Chapter 69: Missing Cat Notice, 30,000 Reward

Chapter 69: Chapter 69: Missing Cat Notice, 30,000 Reward

Both Li Mei and Sister-in-law Liu were happy for Yun Zhen that she had managed to make a friend, especially a college student.

Li Mei chimed in, "It’s good to have a friend. You’ll have a companion when you go out. It’s even better that they’re a college student. They don’t have ulterior motives and won’t scam you."

Sister-in-law Liu also supported Yun Zhen making friends, but she still warned her, "It’s completely normal for young people to make friends. The fact that your college friend bought you a sausage and milk tea after only meeting you once or twice shows that she’s a generous and kind kid. But remember to keep your guard up when interacting with anyone. Don’t eat things strangers give you in the future. You can’t guarantee you’ll meet good people every time."

Yun Zhen took her teachings to heart. "Don’t worry, Sister-in-law Liu, I know what I’m doing."

Li Mei and Sister-in-law Liu both knew that although Yun Zhen had never been to school, she was smart and obedient. They felt relieved. Yun Zhen had lived a hard life, and they didn’t want to see anything bad happen to her.

Li Mei peeled the wrapper off a White Rabbit candy and popped it into her mouth. "When I came over this afternoon, the small supermarket next door was having a clearance sale. I’m guessing they’re going out of business. Things are way cheaper than usual. Just take this White Rabbit candy, for example—normally it’s forty or fifty yuan a bag, but it’s only twenty yuan on clearance, and there are a hundred and fifty pieces inside! Yun Zhen, do you have any daily necessities you need to buy? Let’s go check it out together."

Sister-in-law Liu added, "The owner’s son had a successful startup in Hai City. He’s bringing his parents and younger siblings over to Hai City to enjoy a good life, which is why they’re closing shop."

Yun Zhen was more than happy to tag along with Li Mei to hunt for bargains. "Sure, I have time after work."

Li Mei was delighted to have a companion. "Great, we’ll go together after work." She then looked at Sister-in-law Liu. "They say the owner’s son graduated from Hai City University and started his business right after graduation. He managed to put down roots in Hai City in just a few short years. It really pisses you off when you compare yourself to others."

Sister-in-law Liu sighed. "Tell me about it. If my son were even half as smart as him, I’d be satisfied. How does that saying on the internet go? The gap between some people is bigger than the gap between a person and a dog."

Li Mei consoled her, "Don’t fret, Sister-in-law Liu. Your son’s grades are pretty good too. He’ll definitely get into a good university, and you’ll get to enjoy a good life in the future as well."

Sister-in-law Liu felt the chances were slim, but she still laughed at Li Mei’s comforting words. "I hope so."

A customer arrived at the stall, so Sister-in-law Liu went over to attend to them. Li Mei leaned in close to Yun Zhen to share an interesting tidbit. "I saw a video today. Someone posted a missing cat notice online, saying that whoever finds their cat will get a thirty thousand yuan reward."

"How much?" Yun Zhen asked in disbelief.

Li Mei held up three fingers, emphasizing, "Someone posted a missing cat notice online, and the reward is thirty thousand!"

Thirty thousand? Was that thirty taels of silver? Yun Zhen had never seen so much money before.

Li Mei continued, "I heard it’s a top-tier calico Ragdoll cat with a little black spot on its mouth. The cat was lost right here in our city. Keep an eye out when you leave the house from now on. You might just run into it, and this windfall of wealth will be yours."

Yun Zhen didn’t feel she was that lucky. "How could we ever stumble upon such a good thing?"

Li Mei thought about it and agreed. Aside from going to work, Yun Zhen probably never left the house. Where on earth would she casually bump into a massive windfall?

After work, Yun Zhen followed Li Mei to the small supermarket to hunt for bargains, leaving her vegetable leaves and the mesh bag containing the iron pot, kitchen knife, and cutting board at Sister-in-law Liu’s stall for the time being.

As soon as they approached the supermarket, they heard a blaring loudspeaker.

"Hejia Supermarket massive clearance sale! Toothpaste and toothbrush sets, a full ten boxes for just nine point nine yuan! Thickened emergency household candles, one hundred for fifty yuan!

"Toilet paper, five yuan for a large pack, ten huge rolls per pack! Cleansing and moisturizing soap, one yuan per box...

"All daily necessities are half price!"

