sbdcsierra Chapter 1866 It's not that I'm afraid of bad things happening, it's that I'm afr
Chapter 1866 It's not that I'm afraid of bad things happening, it's that I'm afr
Chapter 1866 It's not that I'm afraid of bad things happening, it's that I'm afraid of a lack of good
As the sun sets, in the Zhao family courtyard of Yong'an Village, Zhao Youcai sits on a small stool in front of the house, takes off his cloth shoes, and emptys the small pebbles from inside.
Old Master Zhao was sitting on a four-legged stool next to him.
Just then, the dog in the backyard barked a few times. Zhao Youcai and Old Master Zhao looked up at the gate of the courtyard, and soon they saw the women of various families, led by Wang Meilan, entering the courtyard chatting and laughing.
There isn't much work to do in the fields at this time of year, but the weeds grow very quickly. If you don't weed for a few days, the land will become overgrown.
Today, Wang Meilan led a group of people to weed the land in Nandadi. They worked all day to finish cleaning up the land belonging to her family, the Li family, and the Lin family. Tomorrow, they will have to go to the land belonging to the Zhang family and the Wang family.
Seeing Wang Meilan and the others return, Old Master Zhao breathed a sigh of relief. With Xing San not at home, it was quite difficult for him to look after Zhao Youcai by himself; even during the day, he had to peek out through the ventilation vent when he went to the outhouse.
"Dad, have you cooked yet?" Wang Meilan asked as she approached. Zhao Youcai stood up and said, "It'll be ready soon. We'll eat as soon as Dayong and the others get back."
"Where are the second daughters?" Wang Meilan asked Zhao Hong and Zhao Na again. Zhao Youcai replied, "They threw down their schoolbags as soon as they got home and ran outside to play."
These days, kids just run around and play all day. Especially this time of year, they won't come home unless they're playing outside until mealtime.
Hearing Zhao Youcai's words, Wang Meilan and the others didn't think much of it, because one of the children was named Xiaolingdang, and when the commuter train whistle sounded outside the village, she would bring her aunts and uncles back.
After a busy afternoon in the fields, everyone was covered in dust and dirt. Wang Meilan and the others put down their hoes and went straight into the East Vegetable Garden. They took off their scarves and used the pump to wash their faces.
Zhao Youcai raised his hand to check his watch. Seeing that it was time, he prepared to get up and go to the backyard to uncover the pot and collect the steamed buns.
Just as Zhao Youcai got up, a jeep drove into the Zhao family compound along the path.
"Oh!" Zhao Youcai exclaimed in surprise, "My son is back?"
"It's my son who's back," Old Master Zhao said with a smile, correcting Zhao Youcai as he quickly got up to greet him.
Sure enough, after the jeep stopped, Zhao Weipeng got out.
His son kept complaining about wanting to lose weight but hadn't, while Zhao Weipeng had actually lost a lot of weight.
Over the past few months, Zhao Weipeng has been quite busy, making the trip from Yong'an to Shenzhen every month. He also occasionally has to return to the Hebei company and visit the Yong'an supermarket in Shanhe.
After all this, Zhao Weipeng lost weight, but his wallet got thicker.
Upon seeing Zhao Weipeng return, Grandma Zhao and Liang Xuemei hurriedly came out of the yard, while Zhao Youcai, Wang Meilan, and others were a little slower, but they also joined in.
"Hey? Where's our son?" After greeting his parents and wife, Zhao Weipeng asked about his chubby son, saying, "They're still in a meeting."
“They’ve been back for a while,” Liang Xuemei said. “They went up the mountain with his brother.”
"Up the mountain?" Zhao Weipeng was taken aback and asked, "What were you going up the mountain for the other day?"
"Those guys went hiking," Liang Xuemei said, lightly patting Zhao Weipeng's arm and asking, "Did you get us any shampoo?"
Since Yong'an Supermarket opened, these stores have never lacked daily necessities. They have everything from soap and toothpaste to laundry detergent and shampoo—you name it, they have it.
Last month, a new batch of shampoo arrived by train, but due to its simple packaging, it didn't attract Wang Meilan and her family. They kept one pack—the one hundred small packets of the kind they were used to—while the new shampoo remained untouched.
