CHAPTER 103: CHAPTER 89: ANOTHER VISIT TO THE PROVINCIAL CITY (TWO CHAPTERS COMBINED)_2

Fang Jianmei rolled her eyes at her in annoyance, "The bag I brought has military bags, two pairs of military boots, and I don’t even know what size Jiao Jiao wears, so I took the standard size 37, and a pair of size 44 for your son-in-law. If it doesn’t fit, there’s nothing I can do about it; these were hard to find. There are also two oversized military coats, big enough to wrap yourself up. I didn’t bother to ask for anything else, wait until you return to Beijing where everything is available. Are you heading to Friendship Mall?"

"Thanks, yes, I’m going to Friendship Mall. I asked the supply and marketing cooperative on the same street last night, where do you want to go first?"

Fang Jianmei thought that the supply and marketing cooperative would be better, "Let’s go to the supply and marketing cooperative first, there are fewer people in the morning, it’s easier to buy things, it’s packed with people every day. I’ll buy more while you drive and put them up front."

Lin Lishan nodded, "Okay, tell me where to park, and we’ll take a look at the supply and marketing cooperative first. Xi Zi, remember to stick to grandma when it gets crowded later, don’t let yourself be pushed away."

"Grandma, I know, I’ll be with brother and follow behind you. If I can’t find you, I’ll wait for you at the entrance. I won’t get lost. If I really can’t find you, I’ll report to the military district guesthouse and look for my uncle."

Lin Lishan laughed heartily, "You can’t get lost, if you do and end up looking for your uncle, next time I won’t agree to let you out. Later, hold onto grandma’s clothes."

Fang Jianmei listened amusingly to them talking, "Don’t worry, there aren’t that many people. If it’s too crowded, we won’t go in."

Having parked at the spot Fang Jianmei indicated, Lin Lishan locked the car and took them into the supply and marketing cooperative. They had just started work, so there weren’t many people yet; on regular days and holidays, it was packed with people.

After looking around, there wasn’t much they needed besides buying some food. She held Xi Zi’s hand while following Fang Jianmei, slowly browsing. Occasionally, she saw things suitable for Jiao Jiao and bought them. Fang Jianmei carried bags and continued searching, the supply and marketing cooperative was more cumbersome than Friendship Mall; they needed tickets and had to pay elsewhere before coming back to pick up items.

Lin Lishan saw some good fabric and bought some, picked up two large red thermos flasks, a kettle, and noticed large cotton shoes by the cabinet. She selected two pairs for Jiao Jiao to wear at home, thinking she could wear them these days too. Unsure of Xiao Wu’s size, she thought to ask Xi Zi, who surprisingly knew it was size 42, so she took two pairs for Xiao Wu. Seeing she’d run out of cloth tickets from Fang Jianmei, she stopped looking at that counter, finally completing a victorious round with Xi Zi and Fang Jianmei.

"Shanshan, let’s put these in the car first and come back. I can’t carry them anymore."

Lin Lishan raised an eyebrow, guiding her back; they truly had plenty. The four returned to the car and reorganized tickets, discovering they’d bought everything needed. Seeing her hesitating, Lin Lishan decisively left the car, taking Xi Zi with her until they all got out, locked the car, and went back inside.

This time, she didn’t follow Fang Jianmei, deciding to search for children’s items with Xi Zi. She looked at Fang Jianmei’s younger son accompanying them, asking him to pick things he liked. The two children were quite sensible, not expressing their preferences. Upon thinking carefully, Lin Lishan decided to buy some comic books for Xi Zi and his friends at the bookstore soon.

With sugar tickets in hand, she got some hard candy and thought to buy two servings of "Four Joys" pastries to keep in Jiao Jiao’s room, just in case her mother-in-law visited, so she could take them back.

After waiting for nearly an hour, she finally saw Fang Jianmei, and they got in the car to go directly to Friendship Mall.

Lin Lishan constantly remembered the raincoats and rain boots she hadn’t bought last night, so upon entering, she specifically asked if they had them, following the salesperson’s direction to find them at the daily goods counter. Quickly, she chose two sets after glancing at the colors and styles.

Standing before the fabric counter again, Lin Lishan carefully examined the cloth bolt by bolt, until a salesperson impatiently led her to squat down and check the cloth at the bottom of the counter.

"Shh, this is last month’s stock that’s leftover; not even half a bolt was returned to the commerce bureau. The prices are much lower, pick as you like. You’ve seen everything on top yesterday, and bought up all the good ones bolt by bolt."

Lin Lishan smiled sheepishly, realizing many were only enough for making one or two items, no wonder they weren’t returned. They secretly conspired with the salesperson, thankful that this place wasn’t crowded like the supply and marketing cooperative, relaxed and leisurely.

Lin Lishan contentedly carried a large bundle of fabric back to the car.

Fang Jianmei came out after over an hour, also with a pile of items, placing them in the back of the car. Lin Lishan discussed with her about visiting the bookstore to buy comic books for the kids.