Chapter 124 A Heartfelt Wishes
When the jeep stopped in front of the Beijing Department Store, Lu Mingyue looked up.
A three-story brick building stood on the street, with the six large red characters "Beijing Department Store" on the roof standing out prominently. A crowd of people were gathered at the entrance, waiting to go in and shop.
Huo Zheng, holding Lei Lei's hand, said with a smile, "This is the liveliest place in Beijing, much bigger than the supply and marketing cooperative on the island."
Upon entering, a fragrance mingled with various aromas wafted towards you.
In the lobby on the first floor, the counters are arranged neatly along the walls.
The glass counter displays enamel mugs, face cream, and blue cotton jackets. Salespeople, dressed in uniform blue overalls, stand behind the counter, waiting for customers to come forward and inquire.
Leilei and Yaoyao gathered around the toy counter, which contained only tin frogs, wooden toy guns, and rag dolls. There were many different kinds of toys, which made the three children unable to look away.
Just then, Yao Yao tugged at her clothes and cried out, "Mommy, I want that doll."
Lu Mingyue snapped out of her daze and asked the sales clerk with a smile, "Comrade, how much is this rag doll?"
The salesperson took out an abacus and counted a few times: "Two yuan and fifty cents, plus an industrial coupon."
Zhong Yulan handed over the voucher: "I have some here, buy one for the child."
As they emerged from the toy counter, the three children, each clutching a favorite toy, echoed their laughter throughout the mall.
Lu Mingyue tidied Yao Yao's bangs that had been messed up by the wind and said with a smile, "There's only one New Year's celebration a year, and I've bought you all the toys you wanted. Aren't you happy?"
Turning around, she pulled Zhong Yulan toward the wardrobe counter, saying, "Mom, let's go pick out new clothes for Dad, my older brother, and my sister-in-law. They're not here, so let's choose according to their sizes; they're sure to fit."
On the clothes rack of the wardrobe, all kinds of Zhongshan suits were neatly arranged, and several thick cotton-padded coats were hung in the most conspicuous position.
Lu Mingyue first reached out and took off a dark gray Zhongshan suit, then held it up against Huo Zheng.
She remembered that Huo Zhenping's shoulder width was about the same as hers, only he was taller.
He then asked the sales clerk, "Excuse me, do you have a larger size? My father-in-law is tall, so we need an extra-long one."
The sales clerk rummaged through the shelves and handed over a piece: "This is the large size. Feel the fabric; it's thick twill, perfect for keeping out the wind in winter."
Zhong Yulan leaned over and touched it: "This material is quite good. Your dad's old Zhongshan suit has worn-out cuffs; it should have been replaced a long time ago."
Huo Zhenping came from difficult times, and even now that his family is better off, he still maintains a frugal lifestyle.
Lu Mingyue smiled and nodded, then picked up a military green jacket: "This is for my older brother. Jackets are easy to move in, and the material is dirt-resistant and durable, just right."
Zhong Yulan nodded in agreement: "Your older brother's clothes are expensive, this kind of material is suitable."
Then, Lu Mingyue's gaze fell on a floral cotton-padded jacket: "This one is for my sister-in-law. She usually goes out for interviews, and a cotton-padded jacket is warm. The floral pattern is also pretty, and she will definitely like it."
She then took down a dark blue cotton-padded coat and handed it to Zhong Yulan: "Mom, try this on. The collar is fur-lined, so your neck won't get cold. It'll be perfect for you to wear when you go out to buy groceries in winter."
Zhong Yulan quickly waved her hand: "I don't need it, you can buy it for them."
As she spoke, she was calculating in her mind: how many cloth coupons would be needed for the children's toys and the family's clothes, and how much money would it cost?
She would rather wear hand-me-downs herself than let her children spend more money.
Lu Mingyue could easily see through her thoughts, and took her hand, saying, "Mom, it's only New Year's once a year, so you need a new outfit. Huo Zheng and I saved up this money and ration coupons a long time ago, and we bought it especially for you. We won't feel at ease if you don't wear it."
Looking at the expectant eyes of her son and daughter-in-law in the mirror, and touching the thick cotton-padded coat in her arms, Zhong Yulan finally decided not to refuse anymore, though her eyes were a little hot.
"You're too honest, kid. Fine, I'll give it a try. If it doesn't work out, we'll find another one."
She slowly put on her cotton-padded coat, the fur collar warming her neck and making her heart feel warm too.
Huo Zheng walked over with the candied hawthorns he had just bought and handed them out to the children: "There are also children's clothes for sale upstairs, why don't you go take a look?"
"OK."
Lu Mingyue followed him up the stairs, looking at the crowded aisle and the slogan "Develop the economy and ensure supply" hanging on the wall.
Suddenly I realized that although the department stores of the 1970s were not well-stocked and shopping was troublesome, they had a kind of down-to-earth liveliness.
People clutch their tickets and carefully select each item, living their lives meticulously and earnestly. This is a completely different experience from the convenience and speed of shopping malls in the 21st century.
Upon reaching the counter, Lu Mingyue picked up a red padded jacket and held it up against Yao Yao, deciding it was suitable before buying it.
Just as he was about to take out his money, Zhong Yulan smiled and took the clothes, then turned and handed them to the sales clerk: "Comrade, please wrap this up first, and also get me two blue boys' cotton jackets, the large size."
Lu Mingyue quickly stepped forward: "Mom, I'll pay. I've been thinking about buying clothes for the children for a while now."
Zhong Yulan pressed her hand down, took out cloth coupons and money from her pocket and handed them over, her tone gentle and brooding: "Don't worry about it, I'll buy the children's new clothes. This is my way of showing my love as their grandmother."
She looked at the children's clothes hanging in the counter with a careful look in her eyes. "Look at this red cotton-padded jacket. Yao Yao looks like a little lucky baby in it. It's so festive for the New Year. Lei Lei and An An are boys. Blue is dirt-resistant, so they won't get it dirty when they run and jump around."
The sales clerk handed over the packaged clothes. Zhong Yulan carefully took them and couldn't help but open them to take a look: "These clothes are really well made, with dense stitches. They're even more neat than the ones I sewed myself back then."
When Huo Zheng was a child, I would sew his new clothes for the New Year overnight. Now, with ready-made clothes available, it saves me the trouble, and the children can wear new clothes much earlier.
She turned to Lu Mingyue and smiled, "Don't think I'm being nosy. I just want the children to be able to wear the new clothes that Grandma bought for them during the New Year. That's what makes me feel at ease."
Lu Mingyue looked at the clothes in Zhong Yulan's hands, then at the expectation in her eyes, and nodded with a smile: "Mom, you're right. This is your kind gift. The children will definitely be happy to wear it."
Upon hearing this, Zhong Yulan's steps became lighter, and she picked up the clothes and walked forward: "Come on, let's go see if we can find any little hats to get for the children, so they can be all new from head to toe for the New Year."
After leaving the clothing counter, Zhong Yulan led the group toward the food section. As soon as they turned the corner, a sweet aroma wafted over.
The counter was filled with various pastries, wrapped in oil paper and stacked neatly. The sales clerk was using tongs to pack the pastries into paper bags handed to them by customers.
"The pastries here are all in the old Beijing style. Since you rarely come here, you should buy more to try."
As Zhong Yulan spoke, she pointed to the "Eight Treasures of Beijing" in the counter, "These are the Eight Treasures of Beijing, including Sachima and Taishi Cake, which are all specialties of Beijing. They look exquisite."
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