Inside a small restaurant on the street.

Ji Huai and Feng Dafeng were sitting across from each other. They were busy for most of the day. They were holding a bowl of rice and eating. On the table was a dish of fried minced pork with pickles and a bowl of chopped green onion soup. They ate very fragrantly.

Feng Dafeng is rarely extravagant. He took the minced meat in the pickles to the clerk and cut it into a small piece.

He helped Ji Erpang's family sell the pork. The other party paid him a catty and a half of pork and a small bowl of pig blood. This year's New Year's Eve will have meat.

If it were not for Ji Huai, he would definitely not stay in a restaurant in the city to eat. Not only would it cost a few cents, but also a small piece of meat.

The two of them ate up the food and soup, slowly, and prepared to buy new year goods.

Feng Dafeng went to the team to spend five yuan today. Feng's mother has grown a lot of vegetables, and there are also a lot of pickled dried radishes and pickles at home. He plans to kill a big hen during the New Year, and now he still has a catty and a half of pork and pig blood. The money is enough to buy the rest of the new year's goods.

Feng Dafeng went to the store and picked two bundles of paper money, candles, and small firecrackers. When he was paying for the money, Ji Huai had already stepped forward and gave the money.

"I brought money." Feng Dafeng's eyes stared, his voice still a bit louder.

He has been in charge of the Feng family for most of his life. He earned all the money inside and out. Ji Huai didn't have much money before, and the work points were tight enough to support him. Now he was suddenly paid for shopping. Feng Dafeng was a little difficult to adapt to.

"I just sold agarwood and wood and I have some money left. Sooner or later I have to use it." Ji Huai put the paper money and candles in the basket, holding firecrackers in his hand.

"You keep the remaining money." Feng Dafeng didn't argue with him anymore, and said this sentence with an unnatural expression.

"You and Mom worked hard for me and Xiaolan. How can we keep the money we earned? We need to buy more things during the year. Dad, there are some bacon over there, or let's buy some? The bacon can't be broken It's very tasty when fried, and Xiaolan likes to eat too." Ji Huai suggested.

Feng Dafeng didn't object. Hearing that Feng Qiaolan liked to eat, his first reaction was: Who doesn't like eating meat? Meat is expensive.

Ji Huai walked to the stall selling bacon, bought a small piece of bacon, wrapped it in a back basket, and walked a short distance to see someone selling loose biscuits and candies.

With the prosperous packaging, you can buy 14 for a dime, which is cheaper than the one he bought last time.

"Dad, I'm going to buy some sweets and biscuits. After all, it's the Chinese New Year. I still have to have some snacks." Ji Huai finished speaking, and spent 50 cents on buying dozens of candies and some biscuits.

Feng Dafeng didn't know what expression he put on.

He naturally knew that he would buy these in the coming year. He originally thought that after buying paper money candles, he would buy some bacon with the remaining money, and if there were more, he would buy a few more candies and a few biscuits.

Ji Huaiquan bought it now, and his money hasn't moved yet.

The money was spent outside. Feng Dafeng looked at Ji Huai and didn't speak from a standpoint. He was suffocated for fear of losing face and not mentioning it.

After walking another street, Ji Huai counted the money left in his hand, "Dad, we have to buy some flour, and we can make a pie during the year. Everyone is happy."

"You don't need to buy it." Feng Dafeng finally found the place this time, took the lead to take out the money, and said to the boss, "I want to buy flour and weigh more."

This was his biggest purchase of flour. After that, he felt that the budget was enough, so he bought some vermicelli and brown sugar.

When returning, Ji Huai looked at the chickens sold on the roadside. There were not many chickens at home, and there were not many eggs. He looked at Feng Dafeng and suggested: "Xiaolan has to eat brown sugar every day when she is in confinement. Eggs, do you want to buy a few more chickens and raise them home?"

