Chapter 53 Chapter 53 Loving someone is like growing flowers.
This is the day when everyone has the most fun and enjoyment. There is no need to spend money on tickets, and you can bring your own food and water. You can play however you want and for as long as you want, and you can even take some seafood specialties home.
Upon hearing about this good thing, Qian Juxiang was so excited that she started getting ready even in the car. Liu Suqin's plan was to walk around first when they got there, to see the village and the surrounding scenery. It would also be nice to feel the breeze along the coastline. After two or three in the afternoon, when the sun wasn't so hot, everyone would go down to the beach to dig for crab shells and play until five or six before going home.
As a result, as soon as Qian Juxiang got off the car, she wanted to run to the beach with her bucket, saying that she was afraid that if she went too late, all the delicious crabs and prawns would have been picked up by the locals.
Still, several people took turns persuading me to go in the sea early and get covered in mud. Later, I wouldn't be able to explore the surrounding scenery. Wouldn't it be a waste to just go to the beach and not see the scenery? After all, it took me nearly an hour to drive here, and the gas round trip wasn't cheap.
Besides, they can roll up their pants and go to the beach, but little Fangfang can only be held by adults and can’t participate. We can’t let the little one watch them all the time, right?
Qian Juxiang was finally persuaded and patiently accompanied her granddaughter for a walk. On the way, they met a team of people chasing ducks. The little one cried anxiously and even asked them to "chase, chase, chase". So the family chased the little duck back home. They watched outside the duck shed for a long time before they successfully carried the reluctant little one to another place.
Almost every household in the village raises chickens, ducks, geese, cats, dogs, and even cows and pigs. It's like entering a small zoo. Xiao Fangfang is very happy and can walk around the village for a whole day without getting bored.
Unfortunately, her parents were hard-hearted and only gave her two hours to chase chickens and ducks in the village before taking her away for a ride along the coastline.
After seeing the sea and filling her stomach, Qian Juxiang's patience was completely exhausted. She no longer had the mood to wander around aimlessly with them. She wanted to do serious work, so she took a small bucket and pliers and went into the sea.
Lin Nanjiang and Lin Quansheng, the two with weak willpower, saw someone taking the lead and followed with their tools.
Little Fangfang thought that the adults were carrying her to eat and play well, and she was afraid that she would be left behind if she was a step slower. She struggled hard in her mother's arms, and was so anxious that she almost stretched out her short legs to catch up.
Liu Suqin had no choice but to hold her and catch up with the main group, so that Xiao Fangfang could see for herself that they did not secretly eat the delicious food without her knowledge.
The little guy was not disappointed. He stared at his father and the others' strange movements without blinking, until someone successfully caught the first crab and threw it into the bucket. The child's eyes widened in an instant, and he realized something. He started cheering and screaming, and danced to try to break free from his mother's arms. He also wanted to come down and catch crabs himself.
Unfortunately, her mother didn't move at all. Instead, she got tired of struggling first, so she rested her chin on her mother's shoulder and watched quietly for a while, then she became bored.
She could only watch such a fun activity but was not allowed to participate in it herself. Even the little animals jumping around in the bucket, her mother only allowed her to take a closer look. She then tentatively stretched out her little hand a little bit, and the next second she was carried away. Little Fangfang felt it was extremely boring, and soon she pointed at the shore and babbled, meaning that she wanted to go ashore.
Liu Suqin, who speaks baby language at level ten, understood immediately and immediately carried the child back to the shore.
The familiar father, grandmother and uncle were still on the beach. Little Fangfang didn't want to go far, so she walked along the shore holding her mother's hand.
Yes, although Xiao Fangfang has not yet learned to walk independently, she can already walk holding an adult's hand. In the living room at home, she can walk very fast and steadily by holding on to the wall or sofa.
The child started learning to walk and eat so early, and no one taught her or guided her. It was Fangfang who expressed her desire in this regard first, and then Liu Suqin asked others to cooperate with her.
It was strange to say, but in her previous life, she was alone at home, taking care of the children, doing laundry, cooking, cleaning, and occasionally tending to the vegetable garden. After all, even if she didn't need the few dollars to buy vegetables, the rural market only came once every few days, so she couldn't run to town every time to buy vegetables. Naturally, she followed the local customs and grew some radishes, greens, and beans at home.
