Chapter 50: Dad's Choice

  Fang Mo Nan looked at the new couple worshiping heaven and earth, thinking of when he first met the bride, it was a situation that couldn't be described in one word. Otherwise, why would they suffer so much? Letting Liang Zi stay hidden at home for such a long time, when Liang Zi and Pang Zi went to stock up on goods, the business at the store was left to Qiu Hong Ye to manage, she wasn't any worse than Liang Zi and the others.

  It wasn't until Fang Mo Nan asked that he found out she was a graduate of a prestigious university. He became curious, how did someone with such a good education end up in this situation? One look and he knew, her face was that of a mistress, her figure devilish.

  It seems Fang Mengnan has some idea why. Her name, Autumn Leaf, is poetic and picturesque, she is a delicate and charming woman with skin as tender as a lotus flower, smooth and translucent. A pair of peach blossom eyes are like two sparkling autumn waters, the flow of her gaze is like the infinite charm of the misty rain in Jiangnan, making people drunk at first sight. Her straight and beautiful nose outlines the most charming curve in the world, a pair of tender lips, like ripe cherries, tempting people to pick them. Even wearing a coarse cotton-padded jacket, she can't hide her devilish figure with perfect proportions, flawless and unbeatable. Truly a born seductress, an extraordinary beauty!

  When Fang Mo Nan spoke with her, her fox-like charming eyebrows and eyes rotated between them, and the natural and effortless charm was full of variety.

  Fang Mo Nan stared at her intently, his face reddening as a hint of shyness and fear flashed in his eyes, but ultimately he forced himself to calm down. It was clear that she was trying hard to please Fang Mo Nan, because Liang Zi had mentioned before that this little girl was not simple, and he hoped to get her approval.

  "Looks are born with, no need to be so self-abased. Although it's not necessary to show off boldly, there's no need to worry about it," Fang Mo Nan said slowly. "I don't know why you want to marry Liang Zi Ge, but I hope you won't hurt him."

  "Liangzi is a good person, I won't hurt him." Qiu Hongye said with a tinge of sadness. "He's the first one to think I'm a decent woman."

  Qiu Hongye was driven out of her home and had nowhere to go, so she "played dumb" and stayed at his house. It just so happened that Liang Shu also misunderstood the situation, and Qiu Hongye naturally ended up staying there. With a degree but no job prospects, she ended up in such a predicament, leaving her sighing endlessly. However, she didn't expect to fall for him, perhaps because he didn't look down on her despite her appearance.

  "I hope you can keep your promises and don't have to walk with your head down, you can also use your glasses frame to cover up." Fang Mo Nan suggested, no wonder she saw her always walking with her head down, in a hurry, and didn't even stop when called.

  "Did Liangzi tell you about his experience?" Fang Mennai asked tentatively.

  Liangzi said he was a hoodlum, a rascal, and had even been to prison. Autumn Leaf asked in puzzlement: "I don't think he looks like that kind of person! What crime did he commit?"

  "Let him tell you himself!" Fang Mo Nan said mysteriously.

  Later, Liang Zi bought a pair of black-framed glasses from Yangcheng, covering up more than half of her face. Fang Mo Nan teased her, saying: "Liang Zi has good luck now, she's not bad."

  Fang Mo Nan looked at the groom and bride, recalling the moments they met, smiled slightly, and wished them well.

  The wedding was lively, and the bride still wore glasses. It seems that the troubles brought by her appearance may change for the better with time.

  The noisy bridal chamber was subdued due to Liang Zijun's intimidating presence, only Pangzi and Shouhui dared not make too much noise, and after a brief commotion, they all left.

  At this time, Liangzi stood at the bedside with his hands and feet in disarray, while the bride sat on the bed with sparkling eyes looking at him.

  "Ah, this is a gift from friends." Liang Zi carefully took out the gifts that Cheng Shi Gui and others had given them from the camphor wood box and gently put it on her.

  "It's really beautiful." Liang Zi held her hand, constantly rubbing it, the rose gold watch, which set off her skin as white as jade.

  "This thing is too expensive, who gave it?" asked Autumn Leaf curiously.

  "It was sent by Lao Da." Liang Zi said, if it weren't for Nan Nan's face being so big, who would know who he is?

