Dong Cang went for a stroll in town again today.
With lunchtime approaching, Dong Cang's stomach began to rumble as he smelled the aroma of food wafting from the nearby state-run restaurant. Unfortunately, he didn't have a penny in his pocket and was about to go to the textile factory to ask his brother for money when he suddenly saw Grandpa Fu and Fu Lan each carrying a rice bowl, chatting and laughing as they came out of the state-run restaurant. The rice bowls looked heavy, and he wondered what delicious food was inside.
Dong Cang swallowed hard and decided that he might as well go to his future sister-in-law's house for a meal, since they would be family soon anyway.
Dong Cang immediately followed Fu Lan and her grandfather. Just as he was about to call for help, he saw the grandfather and granddaughter turn into the supply and marketing cooperative next door.
Curious, he followed them and peeked out from the gate. He saw them buying a lot of cigarettes, alcohol, canned fruit, and even ridiculously expensive milk powder.
Dong Cang was immediately displeased. Right now, only his future sister-in-law was earning money in the Fu family. They were definitely spending his future sister-in-law's money, which meant they were spending their family's money.
Dong Cang was about to go up and give Grandpa Fu and Fu Lan a good scolding, and take the opportunity to get back the things they had bought with their money, when he suddenly saw Grandpa Fu looking at Fu Lan with a troubled expression and asking, "Did we spend too much?"
"That's right, we spent too much." Dong Cang thought to himself, his face grim.
"Where is the extra? It's all for you and Grandma," Fu Lan said nonchalantly.
Dong Cang huffed and puffed. What a spendthrift woman!
"Where did you get so much money? Did your sister give it to you?" Grandpa Fu asked.
Dong Cang: He knew that.
Fu Lan shook her head: "I earned it myself."
Dong Cang didn't believe it; he thought it was a lie.
Grandpa Fu also looked doubtful: "How did you earn it?"
“I earned this money by making clothes for people,” Fu Lan said, then secretly took out a roll of money from her pocket, pulled out a ten-yuan note, and stuffed it into Grandpa Fu’s hand, “Here’s some pocket money for you.”
Dong Cang secretly watched, and his eyes immediately lit up with greed. So much money!
Grandpa Fu refused, saying, "This is too much. Keep it for yourself to buy candy."
“I have my own.” Fu Lan patted her pocket.
Grandpa Fu happily put his granddaughter's gift carefully into the inner bag, patting it reassuringly. "It's from my granddaughter, I must keep it safe and not spend it carelessly."
The grandfather and grandson left the supply and marketing cooperative and went home carrying large and small bags.
Dong Cang's eyes darted around, and he quietly followed her, his mind filled with thoughts of the roll of money in Fu Lan's pocket. It looked like there were at least several dozen, if not a hundred. He wished it were all his. The Fu family didn't seem as poor as they appeared, especially the youngest one.
He couldn't help but recall the tightly wrapped object he had accidentally found in Fu Lan's bundle when he last visited the Fu family. It felt hard to the touch and seemed to be a box. He wondered what treasure was hidden inside.
A greedy glint appeared in Dong Cang's eyes. If only he could find a way to get his hands on it.
Dong Cang followed Fu Lan and Grandpa Fu to Dacheng Street. He saw the whole family go into the house from afar, and immediately slipped over and pressed his ear to the door.
"What? Xiaolan bought it?" Grandma Fu's voice rang out from inside the door.
Then there was silence. No matter how hard Dong Cang pressed his ear to the door, he could only vaguely hear some sounds, but he couldn't hear what was being said. Dong Cang was so angry that he wanted to punch the door.
Suddenly, a creaking sound came from next door; someone had come out.
Dong Cang shuddered and quickly turned and ran away, hiding in a secluded spot at the street corner where no one could see him.
