"The prices of water and food have skyrocketed recently. Last month, a bag of rice only cost a little over 100 yuan, but yesterday it cost 300 yuan. It's like they're leaving no way for people to make a living!"
"That's right, even if you have money, you still have to fight for it. If you go too late, you won't be able to buy anything! Luckily, I have a few acres of land back home, so I'm hoping for a good harvest!"
"I'm so envious! I really don't know if the announcements from above are real or fake. Just like stock investing, there's no standard for judging it. It's driving me crazy!"
"Haha! This guy is really joking. The stock market hasn't been doing well lately either. I'm stuck with over 300,000 yuan. I should have bought COFCO Group stock. The price is skyrocketing!"
While listening to their conversation, Lu Yuan secretly calculated in his mind that the prices of food and water were not too high at the moment, and he also had a dimensional space in his hands, so he would not lack any food. In addition, he should also prepare various daily necessities.
After a bumpy ride, they finally arrived at their destination. After stretching his legs, Lu Yuan got out of the car.
It's already the dead of winter, and the outside temperature has been consistently below minus ten degrees Celsius. The ground is frozen solid, and it snowed a few days ago, making it slippery with every step. There are also fewer cars on the road.
It was already noon when I got home. As soon as I reached the village entrance, I heard the pitiful cries of pigs and sheep. In rural areas, pigs and sheep are usually slaughtered before the Lunar New Year, and the meat is usually eaten for several months.
Passing by the small shop run by Aunt Liu in the village, Lu Yuan went inside.
"Second Aunt, Happy New Year! Bring me two bottles of wine!"
Just then, the curtain behind the convenience store was lifted, and Aunt Liu, who was following the pig butcher in the backyard and wearing an apron stained with blood, walked in.
"Hey! Xiao Yuan's back! I heard you bought a villa in the city!"
"Ahem! We're no longer in the city; we've left the city and are now in the suburbs."
As Aunt Liu took the wine, she sized up Lu Yuan.
"Your family is so lucky! I'm so envious. I heard you even started a business in the city. Is that true? Could you help my son, Er Gou? He's always wanted to go to the city and make some money too!"
Lu Yuan took the wine, tossed two hundred-yuan bills to it, and laughed, "Second Aunt, don't listen to their nonsense. It's nothing. It's just reselling some seafood. The seafood market boom is over now, and you can't make much money there."
Aunt Liu's face immediately fell, and she snorted through her nose, "Hmph! I knew that people would start distancing themselves from relatives once they got rich. Xiao Yuan, you've learned that too!"
Lu Yuan knew he wouldn't hear anything nice if he continued, so he simply left.
During the Spring Festival, rural people like to gather together and chat. If they see relatives visiting or children returning home, they will talk and comment on them.
Several villagers who were chatting idly in front of the door did not let Lu Yuan go when they saw him return.
"Xiao Yuan, I heard you've made a lot of money in business and even bought a villa. When will you take us to see it?"
"Oh dear! I've told my son Dazhu to study hard, but he just wouldn't listen. Now look what's happened! He's been washing dishes in the city for years and hasn't made a penny. Look at Old Lu's kid, he's really made something of himself! Xiao Yuan! Come over and have a chat!"
"That woman who got her land demolished is so arrogant. I knew I shouldn't have sold it to them. That spendthrift woman just wouldn't listen!"
...
The people behind him were gossiping, but Lu Yuan kept his eyes straight ahead and walked as fast as he could. It wasn't that he didn't want to greet them, but the idle gossips were spreading rumors, and who knew what version of a rags-to-riches story he would hear from them.
When Lu Yuan walked away without saying a word, everyone pointed out that he was no longer interested in blind dates because he had money, which was simply a frame-up!
As soon as I arrived at my grandparents' house, I heard a loud argument.
"Second Brother! Tell me in front of Mom today, how much money can you lend me?" It was Uncle San's voice. Lu Yuan saw a brand new Jeep Wrangler parked in front of the door.
My third uncle's family is in the timber business. They made a lot of money in Northeast China a few years ago and settled there. They have a son and a daughter who are now in junior high or high school. They did come back home once many years ago, but haven't been back for the past few years.
Then Dad's voice came from inside.
"Third brother, with your big family and fortune, why are you still eyeing our meager demolition compensation? I've already told you, Xiao Yuan bought a house, and all that money went to him!"
"Hmph! Impossible! I heard that Xiao Yuan bought a villa, and he earned the money himself. He didn't use any of the demolition compensation. Your niece is going abroad, so as her uncle, you should at least give her some money!"
"Third son, I'm not trying to be mean, but you're over forty years old. You believe everything people say? Xiao Yuan has only been out of school for a short time. Where would he get so much money to buy a house?" Dad's tone was tinged with anger.
I gently pushed open the door and found Grandma sitting to the side, sobbing and unable to speak, while Mom was comforting her.
"Oh! Xiao Yuan! You've come at the right time. I've heard you've made a lot of money in the city. You're the most successful one in our Lu family. Tell me, have you made any money? Let's get a couple for your uncle sometime!"
When Lu Yuan entered, his third uncle, Lu Changshui, rushed over and warmly pulled him aside.
Subtly shaking off his hand, Lu Yuan said coldly, "Third Uncle, you haven't been back for so many years. Is this all you've come back for?"
A hint of displeasure flashed across Lu Changshui's face, followed by a wronged expression as he said, "Sigh! I came here this time to spend with your grandparents, but your cousin is waiting to go abroad. She's already made arrangements with them. I wasn't planning on coming, but they asked for 500,000 yuan. I had no choice!"
Just then, a bell rang outside the door, and Grandpa walked in, his hands behind his back, herding the sheep into the sheepfold.
"Dad! You're finally back! Look, I brought you your favorite Erguotou (a type of Chinese liquor), it's from Beijing!" As he spoke, Lu Changshui picked up a cardboard box and walked towards his grandfather.
The loud slap stunned everyone present.
Lu Changshui covered his face and looked at the old man in panic, saying, "Dad! I finally came back for a visit, why did you hit me?"
"Hit you? Don't you know the truth? For so many years, your mother and I, old bones, have been supported by your second brother's family. You've made money outside but haven't earned a single penny! You still have the nerve to come back! Get out! Get out right now!"
The old man was so angry that he was panting heavily, and his withered hand trembled as he pointed at Lu Changshui.
"Let me tell you, you're up to no good, like a weasel offering New Year's greetings to a chicken. I've heard all the rumors about you coming here; you just want the demolition compensation, right? I'm telling you right now, no way!"
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