Chapter 79 Heading South to Purchase Goods
That evening, Zhao Fei returned to the tailor shop, still feeling the slight chill of the early spring night.
"I've finalized the deal for that shop I went to see today," Wen Xiaoxiao said with a hint of excitement in her voice.
"It's right next to the Workers' Cultural Palace, a really good location. It's a two-story building; the downstairs can be used to store lots of clothes, and the upstairs can be used for living. I've negotiated with the landlord; the rent isn't cheap, but the location is worth it. I'm thinking we should sign the lease, then hurry up with the renovations, and at the same time, I need to go south to get the first batch of goods so we can open before the weather gets completely warm, just in time to sell spring clothes..."
She spoke a little fast, clearly having thought about it repeatedly for a long time, just waiting to discuss it with him.
Zhao Fei listened to her plan, and when she finished speaking, she looked at him expectantly.
He raised his eyes and his gaze fell on her flushed face.
“Xiaoxiao,” he began, his voice steady but devoid of emotion, “have you really thought this through? It will be very tiring, with too many things to worry about.”
Wen Xiaoxiao's excitement faded a little. She nodded, her tone becoming serious: "I've thought it through. I'm not afraid of being tired; I've been through much more tiring times before. As for worrying... I just want to give it a try and see what I can achieve."
Zhao Fei looked at the determined light in her eyes and sighed inwardly.
He knew he should support her, just as she supported his career.
But some things, if kept inside and not spoken, will always remain a thorn in your side.
He took her hand, his thumb stroking the back of her hand, his tone softening: "Xiaoxiao, it's not that I don't trust you, I just..."
He paused for a moment, then said, "I just feel that now that we've finally settled down, you don't need to work so hard anymore. I'll manage the pig farm outside, and you can stay home, take care of the kids, do some sewing in your spare time, or go shopping and have some fun. Isn't that better? I don't want you to work too hard, and I don't want you to face all those hardships outside anymore."
He spoke very sincerely; it was his truest thought from the bottom of his heart.
Wen Xiaoxiao was stunned.
She had considered that Zhao Fei might be worried about the risks.
You might feel the investment is too large.
Unexpectedly, the root of his lack of support was his desire to protect her under his wing.
She looked at Zhao Fei with understanding and gratitude, but also with a hint of resentment.
“Zhao Fei,” she said, squeezing his hand tightly in return, her voice soft, “I know you mean well. But I’m not a caged bird. If I’m kept in captivity for too long, my wings will soften and my heart will wither. The past was tough, but there was nothing I could do about it. But now, I want to try to fly on my own and see a different sky outside. I’m not afraid of being tired or suffering. What I’m afraid of is… being able to see the end of my life in the blink of an eye, being afraid that I’ll only ever be your wife and the mother of your children, and that I’ll never have any other name.”
She paused, then said, "You've seen me change from who I was before to who I am now, aren't you happy for me? Opening this shop is because I want to keep moving forward, to go further. Zhao Fei, can you understand me?"
Zhao Fei stared at her.
He recalled her gentle and silent demeanor when she first married Zhao Qingda.
I remember her resilience and tenacity when she ran the tailor shop with her children.
Remembering her candor in the face of rumors at her wedding,
I recall the fire in her eyes when she returned from the south.
Yes, isn't this exactly the kind of Wen Xiaoxiao he loves?
A woman who, no matter what situation she is in, has an indomitable spirit deep down.
Finally, he sighed helplessly and completely enveloped her slightly cool hand in his large hand.
"I can't argue with you." He smirked. "If you want to do it, then do it. If you don't have enough money, tell me. Don't try to tough it out on yourself. There will always be a hot meal for you at home, and I'll cover for you."
This wasn't the outcome he initially wanted, but it was precisely the support she truly needed.
Wen Xiaoxiao moved very quickly.
The next day, I went to sign the lease agreement and got the keys.
Immediately afterwards, she began to arrange the renovation.