By the time Yun Zhen and Li Mei arrived, they were met with a bustling, packed crowd. They had hit right at the post-work rush hour. Li Mei squeezed her way to the front and grabbed a shopping basket for her.

"Put whatever catches your eye in here, then go to the counter to pay. If you come out and don’t see me, just head back first. My husband is picking up the kids today, so I might go home late. Don’t let me hold up your dinner." With that, she headed off toward the other end of the store.

Yun Zhen carried the basket. She calculated her earnings for the day: sixty-eight yuan from collecting scrap, fifty yuan from the restaurant, two thousand yuan from the crocheted dolls, sixty yuan from sorting vegetables, and the twenty-two yuan left over from last time. In total, she had two thousand two hundred yuan.

Bedding was still her top priority, but Yun Zhen decided to buy soap and candles first.

Soap could be used to scrub hands and feet. Mr. Gao had mentioned in class that if hands weren’t washed clean, dirt could get into one’s mouth while eating, making it easy to fall ill. Yun Zhen knew that getting sick meant you could die. She bought the soap so the villagers could wash their hands and feet thoroughly and avoid catching diseases.

There were twenty-three households in the village. She bought fifty boxes of soap; families with fewer people would get one box, and those with more would get two.

Candles were luxury items in her village. People were only willing to buy them if there was a joyous occasion or if an elder passed away. Yun Zhen bought one hundred red candles. They looked much more festive than the white ones next to them. The soap and candles came to a total of one hundred and fifty yuan.

After paying, she stepped outside but didn’t see Li Mei. Knowing her friend wasn’t done shopping yet, Yun Zhen headed back on her own. She swung by Sister-in-law Liu’s vegetable stall to pick up her stored vegetable leaves and the bag with the iron pot, kitchen knife, and cutting board. She made a quick trip back to her dorm to drop things off before heading out again to the flea market.

There were quite a few shops selling second-hand bedding. Yun Zhen picked one at random and walked in.

The shop owner asked, "Looking to buy a cotton quilt, miss? All the bedding in our shop is collected during the university graduation season. We bring them back, wash them thoroughly, and replace the four-piece cover sets with brand new ones. They start at fifty-five yuan per set. That price is an absolute steal in the second-hand bedding market."

Yun Zhen wasn’t in a rush to buy; she planned to check out a few more shops first. "Boss, how do you price the quilts, mattresses, and pillows in your shop?"

"If you buy a quilt, mattress, or pillow separately, we sell them by weight—four yuan a catty," the owner replied. "It’s a much better deal to buy a full set. We offer a flat rate based on weight. Since it’s winter right now, a ten-catty quilt is forty yuan, but buying the whole set only costs sixty yuan.

"You can take a look around first."

Yun Zhen nodded and started browsing the store. At first glance, there was no difference between the second-hand bedding and brand new ones, likely because the covers had been replaced. She visited a few more shops before choosing the one with the lowest prices. A set of winter bedding only cost forty-five yuan. She bought ten sets and asked the boss to place them in the alley next door for her.

She then turned into a shop selling stoves.

The owner greeted her warmly. "Looking to buy a stove, miss? They can be installed in any self-built rural house."

Yun Zhen pointed to a tall, large stove. "How much is this one?"

"Seven hundred yuan," the owner replied.

Yun Zhen thought it was too expensive.

The owner pitched enthusiastically, spit flying as he spoke. "My stoves are expensive for a reason! They’re made of thickened cast iron, are highly heat-resistant, and have great ventilation. I’ll even throw in the exhaust pipes! You’ll only find them for seven hundred here at the flea market. It’s totally normal for other places to sell them for eight or nine hundred. If you miss this chance, you won’t find a deal like this again!

"Moreover, the most important thing about a stove is retaining heat and proper ventilation. Everyone who’s bought my goods says they’re excellent. Take it home and try it—you can return it within three days, no questions asked!

"Also, my stoves can burn both coal and firewood. When you use it, just pop open the sealing door, and the fire will instantly shoot right up. When you’re not using it, shut the door, and I guarantee the room will stay nice and toasty."

Since he put it like that, Yun Zhen thought it over and bought two large stoves, complete with installation blueprints.

The boss even threw in twenty catties of coal for free. She had two hundred yuan left. She bought one hundred catties of rice at eighty cents a catty, and two hundred-catty bags of white flour for sixty yuan each. Her money was spent right down to the last penny!