But it’s just a thought, she no longer wants to make money just for the sake of making money.
She spent all her energy on it in her past life, and it was more than enough. Now, this is very nice...
"He said if the sales continue to be good, there will be more... So, Mom, don’t hesitate to spend money. Your daughter can earn."
"Okay, okay..." Liu Yulan carefully put away the remittance slip, with a trace of tears in her eyes, "I’ll save it for you to use as dowry when you get married in the future."
"Mom, there you go again, I meant for you to spend it." Wang Miaomiao pouted unhappily upon hearing this.
Liu Yulan touched her head and laughed, "Silly girl, Mom doesn’t lack money to spend..."
"I’m not silly, can’t you be a little nicer to yourself?" Wang Miaomiao sighed helplessly, "This winter, get a new cotton-padded jacket for you and Dad with this money. If you don’t agree, I’ll be upset."
"Auntie, just agree with her." Cheng Xue, seeing this from the side, was about to have red eyes. She missed her mom. Seeing this mother-daughter pair caring for each other reminded her that she had never been filial to her parents and always caused trouble for them... Now, when a child wants to care for their parents, but they are not around, there is no greater sorrow in this world.
Liu Yulan smiled happily. She felt she hadn’t lost out in her life... "Okay, okay, I’ll go buy fabric and cotton, and have your sister make them. We’ll all have new cotton-padded jackets this winter. Everyone will have one."
"Everyone will have what?" Wang Baoxing returned holding farming tools. With the weather getting colder and the days shorter and nights longer, everyone had a shorter lunchtime. Finishing work early meant they could rest earlier and head home.
Knowing the kids were coming back today, Wang Baoxing went out to work early, much more efficiently and without many breaks, just to finish work early and come home.
"Everything’s done? That was quick." Liu Yulan laughed, "We’re talking about making new cotton-padded jackets for you for the New Year. Our daughter’s album sold well, and she got a bonus."
"Really, our daughter is amazing." Wang Baoxing laughed heartily, "I don’t need a new one. Each of you just make a set."
"Everyone gets one, Dad. You’re the pillar of the family, doing the most work inside and out. You’ve worked hard, Dad..." Wang Miaomiao, not usually the sentimental type, genuinely felt this way when she said it.
This man, though not very talkative, was a good man who worked hard in silence, always laboring for the family.
Though he might not have been good to Liu Yulan at first, he spent his entire life being humble and obedient to her, which was quite rare.
"Your daughter thought of you, so just accept it, no need for so many words." Liu Yulan, seeing him covered in mud, pushed him gently, "Go wash up quickly and come talk with Xiao Jiang."
Jiang Yan sat silently on the bench, watching this scene, feeling deeply moved.
After washing his hands, Wang Baoxing came out, and Yang Zhigang returned from work with three portions of meat dishes from the state-run restaurant. "Dad, Mom, we’re back. Pandi, take the dishes and warm them up a bit before serving them."
"Alright." Wang Pandi happily accepted and took them to the kitchen.
It seemed like a fixed routine now. Every last Saturday of the month felt like a family gathering day with good food and wine, where everyone shared recent updates and chatted joyfully.
"Come, fill it up..." Wang Baoxing poured wine for Jiang Yan and Yang Zhigang, laughing, "I used to never keep wine at home or have a capacity for it, but now, thanks to you all, I can enjoy a couple of shots."
"Dad, if you like it, drink it every day. I’ll take care of your wine." Yang Zhigang flattered his father-in-law.
"That won’t do. Drinking is expensive, and drinking too much can cause trouble and harm the body. You should all drink less, in moderation, just in moderation." Although Wang Baoxing enjoyed taking a sip, especially in winter when it warmed him up inside.
Still, he mainly feared wasting money. In the past, he saved wherever he could. He never smoked or drank. Now it had become a habit, and it was pretty nice.
"Uncle, drinking a little is good for the circulation, but you shouldn’t drink poor quality wine." Jiang Yan laughed, "I have two bottles of aged Moutai at home. I’ll bring them for you during the New Year."
"Oh no, that’s not necessary." Wang Baoxing hurriedly waved his hand to refuse, "Keep them for your family or give them as gifts. They’ll be wasted on me."
Liu Yulan, hearing this, also didn’t agree and chimed in, "Xiao Jiang, your uncle is right. Don’t bring them here, okay? If you do, I won’t accept them."
"Okay, okay..." Jiang Yan nodded obediently, realizing he had been too bold, thinking next time he’d bring other good wine instead.
"Ding ding..." A bicycle bell rang from outside the house.
Liu Yulan went out to see it was Wang Zhaodi and Zhu Zicheng.
"Mom, we’re here to bring you good news." Zhu Zicheng was holding gifts in one hand, and supporting Wang Zhaodi with the other.
"So it’s Zhaodi and Zicheng, come in quickly. You’re just in time, we’re about to start eating." Skipping the congratulatory part altogether.
"Okay, thank you, Mom." Zhu Zicheng didn’t feel awkward. He had come exactly at mealtime, knowing that every last Saturday of the month, the siblings came back for a family reunion. Zhaodi was also a daughter of this family, so coming back to join was just right.
"Dad, we’re here to bring you good news. Zhaodi is pregnant, and you’re about to become a grandfather." Zhu Zicheng supported Wang Zhaodi as they entered, announcing the news to Wang Baoxing.
"Really?" Wang Baoxing was genuinely happy. Regardless of how he felt about Wang Zhaodi, having a new addition to the family was always a good thing, "Zhaodi, sit down. How many months along are you?"
When Wang Miaomiao saw the two entering, she automatically made space and went to the kitchen to get bowls and chopsticks, telling Wang Pandi that guests had arrived, and that they wouldn’t all fit at the front, so she should leave some dishes back there, and they would eat in the kitchen.
The house had an Eight Immortals table, seating nine people in total. Wang Pandi was cooking in the kitchen, and she’d squeeze in later for the meal. But with two more people, it definitely wouldn’t fit.
Cheng Xue also wanted to get up, but Wang Miaomiao stopped her, "Don’t move, eat your food." She was a guest, no one should take her place.
Wang Miaomiao and Liu Yulan made space, and Wang Zhaodi and Zhu Zicheng sat down, "Almost two months."
"That’s great, but you’re not three months yet, so be extra careful," Wang Baoxing advised Zhu Zicheng, "Be more accommodating to Zhaodi and help her with chores. Pregnancy is hard on women, you need to be more understanding."
"Dad..." Wang Zhaodi hadn’t expected her father to say these things, feeling a bit emotional. It was the first time she spoke since coming inside. She originally didn’t want to come, but Zhu Zicheng had persuaded her, and she came reluctantly. Hearing her father’s words now, she felt much more at ease.
Her relief was no comfort to some. However, Liu Yulan’s temper had improved a lot now, allowing her to ignore those who were irrelevant.