Chapter 141: Female Educated Youth 11

By the time the group returned from the sea, Ren Xin had already cleaned herself up and was sitting in the courtyard drying her hair. She stood in stark contrast to the others, who were covered in the briny scent of seafood.

Ren Xin wrinkled her nose in slight disgust, keeping her distance while offering a mock-polite greeting. “Oh, you’re back? You all smell so… fresh!”

Everyone: “…” Did she have to make it that obvious?

Yes, she did.

With nothing else to do, Ren Xin planned to ask the local auntie where she could buy a straw mattress.

The auntie was still weaving a fishing net when she saw Ren Xin arrive. She asked curiously, “Do you need something?”

Ren Xin listed the items she wanted. “I need a single straw mattress and a wooden chest—new or used is fine, I just need somewhere to store things. I also need a washbasin stand. Oh, and I’d like to trade for some food. Who in the village has these things?”

The auntie gave a confident smile. “You’ve come to the right place. My family has everything you just mentioned. Wait here, I’ll go get them for you.”

Ren Xin squatted obediently to the side, waiting for the auntie to go inside.

The auntie moved briskly, bringing the items out one by one, and Ren Xin helped her carry them.

“Take a look. My old man can’t keep his hands still and is always making these things. We really don’t have room for them anymore. He’s away with the army harvesting rubber right now, so I finally dared to bring these ‘useless’ things out. See if there’s anything you like. No need to buy them, I’ll just give them to you.”

Ren Xin couldn’t bring herself to take advantage of her like that. “Auntie, how about this: I won’t give you cash, but I’ll give you coupons, okay? We’ll both get what we need.”

Upon hearing the word “coupons,” the auntie stopped refusing. She quickly said, “Then I’ll trade you some food for them. We don’t have much grain to spare, but we have plenty of dried seafood. You can take it back and cook it just like any other dish.”

Ren Xin nodded. Deal!

She borrowed a handcart from the auntie and wheeled her haul back to the Sent-down Youth point.

She swapped out her mattress, spread her sheets, and placed the chest by the side of her bed. It didn’t get in the way of moving around, and it made it much more convenient to reach her kettle and cup.

The others in the room watched with envy, but no one dared to ask questions. Ren Xin’s fierce reputation was already deeply ingrained in their minds.

Fan Zhili, however, was a simple soul. Seeing how clean and organized Ren Xin’s space looked, she asked admiringly, “Ren Xin, where did you trade for those things? Are there any left? I want to get some too. Having a wooden chest by the bed for storage and a cup is just too convenient.”

Ren Xin told her about the auntie’s house. “I’m about to return the handcart anyway. If you want to trade for something, come with me. But you’ll need coupons to trade, so bring some along.”

Fan Zhili nodded, grabbed her small shoulder bag, and followed Ren Xin out without a second thought.

Jiang Ran and Feng Xue couldn’t even call out to stop her, so they could only stomp their feet and follow along.

The remaining people exchanged looks before lowering their heads to continue organizing their own things.

Once the items were brought back, Zhang Li started making trouble again. “How selfish, only thinking of yourself. This room is already small enough, and now that everyone is putting chests in here, it’s even smaller. You have no consideration for others at all. Besides, couldn’t you have bought a smaller chest? It would only be fair if everyone bought the same size…”

Ren Xin said with a smile, “Do you know the saying ‘the early bird gets the worm, and the latecomer gets the dirt¹‘? You’re so slow you couldn’t even catch a fresh meal, so who are you blaming? Don’t mess with me. I’m not some doting parent who’s going to spoil you. Don’t force me to slap you.”

Zhang Li was already traumatized by Ren Xin. She couldn’t win a verbal spat and she certainly couldn’t win a fight, so she had no choice but to shut her mouth.

Ren Xin even offered a mock compliment. “That’s a good girl. You have to be sensible, or else I’ll have to beat you.”

Zhang Li: “…” What was the point of this! She had already shut up

Translator’s Notes