Xu Mengyao had previously inquired with Huang Wenrong. Her second uncle and second grandmother had four sons, three of whom were married with children, while her youngest uncle was still unmarried. She knew that women were the heart of a family, and buying gifts that touched their hearts was all that mattered.
The two walked into a time-honored cosmetics store. The store was filled with a faint fragrance, and the counters were full of goods. Xu Mengyao's eyes fell on the rows of exquisite vanishing creams.
"These Haishi Old Style Snow Creams are very good, and there are also gift boxes packaged in iron boxes." Xu Mengyao lightly touched the different patterns with her fingers.
Chen Chen nodded in agreement: "Well, these patterns are all very beautiful, suitable for giving to elders."
In the end, Xu Mengyao chose five sets of gift boxes. The iron boxes contained three different pictures of beauties, each of which exuded a classical charm.
Then they came to the scarf area, where scarves of various colors and patterns were hung all over the walls, which was dazzling.
From hundreds of different styles of long silk scarves, she selected three different colors with floral and plant elements, which look fashionable and elegant.
"You have good taste, they will definitely like it." Chen Chen praised.
"Hehe, I think so too." Xu Mengyao nodded with satisfaction.
The two continued shopping and passed by the clothing section, where models were walking the runway, showcasing their latest winter collections. Xu Mengyao immediately fell in love with the model wearing a red turtleneck sweater and a maroon long coat. The black miniskirt accentuated her figure.
"So beautiful!" Xu Mengyao looked at the models with beautiful figures with shining eyes.
"There are always promotions in shopping malls before every holiday. Which one do you like?" Chen Chen asked.
"It's the red one. My sister will look great in this dress."
After saying that, Xu Mengyao squeezed out of the crowd and went to the counter to ask for the price. When she heard that a red coat alone would cost 1,800 yuan, she was stunned.
What a joke! She herself had never bought such expensive clothes in the 21st century. Alas, although the cost of living was low at that time, the cost of living was high. But thinking that this was a birthday gift for Huang Wenrong, she hesitated and finally bought the coat.
After leaving the mall, Xu Mengyao looked at the last 500 yuan left in her bag and couldn't help but frown:
"Things in Shanghai are too expensive. I still have so much to buy."
"What else do you want to buy?" Chen Chen asked curiously.
"I want to buy pearl earrings for my two grandmothers, and I don't know what to give my second grandfather. I also have to buy some snacks for my peers." She counted carefully on her fingers.
"Give me the money. I know a place that sells nice pearl earrings that aren't that expensive, but it's closed now. I'll buy the things tomorrow and give them to you when we get to dinner."
"That's great. I'm tired from shopping too. There are so many people. Thank you very much, Mr. Chen." She stuffed the money into Chen Chen's pocket readily.
The next morning, the Qi family got busy. They worked together to make glutinous rice balls, cut rice cakes, make egg dumplings, and chop the filling. In the afternoon, my uncle's family came over early to make dumplings. The family was filled with joy, and Xu Mengyao recounted the events of her grandfather's family's time in Huanshi.
When Chen Chen arrived, Grandma Qi's eight-treasure rice pudding was just served.
"Hey, Chen Chen is here, come sit down, we'll start eating once the spring rolls are out of the pot."
Grandma Qi greeted them warmly. Xu Mengyao took the large and small bags from Chen Chen's hands and asked in a low voice:
"Why did you buy so many things?"
"These were all sent to your home by others. I picked out some that you can use. Put them in the room first and you can look at them in the evening." Chen Chen said uncomfortably.
Grandpa Qi had already asked everyone to take a seat and handed each person a bottle of Zheng Guanghe juice. He poured a glass of wine for my uncle and said:
"Today, while the children are all in Haishi, let's celebrate the New Year in advance."
The uncle quickly took the cup and toasted: "I'm sorry for the trouble you and aunt have taken!"
"Come and try it. I prepared today's dishes according to the tradition of Hai City's New Year, but I didn't forget to make dumplings for you. I guarantee that your ears won't get frozen if each of you eats a bowl, haha." Grandma Qi's face was filled with smiles.
Everyone sat together, laughter bubbling. Grandma Qi's eight-treasure rice was sweet but not greasy, the spring rolls were crispy, and the dumplings were filled with delicious fillings. At that moment, the differences between the north and the south only added color to the meal. Everyone was reunited with family and friends, feeling no loneliness in a foreign land.
After dinner, Xu Mengyao sent everyone downstairs. Before getting in the car, Chen Chen said to her:
"The black box in the same bag as the pearl earrings is a New Year's gift for you, Wenjuan. I wish you a happy New Year in advance."
"All the best, Chen Chen."
Back in the room, she opened the bags one by one. The largest bag was full of snacks, including beef jerky, butterfly cakes, Shen Dacheng pastries, White Rabbit milk candy, and two large bags of Want Want senbei.
A tightly wrapped bag had the word "Tea" printed in capital letters on it. It must be a tea cake.
There were two red velvet boxes in another paper bag. When they were opened, they contained two pairs of round pearl earrings the size of fingernails, which emitted the unique luster of pearls under the light.
There was also a black velvet box, which, when opened, revealed a pearl bracelet. Each pearl was the size of a soybean and crystal clear.
Xiaomei walked in and saw this scene: "Wow! This is so beautiful."
"Yes, it's really beautiful. I asked Chen Chen to buy it for me."
Xu Mengyao took the pearl bracelet and tried to put it on her wrist. Xiaomei helped her put it on.
"Chen Chen is really thoughtful and has good vision. He has spent a lot of money and effort to entertain us during this visit to Hai City. I will also treat him to a good meal when he returns to Huan City next time." Xiaomei said.
"Okay, there will be plenty of opportunities in the future. Let's pack our things now. You have a train tomorrow morning. But I've run out of money this time, and I didn't buy anything for you or my family. I hope you won't blame me."
"How could I blame you? I'll explain to them. As for me and Brother Shaozi, we can't thank you enough. If you hadn't brought us to Hai City, would we have seen so many things? Brother Shaozi even said today that these days have been like a dream. I'll have something to brag about when I get back, hahahaha."
Xiaomei helped Xu Mengyao sort out the gifts and joked, "These pearl jewelry are so beautiful. Chen Chen has really good taste."
Xu Mengyao gently stroked the pearl bracelet on her wrist, knowing in her heart that these gifts were not given by others, but were prepared for her by Chen Chen himself.
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