Chapter 73

Yan Jiang and Zhang Hong still loved their son; they had turned away earlier visitors, but refused to receive any more after that.

After a flurry of activity, they finally saw off the last group of customers.

After a hearty meal, Yan Li opened the trunk and called out to his parents to start unloading the items into the shop.

"Mom, this is the wool sweater I bought for you and Dad—warm and comfortable, from Hengyuanxiang."

"These are snacks from Beijing Daoxiangcun—try them later; these are local specialties from Shenzhen, all Hong Kong-style snacks."

"This is Nao Baijin, the one they talked about on TV—I asked, it's useless, but it's famous, so it's good to give as a gift during the New Year when visiting relatives."

"This is Ejiao—for beauty and complexion, nourishing yin and moistening the lungs; this is Tongrentang medicinal wine—for replenishing qi, strengthening the body, tonifying tendons and bones—I bought extra on purpose, so we can divide it among my uncle, my father's younger brothers, my aunts, and my mother's sisters."

"Two bottles of Wuliangye, two bottles of Maotai—for Dad to serve when hosting guests during the New Year; this gold bracelet is for Mom; two gold rings—one for Mom to keep, the other for Grandma."

"………"

Looking at the mountain of goods and then at the Santana parked at the door, Yan Jiang and his wife felt more worry than joy.

"Son, you didn't do anything illegal, did you?"

Yan Li was speechless: "What do you think I am? Didn't I tell you both on the phone? I landed a role and started a small business—I've got money."

"Having money doesn't mean you can waste it; you worked hard to earn it."

Zhang Hong, worried about her son, only muttered a word of complaint, but Yan Jiang still hesitated: "What kind of business?"

It wasn't that his father had a narrow mind; from Yan Li's character and behavior, it was clear he'd never been a quiet, obedient child since childhood.

Though he'd never committed any major offenses, he'd caused plenty of trouble—when Yan Li went to the martial arts school, they sent him there precisely because it was strict, hoping it would curb his mischief and temper his nature.

Yan Li earning money and buying things for home was a good thing, showing filial piety—but such generosity made Yan Jiang genuinely uneasy.

How easy is it to become an actor or run a business!

Their family ran a small restaurant—no money, no connections; Yan Li, a recent graduate, was drifting around Jingcheng, not asking home for money was already a miracle, yet he'd earned so much.

"I knew you wouldn't believe me."

Yan Li shook his head and pulled out a prepared file folder: "Look—this is my actor contract, my business contract, and a copy of the company's business license."

Yan Jiang didn't bother with politeness—he flipped through it, didn't understand much, but it looked official, and his heart grew calmer.

"You're just paranoid—our son has already grown up. No, my son was always a good kid."

Zhang Hong defended her son, scolding Yan Jiang for his baseless suspicions.

A mother knows her child best—Zhang Hong had always believed her son, though a bit restless, was merely mischievous, not wicked.

At first, not understanding, asking a few questions was fine—but now that he'd produced proof, to keep nagging would only hurt the child's feelings.

"Only Mom loves me."

Yan Li affectionately hugged his mother: "Anyway, Dad doesn't believe me—why not give the wine to my uncles and aunts-in-law?"

"Who said I don't believe my son?"

Yan Jiang retorted, trying to save face: "You bought all this without saying a word—what parent wouldn't ask a few questions?"

"Yes, yes, yes—do you still want this wine? If not, I'll give it to my uncles and aunts-in-law."

"You've got money to burn—I won't even drink this myself; one bottle of Lanling Wang for them is more than enough."

Yan Jiang carefully stashed the bottles under the cash register cabinet, then, still uneasy, put them in a cardboard box, planning to take them home and hide them.

Zhang Hong grumbled that he was stingy, but turned right around to scold Yan Li for being too generous—buying things for parents and Grandma was fine, but his uncles and aunts had their own children; they didn't need Yan Li's filial gifts.

No wonder you two are a couple!

Yan Li mentally scoffed but nodded and agreed outwardly—he knew arguing would only bring more nagging; better to humoring them.

After tidying up the shop, Yan Li drove his parents home.

Their home was in a village not far from the restaurant, called Bai Ling Village.

But there was no white tower in the village—just an ordinary hamlet; probably there had once been a similar structure, giving the place its name, but time had passed and now only the name remained.

