Year 1983: I was a carpenter in Northeast China

Chapter 142 Having Too Much Food

After the customers who had been drawn in by the firecrackers left, Zhao Fengying shook the crumpled three-cent coin she had just received.

"Okay, we've hit the jackpot by reopening."

Xu Li said with a smile, "That's good, at least we've opened for business, which is a good omen."

"Of course. Mom, even a mosquito bite is still meat, we should learn to be content with what we have."

Xu Bei knew that his mother was used to the bustling business before the New Year and might need to adjust to the off-season and quietness that followed. He advised her, "Besides, we don't have much stock left in the store, so there are fewer options to choose from."

However, it's only the beginning of the new year, and we don't know what's going on with Brother Chen yet, so we don't dare to rashly transfer a large sum of money. We shouldn't let him help with the procurement this time; I'll go again in the next couple of days.

"That's true." Zhao Fengying brought up the old topic again, "Son, I think you should take your mother with you to buy goods this time. It'll be good for me to broaden my horizons."

Xu Bei really didn't want his mother to suffer the hardship of traveling, but then he thought that the medical level in the provincial capital was much better than in the forest area, so he said, "Taking you with me isn't a bad idea. But you have to promise me one thing before I'll let you go."

"What's up?"

Not only Zhao Fengying looked puzzled, but Xu Li and Xu Juan also looked at Xu Bei with curiosity.

Xu Bei didn't keep him in suspense and went straight to the point, "Didn't you say a few days ago that your heart wasn't feeling well? You can get a check-up while you're out buying goods."

Zhao Fengying exclaimed, "Why waste money like that? I just felt a little uncomfortable in my chest, but I felt better after taking some Danshen tablets."

"How is that a waste of money? There are many types of heart disease, and only by treating the specific type can the medicine be more effective. Anyway, if you don't agree, I won't take you to the warehouse."

Xu Bei could understand some of the older generation's mentality, but he couldn't agree with it, especially since his mother passed away from heart disease a few years later, so it was even more important to take precautions.

Upon hearing that it involved health issues, Xu Li and her sister sided with Xu Bei, agreeing, "My brother is right, Mom. What a great opportunity! Why don't you go and get checked out while you're at it?"

"Yes, Mom, please agree, otherwise my brother won't agree to take you."

Afterwards, although Zhao Fengying was somewhat unwilling, Xu Bei's attitude was very firm, so she had no choice but to reluctantly agree.

So, the mother and son became the ones who purchased the goods, but at the same time, problems arose.

It takes more than two days to travel from here to the provincial capital and back. How should Xu Juan arrange her time?

One person definitely can't live there, and even if the girl herself says she's not afraid, Xu Bei and the others can't agree to it.

However, according to old customs, Xu Li cannot see the lanterns at her parents' home before the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, so she cannot go and stay with them.

Just as they were discussing whether to stay at the Zhu family's house for two nights or to go to the provincial capital with them, a travel-worn figure carrying a bag appeared outside the shop.

This person was none other than Xu Dashan, who had gotten on the bus and left two days before the Lunar New Year to take the old lady and Xu Dahong back to their hometown.

Xu Bei and Zhao Fengying recognized the familiar figure almost simultaneously.

They looked at each other for a moment, their hearts filled with mixed feelings.

Especially Zhao Fengying, before he came back, after all, they had been through thick and thin together for more than 20 years, it was impossible for her not to miss him at all.

But when he saw that the person had actually returned, he immediately thought of many things that made him feel wronged and angry, and his expression became complicated.

Xu Bei closely observed his mother's every move, and naturally noticed her expression as well, sighing inwardly.

In fact, he knew that if it weren't for the flapping of his own reborn butterfly wings, even with the interference of the old lady and Xu Dahong, his parents would definitely not have gotten a divorce.

After all, many marriages of the older generation were filled with arguments and quarrels.

Some even have affairs and have illegitimate children, yet they still live their lives in a daze.

Xu Dashan stepped on the red firecracker scraps on the snow in front of the shop, making a crunching sound.

Looking at the two bicycles parked below the window, I knew that my eldest daughter and son should be there.

However, the windows were covered with plastic sheeting, and there was a layer of condensation on them due to the temperature difference between the indoor and outdoor areas.

Unlike when it's dark and the lights are on, making everything clear at a glance, you can't see the situation inside the store even in broad daylight.

He stamped his foot, finally mustered up the courage to walk to the door, and prepared to use his other hand, which was not carrying a bag, to open the door.

As a result, the shop door, which had been covered with felt, was pushed open from the inside.

Wearing arm sleeves, Zhao Fengying glared at him. "What are you dawdling for? Hurry up and come in!"

Xu Dashan chuckled awkwardly, "I was just worried about having customers in the shop. I hope you all had a good New Year holiday?"

"Everything must be fine without you," Zhao Fengying retorted, while also making way for him to enter the room.

Seeing Xu Dashan enter with a sullen expression and a chill in his body, Xu Bei, Xu Li, and Xu Juan exchanged glances but didn't rush to say anything.

Zhao Fengying slammed the shop door shut and asked, "Did you just get off the bus?"

"Yes," Xu Dashan hurriedly replied as if reporting a task, "I dropped the person off and stayed for two nights. After that, I quickly tried to find a way to transfer back and rush back. I finally made it back after rushing all the way."

Seeing that Zhao Fengying and Xu Bei seemed uninterested in these matters and did not want to ask further, Xu Dashan clenched the bag in his hand.

He said as if suddenly remembering something, "Oh right, I went to your brother's house, and he asked me to bring over five catties of big pancakes. I also bought you some Buddha Peach brand sorghum candy from over there—"

Upon hearing Xu Dashan mention his brother Zhao Fengxiang, Zhao Fengying, without even listening to the rest, flew into a rage. "What were you doing going to his house? Were you just bored? Do you think I'd want to eat his big pancakes? His wife will probably be gossiping about me behind my back! Now that we're divorced, she'll have even more to say, and she'll make my life miserable!"

Xu Dashan quickly explained, "I just thought since I'd gone through all that trouble to get back, I might as well go and see them. Don't worry, I didn't mention that we're divorced when I went!"

Zhao Fengying said even more angrily, "Does it matter whether it's mentioned or not? Anyway, your old lady and your good sister have gone back, and sooner or later everyone will know about it!"

Xu Bei was aware of many things from the past.

For example, her mother's parents died early, and she lived with her uncle. After her aunt married into the family, she suffered a lot of hardship and mistreatment.

Later, when he was old enough, he gave it to his father in exchange for some grain.

Therefore, he was not close to his uncle's family, and after his mother passed away, they stopped seeing each other altogether.

Xu Bei comforted her, "Mom, calm down. So what if those people know? We live far away and don't contact each other often. As long as you live a prosperous and successful life, they'll only be envious and jealous."

Xu Li patted Zhao Fengying's back and chimed in, "That's right. Say whatever you want, it's not like we're going to lose a piece of flesh! You'd be foolish to get really angry."

Xu Juan shared the same thought as her older siblings and immediately said, "Yes, Mom, those people aren't worth getting angry over."