81 Observations (3)
Gu Qingming followed her grandmother, aunt, and sister-in-law to the square to buy things. She never knew that these clothes and shoes would be so cheap.
They ranged from under a hundred to at most a couple of hundred dollars.
There was still room for negotiation at such a low price.
Gu Qingming was dumbfounded.
After being stunned for a moment, she whispered into Third Sister-in-law’s ear, “Third Sister-in-law, are these clothes really so cheap?”
Jiang Yao was stunned for a moment before she reacted. Then, she covered her mouth and smiled. She replied, “Yes, these things in the countryside are so cheap. This is even if you buy them in a shop. If you buy them at a street stall, it will be even cheaper.”
She looked at Gu Qingming’s puzzled expression and continued to explain seriously, “Mingming, the standard of living in the countryside is like this.”
“Nowadays, in order to survive, young people can only leave the countryside to work. The elderly and children who are left behind can’t do other work at home. They can only farm. The year-round harvest is just enough for them to survive and barely feed themselves. Where did they get the money from?”
Gu Qingming asked in confusion, “Old people and children who stayed behind?”
“Yes, yes.” Jiang Yao nodded.
“The young went out to work. Shouldn’t they provide the rest with living expenses?” Gu Qingming asked again.
“My dear sister, you don’t understand. Perhaps you can’t imagine the way young people and old people interact.” Jiang Yao shook her head with a smile. “Young people will come back with living expenses when they go out to work. However, these are living expenses for the family, not to buy clothes and shoes.”
Gu Qingming could not understand why young people who went out to work could send more money back.
Ever since she was young, she had been clothed and fed. How could she imagine that these ordinary people would work so hard for a little money but not have much money in their hands?
Young people went out to work mostly to feed themselves and their children.
Farming at home all year round would not allow one to earn much.
A month’s salary, or two to three months’ salary, was equivalent to a year’s harvest of farming at home.
Therefore, for the sake of money, one could only work outside.
The young people who went out to work would send a portion of the money home after they were paid. They would leave a portion of the money as living expenses and save the rest.
When he saved up enough money, he might be able to buy a house and a car.
Besides, the elderly had lived a hard life. Even if they had some money, they would definitely not be willing to spend a lot of money to buy expensive clothes when they had to work in the fields every day.
The nice clothes they were wearing were bought for them by the young people. Usually, they would only wear them when they went to a banquet.
To Gu Qingming, even clothes that cost a few hundred dollars seemed too cheap.
However, looking at the fabric of the clothes, it was indeed incomparable to the branded clothes she was wearing.
After shopping for a while at the apparel section, the group brought Gu Qingming around to other areas.
“What is this? Why is this bramble vine red?” Gu Qingming pointed at a small bundle of bramble vine in front of an old man.
“This is an old vine!” Grandma explained.
“What is it used for? Why would it be sold on this street?” Gu Qingming asked curiously.
“The thorny stems of this old bramble are all red. Red sap will flow out when you slash it with a knife,” Grandma explained. “This bramble is usually used for bathing in the countryside, especially after a woman gives birth. Many people use this to boil in hot water for bathing.”
Gu Qingming said in surprise, “Bathing?”
“Yes, this is used to treat rheumatism and prevent colds,” Grandma explained. Then, she couldn’t help but look at Gu Qingming’s belly and say, “After you give birth and come, I’ll prepare this for you to bathe in during your confinement period.”
Gu Qingming glanced at the blood-red Old Jing Vine and felt a little conflicted. She asked, “Grandma, it’s so red. The water that’s boiled can’t be red, right?”
At the thought of bathing in this red liquid, Gu Qingming felt a chill all over her body and had goosebumps. She could not help but feel conflicted.
“No,” her grandmother explained. “This boiled water is dark brown.”
“Black-brown?” Gu Qingming frowned slightly. “Will my skin turn brown after washing?”
She was very vain and cared a lot about her fair skin. She didn’t want her skin to turn brown because of her confinement.
“Haha…” Grandma laughed and said, “Don’t worry, you may be dyed darker when you bathe in it. However, your fair skin will be restored once you stop.”
Gu Qingming continued to read. At this moment, she had some understanding of many things she had never seen before.
“This is Plantago Asiatica. The herb acquisition station will buy it. Nowadays, many old people pull out herbs to sell for a little income.”
“Since the herb acquisition station will buy it, why is there someone selling it here?”
“Plantago Asiatica has diuretic, heat-clearing, vision-clearing, phlegm-dispelling, and other effects. It can treat urination, blood delivery, jaundice, and edema. Many people will buy it and steam it themselves. Here, let’s get a price.”
“Is this honeysuckle?” Gu Qingming finally recognized something. “Is honeysuckle also sold here?”
“Of course. Honeysuckle is used to make tea. These honeysuckles on the ground were all picked in the mountain.”
Gu Qingming’s eyes lit up. “Wild?”
“Yes, it’s wild!” Grandma nodded.
“Grandma, I’ll buy these honeysuckles,” Gu Qingming said.
“Alright,” Grandma wouldn’t refuse.
“Only 25 dollars per catty?”
So cheap?
Hearing the price of wild honeysuckle, Gu Qingming was very shocked.
The price of honeysuckle sold in their supermarket was 50 to 60 dollars per tael, and the good ones cost hundreds.
Moreover, the honeysuckle was dried and did not weigh much. This big bag was only half a catty.
Gu Qingming could only exclaim. Things in the countryside were really cheap.
Gu Qingming continued to look around, but other than honeysuckle, she did not buy anything else.
After walking around, Gu Qingming couldn’t help but exclaim. There were really many good and cheap things in this countryside.
It was an eye-opener for her. Market Day shopping was actually quite interesting.
The weather was getting hotter and hotter, and there were many people gathered in the compound. The smell emitted by some people was really not pleasant.
Gu Qingming felt that she could not stand the heat anymore. And this smell made her nauseous. Hence, the group returned to the parking lot and prepared to go home.