Chapter 23: Shopping for Sisters-in-law

Chapter 23: Shopping for the Sisters-in-Law

Lu Xiang was going to the supply cooperative with Fu Qinhuai.

Fu's second sister-in-law secretly pulled Lu Xiang aside: "Fourth Brother doesn't like to bring things back, saying it violates regulations. He wouldn't even help me buy a red ribbon last time. If you go to the supply cooperative and see any, could you buy one for me?"

After saying this, Fu's second sister-in-law took out fifty cents and added, "If there's white sugar, buy some for me too!" She handed over a two-liang sugar coupon to Lu Xiang.

The Fu family ate from a communal pot, so if they wanted anything extra, they had to cook separately.

Thus, the daughters-in-law secretly stored eggs, sugar, and other provisions for special occasions.

Xiao Cailian knew about it but turned a blind eye and didn't interfere. Lu Xiang readily agreed, "If I see them, I'll definitely buy them for you!"

Hearing this, Fu's second sister-in-law flattered her, "Only a sensible sister-in-law like you would understand."

Lu Xiang left Fu's second sister-in-law's room and ran into Fu's first sister-in-law.

She was called into the room again: "Our little Bao is already six this year, and he's always worn hand-me-downs. He's about to start school, and I want to save up some money to buy him new clothes and a new schoolbag. If you see any good, cheap fabric, could you buy some for me?"

After saying this, she handed over two yuan, which was a considerable sum.

Fu's first sister-in-law originally wanted to go herself but never found the time.

Besides, she was a bit frugal and felt reluctant to spend her own money on shopping.

Since Lu Xiang was Fu Qinhuai's wife, she might have more clout and get a better price. Fu's first sister-in-law emphasized the need for a good deal, and only after Lu Xiang agreed did she feel reassured.

Lu Xiang's trip to the supply cooperative became a major event in the Fu household.

She had just stepped out of Eldest Sister-in-law's room when Third Sister-in-law Fu was already waiting at the door.

Third Sister-in-law Fu smiled upon seeing Lu Xiang and said, "Everyone’s asking you to help buy things, aren’t they?"

Third Sister-in-law Fu was even more enthusiastic and quickly pulled her aside to talk: "Fourth Brother's so principled—won't ask for help or do favors for anyone!"

She wanted Lu Xiang to help her buy a jar of vanishing cream.

She planned to show it off when she returned to her parents' home.

Third Sister-in-law Fu's sister-in-law had gone to the county to buy a jar of vanishing cream, and she wouldn't stop flaunting it—bragged about that thing for over six months. This made Third Sister-in-law Fu feel competitive, so she finally saved up enough money and, when she heard Lu Xiang was going to the co-op store, asked her to help buy one.

Vanishing cream is the kind of thing that makes your face smell fragrant when applied.

Lu Xiang thought it was no big deal and quickly agreed.

Lu Xiang also knocked on the door and asked Xiao Cailian if there was anything she needed to buy.

Mother-in-law Xiao Cailian said no, but she was secretly pleased. Her daughter-in-law valued her, which was even better than her son in this regard.

Lu Xiang went back and wrote up a list.

Fu Qinhui said, "If you can't wake up tomorrow, I won't call you."

Lu Xiang snorted and said, "Don't look down on me! I'll definitely wake up." That night, she went to bed early. The next morning, as soon as Fu Qinhui started gathering his things quietly, Lu Xiang immediately woke up.

Eyes still sleepy, Lu Xiang said, "Let's go." She quickly put on her clothes.

She was already good-looking, and after tidying up, she looked even more energetic. Fu Qinhui glanced at her but didn't say anything more.

After finishing up, the two headed to the kitchen. There was some leftover food from the previous day, so they had a quick bite before setting off. Halfway through the journey, Lu Xiang began to breathe heavily.

She had never walked such a long distance before. With just the two of them on the road, the soles of her feet felt damp and painful, already blistered and starting to bleed.

Lu Xiang gritted her teeth and endured the pain without saying a word to Fu Qinhui.

Fu Qinhui seemed to notice: "Let me carry you." He thought, "Women are indeed physically more delicate."

