Jiang Yuan is financially well-off; otherwise, she wouldn't have silently taken on the living expenses of so many people in the Gu family all by herself.
Now that she doesn't have to worry about such a large family, she has a high salary, savings from before, and genuinely likes Xu Ningyan, so she can't be more generous.
She did want to buy lipstick and perfume, but given the current situation, it might not be appropriate for Xu Ningyan to bring them to Jingshan County, so she had to reluctantly give up.
I did buy quite a lot of pastries from Shihlin, as well as chocolates, imported milk powder, and Merlin canned goods.
Having spent all the foreign exchange certificates he had, he still said regretfully, "Actually, I wanted to buy you some clothes or something, but I was afraid of causing you trouble! But it's okay, in two months, I'll save up some more and exchange for more certificates, then I'll buy you two cashmere sweaters! In winter, cashmere sweaters are comfortable and warm! And they won't be conspicuous when worn underneath, just right!"
Meanwhile, she kept saying, "It's hot now, so a lot of things can't be stored. When it gets cold, I'll send you more famous snacks and delicacies from Beijing."
Xu Ningyan knew that Jiang Yuan truly liked him and treated him like a daughter-in-law, so he didn't refuse and accepted it generously.
Thinking to himself, Jiang Yuan had no shortage of clothes or other things, except for a slightly stronger appetite.
I should cook her a few good meals these next few days to show my appreciation. When she returns to Jingshan County, I should send her as much good food as possible.
After they finished buying those items, Jiang Yuan led her to the watch counter.
There are both domestically produced and imported watches here.
One of them was a silver women's watch, understated yet luxurious and elegant.
Jiang Yuan took a liking to it at first sight, her eyes glued to it. She pulled Xu Ningyan aside and asked, "Do you like it? If you do, your aunt will buy it for you next time! It will look beautiful when you wear it to your wedding with Zhiyuan!"
Xu Ningyan glanced at the brand: Rolex! Priced at 880 yuan!
Wow! That's a genuine luxury item!
He quickly waved his hand: "Too expensive! I have a watch—"
Just then, a sarcastic voice was heard: "Oh, isn't this Dr. Jiang Yuan? What brings you to the shopping scene today?"
Jiang Yuan and Xu Ningyan turned around in unison and saw two women dressed in Lenin-style women's clothing. One was older and slightly plump, with a somewhat mean look in her eyes. The other was younger, about twenty years old, with a haircut like Liu Hulan's, delicate features, and carrying a military green satchel. She was curiously looking at Xu Ningyan.
When Jiang Yuan saw the older female comrade, she paused for a moment, then nodded slightly: "Comrade Hua, you're shopping too?"
Then, while introducing her to Xu Ningyan, he said, "That's our neighbor from the compound, Deputy Commander Yang's wife, surnamed Hua. Next to her is her daughter-in-law, Xiao Wu."
Xu Ningyan nodded at the two of them without saying anything.
The woman surnamed Hua glanced at Xu Ningyan out of the corner of her eye, then looked Jiang Yuan up and down. She was taken aback, seemingly surprised that Jiang Yuan looked so healthy and energetic, not at all haggard or worn out.
She couldn't help but say, "Jiang Yuan, you're really thick-skinned! Your man has been snatched away, and you're not even a little bit sad or upset? You even have the heart to go shopping? If I were you, I'm afraid I wouldn't even have the face to go out!"
"Look at you, so many people wanted to marry you, but you insisted on picking the worst one! How could I advise you back then? You wouldn't listen! Now you regret it, don't you? People who enjoy too much when they're young have to pay the price when they get older! Look at you, married to Old Gu, what good are two sons? Your eldest son is already twenty-seven or twenty-six, and he still doesn't have a girlfriend! Your second son is twenty too, so old and still single, is there something wrong with his health?"
“You’re a doctor, you can’t avoid treatment. You still have to get treatment! My husband, Lao Yang, wasn’t as good as your husband, Lao Gu, but over the years, I’ve even got a grandson and my youngest son is married! Look at you, you had two daughters-in-law before, but unfortunately, they’re closer to their own mothers-in-law! You have grandsons too, but they have their own grandmothers! You, as a stepmother-in-law and step-grandmother, can only watch from the sidelines, can’t you?”
"You should really urge your eldest and second sons to settle down. They're getting on in years and have cut ties with their families, so they shouldn't be so picky! Or, how about I introduce your eldest to someone? My niece from my hometown is widowed and has two children. She's the perfect age for your eldest, and she's also very fertile! Once she marries into the family, you'll immediately have two grandsons to hold—"
The middle-aged woman surnamed Hua kept chattering on and on.
Xu Ningyan asked Jiang Yuan in a low voice, "Auntie, do you and she not get along?"
Jiang Yuan nodded: "Back then, her husband, Lao Yang, also had some feelings for me, but I didn't choose him, so he married her later! Moreover, her husband has always been suppressed by Gu Yong, and the two of them have been secretly competing for many years! She has always been holding back, comparing everything with me! Comparing jobs, having children, children's education, jobs, getting married, I don't know how there are so many things to compare!"
Jiang Yuan looked helpless.
Xu Ningyan understood instantly! That Comrade Hua was probably the epitome of someone who repeatedly fought and lost, yet never gave up!
She was her husband's second choice after all. Her job, her husband's position, her children—nothing could compare to Gu Jia and Jiang Yuan. That's why she had a mental breakdown!
It's so rare to see Jiang Yuan get divorced; I finally feel like I've found someone better than Jiang Yuan.
After Comrade Hua had finished speaking, Jiang Yuan slowly said, "Comrade Hua, I'm not in a hurry about my eldest and second sons' marriages. Why are you, an outsider, so anxious? As the saying goes, good things come to those who wait! The reason we didn't look for anyone before was because my eldest son hadn't found anyone he liked. Of course, he couldn't settle for less!"
"You don't need to worry about it now! My eldest son already has a girlfriend! Look, this is my eldest son's girlfriend, Xiaoyan! She's sensible and considerate. Not only is my eldest son satisfied, but my second son and I are also very satisfied! I've decided that Xiaoyan will be my daughter-in-law, and my second son has also decided that she's his sister-in-law!"
"So, Comrade Hua, you should leave your good niece from that hometown who's so fertile and has two kids with someone else! Our family can't possibly be worthy of her!"
Comrade Hua rolled his eyes after hearing Jiang Yuan's words, glanced at Xu Ningyan from head to toe, and sneered, "This is the girl your eldest son brought back from the countryside? Tsk tsk, Jiang Yuan, I'm not trying to be mean, but even though your eldest son is getting old and can't be picky anymore, this is too uncompromising! A country girl who lost her parents and has no family of her own, and you have the nerve to accept her as your daughter-in-law?"
"My niece, even though she has two children, is still a city dweller with a job—"
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