Chapter 60: Is Everyone Living Behind the Gates an Official?

Chapter 60: Chapter 60: Is Everyone Living Behind the Gates an Official?

Uncle Chen dropped Yun Zhen off at the recycling station.

The young boss’s eyes widened in surprise when he saw him. "Uncle Chen, you know this kid too?"

In his impression, Uncle Chen had never been the enthusiastic type to meddle in other people’s business. It was truly strange. First it was Granny Qin, a retired teacher, and now Uncle Chen, a retired special forces soldier—both of them were helping this underage kid. He wondered about her background.

Chen San’s tone was cold and hard. "Teacher Qin went out of town to visit a friend. She asked your Uncle Liu and me to look after this child, so don’t you dare try to fool her just because she’s young."

"Oh, come on!" the young boss cried out defensively. "How could I? Uncle Chen, just ask the girl yourself! Every time she sells her scrap here, I always round up the money for her!"

Yun Zhen vouched for him. "Uncle Chen, the boss takes great care of me. Yesterday, I sold four yuan and ninety cents worth of bottles, and he gave me an extra ten cents to make it a flat five yuan!"

The young boss flashed a bright, white smile. "See?"

Chen San let out a huff of laughter. "At least you have a conscience, kid!"

The young boss began weighing the scrap Yun Zhen had collected.

"Wow! The cardboard is twenty catties.

"Aluminum cans, one, two, three... fifty-eight of them.

"Sixty-three plastic bottles.

"The total is seventy-four yuan and thirty cents. I’ll give you an extra twenty cents, making it seventy-four yuan and fifty cents."

Yun Zhen was overjoyed to receive the money. "Thank you, Boss."

The young boss chuckled. "My name is Lu Ping. Since we’re practically old friends now, you can just call me Brother Lu."

Yun Zhen didn’t hesitate. "Brother Lu."

"Great!" Lu Ping smiled. "Your name is Yun Zhen, right? I heard Granny Qin call you that before."

Yun Zhen smiled and nodded. Then she turned to Chen San. "Uncle Chen, sorry to trouble you today. Let me buy you a drink."

Chen San shook his head, refusing the offer. "I have to go to work. Keep your money and save it for yourself. Don’t go wasting it on others."

With that, he revved the throttle of his electric tricycle and rode off.

Lu Ping gossiped behind his back. "Don’t mind him. Uncle Chen just has that kind of temper."

Yun Zhen nodded sincerely. "I know. Uncle Chen is a good man!" She then looked at Lu Ping and added, "You’re a good man, too."

Even a shrewd businessman like Lu Ping couldn’t help but blush a little. He couldn’t help but think how incredibly innocent she was.

Yun Zhen wrapped the money in a plastic bag, folding it layer by layer before stuffing it deep into her pocket. "Brother Lu, I have to go to work now. See you tomorrow."

Lu Ping waved. "Alright, see you tomorrow!"

Yun Zhen headed to the restaurant to work.

As soon as noon hit, bustling crowds of people squeezed into the shop.

"Stir-fried pork intestine over rice!"

"One bowl of pork noodles!"

"I want hot and sour noodles, extra spicy and extra numbing!"

Yun Zhen spun around as busy as a top. It was exhausting, but extremely fulfilling. That was especially true the moment she received her pay. Plus, she got to eat the staff meal prepared by the boss, which had both meat and rice. Today, she even got to drink some sweet water that the other employees called soda. This job was simply wonderful. She was thankful to Brother Zhao once again!

After getting off work, she went to Da Xue City.

The spot she had used yesterday was already taken by a clothing vendor. Yun Zhen found a new spot and laid out fifteen crocheted dolls. These were similar to yesterday’s batch—whether in style, color, or accessories, they were all far more exquisite than the first doll she had ever made.

One hundred yuan! She had to sell them for one hundred yuan.

"Yun Zhen, we meet again. It seems we’re quite destined to cross paths." At the sound of the familiar voice, Yun Zhen looked up and saw Su Yue. This was the girl who had treated her to that sweet milk tea yesterday, a taste she was still reminiscing about.

Yun Zhen felt a strong sense of fondness toward her and took the initiative to greet her. "Hello, Su Yue."

Su Yue smiled and asked, "Did you sell all your crocheted dolls yesterday?"

Yun Zhen answered truthfully, "They all sold out."

This area was crowded, and most of the people were dressed in bright, decent clothing. They looked like young masters and ladies from wealthy families, wearing leisurely expressions untouched by the worries of making a living as they pulled out money at stall after stall. It was these very people who had bought out Yun Zhen’s stock.

