Ji Ying was at the factory taking a call from Xu Nianhua.
"Nianhua, it’s enough for you and Nian’an to be safe over there. Why did you have to buy such a big color TV? That must have cost a pretty penny, right?" Ji Ying had received a color television. In this era when even black-and-white TVs were rare, a color TV was something extraordinary.
Of course, the price was also extremely high.
"Mom, what’s the point of just saving the money we earn? With the TV, you can watch shows when you come home, right?" Xu Nianhua said, smiling broadly, imagining how happy she would be with the brand-new TV in their new home.
"You kids are just squandering money." Although Ji Ying was touched, she also felt happy. She was touched because they had only just started earning money, and here they were spending so much to buy a color TV.
"You and dad raised my brother and me for over twenty years. Now that we’ve finally started making money, buying you a color TV is the least we can do. Later on, we’ll buy you a refrigerator and a washing machine too!"
Xu Nianhua said grandly. And that wasn’t all; in the future, there would be an air conditioner and other items that others had. She wanted to buy them all for their parents, who had worked hard all their lives, so they could enjoy the good life.
"I know you are filial, but it would be better to save that money. Don’t spend it frivolously, as there are many more things you’ll need money for in the future," Ji Ying warned, fearing they would spend as much as they earned.
Xu Nian’an still needs to get married, and it’s unclear where Nianhua might end up in her future, so it’s always good to have extra money.
"Mom, money is meant to be spent. If we don’t use it, it just sits there like a piece of scrap paper." Xu Nianhua didn’t linger on the topic. Her mother had been poor for too long, so wanting to save money, once they had it, was understandable.
But Xu Nianhua felt that when it was time to show filial piety, it needed to be done.
"By the way, mom, when are we moving into the new house?" Xu Nianhua changed the subject to ask.
Sure enough, Ji Ying didn’t nag her further, following her lead and responding, "We had someone check the dates, and May 10 is a good day. We’ll move then. Your dad’s factory offers furniture and other items ready-made at the lowest prices. We’ve reserved two rooms upstairs for you and Nian’an. Didn’t you say you wanted a big bed and a large wardrobe? It’s all taken care of."
"Thanks, mom." Xu Nianhua was so thrilled she could hardly contain herself.
"Your big brother will build a house next year, so for now, he’ll live on the first floor with us," Ji Ying explained. "By the way, Grandma Cai came by. She saw that the house was well-kept and said she felt very safe renting it to us."
"That’s great. How is Grandma Cai doing?" Xu Nianhua asked casually.
"She’s fine." Ji Ying thought they had talked for quite some time and, worrying about the phone bill, said, "You and Nian’an just focus on your studies. Your dad and I can earn enough to support your university education."
"Got it." Xu Nianhua wished she could hug the phone and talk for an hour, but Ji Ying was ready to hang up after a few words. Xu Nianhua reluctantly ended the call, her heart swelling with joy as she thought about how their family situation was improving.
After hanging up, Xu Nianhua went specifically to find Xu Nian’an.
"What were you up to last week? You didn’t go on a date with Yicheng, did you?" Xu Nian’an looked at Xu Nianhua and whispered in her ear, "Little sister, you’re a girl and must be reserved. Before you’re married, aside from holding hands, you shouldn’t let him take any liberties. If you ended up pregnant..."
"Then I can’t get an abortion, right?" Xu Nianhua picked up where he left off. Having to hear this every single time, Xu Nianhua was especially speechless. She said, "Nian’an, you can rest assured, a hundred and twenty percent assured; we are very pure and haven’t done anything inappropriate."