Southwest had already learned to drive, so when Southwest drove to Ma Minghua's house, Ma Minghua was quite surprised.
"Brother Southwest, you can drive now! That's great, it'll be so much easier to take the kids out to play now." Ma Minghua quickly invited Southwest into the house.
Southwest smiled and walked into the house. Ma Minghua was indeed a hardworking woman, keeping the house spotless.
A large bedroom was divided into two smaller rooms, where Ma Minghua's mother-in-law and her son lived.
The couple lived in a small bedroom, which was decorated very cozyly.
The small living room was very simple, with just a dining table, a few chairs, and a dish rack.
What satisfied Ma Minghua the most was that the sanitary facilities and kitchen were complete, but the coal-fired kitchen always looked a bit dirty.
“Brother Southwest, the conditions here can’t compare to Nan Nan’s courtyard house, but this is my home, and we feel at ease living here,” Ma Minghua said.
Southwest nodded repeatedly. His staff housing was even smaller than Ma Minghua's house, but he was willing to live there.
I never understood the reasoning behind it, but hearing Ma Minghua say those words today made everything clear: it all came down to the word "peace of mind".
Even though he knew that Nan Nan was sincere towards him, and that his parents and grandmother welcomed him to live in the courtyard house.
But he just couldn't relax or feel comfortable living there, or rather, he felt uneasy.
"Ma Minghua, give me the things you're taking back. I'm going to Mushroom Village with Xu Da tomorrow."
Ma Minghua nodded repeatedly, and her mother-in-law also enthusiastically helped to move the things out.
Actually, there wasn't much. Besides some local specialties from Beijing, there were two sets of cotton-padded jackets and trousers that she had made for her parents, which cost only one hundred yuan.
“Brother Southwest, tell my parents that I bought a house in Beijing, so I don’t have much money left. I will definitely make up for it next year.”
Southwest nodded, put the money away, and then left with his things. Ma Minghua watched Southwest leave, and her heart finally settled down.
"Mom, let's go buy some New Year's goods later. This is the first New Year we'll be spending in our new house, so we have to eat well."
“Yes, Mother, I still have a retirement pension. It’s all thanks to your mother who helps me collect it every month. Once we’re better off, I’ll tell your mother not to send it anymore,” said Mother Yang.
“Okay, let my mother open a savings account for you and deposit the money in it. That’s your retirement money,” Ma Minghua agreed readily.
Yang's mother wiped away her tears. She had found the right daughter-in-law; she was good to her husband, good to her children, and very good to her as well.
After shipping all the New Year's goods, Xinan and Xu Da boarded the train with Ma Minghua's things and the gifts they had given to Tang Jianjun.
When the train arrived in town, Ma Mingchun came to pick them up in his pickup truck. Xinan was worried about Duoduo, so he handed over the things that Ma Minghua had asked him to bring to Ma Mingchun.
When he took the money out of his pocket, the original hundred yuan had become two hundred yuan: "Your sister and her family bought a house in Beijing, so they don't have much money. Let your parents make do with it for now."
Ma Mingchun nodded. He knew his younger sister well; she was very filial to their parents. If they had enough money, they would never have given her only two hundred.
Of course, two hundred yuan is a lot of money; it's enough to feed a family for at least half a year in Mushroom Village.
"Brother Southwest, aren't you going back to the village?" Ma Mingchun asked.
"I'm not going back. I'm going to see Duoduo. Also, we're going back tomorrow. Could you please take Xu Da to my house in town tomorrow?"
Ma Mingchun nodded and took Xu Da back to Mushroom Village. Mushroom Village has developed very well now, but it's a pity that he can't go back to the Southwest to take a look.
Southwest, carrying large and small bags, walked to the entrance of the courtyard, pushed the door, but it was locked from the inside.
Southwest took a closer look and found a rope next to the gate. He went up and pulled it, and sure enough, it made a jingling sound.
A woman's voice came from inside: "Who's outside?"
Southwest loudly proclaimed, "I am Duoduo's father."
"Duoduo, your father is here, go open the door!" The woman's voice became excited.
Southwest smiled. "It must be that auntie across the street. It seems the two families have a good relationship."
Duoduo, who was doing her homework in the house, heard her father coming and threw down her pen and ran outside.
But when he reached the courtyard, he was still cautious and shouted towards the door, "Who's outside?"
Southwest greatly appreciated Duoduo's cautious attitude and quickly praised her, "Duoduo is great! That's how you should ask clearly. My name is Yan Southwest, and I am Yan Dongbao's father."
With a creak, the door was quickly opened, and before Southwest could react, Duoduo had already pounced on her.
"Dad, what brings you here?"
Southwest put down what she was holding, hugged Duoduo tightly, and then looked her son over carefully, nodding happily.
"Son, you've grown taller, you're like a big kid now."
Duoduo proudly puffed out her chest and said loudly, "Dad, I'm already a second-year junior high student."
Southwest was taken aback. Why was it the second year of junior high? Wasn't it the first year?
"I got first place in the whole grade in the midterm exam, and the principal gave me the midterm exam paper for the second year of junior high school. I did very well in the exam, so I will go directly to the second year of junior high school next semester."
While helping Southwest with his luggage, Duoduo proudly shared his joy.
Southwest suddenly felt a warm feeling in his heart. He hugged Duoduo tightly and said sincerely, "Duoduo, Dad is proud of you."
Hearing Southwest's affirmation of her achievements, Duoduo smiled, her eyes shining brightly.
Tang Jianjun also ran out and saw the five packages at the foot of Southwest Road. He wondered how Southwest Road had gotten them.
Southwest explained with a smile that Ma Mingchun had driven him there, and then the three men carried five packages into the yard.
Pushing open the door to the central living room, Southwest found that his home had changed drastically. He remembered that there used to be only a dining table and two long benches in the living room.
We've now added a sofa and a coffee table. On the coffee table is a set of cups and a red telephone.
Opposite the sofa was a low cabinet, on which sat a television and a tape recorder.
The old dining table has been replaced with a round table, and four stools have been added. The floor has also been tiled.
The walls were painted white, while the baseboards near the floor were painted rust red, the same color as the doors and windows.
Southwest then entered the room on the left, which was the room of Tang Jianjun and his wife. There was a large bed, a set of furniture, and the whole room was clean.
Turn to the room on the right, that's Duo Duo's room. It also has a complete set of furniture, except that there's an extra desk and bookcase.
Southwest asked excitedly, "Master, who helped with all of this?"
Tang Jianjun said somewhat embarrassedly, "I made all the furniture, and Ma Mingchun and Tang Xiaojun did the work on the floor and walls."
"And this television and tape recorder were bought with the money you sent; now you don't need ration coupons to buy these things."
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