"Sell them cheaply. If you raise them, you will be able to lay eggs immediately. Do you want?" The woman selling chickens yelled at him.

"If you buy it back, you have to have food to feed. If you raise more, you will spend more food. How can there be so much food?" Feng Dafeng said with a stern face.

Even though he said so, when Ji Huai stepped forward to choose, he still taught him how to choose, and finally decided to buy three.

This trip can be described as a full return. Ji Huai's back basket was stuffed with things, the bamboo pocket in his hand was filled with chickens, and the other hand was carrying flour.

Halfway down, Feng Dafeng fell behind a little bit, watching Ji Huai's straight back, and he has gradually grown white hair this year, and his eyes are full of thoughts.

"Dad, let's take a break and drink some water." Ji Huai stopped, turned his head and said.

"Go under the tree and cool off." Feng Dafeng pointed to the tree beside him and walked over first.

The two didn't rest for long, and they didn't chat with each other along the way, time passed quickly, and the distance was not too far.

They memorized it, and walked to the village. When the women saw it, they would say, "How many things did you buy? Really rich."

Feng Dafeng replied, "Where can I get any money? The New Year is about to come, so I have to buy some."

"Yeah." The woman also nodded, glanced at Ji Huai, and said to Feng Dafeng with a look of envy, "You and Cuixiang are good fortune, and the son-in-law is the son, and there is someone to help, and also a college student."

In the past, when others said, Feng Dafeng thinks college students have a shit? Weak Haw, raising money for food, if his daughter likes it too much, he really doesn't want her daughter to marry him.

Now he doesn't say that, his brows are stretched a lot, which is acquiescence. On the way back to Feng's house, he walked a lot and was in a good mood.

Seeing the two came back, Feng's mother hurried forward, and Feng Qiaolan also came out of the room.

"You also bought chickens?" Mother Feng was surprised, and looked at the chickens with loving eyes.

"I bought three of them and they can lay eggs when they grow up." Ji Huai said and began to take things out of the basket. "I also bought some bacon. This is brown sugar, candles and paper money."

"What do you buy tofu for? Our family still has some small dried fish. Why did you buy sausages? How expensive is it?" Feng mother took it the same way, the meat hurts a lot.

"That was not what he bought. The pile of wood was sold. The old men and old ladies who sold the things didn't know what they were thinking. They exchanged things for wood with him." Feng Dafeng sat on the side, although he couldn't figure it out. , But the joy in the tone could not be restrained.

"Have you changed so many things?" Mother Feng took a breath, looked at the things on the ground, and felt that there are so many new year goods this year, and it will be a prosperous year.

"There is peanut oil, and some candy biscuits." Ji Huai's eyebrows also raised. "They probably want to take it back for a little bit, smell the scent, and I still have a few dollars. Mom, you can order a little bit at night, yes. The role of sleep aid."

"Good, good." Mother Feng smiled from ear to ear, busy with the back and forth, and asked casually, "Can you sell the agarwood you bought this time?"

Ji Huai: "All are sold, and the price is higher than last time."

"It's great." Mother Feng was happier, and Feng Dafeng also looked over, and his expression changed. This kid made him more and more satisfied.

Feng Qiaolan also helped tidy up. A few years ago, the family built a house and lived a hard life. There was no meat for the year before, and there were too many goods for the new year. Hearing that Ji Huai had sold money again, he felt happy.

Ji Huai squatted down, continued to reach out to take things in the back basket, and continued, "So I bought two cans of malted milk extract for Xiaolan. It should be okay to drink it before giving birth."

As soon as the words came out, the air was not quite right, Feng Dafeng suddenly changed his face, Feng's mother's smile froze, Feng Qiaolan was at a loss and was a little anxious.

Only Ji Huai was smiling, unaware, and took out two cans of malted milk and put them aside.

Feng Dafeng didn't speak any more, the blue veins on his forehead swelled with his breathing, fearing that he could not stretch himself, so he got up and walked into the house with a dark face. Feng's mother also hurried into the kitchen, for fear of saying something out of place.