  Autumn leaves red saw that he was unwilling to say more, and she didn't ask any further questions. She untied the braid on her head, and her black hair flowed out like a black ribbon. She also took off her black-framed glasses, and in the blink of an eye, she revealed a charming and alluring demeanor.

  The beauty under the lamp is more beautiful as you look at her, the wedding night with candles and flowers, every moment is worth a thousand pieces of gold.

  Liangzi, who had never risen early before, didn't get up until the sky was already bright. When he opened his eyes, he couldn't tell what day it was and looked at Qiu Hongye beside him. 'I've also taken a wife.' He felt wonderful in his heart.

  The red leaves also woke up and saw him staring at himself, wondering what he was thinking? Moving quietly.

  "Does it still hurt?" Liang Zisu asked with concern. Yesterday, he had been too reckless and forgotten that she was new to all this, so it was only right that she should be in pain. His own wife, he could hardly bear it himself.

  Autumn leaves red with shame buried her face in his chest and shook her head.

  "Are you not getting up? Don't we need to offer tea to Mother?" said Akane in a low voice. "And don't we need to open the shop?"

  "No need, Nannan gave us a wedding leave, let's take two more days off." Liang Zimo stroked her smooth back and said absent-mindedly. "Hehe... Mom understands, she should be at Mo Daniu's place now, it's okay to get up later."

  "Ah! How can that be." Autumn Red Leaf flipped over and wanted to get up, the turbulent waves in front of his chest, Liang's eyes gradually deepened, the room became thicker, as if he should live up to this holiday.

  In the blink of an eye, it's already the 23rd of the last month of the lunar year. My grandma's year-end summary has taken a big step forward compared to last year. After deducting various expenses, her stall selling steamed buns and pancakes has earned nearly 10,000 yuan in income. This... this... I've become a "wanyuanhu" (a term used to describe someone with an annual income of over 10,000 yuan) too! To put it into perspective, back then, having an annual income of 10,000 yuan was equivalent to being a multimillionaire in today's terms.

  At that time, prices were extremely low: rice cost 0.14 yuan per kilogram, flour cost 0.7 yuan per kilogram, meat cost 0.95 yuan per kilogram, gifts for visiting relatives cost around 2 yuan, and red envelopes for the Lunar New Year cost between 0.1 to 0.2 yuan. Workers' salaries were around 28 yuan per month. It's hard to imagine what a huge sum of money 10,000 yuan was back then.

  My grandma is overjoyed and looks forward to the future with confidence.

  On the evening of the 24th of the twelfth lunar month, Fang Mernan arrived at Liangzi's home. The house was warm and cozy, with bright red couplets still pasted on the walls, and all household appliances were in use, finally looking like a home again.

  Fang Mengnan sat on a chrome-plated folding chair, and the house was greatly changed. The table was a square table, also chrome-plated.

  Fat boy jokingly said to Liang Zidao: "Brother, sister-in-law, these days must be warm and comfortable in the bridal chamber. The short day rises high, from now on the king will not rise early."

  The red leaves hid, Liangzi chuckled foolishly and teased: "It seems that Fatty's learning has improved!"

  "Hehe...... It's all because of you guys." The fatty said with a bitter face.

  "Haha……" Liang Zi and Shou Hou burst out laughing without any restraint.

  "Alright, let's get down to business." Fang Mo Nan said with a knock on the table.

  "Oh! This year's store earnings are better than last year! We've added clothing sales, and business is even more booming!" Liang Zi said, talking about the store's affairs as if it were second nature, with data pouring out one after another, all memorized in his head. "Especially these two years, the county's policies have been good, farmers' wallets have fattened up, which is reflected in their eating, drinking, and dressing, and we've benefited greatly from it." They directly sourced clothing from Han Zhiqian's garment factory, envying others to death.

  "Yes! As the year-end approaches, our store is bustling with people. Sales are soaring!" Fatso said excitedly, gesturing with his hands.

  Fang Mònán was quietly going over their accounts, mentally calculating. Autumn Red Leaf came out of the inner room at this time, bringing up tea and water. The tea leaves were given to Liáng Zǐ by Fang Mònán, who also fell in love with drinking tea.