"Wow!" Su Yue exclaimed. "It looks like your dolls are really popular. There are quite a few people selling crocheted dolls around here, but only yours sold out completely."

Yun Zhen’s face reddened slightly. Other vendors set up stalls with dozens or even hundreds of items. She only had fifteen, so of course they sold out fast.

Su Yue smiled and asked again, "Was yesterday’s milk tea good?"

Yun Zhen savored the memory for a moment before nodding firmly. "It was delicious. I’ve never had such good tea in my life."

Hearing this, Su Yue couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy. In a major metropolis with a high per capita GDP, how could there still be people who had never even drank milk tea? Even though Su Yue came from a rural village, she still had enough living expenses left over every month to go out and buy snacks. It seemed this little girl’s family was experiencing extraordinary financial hardship.

Su Yue offered generously, "Do you want milk tea or fruit tea today? It’s my treat."

Yun Zhen shook her head, politely declining. "We’ve only met three times. I can’t accept any more milk tea from you; it’s too precious."

Su Yue choked on her words. "Yesterday’s milk tea was only seven yuan a cup. It’s not expensive." She wondered how milk tea could be considered precious when she exclusively drank affordable ones that cost under ten yuan.

Yun Zhen’s breath hitched, and she asked in disbelief to confirm, "Seven yuan?"

That was enough to buy seven catties of rice! It was incredibly expensive! Even though the milk tea was delicious, a single cup was gone in an instant. Seven catties of rice, on the other hand, was enough to feed her family of four for two or three days.

Oblivious to the utter shock on Yun Zhen’s face, Su Yue continued, "Yeah, it’s not expensive at all. It’s not like I bought one of those fancy brands that start at twenty yuan!"

Yun Zhen was absolutely horrified to learn there was milk out there that cost twenty yuan. Twenty catties of rice was enough to feed her family for over a dozen days.

She sincerely thanked her once again, "Thank you for gifting me such precious tea."

Su Yue massaged her temples. Why was this little girl so hung up on the word "precious"? She tactfully changed the subject. "Let’s stop talking about milk tea. I’ve got nothing else to do and time to kill, so let me help you sell your crocheted dolls."

She pulled out a tablet and aimed it at the stall, snapping several photos with a series of CLICK CLICK CLICK sounds.

Yun Zhen stared blankly for a long time. "What are you doing?"

"I’m sending pictures of your dolls to my dorm group chat," Su Yue explained, "to see if any of my roommates like them."

"Thank you." Yun Zhen gathered that she was trying to help her make some sales.

Su Yue twitched her nose, her attention caught by a savory aroma. "No need to thank me. Come on, I’ll treat you to a grilled sausage."

She turned and walked over to a nearby stall, buying two starch sausages. "Here, for you." Without hesitation, she shoved one into Yun Zhen’s hands.

Yun Zhen tried to decline. She really couldn’t keep accepting her things.

But Su Yue insisted. "One costs three yuan, but two is a better deal at only five yuan. I bought two but can’t finish them both, so you have to help me eat one."

Yun Zhen was once again astounded by her immense wealth. She took the grilled sausage. "I really don’t know how to thank you."

They had been total strangers the first time they met, yet Su Yue had spent a large sum of money buying her crocheted dolls. Yesterday was only their second meeting, and Su Yue had bought her a heavy cup of precious milk tea. And today, she was buying her a meat sausage.

"Hurry up and eat," Su Yue urged. "This is called a starch sausage. It tastes even better than real meat."

Yun Zhen took a bite. "There’s meat inside."

The grilled sausage was golden and crispy with a rich, meaty flavor, sprinkled with spices that left a numbing and spicy kick on the tongue.

Su Yue burst out laughing. "What meat? It’s nothing but artificial flavors and food chemistry!"

The two of them snacked on their starch sausages. Every now and then, a passerby would stop to ask about the price of the crocheted dolls. Su Yue had already picked up on Yun Zhen’s sales pitch. Whenever someone complained about the price, she would chime in, "They are purely handmade and way more exquisite than anything sold online. A flat one hundred yuan each. It’s not expensive, not expensive at all."

Some people walked away because one hundred yuan was too steep. Others, however, paid up without hesitation.

Su Yue stayed for half an hour. "Yun Zhen, I have to head back now. My roommate asked me to bring some food back for her. If you’re here again tomorrow, I’ll come hang out with you."

Yun Zhen waved goodbye. "See you tomorrow."

Su Yue smiled. "See you tomorrow."

Suddenly, Yun Zhen pointed toward the grand marble school gates, unable to hold back the burning question in her heart any longer. "Su Yue, what exactly do you all do? Are the people living behind these gates all important government officials?"