"Dad, let's buy two catties of meat to make dumplings."
Having redeemed the bracelet in a hurry, Chen Yang went to the big store and bought four large buckets from Wang Xiue. Ten large buckets should be enough to hold three to four thousand catties of fish, which would be enough for some time.
"After the bracelet was redeemed, they were happy, happier than during the New Year. Eating meat is good, and it's worth celebrating."
Shen Futang also felt relieved. The bracelet was finally redeemed.
So, the two, who had just left the food factory, went back to the meat stall of the food factory. There was no way, in those days, production materials were scarce, and only the food factory's meat stall could buy pork.
"Comrade, two catties of pork without coupons."
"I want it with fat."
As soon as Chen Yang spoke, Old Mr. Shen Futang quickly stepped forward and told the butcher, for fear that he would cut lean meat. In those days, people didn't have much oil in their stomachs, and they preferred to eat fatty meat.
"Fatty meat is one yuan a catty, two catties are two yuan and two mao."
The seller waved his cleaver and quickly cut off a large piece of streaky pork with five fen of fat, weighing two catties. Chen Yang had no choice but to think that he couldn't bring the old man next time he bought meat. Fatty meat had too much fat, and it was bad for his health if he ate too much.
After paying, the seller wrapped the pork with lotus leaves. Just as Chen Yang and Shen Futang were about to go home, Liu Hua quietly stopped him.
"Just now, someone brought fish to sell to the aquatic product station. I saw that half of them were not moving, so I didn't let him in."
"However, it was his first time, and he didn't know that the aquatic product station only accepted fresh fish. Next time, if it's all fresh, I won't be able to stop him."
Liu Hua looked cautious. Hearing his words, Chen Yang narrowed his eyes.
"Brother Liu, thank you. I know what I'm doing and won't make it difficult for you."
Chen Yang handed Liu Hua a cigarette and lit it for him. Liu Hua's reminder was worth the days he had served him with Da Qianmen.
Liu Hua waved his hand. He had taken their money, and besides, the fish that person had brought was not fresh, and the aquatic product station didn't accept all kinds of fish. It was just a small favor.
"Someone is trying to take our business, what should we do?"
Hearing that someone else was also buying fish, Shen Futang felt a little nervous. His son-in-law had finally found a profitable business, and he didn't want it to be snatched away by others.
"Dad, it's okay. We've already established a good relationship with the aquatic product station. Besides, don't all the villagers sell fish to us? At worst, we'll pay on delivery. I don't believe others can have so much capital at the beginning."
"If that's not enough, we can raise the purchase price a little."
Chen Yang was very open-minded. Competition in business was normal. He had already seized the opportunity, and the villagers had tasted the benefits from him.
Moreover, he now had more than a thousand yuan in hand, including what he had earned a few days ago. Even after settling the accounts, he still had more than a thousand yuan left. He could afford to buy directly with cash and was not flustered at all.
"As long as you have it under control, just let me know if you need any help from this old bone."
Shen Futang didn't say anything more. It was already the era of young people. He was only thinking about the two catties of fatty meat now. He would have a good meal today.
The donkey cart creaked and soon returned to the village. Shen Mei was playing shuttlecock with the baby in the yard, and the two were having fun.
The little one showed no signs of the cold he had yesterday. Chen Yang felt relieved seeing this. It was finally okay.
"Daddy."
"Grandpa!"
Seeing Chen Yang return, the baby dropped the shuttlecock and ran into Chen Yang's arms with his short legs.
"Give Daddy a kiss."
Chen Yang leaned his face over, and the little one kissed him with a smack.
Seeing the father and daughter so affectionate, Shen Futang felt a little sour. His granddaughter used to kiss him, but after all, they were father and daughter, and his son-in-law had turned over a new leaf. He was happy for his daughter and granddaughter.
"Uncle, brother-in-law, sister and aunt are repairing the fence because it's a bit rotten, so I'm taking Yan Yan to play shuttlecock."
Shen Mei grabbed the shuttlecock and looked at her father and son-in-law returning by donkey cart, her eyes shining. Chen Yang's return meant that the four yuan and two mao she had earned were about to be in her hands.
Four yuan and two mao, this was not a small sum of money. Shen Mei was naturally excited.
"Wife, quickly tidy up, fry some lard residue from these two catties of fatty meat, and then pick some leeks from the vegetable garden to make dumplings."
Shen Futang directly roared. Today, he had redeemed the bracelet, and he finally felt relieved. He could stand tall when he saw his wife.
He liked his son-in-law Chen Yang more and more.
"Mei girl, have lunch here today. We'll have dumplings made with lard residue. I guarantee you'll be greasy with every bite."
Liu Chunmei and Shen Xue were immediately overjoyed when they saw the two catties of fatty meat carried by Shen Futang.
This was good meat!
Shen Mei was happy to hear her uncle's words. How long had it been since she had eaten pork? Even if she earned money, her mother was probably reluctant to buy meat.
The thought of the greasy lard residue made her mouth water.
"Mom, Xue'er, come into the room. I have something to show you."
Chen Yang held the baby with a mysterious smile, which made the mother and daughter curious. They quickly looked at Shen Futang. Shen Futang put his hands behind his back and followed Chen Yang into the house without a word.
"These father and son, they fought before, but now they are as close as brothers."
Liu Chunmei glared at Shen Futang not unkindly as she carried the two catties of fatty meat. As soon as they entered the room, Chen Yang put the pair of bracelets wrapped in a handkerchief into Shen Xue's hand.
"Wife, they are back to their rightful owner."
"I won't let you suffer any more grievances in the future."
Shen Xue's hands trembled slightly as she heard his words, as did Liu Chunmei. They had a strong premonition.
But the bracelets were too important to them. They were afraid of their hopes being dashed, so for a moment, mother and daughter dared not open the handkerchief.
"Don't be afraid, open it and take a look."
Chen Yang encouraged Shen Xue with his eyes. Finally, under Chen Yang's encouragement, Shen Xue opened the handkerchief.
When she saw the pair of gold bracelets, tears immediately streamed down her cheeks.
Not only Shen Xue, but Liu Chunmei also cried. Mother and daughter looked at the bracelets and hugged each other and cried.
These bracelets were not just a pair of bracelets; they were the last thoughts of the mother and daughter about their maternal family.
Looking at the mother and daughter crying their hearts out, with their shoulders trembling, Shen Futang and Chen Yang fell silent. Even the baby was sucking his little finger, not daring to speak.
"Husband, thank you."
After crying for a long time, Shen Xue finally calmed down. She carefully rewrapped the gold bracelets with the handkerchief layer by layer and put them in her pocket. Then, she looked at Chen Yang with burning eyes and thanked him.
After so long, this was the first time Chen Yang had heard Shen Xue call him husband. His heart trembled.
Shen Xue usually called him by his name. This "husband" made the old man's heart surge with emotion.
"We're family, why say thank you? Besides, if it weren't for me and this family, you wouldn't have pawned it.
"Now that it's redeemed, consider it my apology to you."
"Okay, okay, on such a happy day, what's with all the crying? Hurry up and cut the meat, let's make dumplings today."
Seeing Shen Xue crying like a shower of pear blossoms, Chen Yang felt heartbroken. Hearing his words, Shen Xue wiped away her tears. Yes, on a happy day, she shouldn't cry.
"Hooray, hooray!"
"Mommy, Yanyan wants dumplings."
"Yanyan loves them the most."
The little one also waved her little hands. Hearing her tender childish voice, everyone finally smiled.