Chapter 5: Buying Cloth to Make My Man Clothes
Su Danhong thoroughly studied the spring water flowing out. She drank a few sips of it. There were no other effects besides a clear taste.
Su Danhong didn’t bother with it. She took some money, locked the door and went into town.
In her previous life, she never took two steps out of her family door by herself. In the sixteen years of her life, she only crossed the door three times.
On her eighth birthday, her mother took her to the temple to pray and hope she grew up healthy.
On her twelfth birthday, her mother took her to the temple and hoped she would find a good family to marry into.
The last visit was when she was fifteen and it was not her birthday. However, her mother could not bear her begging to take her to burn incense again.
She went out three times. Moreover, each time was in a hurry and the servants were around her.
In this life, she was able to go into town alone. Su Danhong walked along the road according to her memory. She felt as if she was free from the chains binding her and could do whatever she wanted.
This was the happiest thing.
From her memory, the policy of free access was passed just a few years ago. Before this, the country was unstable and everything had to be done cautiously. Otherwise, it was easy to be taken away and criticized.But now, everything was good and business could be done freely. The country did not care that much about it and the town was very busy.
She walked for more than an hour before she arrived into town. Speaking of this, she couldn’t help but admire this life’s physique.
In her previous life, it would have been impossible for her to walk such a long way.
Su Danhong went to the department store using her memory. This was the largest store in the town. It had two floors and was really big.
Even with the previous owner’s memories, Su Danhong still came here to learn about the customs of this place that were completely different from hers.
Here, it was not an issue for a woman to go shopping alone in the streets. It was cold now, so everyone wore a little more. However, in the summer, it was not an issue for a woman to come out and buy things with her arms showing!
Here, it was simply out of fashion to cover the body, hair, and skin from her parents. None of the men and boys she saw along the way had long hair. Some of the women didn’t have long hair either.
It was different, really different.
Su Danhong could only rely on the previous owner's memories when she was at home to remember where and what things were. But now, in this exciting department store, she looked at the goods and people coming and going with glittering eyes. She really realized the difference between the two places.
“Big Meizi1, what’s the matter? Why are you alone in a daze? Can I help you?” A sister walked over and asked.
Su Danhong came to her senses. She looked at the sister with a smile. “Hello sister. This is my first time at the department store. I didn’t expect it to be so big. I was silly for a moment.”
No wonder. Sister He thought back to the first time she went in and could not believe her eyes.
“What do you want to buy? Sister is a staff member and I can show you around,” Sister He said.
“I want to buy some cloth.” Su Danhong bluntly said.
Yes, she wanted to buy cloth and make Ji Jianyun two sets of clothes. Ji Jianyun did not even change his clothes. He only had two sets that he repeatedly exchanged between and they had been washed to discoloration.
“Buy cloth? Then you have found the right person. I sell cloth. Follow me.” Sister He smiled and pointed at the cloth shop.
While following her, Su Danhong asked about her. She learned that sister He already worked at the department store for quite a number of years.
“Danhong Meizi, who are you doing this for?” Sister He asked.
“Do…Doing it to my man.” Su Danhong's cheeks became slightly red.
Sister He smiled when she heard this.
Su Danhong blushed and explained, “He is working outside. He returned last time with only two sets of clothes. They’ve been washed until the color has faded. I just want to give him two more sets.”
Sister He smiled and said, “Don’t misunderstand, sister is not joking with you. It is not easy for a man to earn money outside to support the family. It’s wonderful that his wife loves him dearly.”
Sister He swiftly pulled cloth that could be used to make two jackets and said, “It’s cold now. Do you have a sweater at home? If you don't, do you want to buy some yarn to go home and knit your man a sweater?”
“Sweater?” Su Danhong looked at the half knitted sweater next to sister He, and asked, “Do you mean this?”
“Yes, it’s nice and warm,” Sister He said and showed it to her.
“But I can’t knit. Sister He, can you knit a bit and let me see?” Su Danhong asked. “If I learn, I will buy wool from you.”
“All right, come over and sister He will teach you.” Sister He was idle anyways. Otherwise, she would not have seen her alone in a daze and would not have gone over to ask her questions.
Su Danhong might not be good at other things, but she believed that she was not bad with things related to needles.
She learned to knit a sweater from sister He in half a day. She bought a lot of yarn, enough to give Ji Jianyun a warm sweater.
“If there's anything you don’t understand, you can ask the elders at home. I’m sure they will know. If they really can’t, come to the department store and find me,” Sister He said while sending her off.
“Thank you sister,” Su Danhong responded each time.
“Such a good young girl, I wonder which family was blessed,” Sister He said, smiling as she watched her leave.
This girl was really modest and studious. Furthermore, she was really smart and only needed a small hint before she understood it. She also spoke softly and eloquently. However, the key was that butt! One glance and she knew it was good for bearing children!
Su Danhong did not know sister He thought so highly of her. When she returned home with the cloth and yarn, she saw Mother Ji calmly waiting for her at the door.
“Where did you go?” Mother Ji asked as soon as she saw her coming back.
She had visited several times, but Lao San’s wife had just returned!
“Mother, I went into town to buy some things.” Su Danhong replied and was shocked when she saw her.
“Buying things again?” Mother Ji almost could not stop herself from blowing up. Does she think it is easy for my son to work in the wind or rain to make money? You are just giving him a hard defeat! Is this what you call getting better?!
“Mhm, I saw Jianyun’s clothes have been washed until they are discolored. He’s always changing between two sets. I came back with two bolts of cloth and I plan to make him two new sets. The sister selling cloth said that it was cold now, so I can knit a sweater. I learned how to make a sweater from her. I just came back really late and kept mother waiting for a long time,” Su Danhong said and pushed the door. “Mother, it’s windy outside. Quick, let’s go in.”
Mother Ji went in with her. She saw her take out the men’s cloth and yarn, she was a bit stunned.
“Mother, drink some warm water,” Su Danhong said and poured a cup of warm water.
Mother Ji held the warm water, looked at her third son’s wife with a complicated mind. She really didn't expect that Lao San’s wife would go to the town to buy cloth and make clothes for Jianyun. She thought she was going to her maternal home again.
“Mother didn’t come here for anything, just want to make sure you are not doing anything tonight. Mother made a few pancakes2 and I will get them later,” Mother Ji said.
“All right,” Su Danhong nodded in response.
When Mother Ji was about to leave, Su Danhong brought her a plate of dumplings. “Jianyun made a lot. Mother, you bring the plate home and eat it with Father. I’ll go and get the pancakes later.”
Mother Ji did not want to accept the plate of dumplings. But she accepted it after seeing her daughter-in-law’s sincerity.
“By the way, mother, if you know any families with a puppy, then bring me one to raise,” Su Danhong said.
- 妹子 (mèizi) – dialect for younger sister, does not need to be related
- Pic There are a lot of different types of Chinese pancakes, but generally anything round and flat are called pancakes.