Chapter 1119: Chapter 992: Intentions
Outside in the evening, it was snowing heavily with a strong wind that swept up the snowflakes, stinging people. After the excitement of the event, they just awaited Zhang Ziwen’s wedding.
Zhang the Second was too busy to focus on discussing the wedding for the coming year; he was pulling Ping An Brothers together in the west room to ask what items they still had on hand.
Since they knew the other party was genuinely helping them to exchange items, Brother Ping’an and his siblings didn’t hide anything from him, except keeping some pocket money to themselves. They put everything else on the kang.
Zhang the Second chuckled as he watched them, "Shouldn’t you ask your second uncle what he’s up to first?"
"No need to ask. You’re our dear second uncle; we’ll just follow your lead."
"Then how about you give everything to me?"
"No problem, after keeping the gift for Brother Ziweng, you can take the rest."
Being trusted by the kids, along with their generosity, made Zhang the Second very happy. All his effort in arranging for the kids was worthwhile.
He didn’t tease them and spoke directly, "How about I exchange everything for pork and local specialties for you?"
"From the Black Market? Second Uncle, won’t it be dangerous? Maybe we shouldn’t do it."
As soon as Ping’an said this, Liu Yi and May 1st exchanged glances and secretly rolled their eyes. Their brother was planning to keep pushing the limits.
"I’m not going to the Black Market, and you can’t buy much pork there anyway. I thought, your parents earn a decent salary each month; converting it all to money isn’t necessary when you can take food back with you.
It’s year-end, and many rural households have slaughtered pigs for tasks, selling half and keeping half. Some families with difficult conditions might sell most of it.
Some of them can’t bear to sell to the collection stations at a low price, so it’s perfect to buy the meat from them. Price-wise, it’s a bit lower than the Black Market, and bartering won’t lead to a loss."
Ping’an nodded with a smile, "We’ll follow Second Uncle’s advice. Let me ask Dad to send more cigarettes to you when we get back."
"Ha-ha, that works. You don’t know how those cigarettes give you face when you bring them out; last time I went to the provincial city for an errand, and just one stick was enough." Zhang the Second raised a finger, "They saw it, and it got done promptly with enthusiasm."
Ping’an’s eyes twinkled as he laughed, "I’ll send some over."
Zhang the Second quickly waved his hand, "No, too much is useless. Your dad needs it more for socializing; as for me, apart from doing errands in the provincial city, there’s no use for it elsewhere. People in the village prefer tobacco leaves; in the county, with your dad’s reputation, it’s unnecessary."
He worried Liu Yi and May 1st might not understand, so he explained further, "Our family is somewhat notable now in the county. If your second uncle smoked a special cigarette every day, people would start talking negatively behind his back instead of being impressed. It’s not about making friends but rather creating grievances."
"Same goes for you back home. Of course, you’re different from second uncle; when you show off, others might not dare to say anything, but they certainly won’t be happy inside. If someone asks where you live, say at your grandpa’s house; if asked about your parents, just pretend not to understand. Do you understand what second uncle means?"
The brothers smiled and nodded obediently, indicating they understood.
Liu Yi took a luggage bag out of the wardrobe first. They had to give him something to carry away, right? As for whether it would be a lot or little, since they sought help, there was no room for doubt.
After seeing Zhang Guoqiang off, the three brothers noticed it was late, and it was freezing outside with no place to go, so they started to heat some water and climbed onto the kang.
The hot kang, warm quilts, the brothers whispered inside: "I saw Sister Mai Sui’s red packets; everyone had just one yuan in it."
"Quite extravagant."
"May 1st, you’re not being kind; after taking the benefit, you say they’re extravagant. I think she has a straightforward personality but lacks skills."
"Hehe, you can’t ask for too much; at least, she’s gone to college."
"How do you think Mom would react if she saw it?"
"Glance, and walk away."
As soon as Liu Yi said this, the brothers muffled their laughter. Honestly, that’s just the reaction their mother would have.
"I notice our eldest aunt really approves of her daughter-in-law. She didn’t say a word to us tonight."
Ping’an laughed mockingly, "She’s just upset we brothers wasted a table of good food and drink. She only sees immediate benefits."
Liu Yi scoffed twice, "She’s someone who lacks self-awareness. Why bother with her? If she goes too far, I’ll embarrass her publicly."
...
Not long after, Zhang Ziwen, who agreed to sleep together tonight, quietly sneaked in, "Are you guys resting? Before sleeping, I want to discuss something."
May 1st immediately scanned him keenly and smiled, "What’s so important that you’re shivering instead of joining us?"
"Little rascal!" Zhang Ziwen couldn’t help but laugh, "After I finish the wedding, will you go back?"
This was for sure.
"In this cold winter, maybe you should return sooner? Whether or not you attend the wedding doesn’t matter; your intentions are clear, but it’s not good not to be home for New Year’s."
"Huh?"
"I mean, my wedding is just a simple meal; there’s no need for you to wait here miserably. Tomorrow, I’ll invite you to a meal with Xiao Mao; is that okay?"
Ping’an looked at him with a smile that wasn’t quite a smile, "You don’t want us to attend the wedding?"
"Of course not! With all three of you here, our older uncles would be worried sick. You see Mr. Wang and the others will be home for New Year’s, right?"
Liu Yi spoke softly, "Truth is, they won’t go home for New Year’s."
Zhang Ziwen confirmed once more, "Are you sure you don’t want to go back?"
"Uh-huh, we’ll stay until after the wedding feast."
"Why don’t you come back to the county with me? It’s hard to go anywhere from here, but in the county you can call or telegraph your grandpa to let them know you’re safe."
Ping’an looked at his brothers, thought for a moment, and said, "We’ll wait a couple more days before going back to the county."
"No way, if you sneak up the mountain, I won’t be able to face grandpa. Listen to your brother; in the county, I’ll take you out for fun."
Turns out, he said all this because he was worried they would act recklessly.
May 1st immediately raised his hand, "I can guarantee we’re reliable comrades passing any test."
Beside him, Liu Yi also nodded slightly and said quietly, "Safety first; we won’t venture into the mountains during a snowy season."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Ziwen looked at Ping’an worriedly.
Ping’an laughed and shook his head, "Before coming, Dad already made rules for us. Don’t worry; I won’t let an eight-year-old brother up the mountain."
"Okay, then, I trust you this time. Head back to the county with Grandpa the day after tomorrow; I won’t come to pick you. Is there any problem?"
Ping’an nodded reluctantly and swiftly changed the subject, otherwise it would be dawn before they stopped talking.
They appreciated his good intentions, but attending Xi Zi’s wedding without attending his would bother outsiders unaware of his uncle Zhang Chunming’s lack of concern.
Since the three brothers had come from so far away, it wasn’t necessary to leave right away. Zhang Ziwen, you’re just overthinking it.
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