I have a good relationship with Xuemei, so I'll lend her some money first. But I'll only lend it to her if she asks, otherwise she'll think I'm crazy. Now that they're back, I can go home and live here. My mother's house is too old and not as comfortable as my own. But my mother can't live here alone. She has to come and live with me.
How could Tang's mother agree to live with her married daughter? People would gossip about it. Tang Xiaoling couldn't persuade her otherwise, so she simply decided not to go back. How could she leave her mother alone? That would be too unfilial.
Xuemei entered Tang's mother's house and said respectfully, "Auntie, a telegram has arrived from the Southwest. He will be back in a couple of days and wants you and Xiaoling to move to the old house. After all, it's too dangerous for you to live alone, and it's also too lonely."
Tang's mother was puzzled. Why did Southwest tell Xuemei but not Xiaoling? Suddenly she remembered that Southwest must have told Southeast. Her own daughter couldn't read, so showing her the telegram was useless.
Duoduo is still young, and Wu Jinban is sensible. Besides, Xiaoling's room has a large kang bed, which can easily accommodate four or five people. Tang's mother took her belongings and went to the Yan family with Xuemei and the others.
You don't know until you stay here that the Yan family is so kind to their daughter-in-law. There are thick bedding and quilts, and two brand-new thick cotton quilts in the closet that haven't been used yet. Thinking about how other families have a quilt that's been worn to shreds but they still can't bear to throw it away, Tang's mother said seriously to Tang Xiaoling, "Xiaoling, you have to cherish what you have and listen to what Southwest says, understand?"
Tang Xiaoling nodded. She hadn't seen Southwest for several months and really missed her. She wondered when Southwest would be back for the New Year. Sigh, she was anxious!
Xuemei was unaware that Tang Xiaoling was thinking about her husband. She was busy lighting the stove and heating the kang (a heated brick bed). It was almost mealtime, and she had to hurry up and cook, as Fubao couldn't afford to go hungry. Dongnan took some rice and flour from the cellar. Tang Xiaoling was the only one in the family, and she definitely couldn't finish all that rice and flour.
Wu Jinban smiled when he saw Fu Bao: "Fu Bao, Fu Bao, do you know me? I'm your brother."
Fu Bao looked at Wu Jinban with a smile, shook her head and said, "I don't know you. My brother is in the capital. You are not my brother."
Wu Jinban was a little injured. Xue Mei smiled and asked Fu Bao, "Fu Bao, do you still remember Wu Jinban, who played with Liu Jin? He is Wu Jinban. You should call him brother, okay?"
Fu Bao blinked her big eyes and finally nodded, calling out "brother" in a soft, sweet voice.
Wu Jinban felt a sweet warmth in his heart and quickly took out the White Rabbit milk candy and liqueur-filled chocolate that Yan Xiaonan had given him from his pocket. He picked out a chocolate wrapped in red foil and stuffed it into Fu Bao's hand: "Little sister, here's some candy and chocolate for you. Aunt Nan Nan gave this to me. I couldn't bear to eat it, so I saved it for you."
Fu Bao's eyes lit up, and she smiled sweetly at Wu Jinban: "Thank you, brother. Hello, brother."
Wu Jin Ban laughed, unwrapped the chocolate, and put it into Fu Bao's mouth. Fu Bao opened her mouth wide and ate with a big smile. Duo Duo, who was following behind Wu Jin Ban, was not happy and went up to snatch the White Rabbit milk candy from Fu Bao's hand. Fu Bao dodged her hand, and Duo Duo failed to grab it and started to wail.
Wu Jinban got angry: "Duoduo, I gave you candy and chocolate as soon as I got home. This is for your little sister, so you can't be greedy."
But Duoduo wouldn't listen to him and just kept wailing. Fubao had no choice but to hand Duoduo the White Rabbit milk candy in his hand. Duoduo took the candy but still wailed. His favorite chocolate had been eaten by Fubao, so how could he not wail?
Wu Jinban grabbed Fu Bao's hand and started walking outside. "Go ahead and wail, wail until you've had enough."
Xuemei was embarrassed. How should she break this situation? Tang Xiaoling came in, took a look, and snatched the White Rabbit milk candy from Duoduo's hand: "I'll eat you to death. Your brother gave you yours a long time ago. You're still greedy."
After saying that, she ran out with the milk candy and stuffed it directly into Fu Bao's hand: "Fu Bao is so good, don't pay attention to him, none of us like him."
Fu Bao "... ..."
Yan Xiaonan got off the train wearing a thick down jacket. Ye Chenming had gone to great lengths to get this down jacket. Besides Yan Xiaonan, Grandma and Cuihua each had one, and the rest were made into one for Liujin and Wujinban. As for Yan Xiaoqiang, he could just wear a military overcoat.
They traveled light this time, bringing nothing but gifts for the village chief and villagers. The group consisted of young people who hired a donkey cart from the station and headed back to their hometown.
Yan Xiaonan and Bei Nan carried a large package of candies and pastries to Village Chief Ma's house. Ma Minghua had already gotten married at the beginning of the month, so they regretfully did not see her. Ma Mingchun and Ma Mingyuan, however, were overjoyed, especially when they saw Bei Nan return. The group was ecstatic.
Ma Mingyuan patted Bei Nan on the shoulder and said, "Where have you been all these years? You've grown into a respectable man. Looks like you're doing well. How about giving your brother a hand?"
Bei Nan laughed and said, "If you want me to help you out, tell your brother quickly. Or, after you graduate from university, come to Beijing to find me. I won't be looking for Nan Nan anymore."
Ma Mingyuan shook his head: "Bei Nan, I don't want to leave here. I studied agriculture. I want to learn from Brother Dongnan, grow more grain, seek benefits for the people, and share the burden for the motherland."
People from both the north and south were filled with awe; after all, these were university graduates, and their thoughts and perspectives were different.
“Mingyuan, your brother may not have much else, but I do have some money. Scientific research also requires funding. I will support you when you start your research.”
Ma Mingyuan was surprised by Bei Nan's generosity and nodded repeatedly: "Thank you, Bei Nan. Our school has already established an agricultural research laboratory, which was founded by your older brother, Dongnan. Just give me a hundred yuan; I'd feel bad if I gave more."
Bei Nan laughed and leaned close to Ma Mingyuan's ear, saying, "Since it was my older brother who started this, and now that you're in there, I'll just do my part and donate a million. What do you think?"
"Ah! One million! Bei Nan, are you crazy?!" Ma Mingyuan couldn't help but shout. One million is a lot of money. Ma Mingyuan, who couldn't even scrape together a hundred yuan, was terrified.
His shouts startled Village Chief Ma and the others. Village Chief Ma was so frightened that his eye bags fell to the ground. Had Bei Nan gone mad? He didn't even rest his chin on his hand when he spoke.
“Uncle Village Chief, Mushroom Village is my hometown. I hope that my elder brother’s research base will be established in Mushroom Village, and that Mingyuan will be in charge. My money will arrive as soon as the school agrees. One million. You heard me right. This is a small token of my appreciation to my elder brother and the people of my hometown.”
Village Chief Ma's eyes lit up. Last time, with the three million yuan contract fee, Mushroom Village only received a certificate, a few teacups, and a few thermos bottles, but didn't get a single penny of money.
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