Chapter 35: Spring Festival Overture I

Chapter 35: Chapter 35: Spring Festival Overture I After spending the Lunar New Year's Eve at their grandparents' house, Feng Zhenchang, Mei Qiuping, and Mei Yiliang returned home with bags in tow on the afternoon of the 25th day of the twelfth lunar month.

They hadn't seen each other for half a year, but their parents looked much better and had a different spirit. Mei Qiuping couldn't hold back her tears as she pulled Feng Yiping around to look at everything. Feng Yiping's eyes also became a little watery when he saw this. Mei Jianzhong was beside him, saying, 'Everything's fine. You're doing well in the provincial capital, Yiping is doing well with me, what's there to be sad about?'

Feng Yiping wanted to laugh when he heard this. Is this supposed to be advice?

In the evening, after Feng Zhenchang's uncles had gone home, Feng Zhenchang took out some money to pay back Mei Jianzhong the money he owed for the chestnuts. Mei Jianzhong looked at Feng Yiping and smiled, 'I already paid it back a long time ago. I didn't tell you, but last month Yiping got another 21,000 yuan in royalties.'

Feng Zhenchang and Mei Qiuping were very surprised, 'Really, another 21,000 yuan?'

Mei Yiliang rubbed Feng Yiping's head, 'You're amazing, Yiping, you're even more capable than your parents! You'll earn more than they do in the second half of the year!'

Feng Zhenchang and the others had not repaid Mei Yiliang for the money he had advanced, and they had brought a total of nearly 4,000 yuan. They had originally planned to pay back the chestnut money here, but the rest was not even enough to pay off the debt. Now not only would they be able to pay off the debt in full, they would even have a thousand yuan left over.

Feng Zhenchang felt much more relaxed, and muttered, 'This year, we can finally have a good year.'

Mei Qiuping's eyes reddened again, and she hugged Feng Yiping and said, "Thanks to Yiping.'

The mood was a little heavy for a moment, and Mei Yiliang said, "Big sister, what are you doing? Not only have you paid off your debts, you've also found a way to make money.

Mei Qiuping wiped her eyes, 'I am happy. Yiping, let's go to town tomorrow. Tell me if you need anything.'

'I don't need anything. I'll just go to town tomorrow to buy some food.'

'Okay, okay,' Mei Jianzhong interrupted them, turned around and took out a wad of money from the cabinet, 'This is the remaining 400-odd yuan. Yiping meant to buy a set of clothes for the eight children of the three families. Now that you are back, you are in charge.'

Feng Zhenchang had reached out to take it, but on hearing this, he withdrew his hand and handed Mei Jianzhong a cigarette. 'That's fine, Dad, you buy it for them.'

Mei Qiuping was a little angry. 'Dad, this money is for you, we won't take it, but I don't agree to buying them clothes, they don't lack the money to buy their own clothes.

Over the years, I've had a hard time taking care of you, and they've both had it pretty good. Especially Guoping and Guoxing, how much have they ever given you in real money? You even quit smoking.

Besides, over the years, have they ever given Yiping a single penny in New Year's money? Now I'm reluctant to give them a few sets of clothes for the whole family.'

Well, hearing this, Feng Yiping got a headache. From Mei Qiuping's perspective, she was right. But her last sentence brought Mei Yiliang into the picture. Over the years, he had never given Feng Yiping any New Year's money either.

Mei Yiliang silently took the money and put it in Mei Qiuping's hands. 'Sister, you take the money.' He took out 600 yuan from his wallet and said, 'Dad, you know I spend money recklessly and don't save much. Take this money and buy them some clothes as Yiping suggested. It's the end of the year, and your second son will be back in a few days. They should show their filial piety to you once a year. You bought clothes for your children, so the money they give you should at least be as much as the clothes cost. If any of them doesn't give you any money or gives you less, I'll go find them.'

Mei Qiuping was still hesitating with the money in her hands, but Feng Zhenchang took the money and slipped it into Mei Jianzhong's hands. 'Dad, you take this money. We haven't been able to take care of you for so many years. This year is rare for us to be doing well, so let's consider it our filial piety to you. Besides, Yiping has been eating and drinking at your place these past few months, so you must accept it.' It has to be said that Feng Zhenchang did a better job than Mei Qiuping in handling some things.

'Yiliang, I'm sorry, but I won't be able to pay you back the few hundred yuan you lent me this year.

It's okay, big brother, you guys pay back the debt first, I don't need it now, it's fine,'

The family of three stayed at their second uncle's house at night. Although Mei Qiuping was a little upset at night, she still talked to Feng Yiping for a long time about what had happened in the past two or three months, and she couldn't wait to ask Feng Yiping what he had done every day.

Feng Yiping didn't say much, just flashed his report card. Mei Qiuping looked at it and immediately called Feng Zhenchang, 'Zhenchang, come and look, Yiping's grades are even better than in primary school.'

That wasn't all, he couldn't wait to get his father and brothers to argue and show off. Feng Yiping laughed and stopped her, "Mom, Grandpa and Big Uncle already know.'

'Haha, not bad, not bad," Feng Zhenchang couldn't stop smiling as he looked at the report card.

The next day, Grandpa, Little Uncle, and Feng Yiping's family of three went to the town to buy New Year's goods. Mei Yiliang was very impatient to go, but Mei Qiuping insisted, 'It's just a short walk. We've been doing it since we were kids. When we were little, our parents said they were taking us to town, but you didn't want us to carry you. You happily walked to town and back. Now you don't want to walk? Taking the bus is not only a waste of money, but it's also so crowded. Look, there are a lot of people walking just like us.'

When it came to saving money, the four of them could not argue with Mei Qiuying, so they had to go.

Indeed, there were quite a few people walking along the road, in groups of two or three, all seemingly going to the town to buy New Year's goods.

These days, the town was at its busiest, as there were many shops selling a wide range of goods at reasonable prices. Not only did people from Wuli'ao Town come here to buy New Year's goods, but also many people from the neighbouring town.

The western entrance to the town was full of bicycles, tricycles, tractors, a few vans, and a Shanghai-brand car. Feng Yiping looked at the small number plate and guessed that it belonged to a city authority.

Walking past this parking lot, he looked around and saw that the street was full of people, one after the other. The usually empty street was now packed from one end to the other, and there were few people with empty hands, all carrying big and small bags. At this time of year, people generally attached great importance to the New Year, and if they could, they would do their best to buy as many New Year's goods as they could. For the merchants in the town, this month's business was the most prosperous, equivalent to half a year's business.

The four adults were familiar with this situation and quickly squeezed in, bargaining with the vendors on both sides of the road. Feng Yiping followed his parents from a distance, carrying a sack.

It turned out that when they went shopping for New Year's goods in the past, Feng Zhenchang would come down alone, and they would usually only buy what would fit in a sack. Today was different, though. Each of his parents had two sacks, so it seemed like they were going on a big shopping spree.

First, they bought the light but expensive items such as fish and meat. They didn't need to buy pork, as their second uncle had reserved more than 20 catties for them. Feng Weidong and Feng Jiasheng from next door had also reserved a pig's trotter for them, which was more than enough. They didn't need to buy chickens either, as they were going to kill all the roosters and sell the hens to Feng Weidong's family.

So Mei Qiuping was generous for once and weighed three catties of beef, which she hadn't had for many years. Feng Zhenchang, on the other hand, had his eye on a large leg of lamb, sun-dried. The owner said it was 32 yuan, but Feng Zhenchang negotiated it down to 30 yuan. He was about to pay when Mei Qiuping came over, grabbed the leg of lamb and handed it back to the owner, saying, 'Boss, we don't want this one, it's so expensive, we can't afford it.'

The boss was a little reluctant, 'You, my dear, I haven't even served the other people yet. I've been talking to this gentleman for a long time and we've agreed on a price. It's not right for you to say you don't want it.' Sёarᴄh the Nôvel(F)ire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Mei Qiuping said, "These days, everyone compares prices before buying. The people you haven't served will definitely come back to ask for a price comparison. It won't take long.'

Feng Zhenchang smiled and said to the boss, "It's fine, it's only 30 yuan.' He then prepared to pay.

Mei Qiuping paid no heed to the crowd around her or Feng Zhenchang's displeased expression. She confronted him, saying, 'You've finally got some money, and you're spending it so recklessly. If you keep eating like this, you'll soon run through your fortune and never get over your hard times!'

A young wife from the village happened to be nearby and saw what was going on. She came up to Mei Qiuping and said, 'Auntie, please keep quiet!'

Feng Zhenchang was also very angry, his face full of anger, suppressing his anger and ignoring Mei Qiuping. He handed the boss 30 yuan, reached for the leg of lamb, and turned around and left.

When Feng Yiping heard the news and managed to squeeze his way over, Feng Zhenchang had gone somewhere. Mei Qiuping was still there, pulling the boss and saying, 'Boss, let me tell you first, I'll bring the leg of lamb back later, and you can refund it to me.'

The boss was also very helpless. 'Sister, everyone is buying New Year's goods and everyone wants to be happy. You're making everyone unhappy over just 20 or 30 yuan. Why? I don't want you to stay home and resent me during the New Year. Forget it. Oh, and don't delay my business. If you bring it back, I'll refund it, okay?'

Feng Yiping hurriedly took Mei Qiuping away and apologized to the boss, 'I'm sorry, boss, for delaying your business. Don't worry, we won't refund the leg of lamb.'

Mei Qiuping still wanted to say something, but Feng Yiping dragged her away. Mei Qiuping said to him, 'You all have money, right? It's more than 30 yuan, almost as much as your tuition for one term.'

Feng Yiping was really at his wit's end. In his impression, his parents had always had this knack of being able to stir up trouble no matter how happy they were or when they were happy. It wasn't just because they were poor, because there were many poor people who lived happily, and even after he had made money, his parents would still make everyone unhappy over things that were no big deal. It could only be said to be a matter of character.

Now, once again, at this happy time, he has encountered such a disgusting thing, and he really feels annoyed. Can I say that my parents are inconsiderate?

For example, in this incident just now, if it were any other family, they would not have argued, and there would have been a much better solution. Even if you argue, you shouldn't do it in public, let alone in front of so many people. You could have argued at home, but you insisted on making a scene here. Among the people gathered, there were bound to be people from the same village and relatives.

Mei Qiuping was still indignant, and Feng Yiping sighed, 'Mom, it was me who told Dad I wanted to eat lamb, so he bought it.'

'What, you wanted to eat it? Why didn't you tell me earlier?'

'I didn't think you'd react so strongly.'

'Yiping, what's so good about lamb? It's all from local, free-range sheep, and it's very gamey. Do you really want to eat it?'

Feng Yiping said, 'Yes, yes, let's not talk about it. There's still so much to buy. We have to find Dad first.'

Hearing Feng Yiping say this, Mei Qiuping really thought she had wrongly accused Feng Zhenchang. She took Feng Yiping by the hand and walked down the street looking for him.