Caiyun took the candied haws, but didn't eat one herself first. Instead, she offered them to Wang Qingchen, "Second Brother, have a bite first." Wang Qingchen had never cared much for these sweet and sour treats even in his past life, so he shook his head and declined, "No need. Second Brother doesn't care for things this sweet and sour.

Caiyun, you eat them yourself!" Caiyun was slightly puzzled; why would her second brother dislike something so delicious? But since he didn't want any, she let it go. Caiyun ate one herself, then put the rest away.

She decided to take them home for Mother, Elder Brother, and Hongying to try. As for her father, she thought better of it; deep down, Caiyun was still a little afraid of him. Seeing the candied haws his younger daughter had bought, Wang Youfu suddenly realized he rarely bought snacks for his children.

Back when money was tight, it couldn't be helped, but now that their lives were much better, surely he could afford a few treats for the New Year. With this thought, Wang Youfu decided to take the two children to buy some snacks. Since Wang Youfu rarely bought snacks for his children, he was genuinely unsure what to purchase when he suddenly decided to do so.

He had to step into the shop to look around and ask the clerk for suggestions. The shop assistant seemed perfectly trained, rattling off a long list of food items in one breath. Wang Youfu hadn't realized that even everyday snacks came in such a variety.

After considerable deliberation, he finally selected a few items, grabbing some sesame candy, peanut brittle, and sunflower seeds, along with some pastries. However, because the pastries were quite expensive, he only bought small portions of Walnut Cookies, Chestnut Cakes, and Date Flowers, which still cost nearly one tael of silver. Seeing that the shop also sold white sugar, Wang Youfu bought some of that too.

Noticing the size of Wang Youfu's purchase, the clerk even added two pieces of water chestnut cake for free. These two pieces of water chestnut cake were then shared between Wang Qingchen and Caiyun. As if that weren't enough, Wang Youfu stopped by another food stall and bought several steamed buns stuffed with white-flour meat filling and several plain white steamed buns.

Seeing all the food Wang Youfu had purchased, Caiyun’s eyes lit up with sheer happiness. Before long, the three of them had bought quite a lot of goods—firecrackers, fish, pork—and as for the wine, since they were buying a fair amount, they had the clerk help carry it over to their oxcart. After Wang Youfu loaded all the purchases onto the oxcart, he didn't immediately drive them home.

Instead, he told Wang Qingchen and Caiyun to stay on the cart and watch the goods while he went off into the town to buy something else. In truth, Wang Youfu had suddenly recalled that his eldest son, Wang Qinghua, was already earning money and had even bought a hairpin for his fiancée-to-be. Had he, Wang Youfu, gone so many years without buying anything for Yang Shi?

Surely he couldn't be outdone by his own son? Thus, Wang Youfu resolved to purchase some jewelry for his wife as well. Wang Youfu stepped into a jewelry shop, intending to select one or two pieces for Yang Shi, but as he looked around, he truly had no idea what to choose.

The shop assistant noticed Wang Youfu browsing back and forth among a few items and stepped forward with a smile, "Sir, what are you looking for? Our shop has a vast selection of jewelry." Wang Youfu looked a bit sheepish. "I'm hoping to pick out one or two pieces for my wife." "Sir, are you looking for something more affordable, or something finer?

These pieces here are our more budget-friendly selections," the clerk said, gesturing to another section. "These over here are a bit better quality, and naturally, a bit pricier." When the two sections were compared, it was obvious that the more expensive items were superior to the cheaper ones, both in design and craftsmanship. Wang Youfu thought that since this was a rare gift for his wife, it should be a nice one.

So, Wang Youfu confined his search to the higher-priced items, which instantly made the clerk even more attentive. Wang Youfu scanned the selection and was immediately drawn to one particular hairpin. It was exquisitely crafted, with patterns resembling phoenix tail feathers, and set with a striking red bead that caught the eye.

Imagining Yang Shi wearing it, Wang Youfu nodded with satisfaction. Seeing Wang Youfu holding the hairpin with evident affection, the clerk quickly chimed in, "Sir, let me tell you, this is the only one of this hairpin we have in stock. Many young ladies have admired it, and if it weren't for the price, it would have sold long ago." "Oh?

How much is this hairpin?" Wang Youfu asked, still holding the piece. "Three taels of silver," the clerk replied. Normally, the asking price was two hundred wen higher than that, but since it hadn't sold, the manager had authorized a reduction to three taels.

"What? Three taels? This is only gilded, not pure gold, is it?" Wang Youfu was somewhat surprised.

"Heh heh... Sir, I won't hide it from you, the value of this hairpin isn't in the metal itself, but in this bead. This bead alone is probably worth close to two taels of silver." The clerk explained.

