Chapter 3

Most of the small stalls were set up under trees at the entrance to the farmers’ market. They sold a variety of items, including clothing, shoes, needles, threads, cheap snacks, and stationery. Each stall consisted of a large cloth spread on the ground, covered in a dazzling array of small goods.

The most prominent stalls sold food. They featured small tables, coal stoves, and tall steamers or large woks. The menu included buns, steamed buns, flatbreads, wontons, noodles, and more.

Despite the heat, many people still came to buy food.

A bicycle was parked by the roadside, its rear rack carrying a large foam box emblazoned with the word “Ice Pops.”

People generally preferred to shop early in the morning or after 5 p.m., when factory workers finished their shifts, creating another peak shopping time. This mid-morning period was the quietest.

Having taken stock of the scene, Ling Chuxia continued toward the residential area.

By the time she reached the residential building, Ling Xiaoshuang and Ling Xiaoyang were already awake. The sister and brother sat at the outdoor dining table eating breakfast. When they saw Ling Chuxia return, they both turned away, pretending not to notice.

The siblings didn’t look alike at all. Ling Xiaoshuang had a round face with large eyes, while Ling Xiaoyang had a pointed face with small eyes. The only similarity between them was their dark skin.

Ling Chuxia approached the dining table and announced expressionlessly, “Your mother needs to be hospitalized for a night. Grandma sent me to pack her things and deliver them. She’ll be back tonight to take care of you.”

Ling Xiaoshuang froze before turning to glare at Ling Chuxia, her eyes narrowing. “My mom was perfectly healthy until you came along and made her sick!” she hissed. “Our family doesn’t want you here! You’re not my sister! Just get out and stop making my mom sick!”

Ever since Ling Chuxia’s arrival, fifteen-year-old Ling Xiaoshuang had displayed intense hostility.

Though Ling Chuxia understood a child’s confusion about such matters, what did this have to do with her? Even if she were still the original owner of this body, the hospital was at fault for the mix-up. She had been a victim from the start.

Staring coldly into Ling Xiaoshuang’s wide eyes, Ling Chuxia retorted, “The hospital that mixed up the babies is the one who made your mom sick. If you want to be angry, make sure you’re directing it at the right person.”

Ling Xiaoshuang was taken aback. After all, Ling Chuxia had always been the type to burst into tears at the slightest provocation. Xiaoshuang had always looked down on this biological sister, finding her weak and embarrassing, far inferior to Xiaoman.

Ignoring Xiaoshuang’s reaction, Ling Chuxia opened the gauze door and went inside to pack.

The Ling family’s financial situation was dire. Yang Yu and Ling Dajun’s toothbrushes, their bristles frayed and splayed, had clearly been in use for far too long. The towels were riddled with holes, causing Ling Chuxia to frown slightly.

After packing the basin, towel, toothbrush, and cup into a cloth bag, Ling Chuxia added a rough stack of toilet paper. She then wrapped several steamed buns in newspaper, grabbed two sets of bowls and chopsticks, and carried the remaining half-pot of congee before leaving.

The heat kept the congee warm, making it still edible.

Ling Xiaoshuang watched Ling Chuxia’s indifferent back, tossed her bowl aside, and chased after her. “I’m going to the hospital to see Mom!”

“Suit yourself,” Ling Chuxia replied, her face impassive as she continued walking.

Her body in her previous life had been frail. Even when she was discharged from the hospital, she could only move around for short periods each day. Walking briskly like this now felt more wonderful than a dream.

The faster she walked, the happier she became, quickly leaving the shorter Ling Xiaoshuang behind.

By the time she reached the hospital entrance, Ling Xiaoshuang was gasping for breath as she caught up and grabbed Ling Chuxia’s shirt. “Why did you walk so fast? Trying to ditch me?”

Ling Chuxia asked, “Do you think we’re close?”

“What? Close? Why would we be close? Our whole family hates you!”

“Isn’t that perfect? Since we don’t get along, why should I wait for you? If you can’t keep up, that’s your own problem.” Ling Chuxia shook off Ling Xiaoshuang’s hand and went upstairs.

In the multi-patient room, Yang Yu still lay there, barely breathing. Ling Dajun crouched beside the bed, staring blankly at her.

Grandma Ling sat nearby in a chair, silent but her expression looked sorrowful, as if an unpleasant conversation had just taken place.

“Grandma, I brought the food,” Ling Chuxia said, breaking the silence.

Grandma Ling quickly stood up and took the small pot from Ling Chuxia. “It must be hot. Sit down and rest a bit.”

“Mom! Mom! She’s bullying me!” Ling Xiaoshuang cried, running in and throwing herself onto Yang Yu’s lap.

Yang Yu’s eyebrows shot up, and she sat up with a thud. “Ling Chuxia! You dare bully your younger sister? Ever since you moved back, you’ve been making life miserable for us! We don’t owe you anything! If you’re so capable, why don’t you just go back to that rich family of yours? Too bad they don’t want you!”