But Lu Xiang insisted stubbornly: "It's fine, I can walk on my own!"

She didn’t want to appear weak and be laughed at, so she clenched her teeth and continued walking alongside him. As they moved forward, more people gradually appeared along the roadside, and soon they spotted the sign for the supply cooperative.

Lu Xiang felt a wave of relief. In this era, the supply cooperative held a very high status in people’s hearts.

She had never been there before and eagerly followed along.

Fu Qinhui, an accountant, was quite popular. Many people greeted him as soon as they saw him.

Some who were closer to Fu Qinhui asked, "Who is this?"

Fu Qinhui replied seriously, "This is my wife!"

The six salesclerks at the supply cooperative were staring curiously at Lu Xiang. Everyone knew Fu Qinhui had married young, but they hadn’t expected his wife to be so beautiful. The two were well-matched, truly a couple made in heaven.

Someone joked, "You even bring your wife to work with you!" and laughed.

Fu Qinhui grunted in acknowledgment and didn’t offer any further explanation. He then took Lu Xiang to his office.

The office was very simple, with only two desks. On the desks were an abacus and a few thick account books. Once seated, Fu Qinhui quickly began going through the accounts.

Lu Xiang sat beside him, watching him work.

After a while, a middle-aged man asked, "Xiao Fu, who is this?"

Fu Qinhui introduced Lu Xiang’s identity once again.

The middle-aged man, who was the manager here, said, "So you’re the one who won our most eligible bachelor!" He then smiled, said "sorry for the poor hospitality," and even poured Lu Xiang a cup of tea.

Lu Xiang quickly stood up to thank him.

The goods at the supply cooperative were nothing like later convenience stores. The variety here was very limited.

There were bright red washbasins, thermoses, cotton quilts, and two or three pieces of clothing hung high to prevent customers from touching them.

The fabric available came only in three colors—gray, blue, and black—making everything look drab and muted. There were also popular items like sugar cubes, tea, and sausages.

There weren’t many customers at the supply cooperative. In those days, people were busy working, and few had the leisure to come shopping.

Fu Qinhui had always been the crush of all the women here, and now he had brought his wife to work.

One woman with a long face snorted and said, "Are there really people without jobs these days?" Her remark was directed at Lu Xiang. She had it in for Lu Xiang, as she had her eye on Fu Qinhui but had always been turned down by him.

The woman with a long face harbored an inexplicable hostility toward Lu Xiang.

Lu Xiang hadn’t forgotten the tasks her sisters-in-law had asked her to do, so she first went to buy vanishing cream for Third Sister-in-Law.

The salesclerk selling the vanishing cream said, "I was planning to keep this for myself, but since you’re buying it, I’ll let you have it." This was a hard-to-get item, and usually, you had to get lucky to find it.

Lu Xiang charmed the salesclerk, paying her a few compliments. The pleased salesclerk happily wrapped up the item.

Then Lu Xiang went to buy red hair ties and fabric. Being a relative of an employee, she received some small discounts—like getting two extra small candies when buying two ounces of sugar, or a free black hair tie with the purchase of a red one.

However, fabric was harder to get. Lu Xiang personally went with the fabric seller to pick it out.

She bought two yuan’s worth of fabric, and the seller didn’t even take fabric ration coupons, claiming it was cheap fabric and didn’t require coupons—though in reality, it was a gesture of favor.

Lu Xiang understood and praised the seller for being kind and warm-hearted, complimenting them until they were over the moon.

Everyone seemed to like her.

Just then, the long-faced girl let out a loud scoff: "I thought Fu Qinhui married someone special, but it turns out he married such a wasteful woman!" She spoke loudly, making many people around feel awkward. Fu Qinhui was inside doing accounts and didn’t notice what was happening.

Lu Xiang knew Fu Qinhui was highly educated, modest, and polite—it was only natural that people liked him.

But she hadn’t expected to run into someone so bold today. The long-faced girl, assuming Lu Xiang was from the countryside and wouldn’t dare stand up to a city girl, spoke again before Lu Xiang could respond: "You don't know how to manage a household—what will you do in the future?" Her words were full of disdain, implying that Lu Xiang wasn’t good enough for Fu Qinhui.