Xin Hua Market was easy to find. After about twenty to thirty minutes of cycling, they arrived. Chen Lan asked everyone to double-check their hats and masks, as well as their equipment, then they rode their bikes into the alleyways around Xin Hua Market. This time, they rode slower, as they needed to look for signs pointing to San Cha Alley.
The alleyways were pitch black. Chen Lan, with the twins Jia Hui and Jia Yao, led the way. It was too dark to find the special markers the four girls had mentioned. The group rode their bicycles back and forth in the maze of alleys for several laps, but they couldn't find San Cha Alley. Without San Cha Alley, they couldn't find the entrance to the black market.
Chen Lan weaved through the alleys, almost getting lost. The alleys were dark and silent. Just as Chen Lan and the others were getting anxious, a few barks were heard in the distance. Chen Lan recognized the sound of dogs and knew they were on the right track, so she pedaled furiously towards the barking.
Soon, they spotted faint lights flickering in the darkness, like eerie ghost lights. Although Chen Lan had traveled through time to this era, she was a staunch materialist and didn't believe in ghosts. Therefore, seeing these scattered lights actually put her mind at ease.
Otherwise, if they had mobilized a group of people to come out so late at night and couldn't even find the entrance to the black market, it would have been a huge embarrassment. Moreover, Chen Lan didn't want to bring four children this far just to live a life of financial hardship. Crucially, if they couldn't exchange for money tonight, they would truly be sleeping on the streets tomorrow.
As they got closer to the lights, Chen Lan dismounted her bicycle and gestured for everyone to do the same. After Chen Lan stored the three bicycles in the system's warehouse, they split into three groups as planned. Xu Mingxuan took Jia He, and Er Zhuang took Jia Xing. After checking their equipment and weapons, both groups went ahead to scout. Chen Lan, carrying a super large backpack along with Jia Hui and Jia Yao, followed closely behind.
By the time Chen Lan and the twins arrived, they saw a moon gate at the alley entrance. However, there was no one guarding it. Dim lights flickered faintly within the alley, casting flickering shadows under the dim, shifting light. People were moving about, suggesting that the black market was already in full swing for the day.
As Chen Lan and the twin siblings were about to step inside, a cold voice suddenly came from under the eaves: "Do you people know the rules? If you want to get in, pay up quickly. Two mao per person. Don't dawdle, or you'll be like those two and not get in."
Chen Lan and the twins followed the voice and saw a person swagger out from the shadow of the eaves, followed by two others. When he stepped into the light, Chen Lan could clearly see his appearance: a very tall and thin man with a cold expression. A black cloth was wrapped under his nose. He approached Chen Lan and the twins, extending his hand to demand payment.
The two people behind him also surprised Chen Lan and the twins; they were Jia Xing and Jia He. She wondered if Xu Mingxuan and Er Zhuang had already gone in. Clearly, these two children were being kept outside because they had no money. Chen Lan sighed inwardly, truly, a single copper coin can stump a hero!
The mother and children exchanged glances but did not greet each other.
Chen Lan had no money on her, so she smiled and tried to negotiate: "Comrade, can I use something to pay instead?"
The tall man frowned, glanced at the large backpacks behind the three of them, and then, seeing that she was a young girl, asked in a low voice, "What do you intend to use to settle the bill?"
Chen Lan reached into her backpack and took out a Russian Vika sausage, handing it to him. She asked, "Comrade, will this be enough to pay?"
The tall man, though he looked fierce, was quite honest. He replied in a low voice, "That's too much. No change is needed."
So Chen Lan pointed to Jia Xing and Jia He and said, "Then can you let them both in?"
The tall man said in a low voice again, "You're truly righteous, young lady. Alright, it's all settled. You can go in."
The quick-witted Jia He immediately thanked her, "Thank you, young lady, thank you. You're a good person!" Jia Xing also chimed in with thanks.
The mother and children walked into the moon gate one after another. They saw figures swirling in the shadows of the trees and eaves. Some people stood holding flashlights, their lamp heads wrapped in red cloth. Others squatted by their feet, with a lantern placed nearby. However, almost everyone, like Chen Lan and her group, was heavily wrapped up, revealing only their eyes, lest they give themselves away and be recognized.
The black market was bustling with people, but most were not talking much. Even when they did, they spoke in low whispers. Everywhere, groups of two or three people were seen talking with their heads bowed. Just then, a woman walked by, and as she brushed past them, she suddenly asked, "Comrade, do you need grain coupons?" Chen Lan casually asked, "How much are they? Are they nationwide or for Harbin?"
The woman immediately stopped and said, "They're nationwide, four mao eight per catty. How much do you need?"
Seeing that the woman was serious, Chen Lan immediately took out a Vika sausage and asked, "Sister, can I exchange this with you?"
The woman took one look and immediately shook her head, "Girl, your item is good, but people like us can't afford to eat it."
Hearing the woman say this, Chen Lan felt even more embarrassed. She shouldn't have made small talk and interrupted the woman's business. To apologize, Chen Lan handed the Vika sausage in her hand to the woman and said, "Sister, I'm sorry for disturbing your business. Take this sausage back for the children to try."
The woman repeatedly said, "Girl, no, it's too valuable. It's not easy for anyone."
Chen Lan waved her hand and led the twins away.
The black market had all sorts of items, truly a motley assortment. There were eggs and homegrown vegetables, wild pheasants and rabbits, and grain. However, it was mostly coarse grains, like cornmeal. There were only two stalls selling grain. There were also stalls selling daily necessities...
After entering the black market, the mother and children had separated from Jia Xing and Jia He. Chen Lan didn't know where Xu Mingxuan and Er Zhuang had gone. Chen Lan, with the twins, browsed the various stalls and inquired about the prices in the black market, gaining a rough idea.