Chapter 97

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At the edge of the pond in front of the house, a few elderly people were sitting on small stools, doing needlework under a large soap pod tree. A few children with runny noses were playing around them.

As she walked over, the elderly people looked at her with curiosity, wondering whose relative she was.

Auntie Second was among them, sewing shoe pads. She combed her hair a few times with the needle in her hand, looked at her a few times, and felt a bit familiar. She tentatively asked, "Is this Yuxuan coming back?"

"Second Auntie, it's me. How are you?" Feng Yuxuan stopped to ask, and her words unconsciously carried the accent of the city.

"Still good, still good. Didn't your parents say they would come back in a few days? Why are you back today?"

Oh, my parents are still coming back in a few days? "They told me, but I'm not busy these days, so I came back early to take a look."

Feng Yuxuan took out a few oranges from the plastic bag and gave them to the children who had gathered around, "Here, have some oranges."

The other elderly people also greeted her, "Oh, this is Yuxuan! You've changed so much! Your outfit looks really nice."

Feng Yuxuan smiled modestly, feeling a bit proud.

"Haven't eaten yet, right? Come, let's go home." Auntie Second tidied up her sewing basket, picked up the small stool, and led Feng Yuxuan back home.

When they crossed the ditch by the pond, Feng Yuxuan accidentally twisted her foot again. Auntie Second teased her, "Your shoes are nice, but they are so high. Don't they hurt to wear? Such shoes are suitable in the city, but here, I'll find you a pair of cloth shoes!"

Dinner was also at Uncle Second's house. It was then that she learned about the family's affairs—her parents and brother could actually earn money! She had a plan in mind, thinking she should first find her brother and do some work with him. When her parents came back, she would have him help persuade them, which would give her a better chance.

After resting at Uncle Second's house for a day, Feng Yuxuan went to her grandfather's house.

When she went to see her grandfather, she was actually a bit worried. After being away for so many years, would her grandfather scold her?

Fortunately, Mei Jianzhong was still very happy to see her. Auntie also kept saying how much better she looked, looking at her clothes with some envy.

After lunch and a nap, she finally went to the school.

To be honest, Feng Yuxuan had some resentment when she entered the school gate. She hadn't even finished junior high school. Although she didn't want to study, and her grades couldn't compare to her brother's, if her parents had insisted she stay, she would have had no choice but to go to school. In short, her parents were a bit biased.

She looked through the window at the students in the classroom with a complex expression. A few girls saw her and envied her clothes, but she also envied those girls in a way!

Feng Yiping was taking notes with his head down. Suddenly, the classroom became quiet. He looked up and saw the teacher stop writing on the blackboard and ask Feng Yuxuan. He quickly stood up and ran out.

Feng Yuxuan looked at her brother, who had grown taller and seemed to have become fairer. The clothes he was wearing were all bought, and he looked well-dressed compared to other students. When he saw her, he seemed a bit taller, and also a bit... distant?

She couldn't say much. Hearing that her parents hadn't returned, Feng Yiping gave her the key and told her to go back first. There weren't many residential buildings in the village, so it was easy to find.

When he came back and sat down, Feng Wen asked him, "Is this your sister? She's changed so much!"

How could she not change? Feng Yiping thought. The money his sister earned was probably all spent on clothes and accessories.

When she went back in the evening, there was already a meal prepared, and her room had been cleaned. The clothes she had changed yesterday were hanging on the balcony.

"Brother, how much do you pay for this house? How much do Mom and Dad give you for living expenses each month?"

"I don't need money from Mom and Dad; I earn it myself."

"I heard from Uncle Second and Grandfather that you've really grown up and can earn money. I haven't sent money home in all these years, do you resent me?" Feng Yuxuan put down her bowl and stared at Feng Yiping.

Resentment wouldn't help, "Of course not, Mom and Dad and I know it hasn't been easy for you." Feng Yiping said, lowering his head, "Just take care of yourself."

Feng Yuxuan didn't notice the hidden dissatisfaction in Feng Yiping's words and felt relieved. If Mom and Dad didn't resent her, that was good!

"Brother, how much have you saved?" Feng Yuxuan asked casually.

"Several thousand, Grandfather is keeping it for me." Hearing this number, Feng Yuxuan felt more confident.

However, when Feng Yiping came back from evening study and Feng Yuxuan proposed that he give her ten thousand yuan to open a store in the city, Feng Yiping refused without hesitation.

Of course, Feng Yiping refused. He remembered clearly that after working for two years, he finally paid off all the family's debts. In the third year, he finally saved some money. At that time, Feng Yuxuan had a boyfriend and suddenly called him one day, borrowing all the money he had saved, saying she wanted to open a store. He sent the money the next day, and that was it.

He heard that the store only lasted three months before closing. As for the money she borrowed from him, he never mentioned it, and neither did she.

He knew very well that if there was a ready-made business, his sister could manage it and might even develop it. But without anyone to supervise or guide her, she couldn't run any business. Moreover, the family didn't have enough money to open a store in the provincial capital, let alone spare money to give her.

Feng Yuxuan tried to explain repeatedly, but Feng Yiping wouldn't agree. "If the store where you work now can be transferred, I'll lend you the money. But if you want to find a new place to open a store, I won't agree. And Mom and Dad have already decided that this time, when you come back, you'll go to the provincial capital with us. Once the store is open, you'll help in the store."

No matter how much her sister tried to persuade him, Feng Yiping wouldn't budge. It was a joke to think that these small stores were all about location. Good locations were already rented by others, and they couldn't afford them now. Poor locations didn't guarantee business.

Moreover, running a noodle shop was different from running a convenience store. The main cost for a noodle shop was rent, renovation, and some necessary kitchen and bathroom facilities. But for a convenience store, the main cost was the goods in the store.

Feng Yuxuan was very unhappy. The family's situation was better than she had expected, but she hit a hard wall with her brother. In the following days, she nagged Feng Yiping every day, but the answer was always the same. It seemed that not only would her brother not lend her the money, but he wouldn't even help her persuade their parents.

Angry, she went to her grandfather's house and ignored Feng Yiping.

Feng Yiping's ears finally had some peace. These days, his sister first talked to him, then argued with him, which was really tiring. He couldn't do anything when he came back these days and even thought about staying at school.

When it was time to collect chestnuts, her parents still hadn't returned. However, they had a reason. After collecting chestnuts, several families would go to the provincial capital. Feng Zhenchang and Mei Yiliang were busy these days, helping them find good places to do business and houses to live in nearby, which was very difficult.

So, this year, Grandfather, Uncle, and Feng Yuxuan went back to collect chestnuts. However, this year's chestnut collection was the easiest because the families going to the provincial capital all sent people to help. With more people, the work was done quickly, and in two days, all the chestnuts were collected and brought home. They helped each other to shell the chestnuts for two more days.

Thus, when Feng Zhenchang returned, the chestnuts were already drying on the threshing floor.

Thank you very much for your support, and a big thank you to book friend jackiee000 for the tip!

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