In a small restaurant on the street.
Ji Huai and Feng Dafeng sat across from each other. They had been busy for most of the day, holding a bowl of rice and eating. There was a plate of pickles, fried minced meat and a bowl of green onion soup on the table. They ate very deliciously.
Feng Dafeng had a rare luxury. He used the minced meat in the pickles to be processed by the clerk and cut into small pieces.
He helped Fat Ji Er's family sell the pork, and the salary they gave him was one and a half kilograms of pork and a small bowl of pig blood. This year, he would have meat to eat on New Year's Eve.
If he hadn't been with Ji Huai, he would never have stayed in a restaurant in the city to eat. Not only would he have to spend a few cents, but he would also waste a small piece of meat.
The two of them finished the food and soup, took some time, and prepared to buy new year's goods.
Feng Dafeng went to the team today and paid five yuan. Feng's mother grew a lot of vegetables. She also has a lot of pickled radish and pickles at home. She planned to kill a big hen for the Chinese New Year, and now she still has one and a half kilograms of pork and pig blood. This money is enough to buy the remaining New Year goods.
Feng Dafeng went to the store and picked out two bundles of paper money, candles, and small firecrackers. When he was taking out the money, Ji Huai had already stepped forward and gave him the money.
"I brought money." Feng Dafeng's eyes widened and his voice was a little loud.
He has been in charge of the Feng family for most of his life, and he has earned all the money inside and outside. Ji Huai had not achieved much before, and his work points were enough to support himself. Now when he was buying something, someone suddenly paid for it. Feng Dafeng had some difficulty adapting for a while.
"I just had some money left from selling agarwood and wood, and I'll have to use it sooner or later." Ji Huai put the paper money and candles into his backpack, holding firecrackers in his hand.
"Keep the remaining money for yourself." Feng Dafeng said this with an unnatural expression without arguing with him.
"You and Mom have worked so hard for me and Xiaolan, how can we keep the money we earn? We need to buy more things during the new year. Dad, there is a bacon shop over there, why don't we buy some? The bacon won't go bad. , it’s also very delicious when fried, Xiaolan also likes to eat it." Ji Huai suggested.
Feng Dafeng did not object. When he heard that Feng Qiaolan liked to eat, his first reaction was: Who doesn't like to eat meat? Meat is expensive.
Ji Huai walked to the stall selling bacon, bought a small piece of bacon, wrapped it and put it in his backpack. Not far ahead, he saw someone selling bulk biscuits and candies.
The packaging is booming, and you can buy fourteen of them for a dime, which is cheaper than the last time he bought it.
"Dad, I'm going to buy some candies and biscuits. After all, it's the Chinese New Year, so I still need some snacks." After Ji Huai finished speaking, he spent another fifty cents and bought dozens of candies and some biscuits.
Feng Dafeng didn't know what expression to put on.
He naturally knew that he would buy these at the beginning of the year. He originally thought that after buying the paper money and candles, he would buy some bacon with the remaining money, and if there was any left, he would buy a few candies and cookies.
Now that Ji Huai has bought it all, his money hasn't been touched yet.
The money was being spent out loud. Feng Dafeng looked at Ji Huai, but he didn't have the position to speak. He was afraid of losing face and couldn't mention it, so he held it in.
After walking another street, Ji Huai counted the remaining money in his hand and said, "Dad, we have to buy some flour. We can also make pancakes for the New Year. Everyone will be happy."
"You don't need to buy it." Feng Dafeng finally found his place this time, took out the money first, and said to the boss, "I want to buy flour, weigh more."
This was the most generous time he had ever bought flour. Later, he felt that the budget was still enough, so he bought some vermicelli and brown sugar.
When returning, Ji Huai stared at the chickens sold on the roadside. He didn't raise many chickens at home, and they didn't lay eggs recently. He looked at Feng Dafeng and suggested: "Xiaolan has to eat brown sugar every day during confinement." Eggs, do you want to buy some more chicks to take home and raise?"