In the first year after she came back, her parents-in-law and Brother Lin helped her with tilling the vegetable fields, fertilizing and sowing. Liu Suqin only needed to water the vegetables regularly, pick them when they were ripe, and pay attention to pest control on a daily basis. It was already a very easy task.
But even so, she was busy from morning till night every day, unable to stop for a moment. The busier she was, the more her daughter clung to her. She would cry if she couldn't see anyone while she went to the bathroom, and she would cry if she didn't hold her daughter while cooking. The one that Liu Suqin remembered most vividly was when she was cooking in the front while her daughter was crying on the bed in the back. She didn't know what was going on, but she suddenly didn't want to stop what she was doing to hold the child. Listening to the endless crying, she also wiped her tears while cooking. The mother and daughter looked like two weak, pitiful and helpless little bitter melons, which scared Lin's mother who rushed over after hearing the noise.
Later, Lin's mother made a sling for her. When she was washing clothes or cooking and had no hands free to hold the child, she could tie the child to her chest or back. This way, the child would stop making noises and she could focus on her work without always having to listen to the annoying crying.
When she later talked about these things in her previous life, Liu Suqin always felt endless complaints and grievances in her heart. She felt that she had given so much, sacrificed her own life, and taken care of her children wholeheartedly, but in the end, her son and daughter were not considerate.
She didn't think too much in her life. She only did things within her ability. If she could find someone to share the childcare task, she would never do it herself. She didn't delay her own enjoyment and learning progress. Instead, her child unknowingly grew up to be the kind of angel baby she wanted in the beginning: lively, clever, and smiling, with a strong sense of autonomy.
With so many people at home taking care of her, it's not surprising that she turned out to be a spoiled little princess who is lazy and doesn't know how to work. But the little girl is strong and independent.
Just like the day before yesterday when she was practicing walking at home holding onto the wall, she slipped and accidentally fell, leaving a shallow mark on her knee on the tile. The elders saw it and screamed, and gathered around to hug, kiss and coax her, but the little one just stubbornly held back a bag of tears, watching her grandmother cast a spell on her knees. After reciting the last spell "The pain flies away", the physical tears faded away, the little one wiped her eyes, got off her father's legs, and continued to practice walking holding onto the wall.
There is no such thing as once bitten by a snake, one will be afraid of ropes for ten years.
This strong little appearance made everyone feel curious again.
Liu Suqin also sighed in her heart that the difference in her daughter's personality in her two lives was getting bigger and bigger. Could this be the legendary negative times negative equals positive?
She understood more and more the saying "loving someone is like raising flowers". It was too narrow to use it only to describe the relationship between men and women. Parents are the ones who truly nurture their children's growth with love and effort. Could they personally raise a beautiful but not fragile rose with thorns in this life?
Liu Suqin suddenly became full of expectations for the future.
The daughter wanted to take a walk on the beach, so Liu Suqin of course satisfied her. She held her little hand and walked with her in the sea breeze. In front of them was a long coastline and the endless sea. Her mood seemed to become broad and open with the vision.
Just as she was gazing into the distance, Xiao Fangfang stretched out her tentative little feet, stepped into the mud, and couldn't help but exclaim in surprise. Hearing the noise, Liu Suqin immediately looked down and was so angry that she laughed.
The little girl's floral cloth shoes are no longer recognizable, and because she stomped her feet hard twice, a lot of mud spots are splashed on her clothes and pants. Xue Meiniang has become very dirty.
Liu Suqin took a deep breath to calm herself down. She really couldn't take the naughty kid lightly. He was as well-behaved as an angel one second, and then started to act up the next.
But Xiao Fangfang obviously liked this game very much. She couldn't stop stepping in the mud. She only stepped in the mud here and didn't go to the sea. She didn't have to worry about getting her clothes wet or catching a cold or fever. So in the end, she couldn't resist the big-eyed cute baby's eye attack and let the little guy play in the mud again and again, making his whole body and even his face dirty.
Forget it, I can still use it after taking it home and washing it.
Liu Suqin resisted the urge to wipe her face or change her clothes, because even if she changed them now, they would still get dirty. She only brought a set of spare clothes for the little one, so she decided to change them when she got back.
By the time they'd waited until after five, Qian Juxiang and her companions had already harvested a generous harvest. Although they could have continued, she knew it would take a day or two to eat.
If you bring home too much seafood at one time and can't finish it, your daughter will throw it away saying it's not fresh and bad for her health, which is not worth it.
