Chapter Thirty-Eight Summary

  Cheng Shigui and his family were busy and fulfilling, they felt that since things had been resolved, it was time to go back. They didn't want to be treated as rare animals for people to visit, so they decided to bid farewell and leave.

  Grandma hastily prepared a lot of food for them, with everything they needed. Especially seeing that they loved to eat Fangmengnan's pickled dishes and game meats, Grandma packed ten small jars for them. Fruits from various places and local specialties were also packed in large quantities.

  Cheng Shigui whispered to her, "No wonder 'Southern Sister' couldn't bear to leave. These things can't be found elsewhere." Some hadn't even had time to taste, but since he'd eaten them before, every year around Christmas and New Year's Day, he would come to loot once, and each time take away more than the last.

  "'Sister Nan', get a phone installed as soon as possible, we have urgent matters to discuss." These were their last words before they left.

  Watching their sedan disappear at the street corner, the whole family went back home. Grandma grabbed Fang Mengnan and asked: "Are you really going to install a phone?"

  "This will make it more convenient for us to communicate at work. Grandma, why don't we install it?!" Fang Mengnan thought that they would use it a lot in the future.

  "This is too eye-catching! Our county only has a few public phones, no private ones." Grandma frowned and said: "If you want to install one, you have to find an excuse, can't let rumors spread, especially about our steamed bun stall."

  "They came in such a big way, driving a sedan and showing off. I'm sure it's already spread around now. You can tell others that for the sake of relatives' connection, they left money to let us install it."

  "Hmm! That's what I'll say outside." Grandma thought for a moment, and for her granddaughter's sake, she had to put up with this phone call.

  Cheng Shigui they came and went in a hurry, before people could react, they left in a hurry, leaving behind only the imagination of a big blow.

  。

  They had just driven away when their long-absent aunt suddenly came to visit, what a rare guest! Not to mention the past, after Fang Mo Nan was reborn, except for her secretly pulling coal and seeing him once, she only saw her come to the door when she wanted to take advantage of him. What's the reason this time?

  Actually, my sister-in-law didn't want to come either. She had already heard a lot of rumors outside and wanted her husband to ask about the situation, whether there really was a wealthy relative. It's said that he came in a small sedan, but he refused to respond, and the two even quarreled over it, unable to get what they wanted. Although she is now eating free mantou, compared to real cash, it's still far from enough. For the sake of money, ah! Not to clarify the situation, regardless of whether it's true or not, as long as there are rumors with a nose and eyes, they have to come and take a look. She had no choice but to personally put on her armor and go into battle.

  The eldest aunt stood in the yard, just as grandma was not at home, and everyone else was busy in the kitchen! The younger aunt saw her coming, blocked the door and didn't let her in, and said sarcastically, "Tsk... it's really rare, the sun rises from the west! You're so busy, how did you come to our place?" She continued to mock: "You can't be here to personally pick up mantou? My mom is also a small business owner, but she can't afford people who have no shame and take things for free."

  "Hehe... Little Yan! I heard that our family has a noble guest, driving a sleek black sedan." She said with a smile, unaware of the sarcasm behind her words. The younger cousin didn't seem to notice, pretending not to hear, and compared to money, her aunt's sour words couldn't hurt her at all.

  "That's my mom's relative, what does it have to do with you!" The little aunt spoke bluntly, excluding her.

  She listened and rubbed her hands awkwardly, then said: "What can you say? How is it unrelated to me? Aren't we a family?"

  The little aunt didn't want to talk nonsense with her anymore, and even less did she want to look at that nauseating face of hers. She said directly: "Family members will always badmouth each other behind their backs; family members, what's the point in saying these things to you? You're too late, the person is gone."

  "What! The person has left, why didn't you tell me earlier and let me stay here with a smiling face. What are you worried about?" She looked at her aunt with dissatisfaction, but her voice wasn't too loud, afraid of being heard. "Hehe... then I'll leave first." She hastily departed, actually achieving her goal, confirming that relatives had indeed come to the house, as for whether they brought money or not, it's up to the child's father to deal with.

  "Hmm..." Xiaoyi turned around and happened to see Fang Mosan, immediately changing her expression to a smile. "Nan Nan, what are you doing here?"

  "I'm back from the toilet." Fang Mo Nan replied.