"Sell them cheaply. If you raise them again, they will be able to lay eggs right away. Do you want them?" the woman selling chickens shouted at him, "There are only a few of them. I lost all my thoughts about buying them after a while."
"You have to have food to feed you when you buy it back. If you raise more food, it will cost more food. How can there be so much food?" Feng Dafeng said with a straight face and a deep tone.
Even though he said so, when Ji Huai stepped forward to choose, he firmly taught him how to choose, and finally decided to buy three.
This trip can be said to be a fruitful one. Ji Huai's basket on his back was filled with things, the bamboo pocket in his hand held a baby chicken, and the other hand held flour.
Halfway through, Feng Dafeng was lagging behind slightly. He looked at Ji Huai's straight back. His hair had gradually grown white this year, and his eyes were full of thoughts.
"Dad, let's take a break and drink some water." Ji Huai stopped, turned around and said.
"Go and cool down under the tree." Feng Dafeng pointed to the tree on the side and walked over first.
The two of them didn't rest for long. They chatted every now and then along the way. Time passed quickly and the distance wasn't too far.
They carried it on their backs and carried it as they walked into the village. When the women saw it, they would say, "How many things did you buy? You are so rich."
Feng Dafeng replied: "Where can I have any money? The Chinese New Year is coming soon, so I have to buy some."
"Yes." The woman also nodded, glanced at Ji Huai, looked at Feng Dafeng with envy and said, "You and Cuixiang are lucky, your son-in-law is your son, and there is someone helping you, and he is a college student."
In the past, when others said it, Feng Dafeng thought college students were useless? He is weak and needs food to support him. If his daughter doesn't like him so much, he really doesn't want his daughter to marry him.
He wouldn't say that now, and his eyebrows were still stretched a lot, which was regarded as acquiescence. On the way back to Feng's house, his steps were much brisker and he was in a good mood.
Seeing the two people coming back, Feng's mother hurriedly stepped forward, and Feng Qiaolan also came out of the room.
"Did you also buy some chicks?" Mother Feng was so surprised that she looked at the chicks with loving eyes.
"I bought three of them. They will be able to lay eggs when they are raised." Ji Huai said and started to take things out of the basket. "I also bought some bacon. This is brown sugar. Here are the candles and paper money."
"Why did you buy tofu? We still have some dried fish at home, so why did we buy sausages? How expensive are they?" Feng's mother took them all, and the meat hurt very much.
"He didn't buy that. The pile of wood was sold. The old men and women who were selling things didn't know what they were thinking. They exchanged things for wood with him." Feng Dafeng sat aside, although he looked thoughtful. It didn't make sense, but the joy in his tone couldn't be suppressed.
"So many things have been changed?" Mother Feng took a breath and looked at the things placed on the ground. She felt that there were so many new year's goods this year, and she could have a prosperous new year.
"It contains peanut oil and some candies and cookies." Ji Huai also raised his eyebrows, "They probably want to take some back and order some to smell the fragrance. I left a few pieces. Mom, you can also order some at night. It has a sleep-promoting effect.”
"Okay, okay." Feng's mother smiled from ear to ear and asked casually, "Can you sell the agarwood you brought this time for money?"
Ji Huai: "They're all sold, and the price is a little higher than last time."
"That's great." Mother Feng was even happier. Feng Dafeng also looked over and his expression changed. He was more and more satisfied with this boy.
Feng Qiaolan also helped with the tidying up. In the past few years, her family had built a house and lived in poverty. There was no meat to eat during the New Year's Eve, and there were too many new year's goods. Hearing that Ji Huai had sold money again, he felt happy.
Ji Huai squatted down, continued to reach for things in the backpack, and continued, "So I bought two more cans of malted milk for Xiaolan. It should be fine until she has the baby."
As soon as these words came out, something was not right in the air, Feng Dafeng's face suddenly changed, Feng's mother's smile froze, Feng Qiaolan was at a loss and a little anxious.
Ji Huai was the only one smiling, without noticing, and took out two cans of malted milk and put them aside.