I drew simple renovation plans myself, found a construction team, personally selected the materials, and spent most of my time in the new shop every day, keeping an eye on the progress and discussing details with the workers.
When Wenbin and Han Manjuan came to see her, she was standing at the renovation site, with a checkered headscarf wrapped around her head, some dust on her body, and a tape measure in her hand, gesturing to the carpenter about the height of the counter.
When she saw her brother and sister-in-law arrive, she clapped her hands and came out, her face covered in sweat, but her smile was bright.
The three of them found a small restaurant nearby for lunch.
Wenbin looked at his younger sister, who was busy but full of energy, and felt both sorry for her and proud: "Xiaoxiao, take it easy, don't overwork yourself."
"I'm not tired, I feel energetic." Wen Xiaoxiao served food to her sister-in-law and casually asked, "Brother, sister-in-law, you've been married for quite a few years now, why don't you have children yet?"
Han Manjuan's smile faded, a hint of bitterness flashed in her eyes, and she glanced at Wenbin.
Wenbin took a bite of rice and mumbled, "No rush, no rush, let's leave it to fate. Maybe it's just not meant to be yet."
Wen Xiaoxiao noticed something was off about her sister-in-law's expression, but seeing that her brother didn't want to talk about it, she wisely stopped asking and instead started talking about the progress of her shop's renovation.
The store renovation is progressing smoothly.
A little over a month later, the once empty, unfinished house was transformed into a brand new place.
Downstairs, the walls are painted snow-white and fitted with bright spotlights and tracks. The glass counter and coat racks are already in place, and the signboard is hung at the door, just waiting for the store name to be engraved.
The second floor has also been divided into four small rooms, with simple paint on the walls, floor tiles laid, and basic doors and windows installed. Although it's still empty, you can already see the beginnings of a cozy home.
Wen Xiaoxiao planned it very well: the largest room with a window was for Zhou Lanying to live in with Yizhen and Bao;
In the slightly smaller room next door, Liu Shuhua was with Wen Xiaogai;
She shared a room with Zhao Fei;
The remaining room will be given to Zhao Yidi, who is already in junior high school.
Living together as a large family allows them to look after each other while still having their own space.
On a sunny weekend, the whole family moved into their new home in a lively and joyful atmosphere.
The children ran around in the empty room, excitedly choosing where they would find their future little world.
Zhou Lanying touched the snow-white wall and exclaimed, "Wow, wow, this house is bright and comfortable to live in."
After settling in, the most important thing right now is to get the goods in stock.
Wen Xiaoxiao had already made a list, preparing to go south again. This time, Zhao Fei's attitude was firm: "I'll go with you."
"Are you able to leave your pig farm?" Wen Xiaoxiao asked.
"You have to go, even if you can't." Zhao Fei said firmly. "Last time I sent you alone, I was worried sick at home for days. This time, getting supplies is no small matter. It involves a lot of capital and a lot of goods. You can't do it alone. I have to go and keep an eye on things and help you make decisions."
He paused, then added, "And I also need to go and see that Zheng Shangyu..." He didn't finish his sentence, but the meaning was clear.
Wen Xiaoxiao knew she couldn't argue with him, and she also knew that what he said made sense.
She was a little unsure about her first large-scale purchase, but having him by her side made her feel much more at ease.
As for his inexplicable "hostility" towards Zheng Shangyu, she could only let it be.
Zhao Fei entrusted the pig farm to Wenbin in advance, asking him to take good care of it.
Wenbin patted his chest and assured him, "Go ahead without worry, I'll take care of things at home and at the venue."
The night before departure, Wen Xiaoxiao checked the luggage and checklist she needed to bring, while Zhao Fei watched her busy figure with a deep look in his eyes.
This trip south wasn't just about buying goods; it also seemed to be another formal "test" of her choice.
He didn't know what awaited them ahead, but since she had decided to fly, he would at least make sure she saw the wind and protected her on her journey.
The train tickets were bought, and the destination was still the South that stirred Wen Xiaoxiao's heart and soul.
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