Year 1983: I was a carpenter in Northeast China

Zhao Fengying had already seen all of her son's reactions after he entered the store, and she couldn't suppress the smile on her lips.

But since the young girl and her cousin are still around, there are some things that can't be said right now, so we can only talk about other things first.

"Son, are your brother-in-law and the others, along with Dahei and the others, still drinking?"

Xu Bei snapped out of his daze, chuckled, and rubbed his nose. "Yeah, they haven't had enough to drink yet. I came back to let you know that I'm going to the local street office to get a letter of introduction, and then I'll take the train to the provincial capital."

Zhao Fengying leaned closer with concern in her eyes and whispered, "Sigh, running this shop is the hardest and most tiring job for you, son. Why don't I come along this time? To familiarize myself with the place, so I can go buy supplies later."

Xu Bei immediately put his arm around his mother's shoulder. "No need, Mom. I can manage on my own. As long as I can earn money, a little hard work is nothing. I'm young and strong and can handle the strain. I'll be fine after a night's sleep."

Besides, the store just opened, so you still need to keep a close eye on things. If you want to go, you can go anytime after the Lunar New Year when it's less busy.

"That's true, then let's wait until after the New Year. Anyway, take good care of yourself while you're away from home, don't skimp on food and drinks, and be careful of pickpockets. If you do encounter one, don't confront them head-on..."

Before Zhao Fengying could finish her instructions, the curtain of the makeshift fitting room was suddenly pulled open by a pair of fair hands.

Zhou Qingwan changed into the pants she had worn before and came out carrying the jeans she had tried on.

"Auntie, Brother Xu, I want these pants."

Zhao Fengying immediately got into character, "Great, Miss Zhou, you look so good in it, it makes your legs look so straight."

Xu Bei was also mentioned, and naturally chimed in, "Yes, it suits you perfectly and really brings out your style."

Zhou Qingwan's already flushed cheeks visibly deepened in color, and she even seemed a little afraid to meet Xu Bei's gaze. After giving a smile as a response, she pointed to the items she had previously selected on the counter and said, "Let's count these too."

Liang Huihui selected a few pairs of socks and hair clips and placed them aside. "Hmm, include mine too."

Xu Li and Xu Juan were both standing behind the counter answering other customers' questions when Xu Li heard this and quickly came over with her abacus.

As a result, after a flurry of calculations, Zhou Qingwan's total came to 43.6 yuan, while Liang Huihui's came to 7.8 yuan.

Back when workers only earned a few dozen yuan a month, Zhou Qingwan bought quite a lot.

Although a pair of jeans costs eighteen yuan, some of the other items don't look like things she would use.

Xu Bei could easily guess what the girl was thinking; she probably wanted to repay his previous help by buying more things to support the girl.

"Little Zhou, you bought too much. Some of the things you don't need are unnecessary."

Zhao Fengying also advised, "Miss Zhou, what your auntie said is, please don't buy so much stuff just to support our business."

"Brother Xu, Auntie, there aren't many, I need them all, and I like them all." After Zhou Qingwan finished speaking, she turned to Xu Li and said, "Sister, let's include mine and my sister's together."

Liang Huihui knew that her younger cousin was quite wealthy, so she didn't argue with her.

Xu Li didn't act immediately, but looked at her mother and younger brother.

Zhao Fengying was at a loss for what to do and also looked at Xu Bei.

Xu Bei could see that the little girl was stubborn and determined. He knew that continuing to stop or pull her would only make things worse, so he immediately told his sister to round down the amount and take fifty yuan.

In addition to the free pair of gloves with the purchase of jeans, they also gave away a "Shanghai Brand" gold spiral lipstick.

Zhou Qingwan, being a connoisseur, quickly said, "I'll take the gloves, but this lipstick costs three yuan and fifty cents, I can't take it."

Xu Bei smiled firmly and said, "Little Zhou, if you don't want it, then I'll feel bad selling you everything you bought. This is a free gift with purchases over fifty, and we get this lipstick very cheaply."

Zhou Qingwan understood perfectly well that these were gifts tailor-made for her, and that she would receive them no matter how much she bought.

Even Liang Huihui, who was just observing, noticed it. Not wanting to waste any more time in the small shop, she nudged Zhou Qingwan from behind.

Zhou Qingwan knew her cousin was anxious, as her cousin was waiting at home for them to ride the other person's bicycle back so he could go to work. So she reluctantly said, "Well... okay, thank you, Brother Xu."

Xu Bei laughed heartily, "You're welcome. I should be thanking you for coming to our store."

The two quickly picked up their purchases and left, with Xu Bei and Zhao Fengying seeing them off at the store entrance.

After watching the two girls get on their bicycles, Xu Bei looked away and was about to go back to the shop when his mother grabbed his arm and pulled him to a spot a little next to the shop to whisper to him.

"Son, this Miss Zhou is really nice. She's beautiful and kind-hearted. I only helped her find the pendant and she's already spending so much money to support her."

Don't try to deny it or say it's a misunderstanding. I saw you staring at her like your eyes were electrified, and it made Miss Zhou blush.

Such a wonderful girl, you must act quickly! Don't let someone else snatch her away, or you'll regret it.

Xu Bei could previously use misunderstandings to deceive his mother, but now that he is more certain that he is truly in love, he is unwilling to make empty promises.

"Okay, I'll wait until I get back from the restocking and finish this busy period, then I'll find an opportunity to act."

Zhao Fengying smiled so broadly her eyes disappeared. "Good, good, as long as you know what you're doing."

……

Zhou Qingwan and Liang Huihui, who had just left, were now chatting about Xu Bei and his mother as they cycled home.

"Wanwan, I feel like this shop is called Fengying, but it's actually owned by Xu Bei."

Zhou Qingwan blinked. "It shouldn't be, right? Didn't my older brother tell us that he asked around, and then Brother Xu said it was his mother who opened it?"

Liang Huihui snorted lightly, "Why not? I think it's probably true. Otherwise, his sister and mother would all be beholden to him. He's the one who decides what gifts to give them."

"And I overheard you going inside to change your pants. Xu Bei is taking the train to the provincial capital this afternoon to buy goods."

"Really? Well, I'm a little unsure too." Zhou Qingwan looked at Liang Huihui, who was riding alongside her. "But, sis, it doesn't really matter who drives it, we're just customers."

Liang Huihui gave Zhou Qingwan a probing look. "Wanwan, did you really not see it, or are you pretending to be stupid?"

Xu Bei clearly has his eye on you, and his mother and sisters must know about it too, otherwise they wouldn't have made it so obvious.

Zhou Qingwan's face instantly turned bright red, but thankfully the scarf covered it up so much that it wasn't visible. "I really didn't notice. I don't think so, my aunts and the others are just being enthusiastic."

Liang Huihui complained helplessly, "You're too slow-witted. But even if they have ideas, it's useless. You're like me, someone who wants to graduate from here and have a bright future. You're not like Xu Bei."

"Even if he's probably self-employed now, he wouldn't be good enough for a worker. Don't worry, Wanwan, I won't tell your aunt about this, otherwise she'll nag you endlessly."

"Thank you, sis. I'm really afraid of Auntie's nagging."

After Zhou Qingwan finished speaking, seemingly with some gratitude, she lowered her eyes, concealing the true emotions that surfaced within them...