134. A Surprise Before the Start of School

The snow continued to fall late into the night without ceasing. Fang Chang’an barely left the house, yet the festive atmosphere of the New Year remained vibrant, with firecrackers bursting incessantly throughout the day.

At noon, after cooking dumplings, Fang Lujun carried a steaming bowl through the snow and delivered it to the southern side. Shortly after, Fang Luyong also brought over a bowl, and they exchanged a few words.

By evening, Fang Chang’an was tending the fire by the stove when the old patriarch, Fang Fukang, ambled slowly over, hands clasped behind his back. He first called out to Fang Chang’an, then found a stool in the main hall and sat down. He called for Fang Changming and Fang Yanran, retrieved the glasses hanging from his chest pocket, and put them on. From his pocket, he pulled out a roll of money, spat lightly, and methodically counted out three ten-yuan notes.

“One each, all the same...”

This was an annual ritual. Fang Chang’an and the others, accustomed to it, accepted the red envelopes one by one. The old man didn’t linger; with hands still behind his back, he slowly walked back into the snowy night.

Inside the kitchen, Congrong called out, “Would you like to take an umbrella?”

“No need.”

The old man waved dismissively, turned a corner, exited the second son’s house, and ambled southward back to his own home.

Since night fell early, dinner was naturally early as well. They finished eating just before seven o’clock and waited another hour for the Spring Festival Gala to begin. Fang Lujun lay on the bed, while the three siblings sat on chairs and stools. After tidying up, Congrong joined them to watch.

Fang Chang’an had no particular impression of this year’s gala and, lacking a phone to check the program, only recognized many familiar faces. After watching for over an hour, feeling a chill creeping in, he grabbed a cotton-padded jacket and wore it inside out over his front.

Fang Changming and Fang Yanran couldn’t stay up; after the nine o’clock closing firecrackers, they went to bed. Fang Lujun soon snored on his bed, and Congrong also fell asleep. The lights in both the inner and outer rooms were off, leaving only the glow of the television.

Fang Chang’an sat alone before the TV, watching the singing and dancing performances. Outside, the crackle of firecrackers rang continuously, stirring deep, uncontrollable feelings within him.

For him, this was truly the first New Year since his rebirth.

Reflecting carefully on the past six months, the greatest change was undoubtedly at home. Nothing was more important than the health and reunion of family.

The steamed bun shop was a surprise. Given his knowledge, there wasn’t much he could do, but he had found a business opportunity and successfully launched it. Luck played a large part, but mainly, Cheng Mengfei and Shen Chengyan proved far more reliable than he had imagined.

After the New Year, his father would continue working outside. Once the steamed bun business stabilized, the family’s finances would improve further. Could they start another business?

But what could they do? His knowledge was limited.

Lost in thought, Fang Chang’an heard a familiar sketch on the TV. Turning his attention, he saw three very familiar faces performing the skit “Heart Disease,” the origin of the phrase “so chilly.”

“So it’s a skit from this year?”

He found it remarkable. After watching, satisfied, he didn’t wait to stay up for the midnight celebration. He turned off the TV, poured some hot water, brushed his teeth, washed his face, and went to bed.

The two brothers shared a bed since childhood. Fang Changming had developed the habit of taking up half the bed, but still moved around restlessly in his sleep. Fang Chang’an carefully and skillfully grabbed his brother’s ankle, shifted his leg aside, and lay down on the inner side of the bed.

A new goal had formed: buying a house!

Not for investment, but so the three siblings wouldn’t have to cram into half a living room and so that the younger brother and sister could experience having their own rooms.

“Should we go to the town, the county, or the city?”

The next day, Fang Chang’an woke as usual, feeling a bit lazy. Hearing his father sweeping snow outside the courtyard, he sighed, got dressed, and went out to help.

After clearing the area in front of the door and shoveling paths to the main gate and the toilet, he was sweating profusely and felt much warmer. He ran back inside, slipped into Fang Changming’s bed, making him shout from the cold, then went to call Fang Yanran.

Breakfast was still dumplings. Fang Lujun, along with cousins of the same generation, went house to house to offer New Year greetings. Congrong tidied up and went visiting with other wives of the same generation, like Wang Yuxiu. The house was stocked with sunflower seeds, roasted peanuts, banana leaves, and popcorn candies. These candies were made a few days ago when Fang Changming used rice to fry popcorn, and Congrong boiled sugar on the stove to make the candy, adding crushed peanuts for a fragrant sweetness.

In addition, some popcorn was made from corn but was less sweet and fragrant. Fortunately, the quantity was small and almost finished.

Fang Chang’an visited Fang Dianqiu’s home and otherwise stayed inside reading and watching TV. He felt quite content with this Spring Festival.

During this time, he received a call from Chang Wei, who only knew that his father had saved Fang Chang’an from a robbery and had even appeared on television. The details were unclear. Yesterday, his usually unpleasant father had surprisingly spoken kindly to him, asking mostly about his relationship with Fang Chang’an besides his grades, and urged him to spend more time with Fang Chang’an to learn from him.

