Chapter 242 - Where is She?
With their new destinations in mind, everyone busied themselves with preparations. The journey ahead was long, so they needed to pack plenty of provisions and supplies.
Although battles regularly erupted outside the city walls, life inside the city went on. Other than tighter security measures, daily routine remained much the same.
After all these days, the inn’s food stores were running low. Chi Nanwei instructed Ye Beizhi to go into the streets and buy some provisions for their journey ahead.
It was noon, and both armies had just sounded the gong to cease battle and return to their camps to prepare meals. Smoke rose from the chimneys of city homes, and a few hurried figures moved through the streets in groups of two or three.
With the banknotes Chi Nanwei had handed him stuffed in his chest pocket, Ye Beizhi stood in the street, looking around blankly; he truly had no idea where any shops might still be open for business.
If nothing else worked, he could try buying from local families, he decided.
Having made up his mind, Ye Beizhi walked up to the first house by the street and knocked on the door.
Knock, knock, knock—
Before long, the door cracked open, and a woman dressed as a housewife peeked out. She scrutinized Ye Beizhi cautiously. "What is it?"
Ye Beizhi took out a bundle of banknotes from his pocket. "I'm here to buy... uh, rice."
The woman showed no intention of inviting Ye Beizhi inside. She shook her head and said, "Who would dare sell their own food at a time like this? The rice shops in the city have long been emptied. Who knows how soon supplies will run out? I’m not selling."