Zhao Weipeng didn't think much of it. Since the new shampoo came in a roll, he figured he could just take it to the supermarket and give it away as a free gift.
It has to be said that these days, giving away free gifts is incredibly attractive to ordinary people. Yong'an Supermarket became a household name in Shanhe County in just two months, all because of its generous free gifts.
Yong'an Supermarket offers the same daily necessities as department stores, such as shampoo, laundry detergent, soap, and toothpaste, at the same prices. Taking advantage of the lack of transportation costs, they offer "buy five get two free" or "buy ten get five free" promotions. This allows department store managers and employees to openly shop at Yong'an Supermarket.
To Zhao Weipeng's surprise, the free shampoo, which was initially unpopular, became a hit. Even Chu Xiaoxue, the supermarket manager and accountant, said that the free shampoo was better than the regular product, leaving her hair smooth and fragrant after washing.
On a whim, Zhao Weipeng took a pack home. After the women used it once, they all urged him to restock.
The women stared at the large bag Zhao Weipeng pulled from the car, but Zhao Weipeng was the first to take out two Shilin cigarettes and two Hongtashan cigarettes from the bag.
After handing the stone forest and the Hongtashan tea to Zhao Youcai, Zhao Weipeng took out five pieces of Yingchun tea from his bag and presented them to his father.
It's not that Zhao Weipeng is unfilial. Boss Zhao isn't short of money. He can give Zhao Youcai Shilin and Hongtashan cigarettes, so he can give them to his own father.
However, over the years, Mr. Zhao has always maintained the fine tradition of hard work and thrift, and he rarely even smokes cigarettes that cost five cents a pack.
At this moment, Old Master Zhao glanced at the Yingchun (a type of traditional Chinese gift) his son handed him, then looked up and stared at Zhao Weipeng's chubby face.
"Dad," Zhao Weipeng thought his father was reluctant to smoke, so he immediately advised, "Our family's situation is getting better and better, you should smoke some good cigarettes too."
When Zhao Weipeng said this, he didn't notice the look his wife, Liang Xuemei, gave him.
However, Zhao Weipeng saw that after his father finished listening to him, he glanced to the side and looked at the stone forest and Hongtashan in Zhao Youcai's hands.
It's not that Old Master Zhao has lost his good manners; it's just that he's always with Xing San, and Xing San always shares a cigarette with him, so he smokes along with him.
Grandpa Zhao is so old, it's not that he's trying to compete with others, but he smokes Shilin, Hongtashan, and Zhonghua cigarettes, and he's become quite picky about them.
Once you've reached a certain level of sophistication in smoking or tea drinking, it's hard to bring it down. I used to enjoy Yingchun cigarettes, but now they just burn my throat.
But Old Master Zhao was too embarrassed to say it, so he could only accept the cigarette.
Seeing his father's hesitant manner, Zhao Weipeng advised, "Dad, just smoke this one, don't always smoke those grape or lingzhi cigarettes."
In the past, when Zhao Weipeng said this, Old Master Zhao would say that it was good enough to have grapes and lingzhi mushrooms, because in the past, they couldn't even afford these and had to smoke old-fashioned tobacco.
But today, Grandpa Zhao didn't say anything. He just held the five twigs of winter jasmine and stood silently to the side.
Zhao Weipeng sensed something was wrong with his father, but seeing the old man's ruddy complexion, Zhao Weipeng didn't think much of it and just continued taking things out of the bag.
The candy and snacks for the children, the shampoo for Wang Meilan and the others, and the floral dress and martial arts novel that Chu Xiaoxue asked Zhao Weipeng to bring to Li Tongyun.
Taking the floral dress from Zhao Weipeng, Li Tongyun unfolded it in front of her and held it up to her own eyes. Then she said to Jin Xiaomei, "Auntie, do you think this dress will fit you?"
It wasn't that Li Tongyun disliked the gift her friend gave her; it was mainly that she couldn't wear it.
Miss Chu has been living a wonderful life lately; her salary of one hundred yuan is more than her mother's.
She usually lives at home, and since she doesn't have any children to support, she spends all her salary on herself, spending her days eating, drinking, and primping.
Although Yong'an Supermarket doesn't sell food or clothes, there's a department store right across the street.
