NABC Chapter 87 Moving House
Chapter 87 Moving House
More than ten days have passed in the blink of an eye.
Fang Shuwen's newly purchased yard has been tidied up, and the osmanthus tree in the backyard has been transplanted to the side.
In the very center, the ground was paved with blue bricks, and three wooden dummy stakes made of ironwood stood there.
The stone weights of various weights were stacked in a row, making it look like a proper martial arts training ground.
Old Fang spends his days wandering around the yard, touching and looking at things, and the wrinkles on his face are smoothing out day by day.
The day of the move was the day that Lao Fang had consulted a fortune teller to choose.
The father and son got up early in the morning; the sun was shining brightly outside.
Old Fang packed up a whole bunch of things: patched clothes, a broken stool, a chipped teacup—he couldn't bear to throw anything away.
"Dad, let's forget about these and buy new ones."
"Buying new ones doesn't cost money, does it? These are still usable, we can't throw them away." Old Fang squatted on the ground and packed everything up.
Fang Shuwen did not stop him again.
Anyway, the yard over there is big, so we can just find a storage room to put it there.
……
In the backyard of the Zhao residence, Hu Da was busy in the kitchen early in the morning.
Today, Mr. Fang and his son are hosting a housewarming party. They bought chicken, fish, and meat and asked them to treat their old neighbors to a meal.
Hu Ziran then took on the job of cook.
Wang Ma stood at the kitchen door, helping to pick vegetables while her mouth kept moving:
"Hu Da, did Xiao Fang really buy a house on the edge of the concession? That place isn't cheap."
In Xikou County, houses are mostly located in the wealthy areas or the former concession areas.
The house is large, well-built, and the environment and security are good.
The price will naturally be high.
The housing prices are no lower than those in big cities.
The cheapest ones cost several hundred or even thousands of silver dollars.
"They definitely bought it. It's said to be a two-courtyard house with a back garden," Hu Datou said without looking up.
Upon hearing this, Wang Ma's eyes widened, and she couldn't help but purse her lips: "He's just a student, where would he get so much money? He used to be a worse student than my Cuicui."
"Have you noticed how polite the master has been to Xiao Fang these days? She must have acquired some great skills." Hu Da raised his eyelids and glanced at her.
Wang Ma was momentarily speechless, then muttered softly, "I was just asking..."
Cui Cui came out of the kitchen carrying a basin of water. She was wearing a loose floral shirt, but her complexion was still not good. She had dark circles under her eyes, as if she hadn't slept well for several days.
She kept her head down, and as she poured water, her other hand unconsciously supported her waist.
At this moment, when Wang Ma saw her daughter, she immediately said:
"Cui Cui, don't do these chores for now. Go and talk to Xiao Fang. You two grew up together, it's always good to catch up."
Hu Da glanced at it and sneered inwardly.
This Wang Ma, trying to scheme against Xiao Fang, is really overthinking it.
……
It was almost noon.
Fang Shuwen returned from outside, carrying two large paper bags.
He called out towards the kitchen, "Uncle Hu, is the food ready yet?"
"Almost there!"
Fang Shuwen entered Old Fang's room and handed him the paper bag: "Dad, change into this."
Old Fang opened it and was stunned.
A brand-new navy blue robe, made of silk, with gleaming brass buttons. Beside it was a mink hat, jet black and shiny.
"How much does this cost?"
"There aren't many, why don't you try them on?"
Fang Shuwen also changed into a newly made Palomino suit, gray and well-tailored.
He also had a steel-cased watch on his wrist, an imported one that cost two hundred silver dollars.
He helped Lao Fang change his clothes.
Old Fang's hands were shaking so badly that he had to button the buttons several times before he could finally get them on.
He put on the rich man's clothes and the mink hat.
Apart from his back still not being straight, he looks like a completely different person.
Old Fang stood in front of the mirror, stunned for a long time, his eyes slowly reddening.
"This book... isn't it too expensive? Should we return it...?"
"As long as it looks good on you, that's fine. Besides, you've already worn it, so they won't give you a refund."
……
In the courtyard, the food was laid out on the table.
