Chapter 58: Filling the Space

Liu Chuxue slept enough in the space before leaving it.

Seeing it was still early, she did not rush to the hospital but instead asked someone where to buy a wooden tub.

Following the directions, she found Xue the Carpenter's home in an alley about a li and a half from the hospital: "Miss, who are you looking for?"

"Auntie, may I ask, is this Xue the Carpenter's home?"

The auntie looked Liu Chuxue up and down: "Yes, what do you need?"

Liu Chuxue smiled faintly: "I want to exchange a wooden tub; do you have any ready-made ones?"

Hearing there was business, the auntie became much more enthusiastic: "Come in first; we have a few ready-made ones at home. I'll have someone take you to see them in a moment."

While walking toward the courtyard, she also called out to the room: "Old man, we have guests."

A door in the main house creaked open: "Coming."

Liu Chuxue nodded to the old man who came out.

Only then did the auntie standing in the center of the courtyard speak: "This young lady wants a water bucket; take her over to pick one."

Xue the Carpenter also nodded to Liu Chuxue: "Follow me."

On the floor of the side room lay some finished wooden basins, water buckets, small stools, and such small items: "Miss, everything is here; pick whatever you like."

Thinking the things in the space were unsuitable to bring out, she chose two wooden basins, one small stool, and two wooden tubs; seeing a recliner further inside, she asked: "Grandpa Xue, how much is that recliner?"

Hearing her ask about this, Xue the Carpenter's eyes lit up: "Miss, I won't beat around the bush with you. That recliner was originally custom-ordered by someone, but that person later had some trouble and couldn't come to pick it up. If you like it, I'll give it to you at a discount."

Liu Chuxue still asked for the price: "Tell me the price; I'll see if I can accept it."

Xue the Carpenter glanced at her: "If you truly want it, give me the cost price of eleven yuan; I can't go lower."

The recliner indeed wasn't costing much; thinking she could sell fish later to make up the shortfall, she gritted her teeth: "Fine, I'll take the recliner. How much is the total?"

Smiling, Xue the Carpenter said: "The wooden basins are two yuan and sixty fen each; the water buckets are a bit more expensive, four yuan and eighty fen each; for the small stool, just give me eighty fen; that one is just a side job."

Liu Chuxue counted out the money and handed it over: "Grandpa Xue, I'll trouble you to deliver it to the entrance of the next alley; someone will come to haul it away shortly."

When she arrived, she had already scouted the spot; that place was a dead-end alley with only three households inside; as long as no one came out to move about inside, no one would notice.

Xue the Carpenter naturally had no objection; after counting the money clear, he said: "Fine, I'll have the younger ones in the family deliver it to you right away."

After shouting toward the main house, several half-grown children came out: "You lot, help this young lady deliver the goods to the entrance of the next alley."

Having likely done such work often, none complained.

Once the goods were delivered, those few left together.

Liu Chuxue waited a while, confirmed safety with her spiritual sense, then stored everything into the space.

She also used her will to soak one of the buckets in the fresh water of the space so it wouldn't look so brand new when she took it out later.

Passing the state-run restaurant, she bought six large meat buns; this used up a small portion of the meat coupons she had obtained yesterday.

She would have liked soy milk or wontons, but she had no lunch box, so she had to give it up.

Looking at the coupons in her hand, she thought that if her father had no special circumstances this afternoon, she would have to run to the moat again; at least later, if something happened, she could say the coupons were exchanged for fish there, which would provide good cover for her future actions.

Dear readers, Chapter 55 was missed earlier; I just discovered it today and have added it. Those interested can flip back and read it.

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(End of this chapter)