As the number of people in front gradually decreased, Zhou Jiao finally followed everyone inside.
The place was bustling with people, shouting prices and snapping up everything, especially clothes and shoes. Other counters were less crowded, but the clothes and shoes, regardless of season, were available in full, which was truly incredible.
Zhou Jiao was squeezed by the crowd until she was about to cry, but she still held on to Zhang Guoqing tightly.
She stared at the coats, shirts, vests and fabrics in front of her, which were either missing buttons or had asymmetrical patterns. She then looked at the leather shoes, which were said to be defective, but were actually good items.
An old lady next to her just bought two pairs, and the quality looked good.
Zhou Jiao didn't have time to think about the price and immediately shouted, "Ten large-size shirts for men and women, ten overalls, twenty vests, two sets of raincoats for men and women, and two bags of towels and handkerchiefs."
As soon as she finished speaking, the salesperson quickly took out the items, put them on the counter and calculated the prices.
After paying the bill, Zhang Guoqing picked up his things. Seeing that Zhou Jiao was unwilling to move, he could only stand by her side to protect her.
"Move aside after you finish shopping. Don't delay everyone else's shopping." The people queuing in behind him kept urging Zhang Guoqing and his wife to hurry up impatiently, and did not forget to push Zhang Guoqing.
Zhang Guoqing turned around and glared at them fiercely. Seeing that they had calmed down, he turned to look at his wife.
"I want to buy more. Wait a minute!" Zhou Jiao looked at the remaining items on the counter anxiously, then listed a long list and paid quickly.
It's okay if the fabric or yarn has flaws; it's okay if the face plate, lunch box, or flashlight has some surface damage. She just checked and the price is more than half off. She can alter the clothes, or even dye the fabric unevenly, but that's better than patching them up. It's really like what the Shandong uncles said; this is a great place. If not now, when?
The couple moved to the counters next to each other. Zhou Jiao bought everything she saw, attracting constant stares and scrutiny from those around her.
Finally squeezing out of the defective inventory area, Zhang Guoqing smiled and shook his head. He carried the items on his back and in his hands like a moving rockery. If he weren't so strong, he wouldn't have been able to move them. Even more remarkable was the first time he saw Zhou Jiao, who was as excited as a shot of chicken blood.
"Hehe...Brother, let's go over to the side and repack first." Zhou Jiao also felt embarrassed.
After rearranging, Zhang Guoqing looked at her. He wanted to know if she would continue shopping. He saw that many of the items were gifts.
Zhou Jiao looked at everything and turned anxiously to look at the crowd at the counter, "Brother, wait a moment. We didn't buy enough overalls and shirts." After she said that, she had already squeezed in.
Zhang Guoqing stared at her back, feeling extremely worried. Hearing Zhou Jiao's loud shouts from the crowd, he couldn't help but hold his head in his hands – if he bought more, he would definitely buy it all.
After Zhou Jiao squeezed out, Zhang Guoqing quickly took the things and walked out. He would never let his wife stay any longer, and even bought a thermos.
Coming out from the back door, he looked at Zhou Jiao, whose face flushed with excitement. Both of them looked even more disheveled at this moment, their coats were wrinkled, their hair was frizzy, and their shoes had been stepped on several times.
Seeing this, Zhang Guoqing couldn't help but burst into laughter.
"What's so funny? This is me. If Mom came here, she would definitely empty this place out. Don't look down on these things. How can the defective products from the supply and marketing cooperative compare to those exported and sold domestically? Are the blankets of good quality? But the price is only one-third of what we have locally. Not to mention that you can buy so many cheap fabrics and clothes without using cloth coupons."
After saying that, Zhou Jiao glanced at him and pointed at the main entrance. She didn't forget that Lin Lishan and the others were at the main entrance.
"Well, what you said makes sense." After saying that, Zhang Guoqing quickly winked at her. If she didn't change the subject, she would probably run in again.
Zhou Jiao dragged two bags, while Zhang Guoqing carried two large bags on his back, each holding two in his hands. The couple, with their backs to the crowd, slowly moved from the side toward the main entrance.
Finally reaching a bend, he took a few steps in to shield Zhou Jiao, allowing her to take some of the space in. Seeing his wife's forehead sweating in the middle of winter, she must have been very tired.
When he returned to the main entrance, Zhang Guoqing was still wearing the four shrunken bags. If he ran into someone he had seen before, he would have simply thought they had been reorganized.
Lin Lishan saw them from a distance and asked in surprise, "Why did you buy so much?"
"Not much. I'll just have to pack one bag at most when I get home. You and my aunt have been waiting for a long time, haven't you?" Zhou Jiao said calmly. Is this more? She bought four times as much as she did here. She'd never have to worry about asking for favors again.
"Not long. Mom bought a lot for you. Let's go back quickly, they must be worried."
Sitting on the tricycle, Zhou Jiao immediately leaned on Zhang Guoqing.
Zhang Guoqing patted her gently and advised, "Don't go out tomorrow. Get some rest first. We can buy some things locally. There's no need to go through so much trouble."
Zhou Jiao nodded. She was too lazy to talk now. She had just been yelling at her. However, she still had to go out tomorrow. If she didn't go out to send a package, how could she hide it in the space?
Back at the hotel, there were a few distinguished guests in Mrs. Cheng's room. Seeing them come back, the old lady smiled and waved for them to come over.
Zhang Guoqing and Zhou Jiao exchanged a glance, then smiled calmly as they greeted the guests. They'd seen so many important figures by now that even one more nationally renowned figure had become second nature.
But they didn't expect that the other party was actually a good friend of the old lady. Zhang Guoqing and his friend had great respect for these sensitive people and remembered that it was better to provide timely help than to add icing on the cake.
Zhou Jiao smiled apologetically at everyone, took the child and moved aside.
As their conversation echoed in her ears, Zhou Jiao realized that if her father hadn't met with an accident in her previous life, he would have had a place. So, did the historical Zhou Xiaozheng really survive the disaster as the witch said?
At this moment, she deeply hated herself for not paying attention to current affairs and politics!
Zhou Jiao took a deep breath and straightened up resolutely.
Since God allowed her to inherit this father-daughter relationship, she must protect her father! Not for high official positions and generous salaries, but for the father who regarded her as his life.
Whoever dares to reach out, she will chop off his claws!
In the reception room, the group chatted about current events and reminisced about the past. Time had greyed their hair and worn their faces, but the camaraderie remained the same as it had been.
Lin Lishan, Cheng Ruzhu, Zhang Guoqing and the others looked at the veteran revolutionaries with respect. They didn't boast about their past achievements, but instead remembered their fallen comrades and were filled with hope for building a new world.
Their lifelong goal was to bring peace to the world and let the people live and work in peace, and they did it! Without these people, how could we have the good life we have today?
Zhang Guoqing's emotions were even more complicated than those of the others. The cheerful laughter and frank conversation of the elderly people before him made him afraid to show his emotions, so he lowered his head in guilt.
Seeing that it was time for dinner, Mrs. Cheng invited a few old friends to stay. She said with a smile that since she was retired and drawing a salary, she should treat them, and it was no wonder that the old lady had been so malicious and belittled her.
The sleeves of the elders in front of me were graying. They really couldn't afford the high prices in the restaurant with their salaries, and they would definitely not take advantage of the public.
Perhaps the relationship was strong enough, and old friends understood each other. Everyone smiled at each other and didn't object, but they kept emphasizing that simplicity was the best.
After a simple but lively dinner, Zhang Guoqing and his wife listened to the encouragement from their elders, then left the room with their children, Lin Lishan, and Cheng Ruzhu, leaving the elders to continue their conversation.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
