CHAPTER 133: CHAPTER 105: MOTHER ZHANG VISITS THE PROVINCIAL CITY (PART 3)

"Mom, these are for sister-in-law and sister, you split them up. All the extras are for you to use. It’s cold now, applying it won’t crack your hands, and you can maintain your face as well. I see women all like these."

"Oh, my dear son. I wondered what you bought. These are expensive, all rare items. You should take them back for Jiao Jiao to use. How come you bought so much?" Mother Zhang looked at these things, both happy and distressed. She really liked them, they smelled fragrant when applied.

Zhang Guoqing amusingly looked at his mom, knowing her expression, holding the box fondly. Indeed, it’s that his monthly salary is not high, so buying imported luxury cosmetics for Jiao Jiao makes her heart ache and yet she loves them.

Some book mentioned: no woman doesn’t love cosmetics, every woman wants to be young and beautiful. Women of any age after 18 don’t like hearing people ask their age; it’s more embarrassing than being asked about private money.

"Mom, Jiao Jiao’s mom gave them. You just use them without worry, your son knows his limits and won’t try to act rich. I really have money in hand. Secretly telling you, don’t spread it, Jiao Jiao’s mom gave quite a bit of money; 6 years’ rent in Beijing was given to her, 50 yuan a month, you calculate how much? In the future, as long as that house is rented out, there’s 50 yuan each month. My mother-in-law said, we can spend freely and still won’t run out. Brother-in-law’s salary is only 36 yuan a month. So, secretly telling you, we really aren’t short of money, keep your own money, tell me if you want to buy anything."

Mother Zhang was shocked, counting her fingers, her heart pounding but unable to calm down and calculate exactly how much. Muttered incoherently, "I, I better not calculate. Xiao Wu, don’t tell anyone about such a large sum, not even your dad. Remember, don’t say. My goodness, my heavenly grandma, it’s really a golden baby. No wonder your mother-in-law buys items by the carload without blinking."

Zhang Guoqing laughed heartily, guessing his dad also suspected he wasn’t lacking money, knowing Jiao Jiao has a big courtyard rented out and understanding the temperament of his mother-in-law. However, they both tacitly keep silent about these things. This is also to see his mom being frugal. That’s why he told her, but as for others, he didn’t plan to share, not even with his mom.

"Feel relieved now? Alright, anything else you’ve wanted to buy but hesitated? We can go check."

Mother Zhang was tempted and nodded, then shook her head, "Forget it, even with money you shouldn’t spend recklessly. Save for Ping’an, you will have more kids after all, life is long ahead."

Zhang Guoqing took out vouchers, placed them, and sorted out those close to expiration, "I’ll find all the vouchers nearing expiry, we’ll buy according to these, otherwise it’d be a pity if they expired."

Zhang Guoqing locked the car and accompanied his mom back into the department store. This time Mother Zhang visibly let loose, buying what she needed. The two of them used up all the selected vouchers.

After shopping, Zhang Guoqing drove Mother Zhang to a park for a look. Then he took her to a cinema, but she refused, pulling him out, saying it would be dark after the movie, and the family would worry. Zhang Guoqing then took her to ask on the street where to buy second-hand books and tapes.

Driving around, they finally found a place, he first checked tapes, bought some revolutionary song tapes. Asked his mom, bought opera and storytelling tapes. Zhang Guoqing knew these tapes would be hard to come by later, so despite the price, he bought a big stack, explaining what each tape was about to his mom. Otherwise, she’d be flustered, they were quite expensive, his oldest sister’s monthly salary didn’t amount to much. The most expensive tape was 1.5 yuan, even the cheapest in that big stack cost 0.50 yuan, spending nearly 50 yuan.

Afterward, Zhang Guoqing took her to a nearby area, full of second-hand book stalls. Indeed, it’s the provincial city, two alleys full of second-hand book stalls. He quickly picked books, the prices cheaper than the county’s. He made two trips to the car to finish.

"Alright, it’s getting dark. Let’s go back, your dad must be worried sick, I wonder what Jiao Jiao has eaten tonight. Let’s go. I’ve had enough of the provincial city shopping."

Mother Zhang was now scared of him. Never seen money spent like water before, people were staring dumbfounded, if not for the car parked there, someone might have robbed them.