  Fatso saw the autumn red leaves arrive, "Sister is in the store and it's even better, you say I'm a big man selling women's clothes, isn't that awkward to death."

  "Just be content with that! If it weren't for Jinzhu and Xiaomei helping out, I'd really be too busy to cope," said the thin monkey.

  "Alright, we'll go tomorrow," said Liang Zi.

  After Fang Mo Nan finished distributing the bonuses, Fatso exclaimed excitedly: "It's been a year, and today is the most exciting day." He was happily counting his money, although he had earned quite a bit over the past two years, totaling tens of millions. However, he enjoyed this wonderful feeling of counting his money.

  "Look at you, so useless." Liang Zi patted his shoulder and said, "It seems that from now on, I'll have to give you more cash." He waved the passbook back and forth.

  "Cash is great, cash has a feel to it. A bankbook is just a string of numbers, no real shock value." Fatso sighed as he looked at his bankbook.

  "This is Xiaomei made shoes for you." He quickly scooped out four pairs of shoes from the bag, two pairs of cloth shoes and two pairs of cotton shoes. "Two pairs are for Xiao Bei."

  "Good! Thank you, Xiaomei sister." Fang Mo Nan hugged them in his arms.

  "What's there to thank? It didn't take any effort." The fatty said matter-of-factly, "Besides, it was my mom..."

  "Alright, I won't say thank you from now on." Fang Mo Nan hastily interrupted his next words of gratitude.

  Shouhou told Fang Mosan about the things in Shanghai, and it happened that he had just returned to attend Liangzi's wedding, and afterwards he was busy with store affairs. Taking advantage of today, he handed over two sets of house contracts and procedures to her, and the remaining money he bought goods from Shanghai according to what Fang Mosan said, really a lot, two large cardboard boxes. Bedding, ceramic basins, kettles, etc., without mentioning the price, the quality at that time was top-notch.

  Talking about ceiling fans, he is even more excited, sales are not bad, supply can't keep up with demand, no way to increase production capacity, every day there are people coming to ask for goods, looking at those people leaving in dismay, he feels heartbroken! The money spent is like throwing it away!

  "After a year, it will be fine. Qi Shu's side has added two more production lines and doesn't even plan to take a break during the New Year. Triple pay, three shifts a day." Fang Mo Nan said.

  "Ah! That's just great!" The thin monkey exclaimed excitedly, rubbing his hands together.

  "Alright, that's it! I'm leaving. You can do whatever you want, just don't cause any trouble." Fang Mo'nan said, and then placed a bottle of Maotai on the table.

  "We know." The fat man's eyes lit up when he saw Maotai.

  "I'll take a look at them!" said Liangzi. "I'll send you back. Hongye is preparing food, we haven't seen each other for several months, let's have a good reunion."

  "Go!" Fang Mo Nan didn't hesitate either. The thin monkey had brought things for herself that she couldn't even move back, so it was just right to trouble Liang Zi.

  Autumn leaves prepared wine and dishes, the three of them eating snacks, drinking small wine, with cigarettes in their mouths, such days are simply unimaginable.

  "Two years ago, I couldn't have imagined that I'd be living a life like this, it's beyond my wildest dreams." Fatso sighed with emotion.

  "Yes! If we hadn't made it to shore in time, we'd all be dead." Skinny Monkey recalled, his heart still trembling with fear. "Last time, wasn't that the guy who chopped down Liangzi's brother? We saw him get blown up ourselves!"

  "Alright, stop reminiscing about the past. Just follow Nan Nan and do your job well." Liang Zidai waved his hand, "Let's drink and eat." He then asked Shou Huan about his experiences in Shanghai.

  They kept drinking and chatting, making a racket for more than two hours. Thin Monkey was worried about Fatso carrying so much cash, so he sent him home before returning himself. Stone Mouth Mountain Academy

  Busy people are busy preparing for the New Year, children are looking forward to the arrival of the new year, wearing new clothes, eating well, and receiving red envelopes. For the two sisters Fang Mò Nán, Fang Mò Běi is still practicing piano as usual, while Fang Mò Nán teaches Fang Mò Běi other knowledge, actually it's just telling inspirational stories in a fun way. Adults don't have time for this, so it becomes Fang Mò Nán's job. Of course, the audience also includes Léi Ná Dé, and they are also planning things for the new year.

