Chapter 73: The Show-Off Dad, the Boastful Mom, the Successful Son Smiling Broadly

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 carrying things into the shop.

“Mom, these are wool sweaters I bought for you and Dad—warm and comfortable, from Hengyuanxiang.”

“These are snacks from Beijing’s Daoxiangcun; try them later. These are local specialties from Shenzhen—all Hong Kong-style street food.”

“This is Brain White, the one they advertised on TV—I asked around, it’s useless, but it’s famous, so it’s good to give as gifts during the New Year visits.”

“This is donkey-hide gelatin, good for beauty and complexion, nourishing yin and moistening the lungs. This is Tongrentang medicinal wine, tonifying qi, strengthening the body, and fortifying bones and tendons—I bought extra on purpose, so we can divide it among my uncle, my little uncle, my aunt, my little aunt, and my aunts.”

“Two bottles of Wuliangye, two bottles of Maotai—for Dad to serve guests during the New Year. This gold bracelet is for Mom. Two gold rings—one for you, Mom, 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 he, as a father, had a narrow mind—Yan Li’s character and behavior made it clear he’d never been an obedient child since childhood.

Though he’d never committed any serious crimes, he’d caused plenty of trouble. When Yan Li went to the martial arts school, they sent him there precisely because it was strict, to keep him out of trouble 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 was just a recent graduate, drifting around Beijing; not asking home for money was already a miracle, let alone earning 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 hesitate—he flipped through it. He 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 was just a bit restless, a little mischievous, but never evil.

At first, not understanding, asking a few questions was fine—but now that he’d provided proof, to keep pressing was just hurting the child’s feelings.

“Only Mom truly cares for me.”

Yan Li affectionately hugged his mother: “Anyway, Dad doesn’t believe me. Why don’t I give the wine to my uncle and aunt-in-laws?”

“Who said I don’t believe my son?”

Yan Jiang retorted, making excuses: “You quietly bought all this stuff—what parent wouldn’t ask a few questions?”

“Fine, fine, fine—do you want the wine or not? If not, I’ll give it to my uncle and aunt-in-laws.”

“You’re wasting money. I wouldn’t even drink this myself—giving them one bottle of Lanling Wang would be plenty.”

Yan Jiang carefully placed 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 and scolded 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 make such a pair!

Yan Li silently mocked them inside, 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 [Bailou Village].

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

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

In early 2003, in a poor little city 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 because Yan Li’s license plate started with “Jing”—a car from Beijing was truly rare in the village.

“Slow down.”

Zhang Hong instructed, peering out the window as they drove, and finally spotted a few women and elderly ladies chatting together at the mouth of an alley.

Yan Li instantly 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 down, enthusiastically greeted them.

“Auntie Si, you’re chatting here?”

“Yeah, Yan Li’s back—he just got here this afternoon.”

“This car is his own—I didn’t even know! Oh, this kid, so young, he earns money but can’t hold onto it—he bought a car and even bought me a gold bracelet. He has no sense of thrift—it drives me crazy.”

“I don’t care about whether he’s accomplished or not.”

“…”

Zhang Hong chatted more and more enthusiastically; if Yan Jiang hadn’t finally had enough and tugged at her a few times, she’d have kept going until dinner time.

“You’re showing off. When someone comes asking for money, 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 don’t like that brand.”

Yan Jiang opened the door, his general’s belly protruding as he walked into 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, making it easy for Yan Jiang to pivot into the topic of his son coming home.

As a child, he caused more trouble than joy for the family.

Now, with a little success, he could make his parents proud—Yan Li was happy, and he loved watching them show off and gloat.

Finally home—the car had barely stopped when the yard erupted in barking.

Having run the restaurant for years, Yan Li’s family hadn’t moved to the city, but they were among the wealthier households in the village—their newly renovated flat-roofed house was among the best in the village.

But despite the nice house, rural customs were rough, and petty theft was common—the more impressive the house, the more it attracted attention.

Especially since Yan Li’s family was small, and Yan Jiang often had to go check on the restaurant, so to prevent trouble, they kept several dogs.

If a thief ever came, the dogs would bark loudly, and neighbors would hear—thieves, timid by nature, would flee.

After entering the house and unloading the goods, Zhang Hong lit the stove to warm the room, while Yan Li went to feed the dogs.

Leftover food, meat, and bones from the restaurant, mixed with warm bran, made up the dogs’ meals.

This was a very good standard in the countryside—Yan Li’s dogs were all well-fed and sturdy.

“Shoo.”

“Stop barking, or I’ll beat you.”

After a year away, some dogs recognized Yan Li, others had forgotten him or didn’t care—he bared his teeth and growled; if not for the chains, they might have bitten.

Yan Li warned them twice, then swung the large ladle at the loudest barker—once he was hit, the dog quieted.

“Next time you bark, I won’t just hit you—I’ll starve you for two days.”

As Yan Li was scolding the dogs with the ladle, his phone rang—he pulled it out. It was Dong Xuan.

“Yeah, I’m home, feeding the dogs.”

“Did you get the stuff I mailed you? Don’t argue—just wear it. When I finish the New Year, I’ll come to the set before heading back to Beijing.”

“…”

After chatting for a few minutes, Yan Li hung up. Just as he turned back to finish tending the dogs, he saw Zhang Hong staring at him intently.

“The person who just called you—was it a woman?”

(End of Chapter)