Chapter 40: The Early Riser and the Black Market Sweep

In the morning, after Song Wenbin had woken and washed up, he routinely went to prepare breakfast.

With his eldest nephew away, he saw no need for elaborate preparations. He simply boiled some corn porridge, adding a sliced sweet potato to enhance its natural sweetness.

A serving of his eldest nephew’s homemade pickled vegetables completed what he considered a rather hearty breakfast.

However, a thought of his younger nephew’s listless demeanor at home prompted Song Wenbin to crack an egg. He then carefully mimicked his eldest nephew’s technique to steam a delicate egg custard.

With the food simmering on the stove, Song Wenbin noticed it was still early. He considered going downstairs for a quick run before waking his younger nephew.

To his surprise, as soon as he stepped out of the kitchen, he saw Xiang Chen, fully dressed, sitting dutifully at the small table, patiently awaiting breakfast.

Song Wenbin was somewhat astonished. Of his two nephews, the elder was so self-disciplined he scarcely seemed like a child; he would rise each morning without needing a call.

After washing up, he would wake his younger brother, and the two would then eat breakfast together.

His younger nephew, however, was quite different from his brother. Perhaps due to his youth and need for sleep, he was not easily roused in the mornings.

Song Wenbin had witnessed his elder nephew trying to wake him several times. The small boy would burrow deep into his quilt, curling into a ball, sometimes even rolling from the head of the bed to the foot.

In the end, even after his brother peeled back the covers, he would still feign sleep with closed eyes, insisting on a few more minutes.

But had the sun risen in the west today? Song Wenbin yearned to peer outside. How could his younger nephew, who loved to linger in bed, have woken without being called?

Filled with doubt, he asked directly, “Why are you up so early this morning? I was planning to wake you a little later.”

Xiang Chen lowered his gaze to the table. ‘Early? It does seem a bit early. Normally, I’d still be sound asleep at this hour, while my brother would already be up and washed. Then he’d call me, and I’d still have to lounge in bed for a while before getting up, as if sleep wasn’t complete without a bit of dawdling.’

‘Yet, for some reason, even though no one called me this morning, I woke up on my own. Perhaps it’s because I knew the person who usually wakes me wasn’t here…’

“I woke up, so I got up. Uncle, let’s eat breakfast,” Xiang Chen said, lifting his head, as if his early rising was merely an accident.

Song Wenbin went to the kitchen to check. The egg custard was ready, so he brought it out first for Xiang Chen. “Try this. I made it using your brother’s method. See if it’s tasty.”

Xiang Chen scooped a spoonful, blew on it to cool, and then put it into his mouth. With a smile, he told Song Wenbin, “It’s delicious!”

Song Wenbin smiled in return, told him to eat slowly, and then headed downstairs for his run.

As Song Wenbin’s figure vanished through the doorway, the smile on Xiang Chen’s face gradually faded, and his movements slowed.

Song Wenbin had truly outdone himself today; the egg custard was fragrant, smooth, and perfectly seasoned. Yet, Xiang Chen inexplicably lacked an appetite. Even his favorite food felt difficult to swallow.

He put another spoonful of egg custard into his mouth, softly mumbling, “Brother makes it the best…”

***

In the provincial city.

Madame Jiang had also prepared corn porridge for breakfast, along with three-grain steamed buns. After her family had eaten, she retrieved two aluminum lunchboxes.

Into one, she placed two buns and a serving of pickled vegetables, then closed the lid and handed them to Jiang Miao and Jiang Lei.

The other Jiang family members were at work and could eat lunch conveniently and warmly in the canteen. Only the two youngest were still in school.

Boarding students submitted their own grain to the canteen, but the meals there were certainly not as refined as home-cooked ones. For the day students, it was better to bring food from home and reheat it at school.

After breakfast, everyone departed for work or school. Uncle Jiang had initially suggested that Jiang Sen accompany him today, either to learn the routes or to help carry things, effectively to lend a hand.

However, Xu Hengzhou declined, stating he wished to explore on his own first and would inform them if he needed anything.

Uncle Jiang considered this and agreed, advising him to be careful and to seek him, Jiang Xin, or Jiang Sen if any issues arose. He then left for work.

Jiang Lei, who had been about to leave with his schoolbag, was surprised by the conversation between his father and Xu Hengzhou.

He had initially assumed Xu Hengzhou was a poor relative seeking favors, but after his mother mentioned the gifts Xu Hengzhou had brought, he thought their family must be seeking something from his father.

Now, it seemed, neither assumption was correct.

Before he could ponder further, Jiang Miao, eager to leave, urged him out the door. Their two schools were close, and they usually walked together.

Jiang Lei grumbled a couple of impatient responses, then grabbed his schoolbag and followed Jiang Miao out. ‘This kid will be staying at our house for a few more days anyway; any information will surely surface.’

After seeing off the Jiang family and informing Madame Jiang that he might not return for lunch, Xu Hengzhou left with his bag.

In this era, when one wanted to purchase goods, there were no wholesale markets, shopping malls, or supermarkets. One had to visit either a supply and marketing cooperative or a department store.

If an item couldn’t be found in these two places, one simply had to give up.

However, Xu Hengzhou’s plan invariably included another location: the black market.

First, he genuinely sought certain items, not only for his family’s use but also to fill his spatial dimension. Although his dimension was abundant with resources, he specifically lacked items that could be openly used in this era.

