Chapter 98

Chapter 98

The Feng family stared at each other in stunned silence, hesitant to ask Feng Xia anything. Feng Aihua nudged Zhang Ling's arm, but she stood firm, unwilling to take the lead—this was the girl's private matter, why should they meddle?

Feng Xia cast a cool glance at the three men of the Feng family, her voice as icy as the bitter winter snow outside: "Sister Ying's right. I lived in the capital for a year last year. Oh? Do you have a different view?"

Feng Shizhu said awkwardly, "Oh, Xia Girl, why talk like that? We elders are naturally happy that you went to work in the capital. That's the capital, you know! I hear you can even see our Chairman there. And that... what's it called... Tiananmen Square? Have you seen it? Is it as grand as it looks on the calendar?"

Feng Aihua chimed in, "Is the capital really big? I heard the educated youth talk about it once. They said the capital is huge, with lots of cars, all with four wheels. Tell us about it, Xia Girl. Your uncle might never get a chance to see the capital in this lifetime."

He feigned innocence, but his words clearly hinted at wanting Feng Xia to take them to the capital for a visit. Li Meihua curled her lips in disdain and resentment, thinking of her eldest daughter Feng Chun to comfort herself. That ungrateful Feng Xia was completely useless!

The others wanted to hear more, but Feng Xia answered lazily and reluctantly, unwilling to say another word. It was Zhang Ying who, seeing the Feng family's eager eyes, couldn't bear to let them down and voluntarily shared some of the scenery and culture of the capital, earning unanimous praise from the Feng family. At lunch, Feng Xia had brought back a few catties of meat, and Zhang Ling made a large pot of braised pork and potatoes, fragrant and placed in the center. That day, Feng Jinlian and Feng Jingui were also allowed to sit at the table for the meal. The whole family treated Zhang Ying warmly, wishing she'd go on and on about the capital's magnificence. It was the capital, after all! Who wouldn't want to see it?

After a hearty lunch, Feng Xia felt drowsy and simply lay down on the bed. The bedding had been aired out by Feng Jinlian and Feng Jingui earlier, soft and warm, with the warm, sunny scent. Feng Xia fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow, leaving the door slightly ajar. The Feng family dared not speak loudly in the main room, and the men went to the village entrance to chat and boast under the big tree.

Feng Shizhu, pipe in hand, took a satisfied puff and said, "Ah, my Feng Xia is back! This year she went to work in the capital. You know the capital, right? That's where our Chairman lives. That girl has really made something of herself."

Someone nearby didn't believe him, sizing Feng Shizhu up and sneering, "Oh, I say, Feng Shizhu, have you had too much to drink? The capital? Do you even know which direction it's in? A little girl like her just goes to the capital? Like hell I believe you, you old rascal."

Feng Shizhu jumped up angrily and shot back, "You son of a bitch! Just because you're a loser, you think my girl can't make it? She really did go to work in the capital for a year, and she's going back after the New Year. The colleague who came back with her saw it—she's from the capital, and she's impressive. That's why my girl was sent back in a big car. That comrade even told us about... what is it... Tiananmen Square? Have you ever heard of it? No, you haven't."

The old man who had mocked Feng Shizhu flushed red and took two deep drags of his cigarette. They smoked home-grown, sun-dried tobacco; the ones at the supply store were way too pricey. Only city cadres and such could afford those. We poor peasants wouldn't even think of buying them.

Feng Aiguo backed up his father: "Uncle, what my dad says is true. My second daughter has made it big. She works in the capital. She said she even saw the National Day parade and the Chairman. How could we ever dream of that? That girl saw the whole thing—lucky her!"

Hearing this, a group of old men around them all spoke up unsteadily, asking if she really saw the Chairman. Feng Aihua quietly pulled out a photo he had borrowed from his daughter. It was of the flag-raising at Tiananmen Square. The sky was not yet fully bright, the national flag was vivid red, the soldiers stood tall with resolute faces, looking dignified. A few old men wiped their tears as they looked. It really was Tiananmen! The flag-raising! So magnificent!

Feng Shizhu shot an annoyed glance at Feng Aihua. He could guess where his eldest son got that photo—it must be from Feng Xia, given to Feng Jinlian and Feng Jingui. But Feng Aihua didn't care about his father's death glare. He carefully handed the photo around, letting the group of men pass it among themselves. They all wiped their hands clean before touching it, and didn't even dare to smoke, afraid they might burn the photo.

Amazing! The capital is absolutely incredible!

How wonderful our motherland is!

After everyone had seen it, the photo was passed back to Feng Aihua, who carefully tucked it into his breast pocket. He absolutely couldn't let it get damaged, or his two daughters would give him hell.

Ever since his two daughters learned a few characters and read a couple of books by following the educated youth, they had become quite articulate. In the past, Old Lady Feng would still bully them, but now she didn't dare lay a hand on them too much. Those two girls would actually go to the town to raise a fuss. Once, when Old Lady Feng, in a bad temper, nearly broke Feng Jinlian's arm, the sisters helped each other all the way to the town and almost reported the old lady to the authorities. In the end, although the old lady didn't end up in jail, the Women's Federation sent someone to give her a harsh lecture, and the village chief chewed her out thoroughly. Since then, she stopped stirring up trouble.

And for Feng Jinlian and Feng Jingui, everyone let it slide. Even Feng Aihua no longer dared to beat or scold his wife and daughters at will. The atmosphere in the Feng family had improved a lot.

Now the group of old men fully believed in Feng Xia. Some young men nearby looked on with envy, incessantly praising Feng Xia and the Feng family, making the three men feel on cloud nine.

At home, Feng Jinlian and Feng Jingui were still organizing the things Feng Xia had brought back. This time, she had brought quite a lot: a set of clothes for each of them, plus a set for Zhang Ling, and two large rolls of Dacron fabric in a light blue color, perfect for spring and summer. There were also all kinds of candies—milk candies, lard candies, and White Rabbit Candies. The two sisters put everything away neatly, setting aside a small portion to share with everyone later.

The rest was enough to last the whole year.

Zhang Ling stroked the fabric and once again felt grateful that she had been kind-hearted back then. She reminded her daughters, "Have you finished making the shoes and socks for Xia Girl? And make her a few more sets of underwear. She's good to us, so we must be even better to her. That's what sisters do. Feng Jinbao, Feng Xia is your real sister. Always remember her kindness, you hear?"

Feng Jingui said softly, "It's all done. We made two outfits for Xia Girl, suitable for spring and summer, and two pairs of cloth shoes. She likes the soft-soled ones we make. We've also made four sets of underwear for her to change into. Mom, don't worry. She's our dear sister, and we always remember that."

Feng Jinbao, with a lard candy stuffed in his mouth, mumbled his allegiance: "Mom, Sister Xia is my real sister. Don't worry. If her boyfriend ever dares to bully her, I'll beat the crap out of him."

"Feng Jinbao! Where did you learn that? What 'boyfriend'? Is that something a child should say? Get over here!"

A moment later, the sound of spanking rang out from the room, along with the kid's wails. An old woman passing by outside grinned: "That kid's up to his tricks again!"