A pot of ten yuan, two pots will cost twenty yuan?

Whose money can stand this way?

Feng Qiaolan noticed that the atmosphere was not right, and Ji Huai still didn't feel anything. When she pulled her into the room, she said, "Guess what I bought for you."

"Did you still buy me other things? Didn't it cost you money again?" She felt no less distressed than Feng's husband and wife, and looked at the two cans of malted milk extract, "It's expensive, can I get it back? I feel like I drank it. Nothing has changed."

"Why hasn't it changed? This thing is very nutritious. Your face has been ruddy recently. Is it more comfortable to sleep at night? I don't feel dizzy anymore." Ji Huai didn't want to retire, and put the malted milk extract in the cabinet.

Feng Qiaolan touched her face, and couldn't refute what he had said. She still said, "But it's too expensive, enough to buy a few chickens."

"It's good for you and your child." Ji Huai said, putting several things wrapped in red wrapping paper in her hand.

Feng Qiaolan asked, "Is this candy?"

"You'll know as soon as you eat." He stood slightly to the side and leaned against the cabinet.

She was reluctant to eat. Seeing the words on it, she turned it over and took a closer look. After seeing it clearly, her big bright apricot eyes shrank suddenly, "Is it chocolate?"

Ji Huai nodded slowly.

Feng Qiaolan didn't know what expression to show, her nose was sore for a while, her eyes were sharp, her voice was small, "I have spent all your money, don't buy anything for me next time."

She has never eaten chocolate, but knows that chocolate is expensive and difficult to buy, much more expensive than candy.

A few pieces of chocolate coaxed her into this way. Ji Huai felt guilty. He stepped forward and took her in his arms, patted her on the back lightly, and said with a smile, "I spent the money by myself. What is your relationship? I can earn more in the future."

"What if you can't make money? It's hard to make money." Feng Qiaolan raised her head in his arms and asked seriously.

"Then make money slowly and spend less." Ji Huai didn't take it seriously, "These people are controllable."

"Don't buy it." She still said.

"Okay, I'll buy you something else next time." Ji Huai looked down at her and stared at her face again. "It seems that she has grown flesh, and her complexion is much better than before. Eat more food and drink more. Malted milk extract."

Feng Qiaolan: "I drank enough."

"Where is too much? People say that you put two spoons, you put half a spoon, can it taste?" Ji Huai frowned as he said.

"Put two spoons and you will be finished soon." She lowered her head and said with a guilty conscience.

Ji Huai: "Didn't I buy you two more cans? I will put more in the future and buy them for you after drinking them."

Feng Qiaolan was about to cry.

Are you still buying? A lot of money, a lot of money.

evening.

The family gathered around for a meal. Feng's mother made spicy tofu, put a little dried fish in it, stewed a big pot, and put salted dried radish, which smelled great.

Feng Dafeng has a good face, and she keeps her anger, Feng's mother is not good, she has no money-making ability, and she is frail and sick. She can't see spending money like this. After thinking for a long time, she euphemistically said to Ji Huai, "Xiao Lan is going to have a baby too, you give her I bought enough malted milk extract, so don't buy it next time."

It's not that she doesn't let her daughter drink. Who can afford to drink this way?

It's too extravagant.

"After giving birth, she still has to confinement, and she also has to replenish nutrition. I think her complexion is much better than before, so she still has to continue drinking." Ji Huai finished, holding the bowl a little embarrassed, "Although It’s a bit more expensive, but don’t you just give her and her children to make money? It’s good for her."

He said this, directly blocking Feng's mother's next words, her expression quickly changed, and she didn't know what expression she put on. Feng Dafeng eats faster.

Feng Qiaolan was eating brown sugar eggs, she touched her bulging belly, and the child inside kicked her.

