Chapter 57: Heading to Town, the Lovely Daughter-in-Law Stuns the Crowd

On the twenty-seventh of the twelfth lunar month, the sky cleared.

After several days of heavy goose-feather snow, it finally stopped; pushing open the creaking wooden door, the whole Shanwan Village seemed to be covered with a thick white quilt.

The sunlight after the snow was especially glaring, the air fresh and biting.

Lu Qingshan stood in the courtyard, took a deep breath, and his chest felt relaxed.

"Qing Shan, shall we leave after breakfast?"

Lin Yue'e's voice was tentative; she held a bulging cloth bundle containing two hundred yuan in cash and all the family's cloth coupons.

Lu Qingshan took the bundle, weighed it, then shoved it back into her hand.

"You keep it. I still have twenty-plus, that's enough. Today we're going to the county town to properly stock up on New Year goods!"

"Go to the county town?"

Lin Yue'e froze, then worried, "It's too far, and too expensive..."

"Dad! Are we going to the county town?"

Xiao Xue on the kang sprang up, her eyes shining like stars; barefoot she wanted to jump down, but Lin Yue'e swiftly pressed her down to put on socks.

The little girl excitedly circled Lu Qingshan, asking, "What are we going to do in the county town? Buy sugar figurines?"

Lu Qingshan scooped up his daughter and kissed her cheek.

"Exactly! We'll go to the county town, buy new clothes, buy tasty food, and get my daughter a pair of new cotton shoes with red flowers!" His tone left no room for doubt.

Seeing her husband's unusual persistence and her daughter's eager eyes, Lin Yue'e bit her lip and nodded.

Yeah, it's been several years; since we had this family, we've never properly celebrated a decent New Year.

In previous years, not to mention celebrating the New Year, just not going hungry was something to be thankful for.

"Then... I'll go find you a warmer set of clothes." Lin Yue'e turned and went into the inner room.

"No need for old ones!"

Lu Qingshan interrupted her, walked to the kang, and picked up three neatly stacked brand-new cotton jackets.

"Just wear the ones you've been sewing these days! The whole family will wear new ones!"

These were made by Lin Yue'e from exchanged cotton and cloth coupons, stitch by stitch, after several nights of work, three jackets of genuine twill fabric.

Lu Qingshan's is dark blue, stain-resistant and dignified;

hers and Xiao Xue's are light blue, making their already fair complexions look even more delicate.

Lin Yue'e looked at the several new cotton jackets, feeling both reassured and reluctant.

"This... wearing it on the road would be a shame if it got dirty..."

"New clothes are made to be worn."

Without another word, Lu Qingshan grabbed a cotton jacket and put it on Xiao Xue.

The little girl spun excitedly on the spot, her braids flying, shouting nonstop, "I have new clothes! Oh oh!"

Lin Yue'e watched her daughter's happy expression, her lips involuntarily curving up; she stopped protesting and silently put on her own new cotton jacket.

Although the light-blue twill fabric wasn't top-notch, compared to the old patched thin cotton jacket, it was completely new and smooth.

It improved her complexion considerably; the long-standing worry in her brows and eyes faded a bit, adding a touch of youthful feminine grace.

Lu Qingshan also quickly changed into the dark-blue new cotton jacket; the twill fabric was crisp, the new cotton thick and warm.

He now looked taller and more upright; the harshness in his brow was replaced by steadiness and responsibility, his spirit completely changed.

He looked at the familiar yet strange reflection in the small mirror, then at his wife beside him wearing new clothes, a shy smile on her face, and their lively daughter.

A feeling of indescribable satisfaction and excitement welled up in his heart.

"This is home! This is the life I want to live!"

Lu Qingshan set Xiao Xue down, patted Jin Hu's head: "Guard the house, I'll bring you a bone when I'm back!" Jin Hu rubbed against him and obediently squatted at the door.

"Go! Depart! To the county town!"

Lu Qingshan waved his big hand, one arm holding his daughter, the other taking his wife's hand, and strode out of the courtyard.

In the new year, he vowed to let his wife and daughter live in a good house, have meat every meal, and new clothes all year round!

They rode Liu Hua Qiang's cart to the town, then squeezed onto the bus to the county town.

