Spring Breeze Twenty Years

Chapter 1061 The Leper's Family (Seeking official subscription)

The car was parked in front of the yard, and everyone got out.

An old dog, looking wary, ran to the gate and stared outside.

Xiao Wei said, "Black Tiger, don't you recognize me?" He reached his hand through the crack in the door, pried open the latch, and opened the yard gate.

Black Tiger relaxed, wagged its tail, ran to the back of Liu Liu's legs and rubbed against them, sniffed everyone, then stretched, barked, and slowly walked towards the doghouse.

Dogs can remember family members and acquaintances for a lifetime.

This dog is getting old and isn't as lively as a puppy anymore.

As soon as the door opened, Lai Zi walked out wearing a thick cotton-padded coat and trousers, and Xiao Hong burst into laughter again. This appearance was so sudden.

His beard looked like it hadn't been shaved in a long time, his hair was unkempt, and there was a clump of sleep in the corner of his eye.

"Xiaowei? When did you get back? What are you laughing about? Do I look that funny? Uncle, Aunt, Grandpa and Grandma, Xiuer, come inside."

A group of people entered the house, and Xiaowei's mother asked, "Where are your parents? Your brother isn't home either?"

Lai Zi brought over bowls and a kettle to pour hot water for everyone, saying, "They went up the mountain to gather firewood, so I don't need to do it. I'm too tired to do it anyway. Why did you all come back together? Aunt Liu, are you feeling better? I wanted to go to the county to see you, but I can't go. My father won't give me a single penny."

Xiao Wei said, "Liu Liu, you guys go back and pack your things. Once you're settled, leave. Don't stay with us. Mom and Dad, Auntie, you and Xiu'er go to Uncle Si's house. We'll wait here for a while."

Xiaowei's mother said, "Okay, then let's go back first. It'll take several hours for Liu Liu to get to Fengtian after he finishes packing up here. His aunt, once you get there, just focus on your medical check-up. We'll go back tomorrow or the day after."

Liu Liu's mother nodded in agreement.

Lai Zi said, "Moving now? Spending the New Year in Fengtian? Sigh... I want to go too."

Xiaowei said, "There's no rush. It's a good opportunity for Aunt Liu to get a checkup. You can go with Gazi's family after the New Year, oh, and Kexin's family too. We're not going to Changyuan's or Xinghai's families. Siwei's parents aren't going either."

Lai Zi curled his lip: "Me? I doubt it. My dad said that's a crime, and he won't let me do it with you guys."

Liu Liu's family, Xiao Wei's parents, Aunt Wang, and Xiu'er had all left. Xiao Wei, Xiao Hong, and Wang Jiwei sat on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed) talking.

Xiao Wei said, "If all else fails, just run away secretly. Go to Changyuan or Xinghai and get some money. Set up your stall in Fengtian first and make some money. We can deal with the rest later. Once you have money, you can do whatever you want. There's no need to be so secretive."

Xiao Hong said, "Let me tell you, Gazi and Kexin earned over 100,000 yuan this month, and Siwei and Xiaoqin earned over 90,000. Aren't you envious?"

The leper's eyes practically popped out: "Really?"

Xiao Hong nodded and said, "Really? How could this be faked? Ask them yourself when they come back for the New Year in a couple of days."

Lai Zi lay on his back on the kang in agony, saying, "It's so painful. Why are my parents like this? Ha, ha, ah."

Xiuer dashed in, and Xiaohong said, "Why are you out here instead of staying home?"

Xiuer said, "It's boring at home. The five old folks are reminiscing about the past, I can't stand it. Lai Zi Ge, it's time to add firewood to the stove."

Lai Zi rolled over and climbed off the kang (a heated brick bed) to go to the outer room to gather firewood.

The fire for the kang (heated brick bed) cannot be extinguished; it must be kept burning. Otherwise, not only will the kang get cold, but it will also be easy to catch a cold draft, as the cold air will rush in from the chimney and the kang flue, making it difficult to start a fire again.