The little guy was very naughty, and she sighed silently. Of course she understood what Feng's mother meant, and she also told Ji Huai that she didn't need to buy it, but he didn't listen at all, so she felt that she should buy it for her.

Especially seeing that her condition is much better now, he is convinced that it is because of the effect of malted milk.

She was reluctant to eat the few chocolates that Ji Huai bought for her. She returned to the room after dinner and took out two to Feng's room.

How has Feng mother seen this stuff? He took a few glances, and then the fortress went back to her.

"Mom, try it. I heard it's delicious." Feng Qiaolan didn't answer.

Feng Dafeng watched from the sidelines, his expression increasingly ugly, "How much is this thing?"

How does Feng Qiaolan know?

"It's not cheap at first sight, it's not sold outside, maybe it's not in state-owned stores. Seeing you raised your daughter, there is no girl in the village like yours!" Feng Dafeng is really angry these days. Reluctant to scold his daughter, the awkward air turned to Feng's mother.

It's not that he doesn't care for his daughter, he leaves all the eggs in the family for Feng Qiaolan to eat. What about eating gold? It was beyond his cognition range, even Miss Qianjin didn't dare to spend so much.

Although Feng's mother was very distressed, she was unwilling to hear him say that, and said to Feng Dafeng, "None of them married a college student, and no one is more capable than Ji Huai. This money is not stolen or robbed. It is true. Earned, he wants to give his wife flowers, what's wrong with Xiaolan?"

"Isn't it just a piece of chocolate? She drinks ten dollars a can of malted milk!"

"It's not the money you made, it's the money Ji Huai made."

.....

This time it was Feng Dafeng's turn to choke, his complexion turned pale and frustrated.

It was because it wasn't his money that he shut up, or he would have cursed him a long time ago, and maybe he would chase and beat the rebel all over the village with a stick.

"But Mom told you that I will raise a child in the future. Ji Huai has no idea. You have to watch him." Feng's mother told Feng Qiaolan carefully.

"This is not the first time I have said it, is it useful?" Feng Dafeng didn't answer the question in a good mood.

"I said you are..." Feng mother rarely talked back to him.

There was a sound outside the door, and Ji Huai, who returned from carrying water, interrupted the dispute.

Feng Qiaolan was rescued from it. She lowered her eyes and walked out, also reflecting on herself.

When Ji Huai talked to her in the evening, she was absent-minded. She lost her mind several times and looked confused when he asked her back.

"Sleepy?" he asked.

Feng Qiaolan shook her head, "No."

Ji Huai: "Can you still listen? If you don't want to learn, we will talk about it tomorrow."

"I'm slow." She didn't want to let go of every night where she could study. He only had time at night, so he squeezed out to teach her. She couldn't be distracted.

"Is there something on my mind? Or is he not feeling well?" He didn't continue speaking, put down the pen, and closed the textbook by the way.

Feng Qiaolan lowered her head and did not speak for a long time.

Ji Huai was not in a hurry, waiting quietly.

After a long while, her dull voice came out, "It’s all because of my bad body. I didn’t take good care of my body before and I didn’t exercise properly. Now I have to eat such expensive things. I have spent all the money. I still don’t know what to do when the child is born. ."

"Still thinking about it?" Ji Huai was helpless and didn't plan to give any more lectures. He put the textbook on the other side and asked directly, "Did your parents tell you something?"

"No." She denied.

Ji Huai: "If you can't keep up with nutrition, there can be many supplements. You don't need to feel any burden. I just want to buy it for you. If you don't buy this, I will always buy something else."

Feng Qiaolan was puzzled and looked up at him.

"To put it bluntly, I can feel comfortable when I spend the money. There are many brands on the shelf. I chose the best drink and the most expensive one, and I want to buy the best one." Ji Huai laughed lightly. "Did you not find out? I just want you to taste more, and find it delicious, and I will buy more for you in the future."

"Why?" She took a breath, her voice lowered as she spoke.

