"If you have any, just use what you have left. Don't throw it away," Xuemei replied readily.
Everyone laughed. It's true, they say. They're new for three years, old for three years, and patched up for another three years. How can they just throw them away?
The Yan family's life returned to normal. Dongnan Xuemei went back home, and Xinan Tang Xiaoling went to work. Yan Xiaoqiang and Daqiang went to help build houses for the villagers every day.
Yan Aidang also goes to the village to help every day, either moving wood or bricks, which has won unanimous praise from the villagers. "The children of soldiers are really good."
Yan Xiaonan took care of Liujin and his grandmother, and also helped Cuihua cook and do housework. In her spare time, she read books and taught Liujin to read.
Before they knew it, it was time for Yan Daqiang to leave. Grandma Yan and Cuihua prepared a lot of food and supplies, which gave Yan Daqiang a headache.
Grandma Yan also brought out a century-old ginseng and a lingzhi mushroom: "Daqiang, this is what the little girl dug up in the mountains, as a gift for you and your wife."
Smelling the strong aroma of ginseng, Yan Daqiang's eyes welled up with tears. His mother didn't eat such good ginseng; instead, she hid it for him.
"Mother, I'll take the Ganoderma lucidum, you can eat the ginseng yourself."
"Look what this is?" Knowing her son's temper, Grandma Yan took out a wooden box from the kang (heated brick bed), inside which were slices of ginseng.
“This little girl is really good at finding ginseng. These are all 60 years old. I soak one slice in water and drink it every day.”
Yan Daqiang's eyes lit up: "Mom, how much do you have left?"
Grandma Yan smiled. Last night, Nan Nan said that if you let your uncle see this box, he will definitely ask you for it. Don't ask why, your uncle also has a father-in-law.
Moreover, judging from just a few words from her uncle, she knew that her father-in-law held a high-ranking official position, and her aunt's family background was also quite prestigious.
Grandma Yan handed the entire box to Yan Daqiang: "Here, it's all for you."
Yan Daqiang was startled: "Mother, there's a lot of ginseng here. If you give it all to me, what will you eat?"
Grandma Yan waved her hand: "Take it, Nan Nan will go find it."
Seeing his mother's confident expression, Yan Daqiang felt relieved. The little girl was a capable person, and with her around, he wasn't worried about his mother being shortchanged.
Grandma Yan took out two more pieces of clothing: "These are for your eldest son and Ai Dang. I made them myself."
Ai Dang quickly came over, picked up the clothes and put them on, then stood in front of the mirror and looked at herself: "Grandma, you're so skillful, thank you Grandma, I like it so much."
Early in the morning, Cuihua prepared breakfast and also prepared a large basket of rice cakes in advance. Ai Dang loves this kind of food, so she had to prepare more.
Yan Aidang's eyes lit up with joy when she saw the rice cake: "Thank you, Auntie! I love your rice cake the most, and I also love your other dishes."
Cuihua laughed too. This kid is just like Bei Nan. If Bei Nan were here, people would definitely say they are brothers if they stood together.
The oxcart stopped at the gate of the courtyard. Ma Mingchun called from outside to open the door. Yan Xiaonan hurriedly went to open the door, with Liu Jin following behind him.
Yan Daqiang felt like teasing the little one, so he picked up Liu Jin and said, "Mom, I'm taking Liu Jin back with me."
The six-pound boy's big eyes darted around: "Grandpa, take Grandpa back with you. I'll stay here and take care of Auntie."
Yan Xiaoqiang, who was carrying a bag, put down his luggage, snatched Liu Jin away, and slapped his butt: "You heartless little guy."
Liu Jin hurriedly darted into the main room, afraid that Yan Daqiang would take him away. Yan Aidang laughed as he watched, thinking that the little guy was too funny.
Yan Aidang was really reluctant to leave. He lingered in the courtyard for a while, then returned to the main room and hugged Grandma Yan: "Grandma, I'll come to see you when I have a holiday."
Grandma Yan also hugged her playful and mischievous grandson, who was absolutely upright: "Go back and say hello to your mother for me."
Yan Aidang nodded: "Grandma, I will. You must take care of yourself. If you have the chance to come to Beijing again, I will take you to eat delicious food."
Grandma Yan nodded, took Ai Dang's hand and walked out. She saw Yan Xiaoqiang and Yan Daqiang packing their luggage: "Daqiang, come back when you have a holiday."
Yan Daqiang nodded: "Mom, I'll be back when I have a holiday. Hurry up and go inside, it's cold outside."
Grandma Yan nodded and stood in front of the main room watching the oxcart leave. Yan Xiaonan walked to the courtyard gate and waved repeatedly: "Goodbye, Uncle. Goodbye, Brother Aidang."
Six-pound little head peeked out from behind the curtain of the main room. Seeing that Yan Xiaonan had closed the courtyard gate, he finally ran out with relief, grabbed Yan Xiaonan's leg, and exclaimed, "I was so scared! I almost got taken away!"
Yan Xiaonan picked up Liu Jin and pointed at his little head, saying, "You bad guy, you wanted to send my dad away, you heartless bastard."
Liu Jin covered his face, feeling helpless; it was his grandfather's fault for coming out at this time.
Grandma Yan felt a little tired, told Nan Nan to take good care of Liu Jin, and then she wanted to go to sleep.
Yan Xiaonan knew that her grandmother was probably sad, so she quickly helped her into the house. She checked the firewood on the kang (a heated brick bed) and saw that it was enough to burn for an afternoon, so she came out with a sense of relief.
While sitting in the main room reading, Liu Jin realized that he couldn't understand the book his aunt was reading, so he obediently went to play with the wooden toys that Southwest had made for him.
Time ticked by, and slowly, a delicious aroma wafted from the kitchen. Cuihua had already prepared lunch. Suddenly, Zhongzi called out softly, and Yan Xiaonan quickly put down her book to open the door.
Sure enough, it was Dad who came back. Yan Xiaonan saw that Ma Mingchun hadn't come in, so he knew that Ma Mingchun had gone back to the cowshed.
After lunch, someone knocked on the door. Cuihua went to open it, and Ye Chenming stood outside: "Auntie, is Chen'er home? I've finished cooking and want to call her back for lunch."
Cuihua asked in surprise, "Chen'er hasn't been here!"
Ye Chenming was taken aback: "Auntie, Chen'er promised Nan Nan's cousin that he would come to see him off when he left, so he came early this morning."
Cuihua shook her head. Yan Xiaonan, who had heard everything clearly in the main room, suddenly felt his heart pounding and said nervously, "Dad, the flower sellers are here."
Yan Xiaoqiang suddenly remembered the time Nan Nan went to the post office to make a phone call when she was little. So many years had passed, he had completely forgotten about it, but unexpectedly...
"Nan Nan, are you saying they've mistaken me for someone else?"
Yan Xiaonan nodded. Chen'er is also a very pretty girl. That little flower definitely wouldn't dare to come over, so the one who came over must be her accomplice.
The accomplices had never seen Yan Xiaonan and simply assumed that the beautiful Ye Chen'er was Yan Xiaonan.
Yan Xiaonan ran out; "Brother Ye, are you sure Sister Chen'er came here?"
Ye Chenming nodded: "I'm sure, I watched her walk this way."
Yan Xiaonan's mind raced: "Brother Ye, have you noticed any outsiders visiting our Mushroom Village these past few days?"
Ye Chenming thought for a moment and nodded, "Yes, on the day the village had the pig-killing feast, a stranger came to buy pork, but Aunt Ma chased him away."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
