Song Tan’s Chronicle - Chapter 110.2

“Of course,” Sun Yanyan chimed in, cracking sunflower seeds on the side, “Dad, you’re just too honest with the family. Look at my uncle; even the wild vegetables from his fields fetch such a high price. When he sends us three to five pounds, he acts like he’s being so generous, like we should be grateful.”

“Nonsense!” Eldest Uncle didn’t want to argue with his daughter-in-law, so he turned to Mao Li and asked, “Did you really see it? Was that the price?”

Eldest Aunt Mao rolled her eyes, “How many times do I have to say it? I saw it clearly! I went to buy some, didn’t realize it was so expensive, and when I paid less, they mocked me.”

“Really, they make that little money in the countryside, but they act all secretive, afraid we’d get jealous or something. As if we don’t have our own land!”

Eldest Uncle sat there, his expression dark.

So, when Aunt Song Hongmei called at the end of the month to ask when they would return home, the couple hesitated and pushed it off:

“The shop is a bit busy these days; maybe in a few days…”

But delaying wasn’t an option since Qingming was nearly over, and they couldn’t delay until after the festival!

So they hurriedly set a date.

Aunt Song Hongmei didn’t set up her stall this morning, feeling the pain of lost income. She looked around her house, hesitating before finally grabbing a bottle of oil and cutting a piece of meat.

The couple then took the bus to Eldest Uncle’s place.

No other reason, just to hitch a ride back home.

By chance, they saw the family loading things into the car.

Eldest Uncle’s son, Song Xuehai, was responsible for picking up the children and going to work. Eldest Uncle drove, bringing Mao Li, Sun Yanyan, and Aunt Song Hongmei and her husband back home.

When Aunt Song Hongmei arrived, she noticed Sun Yanyan and Mao Li placing a large plastic crate, like the ones used to transport fruit from the wholesale market, in the back seat of the car, along with a few plastic bags.

She felt puzzled but didn’t ask, instead saying to Eldest Uncle:

“Big Brother, what are you planning to buy when we get back? I brought a bottle of oil and a piece of meat for our parents. Remember not to buy the same things.”

Sun Yanyan sweetly called her aunt and then praised her, looking at the things she had brought: “Wow, Auntie, you’re so thoughtful! Look at this meat, so fresh! Did you cut it at the market this morning?”

“And this oil, it’s good quality too, the kind that costs dozens of yuan a bottle at the supermarket!”

Who doesn’t love flattery?

Auntie joined in, “Of course, I didn’t even set up my stall today!”

Thinking about the money she hadn’t earned, she felt a pang of pain in her heart. Then she thought about the meat and oil she had brought…

Sigh!

If only you could buy anything in the world without spending money, that would be great.

Then, caught up in the conversation, she suddenly remembered: “Oh, last time Tan Tan sent over a basket of vetch; it tasted so good!”

As she spoke, her face showed regret—she had planned to make it last two or three days, but it was all gone after just one meal.

They had eaten an extra pot of rice that night.

She sighed, “I wonder if there are any vegetables left in the field. When we get home, we’ll have to check the garden.”

Sun Yanyan felt a twinge of disdain.

To be so blunt about taking advantage was just like her aunt, a first-rate penny-pincher.

But this thinking was oddly in line with her own family’s plans.

So she smiled and agreed, “Yes, there were some last time. But… oh, let me tell you, what was sent over was so little. Ziyi finished it in one meal.”

“This time, we should take a bit more.”