  "Just saw it." Xiao Yi said with disdain.

  "Hmm! Everyone has seen it, the charm of money." Fang Mo Nan said, otherwise why would they see their aunt coming?

  Auntie thought for a moment and indeed it was true, she really had no shame. This matter must be told to her mother, to give her a good scolding as a preventive measure.

  Cheng Shigui left, and that afternoon the post and telecommunications bureau came to install a telephone at home. The tap water was also installed soon after. Two days later, the contract for the mountain reclamation project was signed, with my mother signing on behalf of our family.

  The big uncle couldn't stand the noise of his wife at home, so he had to swallow his pride and came. "Mom, is dinner ready?" He asked awkwardly from outside the doorway.

  "Yonghui is here, have you eaten?"

  "Come in and have dinner!" Grandma said.

  "Ah!" The big uncle came in, looking at the little aunt with a gloomy face, and remembered 'the right thing', "Ah! I've eaten at home." He walked to the Ba Xian table and pointed at the TV with a smile: "Is this the TV? It's even colored, it looks great!"

  Xiao Yi hastily said, "This is someone showing respect to our mother!" Afraid he wouldn't understand, she directly said, "It's not for you." Anyway, the grudges between these two siblings would last a lifetime, and she didn't plan on resolving them. A wicked person will remain wicked.

  Grandma muttered to herself, her eyes dimmed, and in the end didn't say anything.

  Mom glared at Little Aunt and said, "What are you talking about! Eldest Brother is not that kind of person!" Mom's sentence was even more ruthless, Mom is mighty!

  "Yes! What Big Yan said is right, look at what Little Yan said, I don't know that filial piety comes first among all virtues!" Eldest Uncle's face turned red with anger and he stuttered for half a day before saying.

  Xiao Yi gave a cold "Hmph!" and turned her face away, no longer looking at him.

  Grandma was embarrassed, but she continued to speak according to Fang Mo Nan's script. However, everyone had already left, and it's not like you can get any benefits without seeing anyone! You can't really take the things that people respectfully gave to your mother back to your own home, or else you'll be ridiculed to death. He said some more insipid words, and she could only reluctantly leave with a sigh.

  After he left, the atmosphere was a bit cold. Fang Mo Nan turned on the TV and said, "Grandma, look, they're wearing clothes that can be bought at Liang's store." The room finally returned to its original atmosphere with some jokes and teasing.

  After Cheng Shigui and others left, the days passed quietly. With the arrival of TV, Fang Mernan's evening life became much richer, but at that time there were very few entertainment programs, and it could be said that there were almost none. Most of the time, everyone came to watch news broadcasts, and TV dramas were scarce. They still maintain their own form of entertainment every night.

  Fang Mo Be excitedly pulled out his newly bought violin.

  New Year's Day, Dad took a holiday and came back. It had been almost a year since he left for the Spring Festival. Fang Mo Nan saw that he was all smiles, and life had been treating him well.

  Dad originally wanted to talk about his 14-inch black and white TV, but when he saw the family's 18-inch imported color TV, he was speechless.

  Grandma came to the rescue in time, "This TV was given by my great-grandson."

  "What's going on with your mom's cousin's grandson?" Dad looked at Grandma curiously, something had changed again in the few days he hadn't been home, this was too fast.

  "Oh! This one..." His mom helped him clear up his doubts and changed the subject at the same time, no longer discussing Dad's embarrassing topic.

  However, my old man is thick-skinned and afterwards acts as if nothing happened, 'not holding a grudge', and takes out an old-fashioned Shanghai-made Seagull camera to show off. This was originally prepared for last summer's vacation when they were going to Beijing to play, but in the end, no one went, so it was just brought back. "Just right, can take a family photo."

  The old mother then took out that couple watch, "Wow! Such a beautiful watch, where did it come from?" The old father asked.

  "Outside nephew, sent away"

  "We all have," said the old lady. "Come on, Zhengping, give it a try."

  "It's really beautiful." Old Dad put on a stinky beauty and asked, "Is this real gold?" He asked doubtfully.

  "18K gold," Fang Mo Nan said.

  "Oh no! This can't be worn, it's too flashy. Especially now that there are many idle people on the streets and public security has deteriorated. Let's talk about it later!" Dad, take it off, put it in the watch box, cover it well, and hand it over to Mom for safekeeping.

