Chapter 145: Overthinking it?

Su Laosan looked at him with a smile, "Brother-in-law, don't worry. Your second sister and I have already discussed it. Once we've saved up a thousand, we'll go and confront your parents."

"What...what do you mean?"

Fang Xiaodi was a bit confused. He told him to look for a class, and he talked about money?

Is earning a thousand dollars so easy?

His second sister is already twenty-one. Where else in the village can you find a girl her age? If she doesn't hurry up and find a good one now, it will be harder to find someone as she gets older. How many good ones are left after everyone else has already chosen them?!

Is Su Laosan trying to delay his second sister's marriage until she becomes an old maid, all to get something for nothing?!

He's even going to confront his parents? Dream on!

Fang Xiaodi was very angry.

"It's to show your parents that I'm capable of supporting both of us..."

Su Laosan didn't understand what was wrong with him and patiently explained, "Don't look down on my business, it's not respectable, but it's very lucrative. I can earn at least a few dollars per trip, and sometimes even tens of dollars. Three or five trips can earn me more than half a month's or even a month's salary for others. The rest of the time I can spend with your second sister, strolling around, eating, drinking, and having fun. This is the kind of life we ​​want..."

Fang Xiaodi was stunned.

"What nonsense are you spouting? You think you can earn a month's salary in just a few trips?"

No, that's not the point.

"...Is this how you live your life? Just thinking about eating, drinking, and having fun..."

That's not the point.

The key point is, "You don't have a stable job, what if you need money someday and don't have any on hand..."

“I’ve discussed this with your second sister. We’ll save a sum of money regularly each month, and use the rest for food, drink, and entertainment.” Su Laosan countered, seeing Fang Xiaodi’s stunned expression.

For a moment, Fang Xiaodi couldn't find any rebuttal; he just felt that Fang Laosan was a bit strange.

Despite his lazy, silly, and unreliable appearance, he's actually quite capable when it comes to getting things done.

He couldn't understand it.

Just as he was pondering this, a corn stalk came flying from the side and hit him on the head. He cried out in pain and squatted down, clutching his head.

Fang Erniu flung aside the corn stalks, put her hands on her hips, and glared at Fang Xiaodi, "You're causing trouble for Su Laosan behind my back again, Fang Sanpao, are you asking for a beating?!"

"Hiss... I didn't."

Fang Xiaodi rubbed his head, his face contorted in a grimace. "I hadn't even said two words to him before you showed up. Ouch, my head! Second Sister, you were too ruthless..."

"You deserve it!" Fang Erniu snorted and pulled Su Laosan away.

Before leaving, Su Laosan gave Fang Xiaodi a cheeky raise of his eyebrows.

Fang Xiaodi was so angry that he spat at him.

Su Laosan: "Erniu, he spat on me."

"Fang Sanpao!"

Fang Erniu picked up a small stone from the ground, turned around and threw it.

Fang Xiaodi squatted down on the spot, holding his head, and said, "Second Sister, I was wrong."

After the two men had gone some distance, Fang Xiaodi gritted his teeth and went home, where he told his family what had happened.

Mr. Fang sighed repeatedly, saying, "A daughter is like a tree that cannot be kept at home. Keeping her here will only lead to enmity."

"That wretched girl, Fang Erniu, is she trying to get herself killed? What unmarried girl would be so eager to marry like that? She's just waiting to be tormented by her in-laws!" Fang's mother said angrily.

Grandpa Fang and Grandma Fang exchanged a glance and both sighed.

Grandpa Fang said, "Let's see. If he really treats our Erniu well, it's not that she can't marry him. As for the family business... the young couple can work together to earn it slowly."

Grandma Fang echoed in agreement.

Fang's mother felt a lump in her throat. Was this lazy, good-for-nothing guy really going to marry Erniu off to him?

Do they genuinely care for Erniu, or are they just pretending?

Fang Erniu didn't care about these things.

At first, Su Laosan would travel back and forth between the countryside and the city on his own, and when he had free time, he would find Fang Erniu and take her all over the capital to play.