  Dachengzi brought New Year's gifts before the Spring Festival, over 50 catties of pork, ten old hens and coarse cloth woven by Aunt San. After putting down the things, Dachengzi hurried away, busy with family affairs, he came in a hurry to steal some leisure time.

  Grandma looked at so much pork and didn't worry, the whole family were meat lovers, all of them could eat meat. It's better to let Fang Mernan handle it, after all, she was the head chef of the family.

  Grandma Fang made the same dishes as last year, including fried meatballs and braised pork bones. She also made a dish called "pig skin jelly" by simmering pig skin (excluding the hair) and bones in a mixture of spices, including star anise, Sichuan pepper, cinnamon, angelica, and salt for a long time to create a broth with a certain amount of gelatin content. After cooling, the pig skin and broth would solidify together. Since it's served after cooling, the cooling process can be said to be "freezing", hence the name "pig skin jelly". When done successfully, the color is bright and shiny, the texture is chewy, and the flavor is refreshing.

  Looking at the frozen pork skin, Meng Nan thought of the soup-filled buns. The filling was mixed with mushroom dices, chicken dices, and cooled pork jelly, wrapped in dough and steamed to perfection. The meat jelly melted into a savory broth, tender and fragrant, with a soft and delicate texture. The bun's shape was elegant and translucent, the broth rich and flavorful, entering the mouth smooth and not greasy. Its skin was thin and filling large, the soup flowed out when bitten, soft and tender, fresh and fragrant, clean and shiny white. When picked up it looked like a lantern, when put down it resembled a chrysanthemum flower.

  The soup-filled bun has a beautiful shape, its contents are exquisite and unique. The filling and the fresh soup are in the same room, eating it is like integrating the three aspects of Northern cuisine - noodles, meat and soup - into one. Eating soup-filled buns, the soup comes first, followed by the filling, and then the bun itself.

  Leonard looked at the steaming hot soup dumplings in front of him, took a bite, "Hot... died." He spat out his tongue and frantically fanned his mouth. His grandma quickly handed him a glass of cold soda water, which he drank several sips of before feeling better.

  Grandma said with embarrassment, "I forgot to tell you, be careful not to scald yourself! You have to eat the soup dumplings like this." She carefully taught him how to do it, first sucking out the broth and then eating.

  "Ah!" Renard said with understanding, and didn't even care that his mouth was scalded, eating to his heart's content, like a satisfied cat.

  Grandma was eating wontons and said, "Huh! Next year we can steam them to sell too." She clapped her hands, "This is a great idea!"

  Grandma is now a bit 'crazy' about making money, as long as it's profitable to sell noodles, she wants to try selling them. However, this will have to wait until after the new year.

  Because Fang Mo Nan was used to communicating with Mo Bei using her adult thinking and ideas, Mo Bei gradually became more and more like her. If this continued, in a few years, the joy of childhood would be lost.

  Fang Moxin began to suspect whether the way of helping others was good, but he neglected Mo Bei and forgot to tell stories. As a result, Fang Moxin was severely criticized by everyone. The Crazy Queen of Changing Faces: Dominating the World with Her Charm

  "Xiao Bei, likes listening to me tell stories." Fang Mo Nan sat on a small stool, tilting his head and asked.

  "Really!" Mo Bei nodded in agreement.

  "Didn't you go play with the kids from next door?" Fang Mo'nan said.

  "You didn't go either."

  Fang Mo Nan was stunned by her words and couldn't recover for half a day.

  "They're too childish, they don't understand anything, all they know is playing with mud and digging up bird eggs..." Fang Mo Bei scrunched up her little nose and said in a clear and crisp childlike voice.

  "The story I'm telling is no longer boring."

  "No, it's great to hear. I like Yixing and Afanti's wit; also like to see the beautiful scenery in the Science Geography magazine; even more like playing the violin with touching melody. Don't waste life on those boring things." Fang Mosen was stunned by Mo Bei's words.

  "Who taught you this."

  "Do you still need to teach me? Didn't you tell me a different story?" Mo Bei blinked his eyes in confusion, looking at her.

