Yun Que'er pouted and shuffled over slowly, her attention fixed on the wicker chair. Gradually, she got a clear look at the boy sitting in it.
He was really just a little kid, about seven or eight years old. He was fair - skinned and delicate, with a bowl - cut hairstyle and his hair shining with a fresh luster.
He was all curled up in the chair. Since Yun Que'er was standing at a higher angle, she could clearly see his well - defined eyelashes, which looked just like a pair of jet - black palm fans.
Yun Que'er was slightly stunned. This little boy was as good - looking as if he had stepped out of a painting. She couldn't help but take a second look.
But no matter how good - looking he was, he was just a kid. Yun Que'er had experience in dealing with kids.
She crouched down halfway, holding on to the edge of the wicker chair. She carefully examined the little boy who was pretending to be asleep with his eyes tightly closed, and asked softly, "Kid, I have some things to sell. May I ask when your parents will be back?"
The boy then opened his eyes, which were like a vast universe filled with twinkling stars. But they were extremely cold, without a trace of warmth.
This look made Yun Que'er's heart skip a beat. She even felt an inexplicable pressure surrounding her.
He was just a little kid!
Yun Que'er took a deep breath and softened her voice even more. "Little brother, sister is asking you a question!"
Her kind words made Ji Chengxuan frown. The girl with a flattering smile in front of him, how could she have the nerve to call herself a sister? Who was older was still uncertain!
He squinted his eyes and glanced at the gauze in her arms. Frowning, he retorted, "You're selling this?"
Yun Que'er nodded her little head like a rattle and pushed the gauze towards him.
Ji Chengxuan's lips curled up. At such a young age, he actually exuded a hint of evil charm.
Yun Que'er felt a sense of foreboding. How could a kid of his age have such an air? When he grew up, he would be even more unruly!
Right then, Ji Chengxuan pushed away her hand. "Got it. You wait here. I'll go find someone."
His tone was still cold, but the anxiety that had been hanging in Yun Que'er's throat finally subsided.
The little boy stood up from the wicker chair and slowly walked past her, looking like a little old man with his hands behind his back.
Yun Que'er watched the little boy walk away, still muttering to herself. What a strange kid!
The waiting time was rather long. She would occasionally fiddle with her little fingers or wriggle her little feet. She also took the opportunity to look at herself in the small plastic - framed mirror hanging on the wall.
To be honest.
Little Que'er in the 1980s was much prettier than her former self!
"Ah..."
She pinched the skin on her cheek. The feeling of having so much collagen in her hand was just amazing.
"Here, Mayor. This is the girl."
At this moment, Ji Chengxuan returned, leading an old man with gray hair and beard.
Yun Que'er was stunned. According to the original owner's memory, Yun Que'er had come here to see a dentist before. This old man was not a doctor in the clinic at all, but... the mayor of Yuhe Village.
The old man stepped forward and looked at the white roll of gauze in her arms. Holding his tobacco pipe, he tapped the metal end on the doorframe. "How daring! Selling goods that are under unified purchase and distribution. Who taught you to engage in speculation?"
Speculation?
Yun Que'er had never heard this term before.
But she understood the system of unified purchase and distribution. It was 1980 now. It seemed that the household - contract responsibility system would not be implemented until 1982. The production teams were still working for work - points, and daily necessities were distributed by the supply and marketing cooperatives.
What a miscalculation!
The mayor walked closer, hunched over. He snatched the gauze from her hand. "Since you're just a little girl, did your parents tell you to do this?"
Yun Que'er's palm - sized face turned deathly pale. Not only did she fail to make money, but she might also bring trouble to the Yun family!
Suddenly, her scalp went numb. She secretly glanced at the little boy.
He was leaning against the doorframe, watching the show leisurely. The rascal look on his face made Yun Que'er grind her teeth in hatred.
She was new here and didn't know the rules. The little boy could have just told her, but instead, he went and brought the mayor. He was trying to push her into the fire!