So Lin Nanjiang and Lin Quansheng agreed that it was almost time to go home. Qian Juxiang also said something, tacitly allowing her son-in-law to take her bucket away, and silently followed the two men to the shore.
There was a small pond in the village. Before leaving, several people went there to wash up. Liu Suqin also changed clean clothes for her daughter. Qian Juxiang hurriedly washed her legs and feet and came over. She dipped some water in the clothes that the little girl had changed, and wiped her face and hands and feet, revealing her tender little face. At first glance, she was the white and tender little girl again.
Of course, it can't stand a closer look, and if you look closely, it's still just a dirty little kid.
Liu Suqin couldn't help but pinch her upturned little nose, "Still laughing, do you know how dirty you are?"
Lin Nanjiang came over with a smile, "I think my daughter looks even cuter with her little clown face. She has a pair of big, bright eyes, and she's clever and endearing. By the way, honey, when are we going to buy a camera? If we had a camera today, we could have taken a picture of our darling little babe."
She had complained before, saying that the child had made herself into a little dirty bag. Lin Nanjiang immediately remembered it and thought that this name was so cute and appropriate, and it was very suitable to describe his own daughter.
Liu Suqin previously thought that Lin Nanjiang suggested buying a camera to accommodate her. At that time, she had too many things to do and had no time to use the camera after buying it, so she put it aside for the time being.
Now that Lin Nanjiang really wanted one, she had already put it on her agenda, but she deliberately said, "That thing is not cheap. If you buy it, you must not only know how to use it, but also take good pictures. Otherwise, there are so many photo studios in Shenzhen that are convenient and save trouble. Why spend so much money to buy a camera yourself, right?"
His wife's words made sense, and Lin Nanjiang nodded without hesitation. "It's okay, I will study hard, take more photos and practice more, and take beautiful photos of you and your daughter in the future."
It was a good thing that he had this intention, but Liu Suqin still asked, "Where do you find the time to study cameras?"
"Hehehe." Lin Nanjiang smiled brightly. "I've been out playing with you these past two days. Not only have I had a lot of fun, but I've also learned a lot. I feel like the first twenty years have been wasted. Quansheng and I have discussed it. Now that we have a car and a house, we don't have to push ourselves so hard. We can enjoy ourselves a little while making money. From now on, the store will probably close for one or two days every month. We'll put up a notice at the door. The stalls on the night snack street in the urban village are open depending on the weather, so the business hours are not fixed. It's no big deal to close for a day or two occasionally. During these days of rest, I can accompany you and the children for a walk and practice my photography skills."
Lin Quansheng also came over, smiling expectantly, "Yes, yes, I'll practice with you and take a family photo for you guys then."
Liu Suqin nodded with great satisfaction, "You finally figured it out. Let's go choose a camera together in a couple of days."
Qian Juxiang was about to carry her granddaughter back to the car, but because she was a step too slow, she accidentally overheard them planning to spend money again. She couldn't move her feet anymore. She endured it again and again, and finally asked in a low voice, "That machine...how much is it?"
Liu Suqin didn't know the details. "It's just like cars. There are cheap ones and expensive ones."
Very good, Qian Juxiang was completely heartbroken.
I'm using a car as an example, how much cheaper can it be?
They were discussing something worth at least four figures, their tone as casual as what they were going to eat tomorrow, not caring about the small amount of money at all. Qian Juxiang, however, was not so nonchalant. She didn't even dare to ask her daughter how much the camera they were planning to buy cost, for fear that she would have a heart attack if she knew the exact price. This time, she finally walked away with Xiao Fangfang in her arms, saying before leaving, "Then when you go shopping, just go by yourselves. Don't take me with you, and don't tell me the price when you get back."
She found that during the first two days after arriving in Shenzhen, she knew nothing, but she felt more relaxed and comfortable.
The ignorant are fearless.
Liu Suqin noticed her mother's evasion and deliberately asked from behind, "What? You don't want to come with us to have a look? Aren't you afraid that we'll just buy the most expensive ones?"
Qian Juxiang took three deep breaths before she suppressed her anger and waved her hands weakly, "You have the money, you have the final say."
Anyway, the money was earned by themselves, not blown by the wind. They could buy whatever they wanted, even if it was a house of gold, she would have nothing to say.