  "It's better to put it away, there are no outsiders, I'm just afraid that if you go up and take a walk around, you'll be showing respect to others again." The old mother said with a sour tone.

  "Haha... how could that be! Isn't this enough to make you take it back!" Dad, feeling embarrassed, quickly shifted his gaze and asked: "Where did our family's relative come from, so lavish?"

  Grandma said it again in detail and reminded me not to talk nonsense outside.

  After Han Zhiqian left, the package he sent again contained many brand new clothes, for both adults and children. Goodness! Fang Mernan shook her head and politely declined in her reply, originally it had already caused a stir throughout the city, wearing these dazzling clothes out would only attract more envy from others.

  Fang Mo Nan suddenly remembered a small story: A man met God, and God said to him, "Now I can fulfill any one of your wishes, but at the same time, your neighbor will receive twice the benefit. For example, if you want a piece of farmland, your neighbor will get two pieces of farmland; if you want a house, your neighbor will get two houses." As a result, this man was unwilling to let his neighbor take such a huge advantage for nothing, and finally said to God, "Take out one of my eyes!"

  The trouble with conjunctivitis, that's just how people are, always filled with jealousy, that's just how society is, can't stand seeing others do better than themselves, everyone on the same level, nothing to say, but if one person suddenly stands out from the crowd, then all sorts of things will be said.

  A crane standing among chickens, the crane suffers more than the chickens. It has to bear a lot of pressure from the group. Standing out requires paying a price, so excellent individuals often need self-protection abilities. So for now, just maintain this level and don't be too outstanding.

  After the New Year's Day, after taking pictures, my father stayed behind and got even busier. High school winter vacation was supposed to be relaxing. But unexpectedly, with Chinese New Year approaching, there were more and more big and small temple fairs in the surrounding areas. Every day, my father and his friends were busy until their feet ached, but the rewards of their hard work made them so happy that they couldn't stop smiling, tired but joyful.

  Fang Mo Nan is idle and has nothing to do, holding a camera and running around everywhere. Sometimes he even follows his dad to the market, "click, click", leaving memories behind. Sometimes he holds a charcoal pencil, sketching this happy scene, practicing his drawing skills, of course, mostly for the family's keepsake.

  It's time for the year-end summary, and Grandma made more money than last year, smiling like a flower. Although the mantou business started to decline due to following the trend, it gradually warmed up again, adding varieties such as white cabbage pork buns (50 cents each) and flower rolls. After careful calculation, the income from just mantous and buns is over 4,000 yuan. Of course, no one knows about the money in Fang Mernan's savings account, not even her daughter, because there's too much of it, and she's afraid of scaring them off.

  Although grandma is not educated, she has experienced a lot. Perhaps as her granddaughter said, having money doesn't necessarily mean happiness. Only when they know what they want can money become a tool for them to achieve their goals. Before that, it's better to have more tempering by looking at the young daughter and son-in-law.

  It seems like these things are better said by Nan Nan herself.

  Of course, Grandma also saw that her own granddaughter didn't want to think too much about it. When others saw her unusual side, she only saw the side of her acting spoiled like her parents, enjoying their pampering. This also decided that she wouldn't reveal more things to them.

  On the 23rd of the twelfth lunar month, Grandma summed up this year's life and income increased. She had prepared ten new cotton-padded quilts for everyone in the family to change into new ones as soon as winter arrived. She took four away for her old father. When her parents got married that year, Grandma's family was so poor that they didn't even have a quilt ready, so with the extra money, she thought of making up for it first.

  The whole family felt a great change at home, with everyone's face filled with happy smiles, looking forward to an even better new year.

  On December 24th, it's Fang Mo Nan and Liang Zi's turn for their year-end summary.

  Liangzi said with some embarrassment: "Nannan, you don't know, our store was just starting to get popular in the first half of the year, but especially in the past few months, it's been getting worse and worse. The sales volume is only 200,000 to 300,000 yuan per month, and even with me carrying bags to promote in various units in the city, we can't sell more than a few thousand yuan. I'm really worried that if this continues, we'll have to close down." "The only thing that makes me feel comforted is the clothing business."

  The thin monkey and the fat boy also nodded: "Yes, business is a bit difficult to do. There are more people selling goods in the provincial capital, originally there was only one family."

