Daily Life in the Countryside After Being Reborn-Chapter 291: Unexpected "Lucky Money

Good news followed one after another. After Old Lady Feng received those bottles of mixed concoction, she saw that her daughter-in-law had become much more attentive to her son, and even vied politely with her to do the household chores. Her heart finally settled down.

Before the New Year even arrived, Old Lady Feng was clamoring to go back home.

After several attempts at persuasion, Feng Xing could not sway the old lady’s stubbornness; once her mind was made up, no one could convince her otherwise. Feng Xing had no choice but to go to the train ticket window and, after waiting an entire afternoon, managed to buy a returned ticket from someone who had come to cancel theirs.

Zhuo Feng tasted success with those reading glasses, and before her mother-in-law left, she went to the street to buy a few decent cotton-padded coats for the elderly. The plum-colored one was for Old Lady Feng, the slick black one for Feng Xing’s stepfather, and a pair of Knei sports shoes for Feng Xing’s brother.

Old Lady Feng, upon receiving the gifts, praised her daughter-in-law for being sensible, commenting that even her son wasn’t as thoughtful as she was.

When Old Lady Feng was sent onto the train, she wiped the corner of her eye, "My child, come back home to visit if you’re free next year. The village has improved a lot since you left. Your father’s temperament has also gotten better, and next year your brother is getting married; be sure to come back for a visit."

After hearing this, Feng Xing’s eyes also filled with tears, and mother and son parted ways to the slowly fading sound of the departing train.

Zhuo Feng stood behind and exchanged victorious gestures with Xiao Xian. After an excellent mother-in-law and daughter-in-law counteroffensive, this New Year was far more efficient than previous ones.

Not long after Old Lady Feng left, Feng Xing also made up his mind and resigned from his job at the social insurance office. But before he commenced his resignation, a whistleblower letter appeared in the mailbox of the disciplinary inspection office.

"Uncle, you really did a great job," Zhuo Feng said on the day Feng Xing resigned, which happened to be New Year’s Eve. She personally did the cooking, using potatoes Old Lady Feng brought and eggplants and tomatoes picked from the rooftop, then bought some ribs and river delicacies, and prepared a full table of New Year’s Eve dinner.

"I kind of miss the days when Mother was here," Zhuo Feng said, emitting the smell of cooking oil as she walked out of the kitchen after tasting the sweet and sour potato shreds she had made.

"What happened?" Feng Xing asked curiously. His wife’s performance had indeed been remarkable this year—although her cooking skills had not improved, her relationship with his mother had leapfrogged by several stages, more delightful than China’s economic situation.

"I know why," Xiao Xian held up her chopsticks, picked up a few potato strips that were uneven in thickness and length, "When Granny Feng was here, the potato shreds wouldn’t be cut like potato chunks, and white sugar wouldn’t be used as salt."

"You cheeky girl, eat your food," Zhuo Feng’s face turned red with embarrassment, as Xiao Xian had guessed all the little things on her mind. But her niece was right; Zhuo Feng knew she was destined never to become the ideal wife and mother.

"Ha ha ha," Feng Xing watched his niece and wife bickering and couldn’t help but laugh, feeling warm inside. After tonight, it would be a new year, a new century. The 21st century held the promise of an even better future for their whole family.

Xiao Xian’s first New Year’s Eve in Beijing allowed her to experience a different way of celebrating. Fireworks and firecrackers couldn’t be set off in the city, so they could only watch the Spring Festival Gala. The sketches and crosstalk were quite amusing.

Before going to bed, Xiao Xian tried calling the village. It was too late and she couldn’t reach Zhu Shijun, but even through the phone, the laughter and noise of the villagers watching TV at Sister-in-law Wangcai’s place and the clamor of children allowed Xiao Xian a taste of Ge Village’s festive atmosphere.

"Sister-in-law Wangcai, please tell Grandpa that next year the village will have electricity and telephones," Xiao Xian shouted into the phone, hoping Sister-in-law Wangcai could pass on her message.

With the cables laid, she could just ask Uncle San Gouzi to find an electrician in the city, and by next year’s New Year, she would be able to talk to Grandpa on the phone.

"Hey, what are you saying, kiddo. Phones and electricity? Ah, it will happen, it will happen," Sister-in-law Wangcai’s voice was noisy and unclear from the other end.

"Xiao Xian, come here, there’s a Feng Gong sketch on, quick quick," Zhuo Feng sat on the couch, laughing her head off.

"Oh," Xiao Xian said a few more words, then reluctantly hung up the phone. On the TV, a very festive sketch actor made everyone inside and outside the screen burst into laughter.

Feng Xing and Zhuo Feng gave Xiao Xian a red envelope for New Year’s money, said some auspicious words, and thus wrapped up New Year’s Eve.

Before going to bed, Xiao Xian made another call to Zeng Xuerou and Zhang Yiyi. Zeng Xuerou had just come back from accompanying her mother to some social engagements; with the hangover medicine, Mrs. Zeng had swept through the drinking scene that day, and after returning home, she awarded Zeng Xuerou a big red envelope and also gave her one to forward to Xiao Xian.

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