Chapter 49: An Unexpected Surprise
In just one night, the air seemed much drier, and the grass buds on the ground appeared even more vibrant.
The ground, once covered in tangled grass roots and muddy puddles, now felt somewhat firm underfoot. At least today, wearing white shoes wouldn’t get them dirty so easily.
Huai Yu checked her watch—it was only 7:30!
She returned to the treehouse and, without a second thought, brought out the solar lamp.
The newly made drying rack from last night was still heavy, carrying its own dampness and the wetness of the outer tree bark. Huai Yu wrapped a plastic bag around the tree trunk and quickly hung her quilt up to air out.
Even though the sun hadn’t yet risen, the opportunity to air the bedding after days of continuous rain was truly precious.
The dark blue floral quilt swayed gently in the morning breeze on the simple drying rack, its colors seemingly more vivid.
She didn’t waste the extended branches either; she hung clothes on the only five available hangers.
Next, she pulled out the dry grass that had been spread over her stone bed—layer by layer, bundle by bundle—and laid it out on the ground to air as well.
As the temperature slowly rose and the sun began to peek out, the open meadow was bathed in a warm, golden morning light. Even the solar lamp sparkled under the sunlight.
Huai Yu circled the treehouse, removed the green bricks weighing down the waterproof tarp, then carefully tugged and pulled to take the tarp down.
With the friction from vines and twigs, the task was difficult. But once the tarp was fully lifted, sunlight immediately filtered through the gaps in the dry leaves.
The room brightened at once, as if invisible steam rose into the air. She no longer had to live in a cold, damp sauna.
Huai Yu smiled in satisfaction.
Only then did the morning broadcast begin:
“Today is April 3, 2066. Clear skies. Air mutation index: 11…”
“…After days of rain, we finally welcome clear weather…”
“…However, soil and water pollution indices have increased. The Pollution Control Command reminds everyone…”
Clear skies!
Huai Yu finally felt completely at ease and went back inside to pack her basket—
She packed one basket of bean sprouts to take along and left one for herself.
She took a jar of pickled bracken shoots and tore off a page of paper to wrap some dried wild green onion slices—these were for Captain Zhou.
She slung the basket onto her back, looked around, and grabbed some extra plastic bags and paper and pen. Ready to go!
The basket on her back hadn’t been this light in a long time. Huai Yu glanced at the pile of supplies outside her treehouse and thought for a moment, then instructed the rose corridor:
“I’m heading out! Please look after the house— and you too, Xiao Tian! No stealing! Otherwise, I’ll dig up your home again!”
Her tone flipped so quickly it was like she had two faces.
Little Tian, peeking out from the new burrow, squeaked angrily and retreated back inside.
The bus from Jinyuan Community Station had purposely detoured here, and this time it was already quite full. It seemed after the endless rain, everyone was itching to get outside.
Even though the bus now charged a fare, not a single seat was empty.
Huai Yu hugged her basket and walked all the way to the back before finally finding a seat.
Everyone carried baskets and bags; her appearance didn’t stand out at all. In fact, the unusual thing was the boarding point—an older lady who recognized her said:
“Girl, living near the mountains and rose corridor during the heavy rain, weren’t you scared?”
“Yeah, your brother and his team must have been sent out a lot these days, huh? Tsk, this damn weather—finally settle down and it won’t even let us live easy days.”
“Oh, defense forces, huh? No wonder you’re getting on at this stop…”
Huai Yu, familiar with how these aunties chatted, simply smiled shyly and said nothing.
Naturally, the conversation flowed on without her:
“Better not to pry. What’s the use of asking about their missions?”
“Nowhere is easy… it’s just like those damp southern days: pouring rain outside, dripping inside, kids breaking out in rashes.”
“Don’t even mention it! The rash is one thing, but allergies too. Allergy meds cost fifty cents a box—might as well rob us!”
“Sigh! We live high up. The wind howled through the cracks and made us all catch colds.”
“Same here—27th floor! My husband hauled home tons of scrap furniture to burn, and it barely helped.”
“People selling veggies at crazy high prices in our complex… Tsk, just because you can grow a few plants at home, no need to act so high and mighty.”
“Exactly! I saw a broken flowerpot, with a huge crack, and it was still selling for an outrageous price…”
“Our complex just doesn’t have proper market management. Total chaos. I’d rather go to the pedestrian street to buy.”
“But it’s so far, and buying bulky stuff is a hassle…”
As they chattered away, a vivid image of life in the neighborhood unfolded in front of Huai Yu.
As the bus bumped and rocked toward the city center, it grew even more crowded—soon packed like a can of sardines, just like when she had left the administrative hall.
Several aunties at the back, squeezed with their baskets, began to grumble:
“There are so many buses in the city! Why do they have to crowd into ours?”
“Exactly! It takes us over an hour to make a trip, and they just hop on like it’s nothing…”
“Guess life’s tough for them too. We can light fires in our remote area, but in the city they’re not even allowed to start a fire at home…”
The bus rattled and jolted along, and amid all this rocking, the Hongsheng Trade Market finally came into view.
Huai Yu, familiar with the area, headed straight toward the checkpoint at the entrance. Though a long line had already formed, as soon as she appeared, a familiar worker greeted her:
“Little sister! Come here and wait a bit.”
Startled, Huai Yu naturally walked over.
A busy staff member split off to guide her: “Come on, let’s talk in the office.”
He opened the door to a side room.
Huai Yu, carrying her basket, went in and listened carefully—outside, there was no sound of protest or murmuring. It didn’t seem to disrupt anyone’s progress.
Or maybe they were all used to it?
Then she paused in surprise. Inside the room was a compact, high-end testing device, much fancier than the bulky security-check-style machine outside.
The staff member flipped the switch and smiled at her:
“Come, give me your basket. I’ll test it first. Then you can enter through the side door. You can’t skip the test—the gate over there won’t open without a valid code.”
An unexpected surprise indeed.
Considering how crowded the pedestrian street was today, if she had queued up outside, even with fast processing, she would’ve waited at least half an hour.
Huai Yu put down her basket and couldn’t help smiling warmly at the staff member.
