Silently arriving at the pig farm, Zhou Yueshen found that the goods they needed were already loaded and ready to go. As he stepped into the truck, Yu Dong approached, carrying several pounds of tied-up pig intestines and kidneys.
"Boss, you're here!" Yu Dong greeted him.
Zhou Yueshen glanced at the items in Yu Dong's hands before nodding slightly. "Hmm." He casually stuffed Aunt Zhang's note into his pocket.
The workers nearby also greeted Zhou Yueshen as they saw him. Noticing what Yu Dong was holding, they all smiled knowingly.
One of them teased, "Yu Dong, when did you start liking that stuff? You don't even have a wife yet, and you're already trying to boost your health. You must be feeling weak."
Yu Dong jumped at the comment, angrily retorting, "Nonsense! This isn't mine, it's for the boss..." He stopped mid-sentence, realizing he had almost exposed his mighty and esteemed boss's weakness. Frightened, he quickly glanced at Zhou Yueshen's expression.
Zhou Yueshen stared at him, making Yu Dong nervously admit in a small voice, "Fine, it's actually for me."
Everyone around burst into laughter, saying, "You little rascal."
Zhou Yueshen cast a brief look at him before turning away. He then went to the office and sat down. As he looked at the bills on the desk, he suddenly let out a low chuckle, feeling a surge of anger.
As Si Nian arrived in the city, she suddenly sneezed twice in a row. Mother Lin looked at her daughter with concern. "What's wrong, Nian Nian? Did you catch a cold?" Seeing her daughter's bare, fair arms, Mother Lin became even more worried. The temperature in the village could be quite variable, and it was still a bit chilly in the morning.
Si Nian rubbed her nose and shook her head. "No." Based on her usual experience, this typically meant someone was talking about her behind her back.
Si Nian took her mother to the wholesale market, which had a wide variety of goods at much lower prices. They could buy osmanthus flowers, other dried flowers, and honey at wholesale prices, which would be cheaper and last a long time. Si Nian also made floral honey, adding a bit to osmanthus cakes to make them more fragrant.
Of course, even though these items were cheaper, they weren't exactly inexpensive. Plus, making a trip to the city was especially troublesome for people from the countryside. In this era, with inconvenient transportation, a trip to the city took an entire day. As a result, many villagers had never been to the city in their entire lives.
Zhou Sui Sui was visiting the city for the first time. She was introverted and timid, much like Mother Lin, and followed Si Nian closely without daring to look around too much. She didn't know where to place her hands and feet, feeling self-conscious about every glance thrown her way by passersby.
Though not much younger than Si Nian, Zhou Sui Sui looked much older. Years of hard labor had left her skin dark and rough, devoid of any luster. Her hair was dry, and she wore a simple gray cloth dress, making her appear ten years older. Such scenes were common in the countryside and not at all unusual.
Si Nian, on the other hand, dressed fashionably. In the village, her style was unique, and people would often stare at her with curious eyes. However, in the city, she was the one who felt out of place. Few people wore plain cloth clothes here; most donned stylish leather boots, fitted shirts, and skirts. Their hair was styled in waves, makeup meticulously applied, and they carried small leather bags with an air of confidence.
The environment's pressure made Zhou Sui Sui feel out of sync with everything around her. Mother Lin, though slightly better, was also cautious and hesitant, almost as if she had lost the ability to communicate.
Si Nian noticed their discomfort but chose not to say anything.
Once you do something a few times, you get the hang of it. With a few more trips, they would surely adapt. The prices at the wholesale market were not as high as they had imagined; in fact, they were much cheaper than the bulk prices in town. Mother Lin and Zhou Sui Sui were surprised to find they could actually afford these prices.
Si Nian, with her beauty and sweet voice, easily charmed the shop owners. Even though she didn't buy much, they gave her discounts. It showed that city people weren't as intimidating as they had feared. There were always a few difficult people, but whether in the countryside or the city, good people were the majority.
Zhou Sui Sui and Mother Lin quickly realized that the city wasn't so daunting after all. After buying what they needed at the wholesale market, Si Nian headed to a department store to purchase some toiletries.
Zhou Yueshen hardly used such items, and the ones he did use were bought by her and had run out. Si Nian preferred shower gel over soap for bathing and couldn't skimp on shampoo, as she took great care of her beautiful hair. Though these items were much more expensive, they were high quality and worth the price in this era. With the means to afford them, she saw no reason to compromise on her own comfort.
After selecting her own items, Si Nian's gaze shifted to Zhou Sui Sui, who was looking at the products with envy. Si Nian paused for a moment.
Zhou Sui Sui had decent features, but her skin was rough and dark, making her look rather rustic. Both her skin and hair were very dry. Si Nian picked a reasonably priced product and said, "Sister-in-law, you should use this for bathing and washing your hair. It's good for both your skin and hair."
Though skincare products might be out of reach, basic toiletries were still affordable. Zhou Sui Sui was surprised that Si Nian would offer her something and quickly waved her hand in refusal. "No, no, I don't need this. It's too expensive."
"It's not expensive. This large bottle, if you use it sparingly, can last for several months. It only costs a few yuan. Besides, we earn money to spend it, right? You can earn your own money now, so why not invest in yourself? Isn't that right, Mom?"
Mother Lin, not seeing Si Nian's use of these products as a waste, wholeheartedly supported her daughter. When asked for her opinion, she agreed, "Nian Nian is right. Sui Sui, you should buy it. Look at Nian Nian's hair—it's so nice, and her skin is so fair and smooth. You're so pretty, too; using it will definitely make you look even better!"
Mother Lin didn't miss the chance to praise her beautiful daughter, feeling proud. She had always made sure that Lin Si Si used good products when their circumstances allowed, so Lin Si Si was fairer and more delicate compared to others in the village.
Of course, local conditions shape people differently, and sometimes there's just no comparing with city folk. But given the opportunity, who wouldn't want to look their best?
Zhou Sui Sui comes from a large family with five sisters, being the eldest. She's endured hardships since childhood; her family favored her younger brother and she often received leftovers at meals. Perhaps her early years were too tough, which is why she married Lin Xiao and found happiness in the Lin family. With understanding in-laws and a considerate husband, life has become quite content for Zhou Sui Sui.