pdf-ebookys Chapter 153 Housewarming
Chapter 153 Housewarming
The next morning, Li Xiangyang got up early and went to his second uncle's house to borrow a donkey cart.
My second uncle's yard was a bit bigger than his own because he had more people in his family, and they received more land when the village distributed it.
There was already some noise in the yard. Second Aunt was feeding the pigs and smiled when she saw Li Xiangyang come in.
"You're here so early?" Auntie stopped what she was doing and asked.
"Yes, I've come to borrow the donkey cart to help my mother move some things," Li Xiangyang replied with a smile.
"Moving things? Where are you moving them?" Auntie asked curiously.
“We moved to the county town. My mother found a job at the county's agricultural bureau,” Li Xiangyang explained simply.
Upon hearing this, the second aunt nearly dropped the ladle in her hand: "What did you say? Your mother went to work at the Agriculture Bureau?"
Just then, my second uncle came out of the main room, clearly having also heard the news.
He squinted at Li Xiangyang, his tone somewhat strange: "Xiangyang, is this true?"
"Yes, it was just finalized yesterday." Li Xiangyang nodded.
"This...this is a great job!" Uncle's eyes lit up. "How did you manage to get this opportunity?"
"I didn't pull any strings. I have a pretty good relationship with Captain Zhou of the forest farm. You know, Captain Zhou got promoted, and in his excitement, he wrote a letter of recommendation for my mother."
"Xiangyang," Uncle rubbed his hands together and lowered his voice, "tell me, could you put in a good word for my family with Captain Zhou? Daqiang isn't a child anymore..."
Li Xiangyang had anticipated his second uncle's idea and gently shook his head: "Second Uncle, I really can't help with this. My relationship with Captain Zhou is only enough to take care of my mother. You know what kind of person Captain Zhou is in the forest farm; asking him for help isn't difficult. The key is whether you can help me. Do you need me to put in a good word for you?"
Second Uncle's face darkened: "You child, I know Captain Zhou, it's not like I don't know him. I was just trying to make connections, why would I need to ask you for help? Think about it, if it weren't for us helping your family in the past..."
“Second Uncle,” Li Xiangyang interrupted him, his voice tinged with coldness, “you’re going too far with this. I remember the kindness you showed me back then. If you insist on saying this, what about how I saved Brother Daqiang? What about how I shared his money?”
Seeing Li Xiangyang's words, the second uncle, realizing he was in the wrong, pointed sullenly to the donkey cart in the corner: "You child, what are you saying? We're relatives, blood is thicker than water. It's over there, go get it yourself."
Li Xiangyang silently walked over and began to harness the donkey to the cart.
After harnessing the car, Li Xiangyang ignored his second uncle's words and simply nodded to his second aunt, saying, "I'll be going now. I'll bring the car back tonight."
Li Xiangyang led the donkey cart home, feeling uneasy.
In his previous life, he was ignorant of human relationships and social customs. Although he has come to understand many things in this life, he still feels somewhat emotional about the change in his relatives' attitudes.
But on second thought, this is normal.
In those days, getting a job at the Agricultural Bureau was indeed a fantastic opportunity.
It's not just about getting a salary; more importantly, it's about being able to establish yourself in the city.
It's understandable that my second uncle is quick-witted.
When I got home, the house was quiet.
My mother and sister were staying at Wang Jingyun's house, making the place seem particularly deserted.
Li Xiangyang took a deep breath and began packing his things.
The quilts on the kang (heated brick bed) need to be brought, the clothes in the wardrobe need to be organized, and the cloth woven by my mother also needs to be packed.
While tidying up, he found a small wooden box deep inside the cabinet.
Upon opening it, I found several old photos treasured by my mother, including photos of my father, photos of me as a child, and group photos of the whole family.
Li Xiangyang picked up the family photo and looked at his father's kind smile, his mother's gentle gaze, and his younger sister's innocent face. A pang of sadness welled up in his heart.
“Father, may your spirit watch over us from heaven,” he said softly, carefully putting the photo back into the box and loading it onto the donkey cart along with the other things he needed to take.
It took all morning to pack all the necessities.
After locking the door, Li Xiangyang took the reins.
The donkey cart creaked and groaned as it headed towards the county town.
Li Xiangyang led the donkey cart to the county town and went straight to Wang Jingyun's house.
As soon as I entered the yard, I saw Li Xiaohua playing hopscotch with Wang Ying.
"Brother!" Li Xiaohua skipped over as soon as she saw him. "Are you all ready?"
"Yes, they're all in the car," Li Xiangyang said with a smile. "Where's Mom?"
“She’s inside talking to Uncle Wang,” Li Xiaohua said, pointing to the main room.
As Li Xiangyang entered the main room, he heard his mother talking to Wang Jingyun: "Thank you so much. We should be able to move in today..."
“Sister Lin, you’re being too polite,” Wang Jingyun waved her hand. “By the way, Xiangyang, you’ve come at the right time. Come help me move some things. Although it’s not a new house, it’s still a housewarming celebration. I’ve prepared bedding and firecrackers; let’s go together.”
"Uncle Wang, this is too much trouble..." Li Xiangyang said hurriedly.
"Alright," Wang Jingyun interrupted him, "Let's skip the formalities and get on with it."
After hearing Wang Jingyun's words, Li Xiangyang didn't stand on ceremony. He moved his things and drove to his new home.
With everyone's help, the items on the donkey cart were carried into the house one by one, while the mother and Li Xiaohua began to tidy up.
Although Wang Jingyun had already helped prepare a lot, it still felt like home if all the family's things were displayed.
Wang Jingyun lit firecrackers, which exploded in the cold alleys of the county town, startling the sparrows on the eaves. Watching the lively scene, Li's mother's eyes reddened slightly.
"Alright, Sister Lin, stop standing there and hurry up and cook. Today is your housewarming celebration, so you have to treat us. Xiaoying and I are definitely going to have a meal here today," Wang Jingyun said with a smile, then pointed to Li Xiaohua, "Look, Xiaohua is starving."
Li's mother then came to her senses and quickly tied on her apron: "Then, I'll go cook."
Knowing his mother was excited, Li Xiangyang followed her into the kitchen to help.
In the kitchen, Li's mother was busy washing vegetables and cutting meat, but tears kept falling down her face.
"Mother," Li Xiangyang said softly, "what's wrong?"
"It's nothing," Li's mother wiped away her tears. "I just think, if your father were alive today, he would be so happy to see our family like this."
Li Xiangyang felt a lump in his throat and silently helped his mother chop vegetables.
He knew that his mother had endured too much for the family over the years.
Now that we've finally made it through, these tears contain a mix of grievances, gratitude, and above all, hope for the future.
Soon, a table of steaming hot food was served.
There was stewed meat, stir-fried cabbage, and a potato soup.
"Here, try some of the liquor I brought." Wang Jingyun took a bottle of baijiu (Chinese liquor) out of his bag. "Today is a joyous occasion, we two should have a good drink."
Li Xiangyang didn't refuse and drank with Wang Jingyun.
The two little girls chatted and laughed on the side, and Li's mother's smile never faded as she watched this heartwarming scene.
As darkness fell, Li Xiangyang remembered that he still had to return the donkey cart.
Seeing this, Wang Jingyun stopped him, saying, "Don't rush off. The roads are difficult to travel at night. You can take him back tomorrow."
"No, Uncle Wang. I promised Second Uncle I'd take it back tonight," Li Xiangyang shook his head. "Besides, they still need the donkey cart tomorrow."
"Then be careful on the road." Wang Jingyun patted him on the shoulder.