How I Tamed My Wolfish Husband Back in 80s-Chapter 208 - 210: Private Transaction_1

The next day, a weekend, Li Qiao took Old Mrs. Qin shopping at the department store.

They browsed around, but not to mention mink coats, even down jackets were scarce and in demand.

Cotton-made clothes were more abundant, but most people still chose to buy cotton and fabric to have a tailor make their clothes.

Li Qiao spotted a light-colored down jacket she liked, but since it was hung up high, she asked the salesperson to bring it down for a closer look.

After receiving the jacket, she felt the material with her hand, which was no worse than the fabrics from decades later. The lining was smooth, initially cool to the touch but quickly warmed up.

And it was substantial. She said, "Grandma, this jacket is good."

Upon hearing the price, 36, Old Mrs. Qin was shocked. That was so expensive; it was a child’s entire monthly allowance. "Cotton clothes are just fine, this one is too thin, what if it’s not warm and we end up wasting money on it?"

The salesperson’s eyes slanted, "How could a down jacket not be warm? Country folks have no knowledge. If you’re not buying, then don’t mess with it."

Li Qiao was most annoyed by the attitude of department store salespeople.

They put on airs, acting high and mighty, if you didn’t know better, you’d think they were high-ranking officials throwing their weight around.

She suppressed her irritation, was about to suggest trying it on, when a middle-aged woman came over and touched the jacket in her hands, asking the salesperson the price.

She paid without even trying it on.

Just like that, Li Qiao lost the down jacket she had finally found, and she was furious, ready to file a complaint against the salesperson.

Old Mrs. Qin advised, "Qiaoqiao, let it be. It costs dozens of dollars, I wouldn’t bear to wear it even if we bought it. Cotton clothes are just the same." She diverted her gaze and said, "Look, the cotton jacket hanging over there isn’t bad. It’s also a light color, and the style is similar to the down jacket we just saw." She pulled Li Qiao closer for a look.

The salesperson selling the cotton clothes was amiable, fetching whatever was pointed out, and they even allowed trying on.

Old Mrs. Qin took off her coat and tried on the cotton jacket, which was slightly loose.

Li Qiao: "It looks pretty good on you."

Old Mrs. Qin looked at herself in the small mirror on the countertop; she had eaten well and dressed well in the past half-year, growing plumper and whiter.

With the weight on her face, the wrinkles had also lessened.

Overall, she looked five or six years younger than before.

Wearing light colors didn’t make her look darker either; she smiled and said, "It’s pretty good, let’s buy this one."

Li Qiao: "Grandma, that dark-colored one has a nice style too, why not try it on?"

"So many purchases," Old Mrs. Qin was very reluctant. This one cotton jacket was priced at five yuan and six jiao.

More than ten yuan for two pieces, that’s nearly half a month’s allowance for a child.

"Buy it to have variety," urged Li Qiao, as she asked the salesperson to bring over the jacket to test the thickness, softness, and weight. They were all fine. She urged Old Mrs. Qin to try it on. This one fit well too, but there was a small flaw where the seam near the pocket had been sewn twice. Nevertheless, it was comparatively cheaper, only costing four yuan.

Old Mrs. Qin decisively bought it.

It was more than a yuan cheaper.

Where else could you find such a good deal?

And the pocket area could be concealed with embroidery.

Li Qiao also bought Old Mrs. Qin some undergarments, cotton pants, and shoes, spending almost twenty yuan in total.

Old Mrs. Qin sighed, "Earning money is hard, spending it is done without even realizing."

Li Qiao said with a smile, "The more we spend, the more motivated Jin will be to earn."

Old Mrs. Qin agreed, "That’s true." When they were poor, the daughter-in-law never spent money, and she thought the child was being frugal. Now that they had a little money, she didn’t blink at spending dozens of yuan.

But conversely, Jin’s luck had been exceptionally good, never coming home empty-handed from a long trip.

.....

The grandmother and granddaughter came home laden with big and small packages.

Old Mrs. Qin took out the newly purchased clothes to air them, while Li Qiao prepared to go to Xue Lingqing’s home to get a pass. She brought along two jars of homemade mushroom pork sauce.

