Chapter 7

Finding fresh pork, with two blocks of tofu beside it, Zhang Xuan didn’t need to guess what was going on.

Lazy to think too much, he first fried the tofu until it was golden brown on both sides, then washed and minced the meat, throwing it into the pot to stir-fry for a while. After that, he added garlic, chili peppers, and tofu, and soon the aroma of the meat filled the air.

Zhang Xuan couldn’t wait any longer, picked up a piece and put it in his mouth. It was delicious, full of meat flavor. He picked up another piece and put it in his mouth, still so delicious, full of meat flavor...

For breakfast, there was meat, tofu, bright red pickled chili peppers, and stir-fried cabbage, a very rich meal.

After Ruan Xiuqin returned, she looked at the dishes, then lifted the lid of the pot to check the rice. The white rice made her pause for a few seconds. In the end, she said nothing, picked up two bowls, and served herself and her son, who was washing the pot under the tap in the backyard.

While eating, Ruan Xiuqin asked, "Did your sister go out with Ouyang Yong?"

"Uh-huh."

Zhang Xuan liked the pickled vegetables, especially the pickled chili peppers. One bite filled his taste buds with juice, so flavorful. He ate several before saying, "Mom, have you noticed that when the eldest sister walks with Yang Ende, they don’t even fart for several kilometers; but when she walks with Ouyang Yong, she can’t stop laughing."

Ruan Xiuqin knew what he meant, paused, and insisted, "If you go out to study in the future, after I’m gone, no one will be able to take care of your sister. Ouyang Yong won’t be able to keep her."

She’s so stubborn. The problem is, Yang Ende himself is a lifelong burden. If the eldest sister marries him, she might not have a good life, crying every day. It would be better if she didn’t marry at all.

But he knew he couldn’t argue directly with his mother, so he said cryptically, "Mom, do you know, the saddest thing in the world is not when you have no way to go after dreaming; but when the road hasn’t ended, yet you have no dreams left to dream.

The eldest sister didn’t finish primary school and isn’t very smart. If she marries Yang Ende, who also didn’t finish primary school, her life will be limited. Whether she can smile in the end is all up to you."

Seeing his mother’s face gradually turn pale, he didn’t stop, continuing, "Society has changed a lot in recent years. Who knows what the future will bring? As my high school teacher said, with China’s rapid economic development, farmers will go out to earn big money, and the land in the countryside will become worthless. Will Yang Ende, who is strong, still have a place to use his strength then?

Moreover, with Yang Ende’s family being so frugal, he might not be willing to let his wife work for our family after he marries her. There are many examples of such ungrateful sons-in-law in our village, one after another. Don’t pretend you don’t see it.

And the second sister has already run away. Don’t force the eldest sister to run away too. Our family only has four people..."

Slap!

Ruan Xiuqin was so angry that she stopped eating, slamming her chopsticks on the table. She opened her mouth several times to scold her son but swallowed her words each time.

In the end, she went to her room, closed the door, and sat on the bed, sulking alone.

Seeing Ruan Xiuqin’s angry back, Zhang Xuan didn’t try to retain her or follow her to comfort her.

He knew his mother well. His words had always been important to her. Although she might not understand now, or even in the next few years, he had to take this strong medicine for the eldest sister’s sake.

After breakfast, Zhang Xuan tidied up and peeked at his mother through the door crack. Seeing her sitting on the bed knitting, he left the house with peace of mind, joining the village’s market crowd heading to town.

The road was good despite the snow, but it wasn’t fast. It took Zhang Xuan over an hour to walk 10 miles.

Afraid of the long queue, he went to the hospital first. The doctor examined him carefully and said, "Your condition shouldn’t recur, but you should still be careful with your diet and avoid spicy food."

Zhang Xuan felt awkward, as he had just told the doctor he had eaten chili peppers that morning, and now he was being advised against it.

He asked, "Do I need to come to the hospital again tomorrow?"

The doctor said, "The medicine I prescribed will be finished tonight. It’s best to come again tomorrow. You’re young, and this distance won’t be a problem for you."

"Okay."

Leaving the hospital, Zhang Xuan headed straight for the post office.

To ensure safety and speed, Zhang Xuan splurged, buying three registered letters.

To avoid confusion, he first sent the manuscript to "Zhiyin" magazine. The other two were sent to "Xiao Xiang Morning News" and "Changsha Evening News."

After finishing, Zhang Xuan stomped his feet and blew on his frozen fingers. It was really cold, and he wanted to go home and sleep.

A woman nearby was trying to glue the envelope and stamp. Seeing him jumping around, she laughed and pointed at him.

"Sorry."

Zhang Xuan was polite, quickly giving up his spot and tucking his fingers into his sleeves, ready to leave. Just a few steps away, he suddenly heard someone calling his name.

"Zhang Xuan!"

Zhang Xuan turned around and saw Lin the postman coming out of a side door with a bag, smiling and saying, "You’re just in time. I was sorting the mail and found a package for you."

"A package for me?"

Zhang Xuan was puzzled. He hadn’t submitted any manuscripts recently. Despite his confusion, he naturally took the package and thanked him, asking, "It’s so cold, do you still have to go out to deliver mail?"

"Just to the reservoir nearby." Lin the postman seemed in a hurry and left.

Opening the package, he found a thick Xinhua Dictionary. Zhang Xuan was speechless. He didn’t have the ability to submit anything to the Xinhua Dictionary.

Was it a prank, or was there something hidden inside?

In spy dramas, they often hollow out a dictionary to hide a gun or a miniature camera.

Thinking this, he chuckled. Could someone really hide a gold brick inside to help him out? Probably no one would be that foolish nowadays.

With this question in mind, Zhang Xuan started flipping through the dictionary pages. After a hundred or so pages, a green object was blown away by the wind coming from the post office entrance.

Zhang Xuan’s eyes quickly followed the object, seeing it dance in the air and finally hit the glass wall of the post office hall.

As his eyes slowly lowered, he saw a green paper with the portraits of four leaders, a hundred-dollar bill!

No way! There really was money in the dictionary?

Zhang Xuan was stunned by his own joke! But his reflexes were quick, and before anyone else in the hall could react, he ran over and grabbed the money.

With so many people staring, he didn’t dare stay. Zhang Xuan grabbed the dictionary and ran outside.

At this moment, he didn’t feel the cold or the chill in his hands. His mind was full of thoughts about who had given him the money.

It couldn’t be from a certain magazine as payment for a manuscript, unless the financial officer of the magazine had gone crazy to do such a foolish thing!

So, who could it be?

PS: During the new book period, I need recommendations, monthly votes, donations, investments, and reviews. Any help is appreciated!