Chapter 35

After spending the Little New Year at Grandpa's house, on the afternoon of the 25th of the twelfth lunar month, Feng Zhenchang, Mei Qiuping, and Mei Yiliang finally returned home with large and small bags.

Not having seen them for half a year, Feng Zhenchang and Mei Qiuping looked much better, their spirits clearly different. Mei Qiuping pulled Feng Yiping to look at him from all angles, unable to hold back her tears. Seeing this, Feng Yiping's eyes also welled up. Mei Jianzhong, standing nearby, consoled them, "Everyone is fine. You're doing well in the provincial capital, and Yiping is doing well with me. What's there to be sad about?"

Feng Yiping wanted to laugh; was this really consoling someone?

In the evening, after Uncle Dajiu and Uncle Sanjiao had left, Feng Zhenchang took out some money to repay the chestnut debt to Mei Jianzhong. Mei Jianzhong smiled at Feng Yiping, "I already paid it back. I didn't tell you. Last month, Yiping earned 2,001 yuan from his writing."

Feng Zhenchang and Mei Qiuping were quite agitated, "Really, 2,001 yuan again?"

Mei Yiliang patted Feng Yiping's head, "Great job, Yiping. You're more capable than your parents! You've earned more in the second half of the year than they have!"

Feng Zhenchang and the others did not repay the money Mei Yiliang had fronted, which was nearly 4,000 yuan. They had originally planned to repay the chestnut debt, but the remaining amount was not enough to pay off all their debts. Now, not only could they pay off all their debts, but they would also have about a thousand yuan left over.

Feng Zhenchang felt much more relaxed, muttering, "We can finally have a good New Year this year."

Mei Qiuping's eyes turned red again, hugging Feng Yiping, "Thanks to Yiping."

The atmosphere became a bit heavy. Mei Yiliang said, "Sister, what are you doing? Not only can you pay off the debt, but you've also found a way to make money. These are all good things."

Mei Qiuping wiped her eyes, "I'm just happy. Yiping, we'll go to town tomorrow. If you need anything, just tell Mom."

"I don't need anything. We can just buy some vegetables when we go to town tomorrow."

"Alright, alright," Mei Jianzhong interrupted, turning to take out a stack of money from the cabinet, "This is the remaining 400 yuan. Yiping suggested buying a set of clothes for the eight children in the three families. Since you're back, you can decide."

Feng Zhenchang was about to take the money but pulled back his hand after hearing this, handing a cigarette to Mei Jianzhong, "That's fine. Dad, you can buy them."

Mei Qiuping was a bit angry, "Dad, this money is for you. We won't take it, but I disagree with buying clothes for them. They're not short of money to buy clothes.

For so many years, my life has been tough, and I haven't taken good care of you. Their lives have been better, especially Guoping and Guoxing. How much real money have they given you? You even quit smoking.

Besides, have they ever given Yiping a single cent for New Year's money? Now you want to buy them a set of clothes. I'm not willing."

Well, hearing this, Feng Yiping felt a headache. From Mei Qiuping's perspective, what she said wasn't wrong. But her last words also implicated Mei Yiliang, who had never given Feng Yiping New Year's money either.

Mei Yiliang silently took the money and put it in Mei Qiuping's hand, "Sister, you keep the money." He took out 600 yuan from his wallet, "Dad, you know I spend a lot and don't save much. Here's the money. As Yiping suggested, buying a few sets of clothes for them isn't bad. It's almost the end of the year, and Second Brother will be back in a few days. They should show their filial piety at least once a year. If you buy clothes for the children, they should give you at least as much as the cost of the clothes. If anyone doesn't give or gives less, I'll go to them."

Mei Qiuping was still hesitant with the money, but Feng Zhenchang took it and handed it to Mei Jianzhong, "Dad, you keep the money. We haven't taken good care of you for so many years. This year, we're a bit more comfortable, so consider it our filial piety. Besides, Yiping has been eating and drinking at your place for these few months. You must keep it." It must be said that in handling some matters, Feng Zhenchang did better than Mei Qiuping.

"Yiliang, I'm sorry. We won't repay you the few hundred yuan this year, okay?"

Mei Yiliang said, "It's fine, Brother. You pay off the debt first. I don't need it now. It's fine."

The three of them stayed at Uncle Erjiao's house that night. Although Mei Qiuping was a bit unhappy, she still talked to Feng Yiping for a long time about what had happened in the past two or three months, wanting to know what he did every day.

Feng Yiping didn't say much, just showed his report card. Mei Qiuping looked at it and immediately called Feng Zhenchang, "Zhenchang, come and look. Yiping's grades are even better than in primary school."

It wasn't just that; she wanted to tell all her brothers and sisters to show off. Feng Yiping smiled and stopped her, "Mom, Grandpa and Uncle Dajiu already know."

"Hehe, great, great," Feng Zhenchang also couldn't stop smiling at the report card.

The next day, Grandpa, Uncle Xiao, and the three of Feng Yiping's family went to town to buy New Year's goods. Mei Yiliang was very impatient, but Mei Qiuping insisted, "It's just this short distance. We've been walking it since we were young. When we were kids, our parents would take you to town, and you wouldn't even let us carry you. You'd walk happily to town and back. Now you don't want to walk? What kind of transportation? It costs money, and it's so crowded. Look, there are plenty of people walking like us."