And so, Chu Xiaoxue became a spendthrift. Her former slightly chubby figure became overweight.
I bought a floral dress last month, but before I even had a chance to wear it, I can no longer fit into it.
Chu Anmin and his wife were deeply concerned about Chu Xiaoxue's situation. They suggested that Chu Xiaoxue resign and go to a forest area under the Forestry Bureau to gain experience.
But it's easy to go from frugality to extravagance, but difficult to go from extravagance to frugality, and Chu Xiaoxue absolutely refused to do so.
At that time, Chu Xiaoxue posed three soul-searching questions to Chu Anmin and his wife: How much money can I earn working in the forest area? Will that little bit of money be enough for me to spend? Will I be able to buy whatever I want to eat?
Looking at his chubby daughter, Chu Anmin couldn't help but ask, "How are you doing now? Can you still buy me whatever you want to eat?"
These words were a bit hurtful to her pride, and Chu Xiaoxue almost ran away from home.
From then on, Chu Xiaoxue faced her future squarely. Her career path was probably completely blocked, so she decided to focus on working hard and making a difference at Yong'an Supermarket.
Jin Xiaomei took the dress from Li Tongyun and, after a brief comparison, knew she couldn't wear it. Not only could she not wear it, but most of the women present couldn't either.
There aren't many fat people these days, and among these women, only Xie Sunshi and Xu Chunyan are slightly overweight. Xie Sunshi is out of the question; at her age, anyone wearing a floral dress outside is likely in poor health.
So Jin Xiaomei handed the skirt to Xu Chunyan.
Xu Chunyan was a little embarrassed to accept, and only said that Li Tongyun should alter the dress. Then the women started discussing how to alter the dress.
While he was there, Zhao Youcai went to the backyard to pick up some steamed buns, then went back into the house and sat down with Zhao Weipeng and Grandpa Zhao to smoke and chat.
"Big brother, how have you been lately?" Zhao Weipeng asked casually, but Zhao Youcai's heart skipped a beat.
To outsiders, Zhao Youcai's life seemed like the best in Yong'an. But only he knew whether his life was truly good or bad.
Seeing that Zhao Youcai remained silent, Zhao Weipeng turned his gaze to his father.
"Dad," Zhao Weipeng asked his father, "you and Mom are doing well, aren't you?"
"Okay." Old Master Zhao answered readily, saying, "I'll have good food and drink every day, as well as good cigarettes and wine."
"Huh?" Zhao Weipeng was taken aback when he heard this. His father had clearly emphasized the words "good cigarettes" earlier.
Just then, Old Master Zhao took out a large pack of Zhonghua cigarettes from his pocket and handed it to Zhao Weipeng, saying, "This is cigarettes that Zhao Jun bought for us. Try it, it's quite good."
Zhao Weipeng: "..."
Zhao Weipeng had smoked a pack of Zhonghua cigarettes before, and he had even brought some home, but his father hadn't said that before.
Regardless of what happened in the past, after all these years in the business, Zhao Weipeng naturally understood his father's unspoken meaning.
"It's good... Dad, you can have it." Zhao Weipeng pushed the cigarette back and laughed, "If you like it, I'll buy you this in the future."
"Yes!" Old Master Zhao responded readily, then deftly put away the half-pack of Zhonghua cigarettes.
Grandpa Zhao was very happy to have his own cigarettes and rations, and he pulled Zhao Weipeng aside to chat about the recent changes in Zhao Jinhui.
In Grandpa Zhao's eyes, his eldest grandson is the most outstanding. Although his eldest grandson has gained some weight recently, he is now ambitious and hardworking.
The father and son chatted, with Zhao Youcai keeping them company, while the women prepared dinner. The house was filled with peace and harmony.
At this time, the Pang family in Yongshengtun was shrouded in gloom and despair.
Pang Zhendong lay pale on the kang (a heated brick bed). It was already mid-June, and he was still covered with a thick quilt, looking very weak.
Besides Pang Gaoming and his wife, Zhao Dejiang, a doctor from Yongshengtun Health Clinic, was also in the room.
