Fang Meili laughed and punched Yuan Xinkang lightly. "Now that we have this idea, let's discuss it more seriously. There's another thing," Fang Meili hesitated for a moment, "Meihao and I are discussing buying a TV for my family. We, Meihao, Damiao, and my dad will each contribute a little."
Yuan Xinkang frowned, his tone hesitant, "Isn't all the money under your control?"
“It’s here with me, but it’s our family’s money. I need to discuss it with you before I can spend it. Before I’ve discussed it with you, you see, my dad was here just now, and Dongqiang said something, but I didn’t say anything.”
Yuan Xinkang seemed to have gained respect, his eyebrows relaxing slightly. Fang Meili continued, "Indeed, we haven't even bought a TV for our own family yet. We could have bought one, but we decided whether to go to the county town first. If we go, we'll save the money to open the shop. Once the shop is open, we'll sell some goods and go to the department store. We can buy a TV for my family in no time. We'll each contribute about a hundred yuan, and then we'll say it was your initiative. Everyone in our village will praise Meili's husband!"
"Alright, alright!" Yuan Xinkang waved his hand. "You're the boss, whatever you say goes!"
"Don't worry, I'm in charge of the household, but I have to report to you about every expense. I won't make any moves until you approve," Fang Meili thought for a moment and then added, "Not only our household, but I also manage the money for the Miao family. We're not buying a TV now. When he comes back, we'll ask him to contribute money before we buy it."
"You're such a busybody! You're even meddling in your own family's affairs now."
“I take care of my parents’ family, but I won’t take advantage of them. I’ll help them as much as I can. But this is all thanks to my good husband, my generous husband, who always indulges me. Otherwise…”
"Alright, alright, go buy the TV. I don't mind if you go now. Let's check if Tingting is with Mom first." Yuan Xinkang patted Fang Meili's shoulder.
"Hey!" Fang Meili hummed a little tune as she walked briskly toward the back door.
A trip to the county town gave Fang Dongqiang more topics to talk about with his friends. "My aunt took me to eat lion's head meatballs. They weren't real lion's heads, but they were round and looked like lion's heads. They were delicious." Fang Dongqiang smacked his lips and swallowed as he spoke.
"Wow, Dongqiang ate the lion's head! Dongqiang turned into a lion! Run!" The children chased and laughed in groups, running back and forth on the ridge of the field on their way to school.
As the wind gradually grew colder, the field ridges became bare, and the fields were covered in white frost in the morning. The children hunched their shoulders as they went to school, their cotton-padded jacket sleeves worn smooth, eagerly awaiting snow that was even whiter than frost.
As winter vacation approached, the days grew shorter and shorter. On the way home from school in the afternoon, I could already see the smoke rising from the village chimneys. My steps were lighter than in autumn because in a few more days, I wouldn't have to get up early to rush to school.
Those who have family members living away from home are all eagerly looking towards the road at the village entrance, hoping to see their loved ones returning with large and small bags.
After Fang Damiao returned, he came to Fang Meili's shop the next day. Fang Meili took out her savings book to show him, "The money you send over is deposited here every time, a total of 600 yuan."
Fang Damiao held the passbook, staring at the string of numbers repeatedly, a smile involuntarily creeping onto his face. "I actually have so much money!"
"I've put your money in a fixed-term deposit account, and it even comes with interest."
“Even when I sleep with my eyes closed, money will make money.” Fang Damiao closed his eyes and shook his head with a satisfied look.
“Sigh, the interest on this little bit of money isn’t enough for you to eat without working,” Fang Meili immediately reminded her.
"I know! I know!" Fang Damiao scratched the back of his head.
“If you had transferred money like this over the past few years, plus this year’s, how much would you have here? Four years, 2,400 yuan. Even if your salary was a little lower in the past few years, you could still scrape together 2,000 yuan, and then you could start building a house and have a new house to live in.” Fang Meili patted the savings book.
"The first year, the second year..." Fang Damiao opened his mouth, but couldn't answer.
"Let's not talk about the past. When your salary goes up next year, send more money over and I'll save it all for you."
"Okay! Okay!" Fang Damiao nodded repeatedly, pointing to the passbook, "Then this passbook..."
"I'll give it to my parents, they'll keep it safe. You're not worried about that, are you?"
"Don't worry, don't worry, they're family."
"There's one more thing. Your last month's salary hasn't been transferred yet," Fang Meili began to get down to business.
"I need to save some money to buy New Year's goods, because everyone needs to eat them."
“You don’t need to buy the New Year’s goods. Meihao and I will buy them. We want to buy a TV together. It costs 460 yuan. Dad, Xinkang, Meihao and you will each contribute 120 yuan.”
"120?" Fang Damiao hesitated. "If I buy it, I'll be out of money."
"Just come and eat what's cooked at home, why do you need to save money? Are you reluctant to spend it?"