Ling Chuxia ignored Yang Yu. She helped Grandma Ling arrange the food on the simple bedside table, then scooped out a bowl of congee and urged her to eat breakfast.

Grandma Ling quickly waved her hand. “Let Yangyang’s mom eat first.”

“Stuff it! I can’t eat another bite! That Ling Chuxia is driving me crazy!” Yang Yu roared. “I can’t stand this anymore! I might as well bang my head against the wall and end it all!”

Ling Dajun panicked. “No, no! Let’s talk this out calmly. Don’t make yourself sick…”

Grandma Ling added, “That’s right, don’t do anything to harm your health.”

Yang Yu’s eyes darted about. Perhaps genuinely hungry, she grabbed her bowl and wolfed it down in one go, then devoured two large steamed buns.

Seeing they were all busy eating, Ling Chuxia turned to leave.

Grandma Ling quickly grabbed her arm. “Have you eaten yet?”

“I’ve eaten,” Ling Chuxia replied, though she hadn’t. She simply didn’t want the food, so she lied. “I’m going back to do my summer homework.”

Grandma Ling led her into the hallway, pulled out a few crumpled bills from her pocket, and stuffed them into Ling Chuxia’s pocket. “Grandma knows you’re upset,” she whispered. “Go buy something to eat. Tonight, I’ll come home and cook for you.”

Ling Chuxia felt warmth in her heart. She hugged Grandma Ling the way she used to hug her own mother, accepting the bills. “Thank you, Grandma.”

Grandma Ling had a modest pension, enough to support herself. Ling Chuxia couldn’t understand why the old woman would let Yang Yu’s mistreatment bother her.

After leaving the hospital, Ling Chuxia headed back toward the market and sat down at a small food stall, ordering a bowl of wontons with an added egg.

Prices were very cheap at this time. The cheapest popsicles cost only five cents, and a bowl of meat and vegetable wontons with an egg was just thirty cents, generously filled and topped with plenty of greens and fragrant vinegar, making it smell absolutely appetizing.

As Ling Chuxia ate her wontons, she observed her surroundings. The best spots in the area were already occupied by these long-established stalls. If she wanted to set up her own stall, she’d have to settle for the spot under the blazing sun.

She wasn’t afraid of the sun herself, but she worried customers might be deterred. A large sun umbrella or canopy would be ideal.

Another issue was deciding what business to pursue. After a quick survey today, she realized most basic household goods were already being sold. To make a profit, she’d need to find a niche—something unique, like simple, easy-to-make snacks.

Finally, there was the matter of startup capital. When she moved out from her previous situation, Ling Chuxia had managed to keep a little money—her accumulated New Year’s red envelope savings. At least Ling Haoran and his wife hadn’t insisted she return it.

However, the money wasn’t much, and she still needed funds for tuition and living expenses, so she had to use it wisely.

It wasn’t yet lunchtime, and few customers were at the snack stall. Ling Chuxia was sitting alone at a small table, enjoying her meal, when two scrawny young men abruptly sat down at her table.

Ling Chuxia froze, then looked up. She didn’t recognize them at all—they were strangers.

But there were clearly empty tables nearby, yet they had chosen to sit at hers. Combined with their lecherous gazes, Ling Chuxia immediately understood that these newcomers meant trouble.

“Boys, what’ll you have?” the middle-aged stall owner called out cheerfully. “We’ve got noodles, wontons, and soup dumplings.”

“Same as her, two bowls,” the buzz-cut youth facing her replied in a slick, honeyed tone, throwing Ling Chuxia a flirtatious wink.

Ling Chuxia simply picked up her bowl and moved to the empty table next door. The young man snorted and followed her.

Now even the stall owner sensed something amiss and began nagging, “Don’t forget to pay, remember to pay!”

The young man slapped a one-yuan coin onto the table. “Still in school, aren’t you, little girl? Your big brother’s treating you to soup dumplings.”

Ling Chuxia remained expressionless, but her mind raced as she tried to figure out what to do.

Running away now was definitely out of the question. The two young men were taller and had longer legs than her; she couldn’t outrun them.

Besides, wasting food was a bad thing. Half the bowl of wontons was still left—how wasteful it would be to throw it away. Besides, she wasn’t even full yet.

With this thought, Ling Chuxia calmed down, refusing to look at the two men as she continued to eat the wontons quickly.

“Hey, the little girl’s pretty proud, ignoring us like this!” the long-haired man growled, clearly annoyed.

The buzz-cut man replied, “A pretty girl being proud is normal. You’re being too crude. Don’t scare her off.”

Ling Chuxia was still trying to figure out what to do when the other customer, who had arrived before her, finished eating. He was a tall, handsome young man with a striking presence, like a celebrity.

“Finished eating?” The handsome man suddenly approached Ling Chuxia, his voice so smooth it momentarily distracted her.

“Huh? I… I’m finished,” Ling Chuxia stammered, gulping down the remaining soup before she fully understood what was happening.

“Good. Come with me, then,” he said. “Still mad? You’ve always had such a long temper. How about I buy you an ice cream? Don’t be angry, okay?”