After lunch, they waited for another hour.

Xiao Feng called to Old Donkey, hitched up the cart, and headed towards Tie Wa’s house.

At this time, the guests had left, and Chen Li, along with a few women, was tidying up the mess in the yard.

Seeing Xiao Feng coming in, her expression revealed a hint of complexity.

On one hand, she was grateful for his help the day before.

But on the other hand, she knew that with his arrival, she and Brother Tie Wa would have to part.

She nodded as a greeting and continued to bury her head in tidying up.

Xiao Feng walked straight into the house. Tie Wa’s mother seemed more emotionally stable than before, while Tie Yidao sat nearby, talking to her.

“Brother Xiao Feng!” Tie Wa, who was squatting on the ground, stood up to greet him.

“Sit down.” Tie Yidao forced a smile, “Are you here today to take Tie Wa with you?”

Xiao Feng nodded, handed over a shopping bag, placed it on the bed, and said, “Here’s fifty thousand yuan and two mobile phones. Tie Wa’s contact information is already saved. You can contact him whenever you miss him.”

“So much money?” Tie Yidao said in surprise.

Xiao Feng laughed, “Just a little token from me.”

Tie Yidao was silent for a long time, smoked two cigarettes, and then said, “When sons grow up, fathers can’t control them. If Tie Wa is willing to go with you, we have no objections.”

Tie Wa’s mother opened her mouth but ultimately said nothing.

At this moment, Tie Wa stepped forward and said, “Dad, mom, rest assured, I will surely be filial to you. When I come back, we’ll buy a house in the city.

And after I marry Lily, you just take care of the grandkids, don’t worry about anything else…”

Talking about the future, Tie Wa spoke at length.

Xiao Feng quietly retreated, giving the three some space alone.

Not long after, Chen Li came over to Xiao Feng, asking a myriad of questions.

Such as what kind of work exactly, how many hours a day, is there any time off, the specific location of the work, etc.

Xiao Feng answered each question patiently, which finally put her at ease.

After about half an hour, Tie Wa came out of the house and asked, “When are we leaving?”

“The ticket is for seven-thirty in the evening. You don’t need to bring too much stuff with you; you can buy clothes and such later,” Xiao Feng replied.

“We’re leaving today!” Chen Li exclaimed anxiously, “Can’t we leave tomorrow?”

Tie Wa consoled her, “Whether we leave tomorrow or today, it’s the same, isn’t it? By the way, go pack up a bit, later I’ll take you to town to buy you something.”

Though unwilling, Chen Li didn’t insist further, saying, “I don’t have much to pack. Let me help you with your luggage.”

With that, she headed towards Tie Wa’s room.

…

At three in the afternoon, Old Donkey drove the cart carrying Xiao Feng, Sun Shijie, Tie Wa, and Chen Li out of the village.

According to the planned arrangements, Tie Wa was to take Chen Li shopping, and then she would not return to the village; Old Donkey would take her back.

“You got the money?” Xiao Feng looked at Tie Wa and asked softly.

Tie Wa nodded, “I have it. My mother gave me thirty thousand when I was leaving.”

The donkey cart stopped at the edge of Fengyu Village, about a mile walk to the mall.

Chen Li tugged on Tie Wa’s clothes, saying, “Don’t buy here; things are too expensive. Let’s go to that market a bit farther away.”

“What’s to fear about prices? I can earn money now; we’ll buy here!” With that, he pulled Chen Li inside.

Xiao Feng followed behind, not to intrude on their privacy, but to prevent any unforeseen trouble.

Inside the mall, people dressed in trendy clothes came and went.

Tie Wa and Chen Li, bundled in heavy cotton-padded jackets, became the center of attention.

Such attire was fine for older folks, but it was rare for young people to dress like that.

Stopping in front of a clothing store, Tie Wa said, “Let’s go! I’ll buy you some clothes first.”

The store clerk didn’t show any signs of looking down on them and politely asked, “Hello, we just got a new collection of winter clothes. Would you like me to recommend something?”

“No need.” Tie Wa replied, looking at Chen Li, “Pick out whatever you like and try it on; I’ll buy it for you!”

The clerk’s eyes lit up, secretly glad she didn’t judge by appearance.

Though these two dressed quite plainly, they might just be newly rich from demolition compensation, prone to revenge shopping; an opportunity not to be missed.

Feeling Tie Wa’s firm attitude, Chen Li nodded, circled around, and pointed to a red down coat, “This one.”

“You have great taste,” the clerk beamed, “It’s the trendiest style this year, vibrant in color and better at windproofing than ordinary down coats.”

With that, she took it down and led Chen Li to the fitting room.

Soon, Chen Li emerged, her rosy cheeks accentuated by the coat’s red hue, her twin braids resting on her shoulders looked charming, like a whole different person.

Tie Wa was inadvertently entranced for a moment, unable to speak.

“Why are you staring at me like that?” Chen Li asked, feigning anger, her eyes still smiling.

“Nothing, you just look so good in that outfit, I got lost in thought,” Tie Wa replied, scratching his head, grinning self-consciously.

Chen Li’s face turned crimson with a shy smile as she lowered her head.

The clerk seized the moment, “If you like it, you can get a membership card.

With it, all new garments are 20% off, and the points can be redeemed for gifts.”

“How much for the card?” Tie Wa asked.

The clerk smiled, “A thousand for an annual card, or pay ten thousand to become our permanent member, enjoy discounts nationwide, and join our annual year-end lottery.

Permanent members are guaranteed a gift worth a thousand yuan, and with luck, you could win something even better, up to one million.”

Not far away, sipping tea, Xiao Feng nearly laughed hearing this.

He might have believed it once, but since opening his own store, he’s had no faith in such lotteries.

The big prizes are all fixed, the small ones not worth the fuss.

In short, the sales pitch is solely about transferring money from others’ pockets into their own.

Tie Wa pointed at the coat on Chen Li and said, “Wrap this up first.”

“Certainly, sir,” the clerk agreed with a smile.

With the coat wrapped, Tie Wa approached the counter, “How much?”

“Eight thousand eight hundred and eighty-eight,” the cashier smiled.

“How much?” Tie Wa doubted he heard correctly.

“Eight thousand eight hundred and eighty-eight,” the cashier repeated.

Tie Wa and Chen Li exchanged glances, both shocked by the price.

“Maybe it’s better to let it go, it’s too expensive,” Chen Li said, frowning.

“It’s nothing, as long as you like it,” Tie Wa insisted, asking the cashier, “Is this after the discount?”

“Only with a membership card can you enjoy the discount,” the cashier politely replied.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep