Chapter 233: Seeing Friends

Chapter 233 Visiting Friends

Ye Changning went out early the next morning to buy wires and light bulbs.

He didn’t return until after noon, his woven plastic sack bulging with supplies.

Ye Xiaoxiao ran out to look. "Third Brother, you really found them!"

Ye Changning said wryly: "Don’t let the small size fool you—these were quite hard to find."

With the wires and bulbs now available, hooking them up was pretty simple.

"I’ll go call Brother Changjun to help. Once we finish setting up our house, we’ll go install them at Uncle’s place in the front courtyard."

Ye Changning went to the front courtyard to call Ye Changjun for assistance.

Ye Changjun now had a job in the county town, delivering goods for a canteen—a job Old Liu helped him land.

Later, Ye Changqing asked if he wanted to work together at the mine, but Ye Changjun refused.

He was quite satisfied with his current job, as it allowed him to return home during breaks.

If he went to the mine like Ye Changqing, the family would have even fewer hands around.

Ye Changjun and Ye Changning strung up wiring in the main house.

When they pulled the light cord, the bulb gave off a dim light.

The neighbor’s wife told Miao Cuifang: "I heard electricity is expensive. We only need one light in the kitchen."

Ye Changning laughed helplessly, wryly adding: "Since we’ve already installed them, just put one in each room. At least we won’t have to worry about not seeing what we’re eating in the afternoon."

Miao Cuifang retorted: "We’ve lived here for decades, and I’ve never heard of anyone starving because they couldn’t see their food. You’re just being extra."

Ye Changning replied: "I’ll cover the electric, alright? Don’t worry about it. I’ll install a bulb in Xiaoxiao’s room first."

By the time he was done, Ye Changning fed the wires through the roof hatch and squeezed through it himself, emerging filthy from head to toe.

Ye Xiaoxiao watched as dust fell from the ceiling and grabbed her stuff, bolting outside.

"I’m going to bring Erni something."

Ye Xiaoxiao had heard about Zhang Erni’s marriage and had brought her a gift.

"Erni is staying with Fei Qing’s family now. Xiaoxiao, do you know where that is?"

Miao Cuifang stopped Xiao Xiao. "I’ll walk you over."

Ye Xiaoxiao truly didn’t know where Fei Qing’s house was—she didn’t even know who Fei Qing was.

Miao Cuifang told Zhang Xue to mind the kids and not let them play with their uncle’s wires.

She also reminded Ye Changsheng to steady the ladder for Ye Changning.

Then she and Ye Xiaoxiao left together.

Fei Qing’s house was the third house east of the village, with a large toona tree in the yard.

"Xiaoxiao, this is the place. Go on in alone. I’ll head back first—don’t dawdle."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Okay, I know the way now."

Ye Xiaoxiao stood at the courtyard gate and first saw a man sweeping the yard.

Fei Qing turned and spotted the girl looking over the stone wall.

"Can I help you?"

Ye Xiaoxiao held the cloth bundle in her arms. "I'm here to see Zhang Erni."

Fei Qing came over to open the gate for Ye Xiaoxiao and let her in.

"Erni's inside. Come in."

"Thank you."

Zhang Erni had already heard the voices and ran over excitedly when she saw Ye Xiaoxiao.

"Oh my gosh! Xiao Xiao!"

Zhang Erni rushed over and hugged Ye Xiaoxiao, lifting her up and spinning her around.

Zhang Erni had gotten thinner, but she was just as strong.

"Hold on—I brought you something."

Zhang Erni pulled Ye Xiaoxiao toward the house. "Let's go inside."

The house had three rooms. Zhang Erni and Fei Qing lived in one, while her husband's parents had another.

The middle room was mostly empty—they used it as a living room and ate there.

Zhang Erni led Ye Xiaoxiao to her own room. "Want some hot water? It must be cold walking here."

"I'm fine, no water."

Ye Xiaoxiao set her bag on the heated bed and pulled out two red cashmere scarves, a jar of face cream, and a long curly wig.

"What's this—a wig?"

Zhang Erni was immediately intrigued by the wig, running her hands through it. "Is it made of real hair?"

Ye Xiaoxiao: "This one is made of real hair, but some factories now produce synthetic wigs."

Zhang Erni: "If you can fake hair, why bother styling the real stuff?"

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Nothing beats your real hair, but if there’s really no way to salvage it, a wig's not the worst thing."

This was an extra wig Ye Xiaoxiao had bought while purchasing one for Miao Cuifang.

She figured Zhang Erni would like it.

Zhang Erni thought for a moment. "That's a good point. Maybe we should carry wigs at the shop."

"You're off work already? I thought you'd be busy these days."

"With the snow coming, business hasn't been great. The shop's pretty small, so I'll figure out how to expand after New Year's."

"Sure, that works. Rent isn’t too bad these days, right?"

Zhang Erni nodded, "I only make a few bucks per haircut. Perms pay a little better."

She picked up the scarf and the face cream again.

"I know this cream—it’s super popular. Too bad it’s hard to find around here, but one of my clients mentioned it."

"This scarf is so soft, and the red is gorgeous."

"Thank you, Xiao Xiao. You brought me gifts all the way from home?"

Zhang Erni was touched.

Ye Xiaoxiao smiled, "Well, I had to get you something for the wedding!"

Zhang Erni’s eyes got watery. "When you get married, I’ll come too. Are you married yet?"

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Nah, not for a while."

Zhang Erni: "You better get on that! You’ve gotten so fancy—I barely recognized you!"

"It’s not that exaggerated."

"Seriously, you look amazing."

Zhang Erni wasn’t some country bumpkin, but she’d never met a girl more beautiful than Ye Xiaoxiao.

The two chatted for a while, and Zhang Erni told Fei Qing to scrounge up something good to cook.

"I can’t stay for dinner. I’ll head home soon."

"Aw, c’mon, stay and eat!"

Ye Xiaoxiao waved them off. "Let’s just hang out and chat."

Zhang Erni reluctantly gave in. "Alright then."

"Fei Qing, look at the gifts Xiao Xiao brought us."

Zhang Erni held the scarf up to Fei Qing’s neck to check the color.

"Red looks good on you."

Fei Qing stood still, letting her adjust it, but didn’t say anything—probably clamming up ’cause we’ve got company.

After sitting a while longer, Ye Xiaoxiao made moves to leave.

Zhang Erni: "Lemme walk you."

"I got it."

Zhang Erni: "But I’d feel better walking you."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "You’re looking good yourself!"

Zhang Erni: "But nobody in this village would dare cross me."

That’s the advantage of being a local.

It was too cold outside. Ye Xiaoxiao had walked halfway and could already see the Ye family's house when Zhang Erni finally felt comfortable turning back.

"Tomorrow I'll come find you to hang out."

Ye Xiaoxiao said, "Sure."

She waved at Zhang Erni, but when she turned around, she saw Li Deshu, who'd appeared out of nowhere.

"You need something?"

Li Deshu chuckled. "Nah, just wondering—where’s Ye Yanyan?"