TPW – Chapter 89

As soon as the words fell, the couple’s attention followed Li Hongjun’s gaze.

Two foreign women with blonde hair and light blue eyes came into view. The pair, led by a Chinese woman in a suit, were slowly browsing clothes at Xu Haizhou’s stall.

The three of them chatted enthusiastically. No one else could understand their gibberish, so the surrounding onlookers could only observe curiously and in awe. Occasionally, when the foreign women’s gaze swept over, they would quickly look away and pretend not to be watching.

Qiao Lu set down what she was working on and took a few steps forward.

Once she got closer, she realized they were speaking English—something she could fully understand.

“Hello, welcome to Purple Dragonfly. May I help you with anything?” The words slipped out naturally, and Qiao Lu quickly switched to Chinese for the rest of the sentence.

She was just a junior high graduate from the countryside—how could she possibly speak fluent English?

That was close! Good thing she caught herself in time, or she would’ve blown her cover!

The Chinese woman accompanying the foreigners was clearly their interpreter. She responded politely to Qiao Lu’s question, “Hello. These two are guests from the U.S. here on a cultural exchange. They think this dress from your shop is very beautiful. May I ask how much it costs?”

So they had their eye on the new fall design—good taste!

Just as Qiao Lu was about to quote the price with a smile, Xu Haizhou noticed how the two foreign women were clearly enamored with the new collection, especially their frequent glances at the silk details. A clever idea formed in his mind.

He jumped in first: “Hello, this is a brand-new fall arrival at Purple Dragonfly. If you’re afraid of the cold, you can pair it with black leggings. The silk around the waist is a complimentary accessory that comes with the dress. The whole set—dress and leggings—is 120 yuan, but for our international friends, I’ll offer a discount: you can have it for just 100.”

Qiao Lu and Li Hongjun looked at him in shock, their eyes full of disbelief.

Damn. That dress sells for 32 yuan. He just tripled the price!

Was he seriously trying to fool the foreigners, betting on them not knowing the local prices?

Sure, 100 yuan was two or three months’ wages for the average Chinese citizen at the time, but for foreigners exchanging U.S. dollars into RMB, 100 yuan was practically pocket change.

The real issue was—the interpreter did know the local market rates. What if she told those foreign women that Purple Dragonfly was ripping them off…?

Sure enough, the female interpreter gave Xu Haizhou a long, steady look, then turned to translate his words. The two foreign women leaned in and whispered to each other.

Honestly, it wouldn’t have mattered even if they spoke aloud—no one would’ve understood them. Except Qiao Lu.

After about a minute or two of discussion, they nodded and began pulling out money, seemingly satisfied with the price.

Seeing this, Xu Haizhou added, “If you have foreign exchange certificates, we can offer an additional 20% discount.”

Immediately, Qiao Lu, Li Hongjun, and the interpreter all turned to look at him in unison.

The interpreter gave a slight smirk and composed herself with a poised expression.

She smiled at Xu Haizhou, then faithfully translated his words for the two foreign women.

The women glanced at each other, then nodded. “That’s no problem. We have plenty of those.”

“Alright.” The interpreter turned back to Xu Haizhou. “They agree to pay with foreign exchange certificates.”

Turns out, foreigners liked bargains just as much as anyone else. If anyone knew how to tap into consumer psychology, it was the husband-and-wife duo at Purple Dragonfly.

“Hongjun, pack it up,” Xu Haizhou instructed.

Damn. Doing business with foreigners was that easy? Li Hongjun scrambled to pack up the items. An 80-yuan profit on a single dress—what a huge win!

Thanks to Xu Haizhou’s enthusiastic sales pitch, the foreign women went on to buy two more pantsuits. Even the interpreter couldn’t resist and bought a new fall outfit.

In just half an hour, the couple had earned 430 yuan—a ridiculously huge profit!

After the three women left, Li Hongjun couldn’t contain his excitement. He thumped Xu Haizhou on the back with joy.

“Haizhou! I always thought I was the sneaky one, but you’re the real pro here!” Selling a set of clothes starting at 100 yuan—did he really think foreigners were dumb and rich?

Well… it did kind of seem like that was the case. Hopefully, more foreigners like that would come around!

The three women continued strolling down the street until they disappeared into the bustling crowd.

With his eyes retracted, Xu Haizhou handed the foreign exchange certificates to Qiao Lu.

She accepted them, unsure why her husband wanted the certificates, but still lowered her head to count.

Xu Haizhou glanced sideways at Li Hongjun and smiled meaningfully. “How many treasures have they taken from China? What’s wrong with scamming a few hundred yuan out of them?”