  "Ah, this is normal. The market in the county has become saturated and there are competitors in the provincial city, so sales naturally come down." Fang Mo Nan said, "We seized an opportunity earlier when everyone hadn't seen foreign goods before. We brought them in and everyone was interested, so they bought a lot. Now everyone has gotten used to it and doesn't think it's fresh anymore. The state-owned factories in the county and city have poor efficiency, which naturally affects purchasing power. Although rural areas have greenhouses and breeding industries, they are currently in the development stage, and farmers still don't dare to buy these 'luxury goods' on a large scale."

  "Nan Nan, I want to discuss something with you. Nowadays, there are more idle young people and loafers in both the county and the city. It's dangerous for us to go out and sell goods, after all, we're too eye-catching. So we plan to wholesale goods, that way no one will dare to cause trouble on our turf." Liangzi said.

  "Hmm! Last time I went to a county, I met a little hooligan who robbed me, and we had a fight..." Fatso was talking about his 'great achievements' when he was kicked twice by Skinny Monkey.

  "Why did you kick me! I haven't gotten to the good part yet!" Fatso looked at Skinny Monkey with dissatisfaction, and saw that Skinny Monkey was pointing at Fang Mo Nan, suddenly heehee... foolishly smiled.

  "Alright, I won't let you guys go out and cause trouble, but we can't be bullied either. Is Fatso hurt?" Fang Mo Nan asked, pretending not to see the two's small movements.

  "Not... not... that kid couldn't even take a punch, how could he withstand my fists. I chased him away with just three or five punches." The fatty recalled the situation at the time, his face filled with regret, and he was still blaming the other party for not being strong enough, so he didn't get to enjoy the fight.

  "Alright, let's do it as you said. Let's divide the money and settle this within these few days. The New Year is approaching, don't go out running around anymore." Fang Mo Nan said, after dividing the money, each person got nearly 50,000 yuan.

  "Big brother...... Liangzi brother, is my big brother in?" Fang Mo Nan and the others were about to disperse when they heard someone shouting from outside.

  。

  "Xiao Mei, your elder brother is at my place! Come on in!" said Liang Zi as he opened the door.

  Xiao Mei rushed in and pulled Pang Da Hai away, "Big brother, hurry back home, mom has fainted."

  "What's wrong, who is she?" Fang Mo Nan hadn't even seen clearly who it was, when the fatty and she ran out.

  "It's Pan Xiaomei, Pangzi's sister. It seems that Pangzi's mother is ill again." said the thin monkey with concern.

  "Alas! Fat girl's illness wasn't serious at first, but unfortunately, due to poverty at home, it was delayed." Liang Zi worried: "Skinny monkey, let's go and see if we can help."

  "Nan Nan, go home first!" Liang Zi said to her.

  "Liango, have you forgotten your shoulder?" Fang Mosou reminded him.

  "Ah! You... you can cure it." Liang Zi exclaimed in surprise, "Right! My shoulder was cured by you. This illness of Pan Dainiang..."

  "After seeing the patient, then talk." Fang Mo Nan said.

  "What are we waiting for? Let's go!" Liangzi and the others rode their bicycles, carrying Fang Mosen together towards Pàngzi's home.

  Fang Mo Nan went back home to fetch a medicine box before heading to Pang Zi's house, covering his ears and eyes. This medicine box was taken out from the space, made of dark wood, anti-corrosion, with a blackish-brown color, looking like an old antique that had been used frequently, giving people a sense of thickness and security.

  Liang Zi carried a medicine box on his back and rode a bicycle with Fang Mo towards the south of the city.

  Fang Mo Nan's first visit to Pang Zi's home, his house was in a rural area adjacent to the county town, and it took only 20 minutes by bicycle. In the dilapidated farmhouse courtyard, there were also greenhouses for growing vegetables, and the sound of chickens could be heard in the backyard, but apparently, the family's life had not improved significantly.

  The main house is a three-room earth hut. After entering, the walls have not been whitewashed and are covered with mud and straw. The floor is also made of unhardened yellow mud, uneven and pockmarked like the surface of the moon, only hardened by years of foot traffic. There is only one piece of furniture, a small square table for eating, seemingly handmade, and several small wooden stools. On the dusty wall, there are still advertisements from a feed factory, which also serve as calendars.

