NOVEL NEXT Chapter 19
Chapter 19
As the end of the year approached, the festive atmosphere grew stronger with each passing day. People started preparing delicious food and performing ancestral rituals at gravesites. During the New Year period, children in every household would receive some pocket money.
With firecrackers sounding every day, the approach of New Year’s Eve was imminent. Once this time arrived, everyone considered the year to be almost over.
Su Fei and Ningning also prepared many non-perishable foods for offerings on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Su Fei didn’t know who to offer these to since her parents were still alive and well.
After packing everything up, Ningning kept asking Su Fei, “Have you decided yet? Are you going to offer your parents’ names?”
Su Fei racked her brains, trying to recall her past memories, but nothing came to mind. With a bitter smile, she said, “Forget it, I won’t do it. I can’t remember anything. It’s enough to offer your parents, anyway. Your parents are my parents too.”
Ningning thought it was fine too. After all, he wouldn’t remember either. But Su Fei’s way of speaking was really something. “Alright, we’ll offer them once you remember.”
“Okay, shall we go today? I read in the letters from several newspapers that they sent us some New Year goods. I wonder what they are. It would be nice if they gave us more money!” Su Fei said while reading the letters. She was delighted at the thought of having extra money for herself.
Ningning continued to work quietly, organizing the kitchen first, then the storeroom, and finally sharpening the sickle and other farming tools in preparation for planting in the spring.
Without lifting his head, Ningning said, “Just accept whatever they give you gratefully. Even if they didn’t send anything, we would still celebrate the New Year. Complaining about what they send as New Year goods is not appropriate.”
Su Fei thought about it and realized that her attitude was wrong. She should write a thank-you letter promptly. “Okay, I’ll listen to you. I’ll write the letter now to thank the editors and then send over the articles I’ve written these past few days.”
Ningning nodded in approval. He was actually very satisfied with Su Fei’s attitude of discussing everything with him. Compared to other women in the village, Su Fei was particularly respectful.
However, Ningning couldn’t help but feel regretful. He shouldn’t have suggested letting Su Fei keep the payments by herself. Now he regretted it deeply. With so much money, they could have repaired the house. No, he had to find a way to get Su Fei’s money back.
Su Fei was unaware that Ningning had his eyes on her little purse. As someone who used to enjoy modern comforts, her material demands were quite high.
Nowadays, Su Fei would often go to the market. She bought anything delicious or interesting she came across. If something was delicious, she would buy more of it next time, but if it wasn’t, she wouldn’t touch it again.
Ningning couldn’t stand Su Fei’s bourgeois lifestyle. But he couldn’t say anything to Su Fei. After all, whenever she bought something, she would always bring him a portion and even deliberately buy more for him. For example, the gloves he was wearing now and the hand cream he had been using recently.
Su Fei recalled the time they went to the county hotel to eat braised pork belly. Now she was craving meat again. Although there was always meat at home now, it didn’t taste as good as the food at the hotel. Perhaps she should spend some of her money, save up two hundred yuan in cash, and spend the rest. After all, it was the New Year.
Su Fei thought her plan was flawless. Besides, she wanted to buy Ningning a pair of shoes and pants. Ningning had made several sets of new clothes for himself, and the handmade shoes he wore were extremely comfortable.
Su Fei said excitedly, “Ningning, let’s go to the county tomorrow to mail these letters and then…”
Ningning knew exactly what Su Fei wanted to say next without her finishing her sentence. He said in a tone devoid of warmth, “Are you thinking about going shopping at the department store again and eating at the hotel? Do you suddenly have extra money to burn?”
Su Fei hurriedly defended herself and said, “Let’s go, let’s go. I saw the snacks brought back by the village head’s daughter-in-law, and I thought it would be nice to make some homemade snacks for her in return. Let’s go buy her something.”
Su Fei was cunning enough not to mention that she wanted to buy Ningning a pair of leather shoes. If she had said it, Ningning would definitely demand the money and refuse to buy them, saying they couldn’t afford it.
Seeing the satisfied expression on Su Fei’s fair face, Ningning knew she still couldn’t see clearly the situation in the village. In the village, giving a piece of meat or some local snacks as a gift was considered a generous gesture.
“Alright, but you have to give me all the money you’ve saved up. You should spend your petty cash now,” Ningning said seriously, demanding access to Su Fei’s small savings.
Su Fei knew her money wouldn’t stay in her hands for long. Without getting angry, she handed all her savings over to Ningning. She knew her money would eventually be spent on both of them.
Su Fei handed over the 200 yuan she had saved up without hesitation. Then she excitedly said, “Let’s go shopping, and then I’ll buy you a pair of leather shoes. I saw the village head’s daughter-in-law’s husband wearing a pair, and it caused a sensation in the village. Let’s go buy a better pair for you.”
Ningning, who had assumed Su Fei’s savings were all there was, felt quite pleased. To him, the loose change amounted to nothing. For Su Fei, loose change was anything that wasn’t a round number.
Su Fei happily agreed and continued to write her thank-you letters. After organizing her articles and ensuring there were no typos, she went to mail them. She valued her job greatly now.
After packing everything up, Ningning noticed it was almost noon and decided to cook something special for today. Despite pinching Su Fei’s money, he felt quite happy inside because Su Fei would often buy things for him when she had money.
Su Fei now regarded Ningning as a god. Not only did she buy things for him, but she also willingly cooked and did the laundry for him. With his handsome appearance, cooking skills, and caring nature, Ningning had completely won her heart. She felt that if she let Ningning slip away, it would be like committing suicide.
The two of them lived their lives methodically, planning their days and occasionally visiting the city. When they arrived, they went straight to the post office to mail the letters and then went to withdraw money. Ningning had already arranged everything properly after they arrived. He wouldn’t allow anyone else to touch their money.
Then they happily continued their shopping spree, eating delicious food. Su Fei remembered the modern dating rules, which involved shopping, eating, and giving gifts. So despite what others might think of Su Fei’s extravagant spending, Ningning felt that, although it was extravagant, Su Fei was still happy.
Meanwhile, the postal worker, carrying a large box, was panting heavily. He had no idea how much stuff the newspaper had sent to Su Fei. The heavy box was filled with various goodies.
Ning Xiangxiang had gone to check on Ningning today and found that they had disappeared early. He then saw the postal worker at their door. Curious about the large box, he asked, “Who is this box for?”
Blushing, the postal worker replied, “It’s… it’s for Su Fei. The newspaper sent it as New Year goods.”
Ning Xiangxiang thought for a moment and said, “You can put it in my house first, and I’ll deliver it to Su Fei later. There’s no one at their house right now, so you’ll just be waiting here for nothing.”
The postal worker thought it was a good idea. Back in the day, neighbors used to help each other out. She thanked Ning Xiangxiang and left.
Back home, Ning Daxiong was drunk. When she saw the large box, she didn’t bother asking whose it was. In her house, what was there belonged to her. She immediately opened it and sobered up when she saw its contents. Inside were many good things that she couldn’t even imagine in the countryside: two cans of milk powder, several cans of canned meat…