Chapter 78

Especially excited about the market visit, they reached the community center in less than an hour.

Once they arrived, they happily strolled around the market.

Life had been tough recently, and seeing so many desirable things at the stalls made them want to buy everything. But with their limited funds, they had to be selective.

They each clutched their money tightly and first went to the supply store to get essential items like toothpaste, laundry soap, and toilet paper—things they couldn't do without.

After getting these necessities, they could only window shop for the rest.

At most, they spent a penny on a few pieces of fruit candy to taste something sweet.

Henry, ever the carefree spirit, pooled money with Gabe and Charlie to buy a pack of cigarettes from the supply store.

They were living for the moment, not worrying about tomorrow.

After purchasing their own items, they set out together to buy vegetable seeds.

The ten of them walked down the street, looking for a seed vendor.

When they found one, Lily and Charlie crouched in front of the stall, curiously asking why some vegetables were sold as seedlings and others as seeds.

The rest weren't very interested.

Sophia and Henry stood on the outer edge, listening for a bit before losing interest. Sophia's eyes wandered from one stall to another until she spotted two familiar faces at a vegetable stand—Logan and Summer.

Logan seemed as usual, but seeing Summer made Sophia freeze.

Summer stood next to Logan, talking to the vendor. She wore a simple white blouse, a black knee-length skirt, and a military-green backpack with a red star on the flap.

The simplicity of her outfit wasn't noteworthy.

But she wore a straw hat adorned with wildflowers—pink and yellow blooms that added a lively touch.

Under the hat was her unblemished, unweathered face.

She was smiling, looking as carefree as she had during their school days.

Sophia's good mood, buoyed by Henry's comforting words and the joy of shopping, evaporated as she looked at Summer.

Henry had assured her that everyone in the countryside faced the same hardships.

But they had overlooked Summer and Logan, who lived differently from everyone else.

Sophia didn't compare Logan's lifestyle to theirs; her focus was on Summer.

Unlike them, Summer hadn't been subjected to the sun and labor as much, having spent her days teaching. Even at the market, Summer wore a hat to shield herself from the sun.

Sophia's chest tightened with resentment.

What frustrated her wasn't just the stark contrast in their situations.

Deep down, she believed the teaching position should have been hers. Everything Summer enjoyed should have belonged to her.

For over two months, Sophia had dreamed of standing in a classroom, teaching children who adored her and praised her beauty.

In her dreams, the villagers called her "Teacher Sophia" with respect and asked after her well-being.

She was the most dazzling presence in the village, outshining everyone else.

But now, Summer was the one living that life, a life Sophia felt was rightfully hers.

After such dreams, Sophia would often wake up in a daze, unable to shake off the feeling that they should be her reality.

Henry, noticing her dazed look, asked, "What are you looking at?"

Sophia snapped back to reality, quickly answering, "Oh, I was thinking about getting a straw hat for working in the sun. It should help with the heat."

She couldn't share her thoughts with Henry; they would sound unreasonable. She didn't want to tarnish the image Henry had of her.

She still needed his support.

Without Henry's protection, her life would be much harder.

Unable to voice her frustrations, she kept them bottled up inside, suffering every time she thought about her lost dreams.

Before Henry could respond, Grace chimed in, "A straw hat is a good idea. I'll get one too."

Cecilia, hearing this, added, "Me too."

Lily, annoyed, turned and said, "Can you guys focus on the seeds first?"

***

Across the street and a few stalls away, Summer and Logan were still chatting with the vegetable vendor.

The conversation lasted longer because the vendor was from their village.

After asking around the market, they learned that most stalls were officially sanctioned, but not all vendors were local.

Recent policy relaxations had allowed the market to reopen, and the community center held a market every Sunday, with bigger markets before festivals like the Dragon Boat and Mid-Autumn festivals, and a multi-day market before the New Year.

While private selling was prohibited, the vendors operated under state-run licenses, selling collectively or state-owned goods.

The vegetable vendor explained that the produce wasn't from his own land but collected from villagers who exchanged it for work points at the community center, which he then sold at the market.

Those allowed to sell had official paperwork, arranged by the community center and the village committee.

After understanding the situation, Logan asked quietly, "Do you make any money?"

The vendor shook his head and whispered, "The work points for the vegetables are too low. Many villagers risk selling privately, so the community center doesn't get much. After costs, and with the community center taking half, there's not much left."

Logan nodded, having grasped the situation. They thanked the vendor and moved on.

Away from the market's noise, Summer said, "So we can set up a stall, but it has to be state-run."

Logan replied, "If we want to set up a noodle stand, it has to be official. All grain is tightly controlled, and individuals can't get that much."

Summer nodded, "We'll need to discuss it with Mr. Anthony and get the committee's approval. They'll need to provide the grain, vegetables, meat, and condiments, and we'll just provide the labor. Any earnings will go to the community center first."

Logan looked at Summer, "So you're set on setting up a noodle stand? The vendor said he barely makes any money."

Summer thought for a moment and nodded, "I want to try."

Even if it didn't bring much personal profit, it would provide valuable experience. When policies changed, she could use this experience to work independently.

Curious about Logan's plans, Summer asked, "Are you going to join me?"

She wasn't sure if Logan wanted to set up the noodle stand with her or do something else on his own.

Logan looked at Summer, "Do you want me to join you?"

Summer smiled and instinctively blurted out, "Yes, I want to be with you every day."

Realizing how it sounded, she quickly added, "To make money."

Logan: "..."