Old Mr. Xue was sitting in the courtyard playing chess with a neighbor when he saw Li Qiao arrive and greeted her warmly, calling Xue Sufen to entertain her.

"Sufen, Qiaoqiao is here for you, pour some tea." fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com

Li Qiao: "I’m looking for Professor Xue."

"Old Three," Old Mr. Xue called out loudly, "Qiaoqiao is here for you." He then said to Li Qiao, "Are you encountering a challenging problem in your studies? You don’t need to bring anything for asking a question, it’s too formal."

Li Qiao: "No, I specifically came to thank Professor Xue for his guidance on my thesis."

An elder and a youth were chatting.

Xue Lingqing and Xue Sufen came out at the same time, with Cheng Shuqin following beside Xue Sufen.

Li Qiao was slightly surprised to see Cheng Shuqin there. She directly stuffed the homemade sauce into Xue Lingqing’s hands: "Professor Xue, this is made by myself, with pork leg and morel mushrooms added. My partner and Old Mrs. Qin love it—please have a taste."

Xue Lingqing smiled and took it, saying, "Thank you, come in and have a seat."

"Sitting outside is just fine," Li Qiao said as she moved a stool to sit beside Sir Xue.

Xue Sufen pursed her lips in disdain, "Privately transferring benefits."

That’s not right.

Privately transferring benefits is meant for couples.

What they’re doing should be considered open bribery.

....

Xue Lingqing set down the sauce and handed over an access pass to Li Qiao.

After Li Qiao thanked him, she put it in her pocket. Today, she wore a red coat, which made her skin look snow-white, flushing with a natural rosiness.

When Old Mr. Xue turned around, he caught sight of Xue Sufen eyeing Li Qiao’s direction and directly said, "Sufen, are you looking at Qiaoqiao?" Getting jealous again?

Xue Sufen quickly looked away, scoffing, "Who’s looking at her? I clearly saw Old Tao about to checkmate you."

Sir Xue immediately focused on the chess game—he really was being checkmated and didn’t know where to move.

The neighbor urged Sir Xue, "Old Xue, hurry up."

Sir Xue stayed put, quietly asking Li Qiao, "Qiaoqiao, you’re the Top Scholar, you must know how to play chess, right? How can I win?"

Li Qiao pointed to a position with her hand.

Sir Xue made a move.

The neighbor looked at Li Qiao, then at Sir Xue, and then moved.

Sir Xue was still unsure and continued nudging Li Qiao with his elbow.

Li Qiao kept pointing.

After a few moves, Sir Xue’s eyes brightened: "Checkmate! Old Tao, finally beat you once."

"The lass has some skills. One of the third’s students?"

"Mhm, she’s also Sufen’s classmate and the granddaughter-in-law of a brother from my hometown. The top scorer of the national college entrance examination, and recruited into school especially for placing first in the national math competition," Old Mr. Xue said proudly.

Xue Sufen felt like vomiting blood: "When I got first place, I never saw you brag about me to others." But when it comes to Li Qiao, there’s a whole string of titles.

More affectionate than with his own granddaughter.

Every time Old Mrs. Qin saw Old Mrs. Qin, she would show off about her blissful life with her husband. Could it be that Qin Jin wasn’t her husband’s biological grandson? Fondness for Li Qiao because of affection for the house?

Realizing something, Xue Sufen’s scalp tingled.

Old Mr. Xue: "What’s there to brag about your own child? I never praised your uncle when he was promoted to professor either. It’s better when others praise our children. Isn’t that so? If I keep praising you, won’t you get too full of yourself? Sufen is a prime example – always praised by her parents from childhood."

Praised for what?

So foolish she might count the money for the person who sold her.

Thinking this, Old Mr. Xue shot Cheng Shuqin a dark glance.

This child also lacks tact, they had already given several hints that it was time for her to leave, yet she still lingered.

Cheng Shuqin, sensitive to Old Mr. Xue’s unfriendly gaze, subtly clenched her fists. If it hadn’t been for trying to ask Professor Xue to erase the blemish from her record, she wouldn’t bother buttering up Xue Sufen.

Idiot.

Her plan had been perfect. If Xue Sufen had been as firm in refusing to write a self-criticism, Li Qiao wouldn’t have gotten off so easily for the theft.

....