mtl008 Chapter 315: Heart-to-heart talk by the river
Chapter 315: Heart-to-heart talk by the river
"Master, what are you talking about? Where can Second Uncle go? He is certainly in a difficult position!"
Song Anning chased her while laughing, replying to Xiangxiang with her mind:
"I was worried about him getting hurt, so I didn't think before I spoke. Hehe...
Hurry up and call Number One over here and ask him to rescue my Second Uncle. The pig is frightened and is running away really fast..."
"Master, don't worry. When Xiangxiang saw your second uncle, she called Number One over. He will be here soon."
As soon as Xiangxiang finished speaking, she saw a black shadow passing by her eyes. Number One flew to Song Nian and picked him up from the fat pig's back.
After he landed steadily, he took out his dagger and killed the running fat pig in a few strokes.
"Uncle, how are you? Are you okay?"
Song An Ning ran to his side and saw that Song Nian's hand was bleeding.
"It's okay, just a few scrapes, not as bad as the one your grandfather gave me.
It has to be number one, it’s so easy to kill the pig.”
At this time, Song Daguang and several young and strong men ran over. Seeing that Song Nian was fine, they said a few simple words and pushed the pig away on a flatbed cart.
"Is this Uncle Daguang's pig? How could it have escaped without any problems?
Just now, due to an emergency, Number One killed the pig like this... Never mind, I'll send some silver over later and consider it as my purchase, as I'll need it the day after tomorrow."
Song Anning took out a handkerchief and wiped the dirt off Song Nian's wound. She was going to take him back to get bandaged, but Song Nian didn't plan to go back. He smiled and explained:
"The day after tomorrow, when your new house is going to be put up for the ceremony, I bought this pig as a gift. I've also prepared other things. Just don't think it's too little, Aning."
Song Anning knew the custom in Banyue Village. Raising the beam of a new house was a big event. An ordinary person might only build a new house once in his lifetime. On that day, all the villagers would come to celebrate, and those who were close to the family would even prepare a generous gift.
"This pig weighs at least 300 kilograms. I'm sorry for the expense, Uncle. Aning would like to thank you for your kindness."
"You kid, why are you being so polite to your own uncle? It didn't cost much money.
Aning, are you in a hurry to go back? If you have nothing to do, come with me to the river for a walk. Second uncle has something to tell you.
Song An Ning readily agreed. Over the past ten days, the whole family had witnessed the changes in Song Nian. She was a little curious about what her second uncle would say to her.
The sun was about to set, and the sunset stretched the two people's backs very long. Song Nian looked at the calm river surface, smiled at first, and then said:
"I went to buy jewelry today and it really opened my eyes. I never dreamed that a silver bracelet could have so many patterns and designs, and I never thought that something worth only a few taels of silver could be sold for dozens of taels.
On the way back, I felt like a toad in a well, with only the village to see. My previous thoughts became ridiculous.
Song An Ning knew very well that Song Nian seldom spoke his true feelings to others, and the fact that he exposed his shortcomings in front of her, a junior, showed that the group was really hit hard today.
“Those silver bracelets are not as pure as silver ingots, and they are not as good as gold jewelry. When I came back, I told Brother Ming about this and I was very puzzled.
Ming told me that those items were bought by the ladies of wealthy families to entertain themselves. They'd wear them symbolically twice before being given away to lesser-known people or left to gather dust in jewelry boxes. The extravagance of the rich is beyond our imagination.
Aning, do you think it's ridiculous that I earned over a hundred taels of silver, but could only buy two silver bracelets to entertain people? Those thoughts in my mind before were really wishful thinking."
She understood the collapse of her second uncle's worldview. If he had repented before because he felt sorry for his family, he was saying this now because he was slapped in the face by reality.
"Uncle, Aning understands your feelings. Just like when I first arrived in Linhai Town, an ordinary inn cost 200 coins.
Xiaochuan and Xiaoyu, who came to visit us two days ago, work in Chen's tea house and earn dozens of coins a day, which is equivalent to a grown man in the village carrying heavy bags for a whole day.
At that time, I was thinking, if the prices in a small Linhai town are so high, what will the capital be like?
We are just locals, and it's enough for us to make a living by doing a little business. There's no need to compare people, and there's no way to compare.
Some people have everything since they are born, which is unattainable for ordinary people even if they work hard all their lives.
Just compare yourself with your past self, make tomorrow a little better than today, and make next year a little richer than this year. Spend the money you earn, buy the things you like, and do what you can. That's enough."
Song Nian thought about his niece's words and suddenly understood. He recalled this time last year, when the family had just been separated and there were many children in the family. After the busy farming season, Liu went up the mountain to pick mushrooms and dig medicinal herbs all day long, while he went to the dock to carry heavy bags. Even so, life was still tight.
Now, thanks to Aning's duck eggs and chili peppers, they have long lived a life of ease and comfort, and even have spare money to buy jewelry. What else is there to be dissatisfied about?
Seeing that he was somewhat moved, Song Anning continued:
"The wealth of the town's wealthy families is the product of generations of accumulated wealth. Take Qiuyue's maternal grandparents, for example. They own dozens of shops, thousands of acres of land, houses, warehouses, vehicles, boats, and servants. Their monthly allowance is hundreds of taels."
But, just as the poor worry about food, clothing, and shelter, the rich also have their own difficulties. Life in this world is not easy for anyone. Uncle, don't worry, just live your life well."
"Aning has grown up and can comfort me now..."
There was some relief in Song Nian's eyes. The day Zhang fell ill, he suddenly realized that he was no longer a child and could do whatever he wanted.
Time flies so fast. His parents who used to protect him from the wind and rain are now gray-haired. Now at home, his eldest brother is gone, his eldest sister-in-law is sick, Song Juan'er has not recovered yet, and Song Xing is still studying in the academy.
He must take responsibility for taking care of the family instead of being stupid like before.
Thinking of this, he looked at Song An Ning with some heartache. The teenage girl had shouldered too much.
"Aning, if you want to go out and do business, go ahead. Second uncle and second aunt will take good care of the family."
"Okay, with Uncle Er's words, I can rest assured no matter how long I'm away."
The uncle and nephew smiled at each other. The relationship between people requires getting along with each other. They have been in this world for two months and have experienced so much. Although the family has various problems, they are still a family.
"Go back. Aning is a very smart child. Uncle Er will take note of what you said."
Walking along the path by the river towards the village, the two just arrived at the village entrance and saw Zhang, who had been lying for a long time, standing under a big banyan tree. Song Dashan and Song Juaner were standing next to her, talking about something with happy faces.
"What's going on? I rarely see my mother smile so happily."
With Xiangxiang's help, Song Anning knew they were here early in the morning and heard clearly the conversation between grandma and the villagers.
"Yes, let's go over and listen to what happy things they are talking about..."