Chapter 43

Money isn't that easy to come by; San Daye tried persuading them, but the kids just said one thing—we'll discuss it after the matter is settled, otherwise nobody would admit to it.

「Well, how much money do we have at home? Let's take twenty or thirty first, I'll see if I can buy something. 」San Daye said to San Dame, 「If you're reluctant to spend on the kids, you won't catch the wolf. 」

San Dame's face wasn't looking good; she felt that since they were neighbors, buying things wasn't improper, was it? Besides, they hadn't given a definite answer—what if we got scammed?

「Hurry up, this is an opportunity; if that projectionist position falls to me, we'll have the local specialties to eat—just think, aren't those dried mushrooms fragrant? 」

San Daye changed his mind again; he still wanted to seize the opportunity for himself, because that would bring the greatest benefit.

He specially took a leave early in the morning, rode his own vehicle straight to the secondhand market. Indeed, he first planned to see if he could pick up a bargain.

After strolling around the market for a few rounds, they had everything for sale—worn clothes, broken shoes, old furniture, various old paintings of unknown age.

「Boss, how much for these leather shoes? 」

As soon as San Daye spoke, the shoe seller was secretly pleased inside; the shoes looked decent, but inside they were already no good—he had used a special method to make them, and they'd fall apart after just a few days of wear.

The shoe seller's family had been in this trade for several generations; he could see San Daye's type at a glance—an old teacher with little money at home, yet liking to dress in an imposing manner.

He was exactly the prey for this trap.

「At first glance you're clearly a cultured person; these shoes are great—genuine cowhide, only someone like you deserves them. 」 The stall owner beamed, 「Three dollars a pair, not expensive, right? 」

The price was indeed acceptable, but San Daye was reluctant to spend it.

「What a great pair of shoes—you'll definitely not lose out. 」

「Make it a bit cheaper, I'm buying this for a leader; they gave me two dollars. 」

The stall owner said nothing more; his business was poor now, but he didn't dare offend a leader—if he got caught, what would his family eat?

「Even at this price you're haggling—no manners at all; I won't sell to you. 」

San Daye was driven away.

After wandering outside for a long time, San Daye gritted his teeth and stomped his foot, yet still went into a mall.

The counter was filled with dazzling goods, but the prices made San Daye hesitate—buying anything would be like cutting flesh from his own body.

Actually, the most suitable thing would be to buy two bottles of good liquor.

But He Yuzhu originally ran a grocery shop; they had liquor there.

Walking around the mall like a headless fly, San Daye came to a counter displaying the latest alarm clocks; after a few glances, he wanted to reach out and touch it.

The clerk slapped his hand away, hands on hips, saying: 「What are you touching? Can't you see this is a new model? If you break it, can you afford to pay with your two wages? At your age, how can you not understand anything? 」

San Daye was left stunned by the scolding.

Could it be that he didn't check the almanac before going out today?

「I really want to buy it. 」 San Daye really didn't dare to talk back to the clerk, he forced a smile and said, 「I really want to buy it—how much is it? 」

The clerk glanced at him from the corner of his eye, continued sitting and eating melon seeds, until he finished them all, then slowly said, 「One hundred dollars—will you buy it? 」

Seeing the clerk's attitude, it was clear he was just making fun of him; San Daye didn't dare start a conflict and slipped out of the big mall.

「Tch, you said you had no money to buy yet you're still inquiring—what a stubborn fool. 」

San Daye left the mall scratching his head—his own outfit wasn't bad either—how could these clerks act so superior?

「Wanting to buy something, why is it so difficult—what does He Yuzhu actually like? 」 San Daye rolled his small eyes, planning to go to his own turf.

The vegetable market.

This is his forte; no vegetable vendor understands calculations as well as he does.

In the deep autumn vegetable market, hardly any other vegetables could be seen; cabbage and radish dominated, with occasional bunches of green scallions dotted here and there.

San Daye strolled around inside for half an hour, came out holding a vegetable basket with a satisfied smile—these vegetable sellers were too stupid; none could match his cleverness.

He then found a small pigeon market, and San Daye didn't come out until the afternoon.

「Tonight we'll treat He Yuzhu to a meal; I've already prepared the food—you all need to know how to speak properly, because if anyone messes things up, you'll have to cover the cost. 」

San Dame opened what he had bought, discovering there was no meat on the bones, and the cabbage was wilted. Inside there was also a small box; the moment she opened it, her eyes widened.

Inside was a gleaming gold pocket watch.

Upon closer thought, it was clear it wasn't a real gold watch—those two dollars San Daye had couldn't buy one.

「Oh dear, old man, you've been swindled! 」 San Dame shouted loudly, 「This pocket watch is junk—it doesn't tick. 」

「Keep it down. 」 San Daye grabbed San Dame, 「I knew it was faulty when I bought it—isn't that a bargain? Even just the appearance is worth a dollar. 」

This pocket watch was the result of San Daye searching all afternoon; he thought that with its glittering gold look, nobody would dare wear it openly.

Whoever wears it will run into trouble.

Moreover, He Yuzhu had just been promoted.

After being left at home for many years, it had nothing to do with him anymore.

San Dame nodded and said, 「High, really high—simple-minded He Yuzhu could never have thought of this; this pocket watch was originally a defective one. 」

San Daye felt proud and said loudly, 「Stew the bones, make a few good dishes with the cabbage, and invite He Yuzhu over tonight—we two old men will have a couple of drinks. 」

He was at home daydreaming about what he should prepare as a projectionist, when Yi Daye and Er Daye arrived together, asking whether they needed to entertain guests—of course he would have to come along to keep them company with food and drink.

San Daye was completely unwilling.

「Who told you we had to entertain guests with a meal? We're just having a casual bite among ourselves—there are no guests. 」

「Alright, we're all family, we already know. 」 Yi Daye said somewhat seriously, 「Do we really need to treat He Yuzhu to a meal? In my opinion, it's unnecessary—just tell me directly if you have anything to say. 」

「Who exactly have you been listening to? 」

「Having a meal is no big deal—it's not like we're spending money on gifts, so there's no need to be so mysterious. 」

San Daye's face turned grim—who leaked the secret? Can this sort of thing be spoken of outside? If it gets out, even things that could be done will become impossible.

All the money he'd spent, all the things he'd bought—it all amounted to nothing, like water spilled.

No way! Absolutely not!

「Old Yi, Old Liu, this is actually just a small gathering—if you want to join, each person chips in one dollar, and the whole family can come eat. 」