Hu Da pulled out all the stops today, serving a table full of braised pork, sweet and sour fish, and stir-fried mutton with scallions.
These are the ingredients that Xiao Fang bought; the quantity is very generous, even more abundant than during the Chinese New Year.
It would cost him about a month's wages.
Ordinary people simply can't afford it.
While Hu Da was squatting by the kitchen door smoking his pipe, he saw Fang Shuwen and his son come out.
He quickly stood up, strode over to Old Fang, and bowed slightly: "Hey, Old Fang, your outfit is just as impressive as those gentlemen outside!"
Old Fang smiled sheepishly.
When Wang Ma brought out the last bowl of soup from the kitchen, she saw Lao Fang's attire, her hand trembled, and she almost dropped the soup bowl.
"Old Fang? You're Old Fang?"
Her eyes widened and then turned to Fang Shuwen.
He wore a gray suit, shiny leather shoes, and a watch on his wrist.
This outfit must cost at least a hundred or two hundred yuan.
Xiao Fang used to be a good-for-nothing with high aspirations but low abilities, so how did he become successful?
Wang Ma's voice was a little dry: "Xiao Fang, I always thought you'd be a capable person, and I was right!"
She placed the soup bowl on the table, muttering to herself:
"This dress must have cost a lot of money, right? My daughter Cui Cui saw a suit at the department store last time that cost more than fifty yuan, and she was so scared that she came out immediately."
Fang Shuwen smiled but didn't reply.
His clothes alone cost him a hundred yuan.
Not to mention this watch.
Wang Ma stood across the table, her gaze lingering for a moment on the watch on Fang Shuwen's wrist. She pursed her lips, wanting to say something but swallowing it back.
"Cui Cui! Come out for dinner!"
Cui Cui came out of the kitchen carrying a plate of peanuts. She was stunned when she saw Fang Shuwen's attire. She lowered her head, put the plate on the table, and turned back.
"I don't know what's wrong with this girl lately, she's been listless all the time," Wang Ma muttered.
……
The food was laid out, and several people sat down around it.
Hu Da poured a few glasses of wine, raised his glass, and said, "Come on, let's toast Lao Fang first. Congratulations on moving! May your life become more and more prosperous!"
Old Fang's hand was still trembling as he picked up the wine glass, spilling some wine, and his eyes reddened again.
Aunt Wang picked up a piece of braised pork with her chopsticks, chewed it a couple of times, and couldn't help but ask, "Xiao Fang, did you really buy that yard? How much did it cost?"
Fang Shuwen put down his chopsticks: "It didn't cost much."
"It's all good if it didn't cost much?"
Hu Da tried to smooth things over, saying, "Let's eat, why ask so many questions? Xiao Fang is capable, why do you care how much he spends?"
Wang Ma opened her mouth, but was glared at by Hu Da and kept eating.
"I was just asking, I didn't mean anything by it."
……
In the afternoon, as the sun began to set, Fang Shuwen led Old Fang out of the back gate of the Zhao residence.
Old Fang, carrying the blue cloth bundle, glanced back at the black lacquered wooden door and stood there for a while.
"Dad, I'm leaving."
Old Fang responded, turned around, and followed Fang Shuwen forward.
The alley was long, and Lao Fang walked slowly, but Fang Shuwen didn't urge him on.
As they turned out of the alley, Old Fang suddenly said, "Shuwen, I never thought I'd be living in a house like this in my entire life."
Fang Shuwen didn't say anything, but simply put his hand on his shoulder and patted him gently.
……
Apricot Tree Street, at the entrance of the courtyard.
Fang Shuwen pushed open the courtyard gate and led Old Fang inside.
Several bright red fruits hung from the pomegranate tree in the front yard, looking especially delightful in the setting sun.
Old Fang stood in the middle of the courtyard, walked around once, and then walked around again.
"Shuwen, is this really ours?"
"Really." Fang Shuwen put the key in his hand. "From today onwards, this is our home."
Old Fang gripped the keys, his fingers tightening and loosening, then he lowered his head to secretly wipe the corner of his eye with his sleeve, before looking up and forcing a smile:
"Okay, okay, let's go home."