With Qin Nian’s careful care, although she still suffered from morning sickness, it was much better than before, and she had regained the energy to focus on her work.
Feeling too idle, yet going out to sell roasted sweet potatoes would delay cooking for her daughter-in-law, Yang Yufen stared at the wooden bed she had built herself. Would it be too cold to spend the winter like this?
She could endure it herself, but her daughter-in-law could not.
Thinking of this, Yang Yufen tucked her money into her pocket, delivered the lunch she had prepared for Qin Nian to the research institute, and then quickly headed toward the supply and marketing cooperative.
“Aunt Yang, what are you planning to buy this time? These are oranges sent from the south. You mentioned them last time, so I saved some for you.”
“Xiao Lin, you’re so kind. Weigh them for me. Here, have a roasted sweet potato—it’s still warm.”
Yang Yufen took out the roasted sweet potatoes she had prepared.
“Oh my goodness, these are honey sweet potatoes! Auntie, let me tell you, roasted honey sweet potatoes are super popular now. If I weren’t stuck working here at the supply store every day, I’d go buy them myself. I didn’t expect you to bring them to me. I can’t take them for free—these roasted sweet potatoes are worth five mao.”
Xiao Lin was pleasantly surprised. The first time she tried them, her boyfriend had brought some, but they had already gone cold—still delicious, though. The ones Yang Yufen brought were still steaming hot.
“Auntie can’t take your money. Just help me keep an eye out for good things.”
Yang Yufen directly refused.
Last time someone tried to bully Xiao Lin, and Yang Yufen stepped in to help, so the two had become quite close.
“Of course! Auntie, is there anything you’re looking to buy?”
Usually, Yang Yufen would immediately start browsing, but today she just stayed at the counter chatting.
“A few days ago it snowed. Even with thick quilts at night, it still felt cold. Even filling a hot water bottle, it turns cold halfway through the night. So I came to see if there’s anything suitable.”
Recently, Yang Yufen had been coming to the supply store very often and already knew where everything was without even asking.
“Oh, Aunt Yang, I actually know something—the electric blanket. But we don’t have it here; you need to go to the department store.”
After thinking for a moment, Xiao Lin remembered.
“This electric blanket just needs to be plugged in. It uses a bit of electricity, but it’s very warm. Even on snowy nights, you only need a thin quilt. I heard it was originally used in foreign hospitals for newborn babies.”
“Do I need a ration ticket?”
Yang Yufen quickly asked.
“No, no ticket needed. It’s just a bit expensive. Most people still just use hot water bottles in bed.”
“Thank you, thank you. Here, take these two more sweet potatoes. How much are the oranges?”
“Auntie, if you’re going to the department store, I’ll keep the oranges for you. You can pick them up when you come back so you don’t have to carry them around.”
Yang Yufen agreed. She came and went quickly, just in time to catch a bus.
Seeing the towering department store, she took a deep breath and, thinking of her daughter-in-law, walked inside.
“Welcome. What would you like to buy, Auntie? The first floor is general goods, the second is clothing, and the third is electrical appliances.”
A gentle voice greeted her, and a smiling face made her feel a little more at ease.
“I want to buy an electric blanket.”
“The electric blankets are on the third floor, Auntie. Please take the stairs.”
“Alright, alright.”
As she went upstairs, she looked around. The department store had far more items than the supply store. The candies alone were colorful and many things she had never even seen before.
She patted her bag—she had money. Later, she would see if there was anything else suitable for her daughter-in-law.
On the third floor, she quickly found the electric blanket section. Someone was already arguing there.
“Are you sure this electric blanket is reliable? It won’t leak electricity, right? What if someone gets electrocuted?”
Yang Yufen didn’t rush forward. She stood nearby and listened.
This didn’t sound like a customer—it sounded more like someone causing trouble.
She wasn’t sure yet. She decided to observe a bit more.
“No, it won’t. Although our electric blankets are domestically made, they have all passed strict inspections. The leakage issue you mentioned won’t happen. Our heating elements are specially designed, with excellent insulation. They are woven into the blanket in a serpentine pattern for even heating and low power consumption.”
The salesperson patiently explained.
“I don’t believe it. Which seller wouldn’t say their own product is good? Foreign electric blankets are so expensive, and yours only costs 25 yuan. It must be low quality. Forget it, I’m not buying. Don’t buy it either, everyone. If someone gets electrocuted, they won’t take responsibility.”
The interested customers immediately dispersed. Some who had already paid even asked for refunds and went elsewhere.
Yang Yufen was also a bit worried but did not follow the crowd.
“Boss, what do we do? That guy is definitely doing it on purpose. If the boss hadn’t stopped me, I would’ve beaten him! He’s definitely sent by competitors!”
“If you had fought him, we wouldn’t even have gotten this spot in the department store.”
Li Xueguo had already anticipated sabotage. But electric blankets were expensive, and customers who came here usually had money—only they could afford it.
“This electric blanket really costs 25 yuan? How big is it? Is there a discount for buying two?”
Yang Yufen stepped forward and touched the displayed blanket. It was thick, well-made, and neatly stitched.
“Yes, Auntie. Our quality is excellent. It heats up well, and even a single blanket can fit two people.”
“Hmm, cheaper then. I’ll take two.”
Now a “thousand-yuan household,” Yang Yufen spoke very generously.
“You’re buying two? I’ll knock off two yuan and give you a pillowcase as a gift.”
Li Xueguo stepped forward with a smile. At least making two sales was a good start.
“Still the boss knows how to do business.”
Yang Yufen paid, and the salesperson immediately wrapped up the blankets.
“Actually, you could try selling these at factory gates. Workers have money but no time to come to the department store. Shouting there might sell even better.”
Since Li Xueguo had given her a discount and a gift, she casually offered advice before heading to the first floor to shop for her daughter-in-law.
Li Xueguo watched her leave.
“Boss, I think that auntie has a point. At least at factory gates we don’t have to pay booth fees—those cost hundreds.”
“We haven’t even earned money yet and we’re already losing it.”
“I was being narrow-minded. Let’s go—we’re going to get our pride back from earlier!”
Li Xueguo suddenly laughed, and then the salesperson dragged him along.