"Whatever is said, it’s not just your responsibility; it’s my own problem." If I hadn’t been so hot-headed and careless when I was young, things wouldn’t be now.
"Xiao Yi is married now. On the surface, he calls me ’Mom,’ but I know he resents me deep down. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been so indifferent towards me all these years."
Hu Bin sighed, softly patting Shen Qing, silently comforting her. He understood his wife’s pain. "Things will get better, slowly. My salary has increased; it’s forty-five yuan a month now. We’ll save up, Lijuan is going to college, there are lots of expenses, and Xiao Dung is in high school and will have to apply to college in a few years. We’ll have to think about weddings and everything. If Xiao Yi’s wife has a child, as a mother, you didn’t give much when they got married, but we’ll definitely treat our grandchild well."
"Yes, we still have so many responsibilities ahead of us. We have to earn money well. I don’t think Xiao Wan is really against me." Shen Qing suddenly laughed.
"Yes, Xiao Yi’s wife is quite nice." Hu Bin remarked.
Lin Wan didn’t expect the siblings to arrive so early; she had just gotten up. "Why are you here so early? ... Xiao Dung has come too!"
"Mom knew you were going out to sell clothes in such hot weather and was worried, so she sent Xiao Dung to help."
"Saozi, don’t worry, I’ll carry these clothes."
Looking at the two, full of energy and vigor, Lin Wan felt motivated herself.
After breakfast, three of them quickly tidied up, taking their bicycles to the train station.
Because of the cost, the pricing this time was high: shirts and pants were ten yuan, and short sleeves were nine yuan. Of course, there would be bargaining. Lin Wan estimated the fluctuation to be one or two yuan. Selling for less wasn’t feasible.
They still followed the original two locations: the train station and the residential areas, visiting both.
Like last time, Lin Wan found a cool place, spread a piece of cloth on the ground, and laid out the clothes on top. Around ten o’clock, as the crowd increased, Lin Wan cleared her throat, held up two articles of clothing, and loudly hawked her wares.
"Clothing for sale! The latest women’s styles from Shanghai; tops for just nine yuan! Come and see, come and buy! Limited quantity, won’t wait! Check out the latest fashion from Shanghai, cheap and stylish!"
Lin Wan confidently made her pitches a few times, causing Hu Dong and Hu Lijuan standing beside her to blush shyly. It was their first time selling anything and shouting so boldly in public.
But indeed, Saozi’s loud shouting drew quite a crowd.
Lin Wan had deliberately worn a yellow puff-sleeve top and black polyester straight-leg pants today. Tucked in, it looked fantastic.
Someone was attracted to her outfit, asked for the price, and bargained down by one yuan, resulting in a sale.
Hu Lijuan and Hu Dong were astonished as they watched, not expecting the clothes to sell so quickly.
"Lijuan, help this comrade with a set of clothes." Lin Wan took the money and reminded the dazed siblings nearby, with a laugh.
Hu Lijuan quickly helped with the clothes, thrilled to sell something.
Hu Dong kept a close watch on their clothes, preventing theft. In a short while, the yellow tops and black pants mostly sold in sets. The shirts sold slowly, not due to a lack of appeal, but because of the hot weather, few people wore shirts.
The group busied themselves all morning. By lunchtime, they began to pack up and head home.