Feng Dafeng didn't speak anymore. The veins on his forehead swelled with his breathing. He was afraid that he wouldn't be able to hold on any longer. He got up and walked into the house with a dark face. Feng's mother also hurried into the kitchen, for fear that he would say something inappropriate.
One can is ten yuan, so two cans are twenty yuan, right
Whose family's money can stand to be made like this
Feng Qiaolan noticed something was wrong in the atmosphere. Ji Huai didn't feel anything yet. When he pulled her into the room, he said, "Guess what I bought you."
"Did you buy me other things? Didn't that cost money again?" She felt no less distressed than the Feng family couple. She looked at the two cans of malted milk and said, "It's so expensive. Can I refund it? I feel like I drank it. Nothing has changed.”
"Why hasn't there been any change? This stuff is very nutritious. Your face has turned rosy recently. Do you feel more comfortable when sleeping at night? Your head is no longer dizzy." Ji Huai would not give up and put the malted milk in the cabinet.
Feng Qiaolan touched her face and couldn't refute what he said. She still said, "But it's too expensive. It's enough to buy a few chickens."
"As long as it's good for you and the child." Ji Huai said and put a few things wrapped in red wrapping paper into her hand.
Feng Qiaolan's first reaction was to ask, "Is this candy?"
"You'll know after you eat it." He stood slightly to the side and leaned against the cabinet.
She was reluctant to eat it. When she saw the words on it, she turned it over and looked carefully. After seeing it clearly, her big and bright almond eyes shrank suddenly, "Is it chocolate?"
Ji Huai nodded slowly.
Feng Qiaolan didn't know what expression to show. Her nose was sore and her eyes were burning. Her voice was thin and she said, "I have spent all your money. Don't buy me anything next time."
She has never eaten chocolate, but she knows that chocolate is expensive and difficult to buy, much more expensive than candy.
A few pieces of chocolate coaxed her into being like this. Ji Huai felt guilty, so he stepped forward to hold her in his arms, patted her back gently, and said with a smile, "I spent all the money myself. What does it have to do with you? I can make more in the future."
"What if you can't make money? It's hard to make money." Feng Qiaolan raised her head in his arms and asked seriously.
"Then earn slowly and spend less." Ji Huai didn't take it seriously, "These wages are controllable."
"Don't buy it." She still said.
"Okay, I'll buy you something else to try next time." Ji Huai looked down at her and then stared at her face, "It seems that he has gained weight, and his complexion is much better than before. Eat more food and drink more Malted milk.”
Feng Qiaolan: "I've drunk enough."
"Why is there too much? People tell you to put two spoons, so you just put half a spoon. Will it taste?" Ji Huai frowned as he spoke.
"If you put two spoons in, it will be finished quickly." She lowered her head and felt a little guilty when she said it.
Ji Huai: "Didn't I buy you two more cans? Put more in the future and buy them for you after you drink them."
Feng Qiaolan was about to cry.
Still buying it? A lot of money, a lot of money.
evening.
The family gathered around to eat. Feng's mother made spicy tofu, put in a little dried fish, stewed it in a big pot, and added salted dried radish. It smelled very fragrant.
Feng Dafeng was so proud of his face that he kept his composure, but Feng's mother couldn't do it. She had no ability to make money, and she was frail and sick. She couldn't bear to spend so much money. After thinking for a long time, he tactfully said to Ji Huai, "Xiaolan is also going to give birth. You can buy it for her." That’s enough malted milk, don’t buy it next time.”
It’s not that she doesn’t let her daughter drink. Who can afford to drink like this
It's really too luxurious.
"After giving birth, she still has to be in confinement, and she also needs to supplement nutrition during confinement. I think her complexion is much better than before, so she still has to continue drinking." After Ji Huai finished speaking, he held the bowl with a little embarrassment, "Although It’s a bit expensive, but shouldn’t the money be spent on her and her children? As long as it’s good for her.”
When he said this, he blocked Feng's mother's next words. Her expression changed rapidly, and she didn't know what expression to put on. Feng Dafeng ate even faster.
Feng Qiaolan was eating eggs with brown sugar. She touched her bulging belly, and the child inside kicked her.
