Saving System: Calm Down, My Fleeing Host!-Chapter 28: Hoarding Food Supplies
"Listening to which scripture, sis is an atheist..."
Then again, saying this might be a bit of a slap in the face. After all, she’s already time-traveled, so these arguments don’t really hold water.
Whatever, she wasn’t going to any temple fair; stockpiling food was more important.
She had only taken two steps... when she backed up.
Wait a minute.....
"What’s up?" the system asked, puzzled.
"Temple fair."
"Temple fair equals gods and Buddha, gods and Buddha equals superstition. Ancient people believed in gods and spirits, doesn’t that make it feasible?" Cheng Xiaoxiao suddenly had a revelation, immensely pleased.
"What’s the host’s meaning? What feasibility of gods and spirits?" The system still didn’t get it.
"Think about it. My biggest worry now is that I can’t convince the villagers to harvest the grain early, right? But what if I go back and say that I was guided by Buddha after visiting the temple?" Cheng Xiaoxiao grew more excited as she spoke.
"Like this, I’ll go back and first hint that I went to the temple, then do this... and then this..." Within a few sentences, Cheng Xiaoxiao had plotted out the scenario for when she returned.
"The host is really clever," the system sincerely praised.
"Of course, wouldn’t you know who I am." Having solved a major problem, Cheng Xiaoxiao was in quite a good mood, and even tethering the donkey cart seemed lighter.
Arriving at the grain shop, she was ready to make a big splash, cough, cough! Let’s keep it low-key..... She took out her little notebook, starting with 100 jin of rice, which in these parts was called refined rice—something only the rich could afford. Ordinary folks usually ate Japonica rice, but for Cheng Xiaoxiao, who was used to the fragrant T-country rice, this was nothing.
jin of flour—getting flour was also a hassle, as they only sold barley and wheat, so you’d have to grind it yourself after buying.
jin of soybeans, which here were called legumes, and also needed to be ground. Ancient people are such a hassle, why can’t they just sell bean powder directly? Seriously.
Also, some millet as the staple, along with oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar... oh, and some fragrant soap, toothbrush powder, stuff like that, better stock up more.
Cheng Xiaoxiao was like a diligent little hamster, sweeping through the street. By the time she was out of breath and dragging a cartload of stuff out of the alley, the shopkeepers behind her were all smiles, teeth showing, eyes disappearing. A big customer had come bright and early; it was indeed a good day.
Then, Cheng Xiaoxiao made her way to the Yun Textile Shop, which she had visited before. The same shopkeeper, upon seeing Cheng Xiaoxiao, immediately recognized her, "Oh! Isn’t this the little girl from last time? Please come in, what do you want to buy today?"
"The boss still remembers me?" Cheng Xiaoxiao marveled, business people’s eye for detail is remarkable.
The shopkeeper was straightforward, "No need to be so polite, little girl. You’re already a returning customer; everyone calls me Lady Yun."
"Alright, then I won’t be so polite. Does Lady Yun still have that type of cloth from before?"
Lady Yun frowned a bit, "Not much, only a few bolts, and the patterns aren’t great."
"No problem, as long as the price is fair." Cheng Xiaoxiao didn’t expect to snag such a bargain again anyway. She glanced at the other fabrics; there were some nice items. It’s a pity it’s not peaceful times, or she’d definitely make a few beautiful dresses.
Lady Yun brought over the few bolts she mentioned earlier. Seeing the little girl fancy the lake-green silk satin, she quickly walked over to introduce, "You’ve got a good eye, this piece is from the county, I only have one piece. If the young lady likes it, I can give you a discount. We seem to be on the same wavelength!"
"Lady Yun is really something. I also like straightforward people, just call me Xiaoxiao! I’m from Qingshan Village, named Cheng Xiaoxiao." Cheng Xiaoxiao felt a connection with Lady Yun, so she thought it would be nice to make a friend.
Lady Yun’s eyes curved with a pleasant feeling, realizing she met an interesting young girl today. Though young, she had an impressive aura and sharp eyes, not like some clueless village girl at all.
