"Second Brother, please eat slower, no one is competing with you for food," Xu Nianhua said as she watched him wolfing down his meal, hastily reminding him, "Be careful not to choke yourself."
Xu Nian’an was gobbling up his rice, stir-fried chili pork, fried tofu with minced meat, and vegetables. He mixed all his food together in one thermos of rice and ate it all until his once-empty stomach felt comfortable.
There was also rib soup, which he drank heartily, finishing off what his little sister couldn’t eat, filling his stomach completely.
With a satisfied burp, Xu Nian’an was over the moon as he took out all the money he had made that day and stacked it up on Xu Nianhua’s hospital bed.
One-yuan notes, two-yuan notes, five-yuan notes, even fifty-cent pieces, a huge stack that was very eye-catching.
After closing the door to the ward, while straightening out the notes, Xu Nian’an said, "I found a wholesale market just after one pm, and before two pm, you wouldn’t believe it, sis. The market had so many things, loads that I’ve never even seen before."
Xu Nian’an shared his excitement about the day’s experiences with his sister and added, "I think it was around four pm when I got to Ningbei Normal University’s entrance. I had just set up my stand when many people came to look, and many bought stuff too. My throat is on fire right now."
Xu Nian’an grabbed a big cup of water, which soon emptied as he continued, "Today was my first time stocking up. I was just trying it out and didn’t dare buy too much, but everything got sold out."
"Sis, I think I made at least forty yuan today."
Xu Nian’an felt as if he were back in the last summer, reminiscing about the happiness, excitement, and thrill of making and selling Mung Bean Jelly with his sister.
"We can count it to be sure," said Xu Nianhua. Even with her preconceived notions, she found Xu Nian’an’s sales of hairpins and scarves to be quite a success.
The siblings silently counted the money. After subtracting the cost of goods and transportation, they found they had fifty yuan more than what Xu Nian’an had estimated.
"Oh, and there’s this." Xu Nian’an saved a big red scarf, some gloves, and several hairpins, saying, "I specifically kept these for you. And this pink set is for Yining."
Xu Nian’an placed another bag aside, ready to give it to Pei Yining when she came to visit.
"Thanks, Second Brother."
Xu Nianhua gladly accepted the gift. She really liked the big red scarf, which was not only warm but also lovely and made her skin look fairer.
"As long as you like it."
Xu Nian’an handed the money to Xu Nianhua, but she pushed it back to him, saying, "Second Brother, keep the money for your capital. We are counting on you to have enough for our trip home during New Year’s."
"I promise there won’t be a problem."
Xu Nian’an thought that in the future, he must stock up more and sell every day. Over the long term, he was sure to replace that thousand yuan and take it all back home with him.
As Xu Nian’an was putting away the money, suddenly a thought struck him, and he hastily said, "Sis, in the future, you must be careful, and then careful some more."
His abrupt words caught Xu Nianhua off guard, leaving her dumbfounded.
"You have AB Rh-negative blood, commonly known as ’Panda Blood,’" Xu Nian’an said with a solemn expression. "I’ve specifically looked up information on this. People with AB blood type are already fewer than those with other blood types, which makes yours even rarer. Moreover, the most critical thing is, if you are ever in danger and don’t receive a blood transfusion in time, you could be in life-threatening