"It’s because the policy got better. The nearby villages divided their production to households, so everyone’s vegetables and surplus grains increased. They’re willing to sell them to earn so money. Gradually, people from the surrounding villages got to know there’s a small market here. Folks around here usually co over to buy things. Now those vendors have grown bolder. Once they set up their stalls, they stay for the whole morning."
"I see."
Unexpectedly, on the road, I ran into Sun Yu, and also two people I didn’t recognize. Wang Guihua was among them.
Lin Wan heard about Wang Guihua arguing with her husband and thought she wouldn’t be close to Sun Yu.
The two unfamiliar faces received just a nod from Lin Wan as a greeting.
Sister-in-law Jiang helped introduce them. One is from the third unit, and the other from the fifth unit. Both are city folks with official jobs. They’re here visiting relatives during their holiday.
They hadn’t walked long before arriving at the small market. When Lin Wan ca here before the year-end, it was scattered stalls. Now they have set up a few straw huts in the clearing among the woods. About ten stalls lined up neatly.
"Xiao Wan, in your plot, I planted cabbages and radishes for you guys; they should be ready to harvest in a couple of days. If you want to grow sothing else, you should buy so seeds."
"Okay, thank you, Saozi."
"If anyone should be thanked, it’s thanking you. Your plot is prepared for to plant; you’ve never tasted the vegetables. Don’t forget to harvest the cabbages and radishes."
"The main reason is I’m not often around here." It’s October already, not suitable for planting.
Lin Wan strolled around and bought a block of tofu for two cents. So freshly dug peanuts, bought two pounds for six cents.
Chives are five cents a bunch, eggs are sixty-eight cents a pound. Lin Wan bought a bunch of chives and fifty eggs, planning to take so to Second Uncle tomorrow.
Besides these, Lin Wan also found a fruit stand; the apples were big and red, five cents a pound.
Lin Wan thought they looked nice, so she bought three pounds. Sister-in-law Jiang and the one from the fifth unit also thought they were good. Each bought a pound. Sister-in-law Zhang didn’t want apples; she bought so persimmon cakes and autumn pears. Lin Wan thought the pears looked fresh, so she bought two pounds.
Sun Yu saw them all buying fruit. Not wanting to seem behind, even though she felt the pinch, she bought the most expensive apple.
Lin Wan saw an old farr with a cartload of coal briquettes and inquired about the price, three cents a piece.
Lin Wan asked the old farr if delivery was possible. The old farr said yes.
Lin Wan imdiately ordered fifty pieces, asking the old farr to deliver them to the courtyard area.
On the way back, a sister-in-law from the fifth unit saw Lin Wan buying so much coal and couldn’t help but laugh, "Lin, why buy so much coal?"
Before Lin Wan could reply, Sun Yu interjected sourly, "Their family runs a business; money is no issue."
Many people now look down on those of us who have gone into business; as soon as Sun Yu spoke, the wife from the third unit looked at Lin Wan with several strands of disdain. The urbanites’ sense of superiority instantly increased.
"I guess it’s about to snow. Just right to stockpile so coal," Lin Wan ignored Sun Yu, smiling as she replied to the sister-in-law from the fifth unit.
"True, it’s ti to prepare so," the sister-in-law from the fifth unit didn’t show any disdain toward Lin Wan like the one from the third unit.
In the tubular building and apartnt buildings, coal balls are used, not these.
Sister-in-law Jiang felt Lin Wan made a good point and ordered thirty coal briquettes from the old farr pulling the cart.
"Aunt Lin, I want to eat an apple," just about to reach the courtyard, Miao Miao beside Wang Guihua suddenly ran up to Lin Wan, reaching out for one.
Lin Wan turned to look at the young child’s arrogant expression and disliked her tone.
Using "want" instead of "would like" to eat the apple.
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