Reborn in 1981, starting by smashing my iron rice bowl.

Liu Weidong had already guessed that Wang Shujuan would say that, and said with a smile, "Of course you have to buy new clothes for the New Year. Your cotton-padded coat is too old and not warm at all. This kind of ski jacket is much better. Quickly put it on and see if it looks pretty!"

Although Liu Weidong said that, Wang Shujuan still looked at the price tag with a troubled expression, appearing very hesitant.

Ski jackets are essentially quilted nylon outerwear, with more elaborate versions sometimes including a hood. Compared to later down jackets, they are rather ordinary in terms of style and warmth.

However, in the early 1980s, ski jackets were definitely the most fashionable clothes in winter, and only young people in the city would wear them.

Such fashionable clothes are certainly not cheap. Take the ski jacket that Liu Weidong has his eye on, for example. The price tag says it's sixty-five yuan!

At that time, bargaining was not allowed in state-run department stores; the price on the tag was non-negotiable. Sixty-odd yuan was equivalent to a month and a half's wages for an average worker, no wonder Wang Shujuan was reluctant to buy it.

Seeing that Wang Shujuan was still hesitating, Liu Weidong continued to persuade her: "Don't worry about the price. I'm not short of money now. I'll buy you whatever you like!"

Just then, Feng Honghu and Gu Mingfang also arrived. After hearing Liu Weidong's words, both of them wore cold smiles.

Feng Honghu was the first to attack, deliberately speaking loudly: "Liu Weidong, a farmer like you can't even afford a ski jacket with the work points you earn in a year, yet you dare to say you're not short of money? That's a huge boast!"

Gu Mingfang chimed in, "That's right, look at the price carefully. This ski jacket costs over sixty yuan, not six! Can a farmer like you afford that?"

As the woman spoke, she examined the ski jacket, growing increasingly fond of it. She felt that such fashionable clothes should be worn by city dwellers like herself; that way, she would definitely look much prettier and outshine this country woman!

Thinking of this, Gu Mingfang was even more tempted, and quickly whispered to Feng Honghu, "Honghu, this dress is really beautiful!"

Feng Honghu certainly knew what Gu Mingfang meant, but even for him, whose family of three all had stable jobs, a piece of clothing costing over sixty yuan was still too expensive.

So Feng Honghu pretended to be confused and deliberately sneered at his girlfriend, "What's the use of it being so pretty? He definitely can't afford it; he can only look at it!"

"I'm not talking about anyone else, I'm talking about myself!" Gu Mingfang lost her patience and shouted at Feng Honghu, "I like this dress, I want to buy it too!"

Feng Honghu couldn't fool him anymore, so he could only force a smile and say, "Mingfang, don't worry. Give me a few months, and I'll definitely buy it for you once I've saved enough money!"

Gu Mingfang sneered, "Feng Honghu, are you kidding me? It'll be summer in a few months, who's going to buy a ski jacket then!"

Feng Honghu said awkwardly, "Mingfang, how could I lie to you? I really am short of money."

Liu Weidong watched the two arguing with a cold smile, then loudly called out to the sales clerk, "Hello, sir, we'd like to try on this ski jacket!"

"Oh, really, no need!" Wang Shujuan quickly refused, but she couldn't resist Liu Weidong's persuasion and tried on the expensive ski jacket.

Wang Shujuan was already very beautiful, and this pink ski jacket made her even more radiant and stunning. Many male customers were secretly watching her, including Feng Honghu.

Liu Weidong looked Wang Shujuan up and down, then nodded in satisfaction and said, "Hmm, this dress suits you very well, you look beautiful!"

Wang Shujuan actually liked the dress very much, but she still hesitated and said, "But... it's too expensive!"

"Didn't I say I have plenty of money?" Liu Weidong waved his hand dismissively, then said to the sales clerk, "We'll take this ski jacket. Could you also bring me the men's one to take a look at? If it's suitable, I'll take that too!"

Liu Weidong was decisive when it came to buying things; after trying them on, he immediately decided to buy one for himself. Under the surprised gazes of Feng Honghu and Gu Mingfang, he bought two ski jackets in one go.

What's even more infuriating is that as Liu Weidong left, he deliberately sneered at Feng Honghu, saying, "If you don't have money, don't take your girlfriend shopping. It's one thing to embarrass yourself, but you're dragging the girl down with you!"

"Ah!" Gu Mingfang was already very angry, and Liu Weidong's provocation finally made her lose her temper. She shouted and turned to run away.

"Mingfang, Mingfang, don't run away!" Feng Honghu hurriedly chased after her, shouting loudly, "Give me a little time, I'll definitely buy it for you, okay?"

This guy originally wanted to find a sense of superiority in Liu Weidong, but instead he was humiliated and even his girlfriend left him. He really lost more than he gained.

However, Liu Weidong showed no sympathy for Feng Honghu. Since this guy wanted to step on others to gain a sense of superiority, he deserved to be slapped in the face.

After that annoying guy left, Liu Weidong could finally happily go on a shopping spree. Ignoring Wang Shujuan's objections, he then bought her new trousers and a pair of cotton-padded leather shoes.

The trousers and leather shoes cost another fifty yuan, which made Wang Shujuan very upset. She kept muttering behind Liu Weidong, "Too expensive, this is too expensive!"

However, Liu Weidong pretended not to hear and continued shopping for New Year's goods. Having money meant he couldn't skimp on himself; starting with this New Year's shopping spree, he wanted to gradually get Wang Shujuan used to spending money!

Next, Liu Weidong went to the tobacco and liquor counter and bought two cartons of Peony cigarettes and two bottles of Moutai. These were for visiting Wei Guohui during the Spring Festival, so he couldn't be careless.

These days, a bottle of Moutai only costs eight yuan, which is incredibly cheap. So after thinking about it, Liu Weidong bought two more bottles, thinking he could use them for entertaining guests later.

Next, at the small goods counter, Liu Weidong bought a hair clip for Wang Shujuan. Although it was just a common plastic hair clip in later generations, it was enough to make this simple girl very happy.

Finally, Liu Weidong bought Wang Shujuan a bottle of face cream and a box of clam oil at the daily necessities counter.

Clam oil was also a unique skincare product of this era. It got its name from being contained in clam shells and could prevent skin from cracking and keep the skin smooth and radiant.

In the rural areas of the early 1980s, any young woman or married woman who owned a box of clam oil was the envy of all her girlfriends. As for face cream, it goes without saying; very few people in the village used such a high-end product!

But now that Liu Weidong had bought both face cream and clam oil, Wang Shujuan was both happy and distressed. She couldn't help but whisper to Liu Weidong, "Weidong, aren't we being too wasteful?"

"What's the waste? We're not short of money!" Liu Weidong said cheerfully. "Money is meant to be spent. Use face cream and clam oil on your hands. Remember to use them every day, and you'll become more and more beautiful!"

Liu Weidong's straightforward praise made Wang Shujuan blush and lower her head, too embarrassed to speak.

Just then, Liu Weidong suddenly stopped and looked at the food counter with interest, saying, "Hey, I never expected that this kind of thing would be available now!"