Chang Wei was no fool; in some respects, his instincts were keen. Hearing his father’s exhortations, he sensed there was something he didn’t know. The father and son talked at length about Fang Chang’an without quarreling, which surprised even their mother.

Chang Chao was more tight-lipped, not telling his son much except to suggest he learn more from Fang Chang’an. Chang Wei wanted to know more about what had happened.

Regarding the matters involving Chang Chao and Shen Baoguo with Shen Chengyan, Fang Chang’an mostly speculated and didn’t tell Chang Wei much, only hinting that Uncle Chang might get a promotion in the coming years before ending the call.

Near noon, Shen Mo called again, sounding cheerful and chatting about New Year greetings with no hint of transferring schools.

After hanging up, Fang Chang’an felt a weight in his chest. Sitting by the phone, he hesitated a moment before, for the first time, dialing Wang Ke’s number.

“Hello, who’s this?”

A young boy answered. Fang Chang’an smiled and said, “Hello, I’m looking for Wang Ke.”

The boy immediately shouted, “Sister! Someone’s looking for you again, and this time it’s a boy!”

He then leaned closer to the phone and said, “She’s coming, wait a moment.”

“Okay.”

Fang Chang’an replied and waited more than ten seconds before hearing a faint breath, followed by a clear, melodious voice: “Hello?”

“I’m Fang Chang’an.”

“I knew it was you.”

The girl on the other end seemed to smile, sounding quite happy. “What are you doing?”

No questions asked—undoubtedly a good sign.

“Calling you.”

“I wasn’t asking that,” the girl pouted slightly, her tone tinged with mild reproach.

“Sitting at home watching TV and reading. My parents went to visit relatives. My brother and sister went out to play.”

“Me too.”

Wang Ke giggled. “Why aren’t you playing outside?”

“It’s cold. I don’t want to go out.”

“You’re a boy and afraid of the cold?”

“And you’re a girl, aren’t you afraid?”

“Yes, but if I want to play, I still go out.”

“Makes sense, but I just don’t want to.”

“Hmph.”

“What are you doing?”

“Playing cards with my brother and neighbors. Can you play?”

“A little, but I don’t play cards.”

“Why not?”

“Because my dad likes playing cards, so my mom forbids the three of us from playing.”

“We don’t gamble, just play games like Dou Di Zhu. The worst we do is put stickers on our faces.”

“It’s just for fun and relaxation.”

Fang Chang’an smiled and changed the subject. “When you brought home your awards, were your uncle and aunt happy?”

“Yes! When I got home, my dad stuck them on the wall. What about you? With so many awards, your parents must be even happier?”

“Just so-so. I’ve been like this since I was little—they’re used to it.”

“Hmph!”

“Hmph, what?”

“Just know you’re good at school, alright?”

“Alright.”

Fang Chang’an dragged out the last word, chuckled, then asked, “Does it affect your card playing?”

“No, I let them play first.”

“Have you called Shen Mo?”

“She just called earlier, so I didn’t call back. My brother answered and said, ‘It’s a sister with a very nice voice.’ Hehehe. When you called, he said, ‘It’s a boy.’”

“You should scold him later—he can’t be so biased. It’s unfair.”

“What if you answered?”

“Hmm... if it’s a girl, I’d say ‘hold on a moment.’ If it’s a boy, I’d say ‘wrong number.’”

Wang Ke laughed, ignoring him, then teased, “How can you be like that? So shameless.”

“Did you watch the Spring Festival Gala last night?”

“Yes, but I didn’t finish it.”

“Me neither...”

After chatting with Wang Ke for a while, Fang Chang’an hung up, feeling much better. Congrong had returned and was preparing lunch. Fang Lujun wouldn’t be eating with them; several cousins took turns hosting the annual feast, and this year’s host was unknown.

After lunch, the liveliest and most anticipated part of the New Year atmosphere had essentially passed. Fang Yanran, still reluctant, asked, “Mom, is the New Year over already?”

Congrong smiled, “Yes, it’s over.”

Fang Changming, with a tone implying childishness, asked, “How much longer did you want it to last?”

Fang Yanran ignored her brother and nibbled on a popcorn candy, “It went by too fast!”

Fang Lujun didn’t return until evening, accompanied by Fang Luyong, Fang Lusheng, and Fang Changfeng, all reeking of alcohol. Fang Lujun, with a drunk smile, saw them to the door, then sat on the sofa, mumbling drunkenly, urging someone to study hard, scolding another for poor study habits, and pulling out money, saying, “Dad won some money! Here’s fifty, here’s a hundred!”

He really handed out the money. Fang Changming and Fang Yanran, having seen so much, didn’t dare take any, but when the eldest brother accepted it, they both took theirs.

Fang Chang’an cooperated in soothing his father to bed, then handed the money to his mother and asked, “Mom, how much money is left at home?”

Congrong, knitting, glanced at him. “There’s still some. You don’t need to worry about it—just keep your money.”