"We're willing to spend, we're willing to spend. The TV is mostly for Dongqiang to watch anyway, and you and Meihao aren't home. We're the ones who benefit!"
"She's quite sensible. And then there's my older sister, who sits at home all day. Let's make her life a little more interesting."
"Oh yeah! Oh yeah! You two little sisters really think of your older sister. So when are we going to buy it?"
"Give me your money and go buy it."
Fang Damiao took out money from both pockets, "After buying this, I'll really only have a few yuan left for the train ticket."
"There's plenty of food at home, you won't go hungry." Fang Meili took the money.
Once the black and white television was bought, it acted like a magnet, attracting all the children in the neighborhood.
"Mom, I'm going to Dongqiang's house to watch TV."
"Fang Yu, come back after a while. Don't make a scene at someone else's house," Yu Jihong instructed.
"I understand." Fang Yu's two braids bounced with her steps and soon disappeared from sight.
"When will we be able to save enough money to buy a TV?" Yu Jihong sighed. Who wouldn't like a square TV that can show us the outside world?
Fang Shugen returned with a snakeskin bag on his back. It was already dark when he got home. The door creaked open, and Fang Shugen's mother, Hua Mei, who was eating under the dim light, looked up.
Fang Shugen's mother walked over quickly, grabbed Fang Shugen's arm, and looked him up and down. "You've lost some weight. Weren't you cold on the way?"
Fang Shugen smiled and nodded, glancing at Hua Mei. Hua Mei quickly lowered her head, appearing somewhat reserved after being apart for so long.
"Hua Mei, I'm back."
Hua Mei quickly got up and went to get a bowl to serve Fang Shugen rice.
"Huahua, do you still recognize your dad?" Huahua nodded timidly, her voice barely audible, "Dad!"
"Jingming is so big already?" Fang Shugen picked up his son, and Fang Jingming stared at him with a somewhat unfamiliar look, his eyes wide open.
"This is Dad, Dad's back!" Fang Shugen's mother patted Fang Jingming's shoulder. "Shugen, eat first, you must be hungry after the journey."
"I brought some food." Fang Shugen got up and opened the snakeskin bag.
Upon hearing that there was food, Hua Hua and Fang Jingming both crowded around the snakeskin bag.
"Eat first. If there's something delicious, you won't even need to eat," Fang Shugen's mother shouted.
“Yes, eat first, then eat.” Fang Shugen glanced at Hua Mei every now and then while eating. She was taking small bites of her food. When she noticed his gaze, she raised her head slightly, her lips curved into a smile, and then she quickly lowered her head again.
After finishing her meal, Hua Mei washed the dishes and then boiled bathwater for Fang Shugen.
"Mother, how has Hua Mei been this year?" Fang Shugen asked his mother.
"Good, very good. Look, she's perfectly fine, eating and sleeping well."
Fang Shugen's mother brought Huahua to her room as well, saying, "Huahua, you can sleep with your brother tonight. Dad is coming back, and the room is too crowded."
"Okay!" Hua Hua obediently agreed and went with her grandma.
Only Fang Shugen and Hua Mei remained in the room. Fang Shugen bolted the door, and Hua Mei sat on the edge of the bed with her head down.
Fang Shugen sat down and reached out to grab her wrist. Hua Mei trembled violently at Fang Shugen's touch, and when she looked up at him, her eyes were filled with panic.
"Hua Mei," Fang Shugen said softly, "we're husband and wife, don't be so formal. It's been so long since we last met, are you shy?"
Hua Mei bit her lip, saying nothing, but not pulling her hand away from his either.
Fang Shugen took off her outer clothes and pants one by one. Hua Mei let him take them off. When he took off her inner clothes, Fang Shugen carried her to the quilt and examined her body by the light to make sure there were no injuries. "Is Mother good to you?"
Hua Mei hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
Fang Shugen pulled her into his arms. Hua Mei's body was tense at first, but it gradually softened and she hugged Fang Shugen back.
In the middle of the night, Fang Shugen woke up once and felt Hua Mei gently touching his hand. When she saw that he was awake, she quickly pulled her hand back, but Fang Shugen grabbed it back.
When they went out in the first month of the lunar calendar, Fang Jingming was still being carried in their arms, but now he can walk. After he could walk, he became like a shadow, following Fang Huahua around all day.
"Dad, I'm taking my little brother to Dongqiang's house to watch TV," Fang Huahua said, leading Fang Jingming.
"Mom, the money I brought back is enough to buy a TV. Let's go buy one too!"
"Let's save it for building the house first. The east wall of this kitchen is drafty."
"Huahua, my little brother is still young and doesn't know any better. If you go to other people's houses, you'll disturb them. Don't go," Fang Shugen said to Huahua.
"Let her go. There are so many children to look after at his house, what's the difference between the two of them?"
