On the afternoon of the 25th, the weather gradually warmed up.
Uncle Tang was rummaging through boxes and cabinets in the room.
Shitou saw it and asked: Uncle Tang, what are you looking for in the box?
Uncle Tang replied: I'm looking for a change of clothes...
"I'll ask my aunt to come over and help you find it." Shitou interrupted:
Uncle Tang replied: There is no need to call her, I will just find two more clothes.
"I've been staying at home for a few months, and I have to go out and do some activities." Tang Bo continued:
Shitou said blankly: I almost forgot that Uncle Tang is a businessman.
Uncle Tang responded: I'm not a businessman yet, I just resell some groceries!
Shitou continued: Selling groceries is also a business.
Uncle Tang argued: Business is business, and the best I can do is make a living.
"Uncle Tang, can I go out with you to resell groceries?" Shitou said:
"No, after I leave, there will be no men in this family. You have to stay in our house - help Ping'er (Xu Hongping) take care of this house." Tang Bo replied:
Shitou said: Uncle Tang, when I was not at your house before, my aunt and daughter still managed the house in an orderly manner.
Tang Bo said: Today is different from the past. I have a vague feeling that our family cannot survive without you.
Shitou sneered and said: Uncle Tang, you think too highly of Shitou. Shitou is still a child. How can I be like you? Pick up this home in one piece!
Tang Bo commented: Don't be humble if you are a stone! You are a big boy and a man, and you are fully capable of helping me take care of this house.
Besides, I'm not asking you to start the whole house, you just have to help take care of it.
Shitou called out: Uncle Tang, you believe in Shitou so much!
Uncle Tang patted Shi Shi's shoulder and said with a smile: My vision is not wrong.
"Ms. sir, have you packed up?" Xu Hongping put one hand on the door and shouted:
Uncle Tang replied: I still have one piece of clothing to pack.
"Aunt Tang, Uncle Tang is going out to do business." Shitou said:
"Yes! He is going out to resell groceries, and you are so absorbed in chatting with him here. What are you talking about!" Xu Hongping walked to the bed and sat down on it.
Shitou continued: You know, you still want to let him go.
"I won't let him go out to make money. If he stays at home, I can't afford to support him." Xu Hongping joked:
"Uncle Tang can go sell insoles with you..." Shitou responded:
"He is not you, he is not suitable to sell these things." Xu Hongping interrupted:
"It's okay if he doesn't sell insoles. He can sell other things." Shitou replied:
"Shitou, we are a small town here, and the sales volume is not large. In addition, the things I sell are not qualitative, and I have to run around!" Uncle Tang called:
"Shitou, you were having a lively chat just now. As soon as I came in, you stopped talking." Xu Hongping said:
Shitou said: I just said that I asked Uncle Tang to take me out to do business.
Xu Hongping said disdainfully: What a joke! You let him take you out to do business! Do you want to beg?
Shitou responded: Aunt Tang, that’s what you said!
Xu Hongping continued: Look at him - he stayed at home for two months and had nothing to do all day long. If it were anyone else, he would have been unable to open the pot.
Shitou replied: Aunt Tang's words are wrong! How could Uncle Tang be hungry! Uncle Tang was away doing business all year round, so it was reasonable for him to come back and rest for a while.
If Uncle Tang doesn't return home, it would be strange that Aunt Tang is not in a hurry.
Xu Hongping smiled and said: Shitou, you are so poor.
Uncle Tang said: To be honest, after I leave, you all have to take care of yourselves...
"Ms. sir, this is not the first time you have gone out." Xu Hongping shouted:
Uncle Tang replied: Ping'er, be careful and don't let those lawless people take advantage of it. Ever since what happened on the Lantern Festival night, I have always been in a state of anxiety, always uneasy, and always feel uneasy.
Xu Hongping responded: Yes! I feel the same way, our two phoenixes...
"Uncle Tang, Aunt Tang, you don't have to worry. As long as I'm here, I guarantee that Sister Erfeng will be fine." Shitou promised:
Xu Hongping whispered: I hope so!
Shitou said: What should come will eventually come, and what should go will go. Too much uneasiness means that you can't live with yourself.
Tang Bo smiled and said: "I didn't realize it in the past, but Shitou is actually a philosopher."
Shitou replied: Uncle Tang, don't make fun of Shitou!
