"Boss, Brother Xueguo, don’t. Even though we were angry earlier, we’ve already paid the stall fee, and we can’t get it back now. Let’s wait until the lease expires, then we’ll go settle the score."
"Weren’t you just fuming and ready to throw punches?"
Li Xueguo looked at his younger cousin, whom he’d brought from the village.
"That’s different. I was just talking. How could I actually cause trouble for Brother Xueguo? Let’s think about which factory gate we should go to instead."
Yang Yufen had spent the day marveling at the sights and indulging in shopping, spending over 120 yuan. With the addition of two electric blankets, her total expenses for the day came to 174.5 yuan.
Carrying bags of purchases back to the residential compound, Yang Yufen dropped off her things at home before heading to the supply and marketing cooperative again.
"Thank you, Little Lin. I managed to buy them. Here, have some candy."
"Really? That’s great, Auntie. How much were the electric blankets?"
Little Lin quickly took out some fruit.
"Twenty-five."
"That cheap?"
Little Lin was shocked, suddenly worried that Yang Yufen might have been scammed.
"Auntie, are you sure you didn’t get the wrong thing? I heard electric blankets cost at least forty or fifty yuan each."
"No mistake. It’s twenty-five, big enough for two people, and very thick. They said it’s domestically made. Anyway, I can’t chat longer—I need to go cook dinner."
Yang Yufen grabbed the fruit and hurried home.
Little Lin stood frozen at the counter for a while. If it was really twenty-five, she could buy one too. The winters were unbearably cold.
"Little Lin, what’s on your mind?"
The director of the supply and marketing cooperative—Little Lin’s uncle—had just returned from outside. Business had been tough lately, and with the year-end approaching, he was swamped.
"Uncle, an elderly lady told me the electric blankets at the department store are selling for twenty-five. I’d like to buy one too."
"Twenty-five? That’s too cheap. Are they tiny? Might as well use a hot water bottle instead."
The director didn’t pay much attention.
"No, she said they’re big enough for two people, but they’re domestically made."
"Domestically made? Which department store?"
The director suddenly perked up.
"Baiyi."
After all, it was the same store she had recommended to Auntie Yang.
"Baiyi? Keep an eye on the shop. If this works out, I’ll get you two at the lowest price."
The director put his hat back on and rushed out on his bicycle, disappearing in an instant.
Domestically made? Whether state-run or private, if he could secure a deal, he was sure their cooperative’s performance this year would outshine the others!
Yang Yufen knew nothing of this. Back home, she dusted the blanket with a feather duster, then followed the salesperson’s instructions—laying it out and covering it with a sheet.
The only issue was the electricity. Qin Nian’s room had an outlet conveniently near the bed, but the main room’s was farther away.
Yang Yufen wasn’t in a hurry. She could deal with it tomorrow. For now, she started cooking.
Before leaving, she unfolded Qin Nian’s bedding, plugged in the electric blanket, then rode her tricycle to pick her up.
Yes, Yang Yufen no longer allowed Qin Nian to bike to work. The roads were icy, and a tricycle was much steadier. She even covered the carriage with its canopy again.
"Mom, you don’t need to come so early next time. Were you waiting long?"
"Not at all. I was busy today and worried I’d be late. This timing is perfect. Get in—we’ll talk at home."
Qin Nian was ushered into the carriage, where thick padding and a hot water bottle waited.
Once seated, something else was pressed into her hands.
"I bought these at the department store. They’re called… something ‘force.’ Said to boost energy. I got plenty—take a few with you to work every day."
With that, Yang Yufen pedaled off.
Qin Nian looked at what she held.
Chocolate. She hadn’t given her mother-in-law any foreign exchange certificates, so this must have cost her dearly.
Was the allowance she gave her enough? Could she even manage on it?
"Hurry, hurry! Go warm up in bed. Just need to finish the soup—it’ll be ready soon."
Qin Nian was used to Yang Yufen’s chiding. She carried the hot water bottle inside, noticed her unfolded blankets, and reached to tuck the bottle in—only to feel warmth.
She ran her hand over the surface a few times, then spotted a white cord leading to the outlet.
An electric blanket. So today, her mother-in-law hadn’t just bought candy but also this for her.
"Here, wash your feet and get under the covers. Is it warm yet?"
Yang Yufen came in with a basin of hot water.
"It is. Mom, did you get one for yourself too?"
Qin Nian asked.
"I did. I’ll set up an extension cord tomorrow. Let’s eat in here tonight—the wind’s picking up, might snow."
Yang Yufen bustled out again after setting down the water.
Qin Nian quietly removed her shoes and socks. Her feet were cold, as usual. But ever since her mother-in-law arrived, she’d begun to mind the chill a little more.
After washing her feet in the hot water, she slipped them under the covers. So warm.
Dinner was simple—it had to be, with Qin Nian’s sensitivity to strong smells. Still, nutrition wasn’t neglected: boiled eggs. Qin Nian could eat the whites; Yang Yufen took the yolks.
"Mom, it might snow tonight. Why don’t you sleep here with me? The bed’s big enough, and I don’t move around much."
Qin Nian offered.
Yang Yufen almost refused but relented under her gaze.
"Let me tidy up first. I’ll wash up and join you."
If Qin Nian was a still sleeper, Yang Yufen was even more so—rigidly proper.
The electric blanket made a world of difference. Yang Yufen dozed off quickly, while Qin Nian lay awake in the dark, shifting slightly closer.
Warm. Like a mother’s embrace. She closed her eyes and slept.
The next morning, Yang Yufen had breakfast ready and packed sliced fruit for Qin Nian’s lunchbox.
"Mom, don’t bother with the extension cord. Electric blankets use too much power. We can just share—the bed’s big enough."
Qin Nian spoke between bites, head down.
"Fine."
Yang Yufen agreed briskly, her back already turned toward the kitchen.
Qin Nian bit her lip lightly. She’d said yes!
"Mom, I’m off to work. Here, take this."
Before entering the research institute gates, Qin Nian slipped money into Yang Yufen’s pocket, then hurried inside with her bag.
Yang Yufen smiled, watching until Qin Nian was out of sight before pedaling away.
Last night’s snow had settled. She decided to check on Sister Wang.
"Sister Wang? Sister Wang?"
No answer. Yang Yufen frowned. The door was latched from the inside. She called louder—still nothing.
Without hesitation, she climbed onto the tricycle, scaled the wall, and dropped into the courtyard.
