Chapter 12: Zhang Shao Cai's Generosity and Yan Yu Huan's Thoughtfulness

  After returning home, Han Qing'e had already boiled hot water. Xu Shaojie took a bath and when he came out, he heard his sister Xu Lan's exclamation. He walked into the living room and found that three packages of luggage were all opened. One package was full of new clothes, pants, and shoes. Xu Shaojie saw his mother Han Qing'e cleaning up, with seven sets of new clothes categorized: two for her, two for his sister, two for his brother, and one for himself. There were also three pairs of fur boots. Another package was filled with food: sunflower seeds, milk candies, pastries, etc. Xu Shaojie noticed that his mother's hands were slightly trembling.

  Xu Shaojie recalled the days he spent with Yan Yuhuan, and how she would always ask him about his family members in detail, including their height and weight. Sometimes, she would even point out people on the street who had similar body types to his family members and ask Xu Shaojie if they looked alike. Xu Shaojie never thought much of it at the time, but now he knew what her reasons were.

  Xu Shaojie and Yan Yuhuan shared a secret that could never be revealed. It was after Yan Yuhuan took Xu Shaojie shopping for clothes, and they went to eat in a private room at a restaurant. Suddenly, Yan Yuhuan asked Xu Shaojie to hug her. Xu Shaojie's heart was racing as he hugged Yan Yuhuan tightly. Then, Yan Yuhuan quickly kissed Xu Shaojie, which was his first kiss. It made Xu Shaojie's blood boil with excitement. He felt Yan Yuhuan's tongue was so soft and there was a fragrance in her mouth. Xu Shaojie almost lost control of himself.

  When they parted ways, Xu Shaojie saw tears welling up in Yan Yuhuan's eyes. She wiped away her tears and said that Xu Shaojie would always be her closest and dearest brother.

  All the luggage in the package must have been prepared by Yan Yuhuan.

  "Shao Jie, you've brought back so many things, thank you for your trouble. Where did you get all this money from? Don't do anything bad, we don't lack money at home."

  "Mom, don't worry, I've been following Zhang Ge to do things, and we didn't even take a break on holidays. Zhang Ge really appreciates me, our relationship is like that of close brothers. Here, take this 2000 yuan."

  Xu Shaojie didn't tell the truth, Zhang Shaocai and Yan Yuhuan's kindness to him was enough, this emotion, he will definitely return it, there is no need for his family members to bear it.

  Xu Lan tried on the new clothes, which fit perfectly. These new clothes were popular styles in the provincial city, but had not yet arrived in the small county town. The fur shoes also fit well. Xu Shaojie was deeply moved. What is true feeling? What is meticulousness? No matter what kind of interests are entangled between the two parties, being able to do this much, what else can be said?

  "Shao Jie, there's another thing. Your brother Yi Jie is about to be released from prison, just in these two days. I'll go ask for the specific time tomorrow. The money you sent back last time was all used for Yi Jie. He behaved well and had his sentence reduced by 3 years. After I find out the exact time, you can go pick him up and bring him home."

  Xu Shaojie heard these words and didn't speak for a long time. He had always thought that Xu Yijie would not be released from prison for more than a year, but he did not expect that Xu Yijie could return home immediately.

  Xu Shaojie came to his father's grave and knelt for a long time without getting up.

  "Dad, I've come to see you. It's been half a year since I last came. You must forgive me. I've always done things according to your instructions. Dad, don't worry, I'll definitely be a good person and do things well. You must be watching over me as I make a name for myself."

  Han Qing'e and Xu Lan had already cried into tears on one side. After a long time, Xu Shaojie wiped away his tears and discussed with his mother the matter of setting up a monument for his father. Now setting up a monument would cost 600 to 700 yuan, which is undoubtedly a large expense for an ordinary family. But Xu Shaojie already had this ability. Han Qing'e had long had this idea, and now that they had money at home.