Gradually, Fang Erniu also followed him to the countryside. By the time she appeared at the new courtyard every few days, Li Banxia was no longer surprised.

The two young people were both cheerful and always smiling. Their great-uncle and his wife liked them very much. The great-uncle even called Li Banxia and said, "Feng's girlfriend is very likable. When are you planning to hold a wedding banquet for them? Please give me the drinks."

Li Banxia was somewhat surprised and glanced at the microphone.

He replied with a smile, "Young people are very resourceful. The third son wants to build up his career before getting married. He'll definitely let you know as soon as he hears anything."

My great-uncle laughed heartily and said, "Okay, then we'll still have time to mix them a special drink..."

Unfortunately, before Su Laosan could earn enough money, Lin Jiefang's marriage was arranged beforehand.

Lin Jiefang's invitation call went directly to the herbal medicine warehouse where Li Banxia worked. "...We've set the date for September 16th. The weather is just right, not too hot or too cold. The bride wants to wear a wedding dress and have a Western-style wedding, so we've booked the largest restaurant in Dongcheng. There aren't many tables, only about fifty. I've arranged for Aunt Li to sit on the first floor so it won't be inconvenient for her to go up and down the stairs..."

Li Banxia raised an eyebrow, glanced at Liu Mingcui who was pouting and rolling her eyes, and almost couldn't help but laugh. She glared at her and told her to stop acting strangely.

Lin Jiefang continued, "...I received a lot of care from Aunt Li when I was young, and I've received a lot of help from her over the years. No matter what happened between you and my mother, I will always remember your kindness to me. I really want to thank you in person at the wedding. Also...whether Aunt Li acknowledges it or not, I've always treated you like a second mother..."

Liu Mingcui clutched her neck and pretended to vomit.

"...Aunt Li, you must come to my wedding."

Lin Jiefang finally finished speaking. Li Banxia covered Liu Mingcui's mouth, which was gagging, and said into the microphone, "Jiefang, you're so kind. I appreciate your thoughtfulness, but I really don't want to see your mother and Su Youfu. Seeing them makes me feel nauseous, and it would be bad if they ruined your wedding. I have something to do, so I'm hanging up... Oh, I wish you and your bride a long and happy marriage. That's all, I'm hanging up."

After speaking quickly, he slammed down the phone and released his hand from Liu Mingcui's mouth.

Liu Mingcui rolled her eyes and spat into the phone.

"You ingrate! Who are you trying to disgust with this stunt?! If you ask me, you should go, go looking your best. If He Taohua and Su Youfu dare to say a word in front of you, give them a megaphone to spread the word."

Li Banxia smiled and patted her, "Don't be angry. They don't deserve our time. My new yard is all set up. You said you wanted to go make a pot of meat last time, it's been so long, can we go now?"

"Go, go, go this weekend." Liu Mingcui said, following her friend's lead, as she saw that her friend didn't want to continue the previous topic.

The two joked and laughed for a few moments, and soon it was time to leave work.

Li Banxia went to the state-run restaurant and picked up the braised pork she had ordered for lunch. She planned to make some roujiamo (Chinese hamburgers) when she got back, cook half a pot of corn porridge, stir-fry the sausage with garlic sprouts, and also make some hot and sour potato slices, cold bamboo shoot salad, and sweet and spicy pickled cucumbers.

When she arrived home, before she even entered the yard, she heard Su Laosan and Fang Erniu excitedly hugging each other.

Upon seeing Li Banxia, ​​Su Laosan exclaimed happily, "Mom, Lin Jiefang is getting married. Knowing I sell old hens, he ordered fifty from me. I've always made four yuan a day from them, so fifty hens would be two hundred! Mom, this time I can earn a month's salary for my older brother and sister-in-law..."

Li Banxia frowned and asked, "Did you answer it?"

“Take it. Money delivered to our door, why not make it?” Old Su said with a grin.

Despite saying that, Li Banxia felt inexplicably uneasy.

Could it be that she's overthinking things?