Chapter 30: Shopping at the Supermarket

The wedding was set by the Wan family for a week later. Time was tight, and Yu Yan had no chance to make anything herself; she could only pick and choose what to buy. Wan Shun saw how enthusiastic the old lady was and didn’t dampen her spirits. After all, whatever she bought would be useful—there was nothing their household didn’t lack.

If it were any other time, the old lady would begrudge spending even a single cent. This was just perfect.

The mother and daughter rode their motorcycle to the commune, drawing envious and jealous stares from everyone around. The sun blazed as usual, but being a market day, there were plenty of people on the road. Wan Shun raised her voice and called out, “Anyone want a ride? One yuan per person! Don’t miss out if you’re passing by!”

Yu Yan instinctively shrank her neck, her face flushed red, her gaze wandering—she hadn’t expected Wan Shun to shout so suddenly and felt terribly embarrassed. But thinking it over, it made sense: bringing someone along for just one yuan, ten people would be ten yuan, it was quite a deal. Though not many would be willing to spend, she herself certainly wouldn’t.

“Grandma, I want to ride, I want to ride!” A chubby little boy, captivated by the flashy motorcycle, clung to his grandmother’s clothes, begging and acting up.

The old lady shot Wan Shun a fierce glare. “My good grandson, you can’t ride that! It’ll hurt your behind. Didn’t your bottom ache for days after riding the tractor last time? This hurts even more.”

Wan Shun wasn’t about to accept such slander. If you don’t want to ride, fine—but why glare at her and belittle her motorcycle? She couldn’t stand it.

“My bike won’t hurt your behind at all. It’s so comfortable; look at my mom, sitting so well! The seat’s soft, and the breeze keeps you cool. It’s quick—a blink and you’re at the commune, and it’s super stylish. Ride it once and all the kids will envy you. Then, you’ll be the coolest kid in the village.”

The little one, almost convinced by his grandma, was intrigued again by Wan Shun’s boasting and clamored, “I want to ride, Grandma, I want to ride!”

Denied, he threw himself to the ground, screaming and rolling around. The old lady’s face turned pale with rage. Under the one-child policy, this was her precious darling—what could she do but compromise? She climbed aboard, still sulking, casting two fierce looks at Wan Shun.

“He’s small, I’ll let him sit on my lap—it doesn’t count as a seat.”

Yu Yan, embarrassed, was about to nod when Wan Shun turned back. “Anyone counts, Grandma. My seat’s wide enough, no need for him to suffer on your lap. Little brother, listen, the seat’s much comfier than a lap.”

The boy twisted his bottom and took the empty seat next to her. The cushion, padded with foam, was indeed soft and comfortable.

The old lady opened her mouth to scold, but Wan Shun changed her tune. “But, for children under one meter twenty, only half-price—just like a bus fare.

This is a proper business: honest to all, fair and affordable.”

Half-price was easier to accept than a full ticket. Though she was still disgruntled that it wasn’t free, she paid up. Wan Shun quickly switched to a smiling face, saying plenty of nice things and told Yu Yan to keep the money.

Yu Yan nearly buried her head in her stomach, more nervous than the passengers. She could never be as thick-skinned as Wan Shun.

The old lady huffed; her excitement at riding for the first time vanished, but the little one bounced with joy.

Wan Shun shouted a few more times, but with no takers, she headed out.

Midway, they met an elderly couple with apparent wealth wanting a ride. As half the journey had already passed, Wan Shun only charged half-price: one yuan for the two.

Yu Yan was much calmer this time, even inviting them to sit inside.

This trip netted two yuan fifty—perfectly done. Yu Yan was so delighted her smile showed no teeth, happier than if she’d found a hundred yuan.

“Shun, this is good work—no hardship, no labor, easy money, no investment. If you ran every day, you could make ten yuan, maybe more when business is good. When you go to the Ma family, bring the bike. You’ll have a livelihood, and the Ma family can’t bully you.”

Wan Shun couldn't stop smiling. How naive was the old lady? Not to mention the cost of the bike and fuel, but the Ma family—those short-lived folks—would have a hard time bullying her. Besides, by ordinary standards, once the bike goes to the Ma family, it won’t belong to the new bride anymore.

“Don’t just leave the earning to me. It’s not right for you to sit idle at home. How about this: I’ll rent you the bike, and you can ride it to pick up passengers every day. How’s that?”

Yu Yan shot Wan Shun an annoyed look. “At my age, how could I ride a bike? Enough, enough, I know you’re teasing me. Let’s go shopping—day after day.”

Wan Shun rubbed her nose. She was genuinely suggesting it, but the old lady didn’t appreciate her kindness.

The commune had a newly opened, two-story supermarket still in trial operations. This novel business model had been the talk of the budding village for a long time. Whether rich or poor, everyone wanted to visit and broaden their horizons.

Yu Yan had heard of it, but never thought of going herself. She assumed it was too expensive, far beyond her means. If not for buying a dowry for Wan Shun, she would never have entered.

The gleaming floor made her unsure where to step, clutching her purse and worrying whether her money would be enough. If she went in but bought nothing, would people look down on her?

Seeing Yu Yan so hesitant, Wan Shun sighed. “Come on, godmother. I hear things here are really cheap. Let’s see if there’s anything we like.”

Yu Yan was surprised. “This place is cheap? Such a big store, how can they not lose money selling cheap?”

“They won’t lose. Business people aren’t fools. If they really lost money, how could they keep the store running?”

Yu Yan thought that made sense.

Knowing things inside were cheap, she felt more at ease and took Wan Shun’s hand as they went in. Seeing others with carts, she cautiously took one too.

Inside, with shelves full of goods, her face flushed with excitement. Seeing that many small items cost only a few cents, she felt she was getting a bargain and kept tossing things into the cart.

Wan Shun didn’t stop her—better to be happy.

“Shun, Shun, why didn’t you come find me when you came to the commune?” The dark-skinned boy Liu Caicai was there with his friends to buy snacks. Seeing Wan Shun, he ran over excitedly and shoved a half-eaten spicy stick into her hand.

“Here, sis, eat! I bought lots—after I pay, I’ll bring more home for you to eat.”

Wan Shun didn’t care for it. “No, you eat it yourself. Go play, I’m busy.”

“What’s up, sis? I have something important to tell you.”

Wan Shun laughed at his seriousness. “You? Something important? Go on, I’m listening.”

The boy glanced at the people passing by and lowered his voice. “This isn’t something others should know.”

Wan Shun snorted. “Not convenient, huh? Fine, I’ll find you later.”

“No, sis, let me buy for you now, then we’ll go to the shop and my dad will make you something tasty.”

“You wouldn’t understand what I need to buy.”

“What could I not understand?”

“A dowry.”

“What?”

Liu Caicai sent his friends away, then crowded around Wan Shun, asking what a dowry was, why she was buying one, and what exactly she was getting.

“Sis, is someone forcing you? Is someone bullying you? Tell me, I’ll deal with them.”

Wan Shun smacked the boy on the head. His hot temper was something he’d never change.