CHAPTER 100: CHAPTER 100: PORK BUNS

Without turning her head, Su Xiaoxiao already knew who was spouting nonsense.

She just took out a meat bun from her bag and took a big bite.

She had to grab a quick bite before the store opened; she got up too early and simply didn’t have time for breakfast.

Wang Lili felt even more uncomfortable seeing that she was being ignored. Just as she was thinking of making another sarcastic remark, the enticing aroma of the bun hit her, causing her stomach to rumble uncontrollably.

Who in the world eats this well at such an early hour?

In a rush to get to work, she only managed to eat a cookie in the morning, and now her stomach was growling from hunger.

Following the scent, she saw Su Xiaoxiao enjoying her meat bun.

Zhang Yulan happened to rush in just then, catching the aroma, and couldn’t help but sigh, "Who’s eating a meat bun? My goodness, it smells heavenly."

She’s a veteran at the deli counter, now tasked with mentoring Su Xiaoxiao and Wang Lili.

Seeing the opportunity, Su Xiaoxiao quickly took out another meat bun and handed it over. She couldn’t waste such a good chance to ingratiate herself.

Though people in these times were sincere, you still needed to know some workplace tactics.

Besides, just a meat bun, even if someone saw, there was nothing much they could say.

She handed the bun to Zhang Yulan, "Sister Zhang, I brought too many and can’t finish them. Please help me with one."

Zhang Yulan, who has to take care of the whole family in the morning, always arrives at work just on time with no time to eat.

Now, seeing the fluffy and soft meat bun, she instinctively wanted to refuse, but her stomach betrayed her with a grumble.

Su Xiaoxiao shoved the bun into her hand, "Sister Zhang, don’t be polite. Eat it while it’s hot, otherwise you’ll be too busy after the store opens."

"Thanks a lot then."

Zhang Yulan didn’t hold back. She took the bun and bit into it.

The rich juice mixed with the meat aroma spread in her mouth, it was simply too delicious.

"Comrade Su, feel free to ask for my help if you need anything."

That was exactly what Su Xiaoxiao was waiting for. The department store had a clear rule: salespeople couldn’t privately reserve goods, they had to follow procedures and purchase with a ticket.

In other words, even if a store director came, they’d have to line up to buy things.

Su Xiaoxiao came up with this idea to have Zhang Yulan reserve some items for her. Once things were a bit less hectic on her end, she could go in line to buy them.

"No problem."

Rules can be rigid, but people are flexible. Most people who needed to buy things for relatives did it this way; they simply didn’t have the authority to reserve too much and would do their best.

The two agreed, and Zhang Yulan, munching on the bun, returned to her counter, nodding slightly at Wang Lili as she passed by.

Wang Lili’s counter was in between the two, surrounded by the aroma of meat buns, making the growling in her stomach even more pronounced.

This Su Xiaoxiao must have done it on purpose.

Just when she thought that, Su Xiaoxiao suddenly dangled a meat bun in front of her, "Mr. Wang, have you had breakfast?"

Wang Lili reflexively thought it was for her, swallowed a gulp, and said, "Haven’t eaten."

Thinking to herself, maybe this brat has some sense after all. Maybe I can be nicer to her in the future.

Unexpectedly, just as that thought crossed her mind, she saw Su Xiaoxiao take a big bite of the bun and murmur, "Oh, I have."

Wang Lili: "..."

This brat!

Just as she was grinding her teeth in frustration, the department store doors opened.

The long queue formed earlier advanced towards the counter, everyone waving their tokens and shouting:

"Comrade, I need two kilos of river shrimp."

"Comrade, I want three kilos of ribbonfish."

"Comrade, I want a carp."

Su Xiaoxiao gulped down the last bite of her bun and immediately switched to work mode, deftly weighing and taking payments, too busy to stop for even a second.

Once she finished the busy period, Su Xiaoxiao grabbed her enamel mug and gulped heavily. Thank goodness she had two meat buns this morning or she wouldn’t have lasted this long.

Seeing there were no more customers in her line, she quickly ran over to queue at Zhang Yulan’s counter. By the time she bought everything she needed, she was about to collapse from exhaustion.

Wang Lili was also worn out. She hadn’t expected the deli counter to be so busy. She hadn’t even had a sip of water all morning, and her stomach had been grumbling incessantly.

Finally reaching the lunch break, her head was spinning. If she didn’t eat something soon, she might just pass out on the spot.

During the lunch break, Su Xiaoxiao checked the orders she was supposed to help buy. She had only managed to purchase a third of what was needed, thanks to Sister Zhang’s help.

But it was okay, she had already posted a request for procurement in the game marketplace this morning and had received several messages from suppliers.

One of them was an old acquaintance—Bald Brother.

Alopecia Warrior: Girl, you’re looking to buy seafood? Why not ask your brother?

I’m Chased by the God of Wealth: Bro, you have the connections?

Alopecia Warrior: Of course, I made my fortune selling seafood back in the day. How much do you need? I can ship it out today.

Unexpectedly, she was this lucky, Su Xiaoxiao was bubbling with excitement.

She was about to make a fortune.

Inland areas rarely see seafood, and the department store only stocks up leading up to holidays, hardly enough at most times. If Bald Brother had the connections, she could continue her procurement sideline.

She was immediately delighted, her eyes sparkling, and besides the part she was purchasing for others, she placed an additional order for five kilos of ribbonfish, five kilos of prawn, and two large pomfret.

Upon hearing that the latter items were for her personal use, Bald Brother generously gave them to her for free.

With the procurement settled, Su Xiaoxiao happily took out her lunch box to fetch some hot water.

Due to limited conditions, the department store didn’t have a cafeteria, but meals were compensated in their salary.

Those with means could buy food outside, while those without would bring their own meals.

Su Xiaoxiao was among those who brought their own.

Her family’s circumstances were well known. Although she could now afford to eat out, she didn’t want to flaunt her wealth.

Opening her lunch box, inside were two cornbread buns mixed with a bit of wheat flour, and Liu Cuilan’s homemade pickled radish, sweet and crunchy, paired with several pieces of shiny, glistening cured meat, making it one of the better meals among those who bring lunch.

With the improved family situation, even Liu Cuilan had become more generous, no longer having to eat sorghum buns every meal.

They might taste bad, but the main issue was being tough on the throat.

Zhang Yulan also brought her own lunch. Her family had three kids, and both her father and mother-in-law were in poor health, with all household expenses resting on her and her husband.

Every morning, she hurriedly prepared meals for her family of three and then packed a bit for herself before rushing out the door.

With their poor household conditions, she often only brought two sorghum buns mixed with cornmeal for lunch, downed with plain water.

With the tough family conditions, just having food on the table was already a blessing, never daring to hope for anything more.

The future seemed bleak and predictable.

Zhang Yulan sighed, opening her lunch box, preparing to have her meal with hot water, when someone tapped her on the shoulder.