A moment later, a familiar-looking little boy came out of Dacheng Street. Dong Cang remembered seeing him the last time he came here. He lived next door to the Fu family, and the two families had a good relationship. His name seemed to be Qin Shi. He was carrying a burlap sack and it was unclear where he was going.
Fearing he might run into someone again, Dong Cang didn't go back to the Fu family's door to eavesdrop, and simply stayed put and waited.
After an unknown amount of time, Dong Cang was squatting there, waiting so long that he was starting to doze off. Suddenly, he heard a familiar voice and immediately woke up. He rubbed his sleepy eyes and looked in the direction from which the voice came.
Sisters Fu Lan and Fu Hong came out of Dacheng Street together.
Fu Hong is going to work.
Fu Lan was also preparing to go back, so she left with Fu Hong.
Dong Cang narrowed his eyes slightly and secretly followed them.
Fu Lan and Fu Hong were talking to themselves, unaware that a little tail was following them.
"Seeing you reconcile with Grandma puts my mind at ease," Fu Hong said to Fu Lan with a smile. "Have you thought about when to move back in?"
Fu Lan thought for a moment and said, "I'd like to stay a little longer. Sister Xing often has to go out and work, and she'll be worried about leaving the children at home unattended."
Fu Hong didn't press the issue: "Then remember to come back and visit often."
Fu Lan smiled and nodded: "Okay."
As they were talking, they unknowingly arrived at the fork in the road where they were to part ways.
Fu Hong waved to Fu Lan: "I'm heading this way. Be careful on your way back."
"Mm." Fu Lan nodded and waved to Fu Hong. She watched Fu Hong walk away before continuing on her way.
Without a second thought, Dong Cang continued to follow.
After leaving the town, Fu Lan hadn't gone far on the road back to Xiaogaozhuang when she suddenly heard the sound of a tractor "putt-putt-putt" behind her. She quickly moved to the side of the road.
"Hey? Isn't that Xiao Fu?" a familiar loud voice called out from the tractor.
Fu Lan turned her head and greeted him with a smile: "Uncle Da Han."
"Why are you in town today? I rarely see you out," Da Han asked with a smile.
“I went home,” Fu Lan said.
"Come on up, I'll give you a ride back," Da Han said.
Fu Lan quickly and nimbly climbed up: "Thank you, Uncle Da Han."
By the time Dong Cang caught up, the tractor had already driven away with Fu Lan on board, spraying Dong Cang's face with exhaust fumes.
Dong Cang watched the tractor speed away, stamping his feet in anger. How could he possibly chase after it while it was riding in a tractor? If he couldn't catch it, where was he supposed to find the person? He couldn't very well ask the Fu family, could he? They certainly wouldn't be willing to tell him.
Dong Cang stood there with a gloomy expression, pondered for a moment, then turned around and went back to town to find his brother at the textile factory.
When Dong Cheng came out and saw Dong Cang, he was somewhat surprised and asked, "Xiao Cang? What brings you here?"
Dong Cang clutched his stomach and looked pitifully at Dong Cheng: "Brother, I haven't eaten yet, I'm so hungry. Can you give me two yuan so I can go to the state-run restaurant for a meal?"
"Why haven't you eaten yet at this hour? What are you doing in town?" Dong Cheng asked curiously, but seeing his younger brother's pitiful appearance, he still took out two yuan to give him.
Dong Cang mumbled a few words to fool him, then casually asked, "By the way, brother, my sister-in-law's younger sister, Xiao Lan, doesn't seem to live at home. Where does she live?"
"I heard it's at a friend's house surnamed Xing," Dong Cheng said casually, looking at him with confusion and asking, "Why are you asking this?"
"Just asking," Dong Cang replied casually, then asked, "Do you know where her friend surnamed Xing lives?"
"It seems to be Xiaogaozhuang," Dong Cheng said.
Dong Cang's eyes lit up instantly.
Dong Cheng wanted to ask something more, but it was too late. Dong Cang had already taken the money and run away.
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