CHAPTER 421: CHAPTER 318: IF ANYONE DARES REACH OUT, SHE’LL CHOP THEM OFF!

As the crowd ahead slowly decreased, Zhou Jiao finally followed everyone’s steps inside.

Inside, everywhere was filled with noise and people shouting prices. People were snatching up items, especially clothes and shoes; other counters were less crowded. But with clothing and shoes, regardless of the season, there was always something, which was truly rare.

Squeezed by the crowd to the point of tears, Zhou Jiao still clung tightly to Zhang Guoqing.

Her eyes fixed on the smocks, shirts, vests with missing buttons or mismatched patterns, and fabrics in front of her. Though the leather shoes were said to be defective, they were all good items.

An old lady next to her had just bought two pairs, and the quality looked quite good.

Zhou Jiao didn’t bother to think about the price and immediately shouted, "Ten large men’s and women’s shirts, ten smocks, twenty vests, two sets of men’s and women’s raincoats, two packs of towels and handkerchiefs."

As soon as she spoke, the sales assistant quickly took out the items and placed them on the counter to calculate the price.

After settling the bill, Zhang Guoqing took the items and saw that Zhou Jiao was reluctant to move. He could only stand beside her to protect her.

"Buy and then move aside, don’t delay others from buying stuff." The people queuing behind kept urging Zhang Guoqing and his wife impatiently, not forgetting to push him.

Zhang Guoqing turned his head and glared at them fiercely. Seeing them calm down, he finally turned his attention back to his wife.

"I still want to buy more. Wait!" Zhou Jiao anxiously stared at the remaining items on the counter and quickly announced a long list, paying instantly.

Defective fabrics or yarn, it’s okay; a basin, lunch box, flashlight with exterior damage, no problem. She had just checked, and the price was more than half cheaper than usual. Clothes she could alter, uneven dyed fabrics were better than patched ones. Just as the Shandong man said, this place was a good one. If not buying now, when?

The couple moved from one counter to another. Zhou Jiao was buying everything she saw, attracting constant attention and scrutiny from others around.

After finally squeezing out of the defective goods area, Zhang Guoqing chuckled and shook his head. He was loaded with items like a walking rockery. If not for his strength, he wouldn’t be able to move. What was even rarer was seeing Zhou Jiao so energized as if injected with adrenaline for the first time.

"Hehe... Brother, let’s repack on the side first," Zhou Jiao felt a bit embarrassed herself.

After rearranging, Zhang Guoqing looked at her. He wanted to know if she still wanted to buy more. From his observation, many items were likely gifts for others.

Zhou Jiao examined all the items, then anxiously turned to look at the crowd at the counter, "Brother, wait a moment. The smocks and shirts were bought too few." With that, she squeezed back in.

Zhang Guoqing watched her back closely, full of worry. Hearing her loud shouts in the crowd, he couldn’t help but hold his head—if she bought more, they’d clean out the place.

When Zhou Jiao squeezed out, Zhang Guoqing quickly took the items and headed out. He refused to let his wife stay any longer, not even if they wanted to buy a thermos bottle.

Exiting through the back door, he looked at Zhou Jiao, whose face was flushed with excitement. The two were in a mess, coats wrinkled, hair in disarray, and shoes trampled several times.

Seeing this, Zhang Guoqing couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

"What’s so funny? This is just me. If it were mom, she would definitely empty the place. Don’t look down on these things. The defective goods at the supply and marketing cooperative can’t compare with those exported internally. The blanket quality is good, right? But the price is only a third of our local ones. Not to mention we can buy so much low-priced fabric and clothes without cloth tickets."

After speaking, Zhou Jiao shot him a glance, pointing at the main entrance. She hadn’t forgotten Lin Lishan and the others were at the main entrance.

"Hmm, you have a point." With that, Zhang Guoqing quickly winked at her to change the topic, or she might dash back in.

Zhou Jiao dragged two bags, and Zhang Guoqing carried two large bags on his back, holding two more large bags in his hands. The couple backed away from the crowd, slowly moving towards the main entrance from the side.

Finally reaching a corner, he took a few steps inside to shield Zhou Jiao, letting her store some items in the space. Seeing his wife sweating on the forehead in the middle of winter, she must be exhausted.

Upon returning to the main entrance, Zhang Guoqing still had four reduced bags. If they met any acquaintances, they would only think it’s been reorganized.

Lin Lishan spotted them from afar and exclaimed, "Why did you buy so much?"

"Not much at all. When we get back, it’ll all fit into one bag. Have you and Auntie been waiting long?" Zhou Jiao replied calmly. Not so much? She had bought four times this amount here. She wouldn’t worry about paying social visits to anyone in the future.

"Not long. Mom bought you quite a bit. Let’s hurry back; they must be anxious."

Sitting in the tricycle, Zhou Jiao immediately leaned on Zhang Guoqing.

Zhang Guoqing patted her gently, advising, "Don’t go out tomorrow; rest first. Many things we can buy locally, no need to take so much effort."

Zhou Jiao nodded; she was too tired to speak now. But she had to go out tomorrow to send a parcel. How else would she hide the items in the space?

Back at the hotel, a few distinguished guests were still in Old Mrs. Cheng’s room. Seeing them return, Old Mrs. Cheng smiled and beckoned them over.

Zhang Guoqing and Zhou Jiao exchanged a glance, approaching the guests with composed smiles. They had seen many influential figures now; one more nationally famous person was nothing unusual.

However, they didn’t expect the person to be an old friend of the elderly lady. Zhang Guoqing and Zhou Jiao respected these sensitive figures, deeply remembering that it’s better to help in times of need than to embellish during prosperity.

Zhou Jiao smiled apologetically at everyone, took the child, and moved aside.

Amid their conversation, Zhou Jiao realized that if her father hadn’t had the accident in her past life, he should have held a position. Did historical Zhou Xiaozheng’s calamity pass as the witch said?

At this moment, she deeply regretted not paying attention to political trends!

Zhou Jiao took a deep breath and resolutely straightened her posture.

Since the heavens allowed her to inherit this father-daughter bond, she must protect her father! Not for high-ranking positions but for the father who cherished her above all.

If anyone dared to reach out, she would chop off their claws!

The group in the guest room engaged in lively discussions about current affairs, reminiscing about the past. Time had whitened their hair and weathered their faces, but their camaraderie remained the same as ever.

Lin Lishan, Cheng Ruzhu, Zhang Guoqing, and others watched the elderly revolutionaries with respect in their eyes. They didn’t boast about their past achievements but continually remembered their fallen comrades, full of aspirations to build a new world.

Their lifelong goal was to bring peace to the world and ensure people lived and worked in contentment, which they achieved! Without these people, where would the good times come from today?

Compared to others, Zhang Guoqing’s feelings were more complex. The lively laughter and frank talk of the elderly leaders in front of him made him afraid that his emotions would show, causing him to lower his head in guilt.

Seeing it was mealtime, Old Mrs. Cheng invited a few old friends to stay. She joked that since she was retired and receiving idle pay, she should treat them and didn’t blame the old lady for belittling herself.

The elderly guests wore white cuffs and relied on their wages, unable to afford the high prices at the hotel, and they would never take advantage of public funds.

Perhaps emotions were in place, and the old friends understood each other. They all smiled warmly, without opposing, continuously emphasizing keeping it simple.

After a simple yet lively dinner, Zhang Guoqing and his wife listened to the elders’ encouragement. Holding the child, they, Lin Lishan, and Cheng Ruzhu left the room, leaving the older generation to continue their conversation.