Chapter 48 You’re Overthinking It

Yunyi figured her parcel definitely wouldn’t arrive yet, so she didn’t mention it and went straight to the Supply and Marketing Cooperative across the street with everyone else. At this hour, which might also have been the start of the workday, there weren’t many customers inside the cooperative. After browsing for a while, Yunyi considered the inevitable social courtesies involved in entering the village. Consequently, she bought two packets of large biscuits and a pound of fruit hard candy. Seeing some local strong liquor that didn’t require coupons, she also took two bottles. Geng Erhong, being straightforward, asked, "Yunyi, what are you buying liquor for?" While packing the items into her bag, Yunyi replied, "Liquor has many uses. I’m preparing some in advance. You never know when it might come in handy." Geng Erhong took Yunyi’s earnest words at face value. She had heard that winters in the Northeast were particularly cold, and people couldn’t endure them without drinking a bit. She thought Yunyi was preparing far too early. Needless to say, the two weren’t on the same wavelength at all. For the time being, no other items were needed. As for things like thermal flasks, Yunyi had already taken those from her Beijing home and stored them in her space. She figured she could simply collect her package from the commune in a few days to make things look legitimate. As they chatted, they left the Supply and Marketing Cooperative. Seeing Zhang Kuiwei standing at the entrance and thinking of the others still inside, Yunyi said, "Zhiqing Zhang, Zhiqing Geng and I are heading to the state-run restaurant up ahead. If they ask, please let them know for us." Zhang Kuiwei nodded. "Alright." Geng Erhong asked, puzzled, "We’re not doing things together anyway, so why bother telling them?" Yunyi glanced toward the state-run restaurant ahead. "It’s to prevent them from coming out, not finding us, and then making all sorts of comments." Geng Erhong thought of Bai Suli, who was rather difficult to deal with and had been speaking with veiled sarcasm on the ox-cart earlier. She agreed, "You’re right. This way, we can avoid Bai Suli looking for trouble again." The Supply and Marketing Cooperative was only a few steps from the state-run restaurant. A sign at its entrance listed what was available that day. It wasn’t dinner time yet, but steamed buns were already coming out of the steamer. Yunyi went up and ordered five. It would be dinnertime by the time they returned to the village. In these times, no one’s food rations came easily. Not knowing what the situation at the Zhiqing Point was like, it was better to prepare some food in advance. Seeing Yunyi buying steamed buns, Geng Erhong also took out her Money Coupon and bought five. Clearly, she’d had the same idea. When they returned to where the ox-cart was parked, the others had not yet come out. After stowing their purchases, they saw the others walking back, laden with bags large and small. Bai Suli, upon seeing them, seemed to feel a sense of superiority. "Why are you back so soon? Didn’t you buy anything?" Geng Erhong, noting her attitude, retorted directly, "Our families packed everything for us, so naturally, there’s no need to buy more." Bai Suli, failing to get the upper hand with Geng Erhong, turned to Yunyi. "Yunyi, I noticed you didn’t bring much. Aren’t you going to buy some additional things?" Yunyi looked at her with a smile that was not quite a smile. "You really are considerate." Bai Suli coughed lightly. "Well, since we’re both fellow zhiqing and assigned to the same place, of course, I have to show a little more concern." The corners of Yunyi’s mouth curved into a smile. "You’re overthinking things. My parcel should arrive in a day or two." Bai Suli had originally wanted to show off. She hadn’t expected that the other two either had things prepared by their families or sent by mail. Feeling a bit awkward, she said, "Oh, I see. My family said mailing things costs a lot of unnecessary money, and carrying them yourself is such a hassle. It’s better to buy things when you arrive." Yunyi and Geng Erhong exchanged a glance. This woman certainly knew how to make excuses for herself. However, what she said wasn’t entirely wrong, so they didn’t voice any objection.