In terms of saving money, none of the four could argue with Mei Qiuping, so they had to walk.

Indeed, there were many people on the road, walking in groups of two or three, clearly all going to town to buy New Year's goods.

These days, the town was the busiest, with many shops, a wide variety of goods, and reasonable prices. Not only people from Wuliwa Town but also people from neighboring towns came here to buy New Year's goods.

At the west entrance of the town, there were many bicycles, tricycles, tractors, a few minivans, and even a Shanghai-brand car. Feng Yiping noticed the small license plate, indicating it was from a city government office.

After passing through the parking area, the street was packed with people. The usually empty street was now so crowded that you couldn't see the end. Most people were carrying large and small bags. At this time, people took the New Year very seriously. As long as they had the means, they would try to buy as many New Year's goods as possible. For the town's merchants, this month's business was the most prosperous, equivalent to half a year's business.

The four adults were familiar with this situation and quickly joined the crowd, bargaining with the vendors on both sides of the street. Feng Yiping held a jute bag and followed his parents from a distance.

In the past, only Feng Zhenchang would come to buy New Year's goods, usually just one jute bag of things, mostly affordable vegetables, vermicelli, and bean curd. Today was different; both parents carried two jute bags each, indicating a major shopping spree.

They started with fish and meat, which were light but expensive. They didn't need to buy pork because Uncle Erbo had already set aside over twenty pounds for them. Neighbors Feng Weidong and Feng Jiasheng had each left a pig's trotter, which was enough. They didn't need to buy chickens either; they planned to kill all the roosters and sell the hens to the Feng Weidong family, who had been taking care of the chickens while they were away.

So Mei Qiuping splurged and bought three pounds of beef, which they hadn't eaten for many years. Feng Zhenchang had his eye on a large lamb leg, which had been dried. The vendor said it cost 32 yuan, but Feng Zhenchang bargained it down to 30 yuan. Just as he was about to pay, Mei Qiuping came over, grabbed the lamb leg, and handed it back to the vendor, "Boss, we don't want this. It's too expensive for us to afford."

The vendor was reluctant, "Sister, I didn't serve several groups of people to talk with this brother for so long. We agreed on the price, and now you say you don't want it. That's not right."

Mei Qiuping said, "Who doesn't compare prices when buying something? The groups you didn't serve will definitely come back to ask for the price. It won't delay you."

Feng Zhenchang smiled at the vendor, "It's fine, 30 yuan." He was about to pay.

Mei Qiuping, not caring about the crowd or Feng Zhenchang's displeasure, scolded him, "We finally have some money, and you spend it so recklessly. If you keep eating like this, even a mountain of gold and silver will be eaten up. Haven't you had enough of hard times?"

A young woman from the village happened to be nearby and saw this, pulling Mei Qiuping, "Aunt, just say less."

Feng Zhenchang was also very angry, his face full of anger. He ignored Mei Qiuping, handed the vendor 30 yuan, and took the lamb leg, turning to leave.

By the time Feng Yiping squeezed through the crowd, Feng Zhenchang was nowhere to be seen, and Mei Qiuping was still arguing with the vendor, "Boss, I'll bring the lamb leg back later, and you'll give me a refund, okay?"

The vendor was helpless, "Sister, everyone is buying New Year's goods, and we all want a happy atmosphere. You're making everyone unhappy over 20 or 30 yuan. Why? I don't want you to complain about me at home during the New Year. Forget it. If you bring it back, I'll give you a refund, okay?"

Feng Yiping quickly pulled Mei Qiuping away, apologizing to the vendor, "Sorry, boss. I'll make sure we don't return the lamb leg."

Mei Qiuping still wanted to say something, but Feng Yiping pulled her away, "Mom, it's 30 yuan, almost as much as your tuition."

Feng Yiping was really frustrated. In his memory, his parents always had this ability to turn any happy occasion into a mess. It wasn't just because of poverty or lack of money. Many poor families still lived happily. Even after he started earning money, his parents would still cause trouble over trivial matters, which could only be attributed to their personalities.

Encountering such a disappointing incident during a festive time again, he truly felt annoyed. Could he say his parents were ignorant?

For example, in other families, such an argument wouldn't happen. There were better ways to resolve it. Even if they did argue, they wouldn't do it in such a public place. They could argue at home, but they insisted on making a scene. Among the onlookers were villagers and relatives.

Mei Qiuping was still indignant, and Feng Yiping sighed, "Mom, I told Dad I wanted to eat lamb, so he bought it."

"What? You wanted to eat it? Why didn't you tell me earlier?"

"I didn't expect such a big reaction."

"Yiping, what's so good about lamb? It's all locally raised, with a strong gamey flavor. Do you really want to eat it?"

Feng Yiping said, "Okay, let's not talk about it. We still have a lot to buy, and we need to find Dad first."

Hearing this, Mei Qiuping really thought she had wronged Feng Zhenchang. She pulled Feng Yiping and started looking for him down the street.

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