Tang Bo said: Shitou is right, we can only face it calmly.
Xu Hongping sighed: Hi! It’s all our fault for not being so lucky! The door of our house is too short to hold the great god Stone.
Shitou said: Aunt Tang, why do you say such things again!
Xu Hongping then said: If our second Phoenix marries you! We will then!
Shitou responded: Aunt Tang, your family is my family, I will treat you like my family...
"Shitou, I'm overjoyed that you can treat me as your family. My second phoenix - Fu Bo, she can't marry you." Xu Hongping said:
Shitou said: Shitou is unlucky, Shitou is unlucky, Shitou is unworthy, unworthy.
"Shitou, you are too arrogant to belittle yourself. You have belittled yourself, and you have also belittled our second Phoenix." Uncle Tang called:
Shitou looked at Uncle Tang and muttered: Me! ! !
In the early morning of the next day, Xu Hongping went to practice for Tang Bo.
She prepares meals in the kitchen early.
Shi Shi heard a noise in the kitchen.
He got up immediately.
He walked to the kitchen door and saw Xu Hongping and her daughter busy making breakfast.
He rubbed his eyes and called: Aunt Tang, Sister Erfeng, you are so early!
Xu Hongping replied: Erfeng’s father is going out today, so I got up early...
"Uncle Tang goes out to do business, what does it matter if it's early or late!" Shitou continued:
Xu Hongping argued: You should go out as early as possible. This has always been said in rural areas.
What's more, he is out on business.
"Stone, the water on the tripod is boiling. Go out and wash your face with a ladle of water." Erfeng shouted:
"You can go by the way and wake up the guy at my house. We are about to start dinner." Xu Hongping ordered:
Shi Shi was carrying a bucket - poured a ladle of hot water, turned around and walked out of the kitchen.
"Huhu" Uncle Tang was snoring loudly as he lay on the bed.
Shitou walked into the room and shouted: Uncle Tang, Uncle Tang, Uncle Tang...
Uncle Tang didn't react at all.
Shitou approached the bed, pushed Uncle Tang, and called: Uncle Tang, wake up, wake up.
Uncle Tang still didn't respond.
Shitou thought for a while, then grabbed two hairs and poked Uncle Tang's nostrils.
Uncle Tang's nose tilted left and right, and he yawned from time to time.
Shitou shouted: Uncle Tang, get up.
Uncle Tang raised his hand and clapped it, muttering: "Ping'er, please stop making noise!" I still want to sleep.
Shi Shi lifted up the quilt and said: Uncle Tang, the rice is cooked. Get up quickly.
Tang Bo instantly sat on the bedside and said in confusion: Who called me! Who called me!
Shitou quickly lowered himself, covered Uncle Tang with the quilt, and apologized: I'm sorry! sorry! Too many stones are offensive, and they should not lift your quilt.
Uncle Tang shook his head and said softly: Shitou, it's you!
Shitou reported, "Uncle Tang, aunt and others have prepared breakfast. You should get up and eat."
Uncle Tang stretched himself and replied, "I'll get up right now."
Shi Shi turned around, raised his feet and was about to leave.
Uncle Tang called out: Stone.
Shitou turned his head violently (the stone stepped on Uncle Tang's trousers, and when Uncle Tang, who was bending over to put on clothes, pulled up his trousers, he fell forward), and replied: Uncle Tang, you!
Unfortunately, Shi Shi's lips touched Uncle Tang's lips.
Shitou quickly moved his head away, and the room was very embarrassed at this time.
"Ms. sir, you're out for dinner!" Xu Hongping stood at the door and shouted:
Shitou blushed and said: Aunt Tang, we just did it!
Xu Hongping moved and said: You went out to eat too.
"Aunt Tang, you just saw us!" Shitou reiterated:
"What did I see! I didn't see anything!" Xu Hongping responded:
Shitou lowered his head and said blankly: Oh!
In the living room, Erfeng had already served the meal...
"Shitou, you go over to eat, we won't wait for him." Xu Hongping walked into the living room and said:
Shitou said: Aunt Tang, isn't this bad? Uncle Tang is about to go out!
Xu Hongping continued: He has gone out and will come back.
Shitou responded: Let's wait for him!
