Xiao Jiang went to the black market.
She wasn't selling anything, just buying a little, using the black market as an excuse to take out some items from her space.
These past few days, she had been eating at the Shen Family's place. No matter how nice they were, it wasn't a long-term solution.
So last night before bed, Xiao Jiang told Grandma Shen about her plan to go to the black market the next morning.
Grandma Shen had also been there before, and carefully explained some precautions to Xiao Jiang, which she noted down mentally.
Around 4:30 in the morning, after some twists and turns, Xiao Jiang paid a twenty-cent entrance fee and entered the black market.
Everyone had their faces covered, whether they were buyers or sellers.
The transactions were quick, bargaining was done in whispers, and people left as soon as they completed their purchases.
Xiao Jiang unobtrusively bought two jins of eggs, three jins of high-quality flour, one jin of millet, a pumpkin, and a handful of chives.
Lastly, she bought a tea mug and a washbasin.
She placed everything in the basket and discreetly left without drawing any attention.
Upon returning to the courtyard, Xiao Jiang quickly went into her room. Even if someone saw her, they pretended not to notice.
This was everyone's shared secret.
A piece of old clothing covered Xiao Jiang's basket, so Grandma Shen couldn't see what was inside, and she didn't intend to look.
For long-term interactions, one must know their boundaries.
Back in her own room, Xiao Jiang took out the chives, eggs, and high-quality flour.
"Grandma Shen, shall we make dumplings for dinner?"
Grandma Shen glanced at the items on the table.
A bit much, a bit pricey.
"Grandma Shen, I have night school and work, no time, could you help?"
Grandma Shen looked at the pitiful expression on Xiao Jiang's face and said, speechlessly, "Stop with your tricks."
She knew Xiao Jiang wanted to improve their meals, but Grandma Shen, who had been frugal all her life, was reluctant.
But then, the things weren't hers.
Xiao Jiang chuckled, slung her shoulder bag, and walked towards the door.
"I'm serious, these things would be wasted in my hands, my cooking skills are really average."
Grandma Shen raised her head and smiled, "It's the first time I've seen you so modest."
Being modest... she found it somewhat unusual.
Standing at the door, Xiao Jiang paused, holding the door frame with one hand, her back facing Grandma Shen, remaining motionless.
Her silhouette was desolate.
Grandma Shen wondered if she had gone too far with her words just now.
"Grandma Shen..."
"Huh?"
"You always manage to find my strengths! I admit, being too excellent is also a kind of trouble."
Grandma Shen, exasperated, rolled her eyes and said:
"You... just get going!"
Hearing this, Xiao Jiang turned around, grinning broadly, her voice loud and clear.
"As you command! I'm looking forward to the dumplings!"
Xiao Jiang walked away happily.
Grandma Shen sat alone in the chair, shaking her head and smiling.
This child, what has she been raised on?
She truly is... particularly endearing.
Grandma Shen immediately decided that since they were going to eat dumplings, she would add some meat and make it a good meal.
Xiao Jiang was unaware of Grandma Shen's plan; she was heading to the recycling station at that moment.
As with the previous day, she cleaned up simply, did the registration, and read during her free time.
Sister Wang arrived at ten, knitting a sweater while chatting with Xiao Jiang.
After two days, Xiao Jiang learned that Sister Wang's family was well-off before she got married and even better off after.
She's like the chosen one, destined to have a lucky life.
Sister Wang's job at the recycling station was purely because it was easy work for her.
As for what her family specifically did, Xiao Jiang didn't ask, and Sister Wang wasn't the type to show off.
At lunchtime, Xiao Jiang and Sister Wang took aluminum lunch boxes to get their meals.
There were few people, so the cafeteria made one meat dish, one vegetable, and a soup, with buns and mixed grain rice as staples.
The server was a lady in her forties, surnamed Kong, and she was skilled at her job.
"Sister Kong is making braised pork, I haven't seen it in over a month, give me a portion!"
Sister Wang handed over meat vouchers and money, and Sister Kong ladled a big spoonful, filling it to the brim.
"Sister Kong, you're generous—Sister Kong, what happened to your face?"
Behind Sister Wang, Xiao Jiang also saw the bruise on Sister Kong's face.
"It's him again, isn't it! You know, I don't even know what to say to you."
Sister Wang, holding her lunch box, walked away angrily, feeling unsatisfied, and stomped back heavily.
"Sister Kong, you can't go on like this! Why don't you run when he hits you?"
Sister Kong chuckled sheepishly, "It's nothing."
Sister Wang became even angrier, but the braised pork... still smelled so good.
Back at the office, Sister Wang opened up the conversation, full of anger.
"Tell me, what kind of mother is this? Not only does she support that useless son of hers, but she gets beaten by her own child. How could she have such a brute for a son? If only she'd drowned him at birth!"
"Xiao Jiang, tell me, she doesn't get angry, but she makes me so upset, it's just..."
From these few words, Xiao Jiang roughly understood.
Sister Wang had a strong sense of justice and got along well with Sister Kong privately.
Sister Kong, a widow, had a good-for-nothing, violent son in his twenties.
"Sister Wang, I don't know any grand philosophies, but I know you're a good person, and Sister Kong knows it too."
"The one who hits can eat and drink all he wants, and it doesn't affect anything, so why should we get all worked up?"
With just a few words, Xiao Jiang calmed Sister Wang's emotions.
As Sister Wang relaxed, she felt her relationship with Xiao Jiang had gotten closer and became more talkative.
Of course, the good relationship didn't stop Sister Wang from leaving at two.
Xiao Jiang still stayed until 4:30, rushing back as quickly as possible, not lingering a second longer.
As soon as she entered the courtyard, she was pulled away by Shen Yue.
"Sister Jiang Cheng, we're having dumplings today!"
Just mentioning dumplings made Shen Yue drool.
The smell of dumplings was already wafting in the yard, with several children holding their bowls, looking toward the Shen Family's direction, eating their own meals.
With the aroma wafting by, the food seemed to taste better.
When the dumplings were done, several adults couldn't help but stand at the door and take a deep sniff.
After the dumplings were done, Xiao Jiang took out a small plateful, about ten or so, and brought them to Uncle Sun's place.
Uncle Sun had helped them out these past times.
Maintaining relationships can't rely solely on words.
Going in and out, Xiao Jiang returned with a bowl of seaweed soup from Uncle Sun's house.
Back at the Shen Family's, Xiao Jiang saw three people sitting properly, with their mouths shut, eagerly eyeing the dumplings, waiting for her.
She immediately set down the seaweed soup, and the four of them dug in.
"There's meat?"
From the taste, Xiao Jiang knew Grandma Shen didn't want to take advantage, and jokingly said:
"Grandma Shen, next time I prepare the vegetables, you should add some more meat."
Grandma Shen pretended to give Xiao Jiang a sideways glance, "Keep dreaming!"
The four of them ate heartily, each having a bowl of dumpling soup, the original broth complementing the original food.
After dinner, Xiao Jiang rushed to her night school class.
It was the usual two classes.
After the two classes, Xiao Jiang once again became the favorite student of the two new teachers.
After class, not wanting Grandma Shen to wait long, Xiao Jiang was the first to dash out of the classroom, backpack in tow.
From the back row, Sun Jiandong saw and immediately thought Xiao Jiang was afraid of him.
Confident in his plan, Sun Jiandong smiled self-assuredly and pursued her.