"Is that so?" Wang Youfu looked closely at the bead again; it was red and very lustrous, but he couldn't discern anything else. Wang Youfu wasn't concerned with the bead's inherent monetary value, but simply found it beautiful. "Can you lower the price on this hairpin a bit?" Wang Youfu asked, as three taels was still quite steep.

The clerk looked troubled. "Oh, sir, if this hairpin were priced any lower, it would have been gone already. Moreover, this price is already significantly reduced; it used to be three taels and two hundred wen!" Given the clerk's insistence, Wang Youfu figured the price wasn't going to budge much.

He then proposed, "How about this: I'll buy another piece of jewelry. If I purchase both, perhaps you can knock a little off the total? What do you say?" The clerk smiled.

"That can be arranged, but it depends on what else you choose, sir. What else were you considering?" Wang Youfu glanced at the display before him and picked out a pair of earrings shaped like plum blossoms, which looked delicate and charming. He pointed to them and asked, "How much are these earrings?" The clerk immediately beamed.

"Sir, you certainly have a good eye! These earrings are pure gold. Just look at how finely they are made.

These earrings are one tael of silver." "Are these truly pure gold?" Wang Youfu confirmed, figuring the price was more justifiable if they were. "Goodness, sir, how would I dare deceive you? Our shop is a long-established business; I wouldn't dare ruin our reputation, would I?" the clerk asserted.

Wang Youfu considered for a moment. He felt the earrings would suit Yang Shi perfectly, but buying two items felt expensive. After a brief struggle, he gritted his teeth.

"If I buy both of these, can you give me a discount?" Seeing that Wang Youfu intended to purchase both items, the clerk bit his lip. "I can reduce it by fifty wen, at most. Any lower, and it’s simply not possible; our shop's prices are already very fair." "Agreed.

Then please wrap both items for me." Wang Youfu said, reaching into his robes for his silver. Wang Qingchen and Caiyun waited for a while, and when Wang Youfu still hadn't returned, Caiyun asked, "Second Brother, what did Father go to buy? Why is he taking so long?" Wang Qingchen was also a bit curious as to what Wang Youfu was buying that required him to leave the two of them behind.

Still, he reassured Caiyun, "He probably forgot something. He should be back soon." As if on cue, Wang Youfu returned not long after. Wang Qingchen and Caiyun were puzzled when they saw Wang Youfu wasn't carrying anything substantial.

Had he not gone shopping in town after all? The children didn't ask, and Wang Youfu didn't offer any explanation. And so, Wang Youfu drove the oxcart, and the three of them slowly made their way home.

It was the first time the family had bought so many things for the New Year. Looking at what Wang Youfu had brought back, and reflecting on their newfound prosperity, the entire household was filled with joy. Yang Shi organized all the items Wang Youfu and the children had purchased, then began preparing the New Year's gifts.

She divided them into several portions and tasked Wang Youfu and their two sons with delivering them. While Wang Youfu and the boys were out delivering the gifts, Yang Shi started making traditional foods that the people of Qingshan Town always ate during the New Year, such as fried meatballs and steamed buns. Caiyun carefully put away the snacks Wang Youfu had bought in town, reviewing the haul one more time.

Then, clutching the candied haws, she approached Yang Shi, who was busy preparing food. Caiyun held the candied haws up to Yang Shi's face. "Mother, Second Brother bought me these candied haws.

They are delicious; please try one." Yang Shi smiled and shook her head. "Caiyun, you eat them yourself. Mother doesn't eat these." Caiyun insisted.

"Mother, just one, please!" Yang Shi relented with a sigh and took a bite. The sourness immediately made her eyes water. "Mother has tasted it.

Caiyun, go play now." "Mm!" Only then did Caiyun take the candied haws to find Hongying and the others to play, naturally planning to share them with Hongying. At the main ancestral house, the elderly couple examined the New Year's gifts Wang Youfu had brought. The Old Master appeared quite pleased, but the Old Mistress seemed somewhat dissatisfied.

"Father, these are offerings of respect from us to you two elders." Wang Youfu presented five catties of white rice, five catties of white flour, and two catties of wine. "Second Son, your family's life has just turned around a little this year. You shouldn't waste money on your old parents; keep this money and live well.

Your mother and I lack nothing here," the Old Master said. "Father, this is our way of showing respect to you both. It's no waste at all; please accept it!" Wang Youfu insisted.

Seeing his second son's sincere intent, the Old Master accepted the gifts. The Old Mistress, however, snorted dismissively, clearly unhappy with the offering. Wang Youfu heard the Old Mistress's snort, but he paid it no mind.

Considering how many times he had been disheartened by the main house over the years, managing to show such filial piety now was already a considerable feat. If they remained dissatisfied, there was nothing more he could do.