“Aunties, are you all here to look at clothes?” Fu Wenwen asked them with a light smile.
“Fu Zhiqing, you’re not keeping all these nice clothes?” an auntie stepped forward, picked one up, and held it with obvious fondness. “These clothes are truly beautiful, and they don’t wrinkle either.”
“It’s just that I don’t have enough space at home. Instead of letting them sit and not be worn, it’s better to exchange them for something,” Fu Wenwen said with a smile. “If you aunties like them, take three and I’ll give you one more for free.”
“Really?” Chen Lingling and the others’ eyes instantly lit up.
“Of course,” Fu Wenwen nodded. “Not everything has to be exchanged for money; grain is fine too.”
As soon as she said this, the elder aunties had no more reservations and immediately scrambled for the clothes.
“Don’t move, I saw this one first!”
“This is mine!”
“This, this, this, I want this one! Let go…”
“… This is mine!”
Fu Wenwen watched the aunties descend into a frenzy and quietly stepped back with Xiao Hong, afraid of getting caught in the crossfire.
“Sister Xiao Hong, bring your husband over tonight. Let’s have dinner together at my place,” Fu Wenwen said softly to Xiao Hong beside her.
“Why go to such expense? It’s not necessary for such a small matter.” Xiao Hong disagreed. Seeing that Fu Wenwen’s home was bare, she couldn’t agree.
“I’ve already invited Sister Cuihua and Brother-in-law Liu Qiang. All that’s missing are you and your husband,” Fu Wenwen said with a light smile. “As you said, there are many days ahead! One meal, just like family eating together.”
“Alright!” Hearing Fu Wenwen’s words, if Zhang Cuihua had agreed, then she couldn’t refuse either. Xiao Hong patted Fu Wenwen’s hand. “Just this once, don’t spend so much in the future.”
“Okay,” Fu Wenwen nodded with a smile.
As soon as Fu Wenwen finished talking with Xiao Hong, she saw that the boxes that had been full of clothes were now empty.
Each elder auntie had at least two or three items, and Chen Lingling and Wu Fang were holding four or five pieces each, proving their fighting spirit was no less than that of the elder aunties.
“Fu Zhiqing, please tally them up for us.” The elder aunties smiled happily and waved at Fu Wenwen.
After Fu Wenwen had calculated for them, the elder aunties exchanged glances. “Fu Zhiqing, you just said we could exchange for grain, right?”
Thinking they still had plenty of grain at home, the elder aunties were calculating their options.
“Yes! Rice, assorted grains, anything is fine,” Fu Wenwen said with a smile.
“Then wait a moment, I’ll go home now and have my son bring it to you!” The elder aunties smiled at Fu Wenwen.
“Alright,” Fu Wenwen nodded. Xiao Hong, who was beside her, spoke up. “Aunties, please put the clothes on the boxes first. You can take the clothes back when you bring the grain later.”
“We can just take them home now, can’t we!” one auntie said to Xiao Hong with a hint of annoyance.
“How would Fu Zhiqing know who is who? Auntie, don’t you think so?” Xiao Hong said with a smile.
The elder aunties glanced at Xiao Hong, then unhappily put down the clothes and left.
“You, you’re still too young! With these elder aunties, you have to be careful,” Xiao Hong looked at Fu Wenwen and said earnestly. “Do you believe that if you let them take the clothes home, none of them will bring any grain?”
“…I was too naive.” Fu Wenwen understood Xiao Hong’s meaning, not expecting these elder aunties to be so cunning.
Chen Lingling and Wu Fang nodded, holding their clothes. “If these old aunties throw a tantrum and refuse to pay, you won’t be able to do anything about them. Even the village head can’t deal with them.”