"Who is pregnant with a child and needs to prepare for the exam? I can only coax you more. You may have to work hard after having a child. I don't know how far you can go. It doesn't matter." Ji Huai's tone became lighter and lighter.

He had never said this. When he saw her being lazy, he would say a few words to encourage him at most, and he never disliked her.

"If you can't pass the test, I can't go with you." Feng Qiaolan wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes and raised her hand to touch her belly.

In the later stage, she struggled. She became sleepy while reading books. She suffered from backaches before sitting for a while. She was afraid that the baby would be too noisy after birth and could not review well at all, so she could only study as much as possible.

"If I can't pass the test, I have to take you. I won't let you be here alone." Ji Huai bent over, put her hand through her feet, and hugged her to bed.

Feng Qiaolan put her hand around his neck, "I will drag you down."

"Daughter-in-law and child warm the bed, why is it a drag?" Ji Huai put her on the bed, did not get up, met her eyes, and rubbed her head, "You are thinking, sleep well, I will go Lights went out."

"It's still early, I will read the book again, otherwise I can't sleep, and I will be flustered if I don't study." Feng Qiaolan said pitifully.

Ji Huai really laughed this time, or got out of bed and turned off the light, climbed onto the bed and got under the covers to hug her, "Continue to learn, today I will talk about the third chapter of the history, I will tell you."

His low-alcohol and gentle voice echoed in the dark night, Feng Qiaolan nestled in his arms, and her soft voice came out from time to time, and occasionally asked a few questions.

After a long time, Ji Huai said, "Okay, go to sleep."

"Speak more." She was still unwilling to sleep, and wanted to learn more.

"The throat is dry, and I might be speechless tomorrow." He cleared his voice twice as he said.

"Okay." Feng Qiaolan responded, turned around and kissed him on the cheek in the dark. Originally, he just wanted to kiss him and sleep, but he caught him who knew.

Ji Huai hugged her, first covered her lips, tossed and kissed for a while, then moved to her ear, and her cheeks burst red when she said it.

When he got married, he was full of energy, and before she was pregnant, the two had a lot of trouble.

He was more restrained under the bed and talked less often, but he was particularly domineering in bed. He used to pester her every day. After pregnancy, he lost a lot of intimacy, but he was also not at peace. Later he went to college and had a few fights. The two talents are somewhat alienated.

In fact, he is quite good at coaxing people in bed, especially when he wants her to help.

"I don't~" Feng Qiaolan was ashamed of shame at first, and she said something sultry, but she was greedy for his embrace, and she clasped his neck and refused to let go.

Ji Huai took a deep breath and rubbed her again, "Really so cruel?"

Feng Qiaolan tightened her lips without turning back.

"Well, I shouldn't be able to die either." Ji Huai said in a faint tone, stretched out his hand to cover her hand, and pulled her hand from his neck.

Instead of letting go, she clasped her hands tighter.

"If you refuse to help me, let me go?" Ji Huai didn't pull away too hard. He looked at her under him, and couldn't help but lowered his head and kissed her delicate lips, his tone slowly induced, "Really no help me?"

The two separated their lips, and Feng Qiaolan raised her hand to cover her cheek.

In the end, it was half pushing and half pushing, he felt comfortable, and her hands were sore.

*

New Year's Eve.

Mother Feng was busy in the kitchen early in the morning, Ji Huai and Feng Dafeng were not idle either, tidying up the yard, pasting spring festival couplets, killing chickens, washing vegetables and chopping firewood...

There are many people in the family, and there is a lot of lively.

Feng Qiaolan's belly was a little bigger again, let alone work, she couldn't bend down, so she could only sit and watch them busy, and went to the kitchen to help Feng mother, and the fumes made her nauseous.

Dishes come out of the pot. A large plate of chicken, green pepper fried bacon, small fish fried with shredded radish, dried radish stewed pork...

The table is full, and the fragrance keeps coming.