“Hahahaha!” Li Hongjun laughed, slapping his thigh. “Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant! Scam ’em! Scam ‘em good!”

After fleecing the foreign women, Li Hongjun was buzzing with energy all afternoon, working like two men in one. Qiao Lu joked that at this rate, he might not even need to rest tonight—he’d be too hyped.

That day, Xu Haizhou finished work early and left with Qiao Lu around 3 p.m. Instead of heading home or picking up their son from kindergarten, he took her to Li Yu’s house.

“Haizhou? You rascal, long time no see.” Li Yu looked surprised when he saw his friend and quickly stepped aside to let them in. “Come on in, have a seat. How’ve you been lately?”

Unlike most people’s cramped apartment buildings, Li Yu lived in a spacious unit with two bedrooms and a living room—plenty of space, a real luxury.

It was Qiao Lu’s first time at Li Yu’s place, and she couldn’t help glancing around the apartment a few times.

She felt a thrill imagining their own family of three living in such a big place someday.

Noticing her gaze, Xu Haizhou smiled and said, “Pretty good. Business at home is going well too. I recently bought a place, and once we move in, I’ll treat you to a meal.”

A true friend never sees a statement like that as showing off—they’re just happy for you.

“Nice! Look at you go. Where’d you buy it?” Li Yu patted him on the shoulder and asked eagerly.

In the kitchen, Miao Hui curiously peeked out toward the door and strained to hear the conversation.

“Nanhu Garden,” Xu Haizhou replied.

Li Yu’s eyes widened. “Wow, that’s a great place—just a bit pricey. You’re really raking it in now, huh?”

Xu Haizhou smiled modestly. “It’s alright. For my wife and kid to live comfortably, I just gritted my teeth and saved up.”

“You’re something else, man. Really impressive.” Li Yu kept patting his shoulder in admiration. “By the way, are you still in touch with Hou Caijun? I ran into him last time—said he’s planning to stay on at Xingkou.”

“Xingkou?” Isn’t that the provincial capital? Not too far from Lian, about forty kilometers, but still, it wouldn’t be as convenient to meet up in the future.

Li Yu said, “Yeah, he said he met some buddies over there, and they’re doing something together.”

After thinking about it, Xu Haizhou gave a helpless smile. “Let him do his thing. That’s just how he is—can’t sit still. Are you looking for him?”

Why else would he bring him up?

Li Yu shook his head. “No, just asked casually. You know how he is, always being mysterious. Got a bit curious, that’s all.”

After a few more pleasantries, Li Yu suddenly realized he hadn’t even invited him in yet.

He quickly stepped aside and said, “Don’t just stand here—come on in!”

Xu Haizhou waved it off and smiled politely. “No need, Brother Li, I actually came to ask you for a favor.”

“You wouldn’t show up here for nothing—what’s the matter?” Li Yu wasn’t the least bit surprised that his friend needed help.

In fact, their friendship had been built on a foundation of mutual favors—helping each other out whenever they could.

Xu Haizhou opened his waist bag and took out a neat stack of foreign exchange certificates, handing them to him.

“See if you can help me buy a rice cooker at the Friendship Store.” At that time, domestic rice cookers hadn’t yet gone into mass production, and they were expensive. Regular folks didn’t have access to buy one.

Since he’d managed to exchange for some foreign exchange certificates today, Xu Haizhou figured he’d ask Li Yu to use his connections to buy an imported rice cooker from the Overseas Chinese Friendship Store.

Li Yu took the certificates and counted them, unable to hide his shock. “Where did you get so many of these?”

“Sold some clothes to a few foreigners today, and they exchanged them with me for RMB,” Xu Haizhou explained.

Li Yu raised his eyebrows. “Not bad! You’ll probably have a few left over after getting the rice cooker. Anything else you want to buy?”

“Nothing for now. Just get what you think is good.” He suddenly turned to look at Qiao Lu, wrapped an arm around her shoulders, and smiled. “Get something my wife can use.”

“Alright, I’ll get your wife something nice!” Li Yu laughed heartily, giving him a teasing look. “It’s a bit late today—I’ll get someone to help tomorrow.”

“Thanks in advance, Brother Li.” Xu Haizhou smiled and turned to leave with Qiao Lu.

Li Yu called out, “Hey, we don’t get to see each other often. Why not stay for dinner? Miao Hui is in the kitchen, and the food’s almost ready.”

Xu Haizhou shook his head and declined. “No, I have to go pick up my son from school. Next time, I’ll treat you!”

Li Yu didn’t push it and just smiled. “Alright, take care on the road!”

