Lin Mingcai saw Yang Cui leading two children out of Pinxiangzhai, and the shopkeeper seemed quite polite to her, which piqued his curiosity. After Yang Cui and the children left, he immediately went over and asked Shopkeeper Ma, "Shopkeeper, I'd like to ask, what were they doing here just now?"
Manager Ma sized up Lin Mingcai: "Who are you?"
"Oh, I am her husband."
"You're her husband, don't you know what she's doing here?" Manager Ma had sharp eyes and could tell at a glance that Lin Mingcai was lying. He wasn't one to talk too much, and besides, he was in a good mood because his boss had praised him for what Li Zi had done! Naturally, he would side with Yang Cui.
Lin Mingcai was left feeling awkward, and although he resented Yang Cui, he didn't intend to let it go.
Yang Cui was unaware of these things; right now, she was out shopping with her child!
The streets were bustling with all kinds of food, household items, and toys. It was Er Ya and San Ya's first time in the city, and they were incredibly curious, looking around with envy at many of the little trinkets.
Yang Cui walked to the stall selling hair ties and silk flowers and let the two children choose their favorite hair ties and silk flowers.
Er Ya and San Ya stared at Yang Cui in shock, unable to react for a long time.
"Don't you like them? Each of you can pick two you like. Consider it a reward for our two thoughtful little girls who help their mother with chores."
The stall owner immediately and enthusiastically recommended the most beautiful and expensive silk flower hair ties on his stall to the two girls.
Er Ya and San Ya were a little timid, but Yang Cui encouraged them, saying, "Don't be shy, just say which one you like."
No little girl dislikes these little things. Encouraged by Yang Cui, Er Ya and San Ya finally pointed to the pink hair tie and said they liked it.
How much is this?
"Madam, your daughter has excellent taste. This is the best hair tie I have at my stall. It's not expensive at all, only three coins a piece."
"Don't give me that nonsense. It's just a few strips of cloth sewn together. You're asking for three coins a piece? Don't think I don't know what's good for me. Four pieces for five coins."
"Oh dear, grandma, you're really haggling too much! These hair ties aren't made of ordinary material! I have elderly parents and young children to support, I... I... you can at least raise the price a little! Eight coins, four ties for eight coins!"
"Just five coins. If you agree, I'll come back to buy from you again next time."
The stall owner, looking like he'd been ripped off, said, "Alright, alright, you'll have to come here next time!"
Yang Cui paid for the hair ties and gave them to the two children, who were overjoyed.
Er Ya immediately said, "Mom, I will work harder in the future."
Sanya chimed in, "Me too, me too!"
"Alright, then next time, Mother will bring you to the city again."
The two children were filled with anticipation upon hearing this, and they resolved to work even harder in the future.
Yang Cui saw that there were vendors selling candied hawthorns, so she bought three skewers. She gave one to them to eat now and told them to take the other two back to share with the An family brothers.
A candied hawthorn costs ten coins, a real luxury for poor families. This was the first time Er Ya and San Ya had ever eaten candied hawthorn, and the two children's eyes narrowed into slits with happiness.
"Alright, now let's go to the grain and oil shop to buy things. After we buy things, we'll go to my great-uncle and great-aunt's house."
Yang Cui went to the grain and oil shop where she used to buy rock sugar rice. She bought five catties of millet and two catties of mung beans.
Yang Cui intended to give the millet and mung beans to the An family. The An family wasn't wealthy either, and if she didn't bring some food with her, the three of them would be eating from the An family. Moreover, Yang Cui hadn't paid the An family for their work, so she couldn't go empty-handed.
In those days, most people lived a hard life, and seven catties of grain was considered quite a lot.
I also need to thank the relatives who came to support me yesterday. They took pity on me and helped me out, but they left without even having a meal. I can't take this for granted.
There's nothing much to give. At this stage, I need to keep a low profile. I plan to give each person two eggs as a token gesture. Yesterday, besides my maternal uncle's family, seven other relatives came. Yang Cui plans to buy twenty-five eggs, giving two to each person and the rest to her maternal uncle.
When they arrived at Washi, it was very crowded with people. Yang Cui told them to hold on tightly to her clothes and stay close. In these days, if someone got lost, finding them was harder than climbing to heaven. So Yang Cui kept a close eye on them and made sure the children were never out of her sight.
They bought twenty-five eggs, a grass carp, and a bunch of pickled cabbage before taking the children on a mule cart to Anjia Village.
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