At this moment, Zhao Dejiang was preparing medicine to give Pang Zhendong an IV drip. The medicine had been brought back from the city by Pang Gaoming. While preparing the medicine, Zhao Dejiang asked Pang Zhendong, "What happened? How did you get pneumonia after just one trip out?"
"Oh dear." Pang Zhendong looked sickly, blinked his one eye slightly, and said, "He's caught a chill."
"My goodness, it's still chilly here." Zhao Dejiang said, freeing one hand and pressing the back of his hand against Pang Zhendong's forehead.
"He's been burning up like this all along?" Zhao Dejiang turned to Pang Gaoming and asked, "What did the doctor in the city say?"
"Just tell them to get an injection to reduce the inflammation," Pang Gaoming said. "Say that once the inflammation subsides, they'll be fine."
"His condition is quite serious." Zhao Dejiang put the IV drip on Pang Zhendong and instructed, "Drink more warm water and don't let it get cold again."
After giving his instructions, Zhao Dejiang began packing his things. Pang Gaoming and his wife saw him off at the door, where they saw Han Shengli, Wang Yaoguang, Han Wenxue, and Pang Zhihua coming from the west.
Han Wenxue and Pang Zhihua are from the Pang family faction, and Han Shengli has a business relationship with the old Pang family. Pang Gaoming knows all three of them, but he does not know Wang Yaoguang.
However, guests are guests, and the four of them did not come empty-handed, so Pang Gaoming hurriedly invited them into the house.
"Oh my god!" Han Shengli exclaimed upon entering the room and seeing Pang Zhendong's condition, asking, "Brother Dong, what happened? Who cooked this?"
"Oh dear, don't even mention it," Pang Zhendong said with a pained expression. "I caught a chill and got pneumonia."
"Is it that serious?" Han Shengli frowned upon hearing this and said, "If I had known you were sick, I would have bought you two cans of peaches."
"What's there to buy? It's enough that you came," Pang Zhendong said weakly, then noticed Wang Yaoguang.
"Ouch." Pang Zhendong stared at Wang Yaoguang's face with his one eye and said, "Why do you look so flustered? What's your surname?"
"Uncle Pang." Wang Yaoguang stepped forward and said with a smile, "I am Wang Yaoguang, and my father is Wang Daxi. Do you remember me?"
Upon hearing Wang Yaoguang introduce himself, Pang Zhendong instinctively braced himself against the kang (a heated brick bed) with both hands, saying, "How come I don't remember you? Um... did you come back by yourself? Where's your dad?"
“My father is gone,” Wang Yaoguang said. “He passed away in 79.”
"Oh dear." Hearing Wang Yaoguang's words, Pang Zhendong sighed and then asked, "So you came back by yourself this time?"
Pang Zhendong's words were an attempt to find out Wang Yaoguang's purpose in returning and why Wang Yaoguang had come to his Pang family's door.
“I brought people back with me this time, Uncle Pang.” Wang Yaoguang smiled and said, “I’m in charge of mountain herding now.”
Upon hearing Wang Yaoguang's words, both the Pang father and son were taken aback. Grazing is grazing, but when it comes to managing the grazing business, one must be the ginseng master.
Coming to his senses, Pang Zhendong, despite his illness, mustered his strength and asked Wang Yaoguang, "So you came here... to ask for a bowl of water?"
Pang Zhendong's use of "asking for a bowl of water" is slang used by those traveling in the mountains, meaning he was asking Wang Yaoguang if he was passing by.
"Uncle Pang, don't worry," Wang Yaoguang said with a smile. "We're not here for the aroma of corn, but for the sweetness of wild pears. We'll just pick up some loose goods."
Upon hearing Wang Yaoguang's words, Pang Zhendong and Zhao Jun reacted in the same way: they both disbelieved him.
Before Pang Zhendong could say anything, Wang Yaoguang said, "Uncle Pang, there's a big shipment in the Black Forest right now. Do you want to go and share some of the spoils with him?"
"A big truck?" Upon hearing those two words, Pang Zhendong immediately perked up and asked, "What big truck? Who's it?"
Seeing that Pang Zhendong was interested, Wang Yaoguang smiled and said, "This man is called Zhao Jun."
Upon hearing the name Zhao Jun, Pang Zhendong's one eye widened instantly.