Chapter 05: The Plan
Ying Sisi felt a weight lift off her shoulders as she pulled out a pack of cigarettes and pressed it into the man's hand. “Thank you, big brother. Please accept this small token of appreciation.”
The man accepted the cigarettes, and his attitude softened considerably as he advised, “Once you're inside, if you hear someone yelling ‘run’, regardless of whether you have bought anything, make sure to run east.”
“Got it.” Ying Sisi thanked him and stepped into the market.
Inside, she found a variety of goods for trade: rice, flour, oil, meat tickets, stationery, daily necessities, and more, all available for equivalent exchange.
After browsing for a while, she finally stopped in front of a stall selling noodles.
Suddenly, someone bumped into her arm, causing her to stumble several steps to the side.
“Sorry, sorry!”
Ying Sisi steadied herself and turned to see an older woman apologizing, with an open book of stamps scattered on the ground.
The colorful stamps were quite beautiful.
The buildings and landscapes depicted on them resembled the picturesque scenes the educated youth often described.
She remembered the educated youth mentioning that stamps had significant collecting value, especially ones from decades ago, which could be rare finds. If someone knowledgeable came along, they could be worth a fortune.
Intrigued, she leaned in closer as the woman noticed her interest and quickly said, “Girl, are you interested in buying stamps? These are all old items from the 60s and 70s, over a hundred stamps in one book for just eight yuan.”
“Can things from the 60s and 70s still be used? Who would pay eight yuan for them? You'd get two cents at the recycling station,” the stall owner chimed in.
The older woman shot back, “I didn't ask you; I was asking this girl.”
Ying Sisi was quite interested but found the price too high. She felt her pockets and realized she didn’t have eight yuan. “Can I take a look first?”
“Of course, these are my family’s private collection. I wouldn't sell them unless absolutely necessary,” the woman replied.
Ying Sisi flipped through the stamps, confirming their age. “Would you let them go for three yuan? That's all I have.”
She honestly pulled out her change, which she had secretly saved while buying ingredients for Song Hanmei.
The middle-aged woman hesitated.
The noodle stall owner said, “Girl, from how you're dressed, it doesn't seem like you're well-off. Buying a book of stamps that can’t be eaten or drunk for three yuan? Your family would scold you.”
Ying Sisi began to waver. Her understanding of value came from the educated youth in her village.
If she couldn’t turn the stamps into money, then buying them would be no different from purchasing junk.
“I…”
The older woman, fearing Ying Sisi would change her mind, shoved the stamps into her arms. “Three yuan is fine. I'll take a loss.”
The stall owner warned, “Girl, think carefully. Don't let yourself be fooled.”
Ying Sisi pondered seriously before responding, “I've thought it through.” She handed over the money to the woman.
The middle-aged woman felt a mix of joy and regret. “I've collected these for decades, and in the end, they're only worth three yuan.”
“Maybe…” Ying Sisi touched her empty wallet, filled with sudden regret.
She had fought hard to save this money, using her wits against Song Hanmei countless times.
Now, she had lost her capital. What was she supposed to do next?
“I have things to do; I'll be leaving now.” The middle-aged woman hurriedly took her leave.
With no turning back, Ying Sisi pocketed the stamps and headed home.
Before she knew it, she was back at the Li family's house.
As soon as she entered, she was stopped by Li Junlu, her father, who was home from work. He questioned her grumpily, “Did you know you were coming home? You followed your mother out and didn’t say a word when you left, making your mother and sister look for you for half the day. Is this how you behave as a daughter and a sister?”
“I—”
Li Yuwei quickly interjected, “Dad, it's New Year's, let it go. Sister didn't mean to.”
With no turning back, Ying Sisi pocketed the stamps and headed home.
Before she knew it, she was back at the Li family's house.
As soon as she entered, she was stopped by Li Junlu, her father, who was home from work. He questioned her grumpily, “Did you know you were coming home? You followed your mother out and didn’t say a word when you left, making your mother and sister look for you for half the day. Is this how you behave as a daughter and a sister?”
“I—”
Li Yuwei quickly interjected, “Dad, it's New Year's, let it go. Sister didn't mean to.”
(End of Chapter)
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