Harmony had already touched Parker Jace’s coat and couldn’t help but reach for it again.
“It’s a blend of cashmere and wool, really good material.”
The style was also nice; Parker Jace bought a navy blue one, and her husband, Cesar, could wear black. Black was more stable and generous, avoiding any opinions from Cesar’s superiors. Harmony was determined to buy it; 140 dollars was expensive, but for a skilled female worker like her, with a monthly salary of several dozen dollars plus some bonuses, buying a coat for her man was within her means.
But whose money comes easily? Bargaining was still necessary. After haggling for a while, they settled on 138 dollars, and Harmony felt like she had gotten a great deal.
With Parker Jace leading the way, Whitaker Scarlett’s business finally kicked off.
She didn’t go home for lunch, just bought two pancakes on the street, and by around four in the afternoon, she had sold a total of three coats.
Amanda also returned with goods, but without Whitaker Scarlett setting up a stall with her, her business wasn’t doing well either. However, every time she sold a coat, Amanda had to emphasize repeatedly that the clothing store would open before the New Year, inviting everyone to buy clothes on Pinnacle Road.
When people asked for the store name, Amanda was stumped; the two families hadn’t discussed it yet!
The clothes didn’t need to be moved to Whitaker Scarlett’s place; they could be taken directly to Amanda’s home. Amanda’s rented apartment was on the third floor, while Parker Jace’s friend lived on the opposite fifth floor, diagonally across with a distance of over ten meters. Harmony took in the distance across the street.
“So they’re relatives with the people in the courtyard; no wonder they set up a stall at the entrance. Cesar, how does the coat fit? I didn’t waste my hundred-plus dollars, did I?”
How could it be a waste?
Cashmere has good warmth, and with the wool blend, the structured design isn’t too thick, making it feel light and convenient to wear in winter.
Parker Jace stayed at the Cesar family for dinner, and only left after seeing Whitaker Scarlett leave.
He had been restless all afternoon, losing every game of chess he played with Cesar.
…
When Amanda asked what the clothing store would be called, Whitaker Scarlett couldn’t possibly give it a fancy foreign name. It needed to fit the times, be memorable, and at that time, various stores often used surnames for names; were the most common, like Maria’s snack shop.
Those names suited food businesses, but it would be strange for a clothing store. Whitaker Scarlett directly said:
“Auntie, let’s just use your name…”
Amanda disagreed, saying it wasn’t just her business.
In the end, they agreed on the name “Blue Phoenix.”
When Micheal got out of school, Whitaker Scarlett patiently spent some time with him, asking if his homework was difficult. By 5 o’clock, Amanda insisted on having her stay for dinner, but she refused, hurrying home while it was still light.
Elizabeth had already prepared dinner at home.
“You’re back? Hurry up and wash your hands to eat; you can still read after dinner. You have to go to school again tomorrow, right?”
Grandma Johnson had her door closed.
On the high cabinet was a bowl of stewed lamb, which Elizabeth had stubbornly placed there.
Grandma Johnson couldn’t understand. If it was for the storefront on Pinnacle Road, the contract had been signed, and she had received the 2000 dollars annual rent, then Elizabeth and her daughter’s purpose should have been achieved.
So why was Elizabeth still helping her sweep the street?
Grandma Johnson thought there must be a bigger scheme at play, so she quietly watched, knowing that the mother and daughter would eventually reveal their true colors. The aroma of lamb wafted to Grandma Johnson’s nose, while outside, Whitaker Scarlett and Elizabeth were chatting and laughing over dinner, their lively atmosphere enlivening the entire courtyard.
Grandma Johnson got out of bed and picked up the bowl to eat.
Why shouldn’t she eat? If she didn’t eat well, how could she have the energy to outsmart the cunning mother and daughter?
The next morning, Whitaker Scarlett took her books and took the bus back to Greenfield. Elizabeth continued to help Grandma Johnson sweep the street and was about to go to the oil factory to pick up goods when Grandma Johnson stopped her, holding out money:
“I’ve never owed anyone anything in my life. I’ll pay you for that bowl of lamb.”
Huh?
She thought the landlady had finally become easier to deal with, especially since she had eaten the lamb Elizabeth sent last night.
This was the hard-nosed Grandma Johnson!
Elizabeth had no choice but to accept the money.
She was an honest person, her face turning red. What had started as a kind gesture of giving lamb had now turned into a forced sale of lamb to Grandma Johnson. Feeling embarrassed, Elizabeth picked up the broom and went to help Grandma Johnson sweep the street again—she felt that since she had the strength, helping out wasn’t a big deal. When facing Grandma Johnson, it wasn’t just sympathy; the old lady owned such a large house in Harborfield, so why would she need the sympathy of a rural woman?