Her mind was racing, and fine beads of sweat had started to form on her forehead.
Meeting the mayor's deep and piercing eyes, she opened and closed her small mouth. Suddenly, she let out a wail.
Then she plopped down on the ground, crying loudly. "Waaah, the mayor is bullying a kid!"
The mayor's old eyes widened. He was about to scold her, but her crying threw him off - balance.
"Waaah, Xiao Que'er just wanted to donate these to the clinic. These... these were just picked up by accident. The mayor is so mean. Waaah..."
Pretending to be a little kid, she let loose. It didn't matter that she couldn't get any money. The most important thing was to get out of this mess quickly!
She sobbed, with her small mouth wide open like a bottomless pit.
The mayor was at a loss. If word got out that he was bullying a kid, what would people think!
"Stop crying!" he roared in his hoarse voice, his old face turning long. "Can't you talk properly? What are you crying for!"
"Waaah, the mayor is mean. Dad, big brother, I want to go home!"
Yun Que'er just wouldn't stop. Her howling was hurting the mayor's eardrums.
He was completely helpless with this little rascal. Frowning tightly, he waved his hand. "Okay, okay. As long as you stop crying, I won't be mean to you, okay?"
Yun Que'er then stopped howling. She opened one eye and peeked at him, carefully asking, "Really?"
A black line appeared on the mayor's forehead. This little thing was clearly crying on purpose. She could control her crying so well, and there wasn't even a trace of tears on her face!
People said that Little Que'er of the Yun family was a trouble - maker. In his opinion, she was a little smart - aleck.
"Fine, fine." He sighed helplessly and looked at Ji Chengxuan. "Xiao Xuan, go and call the people from the Yun family. Since it's not speculation, we just need to figure out where this gauze came from."
Ji Chengxuan had been watching from the side. This little girl's on - the - spot reaction was quite unexpected.
Complex emotions flashed in his eyes. Crossing his arms, he said casually, "Sure. Consider it my good deed for the people."
Hearing this tone, Yun Que'er felt like punching him.
This little boy was so bad. She hadn't done anything to him. Why was he doing this?
Wait...
Memories started to flood Yun Que'er's mind. It seemed that the last time her big brother brought her here to see a toothache, this little boy had even given her some candy.
But the original Yun Que'er had a bad temper and was rebellious. She didn't appreciate it at all and even spat at him.
Uh...
What was his name again?
Ji Chengxuan...
Yes, that was it.
Yun Que'er felt annoyed. Under the mayor's watchful eye, her big brother Yun Fujin and second brother Yun Jianzhou arrived.
The mayor explained the whole thing. Yun Que'er hung her little head and didn't dare to look up.
She had originally wanted to keep it a secret. But now, it seemed that she had to confess her origin and abilities. Her big brother probably wouldn't react too strongly, but her second brother hated her and would definitely kick her out of the house!
"Oldest, second, you tell me. This kind of in - demand item can only be produced by state - owned factories. Where did this little rascal steal it from?" The mayor's sharp eyes darted back and forth between the big and second brothers' faces.
Yun Que'er lowered her head even more and mumbled, "I've already said I picked it up..."
Yun Fujin looked at the roll of gauze in the mayor's hand. He had never seen it before. With a solemn look on his face, he placed his big hand on Yun Que'er's head. "Don't be afraid, Xiao Que'er. Big brother is here."
The heavy feeling on her head made Yun Que'er feel warm inside. In this world, it seemed that only her big brother was the best to her.
"Picked it up? How come I never have such good luck? A little kid, spouting nonsense!" The mayor's voice was stern, and he put on a fierce look again.
Yun Que'er's lips drooped, and she was about to cry again. Her second brother Yun Jianzhou stomped his foot suddenly. "You old man are being unreasonable. Little sister said she picked it up. Just because you can't pick one up doesn't mean it's fake. Then show us the evidence!"