"Mom, aren't you with their family..." Fang Shugen asked, puzzled.
"Oh dear, so many years have passed, why bring that up again?"
Fang Shugen also breathed a sigh of relief because his mother was at peace with him.
"I heard that Dongqiang from their family always gets 100% on his exams at school. I wonder if he'll go to university and get a government job like Meihao? It's best not to make enemies with their family." After saying that, she looked at Fang Huahua, "Huahua, go and see him. Keep an eye on your little brother."
Hua Hua pulled Fang Jingming along, complaining that he was walking too slowly. She hugged him tightly in front of her, resting her chin on the top of his head. Fang Jingming's little hands gripped Hua Hua's clothes tightly.
Fang Huahua took small, shuffling steps and had to adjust her posture from time to time, afraid that Fang Jingming would slip.
Fang Meixiang's house was filled with half a room of children, chattering noisily. However, as soon as Fang Dongqiang said to stop making noise, everyone would quiet down.
"See? My son is the class monitor, and all the students listen to him like this now." Fang Damiao said to Fang Meixiang with his head held high, before he strolled off to the small shop to join in the fun.
"Da Miao, you have a TV at home now, why don't you watch it at home?" someone asked him.
“The kids are the ones looking after things at home, chattering away. I'm taking advantage of being home to chat with everyone. I'll be going out again after the fifteenth.” Fang Damiao sighed, but her tone was one of contentment.
"Da Miao is amazing, he's even bought a TV now."
“My Meixiang stays at home, and there’s a TV for her to watch, so life is a little easier.”
"Tsk tsk tsk, give me back Meixiang? What a loving husband."
"A wife should always be cherished, and my father-in-law and mother-in-law have taken such good care of my son."
"I heard your son gets 100% on all his exams?"
"I'm only in first grade now, I don't know if I'll be able to achieve this in higher grades." Fang Damiao pretended to be modest, but the pride in his eyes was impossible to hide.
"Da Miao, just wait and enjoy your good life, your son is doing so well in school."
Hehehe!
There were only a few TV channels, and the children found the moving images fascinating, becoming completely absorbed in the commercials.
When Fang Yu got home, she asked Yu Jihong, "Mom, they all have younger brothers and sisters, why don't I?"
“Uh,” Yu Jihong was taken aback by Fang Yu’s sudden question. She looked around and saw that Fang San’s younger brother was not at home. She pulled Fang Yu aside and said, “Fang Yu, you are so beautiful and obedient. Your parents are so grateful to have you.”
Thinking for a moment, Yu Jihong said softly, "Fang Yu, Mom is telling you, remember this: when Dad is here, you can't ask this question."
"Oh, what if someone else asks?"
"Who asked you?" Yu Jihong suddenly tensed up. Who was stirring up trouble again? What did they say to the child?
“It’s Huahua. She was sitting next to me watching TV. She always has her younger brother with her. Today she asked me why I don’t have a younger brother and why I don’t have to take care of him.” As she spoke, Fang Yu seemed to suddenly realize something and understood. “Oh, I know. She’s not pretty, not good-looking, so her mother wants to have another younger brother. She always has short hair, no one braids it for her, and her clothes aren’t nice either.”
“You can’t say she’s bad,” Yu Jihong quickly interrupted her. “It’s not that Huahua is bad, Huahua, she,” Yu Jihong didn’t know how to explain what she had just said, “Huahua is very good. She has a younger brother at home and is too busy to braid his hair. Fang Yu, remember, you can’t say bad things about others. Huahua can’t be like you, playing whenever she wants. She’s a child herself, but she still has to take care of her younger brother. She’s very obedient. You can’t say she’s bad, understand? And you have to be good to her.”
“Then I’ll help her look after her younger brother.”
"Our Fang Yu is not only beautiful, but also a kind girl. How can you be so wonderful? Mom loves you." Yu Jihong hugged Fang Yu and kissed her.
"Mom, you're different from other moms!"
"How am I different?"
“Others my age wouldn’t have their mothers kiss them.”
Yu Jihong smiled and said, "I love my daughter. What's wrong with kissing my own daughter? Why should I be like everyone else?"
Fang Mei didn't return until New Year's Eve, carrying large bags of New Year's goods. There were dried goods like wood ear mushrooms and shiitake mushrooms, cured meats like braised duck and ham, and some snacks.
“Her dad, look, working for a government agency is so respectable!” Fang Meixiang’s mother said, looking at the things on the table.
Looking at the New Year's goods, Fang Meixiang's father saw the honor and satisfaction of his daughter's success.
Fang Damiao came over and said, "Dongqiang, study hard. Look, your aunt has a job, and her workplace gave her so many good things for the New Year."
"Study hard, and go to junior high school in the county town." Fang Dongqiang only knew his immediate goal.
“Great, the schools in the county town are good.” Fang Damiao quickly agreed, smiling happily.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com