  Fang Mo Nan began to reflect on whether it was right or wrong to continue following her, and if she would end up having a child's appearance but an adult's mind. She had thoroughly influenced her life. Watching Mo Bei read the children's edition of "100,000 Whys", her heart felt a pang.

  It's better to know what society is like early on, rather than learning a distorted view of life from romance novels out of curiosity. Fang Mo Nan comforted herself this way, and besides, she had her to rely on!

  It's the 29th of December again, after dinner, everyone started to get lively, and my dad also sang along with the theme song of the 1983 version of "Journey to the West", "Where is the road leading to?", Sun Wukong was pressed under the Five Elements Mountain, the interlude "Five Hundred Years of Changes in the World", when my dad sang this song, he had a lot of emotions, with tears in his eyes, thinking of himself and his family having a falling out, feeling deeply moved.

  Old mother and little aunt, sang the TV series' interlude, Liangzi and Autumn Leaf's duet is the theme song of the 83 version of "The Legend of Archery Hero". Xiao Bei still played her famous violin piece. Fang Mo Nan remembered last year's teachings and this year pulled out the erhu "Golden Snake Dance", rearranged by Nie Er. The melody was majestic, passionate and overflowing, rendering the festive atmosphere.

  "Ranard nodded repeatedly after listening, 'Hmmm! Sounds good, joyful, uplifting and exuberant emotions, full of vitality and rich in life force.'"

  However, Xiaoyi and Mo Bei did not intend to let Fang Mosou off so easily. They had to sing a song that they had never heard before. In the end, she sang "Tomorrow Will Be Better", which meant that life at home was getting better and better, and tomorrow would be even better. Only then did the two of them give up!

  After the excitement, Fang Mo Nan started distributing New Year's gifts, with each bed unit receiving bedding, sheets, pillowcases, and ceramic washbasins, as well as iron-made hot water bottles. Fortunately, she also had Skinny Monkey bring back many goods from Shanghai, otherwise there wouldn't have been enough. As for Fatty, he was taken away by Liang Zi to be given to him.

  On the thirtieth day, Father decided not to 'return home' anymore. He took Mother to the countryside to sweep their ancestors' tombs, tidied up the graves, pulled out withered weeds and muttered about past events for two hours before leaving. Looking at the village's low earth houses, winding dirt roads, some families still lit kerosene lamps at night.

  Think again about the county town where his mother-in-law lives, Xin Tong Village's newly built highway, and Da Chengzi's new red-brick house. The place where he grew up is still so backward and poor, separated by a county, how can it be so different?

  Dad and the others finally returned on New Year's Eve, February 1st, 1984. This New Year's Eve was no longer quiet, but lively and bustling with family members gathering together. After dinner, Qiū Shí hastily left to accompany the factory workers through the night. The people who stayed behind chatted and laughed while watching the Spring Festival Gala, where the hosts' and performers' outfits were no less impressive than those of Hong Kong and Taiwan stars, and even slightly surpassed them.

  Grandma spent the New Year without rest, receiving relatives who came in waves. After the hustle and bustle, silence remained. After the fifth day of the new year, Shouhu and Jinyu went to Shanghai, Liangzi and Pangzi opened their business with great luck, setting off 20,000 firecrackers, and Grandma's steamed bun shop continued to operate.

  "Dad looked around the house and saw that it was bustling again, "Mom, Da Yan, let's go to Uncle Lin's house, I have something to discuss with you." Dad said as he came in.

  The three of them entered Lin's house, where Fang Mo Nan was present. Mo Bei was also there looking at the score, while Leonard followed Old Master Lin to discuss the Tao Te Ching.

  Old Dad and them came in, Lin old man saw the situation, "What are you all..."

  "Uncle Lin, I have some ideas that I'd like to discuss with everyone." Dad brought over a chair for Grandma and two stools, handing one to Mom and sitting down himself.

  "Oh! Something to discuss, it just so happens I also have something to say to you." Old Master Lin said: "Being blocked by this thunderstorm, I was thinking of telling you later." "What is it, you speak first!"

  "It was like this, before the New Year the company talked to me about it, and after the New Year I would be promoted." Dad didn't show any excitement upon hearing about the promotion, he just calmly said.