The bus cabin was packed with people, the air stale, filled with various unpleasant smells.

Xiao Xue's first time in a car, she was excited yet a little scared.

She clung tightly to her father's chest, her little head peeking through the frost-patterned window, curiously watching the scenery outside fly by.

Lin Yue'e felt somewhat ill at ease, seeing the respectable townspeople around, she unconsciously leaned closer to Lu Qingshan.

After over an hour, the bus entered Jiangyuan Xiancheng.

Getting off the bus, the bustling noise and scenery utterly unlike the town left Lin Yue'e and Xiao Xue somewhat at a loss.

Lu Qingshan, however, appeared composed; he straightened his back, one hand holding Xiao Xue, the other lightly embracing Lin Yue'e's shoulder, giving her silent comfort and strength, and headed straight for the county town's most imposing building—the department store.

Pushing open the heavy glass door, a warm breeze scented with soap, snowflake cream, and new fabric blew over them.

The spacious, bright hall featured polished glass counters displaying a dazzling array of goods—food, clothing, and daily necessities—everything one could want.

Lin Yue'e and Xiao Xue stared, eyes wide, momentarily forgetting to move.

"Come on, let's buy clothes for you two first!"

Lu Qingshan led them straight to the second-floor clothing, shoe, and hat counter.

Before the clothing counter, several female salespeople in twill shirts with fashionable hairstyles were chatting together.

Seeing the Lu family of three dressed in rustic attire, their eyes unconsciously flickered with a hint of disdain.

Lu Qingshan's gaze swept over, scanning the assorted garments on the counter, finally settling on a sky-blue polyester-cotton smock.

This fabric is crisp, the color bright, and it's the latest style in town right now.

"Comrade, could you please bring out that blue smock for me to have a look?"

A young female shop assistant lazily walked over.

This isn't cheap, it's twelve point five, and you also need a two point seven chi cloth coupon, you guys...

Her words were doubtful.

Lu Qingshan didn't speak, he directly took the bulging cloth bundle from Lin Yue'e's hands.

He pulled out a fresh stack of Great Unity and a pile of cloth coupons, holding them in his hand.

But that made the shop assistant's following words get stuck in her throat.

His tone calm: "Take it out, try it."

The shop assistant's eyes shifted, somewhat embarrassed as she took off the clothing.

Lin Yue'e's fingertips brushed over the smooth fabric, full of affection, yet startled by the price, she wanted to pull Lu Qingshan.

"Not expensive."

Lu Qingshan gripped her cold hand, his eyes gentle yet firm.

"Go try it on, it'll definitely look good."

Seeing he really wanted to buy, the shop assistant's attitude improved a bit, she pointed to the fitting room nearby.

Lin Yue'e's cheeks flushed crimson, both nervous and eager, holding the clothes, she somewhat awkwardly walked behind the curtain.

Moments later, the curtain lifted, and Lin Yue'e walked out.

In that instant, Lu Qingshan felt his breath stop.

The fresh sky-blue overdress seemed tailor-made for her, the refreshing color complemented her fair, delicate skin, and her waist was perfectly outlined.

She seemed like a pearl whose dust had been wiped away; the years of sorrow and fatigue in her brows were largely washed away, revealing a nearly forgotten fresh and graceful elegance.

She lowered her head, hands nervously twisting the hem of her clothes, her face flushed crimson, yet she couldn't help but sneak a glance at Lu Qingshan.

Lu Qingshan stared, entranced.

His heart felt as if clenched by something, guilt, astonishment, pity... various emotions surged.

Only then did he truly realize that his wife was actually this beautiful!

It was poverty and hardship, his own past misdeeds, that let this fresh Handcrafted Flower gather dust and wither for so many years!

He owed her so, so much!

Now, just a single new outfit let her regain vitality, as if time had turned back.

It took them back to when they first met, that girl with braided pigtails and sparkling eyes.

"Mom looks great! Mom looks great in her new clothes!"

Xiao Xue was the first to break the silence, clapping her little hands and shouting with joy.

The surrounding customers and the shop assistant also looked over, their eyes full of astonishment.

The shop assistant who had been languid just moments ago now had her mouth slightly open, hardly able to believe her own eyes.

