Chapter 27

147 3 0
                                    

Lu Linxi had saved up three thousand yuan, Tang Yiwarm had five hundred, and she borrowed five thousand five hundred from her father, gathering a total of nine thousand yuan.

This nine thousand was just a thirty percent deposit for the plush toys and hats. Once the goods were sold, they would pay the remaining balance. According to industry standards, the balance was to be paid within three months.

Lu Guanhua was very willing to lend the money this time and didn't offer any warnings. After all, once the hat delivery from the clothing factory arrived, she would have 180,000 yuan coming in. This five thousand five hundred was merely a small amount.

She handed the money to her father, asking him to help make the order over the phone. When they returned home that evening and finished their homework, the two of them started sewing the hats.

Lu Guanhua, having nothing else to do, also helped out.

However, Lu Linxi kept looking around, still waiting for Shi Biaofeng to come back.

If he didn't return, how could he help them distribute the goods?

Lu Linxi was worried, "Dad? Why hasn't Uncle Shi come back yet?"

In the past, he wouldn't be this late. He usually returned within a month, but this time it seemed to be nearly two months.

Lu Guanhua didn't want to think negatively, "Maybe he got delayed by something? You know your Uncle Shi always wants to find his son when he's out driving."

He was just trying to comfort his daughter casually, who would have thought it would turn out to be prophetic.

The warm autumn sun shone on the ground, and the gentle autumn breeze blew, bending the wild grasses by the roadside under the weight of golden seeds, while golden leaves fluttered in the wind.

Outside the Lu family's small shop, Lu Guanhua watched as his daughter, with her backpack slumped over, and Tang Yiwarm hopped off to school. After washing the dishes, he took a broom and cleaned up the shop again, finally taking the trash to the bin on the right side of the alley.

At first, life was particularly inconvenient for him after losing a leg; standing for a while would make his leg ache. But now he was used to it and didn't feel tired.

Just as he turned to go back inside, his eyes inadvertently caught sight of someone walking down the alley. As the person got closer, he realized it was Shi Biaofeng's mother, who was now walking unevenly toward him.

It had rained lightly last night, and with children heading to school in the morning, the road had become a mess.

However, the mud on her feet didn't affect her good mood. Just by looking at her cheerful steps, one could tell there was good news.

Lu Guanhua smiled, "Why aren't you working at the clothing factory?"

The older generation's skills were generally similar, and Shi's mother was quite skilled too.

Shi's mother, radiating joy, didn't even wait until she got close before calling out loudly, "Do you have brown sugar here? I want to buy a bag."

Lu Guanhua raised his eyebrows, surprised. "Oh, the sun must be setting in the west today; the Shi family can actually afford brown sugar now." The Shi family had been trying to save as much as possible to marry off their son. Now they could even afford to buy brown sugar; it seemed his guess was right—there was indeed good news.

Lu Guanhua looked at the sky and cautiously asked, "Has Biaofeng come back?"

He hadn't heard anyone mention his return yesterday.

You'll also like

          

Shi's mother saw his misunderstanding and quickly shook her head, "Not him; my daughter-in-law is pregnant. She just ate, and she feels nauseous and sleepy. It's exactly like my reaction when I was pregnant with Biaofeng. It must be a big baby."

Shi's mother was overjoyed. After having changed four daughters-in-law, she finally hoped for a grandson. This was a monumental occasion.

Lu Guanhua realized, smiling, "You're fortunate! Your new daughter-in-law has only been married for less than two months and is already pregnant. This is indeed great news."

Shi's mother felt somewhat proud. Previously, people in the compound had complained about her family after marrying four daughters-in-law, but she knew she was justified. If it weren't for the inability to have children, why would she have driven anyone away? She had more money than she knew what to do with.

With a grin, Shi's mother rubbed the mud from her shoes onto the cement at the Lu family's entrance while asking Lu Guanhua, "I noticed she seems weak, so I wanted to buy some brown sugar to help her. Do you have good brown sugar?"

Lu Guanhua took a bag of brown sugar from the shop. "This packaged one is pretty good." He then asked, "Have you taken her to the hospital for a check-up? It's not like the past anymore; everything can't just be taken lightly. Nowadays, people are delicate. After all the trouble of finally expecting a grandchild, you need to be careful. If Biaofeng knew, he would definitely be more filial."

He actually wanted to say that just feeling nauseous didn't necessarily mean she was pregnant. He thought it would be safer to get a check-up at the hospital. However, he couldn't say this directly, as it would offend her.

Shi's mother waved her hand with a smile, "No need, my husband knows a bit of medicine; he can tell just by feeling her pulse. It can't be wrong."

Lu Guanhua didn't expect Uncle Shi to know that as well, so he didn't push further.

Shi's mother took a bag of brown sugar, asked him to keep it on account, and was about to head home. Just then, she noticed a big truck parked on the opposite side of the road.

Seeing the truck, she instinctively felt a sense of familiarity since her son was a truck driver. Thinking this way, she glanced over and was startled to see, "Oh my goodness, my son is back!"

She shouted excitedly and ran over to the truck, calling through the window, "Biaofeng! Biaofeng! It's me."

Lu Guanhua, who had gone inside to record the accounts, heard the commotion and stepped out, realizing that Shi Biaofeng had returned.

Just as Shi Biaofeng spotted his mother at the door, he wanted to greet her and ask her to prepare a meal. However, as soon as he got off the truck, he heard his mother shout, "Your wife is pregnant!"

Shi Biaofeng was stunned and didn't even think about driving the truck back to the factory. He eagerly rushed home.

Shi's mother was grinning from ear to ear. Just moments ago, she had mentioned her dissatisfaction with her daughter-in-law, and now learning about the pregnancy, she couldn't wait to get home.

Shi Biaofeng walked quickly and, upon seeing Lu Guanhua at the door, signaled for him to help keep an eye on the vehicle.

Lu Guanhua was somewhat speechless. Every time they returned from a trip, they always brought something back. Did he really expect a one-legged man to keep an eye on a truck left by the roadside without fear of it being stolen?

Grandma Shi clearly thought of this point. She stayed by the roadside to watch the truck, remembering that her son always brought back things when he returned. She climbed up to the truck bed to see what good items her son had brought this time.

The Exchange of Lives in the 1990sWhere stories live. Discover now