"Shitou, my parents are like this every year." Erfeng whispered:
"Aunt Tang, how often does Uncle Tang go out every year?" Shitou asked:
Xu Hongping replied: It's hard to say, sometimes he only comes back for a few days a year in winter, and sometimes he stays at home for 2 or 3 months.
Shitou said, "Uncle Tang and you guys just spend less time together and more time apart!"
Xu Hongping said: It’s all for survival, what can I do about it!
Shitou said: Aunt Tang, don't you miss him?
Xu Hongping said: Why do you miss him? He has been living like this for so many years. It is better than anything else for him to earn money outside.
Besides, we are both an old married couple, no better than we were when we were younger!
Erfeng and Shitou lowered their heads one after another, making the situation extremely awkward.
"Ping'er, you haven't started eating yet!" Uncle Tang strode over.
Xu Hongping said, "Ms. sir, we are just going to eat. Come and sit down quickly."
Uncle Tang leaned over and called out: I washed my face just now, but I forgot to scoop out the hot water. It was so cold that my face cracked.
"Uncle Tang, the weather hasn't completely warmed up yet, you have to pay attention to your health." Shitou called:
"Dad, Mom, Shitou, the rice is already cold when it's served. Hurry up and eat." Erfeng said:
Uncle Tang picked up his rice bowl and shouted, "If you don't want to eat, I'll eat first. I'll be full so I can go on my way."
Xu Hongping picked up the bowl and shouted: Stone, you eat too.
After a moment, Uncle Tang put down his bowls and chopsticks and called out, "You guys eat slowly while I go inside to get my luggage."
"Uncle Tang, you have eaten enough." Shitou said:
"I'm full." Uncle Tang slowly walked towards the back room.
Shitou called out: Aunt Tang, why don't you go in and see Uncle Tang!
Xu Hongping responded: What’s so good about it! He has to leave sooner or later. I go in and ask him to stay, or I tell him not to leave.
Erfeng then said: Shitou, you leave them alone...
"Ping'er, I'm leaving." Uncle Tang came over carrying a large bag of luggage.
Shitou said: Uncle Tang, be careful when you are alone.
Uncle Tang replied: Shitou, I have been floating outside for decades. You don’t have to worry about me. I will take care of myself. What I am worried about is you, especially Erfeng. I am afraid that those inhumane people will harass Erfeng again. Feng, those people are extremely shameless.
"I won't let them bully Sister Erfeng." Shitou replied:
Tang Bo said: "I can see that they are very worried about you. I entrust their mother and daughter to you, I feel relieved."
Shitou thanked him: Thank you Uncle Tang for your trust! The stone will definitely protect Sister Erfeng and the others.
Tang Bozuo bowed and said: Stone, please.
Xu Hongping said: My husband, you are going out alone, so you should take care of yourself.
Uncle Tang smiled and said: Ping'er, why have you become sad today! I'm not a child, I...
"Who do you think you are! You are at home with clothes on your hands, food on your hands, food on your hands, and mouth to open, and you don't do any work!" Xu Hongping said:
Erfeng shouted: Dad, when you are outside, remember that we are waiting for you at home.
Uncle Tang touched Erfeng's head and replied: Erfeng, you have to be careful.
With that said, Uncle Tang walked straight out of the house.
Shitou raised his hand and shouted: Goodbye, Uncle Tang!
"It's okay to go, so as not to be too lazy to eat and cook at home." Xu Hongping whispered:
"Aunt Tang, Uncle Tang comes back several times a year, so you can't say a nice word." Shitou continued:
Xu Hongping raised her head and glanced at the sky, calling: It's still early today, let's go to the market.
Shitou replied: Aunt Tang, if we want to go to the market!
"I'm going to pack the goods right now." Erfeng raised his feet and said:
Xu Hongping shouted: Erfeng, we can just take some insoles and sell them.
Shitou patted his forehead and said blankly: By the way, today is the day to go to the market...
"Shitou, you wait here, I'll feed the pigs." Xu Hongping said:
"Aunt Tang, I'm going to pick out pig food." Shitou said:
"You'll be picking up the goods later, so you can sit here and take a rest." Xu Hongping argued:
Shitou responded: The cargo does not weigh...
"Mom, the insoles are all here." Erfeng picked out a load of insoles and called out:
Xu Hongping said: With so many insoles, I’m afraid I won’t be able to sell them all today.
Shitou then said: If you can't sell it out, leave it for next time.
