Cuihua quickly shook her head and refused. She was already staying at someone else's house, how could she possibly use their money and tickets? Wouldn't that be shameless?
Grandma Yan spoke up: "Eldest daughter-in-law, Daqiang gave me money, so you don't need to give me any more. Giving more would be too polite. We're family, no need to be so formal."
Xue Ying was easygoing. If they didn't want to give it to her, they didn't have to. She could just buy what she needed herself. She took the opportunity to go to the kitchen while getting water and came back disappointed. The kitchen had everything, and things that didn't exist before were now there.
"Mom, those things in the kitchen were bought by Aunt Wang, right?" Xue Ying immediately realized. Her mother and Cuihua had just arrived and were unfamiliar with the place. Who else could take them besides Aunt Wang?
"Yes, Wang Mei is supposed to come for breakfast today, why isn't she here yet?" Grandma Yan looked towards the door.
There was a knock at the door, and Cuihua quickly went to open it. Sure enough, it was Aunt Wang.
People inside called out, "Aunt Wang!" and "Grandma Wang!" Aunt Wang nodded happily and took out tofu pudding, donkey rolls, and other food from her basket.
Grandma Yan was unhappy: "You can come if you want, but why did you bring anything? If you keep doing this, I'll feel embarrassed to invite you."
Aunt Wang sat down with a smile and said to Grandma Yan, "These are all specialties from Beijing. Please have a taste."
Cuihua cleverly served Aunt Wang a bowl of congee with preserved egg and lean pork, and then put various kinds of noodles in another bowl and handed it over: "Then you should try this too."
Aunt Wang looked at the preserved egg and shredded meat in the porridge and said in surprise, "Porridge can be cooked like this? Let me taste it."
Aunt Wang, after taking a bite of the preserved egg and lean pork congee, had the exact same expression as Xue Ying: "Old sister, how can there be such delicious food? It's much better than what Xue Ying cooks. Xue Ying could never cook something this good."
Xue Ying~
Yan Daqiang laughed heartily: "Aunt Wang, you've hit the nail on the head! Every time I go back to my hometown, I have to eat in the canteen after I come back."
Everyone laughed, and Xue Ying felt embarrassed. It was her own fault for cooking rice that tasted worse than pig slop, since pig slop wouldn't be overly salty or burnt.
After breakfast, Yan Xiaoqiang and the others went to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy bicycles. Ye Chen'er insisted on buying two bicycles. There were four of them, and it was impossible for her and Nan Nan to ride back by themselves. They decided to let her uncle and Ai Dang walk back.
Yan Xiaonan thought it made sense. At worst, she could find a way to get a ticket for Chen'er. She couldn't let Chen'er suffer.
Yan Aidang didn't carry that much money with him; it was all in the bank. But Yan Xiaoqiang did. He brought 500 yuan with him today because he wanted to buy all the pots and pans he needed to cook.
The two cars cost 320 yuan each, 160 yuan each. When buying the cars, not only did the salesperson surprise him, but the people looking at the cars were also extremely envious. Yan Xiaoqiang felt vain once again and was in a particularly good mood.
Yan Daqiang, who was very happy, drove his new car to the courtyard house and then went out. The courtyard house had a stove and firewood, and he could cook for himself by buying some rice, flour and tableware.
On her way home, Yan Xiaonan secretly slipped 500 yuan to her father: "Dad, could you check if we have any more fabric? We need to make curtains, and also washbasins, thermos flasks, and stuff like that. Please bring some extra money with you."
Yan Xiaoqiang nodded. His daughter was so good, so thoughtful. His son was really useless. Thinking of his son, Yan Xiaoqiang asked, "Nannan, did you write a letter to tell your brother that we arrived safely?"
Yan Xiaonan rolled her eyes: "Dad, by the time you think about it, it'll be too late. I had Ai Dang send a telegram back the day after we arrived. My eldest and second brothers have them here."
"That's good, that's good. I always say daughters are the best, aren't they?" Yan Xiaoqiang was completely relieved.
A week later, the courtyard house was finally habitable. The dilapidated nanmu and mahogany were repaired by the carpenter and transformed into three large beds, three wardrobes, a dining table, six chairs, and a clothes rack.
Yan Xiaonan placed three beds and three wardrobes in her grandmother's room, her parents' room, and the side room for Chen'er, and slept with her grandmother.
The clothes rack was also placed here, and the dining table and chairs were moved into the dining room of the east wing.
Yan Xiaoqiang had already bought all the daily necessities such as pots and pans, and Cuihua had also made the curtains that Yan Xiaonan had mentioned. His uncle's family had a sewing machine, but because there was not much fabric, they only made the curtains for the north room, the west wing, and the side room. Moreover, these curtains were all made to cover only half of the windows.
There are also furniture factories in Beijing. Yan Aidang has already placed orders for all the furniture that Nan Nan needs. They just need to pick up the goods when the time comes. Nan Nan went to the furniture factory with Yan Aidang. She wanted to see if the furniture factories in Beijing were the same as the ones in the southwest.
The result made Yan Xiaonan very happy. Such a large furniture factory didn't have many experienced craftsmen, and it was bound to go bankrupt in the future. When that happened, he would find a way to buy or contract the place and let his second brother manage it.
Yan Xiaonan asked Yan Aidang to leave the phone number and name of the person in charge here, so they could keep in touch. Yan Aidang didn't understand what her cousin was up to, but she obediently did as she was told. This clever girl must have her own purpose. No rush, she'll find out later.
Looking at the newly renovated courtyard house, Yan Xiaoqiang was thrilled. He had been riding his bicycle so hard these past few days that his legs were almost broken. He also felt sorry for Ai Dangchen'er, Nannan, and Cuihua, who had all worked so hard. But for his home, it was all worth it.
Yesterday, Mom checked the almanac and said tomorrow is an auspicious day for moving. We need to buy some firecrackers and such later. In the afternoon, we'll have Cuihua come over to make some rice cakes. We'll have to give them away tomorrow as we move. Eating rice cakes is a way to wish someone good fortune and prosperity.
Yan Xiaonan and Chen'er made beds and folded blankets in each room, and arranged clothes and daily necessities. The bedding and blankets had been aired in the courtyard and smelled of sunshine.
The two little girls kept running from one room to another, their silvery laughter filling the air, making everyone busy smile. What a heartwarming family!
Back at the military base, Xue Ying protested: "Mother, you've only been here for a week, okay? You should stay for at least a month."
Grandma Yan said with a smile, "My dear daughter-in-law, it's not just a week. It's been ten days since we arrived. Nan Nan is starting school next week, so we'll have to move in with her."
“Nan Nan will be living at school when school starts, so you and your sister-in-law should stay here,” Xue Ying said, unwilling to give up.
"Eldest daughter-in-law, if you miss Nannan in the future, just come to the courtyard house. There are many rooms there, you can choose one and stay there permanently." How could Grandma Yan not know Xue Ying's thoughts? Whether she missed Nannan or wanted to eat Cuihua's cooking, she could come to the courtyard house.
Xue Ying's eyes lit up. That's right, how come she didn't think of that? "Mother, save me a room in the back room."
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