Ignoring Chen Jianguo's objections, Su Xia lightly touched the imported watches in the shop window and asked the salesperson to wrap up the British-style watches.

The reason given was, "You'll be a station manager next year, how can your equipment be so bad!"

Chen Jianguo was delighted, but...? "Isn't there one already? And it's the first gift you've ever given me!"

Su Xia looked at the watch on the man's wrist. He usually drank milkshakes, but you could still see the wear and tear.

With a wave of his hand, he said, "What's the point of making money? Isn't it all about having fun? You can give that away or sell it, or keep it as a souvenir!"

Chen Jianguo wanted to refuse again, but Su Xia wouldn't listen and directly issued a receipt and paid.

In the end, she could accept it, but the smug expression on her face was something even the sales clerk couldn't stand.

"Comrade, you should be happy to have such a wonderful wife!"

Upon hearing this, Su Xia noticed the saleswoman winking at her, and she immediately understood.

Chen Jianguo was naturally happy, completely oblivious to the shady dealings between the two women.

There, she excitedly declared, "Yes, yes..." She was clearly overjoyed.

Su Xia smiled speechlessly!

Actually, Su Xia had another important reason: she couldn't afford the big items here, and there were too many small ones... so the selection wasn't that great.

And so the couple returned home with a full load.

"Alright, let's move on to the next place...!"

Chen Jianguo picked up everything. When the couple left the house, they knew they must have bought a lot of things today, so they specially took a large package.

Su Xia walked ahead, looking around, while Chen Jianguo followed behind, carrying a large package.

The two of them knew in advance that they would go in and take a look at any place.

Photo studios, cinemas, supply and marketing cooperatives, state-run stores, department stores...

Looking at the familiar surroundings, Su Xia slowly recalled her life in her later life.

Chen Jianguo had been observing closely; how could he not have noticed? He walked over and asked, "What's wrong?"

Su Xia was taken aback, looked at Chen Jianguo with worry in her eyes, hesitated for three seconds, and then shook her head.

"I miss my child a little!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Jianguo didn't doubt it and reassured him, "We'll be home in four more days!"

Su Xia nodded, then regained her composure; shopping was still the most important thing.

Whenever Su Xia passed by the post office, she would go in and buy every kind of stamp.

Chen Jianguo had asked about it out of curiosity before, and Su Xia would always say, "These things are so colorful and pretty!"

Then carefully find a notebook, pack it up and put it away; these are all the capital I will have later.

Upon arriving at the department store, Su Xia and Chen Jianguo first looked around before starting to shop.

Use up the coupons you have first. You have 3 cloth coupons, which is 3뀟.

Floral patterns, beige, gray, black, military green—Su Xia bought everything that was used in gatherings.

Seeing that there was still some work cloth available without coupons, Su Xia bought two bolts, gray and black, both of which are dirt-resistant.

Chen's mother and Su's mother each received a Lenin suit.

Mr. Chen and Mr. Su were showing off in their gray Zhongshan suits, which looked high-end and sophisticated.

As for the pants, Su Xia was thinking of making pants using the fabric she bought.

Chen Jianguo dragged Su Xia to buy a stylish sweater, which Su Xia really didn't want to accept.

However, this is indeed currently popular, and it originated from the sea.

Su Xia held the sweater she had bought for 22 yuan. Chen Jianguo had originally wanted to choose the rose pink one, but she sternly refused.

This beige color is a good match, it goes with everything. If it really doesn't work out, I can always give it to Niu Niu.

The children had all chosen their items—practical school supplies, toys, hats, gloves, scarves, etc.

The deerskin boots look great. Niu Niu, Da Bao, and Er Bao will each have a pair; these aren't available in the store.

Food, clothing, and household items—anything I find useful, something I like, or something I think has collectible value...

When Su Xia finally arrived, it was four hours later. She was so exhausted that she sat on a bench in the state-run restaurant and slumped over a table, completely drained of energy.

Chen Jianguo went to get the food. Next to her was a large package, about half her height, and two other packages, both bulging.

When Chen Jianguo returned and saw Su Xia's condition, he said with concern, "Eat first, then go back and rest!"

Su Xia nodded, she really didn't have the strength to walk, and she was really aimless while shopping, wanting to buy everything she saw.

This package already cost over two hundred yuan. Su Xia picked up her chopsticks and wolfed down her food for the first time.

Chen Jianguo hurriedly brought over the kettle, "Slow down..."

After swallowing it, Su Xia said, "You should eat too!"

Chen Jianguo nodded. He never expected that one day he would be so exhausted from buying things that he was almost dead.

The couple wolfed down their food, and no one around them seemed to mind.

The main thing is that the two of them have several large bags with them; who would dare to complain about them?

In the open space of Zhao Family Village, a group of children were playing and frolicking.

A child suddenly asked curiously, "Erbao, haven't your parents come back yet?"

Erbao nodded upon hearing this, "Yeah, but I guess it'll be soon!"

"Really? How did you know?"

Erbao tilted his chin up and said smugly, "Because I'm smart!"

Little boy...

"Dabao, your little brother is quite fun!"

Da Bao nodded in agreement. "My mom said she'd be gone for a week, he's just calculating the days, and then he said it'll be soon!"

The group suddenly realized what was going on, and then said enviously, "Da Bao, your parents are amazing! They actually went to the capital!"

"That's right, they go first, and I'll go later!"

"Haha...Da Bao, you're bragging...!"

"Don't brag, I'll definitely go after I leave!"

"How are you going? What are you going to do?"

"That's right, without Kim Sao-shin, we can't go anywhere!"

Da Bao wasn't angry at all; instead, her expression was one of confidence: "Just you wait and see!"

Niu Niu, on the other hand, was looking at Xiao Bao and Xiao Niu Niu, thinking she couldn't just leave them all to her grandma.

"Sister...drink milk...!" Little Bao ran over.

Niu Niu went to make formula, and seeing that the formula was almost empty, she prayed that her parents would come back soon.

I prepared two baby bottles and handed them to my anxiously waiting little girl.

When Chen's mother came in and saw Niu Niu like this, she couldn't help but complain, "Your parents must have gone crazy playing, otherwise they wouldn't have come back for so long!"

Niu Niu was speechless. Yes, she knew that her mother wasn't going to be a family member; she was going to buy a house for the family.

Even before Niu Niu (her daughter) arrived, she didn't understand why her mother would buy a house.

I understand why they live in the county town now, after all, they are studying in the county school, and their fathers are working in the county town.

But Dad later bought two more houses and moved in, provided they were renovated.

My mother is now buying a house in the capital again, and I can hear my grandmother worrying and complaining.

The words that were on the tip of my tongue remained unspoken.

At this time, Su Xia and Chen Jianguo had already boarded the train. On the last day of their 5-day trip to Beijing, after shopping around the city, Chen Jianguo took her back to the guesthouse.

I went out again, and when I came back it was almost completely dark.

Su Xia was still in the upper bunk, and Chen Jianguo was in the lower bunk. The carriage was very quiet, and there was no one else besides them.

"Jianguo, you should get some sleep!"

Chen Jianguo thought for a moment and decided to take a break. "Okay, call me if you need anything!"

Su Xia nodded. She hadn't brought much with her when she came; the only valuable thing she had was the milk powder that Chen Jiandang had brought for Daya.

But now...

Su Xia looked at the packages under the lower bunk. There was another one under Chen Jianguo's pillow. It was something the old man had asked her to take, but she didn't know what it was!

It must be quite valuable, otherwise why would it be packed in a box?

Su Xia held a book in her hand, reading it while keeping her attention on the luggage.