Linxia

Chapter 103, Joy and Sorrow
The lights are coming on, it's evening.

At Fang's house, there was flickering firelight in the kitchen, accompanied by the clanging sounds of knives chopping vegetables on the chopping board. Fang's mother and Tian Xuan were cooking, and the smell of smoke mixed with fresh fragrance wafted out.

In the main room, the Great Snow season had passed and the weather was extremely cold. A brazier was burning. Fang's father, Fang Boxian, Fang Lin, Fang Chuanhui, and Fang Yuyu were sitting around the fire, warming themselves and talking.

"Uncle, I know you're happy that we're here, but you can't spend so much. You have to save money."

Fang Boxian paused for a moment and continued, "We are all family members. We can't pretend to be nice and make our lives miserable. Linzi, it's not easy for you to earn money. Buy less things for your cousins."

The way Fang Lin's family spent money today scared him.

In the morning, they watched a play; at noon, they ate outside, each of them had a big bowl of noodles dotted with hot oil and meat sauce, but that was not enough, so they ordered a roast chicken; in the afternoon, they went shopping. He and Fang's father felt uncomfortable as two men, so they came back and found that Fang's mother and Tian Xuan had gone shopping and bought a lot of things, asking him to take some back as gifts for Grandpa Fang, Grandma Fang, and the other relatives, and that they would buy some more in the next few days; Fang Lin did the same, taking Fang Chuanhui and Fang Yuyu shopping, buying all kinds of snacks, such as candied haws, roasted chestnuts, sugar men... they bought everything without hesitation.

Hearing Fang Boxian talking, Fang Chuanhui and Fang Yuyu, brother and sister, stopped eating roasted chestnuts and listened attentively. After their father finished speaking, they lowered their heads and stuck out their tongues guiltily.

They also tried to persuade Fang Lin, but their cousin was too generous. Whenever he saw any snack, he would buy it for him as long as he asked or simply showed curiosity.

"Is it a rare opportunity for you to come here?" Father Fang said, not taking it seriously.

He has never been a stingy person. Although he has changed a little after training at the dock, he is still honest with his family. Besides, he knows his own situation, and this amount of money is far from affecting his life.

"Yes, uncle, we have enough food and drink." Fang Lin also said.

The family already earns a lot, and now they have the feces business, so their savings are getting more and more. As long as they don't pursue extravagance like Mr. Yang, who buys all the delicacies from all over the world and the freshest food from land and sea, and just eats and drinks well, their monthly expenses will be at most one-tenth or one-twelfth of what they earn.

As he spoke, he asked the brother and sister sitting next to him, "How was it, did you have fun today?"

"Yes, Brother Linzi, the opera in the teahouse is good, there are many people on the street, and there are many and beautiful boats at the dock, just as I thought before I came here." Fang Chuanhui paused, then changed his words: "No, the city is much better than I thought!"

"Yes, Brother Linzi, it's better than what I dreamed of!" Fang Yuyu nodded her head and leaned closer to Fang Lin. She was very tired from running today and there was still some sweat on her forehead, with a few strands of hair stuck on it.

Fang Lin nodded to Fang Chuanhui, then touched Fang Yuyu's little head and adjusted her pigtails: "That's good. It's not easy for you to come here. Have fun and see a lot. You can tell your grandparents, aunt, and cousin about it when you go back."

As they were talking, the meal was ready and everyone stood up to serve the food.

After returning in the afternoon, Fang's mother and Tian Xuan bought mutton, so tonight we had mutton soup and some sesame cakes. The mutton was freshly slaughtered today, and the mutton was very fresh. The mutton soup was very good, and tender cabbage was added. The soup was very fresh and fragrant. Just smelling it made people salivate.

Especially the brother and sister Fang Chuanhui and Fang Yuyu, who followed Fang Linman around the city in the afternoon. Even though they had a full meal at noon, they were already hungry now. When they smelled this smell, their stomachs began to growl.

