Chapter 56: Daddy, Buy

No matter what Xia Changhong said, or whose face he was supposedly saving, Cao Shujie didn’t believe a single word.

When you open your doors for business, the bottom line is making money—even if it’s just a few bucks here and there. Who ever heard of losing money just to do someone a favor?

As for the price, Cao Shujie knew Xia Changhong’s offer was indeed low, because in the short half hour earlier, he’d already checked with two other similar building supply shops.

The first one, after hearing the acreage he needed, didn’t even bother discussing pipe quality—just quoted him 260,000 yuan right off the bat.

The second was a little cheaper, but still over 240,000.

As for Xia Changhong’s excuse about being stuck in traffic earlier, that was just nonsense!

After signing a construction contract with Xia Changhong and clarifying the project timeline, Cao Shujie handed over a 50,000 yuan deposit. Only then did he have time to ask Cao Zhen, “How come we ran into each other today?”

“I was about to ask you the same thing. Our company’s greenbelt is also getting automated sprinkler equipment installed. That’ll save us four landscaping workers, so I came to chat with Boss Xia.”

After explaining, Cao Zhen asked, “Are you in a hurry to get back?”

“I was planning to take the girls to Wuxing Department Store, do a little shopping,” Cao Shujie replied.

Cao Zhen nodded. “Alright, you guys go to the mall first. When it’s time for lunch, I’ll give you a call.”

He added this as a final note.

Cao Shujie shook his head. “You pick the place today. Lunch is on me—and Boss Xia.”

Xia Changhong insisted it should be his treat, exchanging a few more polite words.

With parts of this quality, even though there wasn’t much profit in the 210,000 yuan deal, once you subtracted the cost of pipes and labor, there was still something left over.

…

After leaving Changhong Hardware Store, once his wife and daughter were in the car, Cao Shujie drove straight to Wuxing Department Store.

On the way, Cheng Xiaolin asked a key question: “Honey, Zhen-ge sure has a lot of influence.”

She went on, “Last time we bought that wire mesh fence, Boss Chen kept calling him ‘Supervisor Cao.’ And just now, Boss Xia did the same. I feel like there’s something off about this.”

“What’s off?” Cao Shujie asked, not even turning his head.

Cheng Xiaolin was really puzzled. “Didn’t you tell me Zhen-ge is a logistics director at his uncle’s factory? What’s so special about that kind of director?”

Cao Shujie thought for a moment before answering, “I’m not entirely sure, but I think that factory is co-owned by several of his relatives.”

“Some of those relatives are in the transportation bureau, some in forestry, and some in other departments.”

“Pingyuan County isn’t that big, but it’s not tiny either. No matter what, you keep running into the same people. If something comes up, you always need someone to help out.”

After he finished, Cao Shujie reminded his wife, “Just listen to this, don’t go telling anyone else.”

Cheng Xiaolin hadn’t expected there was more to it, so she didn’t ask further.

Cao Shujie pulled into the parking lot behind Wuxing Department Store and found a spot.

The three of them got out, and Cao Shujie carried his daughter around to the front entrance of the mall.

The moment they stepped inside, the place was buzzing with energy.

Maybe it was because it was a workday, but the mall was filled mostly with elderly folks and moms with kids. There weren’t many young people just hanging out.

“Mommy, look, what’s that?” As soon as Mengmeng entered, it was like she’d become a different person. Her eyes were glued to the shelves, asking about everything she saw.

Sure enough, she spotted some snacks. “Mommy, buy.”

She was really into it. Cheng Xiaolin picked up the sachima snack Mengmeng was pointing at and checked the ingredients—way too much sugar. She shook her head. “This is too sweet. Eat too much and your teeth will get cavities, and then you’ll have to get them pulled…”

Before she could finish, Mengmeng clapped both hands over her mouth, shaking her head in fear. “No!”

“That’s right. Let’s keep looking, Mommy will get you something even better,” Cheng Xiaolin coaxed.

Cao Shujie pushed a shopping cart, listening to his wife and daughter chatting and negotiating over what to buy. When they came across something useful for home, he’d toss it in the cart.

“Daddy, buy.”

Cao Shujie was lost in thought when Mengmeng called out to him. He looked down to see his daughter pointing at a doll set.

“Mengmeng, this one’s not that fun. Let Daddy find you something better, okay?” he tried to reason with her.

Mengmeng was pointing at a box with three dolls—one big, two small—all dressed in blue, yellow, and purple dresses, with long blond hair and foreign faces.

What’s so fun about these?

Cao Shujie really did want to get his daughter something more interesting, but you just can’t reason with little kids. If you push too hard, she’ll just stare at you in silence, her face shifting through a dozen expressions, always on the verge of tears.

Cao Shujie had a headache. He picked up the toy. “Alright, Mengmeng, Daddy will buy it for you!”

“Hee hee!” Mengmeng giggled. When she saw her dad put the toy in the cart, she protested—she insisted on carrying it herself.

Soon enough, Mengmeng was struggling to carry the doll set in her arms, waddling forward as if afraid Daddy would put it back if she let go.

Cheng Xiaolin just shook her head at her daughter’s antics.

As time went on, they bought all sorts of household goods, snacks, fruit, and even picked up some clothes and shoes. The shopping cart was nearly full.

Since they grew their own vegetables at home, there was no need to buy any.

By now, Mengmeng had swapped the doll for a toy puppy that played music, recited poems, and told stories. It even had wheels so it could move around.

Kids really are fickle!

Before they knew it, it was noon, and Cao Zhen called.

Cao Shujie took his wife and daughter to meet up with him.

At lunch, Cao Shujie, Cao Zhen, and their new acquaintance Xia Changhong shared a meal. Cheng Xiaolin caught her husband’s subtle glance and found an excuse to go pay the bill early, only to be told by the owner that the chubby guy had already settled up.

Cheng Xiaolin immediately knew Boss Xia had paid.

…

On the way back to Cao Family Village, Cheng Xiaolin drove while Cao Shujie, who’d had a few drinks, played with their daughter in the back seat.

Mengmeng was completely absorbed with her new toy puppy.

The puppy held a detachable bone in its mouth. When you pulled the bone, a yellow string connected it to the dog, making it walk and wag its tail, looking absolutely adorable.

At her energetic age, Mengmeng would sometimes get tired of “walking the dog,” so she’d grab the puppy and smack the button on top with her little hand.

Suddenly, music, counting, weather reports, and all sorts of random sounds would blare out. Mengmeng, delighted as if she’d discovered a new world, burst out laughing.

“Daddy, look!” Mengmeng pressed the button with a music note on it, and “Happy Birthday” started to play. She even reached out and danced along.

“Mengmeng, do you like your new toy?” Cao Shujie asked.

Mengmeng nodded vigorously like a little pecking chick. “Daddy, it’s fun!”

Before they knew it, Cheng Xiaolin had pulled up to their house. She called out, “Mengmeng, we’re home! Time to get out.”

“Okay!” Mengmeng replied half-heartedly, then went right back to playing with her new puppy toy.

(End of Chapter)