Song Tan's Notes

My eldest aunt is definitely not like my eldest aunt.

When the aunt saw the children, she even stuffed the fruit that she herself couldn't bear to eat into the car.

When the eldest aunt saw the children, she enthusiastically brought out the herbal tea that she and her uncle had collected from various pharmacies and supermarkets:
"It's hot, drink this, drink this, it's delicious! It was a free gift from the pharmacy!"

Song Tan respectfully declined.

"Auntie, don't take it. Dr. Guo's herbal tea is much better than this."

The aunt wasn't angry: "Isn't Dr. Guo talking to Yanping? That girl is honest, so the herbs she uses to make this cooling tea must be good ones."

"Those medicinal herbs are very potent. If you are in good health, you don't need to drink them."

“Mine is different. I dilute it with water. Every night before the pharmacy closes, your uncle and I go for a walk and I can carry several jugs! There’s nothing fancy in it, just treat it like a drink!”

Even though Lu Chuan already knew his aunt's style of doing things, he couldn't help but fall silent for a moment when he looked at the tea in the glass pot.

In other words, what era are we living in now? People can't just live, can they?
Qiaoqiao shook her head even more: "I don't want to, I don't want to. It's so hot, Auntie, I'm going to turn into a little dog from the heat."

As he spoke, he stuck out his tongue and waved his hand like a fan.

"Since this water is bad, you shouldn't drink it!"

My aunt and uncle have their own set of logic regarding this:

"Isn't drinking water all the time a bit bland? Think about it, the pharmacies and supermarkets that attract customers use old flower tea bags, but they're not spoiled, they just add a lot of water... It's better to have some than nothing, right?"

While talking, he enthusiastically opened the refrigerator, took out a bag of ice, and put it in a basin:

"You guys rest here for a bit, I'll turn on the air conditioning. Hey, next time you should let me know in advance, I'll turn on the air conditioning half an hour beforehand, so the house won't be stuffy when you come in..."

Song Tan was speechless!
“Auntie, you know how hot it is in the house, right? It's probably 39 degrees Celsius today, and you've been living on the top floor without turning on the air conditioning…”

Aren't you afraid of heatstroke?!

She led Qiaoqiao and Lu Chuan, carrying boxes upstairs, huffing and puffing as they climbed. As soon as they entered, a blast of hot air hit them – it was even hotter than the stairwell!
Didn't you see that Qiaoqiao and Lu Chuan aren't saying a word? It's just that it's so hot, and they're sweating buckets, so they're completely exhausted.

Without a doubt, my aunt will do the same old thing: pour a bucket of cold water over me, turn on the fan...

The aunt chimed in, "I'm going to the mall soon, why would I need the air conditioning at home? I'll just turn it on for a little while before bed. Your brother is going to his girlfriend's house tonight..."

Our old air conditioner is very old and consumes a lot of electricity!
Let's get a new one, but that would just cost more money!
Although Zhu Lingqi is stingy, he's not stupid. Even though his house is so warm and cozy, he lingers at his girlfriend's house until 8 or 9 pm every night before reluctantly returning home!

But he's just like his mother.

Picky.

However, young people today have their own ways of cooling off.

During the day, when people at work order ice, he collects all the ice blocks they deliver and freezes them. There are many people, and he's hardworking, so he's very popular!
Kuku can carry a big bag.

I mentioned leaving the freezer at my girlfriend's house that night, and then bringing it all back with me when I left...

The family of three splits the cost, and the fan blows at night... Whether it's healthy or not is unknown, but it saves money.

Upon hearing this, and seeing her aunt bring out a bowl of ice and blow on it at her, Song Tan couldn't help but say:
"Auntie, when you have time, ask Brother Lingqi to bring his girlfriend and family to visit me for a few days."

Let her see what kind of character this wonderful woman, who can tolerate my aunt's family, truly is!

"Also, Auntie, you should use the new air conditioner when you need to!"

"Air conditioners are more energy-efficient now, not as power-consuming as the old ones. Besides, having a fan blowing directly on you all the time can cause facial paralysis and is bad for your health..."

My aunt smiled and said, "Your brother Lingqi's girlfriend, Minmin, discussed it with me. We don't have to buy appliances now, and she won't rush us. But when we get married and decorate our new house, she'll choose the styles and take me to bargain. We can replace all the appliances in this house then, and we can get a discount if we buy them all at once."

“I would definitely have turned on the air conditioner then.”

Speaking of Minmin, her aunt smiled broadly, thinking that she was a girl who knew how to manage a household well.

So, it seems that people who love to eat those incredibly expensive durians during durian season, love air conditioning, and love ordering milk tea are not considered bad traits.

Fine.

