Su Yun was extremely excited and focused especially on the prices of the watches and televisions.
The cheapest domestic watch cost 98 yuan, and a 9-inch black-and-white TV cost 300 yuan—about the same as in the department store. But the difference was that her system didn't require any purchase coupons!
Without hesitation, Su Yun immediately bought a 98-yuan watch. She put it on her wrist and admired it from every angle, completely satisfied.
But after the excitement faded, she began to feel uneasy.
Oh no… how am I going to explain this watch at home?
She couldn't possibly make Gu Hai take the blame again, could she?
If her mother found out that Gu Hai had given her a watch, then no matter how much she tried to explain, it would only make things worse!
Sigh! I shouldn't have acted on impulse!
Feeling annoyed, Su Yun glanced at the time on her watch, opened the system supermarket, and began preparing supplies for Gu Hai.
This time, she didn't skim anything off the top. She planned to spend 3,000 yuan on supplies.
First, she bought 1,000 yuan worth of various cotton fabrics, then 200 jin of rice, 100 jin of rapeseed oil, and the bicycle Gu Hai had specifically requested.
With the remaining money, she purchased a pile of fruits. Then, gritting her teeth, she opened the system's online mall and bought a 9-inch black-and-white TV and a brand-new digital camera worth 580 yuan.
After all these purchases, she still had 260 yuan left from the 3,000 yuan budget. She simply withdrew it as cash, intending to give it directly to Gu Hai.
The pile of supplies sat in the courtyard—anyone who saw it would be shocked.
At the agreed time, Gu Hai knocked and entered. When he saw the mountain of goods, he was completely stunned.
After a long moment, he finally came back to his senses, his lips trembling as he asked, "Comrade Xiao Su… your friend can even get a television and a camera?"
Just who exactly was this mysterious person?
Feeling a bit guilty, Su Yun brushed it off. "Don't worry about that. Anyway, since he gave me all this, I'm passing it on to you."
Then she remembered the watch she had just bought—it really would be hard to explain at home.
So she decisively took it off, handed it to Gu Hai, and said sincerely, "Comrade Gu Hai, thanks to your help, my cousin can work at the Public Security Bureau. This watch is a special gift for you. You must accept it!"
Only she knew how reluctant she was to give it up.
But it didn't matter—she could always find an excuse to buy another one later. After all, no coupons were needed!
When Gu Hai saw the watch, his trembling lips froze.
Hearing that it was specially given to him, he mechanically accepted it. When he realized it still carried Su Yun's warmth, his face flushed so red it looked like he could fry an egg on it!
He was overjoyed and spoke incoherently, "Comrade Xiao Su… this… this is such a surprise! I really like this watch. I will treasure it and never let down your kindness!"
With that, he solemnly put it on.
Su Yun stared at the watch with lingering attachment and said with a hint of grievance, "Comrade Gu Hai, then you must wear it every day. Check the time often and take good care of it."
"Mm, don't worry, Comrade Xiao Su. I will definitely take good care of it!"
This was the first gift Su Yun had ever given him—he would cherish it deeply!
Suppressing her heartache, Su Yun took out the remaining 260 yuan and handed it to him. "Comrade Gu Hai, this is the cash my friend insisted on giving. He said he was very satisfied with your goods and wanted to show his appreciation. He also asked you to keep up the good work—if your items are worth collecting, he won't treat you unfairly."
At this point, Gu Hai was completely speechless.
He accepted the money, stunned, with only one thought in his mind: he must work hard, improve his situation as soon as possible, and give Su Yun and his younger siblings a better life!
That night, Gu Hai brought Gouzi and the others to the recycling station. Using the key Su Yun gave him, he opened the gate and called everyone to move the goods.
When Gouzi saw the pile in the courtyard, he was once again dumbfounded. "My god… this mysterious collector is incredible! He just gives out this much material like it's nothing. How much money would this be worth?"
Su Wenbing rushed forward, hugging the television tightly and refusing to let go. "Brother Hai, there's even a TV this time! Can we keep it? I've begged my dad for one for so long, but he won't buy it—says he can't get the coupon! Now we have one ready-made—just keep it!"
Gouzi spat and said, "Do you even know how much a TV is worth? What good would keeping it do us? Do you want everyone to know what we're doing?"
Gu Hai also said firmly, "We can't keep any of these items. They all need to be sold quickly. I have connections to sell the TV and camera. You guys handle the rest as usual—don't sell locally. Take them elsewhere. Gouzi, you're in charge. We'll settle accounts afterward."
The others responded, "Don't worry, Brother Hai. We know what to do."
Reluctantly, Su Wenbing let go of the TV, looking at it like he was parting from a lover. He turned his head sharply and shut his eyes.
"Brother Hai, I understand!"
That night, Xia Ying came to the Su household again.
The two girls studied together in Su Yun's room. While chatting about trivial matters at her counter, Su Yun suddenly thought of the system's online mall and asked:
"Yingzi, at your counter, are there people who want to buy electronics but can't because they don't have coupons?"
Xia Ying replied, "Of course there are! Just at my watch counter, so many people come with money but no coupons. Some even try to bribe me to sell them one through the back door!"
Then she asked curiously, "Why do you ask? Do you want a watch? If you do, next time we get defective stock, I can save one for you—no coupon needed!"
"But I have to say, it depends on luck. Defective items don't always come in, and many insiders are eyeing them too…"
"No," Su Yun shook her head and lowered her voice. "To be honest, I have a channel to get electronics without coupons—watches, batteries, TVs, fans, washing machines, all of it. If you can help connect me with buyers, I'll give you a commission for each item. What do you think?"
Xia Ying froze for a long moment.
She stared wide-eyed in disbelief. "Su Yun, where did you get such a connection?"
Then she began to guess. "Was it that Gu Hai who helped you find it?"
Su Yun: "..."
Why did everyone always assume it was Gu Hai?
Well… it seemed like this blame was definitely his to carry!
She didn't hesitate and nodded. "Yes, Gu Hai helped me find the channel. He can get goods without coupons. If you help us sell them, we'll give you a commission of five yuan per item."
Five yuan!
Xia Ying was tempted.
As a sales clerk, she only earned 30 yuan a month. If she earned five yuan per item, selling just ten items a month would bring her 50 yuan!
Who wouldn't be tempted by that?