The morning market in Ping'an Town had already emptied, but Hekou Town was still bustling with people.
Zhao Dashan and Zhao Sanniu looked left and right, their eyes not enough to take everything in. This was their first time in Hekou Town, so everything felt very new to them.
Cheng Loanloan led her son across the street. She habitually glanced at the grain store. Grain in Hekou Town was not cheap; the price of millet had risen to ten *wen* of cash, while white rice and flour were not even displayed for sale, probably because they knew ordinary people couldn't afford them.
As soon as she turned her head, she saw a woman kneeling on the ground in front of the grain store. Beside her was a thin, sallow-faced girl, who looked to be about four or five years old.
The woman's tears streamed down her face. "There's no food left at home. If this continues, the children will starve to death. I can only sell this girl. Three hundred *wen* of cash, and you can take her away. Please help me…"
The four or five-year-old girl cried piteously, her big round eyes looking at everyone, filled with terror.
Cheng Loanloan's mood became incredibly complex.
If she were in that situation, she would rather starve to death than sell the child she had carried for ten months.
Three hundred *wen* of cash could buy a girl, which was not expensive at all. But in this world, this girl was not the only one forced to sell herself for food.
As the natural disasters grew more severe, more and more people would sell their children, and most of those sold were girls.
Cheng Loanloan withdrew her gaze and, with heavy steps, continued forward with her two children.
At the end of this street was Hekou Town's famous Nanfu Academy.
This academy was jointly founded by the local government and a *juren* scholar. The teachers invited were at least *xiucai* by origin. Excellent children from neighboring towns, after reaching a certain level of study, would gather here to learn.
In other words, those who studied here either had a talent for learning or their families were not short on money.
There were also some small stalls in front of the academy, but most of them sold ink, paper, and inkstones. There were also people selling books and paintings, creating a strong academic atmosphere.
When Cheng Loanloan set up her stall, a kind shopkeeper reminded her, "Nanfu Academy already has a dining hall. They basically won't come out to buy these foods. Auntie, you should probably find another place."
"Thank you for the reminder," Cheng Loanloan said with a smile. "Since I'm already here, I might as well give it a try."
Zhao Sanniu had borrowed a table, and the mother and two children set out their ice jelly to try. Just as they finished, the bell from the academy rang.
When they heard the bell, the vendors outside the gate immediately straightened up, their faces excited, ready to welcome customers.
Not long after, students came out of the academy in groups of three or four.
They wore white and blue academy uniforms, and among them, a handsome young man stood out, looking very striking.
Cheng Loanloan and her two sons shouted loudly.
"Ice jelly for sale, cool and refreshing ice jelly!"
"Free samples, limited quantity, first come, first served!"
A few shopkeepers at the neighboring stalls were dumbfounded.
This was an academy, a sacred place for reading and writing. Why was this woman so brazenly hawking her wares?
The vendors selling brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones all paid attention to elegance. Selling goods in such a crude manner, those students wouldn't even spare a glance.
The other vendors quietly lit a candle for Cheng Juanjuan. Today was the first time they had seen this "auntie," and it would likely be the last.
However!
To everyone's surprise, three students actually walked over and stood directly in front of Cheng Juanjuan's stall!