Before the New Year, the family had sold a pig and two sheep. Fang Chang’an reckoned they still had some financial cushion, nodded, and seeing Fang Changming and Fang Yanran watching TV in the east room, asked again, “Do you know how much houses cost in the county or city?”

Congrong looked surprised. “Why do you ask?”

Fang Chang’an said, “From now on, the steamed bun shop will bring in three to four thousand yuan a month, maybe more next year. That’s thirty to forty thousand a year. Dad’s income covers our household expenses. I was thinking if we saved for a year or two, we could buy a house and move to the county or city.”

Without waiting for her objection, he continued, “That way, Changming and Yanran could attend school in the city or county, which is definitely better than the village. Dad wouldn’t know as many people, so he wouldn’t be gambling and drinking all the time. Besides, Dad can’t be the only one working away from home forever. You two could start a small business together, right?”

Congrong was clearly reluctant or unaccustomed to such changes. After a moment’s thought, she sighed, “It’s not that easy. Houses in the city cost hundreds of thousands, and even in the county, it’s tens of thousands. It’s not so easy to save up that much.”

“Besides, the money your uncle gave you last year was because you came up with the idea. It’s not guaranteed he’ll keep giving you money. It’s better to save it so if something happens, we won’t be helpless.”

“And if we all move away, what about the land at home?”

Fang Chang’an had anticipated his mother’s concerns and smiled. “We can let Uncle’s family farm it and pay them a little each year. Isn’t that how renting out land works?”

“Also, I heard from Uncle Shen and Teacher Cheng that housing prices will rise in the coming years, whether in the city, county, or town. If we buy early, even if we don’t live there, selling later will make a profit.”

Congrong was momentarily at a loss for a comeback and sighed, “Then no one we know will be there. What’s good about that? And what about your grandparents, both paternal and maternal, when they get older?”

“We’ll be richer by then and can bring them over to live with us.”

Fang Chang’an was employing a tactic of knocking down the walls before opening the windows. Knowing his parents wouldn’t accept it easily, he proposed a more realistic plan: “But you’re right. Why don’t we move to the town first? It’s closer to home, and houses are cheaper—surely a few tens of thousands would cover it. Uncle and Auntie live there too, so we wouldn’t be worried about knowing no one.”

Congrong thought it over and found herself surprisingly unopposed. It even seemed like a good idea, though instinctively she felt uneasy. She nodded, “We’ll see. First, earn money.”

“Okay.”

Fang Chang’an agreed immediately, “First earn money, then buy a house.”

Congrong hesitated, knowing saving wasn’t that easy, and didn’t argue against her son’s bold plan that would shape their family’s future.

On the second day of the New Year, the siblings each received ten yuan in red envelopes at their maternal grandmother’s house. Fang Chang’an, having performed well, was given an extra five yuan, which he accepted happily.

On the third day, the uncle, aunt, and second aunt’s families all gathered at Majia Valley, dining again in the front courtyard. This time, no conflicts arose. Dan Fei still looked down on Fang Chang’an and his siblings, but young Dan Xiang, with a less sharp memory and less stubbornness, quickly got along with Fang Changming.

Fang Lujun couldn’t resist boasting again in front of the relatives about how amazing his son was—top of the school, a pile of awards. Though a familiar tale, it had its effect. Dan Peng and second aunt Fang Yan’s attitude softened significantly.

The second aunt’s husband, Tang Xianyu, drunk and flushed, secretly slipped twenty yuan into Fang Chang’an’s hand during tea after dinner, whispering, “Don’t work yourself too hard at school; make sure you eat well.”

This was both a New Year gift and a reward, as none of the other younger relatives—Dan Fei, Dan Xiang, Fang Changming, Fang Yanran, Fang Changqing, or Fang Danran—received any money.

Fang Chang’an had never received such a gift before.

But this was natural. One couldn’t expect others to always reach out a helping hand if one was mired in misery. Only with ambition or signs of progress would more hands reach out.

With the soul of a future life and having successfully changed his fate, Fang Chang’an was no longer bitter or misanthropic as in his previous life. He accepted the money and sincerely and quietly thanked Uncle Tang Xianyu.

Tang Xianyu responded with a casual “Eh—,” waved his hand, and walked away, signaling that family ties meant no need for such formality.

After the New Year, time passed quickly with visiting relatives. Fang Lujun had bought train tickets before the New Year to return to Wenzhou on the eleventh day of the first lunar month. Fang Chang’an, however, was to start school on the eighth day and would go to school the night before.

On the seventh day, the sky was overcast early, as if snow was about to fall again. After lunch, Fang Chang’an, following his parents’ instructions, carried some New Year gifts and braved the howling cold wind to Shen Chengyan’s house.

Snow began falling midway, and the cold intensified. He stopped his bicycle, shivering as he unfastened the rear seat, when a familiar clear, tender voice called out, “Fang Chang’an!”

With surprise and disbelief, he turned to see Shen Mo—who was supposed to have transferred to the city—dressed all in white, wearing a hat, hopping like a little rabbit beneath the porch.

Her youthful, pure face beamed with joy and a hint of pride as she cheerfully said, “I knew you’d come!”

7017k