According to the custom of the village, before the meal, you have to worship your ancestors, put candles and wine glasses, you have to toast and burn paper money, and finally set off firecrackers to welcome the new year.

In the past, Feng Dafeng had to do all these tasks. Now that there is more Jihuai, when Feng Dafeng is toasting, he burns paper money, lights incense, and finally worships.

"Dad, the valuables are burned out, I'm going to set off the firecrackers?" Ji Huai asked.

"Yeah." Feng Dafeng nodded.

Ji Huai took out the firecrackers and walked out with the matches.

Feng Dafeng looked at his back, his eyes flashed. In the village, men can only do a lot of work, and women are responsible for cooking. Affected by traditional ideas, he also regretted not having a son, but he felt that it was fate, occasionally sad, but did not complain.

Now that there is more Ji Huai in the family, he actually feels good, so he has picked up his son for nothing.

Thinking of this, he felt more comfortable.

The sound of crackling firecrackers came in from outside the door, Feng Qiaolan covered her ears, Feng mother stood at the door, smiling and looking out, looking at the red firecracker paper, her smile deepened a lot.

These firecrackers cannot be swept, and they will not be swept until the fifth day of the new year, which symbolizes the prosperity of the coming year.

The New Year’s Eve dinner is sumptuous, and the family eats at the table.

Feng Dafeng and Feng's mother also let go of their chopsticks, and it is rare that they did not buckle and search for the meat. Feng's mother gave one chicken leg to Feng Qiaolan and the other to Ji Huai.

"Mom, I don't eat chicken drumsticks." Feng Qiaolan looked at the fat chicken drumsticks.

"It's actually still picking. During the New Year, other people's chicken drumsticks have to be reserved for children to eat. When your child can eat meat, you can't eat the chicken drumsticks at home." Feng's mother told her, now that she is thinking about it. Transferred to the child in her stomach.

Feng Qiaolan will inevitably be lonely. Every time the other party boiled eggs for her and she couldn't eat anymore, Feng's mother would let her do it for the child and for her grandson.

Ji Huai took the meal and said, "You can eat it, two chicken drumsticks, one for her and the child, just right."

After hearing this, Feng Qiaolan's mood eased a lot.

"Yes." Mother Feng picked out the chicken wings and put them to Feng Qiaolan, smiling, "She has a nasty mouth, and has developed a problem since childhood. Which girl in the village is like her? She eats chicken wings."

After she gave Feng Qiaolan one chicken wing, she only had to give the other chicken wing to Ji Huai, and he stopped, "I won't eat it, I will leave it to Xiaolan."

Seeing his insistence, Feng's mother could only give Feng Qiaolan a clip.

Feng Qiaolan's unhappiness just now was relieved by everyone's partiality. She ate chicken legs and said to Feng's mother, "You love me now. When I have a baby, you and my dad will ignore me if they specify."

"This is not yet born, you are jealous with the children, such an adult." Feng mother did not understand, after all, it is like this in the village.

Feng Qiaolan snorted softly, "You just said that you would not keep the chicken legs for me. This is partiality. People say that you are separated from each other. You have not given birth to you. When you have only one child, I have another one. How about two chicken thighs? I'm gone."

Mother Feng: "....."

"If you and Dad don't keep it for me, I will let Ahuai buy it for me." Feng Qiaolan is very confident now, and asks Ji Huai, "Will you buy it for me?"

Ji Huai held the bowl and stretched out the chopsticks to pick up the dishes, did not speak, but smiled and nodded.

Mother Feng: "....."

This little girl.

Feng Qiaolan pursed her lips and smiled, her eyebrows curled up.

Mother Feng was always amused by her, and she could only lightly scold her, "I'm going to be a mother, just like a child."

She had no doubt that Ji Huai would buy it for her. I bought a can of malted milk for ten yuan, and a hen for a few yuan was not expensive.

... m..