He Lin stared at Jiang Li’s beautiful face with resentment.
Jiang Li only felt uncomfortable being watched. She looked up to find the source, but all she saw was the crowded flow of people at the various counters, so she gave up and continued walking.
It had to be said that although the supply and marketing cooperative was small, it was fully equipped. Jiang Li looked around with interest, seeing many fashionable goods she had previously seen in Beicheng displayed on the counters.
Jiang Jiayun held Xiao Man’s hand and followed behind slowly. He also couldn’t help looking around, but even as he looked, he always carefully kept a foot’s distance from the counters. The bright and attractive goods within reach were merely glanced at—he did not touch them.
Along the way, Jiang Li bought quite a lot of things: medicinal herbs she needed, and clothing she urgently had to add. However, society at the moment was not open enough, and the mainstream ready-made clothes only came in two colors after looking around—dull green and khaki.
Jiang Li bought some fabric and drew a few clothing designs. After the counter tailor confirmed they could make them and took Jiang Jiayun and Xiao Man’s measurements, she happily paid a deposit.
When they passed the food counter, Xiao Man stared longingly at the candy on display in colorful wrappers, her big watery eyes full of desire. She didn’t ask for it—she just obediently followed behind Jiang Jiayun, tugging his pants, walking reluctantly, turning back every few steps.
Jiang Li couldn’t resist that look at all.
Although they still needed money to build a house, she figured the gap wasn’t something that could be filled overnight anyway. She still wanted the children to live a slightly better life within her means.
Since the girl at home wanted it, then she would buy it!
Nougat, White Rabbit milk candies, and local coconut candies were all bought as if they cost nothing.
Excited, Xiao Man threw herself into Jiang Li’s arms and kissed her twice: “Sister, Xiao Man loves you the most!”
Jiang Li crouched down, peeled a White Rabbit milk candy, and popped it into Xiao Man’s mouth, teasing, “Do you love your sister or the candy?”
With her cheeks bulging from the candy, Xiao Man tried hard to speak clearly: “I love sis… sister, and I love candy too, I love both.”
Jiang Li laughed, then received two more sweet, milky kisses. She happily leaned forward and gave the chubby little face two kisses in return.
At that moment, she noticed Jiang Jiayun reaching into his pocket, about to take out money. She pushed his arm back: “What are you doing?”
Caught trying to pay secretly, Jiang Jiayun looked embarrassed. He glanced at the big bundles in Jiang Li’s hands: “Xiao Man is my sister too, I’ll pay…”
Jiang Li took out a large banknote and said, “You don’t have enough money. Save it for now, you can spend it on her later.”
Jiang Jiayun looked at the bill, then at the loose change in his hand, feeling awkward as he nodded.
Jiang Li had indeed bought expensive candies; his money wasn’t enough.
Before he could even look up, he was unexpectedly shoved a candy into his mouth, followed by a rich, sweet milk flavor spreading inside.
Jiang Jiayun looked up in shock: “Such good things should be saved for Xiao Man.”
Jiang Li packed away the candy wrappers and saw his cheeks bulging too. One big, one small—one bulging on the left, one on the right—somehow looking amusing.
“Save what?” she said. “If Xiao Man has it, you have it too.”
After paying, Jiang Li finally reached her real destination—the stationery counter.
There were many people lining up. When it was finally her turn, the sales clerk stopped chewing sunflower seeds and said impatiently, “What do you want?”
Jiang Li looked at the sample schoolbags on the counter. After scanning them, her eyes landed on a brown leather bag in the corner.
She pointed: “What material is this bag made of?”
The clerk glanced at Jiang Li, then at Jiang Jiayun and Xiao Man behind her.
A family that looked clean but wore shabby clothes—rare on the island.
With a frown, the clerk said, “Go away. Clearly just here to look, not buy. This is a cowhide bag—high-end goods! Thirty yuan each. Can you afford it?”
Thirty yuan was higher than most people’s monthly wages on Baisha Island.
Everyone around gasped.
So expensive!
Disdainful looks fell on them. Jiang Jiayun felt embarrassed and wanted to leave, but seeing Jiang Li still standing there, he gritted his teeth and stayed.
Jiang Li picked up the bag, examined it, tugged the strap. It was strong and soft—real leather.
“Any other colors?” she asked.
The clerk sneered and ignored her.
At that moment, a soft voice came from the back: “Sister Man, I just finished organizing the warehouse. The cowhide bags were moved—I can take them to show them.”
A young girl with two braids appeared, smiling warmly, freckles lifting with her expression. She offered to lead them.
The clerk snapped at her, but she still politely guided Jiang Li to the warehouse.
Inside, she explained the bags and even apologized for the clerk’s attitude.
Jiang Jiayun muttered that the clerk was arrogant, but Jiang Li understood. Working at a supply and marketing cooperative meant real authority in that era.
Eventually, the girl brought out two bags in different colors.
Jiang Li handed both to Jiang Jiayun: “Which color do you like?”
He felt the quality and thought it was good—but thirty yuan was too expensive. He tried to refuse.
Jiang Li chose black immediately and paid.
Jiang Jiayun insisted he didn’t like it, but Jiang Li stopped him: “If you don’t like it, it doesn’t matter. I like it. I’m paying, so I choose.”
He froze, then felt a warmth spread inside him.
After that, Jiang Li continued shopping and even bought several pairs of shoes—including expensive high-end ones that had been hard to sell in the cooperative.
She bought seven pairs in total.
The staff were stunned—this single purchase nearly equaled half a year’s sales target.
Soon, the staff were excited and grateful, since her purchase helped them complete quotas and even exceeded them.
Meanwhile, the previously arrogant clerk was humiliated when Jiang Li filed a formal complaint about her attitude.
By the time Jiang Li left, several cooperative workers offered to help carry her things home.
Elsewhere, people mocked her for buying so many shoes, calling her “like a capitalist,” but others defended her.
Finally, Jiang Li returned home by boat with everyone helping to carry the goods.
After they left, news arrived on the island: a hospital director had come looking for Jiang Li.
On the shore, people watched in shock as the respected director personally boarded the small boat and respectfully thanked a young woman.
Those who had previously looked down on the Jiang family were stunned into silence.