Chapter 31: Understanding the Market
Chapter 31: Understanding the Market
After getting off work, Lu Jiajin met up with Ma Lili, who had picked up the children, and they headed over to Guangming Road.
Ma Lili felt a bit awkward when she saw Lu Jiaxin. After all, Jiaxin was still a child, and she felt like she was taking advantage by inviting her for dinner. But before she could say anything, Xiao Feng rushed over and hugged Lu Jiaxin, calling her "little aunt" sweetly.
Lu Jiaxin loved children. After her parents' remarriage, each had another child, but she didn't feel like she truly belonged to either family, so she rarely visited. She hugged Xiao Feng and went to the kitchen to wash her hands. When they sat down to eat, she even specially set aside two chicken legs, giving one to each of the children.
Ma Lilli quickly stopped her, saying, "Jiaxin, what are you doing? Eat the chicken legs yourself. Having some chicken meat and soup is already good enough."
In fact, Ma Lilli used to buy snacks for the children from time to time, but Ma's mother was too frugal to buy meat and vegetables. She would buy meat, chicken, or duck every week. But ever since her nephew, Yan Xiaopan, moved in, she hadn't bought any snacks or meat.
Lu Jiaxin smiled and said, "Sister-in-law, you forgot that I've always liked chicken wings more than chicken legs since I was little."
She disliked chicken legs because they had more meat but it was drier. It was quite strange; not only did she share the same name and similar appearance as her previous self, but they even had similar preferences. Sometimes she wondered if her past life had just been a dream.
Ma Lilli immediately had the two children thank her.
Qiangqiang and Xiao Feng thanked her and then eagerly dug into their chicken legs. Ever since the chubby boy moved in, they only got to eat chicken during festivals, and even then, they didn't get the chicken legs.
There weren't many rules about table manners for ordinary folks. Lu Jiaxin and Ma Lilli chatted about the department store, and then, guided by Lu Jiaxin, they started talking about clothing and footwear.
Ma Lilli said, "Nowadays, there are a lot of fashionable and inexpensive clothes and shoes from Hong Kong in the markets. The department store's business isn't what it used to be. Nowadays, only skincare products and large appliances sell well."
Since these items hadn't become widespread yet, and the quality of goods from outside was inconsistent, many people still preferred to shop at the department store. Although business wasn't as good as it used to be, Ma Lilli was a formal employee, and her salary was paid by the government, so she wasn't too worried.
Lu Jiaxin deliberately said, "I've been feeling weak and prone to catching colds lately. I wanted to buy a pair of thick leather shoes, but I couldn't find any that were both waterproof and fashionable on Xiushui Street."
Ma Lilli laughed and said, "It's normal that you couldn't find any that met your high standards. But don't worry, every year before winter, the department store gets several batches of winter shoes. You'll definitely be able to find a pair that you like."
"Waterproof and fashionable thick cotton leather shoes?"
Ma Lilli paused, thinking about Lu Jiaxin's high standards. "There are thick cotton leather shoes, but the styles might not be as trendy."
Lu Jiaxin continued, "Fifth sister-in-law, I remember the winter shoes sold at the department store last year were around 170 or 180 yuan a pair."
In fact, the winter shoes sold at the department store were quite nice for ordinary people, but Lu Jiaxin still found them a bit old-fashioned. And even those shoes cost 170 or 180 yuan, which she thought was too expensive. Of course, these shoes weren't originally intended for ordinary citizens.
Ma Lilli smiled and said, "They are a bit pricey, but the quality is good and they last a long time. When the store gets new stock, I'll set aside two pairs for you."
Her husband had sent crabs from Third Uncle at lunchtime, so she knew that he was no longer angry. She knew that the two of them wouldn't really fall out, but she was surprised that Lu Hongjun had conceded so quickly. So, offering to set aside two pairs of winter shoes for her would only require a casual mention later.
