Chapter 10: The Deceived Girl in the 1970s: Fake vs. Real Daughter Story (10)

When they arrived in town, Wang Ni was picked up by her relatives, so she couldn’t walk around with Ye Xiaoxiao. That left Xiaoxiao wandering on her own.

She wondered if there was a black market. If so, where would it be?

She wasn’t planning on reselling anything illegally or getting involved in speculation—after all, she didn’t have the kind of resources those transmigrators in novels had, who brought thousands or even millions worth of supplies with them.

Even if she wanted to get into that kind of business, she didn’t have the capital.

She just wanted to buy a coal stove. She also needed a kerosene lamp. Lately, she’d been relying on a flashlight, but even the one in her spatial storage was nearly out of battery.

Modern flashlights used batteries, and since the village had no electricity, it was better to adapt and use a kerosene lamp like the locals.

She walked around for half the day and felt like she’d covered the entire town, but still no sign of a black market.

Almost noon. She decided to eat first and maybe ask a familiar auntie later if they knew anything.

She treated herself to a proper meal of braised pork. It was so cheap! A portion cost only 0.3 yuan. Add a bowl of white rice at 0.02 yuan, and she was completely full.

She couldn’t help herself and bought another portion of braised pork to go, plus twenty meat buns to eat for breakfast later.

With 1,000 yuan tucked away, Xiaoxiao felt rich for the first time.

She hadn’t found the black market and hadn’t run into anyone she knew, so she went to the supply and marketing cooperative instead. She didn’t lack much, but she still needed a kerosene lamp and some fabric.

With nothing else to do and the market wrapping up, Xiaoxiao headed to where the village ox carts were parked to wait for the ride back.

From afar, she saw a large crowd gathered around the oxcart. What was going on?

As she got closer, she saw—oh, new educated youths had arrived. No wonder.

Xiaoxiao wasn’t interested.

But just because she wasn’t interested didn’t mean others wouldn’t want to talk to her.

“You’re an educated youth too, right? I heard them call you Xiaoxiao. Can I call you that too?”

Xiaoxiao looked at the girl. She was wearing a synthetic-fiber blouse and trousers. Xiaoxiao personally didn’t like synthetic fabrics, but in this era, wearing anything made of Dacron (terylene) was enough to make people jealous.

She had rosy lips, white teeth, and was full of youthful energy, but her eyes darted around too much, making her seem calculating.

Still, it was just a name. Xiaoxiao didn’t care. She nodded casually.

The girl immediately became more enthusiastic and tried to take Xiaoxiao’s hand, but Xiaoxiao dodged it.

The girl didn’t seem embarrassed and continued with a smile. “You’re a senior educated youth, right? Can you tell me about the village and the educated youth spot?”

Whether it was intentional or not, her voice rose just a little, drawing in the other educated youths. Xiaoxiao began to feel annoyed.

She frowned. “The village is great. Everyone’s really kind. I don’t live in the educated youth compound, so I don’t know what it’s like. You’ll find out once you’re there.”

Seeing Xiaoxiao’s attitude, most of the educated youths frowned.

Only the earlier girl remained unfazed and smiled as she asked again, “So you live alone?” Why don’t you stay at the educated youth compound?”

Xiaoxiao, “No particular reason. Why so many questions? I’ve got a weird personality, don’t like dealing with people, and I’ve got OCD, so I don’t like sharing space. If you’ve got more questions, go ask someone else! It’s too hot, and you’re blocking my breeze.”

Although the girl still wanted to keep pestering, Xiaoxiao walked straight over to stand beside a group of aunties.

Left standing there, the girl put on a pitiful and helpless expression.

Xiaoxiao: …

Now this was interesting. Was this a classic white lotus or a green tea b*tch?

She was curious to see how skilled this one was.

Sure enough, several male educated youths looked over at her with disapproving eyes. Xiaoxiao thought two of them were educated youths, and the other three were local village lads.

She had a hunch the village was about to get lively.

Just as she’d been wondering if winter might be boring, now she figured she’d better buy some melon seeds or something to liven things up at home.

After all, the village aunties could gossip all day long. Get two of them together, and they’d talk nonstop.

Her house had a great location. Once she traded for more firewood and got a brazier going, the aunties would definitely come over to chat, bringing their own snacks to share.

That way, she’d hear all the local gossip.

She definitely wasn’t doing this for the snacks, nope.

Things like stir-fried corn and soybeans, roasted chestnuts, sunflower seeds, puffed rice candy, sesame candy… all were popular winter treats here.

She just felt it’d be rude to go visiting other people’s homes too often.

Now, watching the new batch of educated youths, she decided to spend more time at Auntie Tan’s place. She’d definitely get all the freshest gossip there.

On the way back, since one of the ox carts had to carry the new arrivals’ luggage, that meant half of those who came in the morning would have to walk back.

Without saying a word, Xiaoxiao hopped onto the other oxcart to claim a seat. The others did the same—no one wanted to miss out and be left walking.

Only the new, educated youths stood there dumbly.

When the later group saw the carts were full, they just walked off without a word.

One of the male educated youths asked cluelessly, “Aren’t they from the village? Why are they just leaving? Aren’t they riding the cart?”

He’d clearly seen everyone greeting each other so familiarly.

Xiaoxiao had a bad feeling something was about to go wrong. She whispered to Auntie Tan, “Auntie, we’re all seated now. Maybe we should let Uncle Wang start driving? We should get going.”

Auntie Tan hesitated—she wanted to wait for the team leader so they could take turns sitting later.

Xiaoxiao urged her, “Auntie, do you think those educated youths are going to walk?” They’re definitely going to make a fuss. They might even demand that we give up our seats.”

Although Xiaoxiao spoke quietly, the oxcart wasn’t that big; everyone on board heard her.

They glanced at the educated youths nearby and began to chime in, not wanting to be stuck walking.

If the educated youths did make a fuss or couldn’t handle walking, would they really not be forced to give up their seats?

Might as well leave first—out of sight, out of mind.

It was a two-hour walk back, and no one wanted to trek it on foot.

Auntie Tan was persuaded. She went to the team leader to let him know they were leaving first.

The team leader’s face immediately turned dark. He looked around and knew what was on everyone’s mind.

But he didn’t want his wife to suffer either, so he agreed.

He shot a dark look at the educated youths.

At this rate, they probably wouldn’t get back home until after dark.

He didn’t even know why another batch of educated youths had come. It hadn’t even been that long since the last group.