Chapter 44

Actually, everything had been packed up long ago, but Mei Qiuping still kept walking from one room to another. Seeing Feng Yiping, she said, "Yiping, help me think again. Is there anything I forgot to bring? I just remembered I forgot something, but now I can't recall what it was."

Feng Yiping complained, "Mom, you’ve asked me five times since this afternoon. Everything that needs to be brought is already packed. You don’t need to look anymore."

Mei Qiuping pretended to hit him, "You’re already getting impatient. What if I get old and you get married? Will you ignore me then?"

Feng Yiping was at a loss, wondering where this was coming from!

After confirming nothing was left out, Mei Qiuping found a plastic bag and prepared to pack the leftover vegetables from the New Year, like cabbages, carrots, lotus roots, bean curd sticks, and vermicelli, to bring to Mei Jiawan.

Feng Yiping stopped her, "Mom, tomorrow you’ll have to carry so many things. Adding these will make it even harder. Besides, Grandpa’s place doesn’t lack these things. They’re not worth much. Why don’t we give them to the neighbors or Uncle and Uncle’s families?"

Mei Qiuping ignored him, "They don’t lack them either. Besides, we paid for these. Think about the past few years when we were short of money for New Year’s gifts to Uncle. How can you be so wasteful now?"

Feng Yiping said, "A good neighbor is better than a distant relative. We’re not at home, so they have to take care of our house and the economic forest. Besides, we don’t even have a vegetable garden now. When I come back occasionally, there won’t even be vegetables. Do you want me to buy them and bring them back? It’s better to do a favor now. They’re not worth much, and it’s not worth the effort to bring them to Grandpa’s place."

"You, you, I think your last sentence is the real reason. You’re just too lazy to carry them tomorrow." Although she said this, Mei Qiuping thought her son had a point.

"Then let’s give them to Wei Dong’s family. They help us watch the house. I’ll take them over tomorrow morning. As for your uncles, we can pick vegetables from their gardens when we need them. If they say anything, tell me."

The next morning, Mei Qiuping delivered the vegetables to Feng Weidong’s house. Feng Weidong said, "Why don’t you just have breakfast at my place? It will save you the trouble of cooking and cleaning up."

In the countryside, if you are generous, they will be generous too. If you are stingy, they won’t even give you a drop of water.

After breakfast, Dongming came to help carry the things. He would help all the way to Mei Jiawan. The four of them set off with their loads, accompanied by the sound of firecrackers.

When they reached the back hill, Uncle, Uncle, and Fourth Uncle were standing there. Second Uncle reminded Feng Zhenchang, "Be careful when you’re out."

Feng Hongbing’s mother followed behind, saying, "Yiping, don’t stay at Grandpa’s place all the time. Come back during the holidays. You can stay at our place, and you don’t need to worry about anything."

This time, they didn’t even eat at Mei Jiawan. After a cup of tea, the two tricycles Mei Yiliang called arrived, and everyone helped load the things. Wang Changning and his parents also came to help.

In front of her family, Mei Qiuping didn’t show much reluctance, but when the car started, she couldn’t help but tear up, looking at her youngest son and her father standing at the bridge. She barely held back her tears.

They first went to the town, then took a bus to the county, and from there, they took a bus to the provincial capital. If everything went smoothly, they would arrive at their rented house in the provincial capital by evening.

The car slowly drove away, turning a few corners until it was out of sight. Thus, in early 1993, Feng Yiping became a left-behind child once again.

Lunch was at Wang Changning’s house. They even invited Grandpa, making it a more formal gathering.

Wang Changning’s father looked about the same age as Feng Zhenchang but was actually younger. He looked older and was as strict with his children as Feng Zhenchang.

He didn’t talk much, mainly greeting Mei Jianzhong. Throughout the meal, he mostly said things like, "Eat more," and "Come, have a drink."

Wang Changning’s mother said, "We’ve discussed it as a family. After the chestnuts are harvested this year, we’ll also go to the provincial capital to try our luck. We’re very grateful to your family."

Mei Jianzhong said, "Don’t be so formal. You and Qiuping grew up together. Helping each other is only natural. Besides, they didn’t do much."

Wang Changning’s mother said, "Our situations are similar. We work hard all year but don’t have much left. Although An can earn some money now, she’s a girl and is getting older. We need to prepare for her marriage. We can’t rely on her alone. We can only hope that Changning can get into college and find a good job. But even if he gets in, the tuition and living expenses are a big concern. If we have this opportunity, even if we earn two thousand yuan a year, it will give us some peace of mind. How can this not be a big help?"

Feng Yiping said, "Aunt, Changning and I both have only one sister. They will eventually marry into other families. Changning and I are like brothers. We’ve agreed to go to high school and college together. We’ll definitely need your help in the future. This is nothing."

Wang Changning’s father interjected, "Changning, you’re older than Yiping. You should always look out for him."

Wang Changning nodded silently. His father continued, "You’re not a child anymore. You need to study hard and learn to socialize. Don’t be so quiet. You need to learn to speak up. Understand, Uncle?"

Mei Jianzhong said, "Don’t worry. They learn quickly. Besides, being a bit quiet is fine as long as they work hard. This generation has a good opportunity. Don’t worry, they will achieve something."

Feng Yiping looked at Wang Changning with a mischievous smile, making him a bit confused.

Feng Yiping thought, "He’s just being quiet in front of you elders."

On the way to school, Wang Changning was clearly happier, "This is great. Even if we don’t get into the top high school in two years, we can ask our parents to let us retake the exams."

Feng Yiping said, "That’s the worst-case scenario. It’s better to pass in one go."

Wang Changning lacked confidence, "It seems you’re fine, but I’m still having trouble."

Feng Yiping said, "You need to have more confidence. We still have over two years. Let’s work hard together. We can do it!"

"Can we?"

Feng Yiping said, "If everything goes well, my parents will come back during the summer to rent a house in the village. I want you and Xiao Zhijie to live together and study hard. We still have over two years until the high school entrance exam. Believe in us, we can do it!"

Wang Changning was surprised to learn that Feng Yiping planned to live outside, "Really? Your parents agree? That’s great. How did you convince them?"

Feng Yiping deliberately teased, "Hehe, I have my ways." He wouldn’t reveal the specific reasons.

Wang Changning, filled with hope, asked, "Do you think we can make our parents live a good life in the future?"

Feng Yiping patted his shoulder, "Of course. You’ll make them live in a villa and drive a luxury car."

"Villa I know, but what’s a luxury car?"

Feng Yiping had to explain the different car brands.

As they approached the school, the class monitor, Tang Shaokang, caught up on his bike, with a girl from Class 3 on the back.

In class, they didn’t interact much, but on the road, they always chatted a bit on weekends.

Being the same age and in the early stages of adolescence, Feng Yiping and Wang Changning couldn’t help but tease them a bit. The girl, Ye Meng, was very open and not at all shy.

They were just about to reach the school gate when Uncle Lin Kaiming rode out, and Auntie was seeing him off. Feng Yiping called out to them loudly.

At this moment, Tang Shaokang casually asked, "Feng Yiping, do you have any submissions this month?"

Feng Yiping replied without thinking, "No," but immediately realized his mistake.

Tang Shaokang stopped his bike and said to the girl, "See, I told you it was him."

Feng Yiping was annoyed. A man in his thirties had been outsmarted by a child. How could kids be so cunning at this age? Why hadn’t he noticed before?

It seemed either he was too dull back then or he wasn’t worth the effort.

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