Speaking of gold, when they returned home that evening, Qian Juxiang felt bored after dinner and didn't go to bed so early, so she diligently took the mop and cleaned everywhere. When she mopped the master bedroom, she accidentally opened the drawer of Liu Suqin's dressing table and saw the jewelry box inside that had not yet been closed. She was blinded on the spot and shouted in disbelief, "Suqin, you silly girl, come here. This box full of gold and jade in the drawer, is it real? Did you buy it yourself?"
Qian Juxiang's shout not only called the couple in the living room into the room, but also Lin Quansheng, who was chatting with them, followed behind without a word. After seeing the contents of the drawer, he also exclaimed in wonder, "Sister-in-law, when I have time on weekdays, I also go to the mall with you two. I watch you two choose jewelry with my own eyes. I didn't expect that without realizing it, you have accumulated so many pieces of jewelry. They look so dazzling, just like the ones in the gold cabinets at the mall. You are truly rich."
What Lin Quansheng wanted to say was that this box of jewelry was enough to buy a house in Shenzhen, but when he caught a glimpse of the boss's mother's incredible expression from the corner of his eye, he silently changed his words.
Lin Quansheng was shocked by the visual effect of so many jewels piled together, but Lin Nanjiang was no longer surprised.
There was no need to lock his own house, so Lin Nanjiang knew exactly how many pieces of jewelry his wife had. Sometimes when he caught her getting dressed to go out at home, he would actively offer advice and help her choose suitable styles.
Although Lin Nanjiang's aesthetic is quite straight-laced, with a single standard for gold and jade: the biggest and shiniest are the best, you can imagine the style of his selections. However, Liu Suqin, aside from her first trip to the downtown mall, accidentally revealed her nouveau riche nature by consistently choosing the largest and thickest necklaces and bracelets, gradually developed her own aesthetic as she visited more jewelry stores, gravitating towards classic yet elegant styles.
She could only choose from the jewelry she had carefully selected in this drawer. Even if Lin Nanjiang wanted to dress her up to look prosperous, it would be very difficult.
Liu Suqin's appearance and temperament can perfectly suppress any slightly rich or old-fashioned style. In Lin Nanjiang's eyes, he can dress his wife up to be pleasing to the eye with just a little effort, and he has never failed, which makes him very proud.
Looking at his exquisite and fashionable daughter-in-law who looked like she was born into the city, Lin Nanjiang felt satisfied and full of energy. He could move a few more bricks when he went out.
At this time, his mother-in-law and good brother looked so shocked that he was so happy that he just pretended to be indifferent.
But Liu Suqin had already noticed his secretly happy expression, and she immediately confirmed her mother's question with a smile, "Of course it's real gold and silver, bought from a regular gold shop in the mall. Oh, and it was your son-in-law who insisted on buying it."
After receiving the affirmation from his wife, Lin Nanjiang could no longer hold back. The corners of his mouth were already flying up. Facing his mother-in-law's mixed gaze of shock and confusion, he seemed humble but actually boasted, "It's okay. City people have a saying that goes 'respect the clothes first, then the people.' This is especially true for the locals here. Don't be fooled by their casual attire when going out. They buy gold in a gold shop just as casually as they buy vegetables at the market. If there's a style they don't have at home and it looks good, they'll just have it all packed up. When their children get married, you'll find that the table for displaying the betrothal gifts and dowry is a sea of gold. No house or car is as solid as this heavy gold. So we follow the local customs. In addition to the jewelry that Suqin wears every day, Fangfang will also start accumulating it from a young age."
As he spoke, Lin Nanjiang opened the drawer wider and pulled out two jewelry boxes, one large and one small. Liu Suqin's was a whopping three layers tall, filling up most of the dresser. The visual impact was even more striking than if it were hidden in the drawer. They had already seen the general styles inside, so Lin Nanjiang opened his daughter's jewelry box and began to introduce them. "We got her a longevity locket before Fangfang was born. It's made of pure gold and has a good meaning. We also got her gold for her full moon, hundred days, and first birthday. Besides what we buy for ourselves, uncles and aunts like Quansheng and Li Hong also give her gold. This necklace and bell were bought by Quansheng..."
Faced with Liu Suqin's dazzling jewelry box, Qian Juxiang's first reaction was: "How could she possibly wear all those gold necklaces and jade bracelets?" But when she saw her granddaughter's various necklaces and bracelets, she instantly abandoned her notion of practicality. She simply thought, "This bracelet is so delicate, that bell is so cute!" She thought, "No harm in buying more. Their little Fangfang will be able to wear them all and be the most beautiful girl in the village."