The village was only a few li from the restaurant—less than ten minutes by bike.

In early 2003, in small, underdeveloped cities like Zao City, very few villagers owned cars.

Though it was only a Santana 2000, its arrival in the village drew plenty of attention.

Probably also because Yan Li's license plate started with "Jing"—a car from Jingcheng was truly rare in the village.

"Drive slowly."

Zhang Hong instructed, peering out the window as they drove, until they reached an alleyway where a few women and elderly ladies were chatting, unfazed by the cold.

Yan Li immediately knew what his mother was up to and cooperated fully, slowing the car to a stop at the alley entrance.

Zhang Hong, with her window rolled down, enthusiastically greeted them.

"Auntie Si, you're chatting here?"

"Yeah, Yan Li's back—he just got here this afternoon."

"This car's his own—I didn't know! Oh, this kid, so young, he earns money but can't hold onto it—bought a car, and even bought me a gold bracelet—he doesn't know how to manage his life, drives me crazy."

"I don't care about whether he's accomplished or not."

"…"

Zhang Hong chattered on enthusiastically; had Yan Jiang not finally had enough and tugged at her a few times, she'd have kept talking until it was time for dinner.

"You're showing off—wait till someone comes asking for a loan, then you'll be quiet."

Yan Jiang scolded Zhang Hong, but when they passed the village convenience store, he stopped the car.

"You two go ahead—I'm buying a pack of cigarettes."

Yan Li patted his pocket: "I've got Yuxi—there are several packs in the trunk, no need to buy."

"I can't stand that brand."

Yan Jiang opened the door, his general's belly protruding as he entered the store; Zhang Hong snorted in disdain.

"Your dad's shameless—he just scolded me and now he's off to the store to puff himself up."

Yan Li nodded in deep agreement, then honked the horn to make it easier for Old Comrade Yan to steer the conversation toward his son's coming home.

When he was young, he caused trouble for the family more often than he made his parents proud.

Now that he had a few small accomplishments, able to let his parents share in his glory, Yan Li felt very happy inside; he liked watching the smug, show-off look on his parents' faces.

Finally arriving home, the car had just stopped when barking—woof woof woof—erupted from the yard.

Having run a restaurant for so many years, although Yan Li's family hadn't moved into the city, they could be considered well-off in the village; the large, newly renovated bungalow they'd built in recent years was among the very best in the village.

But although the house was nice, the countryside atmosphere was what it was, and some petty theft was unavoidable—the more impressive the house, the more likely people were to eye it.

Especially since Yan Li's family had few members and Old Yan had to go check on the shop from time to time, so to guard against accidents, the family kept several dogs.

If they happened to run into a thief, the dogs would howl and bark, neighbors on both sides were around, and the thief's courage would fail, so he'd take off.

Once inside, after moving the things in, Zhang Hong went to light the stove to warm the house, while Yan Li went to feed the dogs.

Some leftover vegetable scraps and bones from the restaurant, mixed with hot water and bran, made up the dogs' food at home.

This treatment was absolutely considered quite good in the countryside; the dogs at Yan Li's house were all raised sturdy and strong.

"Shoo, shoo."

"Stop barking, or I'll smack you."

Not seeing him for a year, some of the dogs at home still recognized Yan Li, while others had forgotten him or didn't take him seriously, baring their teeth and growling—if they weren't tied up by chains, they might well have bitten someone.

Yan Li warned them a couple of times, then took the big ladle used for serving dog food and gave the fiercest barker a thrashing, and the dog calmed down.

"Bark again next time, and I'll not only thrash you, I'll starve you for two days on top of it."

Yan Li was just holding the ladle and lecturing the dogs when his phone rang; he pulled out his phone—it was a call from Dong Xuan.

"Mm, I'm home, just feeding the dogs."

"Did you receive the thing I sent you? Don't fuss about it, I bought it so you wear it. Wait until after New Year, I'll come see you at the crew before heading back to Jingcheng."

"……"

After chatting for a few minutes, Yan Li hung up the phone. Just as he was about to tidy up the dogs again, he turned his head and saw Zhang Hong watching him with bright, intent eyes.

"The one who just called you—was it a woman?"

(End of this chapter)