Lu Jiaxin shook her head and said, "No need, those shoes are too expensive for me. Fifth brother, when the time comes, please help me and Xuemo buy a few pairs of winter shoes from your factory.
Lu Jiaxin was well aware that the crabs had been sent by Lu Hongjun, but since Lu Jiajie didn't mention it, she pretended otherwise. Anything sent in his name would not be accepted, and she wanted Lu Hongjun to know that she was serious this time, not just making empty threats.
Ma Lilli quickly objected when she heard this. "That won't do. The shoes from your brother's factory are all cotton shoes, neither waterproof nor stylish."
While the cotton shoes from the shoe factory were warm, they couldn't be worn outside during snowy winter days as they would get soaked.
"It's fine," Lu Jiaxin replied. "I can wear rain boots when I go out. I don't have much money right now, so I need to buy something practical."
Ma Lilli took the opportunity to advise, "Jiaxin, don't be angry with your dad. It'll only benefit that woman. Listen to your sister-in-law; if we need to compromise, we will. There's no shame in yielding to your own father."
Lu Jiaxin smiled and then changed the subject. "Sister-in-law, Qiangqiang and Xiao Feng haven't been growing well lately. We should give the children some nutritious food."
Ma Lilli's mood soured as she spoke about this. "I'm currently looking for a house through connections. Once I find a suitable one, we'll move out, and I can properly make up for their lack of nutrition."
There were many reasons why they hadn't moved out yet. Firstly, they didn't have enough money. Secondly, Ma Lilli had to work and couldn't pick the children up from kindergarten on time. And lastly, she was still feeling resentful.
Lu Jiaxin tried to persuade her, "Sister-in-law, this incident made me realize something. Relying on others is useless; in the end, we can only rely on ourselves."
Ma Lilli understood the underlying meaning of her words and let out a bitter laugh. "Xinxin, you're still young and don't understand. This matter isn't as simple as you think."
Thinking that Lu Jiaxin had become more mature and sensible, Ma Lilli shared her concerns. "My sister wants to have her youngest son adopted by her husband's family, but it hasn't been finalized yet. If I move out with your fifth brother, my sister will definitely move back in with her husband and children. Then, if they go back on their word and don't adopt him out, it'll be difficult to get them to move out again."
There's an old saying that goes, 'It's easy to invite a god in but hard to send them away.' Additionally, there was another concern she hadn't mentioned—given her brother-in-law's devious nature, once he got his hands on the house and their parents' savings, he would likely abandon them when they got sick. At that point, the burden would fall on her. Her husband had already been alienated by his parents, and he probably wouldn't be willing to support them in their old age either. She would be caught between a rock and a hard place. So, for her to move out, two things needed to happen: first, the chubby boy would have to change his surname and be registered under her parents' household, and second, a retirement agreement would need to be signed.
Lu Jiaxin understood that the couple had their reasons for not moving out, but she still felt the need to remind them, "That woman brought Zhao SiYi into the family, and after I realized her ill intentions, I lived in constant fear and anxiety, often having nightmares about Dad abandoning me. So, whenever I had a conflict with them and Dad took their side, I would give in because I was afraid he would no longer want me."
"Sister-in-law, based on my own experience, I think children should grow up in a relaxed environment, or they might develop shadows in their hearts."
Ever since the chubby boy moved in, his mother had been saying that the two children were sensible. But they weren't sensible; they were just afraid of being scolded, beaten, or kicked out.
The more Ma Lilli thought about it, the more her heart ached.
Lu Jiajie had wanted to move out a long time ago, even if it meant renting a place. The current situation was unbearable. However, Ma Lilli had always disagreed, and now that she seemed to be softening, he wasn't going to let the opportunity pass. "Wife, I think Xinxin is right. We should move out as soon as possible. Even if life is a little harder, it's still better than having to secretly buy good food for the children."
Ma Lilli looked at the two children, their mouths greasy from eating, and after a moment of silence, she said, "I'll consider it."
(End of Chapter)
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