“Right, Tang Qiang?”
Wu Min clung to her fiancé’s arm dramatically. When Shen Yunchu didn’t respond, she let out a fake gasp and continued,
“So you’re shopping at the department store too? What have you bought?”
Her eyes swept over Shen Yunchu and the others greedily, up and down, trying to see everything.
Seeing that they carried nothing in their hands, she grew even more smug.
“Aiya, Group Leader Qiao, you really shouldn’t be so stingy! Bringing your wife and child shopping and buying nothing? At least buy them a candy or something sweet!”
Her fiancé also shot a condescending look at Qiao Wengang.
They assumed that Qiao Wengang would be furious—unable to hold back his temper.
But in reality, he just thought the pair were ridiculous. What they bought had nothing to do with them.
He was about to respond—
When little Lihua tilted her head and asked seriously:
“Auntie, why do you need Uncle to pay for your things? Do you have no money? My mommy bought a lot of things today—she paid for them herself!”
The nearby shoppers tried to stifle their laughter.
Even Shen Yunchu, who originally didn’t want to engage, burst out laughing.
Then she straightened her expression.
“My daughter is right.”
Wu Min didn’t believe a word. These two weren’t carrying a single bag—clearly they’d bought nothing.
“Aiya, Yunchu, you don’t need to lie for your husband’s sake. Look at you, not a single item in your hands. And look at our bags—so many!”
Just then, the salesman who was helping Shen Yunchu returned, holding a long list, sweat still on his forehead.
Seeing the couple, he brightened instantly.
“Oh! You’re here. I’ve confirmed everything. All the items are ready. We guarantee delivery tomorrow on time.”
Shen Yunchu completely ignored Wu Min and nodded.
“I heard someone mention a new model of wristwatch arrived. I’d like to see it. Could you take us there?”
The salesman, thrilled—watches meant higher commission—said,
“Of course! This way, please.”
Just as the family was about to leave, Shen Yunchu paused and looked back at Wu Min with a polite smile:
“Wu Min, we’re going to see the watches. You’re getting married soon—don’t you want to buy one?”
Tang Qiang’s face froze.
He had already paid part of the bride price and spent plenty today. The idea of buying a watch—an expensive luxury—made his heart bleed.
But with Wu Min looking at him expectantly, he couldn’t refuse without losing face.
“S-sure… let’s go look.”
He comforted himself:
These two probably can’t afford anything either. If we don’t buy, they can’t say anything.
So the group headed to the watch counter.
“There are many designs now,” the salesman explained warmly.
“Imported models, domestic models, very delicate craftsmanship. I’m sure you’ll find something you like.”
The watches were indeed beautiful. Shen Yunchu was captivated for a moment.
She knew her mother was still looking for her siblings. They were a family of three children—her younger siblings must now be of marriageable age, maybe with children of their own. When counted together, there were quite a lot of family members…
So she pointed at several watches.
Wu Min was already embarrassed. She knew perfectly well her fiancé wouldn’t buy such an expensive thing. Small items, yes—watches, absolutely not.
Tang Qiang stared intently at Shen Yunchu and Wengang.
He relaxed when he saw them pointing here and there.
Hah, just pretending. They definitely can’t afford it.
So he announced loudly,
“Watches nowadays are expensive. You can’t afford them anyway. Just look and don’t bother the staff.”
“Exactly,” Wu Min chimed in.
“Yunchu, if you didn’t buy anything, just say so. No need to pretend.”
But the family simply looked at them strangely.
And Shen Yunchu didn’t even acknowledge their comments. She continued calmly to the salesman:
“Besides these few, please wrap up all the others as well. Deliver them to the same address.”
The salesman instantly beamed.
“No problem at all!”
Wu Min’s jaw dropped.
She stared blankly, unable to speak.
What… what did she just hear?
This shouldn’t be possible.
Qiao Wengang patted Tang Qiang’s shoulder sympathetically.
“Hey, my daughter already said it—you didn’t believe her. But truly, my wife has her own money. She buys what she wants. She doesn’t rely on my few scraps.”
Then he sighed melodramatically:
“Brother, don’t envy me. Honestly… it’s painful when I can’t spend my money!”
Wu Min: “?!?!”
Tang Qiang: “…”
After finishing their shopping, the family felt light. Everything would be delivered; nothing needed to be carried.
So they decided to go straight to the factory to apply for temporary leave in preparation for the college entrance exam.
Because Shen Yunchu had taken sick leave recently, many coworkers immediately gathered to ask about her condition.
“I’m much better now,” she said with a warm smile.
When they asked when she would return to work, she took the chance to explain about her upcoming leave.
Everyone was shocked. Hardly anyone applied for such leave—doing so meant extremely low pay, barely enough to live on.
An older coworker dragged her aside nervously.
“What happened? Why are you applying for that? Your salary will drop by more than half! Did your mother-in-law force you? Did she forbid you from working?”
“Listen to me, child, don’t be foolish! Staying home as a housewife—look at all those yellow-faced women with no good future! Spending even one milliyuan means begging!”
This time, it truly had nothing to do with Old Madam Qiao.
So Yunchu honestly explained,
“No, I’ve already moved out of the Qiao household. I’m living with my biological mother now. And thank you—Wengang and I are applying together. We want to prepare for this year’s college entrance exam.”
The older worker patted her chest.
“Oh good, that’s good! That’s a blessing! You should’ve been a permanent worker long ago—but that mother-in-law of yours, sigh… she had people suppressing you. If you want a real future, you can’t stay under their roof forever.”
(End of chapter)