Lin Yue'e's face grew even redder; she gave her daughter a light reproachful look, yet the corners of her mouth couldn't help but turn up.

That smile, like the first crack in a frozen lake's surface, breathed the breath of spring.

"Bought!"

Lu Qingshan came to his senses, his voice carrying a barely perceptible hoarseness, revealing an unquestionable resolve.

He didn't even glance at the shop assistant's changing expression, directly pulling out a Great Unity bill, some small change, and the tightly clenched, heated cloth coupons.

With a soft "pop", he steadily placed it on the glass counter.

Those fresh bills and complete coupons were more powerful than any words.

He also pointed to a bolt of deep reddish-purple corduroy hanging nearby, and said in a low voice: "Comrade, this corduroy, also give us enough material for cotton-padded jackets and pants; my wife will definitely look good in it."

The shop assistant's perfunctory expression vanished instantly, replaced by a somewhat stiff enthusiasm; she swiftly measured the fabric and wrote out the tickets.

Yet his eyes couldn't help but furtively glance at Lin Yue'e, wondering how this dowdy country woman could deserve such fine material and such an "overbearing" man.

Although the woman was indeed beautiful, the man's attire was just as rustic.

The few onlookers who had been watching the spectacle also began to whisper, their eyes darting back and forth between Lin Yue'e and Lu Qingshan.

Lin Yue'e stood to the side, watching Lu Qingshan's lavish spending for her, and feeling the subtle glances from around her, her eye sockets instantly reddened, her heart in turmoil.

How many years had it been? She had never experienced being treated so seriously, being held dear, what that felt like.

Immense sorrow and resentment nearly overwhelmed her, but even more so was a feeling of breaking through the earth, a trembling warmth and sweetness.

She quickly lowered her head, blinking hard, afraid tears would fall and she'd lose composure.

Next, Lu Qingshan took Xiao Xue to the children's clothing section.

He patiently picked out a set of bright red cotton-padded jacket and pants for his daughter, adorned with delicate white small floral patterns, as if to make up for the years of lacking bright colors for her all at once.

He also chose a pair of thick, warm little cotton shoes with little rabbits embroidered on the uppers.

Xiao Xue was delighted like a chick just out of the nest, clutching her new clothes and shoes, refusing to let go, her little face flushed, like a festive New Year's doll.

She wrapped her arms around Lu Qingshan's neck and gave him several loud "mwah" kisses, the sound drawing sideways glances and smiles from those nearby.

Watching her daughter's never-before-seen radiant smile, Lin Yue'e's heart felt as if soaked in warm water, warmth spreading through.

That earlier pang of regret over money had long been washed away by immense happiness, leaving no trace.

Leaving the clothing counter, Lu Qingshan headed straight for the food section.

His goal clear, he bought a full two catties of marbled pork belly, also buying white sugar, salt, peanut oil, rice—these necessities—and even weighed out half a catty each of the kids' favorite fruit candy and sweet fried batter strands, plus some fried dough sticks.

Lin Yue'e followed behind, watching the cloth bags grow heavier.

Her heart felt both relieved and unable to stop silently calculating the expenses, her eyes mixing pity and satisfaction.

Lu Qingshan held a large bundle full of clothing and fabric in one hand, and a heavy bag of food in the other, his face brimming with an unprecedented ease and satisfaction.

"Come on, we're done shopping, let's go eat! Let's go to a restaurant!"

Looking at his wife, completely renewed, and his daughter beaming with joy, heroic spirit rose in his heart; he waved his hand broadly, about to lead them out of the department store.

"Huh? Still… still want to go out to eat?"

Lin Yue'e jumped in fright, hurriedly grabbed him, and her voice changed tone.

"Qing Shan, don't splurge! We've bought so many things, that's enough for a good New Year; we can just make the same at home…"

"That's not the same!"

Lu Qingshan, without further discussion, tightly grasped her hand, and with his other hand firmly lifted Xiao Xue, his tone resolute.

"We're happy today, we must celebrate! Consider it an early New Year!"

"Come on, Dad will take you to try the city's state‑run hotel's meat buns and stewed dishes! Good days have to start from now!"

He led his wife and daughter, chest out and head held high, out of the department store.

Bathed in the winter afternoon sun, as if to fling all past gloom behind them.