Chapter 174: Trading Market
Chapter 174: Trading Market
After Huang Zhihui left, Yao Ran returned to her bedroom and put the mixed rice she got the day before into her backpack.
The government and the military control the trading market, and there might be a lot of people today. After thinking about it, Yao Ran decided to bring her long sword today, just in case she needed to fight later.
Not many people own guns, but many carry swords, knives, and other cold weapons. So, if she uses a long sword instead of a gun, it won't attract too much attention. After getting ready, she left the apartment with her backpack and long sword.
When Yao Ran came out of her apartment, others were already waiting in the corridor. She smiled apologetically at them and said, "I'm sorry to keep you guys waiting."
Huang Qian shook his head and said, "No worries. We also just came out."
After experiencing the long queue yesterday, they wasted no time and set off early. An hour later, they arrived at the office building used as a trading market.
This trading market is the closest to their community, and Yao Ran saw many familiar faces there. In addition to the residents of the Ling Yuan apartment complex, there are also survivors from other communities.
The office building used as a trading market is one of the tallest in Juncheng City. Currently, it has six floors above the snow, with the top floor used by the government and the lower floors rented out for citizens to set up stalls.
People who want to buy things with cash can only go to the top floor, which the government owns. For people like Yao Ran and others who don't have any money, today's goal is to visit the five floors below and check the price of supplies.
Yesterday, everyone went to collect relief supplies, so not many people came to the market. But today, most people have eaten enough and finally have the energy to visit the trading market.
When Yao Ran saw the soldiers clearing the area at the entrance of the trading market, she knew it was time to open it. Soon, a government official came out with a megaphone.
He stood on a small stool, looked at the crowd, and spoke through the megaphone, "On the top floor of the trading market, everyone can buy things using cash or barter with a gold bar." "However, we only accept cash for today. Starting tomorrow, cash will no longer be valid, and transactions will be done by exchanging items of equal value or gold. Except for the food and medicine area with purchase restrictions, other supplies can be purchased at will."
"Please enter the trading market in an orderly manner. After purchasing the supplies, please be careful on the way back to avoid being robbed by someone."
"Those who want to rent a stall on the lower floor can ask our workers for the information. There will be no admission fee, but anyone who causes trouble will be punished."
After the government official finished speaking, he returned to the trading market with the megaphone. Outside, a group of uniformed staff began to lead people in an orderly manner. "Those who want to buy supplies in the government trading market should line up on the right side. Those who want to rent a stall should go to the fifth floor and ask the staff there for more details. Those who wish to visit the stalls should enter through the side door."
Since they had no cash and didn't come to rent a stall, Yao Ran and her friends left the chaotic area in front of the trading market and walked toward the side door.
Although the current temperature is minus 55 degrees Celsius, many people still come to the trading market. The atmosphere was even more lively than before the flood flooded the entire city. Many people came and went, but most were just joining in the fun, and only a few made deals.
The stalls sell a wide variety of products, but the stall owners' needs are mostly the same. They all asked for food, medicine, and fuel. Some people have been here since yesterday but can only return empty-handed.
Yao Ran and her friends didn't have anything specific they wanted to buy, so they just casually browsed the stalls.
Seeing many soldiers patrolling in the area, Jia Xiang said, "Since there are a lot of soldiers patrolling here, it should be safe here. I want to see the weapons area. If you guys want to visit the other areas, I can go alone."
After she said that, Long Yu took Yao Ran's hand and said, "Yao Ran will go with me."
Jia Xiang looked at his gentle gaze when he looked at Yao Ran and closed her mouth. She then coughed lightly and asked the others, "What about you guys?"
Huang Zhihui held Deng Qiqi's arm and said, "I want to go with Qiqi."
Since they couldn't let the two of them go alone, Huang Qian said, "I will go with them."n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
When Jia Xiang heard this, she looked at Shi Xuan and asked, "What about you, A Xuan?"
Shi Xuan thought for a moment and said, "I will go with you. We need to see if we can get more bullets."
Jia Xiang nodded, "Alright."
After they made their choice, Long Yu looked at his friend and said, "Let's meet at the entrance of the trading market in two hours."
"Yes, Captain."
After they dispersed, Long Yu and Yao Ran walked around leisurely. Holding Yao Ran's hand, he was in a good mood. This was a rare chance for him to have a date with her.
With a smile on his lips, Long Yu looked at Yao Ran and asked, "Ran Ran, what do you want to see first?"
Yao Ran thought for a second and replied, "Since this is our first time coming to the trading market, let's just look around and gather information."
"Alright."
Afterward, the two walked from the fifth floor to the first floor and asked about the price of the materials.