70: Chapter 6: Returning Home 70: Chapter 6: Returning Home Taking advantage of the sun not being too hot, Lin Xiaoguai put a little hat on her son and carried him to the flower and bird market.
The county’s flower and bird market had only appeared in the past couple of years and was not like those specially constructed in later times; it was just that this street had more businesses dealing in flowers, birds, and pets, so people called it the flower and bird market, although it was not very large.
It was around noon, two or three o’clock, just after everybody had finished their naps, so it was lively but not crowded.
Lin Xiaoguai adjusted her son’s drool bib and carried him into a flower shop that seemed to be doing little business.
The owner was a middle-aged uncle sitting behind the counter reading a newspaper.
When he saw her come in, he lethargically raised his head, said nothing, and continued reading his newspaper.
Not many people bought flowers in this era.
Instead, many local residents came to see the novelty.
Seeing Lin Xiaoguai holding a child, the owner categorized her as one of those who came for the novelty.
Lin Xiaoguai had randomly chosen a shop to look around but found that she might have stumbled upon the right place by accident.
The shop was quiet, not because it wasn’t good, but likely because the flowers were pricey.
Glancing around, Lin Xiaoguai noticed that not a single flower in the entire shop was priced below fifty yuan.
It’s not that the shop was ripping people off; to Lin Xiaoguai, the prices marked were actually quite fair.
To price them any lower would not only be an insult to the noble flowers’ value but would also mean the owner losing money.
However, the fact that the shop was still open indicated there was a market for it.
“Boss, I have some precious plants at home; does your shop buy them?” Lin Xiaoguai tapped on the counter and asked.
The boss was taken aback for a moment before reacting, “You want to sell flowers to me?”
Lin Xiaoguai nodded, “I saw that all the flowers in your shop are fine specimens, so I thought you might be interested in buying the ones I have at home.”
Hearing her say this, the boss became interested, “From what you say, it sounds like the flowers at your place are quite valuable?”
Lin Xiaoguai nodded again, “Not to mention the others, just several pots of green peonies alone are of exceptional quality.”
The owner was somewhat skeptical but, noting the woman’s extraordinary demeanor and not appearing to be the deceitful type, he said, “Well, we won’t know unless we see them.
How about this, let’s leave it for today.
Tomorrow, bring two pots over for me to have a look, would that be okay?”
“That would be fine,” replied Lin Xiaoguai without hesitation since she had no intention of shopping around for comparisons.
After discussing the details, Lin Xiaoguai said goodbye and left.
Rarely getting out, Little Niangao was exceptionally excited, his eyes wide and unblinking as he looked around, his little body twisting and turning, making it almost difficult for Lin Xiaoguai to hold onto him.
On the way, they came across a fruit stand.
Lin Xiaoguai saw they had strawberries, which looked fresh, and after tasting them and finding them sweet, she bought two pounds.
Little Niangao was even less willing to be ignored now, bending his body trying to grab the strawberries in her hand.
Lin Xiaoguai, of course, did not let him and, nudging his face, said, “Shall Mommy give it to the baby when we get back?”
Little Niangao didn’t understand, persistently trying to reach for the strawberries.
Lin Xiaoguai, out of options, freed one hand to tickle him, and Little Niangao was successfully distracted, giggling away.
Lin Xiaoguai laughed too, bowed her head, and kissed his chubby cheek, “Alright, baby, we’re going home now.”
At this moment, a soft laugh came from not far away.
Lin Xiaoguai looked up and then froze, “Shen Chi…”
Shen Chi walked up to her, placed the bag he was carrying on the ground, and embraced mother and child in his arms, sighing, “I’m back.”
Lin Xiaoguai came to her senses to find herself being tightly hugged and felt a little awkward, pushing him away, “Let me go, people are starting to stare.”
Indeed, at that time, public displays of affection were uncommon, and now people on the street were either disdainfully or curiously looking their way.
Fortunately, with a child present, it wasn’t enough to be criticized as indecent.
Shen Chi was reluctant to let go, but then he turned his gaze to his son, who was glaring at him.
Looking at the chubby little guy, with fair, delicate features and bright, shining eyes that resembled his own, he felt both joy and awkwardness, rubbing his hands and asking, “Son, would you like Daddy to hold you?”
But Little Niangao was not having any of it, turning his head and clinging to Lin Xiaoguai’s neck, ignoring Shen Chi.
Shen Chi felt a sense of loss but understood that his son was meeting him for the first time since his birth, so it was natural for the boy to be unfamiliar with him, and he perked up again.
“Why didn’t you call so someone could pick you up when you came back?” Lin Xiaoguai tried to find a topic for conversation.
“What need is there for someone to pick up a grown man like me?” Shen Chi, with one hand carrying his bag and the other grasping her hand, started walking home with her.