Chapter 1234 - 1107: Remittance Coupon

Chapter 1234: Chapter 1107: Remittance Coupon

Talking about this, it’s a long story.

The old man had a few friends who got involved due to overseas family connections. Zhou Jiao helped them get relocated to good places, and also occasionally sent anonymous packages.

But who are these people?

Each of them is old and cunning.

—— Although it wasn’t explicitly mentioned, who wouldn’t know it in their hearts? Therefore, once they were vindicated and returned to the city, they would send any good stuff to the courtyard in the alley.

These things were known not only by Zhang Guoqing but also by Zhou Xiaozheng. After all, Zhou Jiao always consulted with them on matters to keep the big picture in mind, but she kept it from Miao Lishan.

It wasn’t that she didn’t trust her mom’s character, but in those times, the fewer people who knew, the less worry there was.

Zhang Guoqing was driving, his attention still on the mother and daughter, and he laughed upon hearing, "Mom, the old man must have robbed his old buddies for his apprentice."

"Haha... it’s indeed possible, the old man cares most for Jiao Jiao. Jiao Jiao, you need to persuade him more in the future. You are his only apprentice, filial duty is a must, but you don’t need to let him go to such expenses."

"Okay."

While chatting, the car had already passed the bustling area. After traveling a certain distance, it soon parked in front of a not very wide alley courtyard.

Zhou Jiao had been here before. It’s a private restaurant, previously a high-priced dining spot.

She wasn’t surprised they chose to dine here, but once inside, it was different.

Unlike before, the courtyard seemed renovated, with more flowers and trees. Especially in the dining room, the tableware was all replaced with exquisite white porcelain.

The variety of dishes was much richer, suggesting that the chef had changed.

The three enjoyed a delicious lunch, even though the meal of four dishes and one soup cost over thirty yuan, Zhou Jiao did not feel any distress.

——It was worth the price.

After lunch, they arrived at the Friendship Store, almost two in the afternoon.

Unlike other department stores, here you can buy many high-demand goods with overseas remittance coupons. For instance, some foreign goods are available only in overseas Chinese stores.

Without an overseas remittance card, one cannot enter overseas Chinese stores, and with remittance coupons, you can buy rice, flour, oil, meat, and eggs beyond the planned quota, and purchase Moutai liquor and Zhonghua cigarettes at a basic price.

Miao Lishan always lived a comfortable life and spent lavishly. It was only in the past few years that circumstances forced her to restrain herself.

Now, with money and coupons in hand, especially since the remittance coupons must be used within a year or they expire, how could she resist an eager heart?

Moreover, the Friendship Store has another advantage.

——The prices inside are much cheaper than outside.

For example, a domestic watch costing one hundred and twenty yuan at a department store only costs one hundred yuan here, and no watch ticket needed.

Similarly, bicycles, sewing machines, record players, cameras, radios, televisions, etc., can all be purchased with remittance coupons, and the prices are also noticeably cheaper.

No wonder remittance coupons are the most popular gift now.

The further in, the higher you go...

Things not found in many department stores are all available in overseas Chinese stores, dazzling and mostly luxury goods.

Zhou Jiao found that after not coming here for several years, there were indeed a lot more products added. Even more enticing was that they even sold motorcycles.

And as long as you have coupons, there’s no limit on your purchase!

Zhang Guoqing could easily see what she was thinking.

His wife had always had a love-hate relationship with the small car in their space, even considering dismantling the engine to assemble a motorcycle at one point.

"If you like it, buy it! It’s fine for our son to ride as well."

Zhou Jiao sighed inwardly and decisively shook her head.

Just wait, wait a few more years, and she’ll collect all kinds of cars and motorcycles. Then she’ll use money to get a recreational vehicle and travel all over the country.

Since she couldn’t buy what she most wanted to bring home, Zhou Jiao lost interest. She looked around and found besides a few compatriots, there were also foreigners with blue eyes and blond curls shopping with interpreters.

When the three of them first entered, there were people blocked outside the entrance.

Even though Zhang Guoqing was dressed casually, he carried himself differently, so the staff didn’t dare stop them and politely reminded them: You need a coupon to enter.

Once Miao Lishan showed the remittance coupons from her bag, they were even more respectful, with an attitude surpassing the salespeople of department stores.

Indeed, this is a place where only the wealthy can enter.

Following the plan, first, prepare to buy fabrics.

"This one, this one, and that one, yes, the second piece on your left, I want a bolt for each."

As soon as Miao Lishan stood in front of a heap of fabrics, her eyes gleamed, and she pointed immediately. Zhou Jiao wasn’t surprised, she just felt a bit embarrassed and purposely stood a bit behind Zhang Guoqing.

"Jiao Jiao, come over quickly. How is this woolen fabric? It’s for making you some pants when it gets cold. And see what’s suitable for the three kids?"

Zhang Guoqing smiled and nudged her, whispering reassuringly, "Just consider it compensating for our mom not buying anything for years."

Zhou Jiao had no choice but to brace herself and shuffle to her side, nodding repeatedly.

——Here, she wouldn’t dare to advise her mom to be frugal, lest she snaps at her.

Arriving at the clothing section, that was truly Miao Lishan’s domain.

Upon spotting a novel and unique white dress, she asked, "Xiao Wu, how about Jiao Jiao wearing this?"

Zhang Guoqing nodded decisively; his wife would look beautiful in it.

"Comrade, please pack one of this style in five colors of the same size for me."

Zhou Jiao gently tugged at her, whispering her protest, "Mom."

Miao Lishan glared at her, "Quiet!"

Zhang Guoqing immediately clenched his fist to cover his smile, pulling his wife aside. The colors pink, red, yellow, green, and white were all there, perfect for his wife.

She would be pretty and adorable in them!

Zhou Jiao looked at the ceiling speechlessly, "It’s nearly deep autumn, have to wait till next year to wear."

"No problem! Even wearing one a day, just five days."

Zhou Jiao signaled him to check what her mother was up to; her mom was indeed on a buying spree, and not just for herself, but the whole family.

Zhang Guoqing winked at her, whispering, "Let our mom be happy. Happiness is priceless; let her buy more and give anything unneeded away."

With this saying, Zhou Jiao thought it made sense too.

After all, money was plentiful at home. Not only hidden assets but even what was shown in official wage passbooks provided ample funds for her mom to spend lavishly, why make her unhappy by holding back?

After Zhang Guoqing first settled the payment for fabrics, clothing, shoes, and moved items to the car twice, he returned to find his wife now behind her mother with her hands also full.

He couldn’t help but shake his head amusedly.

Luckily there’s a car; otherwise, they wouldn’t get out.

Earlier, when he went outside, a young man had approached him to ask for connections to buy a bicycle, the price flipped instantly for a fifty-yuan profit.

Another was even more bold, asking for anything and everything.

The times have really changed.