After sitting for a while, smoking a few cigarettes, and drinking a lot of water, Lai Zi's parents and his brother finally pulled the sled back.

"Xiaowei's here." Laizi's father entered the house, looked at the group of people, and said, "Xiaowei, I know you mean well. You've made something of yourself and want to take Laizi and the others out to make a name for themselves. But my family's situation is a little different; we won't go down that path."

He reached into the chest at the end of the kang (a heated brick bed) and pulled out a cloth bag, saying, "This is the money Lai Zi brought back. We haven't touched a single penny. You can take it back. Originally, Lai Zi was always out running wild, and I didn't take it seriously. Later, I even thought he had found a job in the county."

I didn't expect it to be a business. Xiao Wei, let me tell you something: you can't do business like that, it's illegal. They might not care today or tomorrow, but they'll take action sooner or later, and then you won't have anywhere to run to.

"You're all good kids. I even cursed that scoundrel when you were building houses in the county, telling him to learn from you. But you quit your jobs to go into business. What's the point?"

Xiao Wei didn't take the cloth bag, saying, "That's Lai Zi's hard-earned money. Who are you going to give it to? Where am I supposed to take it? Uncle, don't you ever go to the county or city? These days, people doing business have hundreds of thousands or even tens of thousands of yuan. Markets are being set up everywhere in the county, city, and province to encourage business. Why can't we do it?"

Uncle, now that we've reformed and opened up, things are different from before. We encourage people to find ways to make money; the more you earn, the happier the country is. Now everyone is trying to find ways to start a business. Lots of people are resigning from government jobs. Why won't you allow people to do business?

Xiaohong said, "That's right. At school, our teachers talk about the market economy and the individual economy every day. National laws also say that the private economy is part of the national economy, a supplement. What are you afraid of?"

Lai Zi's father thought for a moment, then shook his head and said, "You can't stop me from doing this, even if I want to. As for Lai Zi, forget it. My family doesn't do that. We'll just farm the land well and live a peaceful life. I don't want him to be rich and powerful. My family isn't destined for that."

Xiao Wei said, "Uncle, can you believe me? I've earned so much money now, and I'm received by city and provincial leaders wherever I go. When I go back to the county, the Party Secretary accompanies me. If it weren't for the country's permission, would I be able to do this? I would have been executed long ago!"

Lai Zi's mother glanced at Xiao Wei from the side: "This child, he used to seem so reliable, how come he's changed so much in just two years? He's getting received by leaders from the city and province wherever he goes, and even in the county, the Party Secretary has to accompany him. You might as well say he's on top of the world!"

Xiao Wei said, "Auntie, have I ever lied since I was a child? Everything I said is true. Did you see my car by the door when you came in? I bought that car for over three million yuan. Could you afford it for less?"

Lai Zi's mother said, "Alright, that's enough. If Lai Zi isn't going out, you should all go back too. The Great Liberation Army was such a big thing, it only cost tens of thousands of yuan. Is yours even half the size of it? You can't even make it look like a proper brag." She turned and went to the outer room.

Xiao Hong was stunned for a moment, then hugged Xiu'er and burst into laughter. Xiu'er also laughed heartily, her little face turning bright red.

Lai Zi's father said, "We don't understand those things, and we won't get involved. If you're capable and make a fortune, that's your business. You can buy cars and go to the city to enjoy yourself; we won't envy you. Let's not talk about this anymore."

Lai Zi, I'll say it again, we don't want this money. You take it back to Si Hai Chang Yuan and the others. If you want to go out and cause trouble with them, I can't stop you from running away.

Think it through. Once you leave this house, never come back. Don't ever say you're from this family. Take responsibility for anything that happens to you. We're cutting all ties completely. From now on, we're done.

Brother Laizi walked in, smiled at Xiaowei and Xiaohong, and winked at Laizi.

(End of this chapter)