Furthermore, while he had accumulated some money, it was not a significant amount for Xu Hengzhou. He intended to acquire enough money, ration tickets, and goods during these years before the situation became too chaotic.

Secondly, the provincial city was far away, and he could take some items from his spatial dimension and pass them off as purchases from the black market.

This time, he could procure more; since he didn’t visit often, he didn’t need to adhere to principles of sustainable development.

However, Xu Hengzhou still went to the supply and marketing cooperative and the department store first. At the very least, he needed to establish a façade; heading straight to the black market upon leaving the house would be too suspicious.

As the provincial capital, the city naturally boasted a richer supply of goods. While some items were available in Qingjiang City, they were often difficult to purchase.

For example, common pastries of the era included walnut shortbread, a type of flaky pastry resembling a rounder mooncake, and large square biscuits.

He then asked the sales clerk to package them separately. The clerk placed them into the large bag Xu Hengzhou had brought. In the end, not everything fit.

Upon exiting the store, Xu Hengzhou immediately found a secluded spot and placed most of the items into his spatial dimension, leaving only a few small packages. He intended to leave two packages for the Jiang family and mail the rest home.

Afterward, Xu Hengzhou embarked on a major shopping spree. Malted milk extract—this was good, he bought it all. Various candies—he bought all the high-grade ones, and some mid-grade and low-grade ones too.

Of course, these were not for Xiang Chen to eat immediately. Since time was static in his spatial dimension, they would eventually find a use, and the items already in his dimension were not suitable for open use.

He also purchased some cigarettes and alcohol. It was quite troublesome to re-box everything himself each time, so he was considering whether to collect some empty cigarette boxes and liquor bottles for future use.

For lunch, he went to a state-run restaurant. Xu Hengzhou was pleasantly surprised by a dish of crispy fried pork prepared by the head chef; he found it exceptionally delicious.

After finishing his meal, Xu Hengzhou ordered two more portions, then pretended to take out a lunchbox from his bag, asking the master chef to pack them inside for takeout.

After leaving the restaurant, he placed the lunchbox into his spatial dimension. When he returned home, he would retrieve it, and the food would be as fresh as if it had just come out of the pot.

This incident sparked an idea. Xu Hengzhou decided to organize a batch of usable lunchboxes from his spatial dimension.

After cleaning them, he planned that once he reached Hai City, he would buy multiple portions of any delicious food he encountered. He hoped his little nephew wouldn’t be too angry with him, considering these treats.

After lunch, Xu Hengzhou bought various other miscellaneous items.

Only when his money was nearly spent did he stop, returning to the Jiang family’s home with the items he had sorted for mailing home or giving to the Jiang family.

He returned rather late; the other Jiang family members were already home. Xu Hengzhou offered them the two packages of pastries he had bought.

Madame Jiang naturally refused, but after Xu Hengzhou insisted repeatedly, she reluctantly accepted.

Privately, however, Madame Jiang told Bureau Chief Jiang to take out some of his stored good liquor and send it to Song Wenbin after Xu Hengzhou left. ‘How could they constantly take advantage of others?’

Bureau Chief Jiang winced painfully, but he knew his wife was right. He had no choice but to make the sacrifice, pondering whether he should find time to meet his old friends and just drink the liquor together then and there.

This time, Xu Hengzhou did not refuse, as he needed a witness.

After Jiang Sen helped mail the items, Xu Hengzhou stated he wished to buy his ticket today and return by train tomorrow. Jiang Sen tried to persuade him to stay a few more days, but Xu Hengzhou explained that he had already agreed with his family to return early, as he had to attend school.

Unable to deter him, Jiang Sen had no choice but to accompany him to the station and watch him purchase a ticket for the next day’s train back to Qingjiang City.

Upon returning to the Jiang residence at noon, Madame Jiang, hearing that Xu Hengzhou was leaving tomorrow, tried to persuade him for a long time.

However, Xu Hengzhou’s mind was made up, so Madame Jiang could only prepare the dishes she was best at, hoping Xu Hengzhou would enjoy two good meals.

In the afternoon, Xu Hengzhou told Madame Jiang he wanted to stroll around the provincial city. Knowing he had bought many things, Madame Jiang worried he was short on money and secretly slipped him some, telling him to buy anything he liked.

Xu Hengzhou did not refuse this time. The money wasn’t much, but it was their kind intention; he accepted it, knowing he could always repay them.

He would go out in the afternoon, so Jiang Sen didn’t need to accompany him. After lunch and a short rest, Jiang Sen hurried back to work at his unit.

After Jiang Sen left, Xu Hengzhou again departed with his bag. He planned to visit the black market that afternoon to both sell and buy goods. He would complete his business that afternoon and leave the next day, making it impossible for others to find him.

When Xu Hengzhou had mentioned the black market in Qingjiang City, it hadn’t been an empty boast; he had long since familiarized himself with the several black markets there.

Upon arriving in the provincial city, he wasn’t clueless either. He slowly made his way, following his instincts.

After walking just two streets, Xu Hengzhou’s heart stirred. He changed direction, winding into a secluded alley. Once in the alley, he quickened his pace, then found a corner and hid.

Sure enough, a moment later, the figure of a young man appeared in the alley, looking left and right, searching for his whereabouts.

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