Xia Qingqing casually made up an excuse to brush off Zhang Hongyan and Xia Heping.

Fortunately, the two of them didn't press the matter further, since they already knew their daughter had some secrets; otherwise, how could she have earned so much money?

"How much did you pay for each of these cotton-padded coats?" This was the question Zhang Hongyan was more concerned about.

Xia Qingqing thought for a moment and said, "The men's size is 22, and the women's size is 20. I plan to add 10 yuan to each one. What do you think, Mom and Dad?"

This price isn't cheap for a cotton-padded coat. It would be much more cost-effective to buy the materials yourself and make one. But the problem is that making a cotton-padded coat requires not only money, but also cloth coupons and cotton coupons. Even with coupons, you still have to be able to get cotton.

Not everyone knows how to make cotton-padded coats. The process is much more complicated than making summer clothes, and you'll have to pay extra for a tailor's work.

“I think it’s a good idea. If no one buys it, we’ll lower the price again,” Zhang Hongyan said, putting her newfound knowledge into practice.

Xia Heping nodded and said, "The cost of living in Beijing is much higher than in my hometown, so there will definitely be people buying here."

Although ordinary workers only earn thirty or forty yuan a month, cadres and senior technical workers earn much more, ranging from fifty or sixty to seventy or eighty yuan.

Not to mention that most families have more than one working person, and the combined income of the whole family is actually not small.

Cotton-padded coats may seem a bit expensive, but people at this time can wear one coat for many years. They don't usually buy new ones every year; it's basically a rotation among people.

Because cotton-padded coats take up a lot of space, Xia Qingqing only took out 200 pieces this time, which were just enough to sell out before the Chinese New Year.

When Gou Dan heard that they were going to buy clothes again, he was overjoyed and insisted on going out with them, no matter what.

He knew who was easier to talk to, so he clung to Xia Qingqing's leg and wouldn't let go: "Sister, please take me with you, please."

"You can go out, but you won't get paid," Xia Qingqing teased him deliberately.

Gou Dan stared at her with wide eyes, seemingly unable to believe that her 38-degree mouth could utter such cold words.

Zhang Hongyan came out of the room and saw her youngest son sitting on the floor. Anger flashed across her face, and she lifted him up with one hand and slapped him on the buttocks.

"I'll teach you a lesson, you little brat. You think you're the one who washes clothes in the dead of winter? You're almost 12 years old and you still sit on the ground all the time."

"Ah... Mom, I know I was wrong," Gou Dan said, making a series of incoherent noises.

Even through the thick cotton pants, the slap on his butt didn't really hurt, but it was very hurtful to his self-esteem. If his classmates found out that he was getting spanked at his age, he would really be unable to get along with them.

Fortunately, Zhang Hongyan only patted him twice as a formality before letting go: "I'll let it go this time, but if it happens again, you'll have to wash your own clothes."

"Okay, I know, Mom, I won't do it again," Gou Dan quickly and honestly admitted his mistake to Zhang Hongyan.

After everyone left, Gou Dan looked at Xia Qingqing pitifully and said, "Sister, look how pitiful your brother is, can't you really give him a little bit of wages?"

He heard it himself: his sister got these clothes, and the decision-making power was entirely in her hands.

Xia Qingqing chuckled: "Okay, how about I give you a wage of 1 yuan a day?"

"Haha, that's great, that's fantastic!" Gou Dan cheered happily.

If he can earn 1 yuan a day, he can earn 10 yuan in 10 days, which is a huge sum of money.

I don't know when, but Gou Dan has become a little money-grubber. He saves all his occasional pocket money, rewards for exams, and New Year's money, which adds up to about forty yuan.

It's quite a fortune for a child of ten or so to have so much money, but Gou Dan still felt it wasn't enough. It was all because everyone around him was rich, making him look especially poor.

......

The cotton-padded coats were just in time for the Chinese New Year, and they sold out in less than 5 days, which made Gou Dan complain that he had lost several yuan.

The family of four had no shortage of cotton-padded clothes, as Zhang Hongyan made them by hand every year, so this time they didn't keep one for each person.

Xia Qingqing noticed that Zhang Hongyan really liked the bright red cotton coat. She originally suggested that Zhang Hongyan keep one for herself, but Zhang Hongyan felt that it would be ridiculous for someone her age to wear bright red clothes.

Xia Qingqing didn't try to persuade her anymore. She directly asked Zhou Wei to buy Zhang Hongyan a dark red woolen coat as a New Year's gift. Of course, she couldn't be too biased. Xia Heping received a navy blue woolen overcoat, which made the two of them very happy.

This time, Zhang Hongyan surprisingly didn't ask about the price or say that Xia Qingqing was wasting money.

She could guess that the wool coat wasn't cheap, but even if it was a hundred yuan a piece, so what? It wasn't like her family couldn't afford it now. That's what money gives you confidence.

On Chinese New Year's Day, Zhang Hongyan and Xia Heping specially wore the new clothes their daughter had bought for them.

Xia Qingqing got up and saw it, not knowing whether to laugh or cry: "Mom and Dad, aren't you afraid of catching a cold? Even though this wool coat is quilted, it's still not suitable for wearing on a snowy day."

Xia Heping waved his hand with a smile: "Anyway, it's not cold at home. I'll change into my cotton-padded clothes when I go out."

"Alright, but don't force yourself if you feel cold," Xia Qingqing said with some concern. It wouldn't be worth it if you got sick just to wear the clothes she gave you.

"Don't worry, your dad is in good health," Xia Heping said, patting his chest.

After the New Year's Eve dinner, it's time to give out lucky money, which is also Dog Egg's favorite part.

Zhang Hongyan took out the prepared red envelopes and handed them to the siblings: "After the New Year, you will be a year older. Mom has no other expectations, I just hope that you two are healthy and happy every day."

"Thank you, Mom," Xia Qingqing said with a smile.

Dog Egg's attention was focused on the red envelope, and upon hearing his sister's voice, he immediately replied, "Thank you for the New Year's red envelope, Mom."

Seeing that no one was paying attention to him, Xia Heping cleared his throat and said, "I still haven't given out my red envelope."

Dog Egg's eyes lit up and he immediately rushed to Xia Heping's side: "Happy New Year's Eve, Dad!"

"Take it," Xia Heping said with a smile, patting his son's head.

Back in his room, Gou Dan immediately opened the two red envelopes, each containing a brand new 100-yuan note.

He rubbed his eyes in disbelief. His parents had indeed made a fortune. In previous years, his New Year's money was only 2 yuan, but this year it had suddenly increased to 20 yuan.

He didn't know that Zhang Hongyan knew he had taken to saving money and that he wouldn't squander it, which was why she dared to give him so much money at once.

Dog Egg happily rubbed the piggy bank, which his older sister had given him, into the two brand-new ten-yuan bills, saying, "Golden pig, golden pig, bless me to become rich soon!"