Chapter 95: Money Is Meant to Be Spent

More and more people gathered around, and Li Xinyue seized the opportunity.

“I’d like to ask: without the crops grown by us rural folks, would you city dwellers have anything to eat, drink, or wear?”

“We are all contributing to the country, just with different roles.”

“Everyone, tell me, am I wrong?”

People, by and large, are honest.

Chen Mingchuan was in military uniform, a four-pocket uniform, indicating he was an officer.

Soldiers were highly respected in this era.

Someone immediately nodded: “This comrade is absolutely right, everyone is contributing to the country, there is no distinction between high and low!”

“Exactly, exactly, this comrade has the wrong mindset, looking down on farmers, she must be taken away for proper ideological reform!”

“Looking down on farmers? How many of our ancestors weren’t farmers?”

“Comrade, you seem to have forgotten your roots!”

“With this kind of education, your child will surely become a menace to society when they grow up!”

Seeing everyone firing away, the woman pulled her two children away with a black face.

She glared back at Li Xinyue fiercely.

Li Xinyue wasn’t afraid of her.

She was a military wife, she was politically sound, she wouldn’t be afraid of anyone plotting against her!

They were supposed to be having a fun outing, but they ran into this idiot, ruining their mood.

After sitting in the shade for a while, the family of three got back in the car and headed for the department store.

This time, they took a different route.

According to Chen Mingchuan, this was the second main road in G City, with most administrative offices located here, and also a large square: People’s Square.

J Province was a large province, and G City was its capital.

The department store here was far grander than the one in Qu County.

A seven-story building, towering in that era.

Hearing Li Xinyue say she wanted to look at clothes, fabrics, shoes, etc., Chen Mingchuan directly took her to the third floor.

Department stores in those days didn’t have elevators, only the third floor was for actual shopping.

The air was thick with the atmosphere of the era, a row of salespersons stood behind red counters, the walls plastered with portraits of the leaders.

On one side of the portraits were written in large characters: Serve the People!

“You look around, see if you like anything.”

Chen Mingchuan stopped in front of a row of women’s clothing.

Li Xinyue looked at the fabrics, mostly cotton or polyester, some also had polyester, nylon, and cotton blends.

But the appearance and price were disproportionate, really ugly and expensive.

“I want to buy some fabric.”

Chen Mingchuan looked at her: “Okay, if you have family who can sew, but there’s a processing fee.”

Of course.

Originally, Li Xinyue wanted to make her own clothes, after all, she had worked in a garment factory for two years.

Cutting, sewing, she knew it all.

If someone could do the processing, that would be even better, she just needed to design the styles.

The three of them went to the fabric counter, besides cotton and polyester, there was even corduroy, which surprised Li Xinyue.

“Comrade, please give me three meters each of black and blue corduroy.”

“Okay. Do you have coupons?”

Li Xinyue nodded: “Yes.”

Summer clothes were almost done, she had three sets.

Autumn was coming soon, and winter wasn’t far behind.

Besides corduroy, Li Xinyue bought several pieces of fabric, using up all the fabric coupons she brought.

“Good thing, good thing Sanhu helped us exchange some fabric coupons, otherwise money wouldn’t be useful.”

Money wouldn’t be useful?

Who said that?

Chen Mingchuan wanted to say, you can go to the black market to exchange coupons for money.

However, it’s best to avoid the black market. If you get caught, you’ll be in big trouble.

“It’s okay, I’ll have Xiao Nan figure it out. He has connections.”

The book mentioned that Xiao Nan was married, but it didn’t mention his wife.

He comes from a privileged background, and his uncle is the division commander of the a division.

Since he has connections, I’ll ask him for help.

I need clothes. Those old clothes in my bag won’t be enough for winter.

It’s not in Li Xinyue’s nature to be frugal with herself.

She was about to leave with a large bag of fabric when she saw something else.

“Wait! Is that yarn?”

Chen Mingchuan was surprised. “You know how to knit?”

“Yes.”

She knows a lot!

In the countryside, few people wear woolen clothes because yarn requires tickets.

But it’s an industrial ticket.

Luckily, Chen Mingchuan has a few.

Industrial tickets are categorized. There are tickets for large items like appliances, watches, and cars.

And there are tickets for smaller household items.

Two pounds of yarn, one pound white and one pound blue.

Yarn is very cheap. Li Xinyue also bought a pound and a half of thread, which is good for knitting two pairs of pants for the little one.

Woolen sweaters and pants are also a must, two sets each.

Underwear and socks are essential, five sets each.

Looking at her own cloth shoes, Li Xinyue didn’t hesitate to buy a pair of black leather shoes, a pair of black cloth shoes, and a pair of rain boots.

Finally, she bought two pairs of Huili shoes and a pair of rain boots for the little one.

Li Xinyue was going to buy a pair of Huili shoes for herself too. She wanted to go back to the mountains to dig up some herbs and exchange them for money.

Money doesn’t last long. All these things cost over a hundred yuan.

Winter hasn’t even arrived yet.

She wants to buy some cotton tickets and make a soft, thick, and wide winter quilt.

In this era, eating and sleeping are the things Li Xinyue is most unaccustomed to.

Although she used to live in an orphanage, the conditions were not bad, and she never lacked food or clothing.

After she grew up, she achieved financial freedom, which made things even better.

Buying, buying, buying, finally she’s almost done.

She bought everything for herself and her son. Li Xinyue felt a little embarrassed. “Chen Mingchuan, do you want to buy anything?”

Chen Mingchuan refused without hesitation. “No.”

Li Xinyue looked at him. “Don’t be stingy. Money is for spending, not for saving!”

Money is for spending, but you have to earn it first!

She used to be proud of her monthly salary of fifty-eight yuan and five cents. But now, Chen Mingchuan has been slapped in the face by Li Xinyue’s earning power!

“The army provides everything we wear and use. We don’t need to use our own money.”

Is that so?

That’s a good thing!

The country provides food, clothing, and supplies. The country treats soldiers very well!

Li Xinyue put away her wallet. “Since you don’t want anything, let’s go.”

“Let’s go look over there.”

Li Xinyue looked in the direction Chen Mingchuan pointed. “You want to buy an alarm clock?”

“No, I’ll buy you a watch. I haven’t bought you anything valuable before.”

A watch?

It seems like she’s never worn a watch before!

In the days without mobile phones… you need a watch, huh?

“Let’s go take a look.”

The three of them went to the watch counter. The glass display case held various watches of different sizes.

“Which style do you like?”

To be honest, none of these styles are very good…

Li Xinyue pointed to one. “This one… wait, does this one need a ticket?”

“Yeah.”

What does “yeah” mean?