These people all live in the capital and are used to the exquisite architecture there, so they really can't appreciate what's here.
It just felt a bit more open than my own home, with more people hawking their wares and making it more lively. But I didn't notice any difference in the goods themselves. Therefore, my desire to buy was much smaller.
Zhang Hongmei didn't have much hope, but she still felt she should buy some souvenirs to take back. However, the possibility of being separated from everyone was slim, so she was a little troubled.
Gao Xiangming turned around and saw Zhang Hongmei's expression, and he smiled.
"Is there something troubling you?" This was the first time Gao Xiangming had spoken to Zhang Hongmei alone.
Zhang Hongmei hesitated for a moment, then looked somewhat embarrassed. "Comrade, I'd like to bring back some souvenirs for my family. I wonder what's special about this place? Where should I buy them? Can I go alone?" Zhang Hongmei finally asked.
"I'm so sorry, you can't go alone. But I can take everyone to the jewelry street."
"Thank you." Zhang Hongmei thought that if she couldn't act alone, then so be it. She had just finished buying the items, so she asked Gao Xiangming to take them to Xiao Wanxiang and ask him to send them to Zhang Shouyi after returning to China. That way, she could get through to him.
No one else had any objections; they were fine with going anywhere, and maybe they could even buy some meaningful gifts for their families.
Gao Xiangming led everyone for about twenty more minutes. They arrived at a relatively bustling street, lined with antique-style buildings similar to their home.
"Alright. You're all free to move around on this street now, but you can't leave. We'll meet here in two hours, and I'll wait for you here."
Dong Yuping looked at the group and asked, "So, shall we stay together or separate?"
Everyone looked at Zhang Hongmei.
"I'm fine with anything, but I think it'll be faster if we split up. What do you guys think? Also, here's fifty yuan for each of you. Take it and don't be shy. It's not easy to come all this way. If you find something you like, don't let it go."
"Alright, then I won't stand on ceremony." Miao Xinyue took the money from Zhang Hongmei first, and Zhao Yuetong followed behind her. After exchanging greetings, the two left.
The other three didn't have any RMB either, so they didn't stand on ceremony, took the money from Zhang Hongmei, and left.
The boys were much more carefree; after Gao Xiangming finished speaking, they left in groups of three or five.
Zhang Hongmei had no specific goal in mind. Actually, this place was somewhat like an antique market, but with a wider variety of items, much like a small commodity wholesale market in later times.
She browsed through the stalls one by one. If she found anything interesting, she would go and take a look, but she still didn't buy anything.
If I don't think I'll gain anything today, I'll calm down, take a leisurely stroll, and accept whatever comes my way. I won't ask for too much.
Luck often works like that; it appears unexpectedly.
Zhang Hongmei stopped in front of a stall and felt that there would be an opportunity for her there. Since she had this feeling, she simply squatted down.
The stall owner was a local middle-aged man, not very tall, but he looked shrewd.
"Hehe, welcome! See if there's anything you need? I'll give you a discount if you see something you like."
Zhang Hongmei was surprised by how good the man's Chinese was. "Boss, do you accept our country's currency here?"
"Yes, of course I'll accept it. Don't worry, I haven't even opened for business yet. You're my first customer, so I'll definitely give you the biggest discount and get good luck for myself."
Zhang Hongmei smiled at him and then looked down at the stall intently.
Actually, there really wasn't anything new or interesting here. But Zhang Hongmei's feeling was growing stronger. She casually asked the stall owner, "Boss, is that all? There's nothing worth buying."
"Hehe, there are more here, but you probably wouldn't even look at them. If you'd like, feel free to look around. Everything here is two yuan each, and there are discounts for buying more."
Zhang Hongmei squatted in front of a bamboo basket the shopkeeper pointed to. The basket was a mess, and she had no desire to rummage through it. However, the feeling was growing stronger and stronger.
"Boss, you can't tell from this. Why don't you just dump them all here? Don't worry, I won't let you work for nothing. I'll buy at least one item myself."
The stall owner noticed that there weren't many people on the street today; most people went straight into their shops and no one paid any attention to his stall. But now that a customer had come, he couldn't let him go any longer. So he decided to just let the customer leave.
"Okay, I'll pour it out now, you can see for yourself."
The contents were a truly appalling sight, and yet he still dared to ask for two yuan?
Zhang Hongmei found a wooden object of unknown purpose and slowly began to pry it apart.
Suddenly, Zhang Hongmei's heart raced. These were two rings made of the same material as the ones she already had. Glancing out of the corner of her eye at the stall owner watching her, she quickly moved the two rings aside and continued on her way.
After looking at them all, I could only barely choose a red pine box.
"Boss, this basket of stuff of yours is really speechless. I've looked through it all, and only these three items are barely acceptable. I just don't know how much you're asking for?"
"I went through a lot of trouble to collect these. Even though they're not very valuable, I still carry them with me to set up my stall every day."
"Alright, boss, just tell me how much these three items cost. If it's too outrageous, then I won't be able to keep my word."
The stall owner glanced at the three items Zhang Hongmei had picked out, and they really weren't the most valuable ones. Seeing Zhang Hongmei's indifferent expression, he finally gritted his teeth and said, "This is my first time today, and I was hoping for a good start. Since that's the case, just give me five yuan for these three items."
Zhang Hongmei stood up, turned around, and left.
"Wait, wait, wait, aren't we discussing this right now? So, how much do you want for your three items?"
"Two yuan, I don't want a penny more."
Seeing Zhang Hongmei's resolute attitude, and after looking at the three items, the stall owner said, "Alright, I'll sell them to you. Let me tell you, you've gotten a great deal."
"Hehe, if the boss is reluctant to part with it, then forget it." Zhang Hongmei stood up again.
"No, that's not what I meant. I just meant that everything I have here is worth buying."
The stall owner hurriedly placed the two rings casually in the box, then picked up a piece of indistinct cloth from the side, wiped them haphazardly, and handed them to Zhang Hongmei.
I really didn't want to take it with my hands, so I took out a handkerchief from my bag, gestured for the stall owner to put it on my lap, wrapped it up, and then handed the stall owner two yuan.
"Our transaction is complete. I wish you great success in your business."
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