  Liangzi and his companions lifted the door curtain and entered the house just as they saw Baozi about to carry his mother out.

  "Put it down quickly, let's take a look first," said Liang Zi.

  "Big brother, this can't be delayed. We have to go to the hospital." The fat man said hastily after hearing his words.

  "Let's put it down for now, it won't make a difference. You forgot who treated my arm, I brought the doctor." Liangzi placed the medicine box on the bed and walked over to help put Fat Aunt back onto the bed.

  Fang Mernan saw that the lower limbs of Pangu's mother were already in the late stage of phlebitis. Her legs had developed ulcers due to severe circulatory disorders, and the ulcers had spread up to her ankles or calves. The intense pain caused her to faint.

  "Nan Nan, come and take a look if it can be cured?" Liang Zi made way for Fang Mo Nan to approach the bedside.

  He then turned to Fatzi and Thin Monkey and said: "The wound on my shoulder was healed by her." To comfort the anxious heart of Fatzi.

  Pangzi heard Liangzi's words and felt at ease. He had once heard Lao Jiantou say that the doctor who treated Liangzi's injury was very skilled.

  Fang Mo Nan walked over, "Get the scissors and warm up the house."

  "Oh!" The fat boy quickly brought over the scissors. His sister hurriedly lit the fire, feeling it was not enough, she went to bring over the charcoal basin.

  The room soon warmed up, and Fang Mo Nan took scissors to cut off her two pants at the knee joint. Liang Zi and others gasped in shock. Her two legs were swollen into black and purple, with some parts starting to fester.

  "Can it be cured? The doctor said severe venous thrombosis, and suggested amputation. My mother refused to agree. At first, the medicine was effective, but I don't know when it started, just my foot... later, I didn't expect..." He choked back tears, unable to continue speaking.

  "Fatso, Skinny Monkey, go boil a big pot of hot water. Xiaomei, find some clean gauze, preferably medical-grade, and also get some alcohol." Fang Mernan instructed.

  The fat boy knew it was curable as soon as she said it and hurriedly ran out.

  Fang Mo Nan saw them leave and said, "Li Zai, help me guard the gate. Remember, don't let them in."

  "Alright! Don't worry, I know!" Liang Zi stood at the door, his eyes fixed on her.

  Fang Mò Nán placed the wooden box on the bed, and at home there wasn't even a decent table. He reached out to press the flower-shaped button on the surface of the box, and with a "click" sound, the box cracked open from the side.

  Ordinary wooden boxes are all opened and closed up and down, with the top being the lid and the bottom being the box body. Fang Mo Nan's box, however, opens and closes from left to right. The box first splits open from one side, then after opening 180 degrees, it rotates around the vertical axis of the other side to become a whole again, transforming into a small upright cabinet, just like when we open a book and stand it up vertically on the desk.

  The cabinet is divided into three layers: upper, middle and lower. The top layer has more than a dozen white porcelain bottles embedded in the recessed base to prevent shaking; the middle and lower layers are drawers, with four small drawers in the middle and two large ones at the bottom.

  This box is called a medical treasure chest, which was carried by doctors when they went out for medical treatment in ancient times. The white porcelain bottle on the top layer usually contains external wound medicine and some emergency rescue medicine; the four small drawers in the middle are used to store tools such as lancets, acupuncture needles, and fire cups; the two large drawers below, one is used to store writing materials such as brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones for writing prescriptions, and the other is used to store dry food and medical books, in case of emergency. In ancient times, transportation was not convenient, and sometimes doctors had to spend several days on the road just to make a diagnosis.

  When she got this box, Fang Mo Nan couldn't bear to put it down, it was really a good thing. She disinfected the acupuncture needles and looked at the unconscious patient, just in time to use them. First, she took off her shoes and climbed onto the bed, also taking off the patient's upper garment, revealing an emaciated torso with skin wrapped tightly around bones, and lower limbs that were clearly mismatched.

  She quickly inserted silver needles all over the patient's body, then sat on the bed, unexpectedly the patient's bed was old but washed until it turned white and very clean. She took the patient's wrist pulse, started to urge the spirit, and moved towards the patient's leg.

  Fang Mornan used his spiritual energy to examine the affected area internally and found that the blood clot was very severe, apparently requiring a lot of effort to clear. He took a deep breath and increased the transmission of his spiritual energy.

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