"Don't be embarrassed, Sanniang will give you more." Fang's mother said with a smile.

"Meow!"

At this time, the kitten also came back obediently - I can only say, if you want to know how delicious the food is tonight, just look at it and you will know. It doesn’t even go to other people’s homes for free meals, doesn’t this speak for itself?

"So punctual! You were able to smell the food and come back on time. It's because the food at home tonight is better than that at other people's, right?" Fang Lin knocked on its head.

"Meow meow!" The little guy didn't know whether he understood or not. He shook his little head and called out in protest to Fang Lin who was hitting his head. Then, he ran to Fang's mother and Tian Xuan with his short legs and rubbed against their trouser legs one by one. It was unclear whether he was complaining or asking for food.

When Fang's mother took out its bowl and filled it with half a bowl of mutton soup, and Tian Xuan brought it over, it immediately ran over and squatted in its usual eating place waiting.

When the kitten obediently began to enjoy the delicious food and started eating, the whole family also served their food, sat down and started eating.

Tonight's mutton soup is extremely delicious, making people want to swallow it. If the steamed bun is dipped in it, it will be even more delicious. The happiness of the day seems to become more mellow in this delicious ending in the evening.

The old Fang family also did not have the rule of "no talking while eating and no talking while sleeping". While eating, they talked about the play they watched in the morning, the prosperity of the capital city, and the various branches of the old Fang family in Xiaohe Village...

The soft light of the oil lamp blooms quietly, reflecting the hazy smoke. Seven people and a cat seem to be full in this small house. Although the home is small, it has the warmth and steadiness of heart that a large house cannot have.

Time is like rippling water. Tonight, as I passed by Fang's house, it seemed to be stopped and slowed down. The colored silhouettes reflected in my heart and seemed to have a touchable texture.

……

Diners come to the inn.

Old Chen’s house.

Chen Guiyun and his wife, and widow Chen, were led by Wang Po, who was arranged by Sister Guihua, to visit the city today. At this time, they were also talking about the prosperity of the city.

"This provincial capital is different. It's much better than our Xiaohe Village. Even Haining County can't compare to it. No wonder so many families in Xiaohe Village want to stay!" Chen Guiyun sighed.

"Isn't it? The brothel is especially good. I see your eyes are about to pop out of your head when I see you there."

After her husband apologized repeatedly with a smile, Chen Fengshi snorted and let the issue go. She also said, "But you know what, the things in that clothing and jewelry shop are really beautiful! But they are too expensive, and we can't afford them."

"Ugh!"

Widow Chen couldn't help but sigh as she listened to what Chen Fengshi said. She recalled what she had seen during the day, and how she liked two pieces of clothing and jewelry very much - which woman doesn't love beauty, especially a woman like her who is still young and whose face has not yet aged?
However, I was short of money - Wang Po just accompanied me for a shopping trip, but didn't ask to pay the bill. No matter how tempted I was, I had to leave reluctantly.

She shook her head, suppressed these thoughts, and said to Chen Guiyun and his wife: "Don't forget what we are here for. I always feel that Guihua is a little bit strange today." "I have the same feeling. That opportunity to make a fortune, and later, letting that Wang Po take us to visit brothels, gambling houses, and expensive clothing and jewelry shops, it feels like... there are bad intentions!"

Chen Guiyun also frowned deeply.

Today, when Wang Po took them to visit the city, the three of them were more or less alert and cautious, but they did not fall into the trap.

After all, they are the ones on whom the Chen family places their hopes for extinction. They are the rare smart people who have been picked out and have strong character. They will not be like Man Gensheng, Song Kai and Bai Bao, who are easily tempted and cannot resist immediately.

"No way, what does Guihua want to do by cheating us? To put it bluntly, Guihua has climbed up to a high position now, and even a single leg hair of hers is thicker than ours. Didn't she say that she invested the money in that business? When she gets it back, she might give it to us." Chen Fengshi is actually not stupid, but this person likes to deceive herself as long as there is a glimmer of hope.

