"Mom, what's wrong with you? Why are you so easily startled?"
Ge Qiuqin was confused, which startled Xia Enruo so much that she almost dropped her ice cream on the ground.
Xia Enruo suddenly remembered something she forgot to buy and is now slapping her thigh in frustration.
Ge Qiuqin continued to ask:
"Xia, is there something you forgot to buy? Why don't you go back and buy it while I watch the cotton here and wait for you?"
Xia Enruo took a sip of her ice cream and paused.
"No, sister-in-law. I just thought of something, something that excites me."
When Ge Qiuqin saw that she hadn't forgotten to buy anything, she felt relieved.
"You're breathing so heavily, your sister-in-law might think you forgot to buy something!"
"Sister-in-law Qiuqin, do you know how many universities there are in our city?"
Xia Enruo's question stumped Ge Qiuqin. She had come to Yongning City earlier than Xia Enruo, but apart from going out to buy things, she spent the rest of her time taking care of her children in the compound and had never gone out to explore properly. Apart from a few markets, she hadn't been to as many places as Xia Enruo.
"Xia, why are you asking this? I've heard quite a few people say this, but I only know that there's one medical university near our compound, and I don't know where the others are. What's wrong? Are you thinking about going to university?"
Ge Qiuqin thought that Xia Enruo had the idea of going to school. These days, it's not unusual to go to school at any age. Since the resumption of the college entrance examination, it's common for people to go to university in their 20s. Some people even go to university after they've started a family.
“Sister-in-law, I’m not going to school. If I were to go to school now, my family would really be starving. The Yongning Medical University you mentioned is two streets away from us. What do you think about me opening a laundry shop at home?”
This was the first time Ge Qiuqin had ever heard of a laundry shop. Did people really have to take their clothes to a shop to be washed these days? That was truly strange.
"Xia, you're really putting your sister-in-law in a difficult position. These days, everyone washes their own clothes, right? Just put them in a big basin and scrub them with soap. Why would you need to take them to a laundry shop? I don't think this business will work."
Xia Enruo knew that Ge Qiuqin did not understand. She had come from the countryside with her husband and stayed at home every day to take care of the children. She had no money and of course had to do all the housework herself.
Moreover, Sister-in-law Qiuqin never went to university, so of course she doesn't know what it's like there. Nowadays, there are more and more college students with money, so the laundry market is currently a blank slate.
"Sister-in-law, I want to give this a try. If it makes money, you can work with me, okay?"
Upon hearing this, Ge Qiuqin, who had never worked outside before, felt apprehensive. Would this work?
"Xia, your sister-in-law advises you to find a decent job. It's safer that way. If you lose money, it won't be a small amount."
Xia Enruo was both amused and exasperated by Ge Qiuqin's words. She had never run a small business before, so her fear was understandable. Like Ge Qiuqin said, if she worked for someone else, all her money would be earned by them, and she could never achieve financial freedom.
"Sister-in-law, I'm not teasing you anymore. Let's go home. I'll think about it some more."
Xia Enru thought that once she made money, Ge Qiuqin would change her mind.
The two sat for half an hour, then carried the cotton and continued walking towards the bus stop.
When they got home, Gu Shaoxuan placed the used spittoon at the door and covered it with the lid. He could now relieve himself, but he couldn't go outside and had to do it at home. Xia Enruo even bought him a tall, bottomed spittoon specifically for this purpose.
Xia Enru took the spittoon to the public toilet, emptied it, and then washed it inside and out with clean water.
She peeled an apple for Gu Shaoxuan and handed it to him.
Do you know where in Yongning City you can buy second-hand home appliances?
When Gu Shaoxuan heard Xia Enruo say that, he assumed she was feeling bored and wanted to buy a television. The two had been married for so long and had never owned a television before; these days, buying a television required not only money but also ration coupons.
"They have new ones at the department store. Enruo, do you want to watch TV? I'll ask Yuan Qiang to get us a ticket, and we'll buy one."
Xia Enruo was shocked. What was going on? When did she say she wanted to watch TV? Gu Shaoxuan was just guessing what she was thinking.
“I said I wanted to buy a used washing machine, not a TV. Besides, TVs are expensive even with a discount, and we don’t have the spare money to buy one right now.”
“I borrowed it from the army, and they deducted a portion from my salary each month until it was paid off.”
Gu Shaoxuan is capable of anything to make his wife happy. It's just a matter of money, isn't it? At worst, he can borrow some money from Yuan Qiang's family to buy a TV.
"Alright, alright. I said I wanted to buy a used washing machine because I need to do laundry. You keep talking about TVs, do you even know where I can buy a used one? I only want a used one, not a brand new one."
"Second-hand home appliances are usually available on the black market, and it's rare to find them. Nowadays, very few people in Yongning City can afford to use home appliances and even upgrade them. I guess you might be able to find them in the Bianqiang Market."
Gu Shaoxuan thought Xia Enruo wanted to buy a washing machine because she found washing clothes too tiring. He had been recovering from his injury recently, and he needed to change his clothes at least three or four times a day. He could only watch as Xia Enruo spent several hours washing clothes in the washroom, which he found exhausting.
"Border Wall Market? I've never heard of this before. I've been to several black markets in Yongning City, but this is the first time I've heard of it."
"This border wall market is located at the foot of the ancient city wall in the south of the city. It mainly sells antiques and second-hand items. You can take the bus from your doorstep all the way to the last stop. People who are not interested in antiques rarely go there."
Gu Shaoxuan had gone there a few times with Yuan Qiang before. This kid liked to buy little gadgets like lighters and snuff bottles. His hobbies were really peculiar.
Xia Enruo realized why she hadn't been there before; it wasn't near the central street. She always went to the vegetable market, so the idea of selling antiques was quite intriguing, which piqued her interest.
"Okay, I'll go shopping this afternoon."
On her way back, she had already decided that she absolutely had to open a laundry shop; she was sure she could make money. Plus, after collecting the laundry every day and washing it, she'd spend most of her time in the compound, which would also allow her to take care of Gu Shaoxuan. Wasn't this the perfect job she wanted?
Xia Enruo became more and more excited as she thought about it. She couldn't wait to take the bus directly to Bianqiang Market. But she needed to fill her stomach first, since it was midday, and Gu Shaoxuan was probably hungry too.
The dishes and fruit tea I made yesterday were completely devoured by everyone, not even a crumb was left. When Shaojun left, he said he would come back for fruit tea next time.
This godbrother's words are really funny. Wu Meixia was helpless when she heard them. He's over 20 years old, how can he still be so innocent?
To save time at noon, Xia Enruo set off early in the afternoon to make Sichuan Dan Dan noodles and stir-fry some shredded potatoes.
Both of these dishes are simple to make and don't take long.
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