Having encountered all sorts of people, Lady Yun found the inability to see through this little girl intriguing, "Well, that’s great; I’ll gladly acknowledge you as my sister. What other fabrics are you interested in? Sister Yun will give you a twenty percent discount."
Cheng Xiaoxiao twitched at the corner of her mouth; this boss, one moment Lady Yun, the next, she’s her Sister Yun. Yes, she really knows how to seize an opportunity.
Picking and choosing, Cheng Xiaoxiao bought about ten bolts of fabric.
In the end, with a back-and-forth mix of selling and gifting, she ended up getting that lake-blue satin, spending a total of fifteen taels, with even the odd change waved off. But this nearly matched her grain purchase, really spending like running water.
Lady Yun didn’t feel it was a loss either; encountering interesting people, naturally, she wanted to make a friend. Smiling broadly, she had her assistant help Cheng Xiaoxiao load everything onto the donkey cart, urging her to drop by next time in town.
Looking at the blossom-like smiling Lady Yun, Cheng Xiaoxiao felt a bit reluctant. Before leaving, she couldn’t help but pull Lady Yun aside to whisper, "I heard that in a few days, the price of grain will increase. Sister Yun, better stock up more."
Seeing Cheng Xiaoxiao seriously say this, Lady Yun was puzzled. But there’s still over a month until harvesting, and when the new grain arrives, prices should drop. How could they go up?
Lady Yun asked in confusion, "Sister Xiao, who did you hear this from? Such words can’t be spread recklessly, or it could be trouble if heard by the wrong person."
Cheng Xiaoxiao earnestly looked into Lady Yun’s eyes, "Do I look like I’m joking? I wouldn’t say such a thing without reason. If Sister Yun trusts me, better stock up more."
Lady Yun felt uncertain, wanting to say more.
Cheng Xiaoxiao chimed in first, "Look at my cart, mostly filled with grains, and I’ve nearly depleted half of our family’s savings. Would I really harm myself if it were baseless?"
"You have such a large shop; buying these wouldn’t mean much. If it proves useful, it’ll save a lot; if not, the losses won’t be much either."
"From what Sister Xiao says, the grain price won’t just rise a little bit?" Lady Yun was more puzzled, on what basis could this little girl be so certain?
Cheng Xiaoxiao shook her head, "I don’t know about that. I’m just saying this, and Sister Yun should give it a good thought on what to do!"
She also noticed Lady Yun’s sincerity, who treated all customers equally in her shop, without sucking up to some and snubbing others. Feeling some camaraderie among fellow traders, she gave a word of caution. If Lady Yun didn’t believe her, there wasn’t much she could do.
Having said that, she turned and led the donkey cart away.
Lady Yun stood still, watching Cheng Xiaoxiao’s figure fade into the street, lost in thought for a long time.
Should she believe her?
Before knowing Cheng Xiaoxiao, she certainly wouldn’t have believed. Who’d take the words of a young girl from a village seriously? But now, she wasn’t sure. Cheng Xiaoxiao gave her this strange impression, a kind of charisma that made one believe.
Meanwhile, Cheng Xiaoxiao was searching for a secluded alley. She turned into a narrow alley where the walls on both sides were high, blocking out the light, with only a narrow beam leaking through the roof. It seemed quite suitable for doing something mischievous! She hurriedly drove the cart into the alley.
In the corner of the alley were piles of long-accumulated fallen leaves, with a few broken baskets stacked messily. Since the lighting wasn’t good, Cheng Xiaoxiao didn’t pay much attention and directly started unloading the cart, taking some millet, condiments, pork, maltose, and fabric into a small backpack as camouflage, putting the rest into storage.
It’s a pity the warehouse can’t store live things, or she would’ve bought some chickens and ducks to raise.
"Host, if our mall upgrades to level 10, we can store live objects." The system couldn’t help encouraging the host to level up.
But she was just at level 1, and level 10 was miles away, she was too lazy to pay the system any mind.
After she finished unloading, as Cheng Xiaoxiao was about to leave, she nearly tripped on something just as she turned to step away.