The little guy was very naughty, and she sighed silently several times. Of course she understood what Feng's mother meant, and she told Ji Huai that she didn't need to buy it, but he didn't listen at all and thought she should buy it for her.
You Qi saw that her condition was much better now, and he was convinced that it was because of the malted milk essence.
She couldn't bear to eat the few chocolates Ji Huai bought her by herself. After the meal, she went back to her room and took out two pieces and sent them to Feng's mother's room.
Where has Feng's mother seen this thing before? He took it and looked at it several times before stuffing it back into her.
"Mom, try it. I heard it's delicious." Feng Qiaolan didn't answer.
Feng Dafeng looked on from the side, his face getting uglier, "How much does this thing cost?"
How could Feng Qiaolan know
"It's not cheap at first glance. They don't sell it outside, and maybe it's not available in state-owned stores. Look at how well you raised your daughter. There is no girl like yours in the village!" Feng Dafeng has been really angry these days. Reluctant to scold her daughter, her awkward anger turned against Feng's mother.
It's not that he doesn't love his daughter. He leaves all the eggs at home for Feng Qiaolan to eat. After all, there is only one child, but even if there is only one, it cannot be raised like this. What the hell is this about gold? It was beyond his scope of cognition, even a wealthy lady would not dare to spend such money.
Although Feng's mother was also very distressed, she was not happy to hear what he said. She said to Feng Dafeng, "None of them is married to a college student, and no one is more capable than Ji Huai. This money is neither stolen nor robbed. It's true." He wants to spend the money he earned on his wife, what’s wrong with us, Xiaolan?”
"Isn't it just a piece of chocolate? She drinks a can of malted milk worth ten yuan!"
"It's not the money you earned, it's the money Ji Huai earned."
…
Now it was Feng Dafeng's turn to choke, and his face turned green and white, looking very frustrated.
It was because it was not his money that he shut up, otherwise he would have yelled loudly, and maybe he would have chased the traitor all over the village with a stick.
"But Mom told you that Ji Huai will have to raise children in the future, and Ji Huai is worried about it. You have to watch him." Mother Feng warned Feng Qiaolan carefully.
"This isn't the first time I've said this. Is it useful?" Feng Dafeng answered angrily.
"I said you..." It was rare for Feng's mother to talk back to him.
There was a noise outside the door, and Ji Huai, who had returned from carrying water, interrupted the argument.
Feng Qiaolan was rescued. She walked out with her eyes lowered, also reflecting on herself.
When Ji Huai lectured her at night, she was a little absent-minded, distracted several times in a row, and looked confused when he asked questions.
"Sleepy?" he asked.
Feng Qiaolan shook her head, "No."
Ji Huai: "Can you still listen? If you don't want to learn anymore, we'll talk about it tomorrow."
"I'll take my time." She didn't want to let go of every night she could study. He only had time at night, so he still squeezed out time to teach her. She couldn't be distracted.
"Are you worried? Or are you feeling unwell?" He put down the pen and closed the textbook without continuing.
Feng Qiaolan lowered her head and didn't speak for a long time.
Ji Huai was not in a hurry and waited quietly.
After a while, her muffled voice came out, "It's all my fault for my poor health. I didn't take good care of myself or exercise well before, and now I have to eat such expensive food. I have spent all the money. I don't know what to do after the child is born." Do it."
"Still thinking about this?" Ji Huai had no choice but to give another lecture. He put the textbook on the other side and asked directly, "Did your parents tell you something?"
"No." She denied.
Ji Huai: "If you can't keep up with nutrition, there are many ways to supplement it. You don't have to feel any burden. I just want to buy it for you. If you don't buy this, you will always buy something else."
Feng Qiaolan was confused and looked up at him.
"To put it bluntly, I feel comfortable spending this money. There are many brands on the shelves, so I just chose the tastiest and most expensive one. I just want to buy the best." Ji Huai chuckled, "Didn't you notice? I just want you to try more. If you think it tastes good, I will buy more for you in the future."
"Why?" She took a breath and her voice became lower as she spoke.