  "This is good, you can really hold your breath." The old mother glanced at him and scolded.

  "I've decided I'm done." Dad's eyes gleamed brightly as he said this, dropping a bombshell.

  "You... you... why didn't you discuss it with me?" Mother said anxiously.

  Mr. Lin saw that his mother still wanted to say something and interrupted her by saying: "What's on your mind?"

  "I want to join politics!" Dad said with a loud voice, then softened down, "It's just that I don't know if I can get in or not."

  "Haha... it seems you've asked the right person. Lin old man smiled, "A few days ago, considering your performance in road repair, Wang asked me to probe your intentions, whether you're interested in working in the county. He found out that you got promoted in the company and doesn't know what you think in your heart. Nowadays everyone wants to make money, I'm afraid you might look down on our small county town, so let me ask first."

  Fang Mo Nan was shocked that his father wanted to enter politics, previously he hated it the most. Talking about officials, they start meetings at 8 and arrive at 9, not a minute late, listening to reports, one cup of water, one sheet of paper, and soon it's time for class to end. He hasn't even made as much money as him, looks like his little wings are flapping hard, but he shouldn't be entering politics, starting a business is more suitable!

  "Dad, why do you want to get into politics?" Fang Mo Nan asked with wide eyes.

  "This, I don't have such a big heart, it's just that during this time, I've been watching Uncle Lin, especially after reading so much history. It feels like my mom's small shop, although it seems to be operating with sound and color, but if I were to take the official path, at least I wouldn't be bullied as much. Just like installing a phone or tap water, these small things, one word from an official is more effective than my mom running around five or six times." My dad spoke very bluntly and simply, he personally saw that after his family installed a phone and tap water, people with money also wanted to install them, but they were rejected after just one trip, without special approval from the leadership, even with money it's useless. In his heart, being able to install a phone at home was thanks to Old Master Lin, who had connections in the county, this had a big impact on him."

  "Dad hesitated for a moment, but still said frankly: 'This is just my personal idea. I just want to establish some connections in the official circle, and it's easier to get things done. Compared to ordinary people, they don't have any connections, like headless flies bumping around.'"

  "You're straightforward and honest," said Old Man Lin, and privately, it couldn't be said to be wrong either. People's hearts are hard to measure, and as time passes, public hearts can become private ones. Who knows what the future will bring? "It just so happens that Wang has been paying attention to your performance while repairing the road and intends to transfer you to work in the county committee, but the position won't be too high when you first start."

  "Go ahead! Go in first and talk later, what's the job? Anything will do." Dad had no objection, each person has their own way, they have to go in and talk.

  "That's settled then." Old Master Lin asked again, "Zhengping, you didn't even go back home for the New Year, and now you've decided to quit without discussing it with your family?"

  "Discussing? No need to discuss anymore." Dad said with a pretentious tone.

  "Do you know what I mean?" Old Man Lin sighed and said. "You've decided to cut ties with your family, given them all the money, don't you need to write a letter or something?"

  "Anyway, she can't wait for this poor devil not to come to her door! I won't go and just satisfy her heart, no need to see this thorn in the eye, flesh in the knife, what else to write?" Old Dad thought.

  Mr. Lin shook his head, "You don't go, it doesn't mean they won't come to you for more money."

  "Ah! There's still such a thing, wasn't the money all given?! " The old mother shouted out loud and clapped her hands. "Right, children supporting their elderly parents is an obligation, with their shameless degree they can really come again."

  Mr. Lin said with a serious tone: "You are only thinking about the present, you haven't thought about how things will develop in the future, nobody knows what it will be like. It's good to take precautions beforehand."

  "Dad thought for a moment, 'If it's really written in black and white, that would be a complete breakdown.' He thought that if things were left ambiguous, there might still be a thread of hope, a good imagination."

  "What? You... you..." The old lady stared at him with wide eyes, but Lin Lao Ye interrupted her, "Zheng Ping, you need to think carefully about this." "I'll go to the county first and give them an answer."

  Grandma comforted the old mother, and the atmosphere was somewhat stagnant and oppressive for a while. She didn't want to reopen the wound that had just been torn open, with fresh blood still glistening on her face.