CHAPTER 132: CHAPTER 105: MOTHER ZHANG VISITS THE PROVINCIAL CITY (PART 2)

Mother Zhang was dazzled from the moment she entered, listening to Zhang Guoqing but not responding, just nodding. She looked at each item; the stuff was indeed good, but the prices were equally impressive.

Following him, Mother Zhang went from the first floor to the third, looking around the entire way. She picked out some items that were cheaper than those at the supply and marketing cooperative, then hurriedly pulled him away. She was not used to this place.

As they exited, Mother Zhang secretly sighed in relief, "Xiao Wu, where are we going next?"

Zhang Guoqing parked the car not far away and stopped, "Mother, this is the largest department store in the provincial city. Just like the supply and marketing cooperatives, some items require tickets. I have many tickets here, so buy whatever you like and don’t worry about running out of money."

The department store was just a two-story red brick building at the intersection of two roads, its walls full of slogans.

"Down with US imperialism, realize communism."

"Alliance of workers and peasants, urban-rural mutual aid!"

"Hard work and thrift, build the nation diligently!"

"Walk the cooperative road, achieve common prosperity!"

The big red characters were very striking, the entrance bustling with people coming and going, and no one came out empty-handed, all carrying large and small bags. The two entered through the main entrance, and as they arrived, they heard the broadcast: "Today’s special supply, liberation shoes, each person may buy one pair. Flawed goods are available on the second floor textile area, and can be purchased without a ticket. Inventory on the first floor can be purchased without a ticket."

Upon hearing the broadcast, Mother Zhang hurriedly pulled Zhang Guoqing to the first-floor inventory counter, without asking anyone. Seeing where most people gathered from afar, she squeezed in. Zhang Guoqing, having a hard time protecting her as he squeezed through the crowd, watched her excitedly select items. Once all chosen and the ticket opened, he queued up to pay and handed the ticket to the salesperson.

Squeezing out of the crowd, Zhang Guoqing followed closely behind his mother. She was in high spirits from the shopping and eagerly listened to the broadcast, heading up to the second floor to find out where the defective items were.

Zhang Guoqing looked at the crowded scene with a headache. It was all women selecting items, loudly demanding the salesperson to hand them over. The counter was packed with people, each one speaking a sentence. If one didn’t listen carefully, it was impossible to understand what was being said; it was chaotic. There was no choice, he had to follow behind Mother Zhang, waiting outside. After she selected the most satisfactory towels and fabrics with the least defects, waiting for the salesperson to open a ticket, over half an hour had passed. He hurriedly took the note to the first floor, queued up to pay, obtained the stamped invoice, and ran back to the second floor.

Finally, he sighed with relief. Fortunately, all the discounted items were done with. Now they could leisurely browse; this felt like a brawl, afraid of not being able to purchase, and it was all women; he was embarrassed to squeeze in.

"Mother, we have tickets for whatever’s next, I have prepared everything, don’t be anxious."

Mother Zhang looked happily at the items he was holding, "You don’t understand. If only we came here first, perhaps there would have been better things available if we came earlier; they’ve all been picked clean. Really cheap."

After contemplating, Mother Zhang, familiar with the buying process at the supply and marketing cooperative, pulled Zhang Guoqing to the counter on the left of the first floor to start looking. The two spent a long time, and finally, Mother Zhang was satisfied and planned to go home.

Zhang Guoqing looked at the few things the two held. Most of the time, his mother was looking at the goods, not buying them. He couldn’t understand what was fun about just looking without buying. He realized shopping with Jiao Jiao was better, targeting directly and taking things and leaving.

He used to often hear friends complain, saying they would never accompany their mothers shopping again, wouldn’t even go if threatened. He found it strange; being able to accompany one’s mother shopping, carrying bags for her, watching her happily and enthusiastically shop, was such a great thing. He regretted not having a mother himself.

Now it feels like a slap in the face; if he could see that friend, he would definitely express deep sympathy, and embrace him like brothers who met too late, especially for a mother like his, who only looks but doesn’t buy. He felt anxious on her behalf, and in the end, when she saw something she liked but was reluctant to spend money, Zhang Guoqing would just pay for it.

He increasingly felt that his Jiao Jiao wasn’t spoiled at all. Her temperament and habits matched his perfectly. Even as they transitioned from modest means to wealth, she hadn’t changed much at all. Whether shopping or conducting herself, she always lived seriously, never wasting time on unnecessary things. If she were made to just wander around like this, she’d definitely get impatient with you.

After loading the bags into the car with his mother, Zhang Guoqing thought for a moment, then went back inside to buy some face creams, Harry Oil, and soap. No woman dislikеs these, and his mother was only 46, not old at all, though being in the countryside, she hadn’t taken care of herself much. Besides, having come to the large provincial city, it was necessary to take some gifts back home for the sisters-in-law and sisters.