"Who is pregnant with a child and still prepares for the exam? I can only coax you more. It may be even harder after giving birth. I don't know how far you can persist. It doesn't matter if you take the exam or not. It doesn't matter if you fail. It's okay." Ji Huai's tone became lighter and lighter.
He had never said this before. When he saw her being lazy, he would at most deliberately say a few words of encouragement, but he had never disliked her.
"If I don't pass the exam, I can't go with you." Feng Qiaolan wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and raised her hand to touch her belly.
In the later stages, she struggled more and more. She felt sleepy while reading, and her back ached even after sitting for a while. She was also afraid that the child would be too noisy after birth, so she couldn't review well at all, so she could only learn as much as possible.
"I have to take you there even if you don't pass the exam. I won't leave you here alone." Ji Huai bent down, put his hand through her ankle, and carried her to bed.
Feng Qiaolan put her hands around his neck, "I will drag you down."
"Why is it a burden for my wife and children to warm the bed?" Ji Huai put her on the bed without getting up. He looked into her eyes and reached out to rub her head. "You are thinking nonsense. Sleep well. I will go and fix it." Lights went out."
"It's still early, I'll read some more, otherwise I won't be able to sleep, and I'll feel flustered if I don't study." Feng Qiaolan said in a pitiful tone.
Ji Huai really laughed out loud this time, but he got out of bed and turned off the light, climbed into bed and got under the covers to hug her, "Continue studying, today I will tell you about the history of Chapter 3."
His low and gentle voice echoed in the dark night. Feng Qiaolan was nestled in his arms, and her soft voice came out from time to time, and she occasionally asked a few questions.
After a long time, Ji Huai said: "Okay, go to sleep."
"Tell me more." She was not willing to go to bed yet and wanted to learn more.
"My throat is dry. I might not be able to speak tomorrow." He cleared his voice twice as he spoke.
"Okay." After Feng Qiaolan agreed, she turned around and kissed his cheek in the dark night. She originally just wanted to kiss him and go to sleep, but who knew she would be caught by him.
Ji Huai hugged her, first put his lips on hers, kissed her tossing and turning for a while, then moved to her ear, and the words he said made her cheeks turn red.
When they got married, he was in his prime, and before she got pregnant, they had a lot of trouble.
Off the bed, he was more restrained and talked less. But in bed, he was extremely domineering. He used to pester her every day. After getting pregnant, he became less intimate, but he was also restless. Later, he went to college and had a few quarrels. The two of them were somewhat alienated.
In fact, he is quite good at coaxing people in bed, especially when he wants her help.
"I don't~" Feng Qiaolan was already so embarrassed that her words had a sultry ending to them, but she was still greedy for his embrace and wrapped her arms around his neck and refused to let go.
Ji Huai took a deep breath and rubbed her again, "Are you really so cruel?"
Feng Qiaolanmin tightened her lips and did not reply.
"Okay, I probably won't be able to hold it back to death." Ji Huai said in a faint voice, reaching out to cover her hand and trying to pull her hand off his neck.
Not only did she not let go, she even clasped her hands tighter.
"You won't let me go if you don't want to help me?" Ji Huai didn't pull away hard, looked at her underneath him, and couldn't help but lowered his head and kissed her delicate lips, his tone was slowly leading, "I really can't help me?"
Their lips parted, and Feng Qiaolan raised her hand to cover her cheek.
In the end, it was a half push, and he felt comfortable, but her hands were so sore.
New Year's Eve.
Mother Feng was busy in the kitchen early in the morning, and Ji Huai and Feng Dafeng were also busy cleaning the yard, posting Spring Festival couplets, killing chickens, washing vegetables, and chopping firewood...
There are many people at home and it is a lot of fun.
Feng Qiaolan's belly has grown again. She can't even bend down, let alone work, so she can only sit and watch them work. It's difficult to go to the kitchen to help Feng's mother, and the oil fumes make her feel nauseous.
Dishes come out one after another. A large plate of chicken, fried bacon with green peppers, stir-fried dried fish with shredded radish, stewed pork with dried radish...
