Chapter 19: The Man Who Always Wants to Buy You Things

Sitting on the back seat, feeling the cool breeze.

Bai Ruoqiao slightly tilted her head back, her eyes gently narrowed, her bangs fluttering in the wind, and her feet lightly swaying, showing her relaxed and happy mood at that moment.

It seemed that Zhao Sihai was also influenced by her mood — the corner of his mouth kept curling up in a smile.

Suddenly, Bai Ruoqiao opened her eyes.

“By the way, Sihai, when are we having the treat party?”

Today’s meal could only be considered a small reward.

The actual treat party would be separate, and it couldn’t just be for the people here today.

Zhao Sihai thought for a moment, “Tomorrow night.”

“Okay, I’ll arrange the guest list, then you can add more if needed?”

Although the village was simple, the social relationships there were quite complicated.

Especially when it came to hosting a party, if handled poorly, it was easy to offend people.

She wasn’t afraid of offending anyone herself.

Because it wasn’t worth it to let petty people scheme over trivial matters.

“Alright, you arrange it,” Zhao Sihai smiled lightly.

Bai Ruoqiao poked his back with the tip of her braid, “So obedient! But you are the head of the family, aren’t you?”

Zhao Sihai shrank his shoulders and didn’t hesitate to answer, “I don’t know about others, but I’m the head of this family, and the boss is the wife.”

Bai Ruoqiao’s mouth twitched into a smile, and she snorted softly, “Others don’t know. I thought I was fierce enough.”

The two of them soon arrived at the commune.

They bought two large iron pots, ten porcelain bowls, and ten pairs of chopsticks at the local specialty produce store.

As for clay pots and earthenware, they could just exchange them at the village kiln.

Pushing their bicycles and chatting, they passed by the supply and marketing cooperative, where Zhao Sihai suddenly stopped.

Bai Ruoqiao was surprised, seeing him head toward the counter and asked, “Do you want to buy something else?”

Zhao Sihai parked the bike but didn’t answer, just smiled and pulled her into the cooperative.

Once inside, he looked around briefly, then pulled her straight to the daily necessities counter.

He pointed at a shelf filled with items.

“Xiao Zhi, please get me one of each of these.”

Bai Ruoqiao’s eyes widened as she looked at the line of Friendship Snow Cream, Golden Phoenix face powder, clam oil, “Ten Thousand Colors” (a brand of cosmetics)…

“Wait!” She quickly grabbed his arm, “Why are you buying these?”

She suddenly had a bad feeling.

The female clerk looked suspiciously at them both.

Seeing their dusty and dirty clothes, she assumed they might just be browsing without buying, so she was reluctant to get anything for them and just stood there.

Zhao Sihai smiled low and said firmly, “Of course, these are gifts for you.”

Then he looked helpless and affectionate, “You don’t save money on some things, spending it on you two is worthwhile. Money can always be earned back, but talent is the most important. I make money to spend on you and Mom. Otherwise, it’s meaningless.”

Bai Ruoqiao opened her mouth but was speechless for a moment.

She felt moved but also a bit helpless and at a loss.

“Xiao Zhi, please help me get these.” After speaking, Zhao Sihai turned to the clerk and pulled out a thick wad of cash from his canvas bag.

The clerk’s eyes widened at the sight of the money.

Her gaze suddenly softened when looking at Zhao Sihai.

But seeing his clothes covered in dirt, she quickly reined in her thoughts.

Maybe he had been saving for many years.

Still, she glanced enviously at Bai Ruoqiao.

At least her man was willing to spend money on her.

“Wait, Xiao Zhi.” Bai Ruoqiao quickly stopped the clerk from getting the goods.

The clerk became impatient, “Are you buying or not? If not, then leave and don’t cause trouble.”

Zhao Sihai frowned and grew serious.

“Qiao Qiao…”

Bai Ruoqiao took a deep breath and then forced a smile.

“Sihai, I’m really touched that you care so much, but many of these things I don’t use. Buying them would just be a waste.”

Without waiting for his reply, she quickly turned to the female clerk with a forced smile.

“Xiao Zhi, just help me get two jars of Friendship Cream, two boxes of Ten Thousand Colors, one mirror, and one comb—that’s enough.”

These were enough; she could secretly swap out the contents inside.

Then she gently advised the clearly dissatisfied Zhao Sihai, “That’s enough. Besides, dressing too fancy in the village will just invite gossip.”

Zhao Sihai frowned but was eventually convinced.

The female clerk wrapped the items efficiently with a long face and gave them a big, sidelong glance as they left.

In her heart, she felt a sour jealousy: “Is it just because she’s pretty?”

Bai Ruoqiao thought that was the end of it.

But reality proved otherwise.

When a man gets excited about buying you things, it’s not so easy to talk him down.

Clothes, shoes, pants, handkerchiefs, scarves, gloves—even feminine products got bought.

Watching Zhao Sihai standing by the grocery shelf like a CEO about to swipe a black card, Bai Ruoqiao gave up and accepted it.

Since her husband was willing to spend on her, she might as well enjoy it.

Happiness is what matters; why worry so much?

As for money, she had never really worried.

Zhao Sihai was no reckless spender.

If he dared to spend so freely, it meant he had ways to earn it back.

She, too, had already planned where to get their first pot of gold.

When they returned to the village, their bags were full again, drawing some envious remarks.

But soon, the topic switched back to the Zhao family.

Today, too many events happened at Zhao’s house—each one more exciting than the last.

Bai Ruoqiao had just been to Fang Chunsheng’s to pick up An’an when she learned from Aunt Fang what had happened that afternoon.

It turned out that at noon, after hearing Zhao Dani’s childish imitations, Zhao Pozi (Zhao Old Lady) stormed into the youth commune and grabbed Lin Qianqian by the braid, beating her up.

According to Bai Ruoqiao, Zhao Pozi was already a heavy case of mother’s-boy obsession.

One reason Zhao Laosan was still unmarried at 26 was because he was attached to Bai Ruoqiao.

Another was that Zhao Pozi had extremely high standards and refused to let her son marry just any woman.

She thought no woman was good enough for her precious son.

After rumors about Lin Qianqian and Zhao Laosan surfaced, and after Zhao Laosan confirmed he had no such relationship with Lin Qianqian, Zhao Pozi assumed Lin Qianqian deliberately seduced her son to marry into the Zhao family and ruin her beloved boy.

Naturally, she wouldn’t allow it.

If it weren’t for some people in the youth commune stepping in, Lin Qianqian would have probably been bedridden for days.

Then that afternoon, Zhao Pozi patrolled the village like a guard.

She walked around stirring up quarrels with several gossiping women—like fighting hens.

Aunt Fang couldn’t help but warn, “You all should be careful. She might come after you next.”

Bai Ruoqiao smiled gently, “I know.”

But she wasn’t worried.

At least during Zhao Chengzu’s three-day “recovery period,” Zhao Pozi absolutely wouldn’t dare to come after them.

On the way home, mother and son passed by many village women chatting outside their houses.

They were polite to Bai Ruoqiao, smiling and greeting her, even trying to drag her into gossip about the Zhao family.

Bai Ruoqiao politely declined every time, saying she needed to take An’an home to rest.

Seeing An’an wrapped up in clothes with her head covered, everyone sighed and sympathized, then let them go.