicycles toward the machine factory.
Wu Yuanyuan led Buling around to a grove of trees on the east side of the machinery factory: "Just go through this grove. Wear your scarf properly and don't show your face."
Bu Ling did as instructed, and Wu Yuanyuan also covered herself up so that only her eyes were visible.
The two stepped into the grove and walked for about six minutes before turning left, when suddenly the area opened up into a bright light.
Bling glanced around and realized they hadn't left the grove. There was a secluded depression in the center of the grove; the so-called black market was located there.
This black market was indeed quite large; their arrival caused absolutely no stir.
Buling glanced around and spotted an egg stall. She quickly pulled Wu Yuanyuan over: "Big sister, how much are your eggs?"
"One cent each!"
"These are a bit expensive, ma'am. I really want to buy them, so please give me a fair price." These eggs can't possibly be that expensive!
The older woman, whose head was wrapped in a large floral headscarf and only her eyes were visible, looked the two of them up and down. When she saw the bicycle, her tone softened a bit: "Young lady, I can tell you're an amateur. What's going on this year? Grain prices are skyrocketing. Chickens eat grain, so shouldn't their eggs be more expensive?"
The older sister's words made sense, but as far as she knew, no family was so extravagant as to feed their chickens with grain.
"Sister, this isn't the first time I've bought eggs. Eggs at the supply and marketing cooperative are only five cents each, but yours are double the price."
"Oh dear~ Doesn't the supply and marketing cooperative require egg coupons? But you don't need coupons for this, ma'am."
"Even tickets aren't this expensive!" Wu Yuanyuan muttered softly, "Forget it, let's not buy them. Let's see if we can exchange them for some egg tickets later."
As he spoke, he tried to pull Bu Ling away.
"Hey, hey, hey~ Little sister, why are you in such a hurry? Nine and a half points each will do, okay?" Seeing the two women walking without stopping, the older woman gritted her teeth: "Nine points, nine points!"
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