  The family soon found a master to engrave the tombstone, and Mr. also found one. After returning home, Mr. started writing the epitaph in front of Xu Shaojie and others, while checking the calendar. Xu Shaojie gave the master a pack of Red Pagoda Mountain cigarettes, which Mr. carefully accepted, greatly boosting his morale. When he was writing about his father's relatives, Xu Shaojie suddenly thought of something.

  "Mom, Zhang Shao Cai and Yan Yu Huan have taken great care of me. One is like a brother to me, the other like a sister. I've thought about it, and even if they're not related by blood, I'd like to consider them as my own son and daughter. I just asked Mr. about it, and he said it's fine. Now I'll go call them and see what they think."

  Han Qing'e nodded, and Xu Shaojie immediately went out and arrived at the post office.

  The phone in the provincial city connected quickly, with a clear voice. Coincidentally, Zhang Shaocai and Yan Yuhuan were both there. After careful consideration, Xu Shaojie expressed his thoughts. Xu Shaojie heard Yan Yuhuan's low sobbing, to know that writing someone's name as a relative is not an ordinary relationship.

  "Brother, thank you. Honestly, when the time comes for Father's memorial service, you must tell me. No matter how busy I am, I will definitely attend. Your sister and I will both come. We'll burn some incense and paper money. When Father was alive, your sister and I couldn't take good care of him. Now that he's gone to heaven, we'll show our filial piety here."

  The time for erecting the monument is on the 14th of the first month, and there is still a month's time.

  Xu Shaojie went to Deyang City to pick up Xu Yijie. When the two met, they tightly hugged each other. Xu Yijie looked much older, and Xu Shaojie saw white hair on his head - he was only 23 years old. After returning home, Xu Yijie immediately went to their father's grave and knelt for over an hour. Xu Shaojie also knelt beside him. The two brothers didn't say a word, just like when they buried their father.

  Xu Yijie fell silent for a long time. When Xu Shaojie took out the Chinese cigarettes, Xu Yijie quietly smoked without any excited reaction. Xu Shaojie knew that Xu Yijie's knot was deep and had to think of a way to untie it.

  During the Spring Festival, it was still the same as before. Xu Shaojie had been admitted to university, and when relatives visited each other, they all praised Xu Shaojie. Xu Yijie stayed at home and didn't go anywhere. He brought back clothes from prison, which Xu Shaojie burned completely, thinking they were unlucky. Han Qing'e took Xu Yijie to buy several new sets of clothes. When Xu Yijie looked at his family members, his eyes were gentle, showing his inner feelings. However, when he looked at others, there was no emotional color in his gaze. Xu Shaojie felt anxious and knew that his brother Xu Yijie couldn't just stay at home like this; otherwise, something would happen sooner or later. He had to go out. Xu Shaojie thought of Zhang Shaocai and Yan Yuhuan, but he was a bit embarrassed to bring up such things.

  Xu Shaojie rarely eats out, during Chinese New Year visits, he usually just goes and comes back home. For relatives in the countryside, Xu Shaojie didn't go, it was always his mother Han Qing'e who took Xu Lan instead. The two brothers would eat at home, and during the holidays, there were often leftovers that could be reheated. Whenever they had time, the brothers would go to the tombstone engraving place to check on the progress. Xu Yijie went more frequently, but mostly just watched as there was nothing much to do.

  Mother Han Qing'e was still very enthusiastic and kind, although she had a bad temper. When relatives came to the house for New Year's greetings, Han Qing'e would always warmly welcome them and make sure they ate well. Xu Shaojie accompanied them drinking and eating, while Xu Yijie didn't accompany them at all and left during meals. Everyone didn't say anything about it.

  Time flies, and it's already the 12th of the first month. Xu Shaojie and Xu Yijie are busy with preparations. The tombstone needs to be transported to its destination in advance, and they need to hire a master craftsman to set it up. All these tasks are led by Xu Shaojie, who gave Xu Yijie 200 yuan for expenses. Xu Yijie is very obedient and assists Xu Shaojie with the arrangements. The cigarettes used are all Hongtashan brand, as Xu Shaojie wouldn't dare take out Zhonghua cigarettes, which would be too conspicuous. By the afternoon of the 13th, all preparations have been completed.

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