After finishing the phone call, Xinyan lingered at school for a while before heading back home.
As she approached the alley, she found a hidden spot to pull out a radio and a Jacquard blanket from the space, along with several colorful silk quilt covers, and then she headed home.
When Granny Zhang heard the commotion at the door, she quickly came out of the kitchen: "You’re back."
Upon seeing what Xinyan was carrying in her arms: "Oh my, my little treasure, why did you bring so many things back?"
She hurriedly stepped forward to help carry some items, and the two of them then went into the house.
Xinyan put the stuff down: "I bought this radio, so you can listen to storytelling, crosstalk, and broadcasts whenever you’re free. It should help pass the time.
I can also listen to the news when I have time, it’s great."
Granny Zhang worried about the money: "This must have cost a lot, child, why did you just go ahead and buy it?"
Xinyan, afraid Granny Zhang would feel burdened, quickly said: "The professor suggested we spend more time listening to broadcasts and staying informed about people’s lives, so that’s why I asked someone to buy it."
Granny Zhang felt relieved when she heard it was for Xinyan’s use.
Seeing that she had eased her concerns, Xinyan then mentioned the Jacquard blanket: "Look at this blanket, isn’t it nice? Sending it back, Grandma Su should like it, right?"
Granny Zhang’s eyes widened: "This blanket is so bright! If you have such a blanket at a wedding, people would be so envious."
Xinyan felt good seeing Granny Zhang happy: "Well, you can tidy things up later; I’ll leave a bit earlier to send everything off at the post office in front.
It’s getting colder, and it’ll definitely snow soon. We’d better send it earlier so it won’t affect their festivities."
Granny Zhang fondly stroked the blanket, and Xinyan thought she’d find another excuse to bring back a couple more one of these days, so it would be warm to sleep on.
Upon seeing the quilt covers Xinyan brought back: "These covers are nice too. The ones I bought with Grandma Tong at the department store are good, but compared to yours, they’re still a bit inferior. How about sending a couple back too? They wouldn’t struggle to find someone to take them, being neighbors and all, and we won’t have to worry about them shortchanging."
Xinyan had no objections: "Sure, arrange as you see fit. After we eat, I’ll leave a little earlier to send them out before heading to school."
Granny Zhang felt a sense of relief: "Okay, I’ll go cook some noodles now. Leave a bit earlier, don’t be late for your afternoon class."
Xinyan nodded with a smile, helping to pack the items.
For lunch, Granny Zhang made noodles with sauce, and after eating, Xinyan set out on her bike, securing the items before leaving.
Perhaps because of the snow, it happened to be noon too, and when she arrived at the post office, no one was conducting any business.
The staff responsible for dispatching parcels, upon seeing what she was sending, couldn’t hide their envy. After she finished her business, an older lady stopped her: "Miss, wait a moment."
Xinyan turned to the person: "Big sister, what’s wrong?"
The older lady pulled her aside and whispered: "Miss, where did you get the Jacquard blanket you just sent?"
Understanding her implication, Xinyan asked deliberately: "Is big sister also looking to buy a blanket?"
The older lady smiled: "To be honest, Miss, my daughter is getting married in the twelfth lunar month. I’ve gone to the department store several times, but I never seem to go at the right time - it’s either all sold out, or the remaining colors aren’t quite right. I was hoping to ask if you have any connections?"
Xinyan naturally needed to hold her ground.
Seeing Xinyan’s expression, the older lady quickly said: "Miss, rest assured, if you really have connections, just introduce someone to me and I promise not to speak of it elsewhere."
Only then did Xinyan say: "There are some connections, but the blankets aren’t cheap."
She then looked around and gave a price, which made the older lady quite excited: "Miss, you’ve done me a great favor."
They agreed that Xinyan would deliver the items the day after tomorrow at noon.
The price she offered was five yuan higher than the cost price, which made the older lady happy to send her off, repeatedly thanking her.
But even with the five yuan markup, it’s likely still cheaper than her going to the black market. It’s a simple task and would be easier down the line when she comes back for business.
She arrived at school but didn’t return to the dormitory, instead heading straight to the classroom.
She had already brought her books in the morning since she had something to do at noon and feared running out of time.
Just as she sat down, Jiang Peiqin entered and noticed Xinyan had changed her clothes: "Xinyan, where did you get this outfit?"
Xinyan glanced at the clothes she was wearing: "My partner brought it back for me when he went south for a job."