In the 1970s and 80s, buying things at the Friendship Store required foreign exchange certificates, and unless you were an overseas Chinese or a foreign guest, they wouldn’t even let you in.

Inside, there were all kinds of exclusive products and many imported goods—rice cookers, air conditioners, refrigerators—you name it. Ordinary people hadn’t even seen them, let alone heard of them.

If not for Li Yu, Xu Haizhou would never have had the chance to come across such rare appliances. He remembered them all and told himself that if he ever had the chance, he’d get some for his home.

After getting that sorted out, he felt light and relaxed. The couple then went to pick up their son from kindergarten. Since they were early today, they were the very first ones to arrive.

At exactly 4 p.m., little Qiao An couldn’t sit still anymore. He fidgeted in his seat, full of anticipation, staring out the window of Class One.

He was wondering: What number will Dad and Mom be today when they come pick me up?

He had to watch carefully—no miscounting!

Then, the next second, through the clear glass, the faces of Qiao Lu and Xu Haizhou appeared.

Ah!

It’s Daddy and Mommy!

Today, they were number one—first place for sure!

So on the way home after school, Qiao An chirped like a little sparrow all the way.

“Daddy and Mommy are number one!”

“An’an is so happy today!”

“Mommy, I love you. Daddy, I love you too. I like both of you!”

From his rosy little mouth came no fancy words, but what he said was the purest expression of heartfelt emotion.

Back home, they reheated the pan-fried buns they had bought at noon for him, and he was so happy he could jump for joy.

“Alright now, sit down and eat properly. It’s not like you haven’t had buns in ages.”

In his soft baby voice, he replied adorably, “No, Mommy, this is different. These are the buns that you and Daddy saved for me since noon. They’re emotional buns!”

Pfft—this kid was even using personification now.

Qiao Lu bent down and kissed his little face lovingly.

As he ate, Qiao An swayed side to side, excitedly sharing stories from his day at kindergarten.

The next afternoon, after bringing An’an home, Xu Haizhou hopped on his bicycle and hurried off again.

Qiao An tilted his head in confusion. “Is Daddy working overtime today?”

Qiao Lu smiled. “Nope, he’s going out to pick up something—something really great.”

“What is it? A toy?”

“No, you’ll see when it gets here.”

Sure enough, Li Yu had managed to get the rice cooker. There were a few certificates left, so per Xu Haizhou’s instructions, he also bought a hair dryer for his wife—also imported.

He even included a marinated duck. When Xu Haizhou received it, he was stunned. “Marinated duck? They sell this kind of thing at the Overseas Chinese Store too?”

So—did the ones sold there taste better than the ones outside?

Li Yu couldn’t help laughing. “That wasn’t from the Friendship Store. I passed a duck shop and bought it for your son!”

Xu Haizhou also laughed. “Well then, I thank you on behalf of my son!”

“No problem—go on home now.”

Xu Haizhou happily carried the rice cooker and hair dryer home, floating on air the entire way.

Life these days—so full, so happy.

Next goal: earn more money and buy a fridge. Last year, he had a taste of ice-cold watermelon from Li Yu’s father-in-law’s fridge, and he hadn’t been able to forget that refreshing taste since.

And after that, maybe an air conditioner. He’d heard that sitting in an air-conditioned room in summer felt just like winter.

But that thing was ridiculously expensive—people said it cost more than a house…

Forget it—one step at a time. First make money, buy what they can, and get the rest later when they can afford it.

Saving little by little—that’s the joy of building wealth.

The more he thought about it, the happier he got. He got so lost in thought that he forgot to ring the bell at a corner and only realized there was someone ahead when he turned.

He slammed on the brakes.

Skreee—

The rice cooker was tightly strapped to the back seat, so it didn’t fall. The hair dryer was in the front basket of the bike, which was deep enough to hold it safely.

But the marinated duck, due to inertia, flew out of the basket.

He quickly stopped and went to pick it up, but someone beat him to it—a pair of rough, slightly sallow hands.

They picked it up and handed it to him.

“Thanks,” Xu Haizhou said as he took it and quickly patted the dust off, relieved that the oiled paper hadn’t come undone—would’ve been a mess if dust got in.

“Xu Haizhou?”

The voice was familiar yet strange. Xu Haizhou froze and looked up.

Standing before him was a middle-aged woman with a sallow, rough face. She had a large bag slung over her shoulder, two smaller bags on her arms—both stuffed full.

Looking down her sides, he saw a child on each hand. Behind her was a burly man in coarse clothes, holding a baby in his arms.

The moment he saw her, Xu Haizhou’s body stiffened completely. His brows drew together as he asked in disbelief,

“Xiuxiu?”