This girl named Minmin doesn't seem to have suffered any losses; as long as she's happy.

It was so hot that Lu Chuan and Qiao Qiao kept wiping their sweat with tissues. Seeing their aunt reluctantly holding onto the remote control, Song Tan didn't bother to linger any longer and simply said:
"Auntie, we're leaving soon—by the way, your room is too hot. Here are 50 jin of Shine Muscat grapes from Baiyu County, which sell for 60 yuan a jin locally, and are of particularly good quality. How would you like them stored?"

What kind of grapes cost 60 yuan per jin?!
My aunt was so anxious she was jumping up and down.

They want to eat fruit, and they can just go to the supermarket every night when there are discounts. They can pick out a big bagful for just two or three yuan!

"Why are you giving this to me? Why are you giving this to me? You could use it to do favors in your village, and you'd get some benefits too..."

"Don't push it, Auntie."

Song Tan said, "I drove all the way back from Baiyu County. It's so hot, if you keep pushing it, the grapes will spoil."

The eldest aunt immediately fell silent.

After a while, she quickly added, "Then I'll call Lingqi and hurry up, bring all the grapes to Minmin's house..."

Song Tan blinked.

Fine.

Brother Yanping wouldn't even pick up a fallen oil bottle, and Brother Wulei isn't very bright.

Only Brother Lingqi said he would come to help with the work every weekend, and he really did come every week.

Even in the sweltering heat, he worked with great enthusiasm. All he had to do was pack two meals to take back to his girlfriend before leaving, and he felt like he had gotten a great deal.

No wonder he's so popular with his colleagues and friends, even though he's stingy!
It's not entirely unreasonable that his sister-in-law, Minmin, would take a liking to him.

And look at my aunt's way of doing things...

Qiaoqiao immediately complained, "Auntie, you've never said you'd give me so many things before."

My aunt was looking through the two large baskets of grapes when she heard this, and she didn't even look up:

"There's no room for a refrigerator at home, and too much stuff would consume too much electricity."

“Your sister-in-law Minmin has a big refrigerated display case and a freezer at home. She puts things there and your brother Lingqi eats there every day. When he comes back, he brings a bag of food, and we can have some too, right?”

"Besides, it wouldn't be right to go there every day without bringing something. These grapes would be so presentable!"

After she finished speaking, she remembered to comfort Qiaoqiao: "Isn't your aunt just being stingy? She won't give you much unless you're inside the house, Qiaoqiao, you..."

But Qiao Qiao shook her head slightly and took a step back:
"Forget it, Auntie." He sighed, "Even though you didn't send me fifty pounds of stuff, you don't eat it yourself either—Auntie, take better care of yourself! I have money. If you're old and have no money or anyone to take care of you, come find me, and I'll take care of you."

God!

When have my husband and Zhu Lingqi, this big boy, ever said such thoughtful things?

Even Minmin, with her sweet tongue, never said that!

The aunt's eyes immediately welled up with tears, and she gritted her teeth and said, "Wait a minute!"

She turned and hurriedly went into the bedroom, rummaged through drawers and cabinets for a while, and then mysteriously took out a small box:

"Here, this is what your aunt saved up many years ago. Your uncle and Lingqi don't even know about it—Tantan, now that you have money, I won't give it to you!"

Song Tan had known for a long time that her aunt favored Qiao Qiao, but her favoritism only meant giving Qiao Qiao an extra 5 or 10 yuan...

Sigh, it's not that she's insensitive to this issue, it's just that it's really unnecessary!
Nine sons vying for Yadea, doesn't that sound rather respectable?
Seeing my aunt so heartbroken, I wondered what good thing it could be?

However, upon closer inspection, he was slightly surprised:

My aunt really went all out this time!

Inside the small red box was a pair of gleaming gold earrings, the kind of old-fashioned large earrings.

It looks quite heavy!
At this moment, her aunt, feeling both heartbroken and reluctant, solemnly grabbed the item and gave one to Qiaoqiao first:
"Here you go! This is for our sweetheart! Don't worry, when you get old, your auntie will definitely not be a burden to you! Keep it to buy snacks!"

Taking another look at the handsome young man Lu Chuan, the aunt gritted her teeth, steeled her heart, grabbed his hand again, placed the other earring in her palm, and then squeezed it tightly:
"Xiao Lu, you're a good young man, your aunt knows that. This is your first time visiting, and I haven't had a chance to treat you to anything... Consider this your aunt's gift to you!"

Gold prices are so high now, my aunt was trembling with heartache when she gave it to him. After thinking for a while, she finally gritted her teeth and said:

"If I give you too much now, when you come to visit after your wedding, I'll only be able to give you 200!"