The slightly rough hand carefully stroked the longevity lock, and Qian Juxiang smiled, "Not bad, not bad. When our darling grows up, he will be her dowry. In the old society, this was a treatment only given to young ladies."
Having said that, her eyes would linger on Liu Suqin's jewelry box from time to time, and it was obvious which one she liked more.
Liu Suqin deliberately said, "Mom, just look at them if you want. There's no need to sneak a few glances. If you like them, it's okay to try them on one by one. But these are carefully selected by your son-in-law. They are all his thoughts. It's not easy to give them to you."
Qian Juxiang: ...
She was about to retort, "Isn't she such a greedy person?" The next second, she heard her daughter's deliberately slow tone, "But, the holiday is the day after tomorrow. Besides eating and drinking, we must go shopping in the shopping mall and pedestrian street. If the jewelry store has new styles, we can buy one or two. You can go and have a look and choose something you like. It will be our filial piety gift."
Qian Juxiang blurted out, "Nonsense! A holiday gift is at most a new set of clothes or something. How can you give gold jewelry as a holiday gift? How can you live like this?"
Lin Nanjiang thought it was a good idea. "Not bad, not bad. This is my mother-in-law's first time in Shenzhen. Giving her a piece of gold jewelry or something like that is both a token of our appreciation and a keepsake. You're really thoughtful, daughter-in-law."
Qian Juxiang shook her head and backed away, her whole body filled with resistance. "No, I don't want it. It's unreasonable for me to charge you for taking care of your children. If I continue to covet your good things, how can I still be a human being?"
"What's the big deal? Respecting elders is only natural. If people back home knew, they would only envy you for being so lucky." Lin Nanjiang advised his mother-in-law while quietly flattering himself. "By the way, please help us choose one when the time comes. My mom is also picking one out, so if my fellow villagers go back later, you can help bring it back."
When she heard that her mother-in-law also had one, Qian Juxiang didn't know whether she should continue to refuse.
During the few seconds she paused, Lin Nanjiang had already started discussing with Liu Suqin and Lin Quansheng, "Those various earrings and earrings in the jewelry store are so beautiful, but you always say no, they're too old-fashioned. Coincidentally, my mother-in-law and my mom both have pierced ears, so I'll choose earrings for them."
Lin Quansheng also nodded. "That's right. Those earrings with gold leaves and gold tassels are beautiful and festive. How could my sister-in-law not like them?"
Liu Suqin thought that straight men's aesthetic taste was a disaster. Those weird designs that women couldn't understand finally flowed into the market smoothly. It was probably all thanks to this group of people.
"I still prefer pearl earrings. They're beautiful and high-end. And you men are the only ones who can't tell the difference between different pearl styles. The best pearls on the market are Australian white, celestial, and Tahitian. Different varieties have very different colors and lusters, and there are so many varieties."
Just like the pair of Australian white pearls she bought years ago, because they are big and bright enough, they are made into a simple earring style, which can show the texture and luster of the pearls to the greatest extent. Every time Liu Suqin wears it, no matter whether she has put on makeup or washed her hair, and whether she is wearing a beautiful dress or home clothes, she can be radiant with it.
In short, the temperament added by pearls cannot be matched by other precious metals or gems.
Thinking of her current favorite, Liu Suqin smiled and concluded cheerfully, "Everyone has their own preferences and habits. Brother Quansheng, if you find a partner in the future and want to give her jewelry as a gift, it's best to ask around and understand what the girl likes. Don't just make up your own mind."
I can’t imagine what kind of expression the girl will have when she opens a gift for him in the future, filled with anticipation and excitement, and sees a pair of gold earrings that her mothers or even grandmothers love most inside.
Lin Quansheng scratched his head and smiled innocently, "I've made a note of this. If you need anything like this in the future, just go and consult the boss lady."
Before Liu Suqin could say anything, Lin Nanjiang had already proudly raised his thumb and said, "Then you've found the right person. My wife's taste is recognized by everyone. With her giving you advice and suggestions, there's no girl you can't win."
The topic of several people had already gone off the topic to other places, so no one noticed. When they talked about the gold earrings, Qian Juxiang subconsciously touched the empty ear holes that had never been stuffed with anything except tea stalks in her life. She could no longer utter the polite refusal and began to wonder how much it would cost to choose the simplest and lightest pair of earrings. It should be much cheaper than the gold chain they gave her before the New Year.
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