First Night with the Army: The Stoic Big Shot Is Done Pretending

Wen Ci walked into the department store. It had just opened, and the clerks were all methodically busy with their tasks. She passed by a clothing store.

Wen Ci stopped and stood outside the display window. She immediately took a liking to a dark-colored turtleneck wool sweater on a mannequin. For this era, the style looked exceptionally fashionable.

’I can buy it for Huo Jingyuan to wear.’

Wen Ci walked into the store and saw that every wool sweater had a clearly marked price tag. After taking a closer look, she couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow.

The price of each wool sweater was generally over one hundred yuan.

In this era, the average monthly salary was just a few dozen yuan. Huo Jingyuan’s monthly salary and subsidies were only fifty-four yuan. One sweater was equivalent to two months of his salary.

Wen Ci thought it over carefully. ’The 80s are a prime time for making money. I have to put making money on my agenda, or I’ll live to regret it.’

Wen Ci spoke up, "Can you give me a discount on this sweater?"

"This is an authentic ’Shanhai’ brand wool sweater, a genuine product from a state-owned enterprise. We’re the only specialty store in the entire Northwest. We don’t give discounts."

Wen Ci: "..."

The salesclerk in front of her was dressed smartly, but her tone held a hint of condescension.

Wen Ci lifted a hand to brush back her hair, nonchalantly revealing the golden bracelet on her wrist. She gave a faint smile. "Can you really not go any lower? I’ll buy two at once."

’If I’m buying one for Huo Jingyuan, I should get one for myself too.’

The clerk saw the golden bracelet on Wen Ci’s wrist and sized her up a few times. Her clothes were simple, but she was unexpectedly a wealthy customer. A smile appeared on the clerk’s face.

"Miss, if you’re buying two sweaters, I can take the liberty of giving you ten yuan off. How does that sound?"

"Ten yuan off each?"

"Yes, that’s possible."

Wen Ci mentally calculated. Twenty yuan off in total. She was satisfied. "First, get me this dark-colored sweater. I’ll pick out another one..."

Wen Ci’s gaze swept over the other turtleneck sweaters. She chose a light pink one and went to the fitting room to try it on. The pink complemented her skin, making it look as fair and smooth as fine cream.

Standing in front of the mirror, Wen Ci was extremely pleased.

Wen Ci asked, "My husband isn’t here. If the size is too small, can I exchange it?"

"As long as you don’t remove the tag, you can come back for an exchange or refund anytime."

Wen Ci pulled two hundred-yuan bills from her dowry money and handed them to the clerk. After getting twenty yuan back in change, she left the sweater shop with the bag in hand, her heart filled with joy. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

She then bought a number of other items from the list Huo Jingyuan had given her.

Wen Ci paid a worker to help her move everything to the entrance of the guesthouse. She had also bought a case of instant noodles just in case. After paying him, she said, "Sir, please help me move this to the guesthouse entrance. Just don’t block the doorway."

"I’ll make sure it’s done right."

Wen Ci supervised the whole time; after all, these things cost a fair bit of money.

Suddenly, Wen Ci heard someone shouting breathlessly, "Robbery! That person stole my things! Isn’t anyone going to help?"

Everyone’s gaze turned toward the sound.

The fleeing robber held a sharp blade in his left hand, the knife still stained with blood. In his right hand was a leather bag, which was stuffed full.

Seeing the knife in his hand, people quickly backed away.

Robbers in these times were incredibly brazen, the kind who wouldn’t hesitate to injure or kill. Everyone thought it was better to mind their own business and steered clear.

Seeing the robber running in her direction, Wen Ci calmly moved to the side of the road, stuck out her foot, and deliberately tripped him.

The robber fell to the ground, and the leather bag was flung from his grasp.