Shopping Spree
Gu Zi was beautiful and she had a remarkable presence, even while carrying a child.
She appeared far from being in a pitiful state.
The shop owner recognized that she was a high-quality customer based on her demeanor.
Gu Zi glanced at the Seiko watches on display and ultimately settled on a small, simple one, asking to try it on. "Please let me try that."
The boss smiled and took it out for her to try on.
She found it appealing and then attempted to haggle, saying, "Ninety-eight, I want it."
The shop owner was initially surprised by Gu Zits bargaining, considering Seiko watches to be for the upper class and Gu Zi being a young girl.
He thought that by not naming a price, she would be too embarrassed to haggle.
"Miss, you're buying a watch, not pork. Nobody haggles over the price of a watch," he said coldly. "Is this your first time buying a watch? The prices here are very reasonable, and they are all certified. This watch is 128 yuan. You get what you pay for."
Gu Zi took off the watch. "You're right. It's my first time buying a watch in this place, but my stance remains unchanged. I'll take it for ninety-eight yuan."
The boss was stunned, but he quickly reacted and took a watch from the shelf below and offered it for 98 yuan.
"Sorry to disturb you, Boss." Gu Zi carried Su Le and turned to leave. The boss hastily called her back, saying, "Alright, I'll let you have it for 98 yuan."
Gu Zi came back and paid happily.
The boss put the watch away and handed it to Gu Zi.
After securing her newly acquired Seiko watch, she left the shop, leaving the shop owner impressed. 'What a pity. If this girl were to do business, she would definitely be an unstoppable force. Too bad she got married at such a young age and even gave birth to a child.'
Observing the time on her new watch as she left the store, Gu Zi realized it was already four o'clock.
She put away her watch and walked toward the bus station. As she walked, she leisurely explored the bustling shopping scene around her.
Gu Zi already had enough money for tuition and living expenses. And she still had some money left to buy some new clothes for the children and some supplements.
Along her journey to the bus station, she couldn't resist indulging in the shopping opportunities the 1980s had to offer.
They sold food, toys, drinks, clothes...
Gu Zi continued her shopping spree, acquiring a myriad of items along the way. She couldn't help but appreciate the 1980s, a time when resources were gradually becoming more abundant, and the overall standard of living was on the rise.
Compared to the 21st century, which was full of currency depreciations, the 1980s were full of opportunities to make money, and the purchasing power of money was strong.
As long as you were not lazy, you could earn money.
As long as you had enough money, you could buy whatever you wanted.
With these thoughts in mind, Gu Zi collected an array of goods during her shopping expedition.
It was soon time for her to make her way to the bus station.
As she approached the station, her serene and contented demeanor caught the eye of a distant observer.
The observer looked at Gu Zi standing at the station entrance with a child in her arms.
The sun cast its warm rays upon Gu Zi's tall figure. She wore an elegant straw hat. Her long, flowing hair cascaded gracefully behind her, creating a captivating image.
Although she smiled brightly while playing with the child, the observer couldn't help thinking that too bad it was all fake.
Uncle Yang, who was next to the observer, couldn't help but express his sympathy for Gu Zi, stating, "Miss Gu's current circumstances are truly unfortunate. She was once blessed with beauty, a good background, and the prospect of marrying a remarkable man like you, Young Master, who had a promising career."
He lamented how she had gone from having a bright future to being relegated to life in the countryside, responsible for looking after an elderly man's child. The possibility of her ever escaping this rural life was questionable.
Gong Zhan withdrew his gaze and spoke with a hint of disdain, "Such is fate. She doesn't possess the same fortune as Lin Miao. Eventually, she'll return to poverty. "
No wonder he had no feelings for her all these years.
In hindsight, it seemed that fate had intervened to prevent their union, acting as a warning for him to steer clear.
Gong Zhan regarded Lin Miao's emergence as a stroke of luck.
Uncle Yang's lips quirked with a subtle twitch as he remarked, "Young Master, Miss Gu isn't at fault in this situation. Besides, you encountered her on your way back after escorting the leader. We're all acquainted; a simple greeting wouldn't hurt."
It was the parents of both parties who had mixed up the children at birth. How could his young master pin all the blame on Miss Gu?
It was unfair to label Miss Gu as malicious, given that the Gu family's prosperity might have made the Lin family reluctant to admit their mistake, having raised Lin Miao for over a decade.
However, Gong Zhan remained indifferent to these considerations. He closed the curtain and issued a cold command, "Drive on. There's no need to waste time on such a person. It's easy to extend a greeting, but much harder to disentangle from subsequent entanglements."
Uncle Yang let out a resigned sigh as he complied with Gong Zhan's orders.
He knew that a woman carrying bags of goods and tending to a child was unlikely to cause any trouble.
Gong Zhan, it seemed, was growing increasingly self-assured..