Chapter 121: Chapter 121: Shopping Spree

After browsing through the Friendship Store, the two of them headed to the Overseas Chinese Store. The merchandise was more or less the same, so they didn’t linger long.

Gu Qinghuan planned to buy some domestic appliances. Although the Friendship Store sold imported appliances from Japan, she still wanted to support domestic products. It hadn’t been easy for Chinese-made appliances to get started, so she wanted to support them as much as she could.

Domestic appliances could be found at the department store.

At this time, common household appliances in China included black-and-white TVs, radios, and electric fans.

Of course, refrigerators and washing machines were also available, but they hadn’t yet become household necessities and were still considered quite a luxury for ordinary families.

Gu Qinghuan had already asked Gu Lanting for his opinion. Since he was busy with school every day and barely had time to watch TV, buying one for the house seemed unnecessary.

Gu Qinghuan and Xu Huaian would probably be taking their child back to Xujiatun before long, so they decided not to buy a TV for now.

As for Ming Ruxue, she wasn’t into watching TV either. Besides her classes, she had plenty of other hobbies—running, learning martial arts, and occasionally watching a movie—so there was no need to buy a TV for her place at the moment.

Radios, though, were useful, so they decided to get two—good for listening to the news or some music now and then.

A refrigerator was a must, too. It would make storing vegetables and some meat much more convenient.

Due to technical limitations, refrigerators at this time were small and basic, but they would do the job.

Washing machines were only available in semi-automatic models, but something was better than nothing, so they decided to get two as well.

Gu Qinghuan hadn’t planned on buying fans, since it was winter, but there happened to be a promotion.

Plus, she worried that come summer, Gu Lanting would be too thrifty to buy one, so she might as well get two now and have them ready.

The prices were as follows:

- Bailan brand single-tub washing machine: 199 yuan each.

- Xiangxuehai 125-liter single-door refrigerator: 685 yuan each.

- Haishi brand standing fan: 135 yuan each.

- Red Lantern brand double-speaker radio: 98 yuan each.

They bought two of everything, bringing the total to 2,234 yuan, plus the necessary ration coupons.

Among the coupons Ming Ruxue had prepared, she was missing one for the refrigerator. Luckily, a lady at the counter saw that she had a TV coupon and offered to trade her own refrigerator coupon for it.

Only then were they able to buy everything.

People passing by the counter all glanced their way—buying so many appliances at once, and two of each, was truly rare.

Forget about the coupons—just the 2,000-plus yuan alone was more than most people could dream of spending.

For an ordinary working family, it would take five years of not eating or drinking to save up that much.

The lady at the counter beamed as she recorded their address for home delivery.

After leaving the department store, Ming Ruxue took out the money she’d prepared and handed it over.

“Here, this is my share,” she said.

She felt that since she’d be using these things, she ought to pay her part.

Gu Qinghuan waved her off.

Ming Ruxue was just staying temporarily at the villa—she shouldn’t have to pay for its furnishings. Besides, given their childhood friendship, there was no way she’d accept her money.

“Ruxue, I already feel bad enough asking you for the coupons. There’s no way I’ll take your money. Even though I’m working in the countryside now, my family isn’t as hard up as you think. Don’t worry about it,” Gu Qinghuan said earnestly.

That was true. Judging by their usual spending, their food, and all the things Gu Qinghuan had bought for the villa, they clearly weren’t short on cash.

Ming Ruxue thought for a moment, then tried again. “Well, I won’t insist, but you have to take this money as my rent for the year.”

They’d never actually discussed rent before, but Ming Ruxue wasn’t about to take advantage of them. She figured 1,200 yuan would cover a year—100 yuan a month.

Gu Qinghuan gave a wry smile. This girl was just too generous. If she kept pushing, Gu Qinghuan might not be able to refuse—after all, she wasn’t financially free yet, and all this shopping had seriously dented her wallet.

Resisting the temptation of the cash, Gu Qinghuan pushed it back again.

“Just treat the coupons as rent—no need to pay extra.”

“My coupons were given to me for free, how can they count as rent? Please take the money, or I won’t feel comfortable staying,” Ming Ruxue said anxiously.

“They weren’t exactly free. You had to call in favors for those coupons, and sometimes favors are worth more than money.

Ruxue, with the relationship between our families, you really don’t need to pay. Otherwise, how could I ever face Uncle and Aunt Ming?

If you really feel bad, then do me a favor instead!”

That last line successfully diverted Ming Ruxue’s attention.

“What favor? I’ll definitely help you.”

“I’ll be heading back to the Northeast before long, and Lanting will be here on his own. I’m worried he won’t manage.

He’s just started living independently, and he’s a bit naive—I’m afraid he’ll get taken advantage of.

You’re smart, capable, and independent. I’d like you to keep an eye on him for me, make sure he doesn’t do anything reckless.

If anything comes up, let me know right away.”

Like last time, when he ran away from home for nearly two months—she’d only found out through Zhong Luoning.

She was worried that if she wasn’t around to keep an eye on him, he might do something foolish and ruin his future.

“Isn’t this kind of like being a double agent in the movies?” Ming Ruxue was still young—she treated it like a game.

“Don’t worry, I’ve got it covered. I’ll look after him and keep you updated if anything happens.”

“Alright, it’s a deal.”

It took a lot of back-and-forth before Ming Ruxue finally put the money away. It was exhausting—most people rack their brains to get money back, but she was racking her brains to give it away.

Dabao had been watching the whole exchange between Gu Qinghuan and Ming Ruxue.

Gu Qinghuan’s way of handling things would lay the foundation for how he dealt with people in the future.

He was starting to understand what it meant to “love money, but take it the right way.”

Did Gu Qinghuan love money? Absolutely. She’d even turn wild vegetables into cash, and wouldn’t let any opportunity in the mountains slip by.

But there was some money you shouldn’t take. A person needed principles to go far in life.

“Mom, are we done shopping?” Dabao tugged at her sleeve.

“What is it, Dabao?”

“Can you take me to the food store, Mom?” Dabao clutched his three yuan tightly. He already had a plan for how to use it.

Gu Qinghuan saw how he’d been hesitating all along, and now that he’d finally made up his mind, she couldn’t help but smile to herself. She had a pretty good idea of what he was up to."