She used so much force that the gold earring on her palm hurt slightly, but Lu Chuan was also deeply moved when he thought about how stingy his aunt was, even reluctant to turn on the air conditioner.

Putting everything else aside, this gold earring almost killed my aunt!

He glanced at Song Tan, only to see that she was also at a loss for words: "Auntie, if you're going to give it, you should give it to me!"

My aunt said no, it's customary for relatives to give red envelopes to newlywed sons-in-law here.

Although her rules were a bit strange and out of place, well, let's just say whether she gave it or not!

Moreover--

“Lingqi told me everything when she got back. Xiao Lu’s mom bought you a big pearl necklace. It’s so shiny, like a light bulb!”

"Xiao Lu even bought you so much gold jewelry..."

He also thought to himself: Tan Tan is so silly. If she really wants it, he can ask Xiao Lu to melt down this gold earring and make her a new one.

If you want it directly, then blame the earrings for not having three!
In short, Song Tan was quite surprised to get this in exchange for 50 jin of grapes.

After thinking for a moment, she said, "These grapes don't keep well. How about we help you carry them downstairs and deliver them to Sister-in-law Minmin's house?"

"If you come with us, we can take you to the mall to cool off when we get back."

The eldest aunt was immediately tempted.

In this hot weather, grapes won't stay fresh for long.

Besides, if Tan Tan drives them there, wouldn't their family save some money on gas?
Today, my aunt gave away such a large sum of gold; she wished she could squeeze every last drop of profit out of the air.

Hearing Song Tan say this, he gritted his teeth and said, "Alright, then I'll show you the way!"

Alright, two baskets of grapes. Song Tan didn't tell Lu Chuan to do it, she just glanced at him:
"Hide your gold well, it was given to you by your aunt, it's incredibly valuable."

Then, Qiaoqiao and I each carried a basket downstairs, huffing and puffing.

Lu Chuan looked at the gold earring in his palm, feeling both touched and somewhat amused.

but.

He raised his eyebrows in an instant, becoming smug: Everyone in the Song family knows Aunt Tan Tan's personality. If he takes these gold earrings back and shows them off, the whole family will be in an uproar!
This shows that he is not a bad person.

Thinking of this, he was particularly happy and decided to take the opportunity to offer more fruits and vegetables to the flag cart.

……

In a small city like Yuncheng, and within the same workplace, Minmin's home wasn't far away; it only took about ten minutes by car to reach her apartment building.

When the gleaming luxury car pulled up, the people in the card room by the entrance looked up, all somewhat surprised.
"Oh my, whose car is this? It's really nice."

"I don't know, it's a brand from Beijing..."

This car is nothing special in Beijing, but in the atmosphere of the Yuncheng family compound, it's worth mentioning.

Most of the people present were middle-aged or elderly and didn't know much about the situation. They just watched as the aunt enthusiastically called Minmin's mother, and soon after, acquaintances from the residential compound quickly came downstairs.

"Hey! Hey!" Minmin's mother was momentarily speechless, unsure of how to address her, but in short—

"Sister Hongmei, what brings you here?"

The aunt quickly smiled and said:

“I sent messages to Minmin and also to Lingqi, but they didn’t reply. These are my nephew, niece and nephew-in-law. The leaders invited them to Baiyu County to do that agricultural assistance activity. These are the fruits that the local villagers gave them.”

My aunt's mouth, though it doesn't use any superlative words, just makes you feel that everything about her is extraordinary:
"In this sweltering heat, they even went out of their way to help me carry it up to the seventh floor. I said it was such good fruit that I couldn't bear to eat it, so I gave it to Minmin. They said they were afraid it would spoil, so they painstakingly carried it back up..."

These words were well-received not only by Minmin's mother, but also by the staff of the residential compound who were all listening to the gossip.

Oh my, so-and-so's daughter's boyfriend comes from such a good family! He's also very close to his niece, and doesn't seem to mind working hard even in this sweltering heat.

Upon closer inspection—oh my, no one said my nephew and niece were this handsome!
The niece's husband is married, but this nephew doesn't seem to have a girlfriend yet.
Everyone was amazed by the family's good looks, and then they thought of Minmin.

Minmin is pretty, but even Minmin's mother has to admit that she is not as good-looking as some others.

But her gaze swept over the three faces before finally settling on Song Tan's face.

Song Tan noticed this and was carrying a basket when she looked over, only to see the other person also coming to greet her with great joy.

Little did she know, Minmin's mother was thinking:

Everyone says that a niece resembles her aunt, but a cousin is also an aunt!

Now that Minmin is married, wouldn't it be wonderful if she had a daughter who looked like her cousin? (End of Chapter)