Chapter 224 Buying a Gift for Uncle Chen
Last time, when it was her uncle's birthday, Mao Mao didn't have time to prepare a gift.
This time, having received the invitation in advance, she absolutely couldn't forget it.
To buy a gift, they went to the department store. Mao Mao slung her little crossbody bag over her shoulder, asked her mother to put her wallet in it, and excitedly prepared to go out.
The ladies were also very interested.
Six people were crammed into one car. All five mothers wanted to go, so Mao Mao could only sit on her mother's lap.
The third concubine sat in the driver's seat, gripping the steering wheel somewhat awkwardly: "...Is this how you drive a car?"
Xia Xiaoxiang hugged her daughter tightly, like a drowning person clinging to a piece of driftwood, her heart pounding with fear: "You can drive?"
The third concubine, engrossed in her research, replied without looking up, "I used to be curious about it, so I asked the commander to teach me. I've driven it several times... Oh dear, Xia Xiaoxiang, stop bothering me, I can't remember."
Xia Xiaoxiang: "..."
That sounds really worrying.
The family driver came over, pointed through the car door for a moment, and watched with concern as the car drove out of the iron gate, wobbling and stopping intermittently.
Another car followed behind.
Old Madam Lou refused to sit with them; she didn't want to go shopping and wanted to go to the theater by herself.
The third concubine gripped the steering wheel with both hands, staring intently ahead, cautiously pressing the accelerator as she drove slowly. At the fork in the road, she suddenly turned the steering wheel, causing everyone in the car to veer to the side.
Mao Mao's small body tilted like a roly-poly toy, but her mother helped her up again.
"Qin Zhenzhen, be careful!" Xia Xiaoxiang said, her heart pounding, as she supported Mao Mao's head, which had almost hit the car door. "The lives of everyone on this bus are in your hands!"
The third concubine replied, "Don't worry, just leave it to me."
Xia Xiaoxiang: "..."
How can I feel at ease!
Mao Mao, on the other hand, remained calm. She sat in her mother's lap, her bright black eyes curiously watching the scenery flashing by outside the car window.
The car drove slowly along the familiar road, not much faster than the rickshaws on the road. It took several times longer than usual for the car to stop in front of the familiar department store.
As soon as the car came to a stop, Xia Xiaoxiang immediately opened the car door, picked up her daughter, and got out. Only after standing on the main road did she realize she was covered in a cold sweat.
Even though I was sitting comfortably in a car, I felt as anxious as if I were in prison.
The third concubine pushed open the driver's side door and glared at her through the air: "Look at you, so cowardly. Are you afraid I'll cause a car accident? If I didn't have confidence, would I dare to carry so many people?"
Xia Xiaoxiang retorted, "Before you left, you said you forgot how to drive."
"Didn't I remember it later?"
"Alright, alright, you two, stop arguing." The first wife picked up her handbag and smiled as she tried to smooth things over. "We're already at the department store, do you still want to argue?"
Mao Mao couldn't wait to grab her mother's hand and pull her inside.
The department store has many floors and sells all kinds of goods. The group first accompanied Mao Mao to pick out a gift for Teacher Shen.
The five wives had five mouths, and they all came up with ideas for Mao Mao.
"What about a watch? It's convenient for telling time."
"Giving books is a good idea; these intellectuals definitely love reading."
“Shen Zhaolin has read more books than we have. How would we know what he has read and what he hasn’t read?”
"Why not buy a painting or calligraphy by a famous artist? You can't go wrong with that."
"Mao Mao is sending it? That's not appropriate. Mao Mao doesn't understand these things, so it wouldn't show her sincerity."
Various goods were displayed on the shelves, and Mao Mao's eyes sparkled as she looked at each one. When she got to the children's toy section, she couldn't move any further and leaned against the counter, peering at the toys through the glass.
The sales clerk, seeing her, especially with five mothers adorned with jewels following behind, beamed with delight as she tried to sell to her.
"Little friend, is there anything you like?"
The third concubine immediately said, "Mao Mao, what do you like? Fourth Aunt will buy it all for you."
“That one.” Mao Mao raised her little hand and pointed to a large music box on the counter: “Little dog.”
The salesperson took the music box off and turned it around a few times by pulling the handle on the side.
Release it again, and the music box starts playing music. There's a little dog balancing a ball on the top of the music box, and as the music plays, the little dog starts spinning around.
With music playing in her ears, Mao Mao happily tapped her little feet to the beat, shaking her head and swaying as she spun around with the puppy.
Seeing this, all five mothers eagerly opened their handbags.
The first wife was quicker, placing the money on the counter first.
The large music box was held in Mao Mao's arms. She imitated the salesperson's actions, pulling the handle next to her and turning it. The little dog also started to juggle the ball.
The other four mothers, still somewhat unwilling to have paid, asked with lingering interest, "Mao Mao, what else do you want?"
The third concubine said directly to the sales clerk, "What other new toys do you have? Bring them all out for me to see."
Xia Xiaoxiang looked down at her daughter and asked, "Are you going to give this to Mr. Shen as a gift?"
Mao Mao tilted her head back and stared blankly at her: "...Uncle's gift?"
Oh, by the way, she came to the department store to buy a birthday present for her uncle.
Mao Mao, clutching the music box, continued wandering around, swaying unsteadily.
She would walk a short distance, then stop and shake the handle of the music box. Wherever the group went, the tinkling sound followed them.
Seeing her youngest daughter engrossed in playing, Xia Xiaoxiang had no choice but to remind her again: "Mao Mao, don't forget you need to buy a present."
—Oh! Yes, Mao Mao wants to buy a gift.
After looking around, Mao Mao finally stopped at a counter selling fountain pens.
She clung to the counter, stood on tiptoe, and held up two fingers to the sales clerk: "Sister, I want two."
The sales clerk smiled and said, "Okay, what brand do you want?"
Mao Mao patted her little crossbody bag and said confidently, "I want the best!"
The sales clerk quickly brought her two imported Parker pens.
Imported pens are more expensive than domestic ones, costing tens of dollars each, and Mao Mao buys them without batting an eye.
The saleswoman initially thought the ladies behind her would pay, but she noticed that none of the five ladies behind her moved. Instead, the young girl in front of her opened her small handbag, stood on tiptoe, and handed a bulging wallet to her.
Mao Mao raised her chubby chin: "Sister, wrap it up for me."
Mao Mao bought gifts for her friends and paid for them herself.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com