Xu Mumu realized for the first time that Huo Qingze also had such a smooth side. She always thought he had that perpetually poker-faced look.

Zhao Guodong hummed a tune as he left. Recently, electric poles were being installed nearby, and soon there would be electricity. Now that Yin Yang and Huo Qingze were planning to develop here, he felt that the Red River Team under his jurisdiction was getting better and better.

Seeing the captain being coaxed away, Xu Mumu smiled. If things developed well here, the captain would certainly have some credit.

Huo Qingze and Yin Yang were already discussing road construction at this moment. The gravel road of the team was too narrow, it couldn’t accommodate larger vehicles. Nothing could be done here without a proper road.

The two had collaborated (like wolves) in the past two years, pocketing quite a bit of money. Neither of them was short on money initially, and now they even had extra.

A large sum was needed for road construction, and they had no intention of shouldering it all themselves. They planned to contribute a part, with the government covering another part.

The negotiation work naturally fell to Huo Qingze. He had contacts here. Originally, Yin Yang could have gone too, but he decided to accompany Xu Mumu shopping for clothes, promptly dumping the task on Huo Qingze to handle those people.

The abandoned Huo Qingze: "....." Damn you, take him out and beat him to death. Are you looking for a partner or a slave?

Xu Mumu and Yin Yang strolled inside the department store in the county. Xu Mumu wanted to buy some clothes, and Yin Yang needed a couple of outfits too. He didn’t bring much from home, as the little brother was quite mischievous. He ran around with Xu Tao and Xu Minglei, ruining many clothes and pants. Xu Mumu had seen Madam Chen mending the little guy’s clothes and pants a couple of times.

After looking around, Xu Mumu felt the clothing styles in the store were too monotonous, not appealing at all. It’s a pity she couldn’t make clothes herself; otherwise, she’d buy fabric and make them.

"What’s wrong? Didn’t find anything you like? Should I ask Yun Hong to bring some back next time they go out to shop?" Yin Yang looked at Xu Mumu.

"Yeah, that works. The styles here are too few and not nice at all. I initially wanted to get you a couple of outfits." Xu Mumu pouted, thinking these clothes were too ugly. Yin Yang wouldn’t look good in them, and though he was a man, she still wanted him to look a bit better, even if it might attract attention.

"Indeed, they’re not nice. Let’s check other stuff." Yin Yang said with a smile.

"Hah, just admit you can’t afford it." As the two prepared to buy something else, a disdainful voice rang out.

Xu Mumu looked over to see a girl with two braids glaring contemptuously at them. She was wearing work clothes from the county’s textile factory, holding her head high as if the factory was such a prestigious place.

Dressed in work clothes, Hua Xiaolan always enjoyed the envious glances she received while out.

The fact that she was quite attractive also drew many admirers.

Today, she intended to buy some clothes in the department store. Watching the two being particular about their choices throughout, what irritated her most was how handsome that man was, yet he listened to the woman, who was prettier than her, fueling her jealousy.

"Whether we buy or not, what’s it to you?" Xu Mumu smiled faintly, clearly seeing her jealousy. The previous person who looked at her like that was Shen Ya from the class, and even Shen Ya was now behaving.

"You, you."

"What about me? We are just looking, so what? Did we bother you, or are you just meddling?" Xu Mumu showed no mercy.

With a fleeting glance at the woman, Xu Mumu pulled Yin Yang away to look at other things, wondering if the woman thought too highly of herself.

Watching them leave, Hua Xiaolan’s face flushed red and white alternately, feeling thoroughly humiliated in front of the onlookers.

Unconcerned with what Hua Xiaolan thought, Xu Mumu dragged Yin Yang and bought quite a few snacks she liked. They had money now, even her secret stash was considerable.

While going to pay, they ran into Hua Xiaolan again. This damned fate left Xu Mumu speechless.

"You go pay, I’ll wait for you outside." Xu Mumu was frustrated, handing over the items to Yin Yang so he could head to the counter while she waited outside.

"Alright, wait in the shade outside. The sun’s strong, and I’ll be right out." Yin Yang nodded dotingly. His little wife deserved to be pampered.

Yin Yang swiftly paid, the total over a hundred, along with a pile of tickets. The cashier was stunned as big spenders like this were rare.

Hua Xiaolan was also stunned, seeing them shell out such a sum at once, comparable to her three or four months’ salary, and thought this man indeed had money.

Recalling her earlier remarks about their inability to afford clothes made her freeze completely.

As Yin Yang came out with the items, ready to leave with Xu Mumu, Hua Xiaolan approached.

"Hey, comrade, wait a moment," Hua Xiaolan’s face flushed slightly as she looked at Yin Yang, a good-looking and wealthy man like him was the type she always desired.

"What is it?" The sun was shining, and Yin Yang was eager to get Xu Mumu back. Exposing her delicate skin to the sun could lead to sunburn, so he naturally wasn’t in a good mood. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

"I, I didn’t mean what I said earlier, I’m sorry." Hua Xiaolan had a thick skin, and as long as marrying a rich man was within reach, face meant little to her.

"Are you done? You’re blocking the way, and my wife is in the sun." Yin Yang said displeased, looking at Hua Xiaolan.

"You, you’re married?" Hua Xiaolan’s lips trembled. Although she had guessed that they were a couple earlier, she held onto a sliver of hope that they might be siblings or something.

But hearing this now left her utterly hopeless; sure enough, good men are always taken early.

"What’s it to you? If you’re sick, head to the hospital." Yin Yang said flatly, then took Xu Mumu’s hand and left quickly, fearing this person might harm his wife.

The couple left hand in hand, while Hua Xiaolan felt defeated. But even if she was upset, now that they had left, it wasn’t her place to covet.

After buying what they needed, they headed straight back. Yin Yang carried the items while Xu Mumu shielded them with an umbrella, walking along the path home.

"Du Yu’s wedding is in a few days, what should we gift?" Xu Mumu pondered, since Du Yu was a friend, she wanted to show her sentiment.

"Just give something casual. We have plenty at home. Did you forget what we do? I’ll have Yun Hong bring something." Yin Yang chuckled.