With Yang Yufen's meticulous care, Qin Nian still experienced morning sickness, but it was much better than before, allowing her to regain enough energy to focus on her work.
Too idle—yet selling roasted sweet potatoes would interfere with preparing meals for her daughter-in-law. Yang Yufen stared at the wooden bed she had built. Would it be too cold for the winter?
She could tough it out, but her daughter-in-law certainly couldn’t.
With that in mind, Yang Yufen tucked some money into her pocket, delivered the lunch she had prepared for Qin Nian to the research institute, and then hurried toward the supply and marketing cooperative.
"Auntie Yang, what would you like to buy this time? These are oranges from the south—I saved them for you, just like you asked last time."
"You’re always so thoughtful, Little Lin. Weigh them for me. Here, have some sweet potatoes—they’re still warm."
Yang Yufen pulled out the roasted sweet potatoes she had prepared.
"Oh my, aren’t these honey sweet potatoes? Auntie, let me tell you, roasted honey sweet potatoes are all the rage right now. If I weren’t stuck here at the cooperative every day, I’d go buy some myself. I can’t just take yours for free—these would cost at least fifty cents!"
Little Lin was delighted. The first time she had tasted them, her sweetheart had brought them to her, but they were already cold—though still delicious. The ones Auntie Yang brought were piping hot.
"How could I take your money? Just keep an eye out for good things for me, that’s all."
Yang Yufen refused outright.
Last time, someone had tried to bully Little Lin, but Yang Yufen had stepped in to help. Since then, the two had grown close.
"Of course! Is there something specific you’re looking for today, Auntie?"
Usually, Yang Yufen would start browsing as soon as she arrived, but today she lingered at the counter, chatting.
"Well, it snowed the day before yesterday, and no matter how many quilts I pile on at night, I still can’t get warm. Hot water bottles go cold by midnight. I thought I’d see if there’s anything suitable here."
Yang Yufen had been visiting the cooperative so often lately that she could find anything without even asking.
"In that case, Auntie Yang, I do know of something—an electric blanket. But we don’t carry them here. You’d have to go to the department store to buy one."
Little Lin thought for only a moment before remembering.
"You just plug it in, and it heats up. The only downside is that it uses a lot of electricity, but I’ve heard it keeps you wonderfully warm—just one quilt is enough even on the coldest nights. They say hospitals abroad used them for newborns at first."
"Do I need a coupon?"
Yang Yufen pressed eagerly.
"No coupon, but they’re a bit pricey. Most folks still just use hot water bottles in their beds."
"Thank you, dear. Here, take the last two sweet potatoes. How much for the oranges?"
"If you’re heading to the department store, Auntie, why don’t I hold onto the oranges for you? You can pick them up on your way back—no need to carry them around."
Yang Yufen nodded, then hurried off as briskly as she had arrived, just in time to catch the bus.
Standing before the towering department store, Yang Yufen took a deep breath. Thinking of her daughter-in-law, she stepped inside.
"Welcome! What can we help you find, ma’am? The first floor is general merchandise, the second is clothing, and the third is appliances."
A gentle voice greeted her, accompanied by a warm smile that put her at ease.
"I’d like to buy an electric blanket."
"Electric blankets are on the third floor. You can take the stairs up."
"Alright, alright."
As she climbed, Yang Yufen glanced around, noticing how much more variety there was here compared to the cooperative. The candies alone came in dazzling colors—many she had never even seen before.
She patted her money pouch. She had enough—maybe she’d pick up something extra for Qin Nian later.
On the third floor, she quickly found the electric blankets after asking for directions. Someone was already there, scrutinizing one.
"Are these electric blankets reliable? What if they leak electricity? Could they electrocute someone?"
Yang Yufen didn’t rush forward but listened from the side.
This didn’t sound like a genuine buyer—more like someone trying to stir trouble.
Uncertain, she kept watching.
"Not at all. Though our electric blankets are domestically made, they undergo strict inspections. The heating elements are woven in a serpentine pattern within the fabric, ensuring even heat distribution and low power consumption. They’re fully insulated to meet safety standards."
The salesperson explained patiently.
"I don’t believe it. Every seller claims their goods are the best. The imported ones are so expensive, yet yours are only twenty-five yuan? They must be shoddy. Forget it—I’m not buying. Nobody else should either. If someone gets electrocuted, they’ll just deny responsibility."
The crowd that had gathered began to disperse. Some who had already paid reconsidered and asked for refunds, then headed elsewhere.
Yang Yufen felt a flicker of worry too, but she didn’t follow the crowd.
"Boss, what do we do? That guy was definitely here to sabotage us! If you hadn’t stopped me, I’d have punched him! He must’ve been sent by a competitor!"
"If you’d hit him, we’d have lost our spot here in the department store—after fighting so hard to get it."
Li Xueguo had anticipated sabotage, but electric blankets weren’t cheap. Only those with money to spare shopped here—the very people who could afford them.
"So these blankets are really twenty-five yuan each? How big are they? Any discount if I buy two?"
Yang Yufen stepped forward, running her hand over the unfolded display blanket. It was thick, with neat, tightly woven wiring.
"Yes, ma’am. See how well-made they are? They heat up nicely, and a blanket this thick would cost a fair bit even without the heating feature. One is enough for two people to share."
"Mm. Give me a discount, and I’ll take two."
Now a household with savings, Yang Yufen spoke with confidence.
"For two, I’ll knock off two yuan and throw in a pillow cover."
Li Xueguo stepped forward with a cheerful smile. At least two sales would count as a decent start.
"Now that’s what I call generous."
Yang Yufen counted out the money and handed it over. The salesperson promptly wrote up the order and packed the blankets.
"You know, you might have better luck selling outside factories. Workers have money but no time to come to the department store. A little promotion, and you might outsell this place."
Since Li Xueguo had not only given her a discount but also a free pillow cover, Yang Yufen offered the advice casually before heading downstairs to pick up something extra for Qin Nian.
Li Xueguo stood still, watching her leave.
"Boss… that auntie might be onto something. At least outside factories, we wouldn’t have to pay stall fees—hundreds of yuan for this tiny spot."
Losing money before even making a sale.
"I’ve been shortsighted. Let’s go—we’ll make up for the trouble that guy caused!"
Li Xueguo suddenly laughed, then let the salesperson drag him away.
