Li Guoliang was overwhelmed by the sights at the watch counter in the mall. The watch in his hand was a war trophy captured from the Japanese headquarters years ago, and he had used it for many years, so he had no idea what new watches were available.
Seeing the counter full of watches now, I feel the change is too great.
The key point is that these watches are even graded, with the expensive ones costing several hundred yuan and the cheap ones costing only tens of yuan. But after seeing the good watches, Li Guoliang just couldn't get past his own conscience when he tried to get the worst one.
The watch that girl in the picture was definitely not the worst one. If he buys his daughter the cheapest one now, and that girl sees it, people will laugh at his daughter and him, her father.
Having served as a leading cadre for so many years, Li Guoliang, while not competing with others in wealth or luxury, also did not want to end up at the bottom.
He soon noticed that the watch on the female student's wrist was the same model.
Then look at the price of that watch, 320 yuan. His monthly salary is 260 yuan. With other subsidies, he can buy it with just over a month's salary.
Li Guoliang had no concept of money, so he didn't think much about it. He waved his hand dismissively, "Let's take this one... the plum blossom one. Same as your classmate's. We won't compete."
Li Mei was speechless. A watch costing over three hundred yuan... She had come out intending to buy a pen or a notebook.
She asked nervously, "Dad, isn't it too expensive? I don't want you to regret it later."
“It’s not expensive, and this thing can last for many years.” He showed off the watch on his wrist. “I’ve been using this watch for over twenty years. It’s even bigger than yours, and it’s still working perfectly.”
Li Mei said gratefully, "Dad, I will definitely use it for the rest of my life."
Li Guoliang said, "The main thing is to study hard and make sure it's useful after you buy it."
"Yes." Li Mei nodded solemnly, feeling even more grateful to Su Yu.
After shopping, the two took the bus home. Someone of Li Guoliang's rank would normally have a chauffeur-driven car, but since he was with his daughter, he didn't use it.
Sitting on the bus, Li Ping couldn't help but look at her wrist, feeling happy as she looked at her new watch.
Seeing her satisfied expression, Li Guoliang felt comforted. He felt that he had at least made amends to Ling'er.
When they arrived home, Li Ping even helped tell them the time, "Dad, it's 11:50."
"Well, Wu should have already bought the groceries and come back. Let's go back and eat."
Sure enough, as soon as the two entered the house, a burst of excited voices came from inside. Li Aihong, Li Aijun, and Li Aidang all gathered around the table with their bowls and chopsticks.
Because their father was coming home for dinner, they couldn't start eating first and had to wait until he came back to eat together.
Li's mother said, "Old Li, why are you eating so well again? Buying from restaurants is such a waste of money. I can save some money by cooking it myself."
Li Guoliang said, "It's been a long time since we've eaten out. Pingping is back, so the whole family can eat together."
Hearing this, Li's mother looked at Li Ping and said, "Pingping, why are you going to see your dad again? You're interfering with his work. He's been busy lately and hasn't been home for dinner in a long time."
Li Ping said, "I just want to go see Dad."
"You child..." Li's mother felt she didn't know how to educate him anymore. He was so stubborn and never seemed to listen to anything.
"Alright, go wash your hands and eat."
"Okay." Li Ping nodded. Then she went into the restroom to wash her hands.
When she came out, the seats next to Li Guoliang and his wife were all taken. She didn't feel sad at all, and consciously sat down in her own seat, listening to her younger siblings and parents acting cute.
Li Aihong was talking to Li Guoliang about her experiences at school when she glanced at her older sister, and that's when she noticed what was on her sister's wrist.
She paused, then looked more closely. She wasn't mistaken. That glowing thing was the watch chain.
"Big sister, you bought a watch?!" Li Aihong exclaimed.
Upon hearing this, everyone looked at Li Ping's wrist.
Everyone stared wide-eyed. Li's mother asked in surprise, "Pingping, what happened?"
Li Ping pulled down her sleeve to cover her wrist. "Dad bought it for me."
Li Guoliang said, "Pingping needs a watch for university. It's only right that we buy one. Things are different now than before; many young people buy them."
Li's mother said, "Old Li, we can't spoil the children like this. The money for a watch can buy so much grain and meat, or even several sets of clothes for each child."
He then looked at Li Ping and asked, "Pingping, why did you ask your dad for a watch?"
“I didn’t want it,” Li Ping said.
"Then why did you buy it?" Li Aihong asked jealously.
Li Guoliang pinched the bridge of his nose. "Alright, what's all the fuss about during dinner? It's just a watch. I haven't bought Pingping anything all these years, so what's wrong with buying her a watch? Many students in college have bought watches. We've even seen her classmates wearing one on their wrists at the mall."
Li's mother was displeased. "You should have discussed it with me first. This doesn't look cheap. How much does it cost?"
"Three hundred and twenty."
"..."
The other children were immediately shocked, then all stared at Li Ping's wrist. Although it was covered up now, they felt that the light from the watch could still shine through the thick sleeves.
Li Aihong's eyes immediately turned red. "Dad... I'm not convinced! Why does my eldest sister have it, but we don't? Aren't we your daughters?"
"I wanted to buy new clothes last time, but they didn't buy me any," Li Aijun said, pouting.
Li Aidang was only fifteen years old and had no concept of this, but she was still jealous, thinking, "Dad is too biased."
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