The table was full, and the fragrance kept coming.
According to village custom, ancestors must be worshiped before the meal, candles and wine glasses must be placed, incense and paper money must be toasted, and firecrackers must be set off to welcome the new year.
In the past, Feng Dafeng had to do all these tasks, but now Ji Huai was involved. When Feng Dafeng was toasting, he would burn paper money, then light incense, and finally pay homage.
"Dad, after all the valuables have been burned, should I set off the firecrackers?" Ji Huai asked.
"Yeah." Feng Dafeng nodded.
Ji Huai took out the firecrackers and walked out with the matches.
Feng Dafeng looked at his back with a twinkle in his eyes. In the village, many jobs can only be done by men, while women are responsible for cooking. Affected by traditional concepts, he also regretted not having a son, but felt that it was his fate. He occasionally felt sad, but did not complain.
Now that Ji Huai is in the family, he actually feels good about picking up his son for nothing.
Thinking of this, he felt much more comfortable.
The crackling sound of firecrackers outside the door came in, and Feng Qiaolan covered her ears. Feng's mother stood at the door, looking out with a smile. She looked at the red firecracker paper on the ground, and her smile became much deeper.
These firecracker papers cannot be swept, they must be swept after the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, symbolizing the prosperity of the coming year.
The New Year's Eve dinner is sumptuous and the whole family eats at the table.
Feng Dafeng and Feng's mother also let go of their chopsticks. It was rare that they didn't pick up the meat. Feng's mother gave one chicken leg to Feng Qiaolan and the other to Ji Huai.
"Mom, I don't eat chicken legs." Feng Qiaolan looked at the fat chicken drumsticks and felt that they were not good enough to eat. They were too greasy.
"You're still choosing. During the Chinese New Year, other people's chicken legs have to be left for children to eat. When your children can eat meat, you won't be able to eat the chicken legs at home." Feng's mother scolded her, and her thoughts were already gone. Transferred to the child in her belly.
Feng Qiaolan was inevitably lonely. Every time the other party gave her boiled eggs and she couldn't eat them, Feng's mother asked her to do it for the sake of her children and her grandson.
Ji Huai continued while eating his rice, "You can eat two chicken drumsticks, one for each of her and the child. It's just right."
Hearing this, Feng Qiaolan's mood eased a lot.
"That's right." Feng's mother picked out the chicken wings and gave them to Feng Qiaolan, and said with a smile, "She has a naughty mouth, a problem she has developed since she was a child. Which girl in the village is like her? She eats all the chicken wings."
After she gave Feng Qiaolan a chicken wing, she wanted to give the other to Ji Huai, but he stopped him, "I won't eat it, leave it to Xiaolan."
Seeing his persistence, Feng's mother had no choice but to give Feng Qiaolan a break.
Feng Qiaolan's unhappiness just now was alleviated by everyone's favoritism. She ate chicken legs and said to Feng's mother, "You love me now, but when I give birth to a child, you and dad will ignore me."
"I haven't even given birth yet, and you are jealous of a child. You are such an adult." Feng's mother didn't understand. After all, this was the case in the village.
Feng Qiaolan snorted, "You just said you wouldn't leave any chicken drumsticks for me. This is partiality. People say that we have another generation, and you are like this before we are born. When I only gave birth to one child, I still had another drumstick. Eat, what about giving birth to two? I have none."
Feng’s mother: “…”
"If you and dad don't leave it for me, I'll ask Ah Huai to buy it for me." Feng Qiaolan was now confident and asked Ji Huai, "Will you buy it for me?"
Ji Huai held the bowl, stretched out his chopsticks to pick up the vegetables, and said nothing, but nodded with a smile.
Feng’s mother: “…”
This little girl.
Feng Qiaolan pursed her lips and smiled, her eyebrows arched in laughter.
Even Feng's mother was amused by her, so she could only scold her, "You're going to be a mother, but you're still acting like a child."
She had no doubt that Ji Huai would buy it for her. She bought a can of malted milk for ten yuan, and a hen for a few yuan was not expensive.