After hearing this, Chen Guiyun and Widow Chen looked at each other and shook their heads helplessly.

As for this matter, they had no evidence, and could only say that it was a smart person's keen intuition.

Chen Fengshi noticed the movements of her husband and widow Chen and knew that they were discussing something. Besides, she was watching them, so she didn't think they were flirting with each other. She asked, "Boss, what should we do next?"

"It's better to prepare for the worst and see if we can file a lawsuit."

Chen Guiyun thought for a moment and said, "As for the matter of osmanthus, let's keep an eye on it and investigate further."

"Well, tomorrow I'll go to the alley where Guihua lives and ask around to see when she hooked up with that guy. Wife, you go to the dock. Wang Po said that that guy's power is in the dock area. Go ask around to see how big of a background this Xu Kuo Lao has. Yuhuan, you go to the government office to see if you can win the lawsuit. If you can, don't be afraid to spend money. Once you win, you can get all the money you spent back."

"Okay, the boss will listen to you." Chen Fengshi said.

"Okay." Widow Chen also agreed.

So, that was settled.

……

White House.

Old Lady Bai and Bai Feng went to the government office today. Because someone was in charge of this matter, they followed the procedures, paid the money, and successfully got Bai Bao's ashes.

——Although it is cold in winter, it is impossible to preserve the body. It would have been burned by the time they arrived.

Old Mrs. Bai held the urn of her son's ashes and cried for a long time, muttering a lot of words about memories.

Bai Feng could only persuade him.

Fortunately, Old Mrs. Bai only lost her composure for half a moment. After she finished crying, it seemed as if it had just passed. She was so calm that it made people a little worried.

"Fengzi, tomorrow, you accompany your mother to stroll around the city and take a look." Old Lady Bai paused for a moment and then said, "What are you looking at? Let's eat something too. Don't be afraid to spend money. It's not easy to come here once. Who knows, this may be the only time in our lifetime."

"Okay, then mother, let's go tomorrow." Bai Feng agreed.

He had a lot of money with him, and thought that going for a walk might help his mother get over the incident involving his younger brother Bai Bao. However, he always felt that something was not right.

……

Song family.

Fang Lin originally said that Song Kai's letter would be delivered today, but Song Guangcheng and his wife couldn't wait and went to get it early in the morning. They asked someone to read it, and sure enough, it contained only words of regret, apology to his parents, and asking them to take care of themselves. There was nothing much to say.

Then, the couple went to the government office and wanted to visit Song Kai in prison, but when they asked the people in the government office, they refused to answer.

——Their matter is different from that of the Bai family. There is a special person in charge of the Bai family's matter. Keeping Bai Bao's ashes would be in the way and take up space, so they would like to collect money and let the family take them away quickly. However, as for visiting the prison, there is no clear-cut responsibility, no specific person is responsible. Moreover, if the family members are really allowed to visit the prison, if something happens, such as the prisoner commits suicide after seeing his relatives, many people will be implicated. This matter itself is not easy to handle, so naturally there will be obstacles everywhere.

Fortunately, there were people who were specifically watching this business near the government office. They were the scholars who worked as middlemen. In the afternoon, they finally met one of them. He called Song Guangcheng and his wife over and said that he could arrange it for them if they paid money.

"Mr. Ma has received a deposit of one or two taels of silver from us. Boss, do you think this will work?" asked Mrs. Song Liu.

"Whether it works or not depends on others. It's like this for us common people. If we want to get something done, we don't even know which temple to go to."

Song Guangcheng shook his head: "Don't think too much, you will know the result tomorrow, go to sleep!"

"Hey!"

……

The people from the Fang, Song, Bai, and Chen families who came together yesterday went to sleep tonight with different moods, some happy, some sad, some annoyed, some worried.

……

(End of this chapter)