"Mom, I want to sell insoles with you." Erfeng said:
"Sister Erfeng, the market is in a mess, you go..." Shitou responded:
"Erfeng, you don't usually like to go to the market. Why do you want to go to the market with us today?" Xu Hongping asked doubtfully:
Erfeng replied: It's not interesting for me to stay at home alone. I want to go to the market to have a look.
Shitou analyzed: Sister Erfeng is right to think so. If she stays at home alone, we will also worry about her.
Xu Hongping called out: "I'm going to feed the pigs first."
Then, go to the market.
Erfeng shouted: Then I will clear the table.
Shitou watched Xu Hongping and her daughter walk in together.
He was thinking quietly alone: thinking about the scene when Uncle Tang rescued him in the pig pen, thinking about the scene when Uncle Tang tried his best to protect himself last time, thinking about Uncle Tang's instructions before leaving just now... ··
"Stone, why are you standing here motionless? Why are you frowning? Are you unhappy?" Xu Hongping asked:
Shitou replied: I'm fine, I'm just standing here blowing the wind.
Xu Hongping asked: Aren't you cold?
Shitou smiled slightly and said, "It's okay."
Erfeng shouted: Mom, let’s go!
"Sister Erfeng, let me carry the burden." Shitou called:
"The burden is not heavy, no matter who carries it," Erfeng replied:
"It's the same, it's the same if you let me choose." Shitou continued:
Erfeng argued: I will choose a section, and I will choose it for you.
Xu Hongping said: Erfeng, you give me the stones to pick, and we are on our way.
The stone picked up the insole - swaying, and said: Sister Erfeng, when we arrive at the market later, you can't run around, you have to follow us.
Erfeng responded: I won't run around, I will just stay by your side.
Shitou reiterated: Remember, you must not run around.
"Shitou, what's wrong with you today! Why are you so verbose!" Xu Hongping said:
Shitou called out: Aunt Tang, don't think I'm verbose! There are all kinds of people in the market, so we'd better be cautious!
Xu Hongping muttered: This is true.
However, you have never been so hard-working before.
Shitou said: Tang Boqian gave many orders and asked me to take good care of you. How dare I slack off! It doesn't matter if something happens to me. If you can be safe, that's easy to say.
If so, something happened to you! How could I have the face to face Uncle Tang! How can I face myself?
Xu Hongping smiled and said: Shitou, you are becoming more and more mature and like a man. I love you to death.
Shitou replied: Aunt Tang, you are making fun of Shitou again.
"Shitou, have you ever thought about it! If something happens to you! How can we bear it! You must learn to cherish yourself." Erfeng called:
Shitou shouted: What will happen to me!
Erfeng then said: I mean just in case.
"Silly girl, you are so infatuated, what a pity!" Xu Hongping muttered silently:
"I want to buy that, I want to buy this." There was a burst of noise from the market in front.
Xu Hongping said: Shitou, let's set up a stall at the intersection of this road.
"Aunt Tang, there are so many people in the market, let's go there quickly." Shitou called:
Xu Hongping shouted: Erfeng, walk faster.
After a while of bumps, Xu Hongping and the others set up a factory shed at the intersection.
As Xu Hongping set up a factory shed, she gasped: "I'm selling insoles!" Purely handmade, unique insoles, genuine insoles.
Suddenly, several people crowded around Erfeng.
Erfeng saw several pairs of leather shoes standing in front of him.
She looked up and immediately hid behind the stone.
"Auntie, don't be afraid! We won't do anything to you!" the bailiff called:
Shitou shouted: What are you doing here!
The bailiff turned his head and shouted: Dear fellow villagers, this is our little master. He will do business on the street from now on. Please patronize his business more. If anyone wants to bully them! I want him to get out of Fengxian Town forever.
Shitou then said: If you guys don't bully us, no one will bully us, so get out of here.
The bailiff bowed and said: Yes, yes, yes.
He gestured and hurried away with his men.
"Boss, I want to buy 4 pairs of insoles." An uncle shouted:
Xu Hongping handed over the insole and said: A total of 2 cents.
"Boss, give me 10 pairs of insoles." An old man shouted:
Shitou gave the old man 10 pairs of insoles.
"Boss, I want 6 pairs of insoles." An aunt shouted:
Shi Shi handed her 6 pairs of insoles.
"Boss, I also want 6 pairs of insoles..."
