CHAPTER XXXV

On the third day of the Lunar New Year, Lu Zheng'an prepared the festival and took Song Huaishu back to Song's house again. Because it was the first time for the new son-in-law to go to his relatives, Lu Zhengan's etiquette was naturally heavier. In addition to chicken and fish, a four-color gift box and six snacks were also prepared.

When these gifts were placed in the back basket by Lu Zheng'an, Song Huaishu couldn't help but feel a little worried when he looked at the full back basket and the two big red roosters on the ground.

"So many things, how are you going to bring them later? And it's not going to someone else's house, so there's no need to bring so much. ”

"In the first year of the new guest's formal visit to relatives, naturally we have to pay more attention, and next year, we will go again as a family of three, so we don't need to prepare so much. I went to the village yesterday and borrowed his mule cart from Brother Tiezhu, and I just had to pull these things over. ”

The third day of the Lunar New Year is the busiest time for every family to visit relatives, and if there is a mule cart at home, it is an extremely long-faced thing.

Lu Zhengan didn't bother to borrow a car, but they really had a lot of things with them this time, and Song Huaishu was still pregnant with a bad bump, so Lu Zhengan still opened his mouth to Lu Tiezhu.

Because he had to hire people to clear the mountains and plant trees, Lu Zhengan's connections in the village increased dramatically. As soon as Lu Tiezhu's sister-in-law heard that Lu Zhengan wanted to borrow a car, she agreed without saying a word, and Lu Zhengan, who was enthusiastic and polite, was a little embarrassed.

"Sister-in-law Tie Zhu said to wait and let Brother Tie Zhu send the car up, and it is estimated that it will be soon. You sit in the hall and warm up, and I'll go and pack up my things again. ”

Hearing this, Song Huaishu obediently responded. Thinking that borrowing other people's things is a debt after all, he found two snacks from the previous festival gifts from the Ji family, and wrapped two catties of oranges to put on the table.

After Lu Zhengan packed up his things, he couldn't help but take a look at the small baggage on the table, and when he saw that there was some food inside, he asked puzzledly: "There is no shortage of food at my mother's house, do you still want to bring this?" ”

"These are the ones that you will give to Brother Tiezhu later, and the relatives of the people under the New Year also have to use the car, let's agree without saying a word, and we can't let the family borrow it for nothing, right?"

Hearing Song Huaishu's words, Lu Zhengan couldn't help laughing. "I'm still going to take these with you, don't worry, I'll give him these things when Brother Tiezhu delivers the car."

As he spoke, Lu Tiezhu's voice sounded outside the door, and Lu Zhengan walked out of the door to see him leading a mule cart and waiting at the door.

Seeing this, Lu Zhengan hurriedly carried the festival ceremony he was about to take to the Song family to the car, turned around and picked up the two big red roosters that were still alive on the ground, and asked Song Huaishu to help lock the door, and then drove the car down the mountain.

When the three of them walked to the foot of the mountain, Lu Zhengan stopped Lu Tiezhu, who was going home, and stuffed Song Huaishu's snacks and fruits into his arms.

Because they knew that Lu Zhengan and Song Huaishu were going to visit relatives in the third year of junior high school, Song Xiren and Song Lan were busy in the kitchen early in the morning.

By the time the two of them drove to the Song family's courtyard, lunch was almost ready.

Seeing that the two arrived at the door, the old couple hurriedly wiped the water stains on their hands and welcomed the person in.

The old couple of the Song family knew what Lu Zheng'an had brought about in their hearts, but they didn't say anything more. After taking the two into the house to warm up for a while, Song Lan ordered Song Xiren to put the table to eat.

The two of them didn't know how many times they had gone back to Song's house, and their words and actions had long since lost their previous politeness, and the family had a lively meal, and each received a big red envelope of ten taels of silver tickets.

Lu Zhengan only felt amused, helpless, and heartwarmed by this. Although it was funny to be treated like a child, he was deeply moved by the pain of being held in the palm of his hand by his parents.

Because they still had to go to the village to return the mule cart, the two of them drove back to Lujia Village when the Song family did not reach Shen.

Lu Zhengan didn't have any relatives to deal with, and after leaving the only relative of the Song family, the two of them were completely idle.

Eat, sleep, and sleep every day, and do something that is beneficial to physical and mental movement when the mood comes, and the time comes to the Shangyuan Festival in the blink of an eye.

Although the Shangyuan Festival in the town was extremely lively, Lu Zhengan was worried about Song Huaishu's physical condition and did not go down the mountain.

However, in order to allow Song Huaishu to see the lanterns of the Shangyuan Festival, Lu Zheng'an took the money to find Li Erwang under the pretext of going to Lu Changgen's house to have something to do, and asked him to go to the town to buy more than a dozen lanterns of different shapes and sizes and hide them in the warehouse.

When it was time to take the lantern to Lu Changgen's house, he took out the lanterns he had bought from the warehouse and hung them one by one on the branches next to the courtyard gate.

took Lu Zhengan to hang up all the lanterns, lit the candles in the lanterns, and then clapped his hands and went home.

Song Huaishu didn't expect Lu Zheng'an to come back so soon, and he couldn't help but be startled when he pushed the door in.

"Why did you come back so quickly? I haven't started cooking Lantern Festival yet. Song Huaishu stood up from the stool.

"I ate a few snacks in the afternoon, and I'm not very hungry yet, so I'll cook it later. You come out, and I'll show you something. ”

As he spoke, without waiting for Song Huaishu to react, Lu Zhengan took his hand and walked towards the gate.

At this time, it was already completely dark, and standing in the courtyard, you could see the bright light of the lanterns outside.

Song Huaishu looked at the red light at the door, his first reaction was that it was on fire, and he turned his head to look at Lu Zhengan and saw that he was not a little nervous, but there was excitement in his eyes, and his heart was even more strange.

However, when Song Huaishu followed Lu Zhengan out of the threshold of the gate, and saw more than a dozen lanterns of different shapes in the venue, the whole person was stunned on the spot.

Feeling that Song Huaishu's footsteps stopped, Lu Zhengan was not surprised when he turned around and saw Song Huaishu's face full of surprise. So, with a smile, he asked, "You can't look at the lanterns in the town this year, so I specially prepared a few for you, how about it?" Do you like it? ”

Song Huaishu only felt a fever in his eyes when he heard Lu Zhengan's words, looked at the lanterns swaying in the wind, and nodded heavily.

"I like it, I like it."

Receiving Song Huaishu's answer, Lu Zhengan also smiled with satisfaction. Holding his hand step by step, he came to the lanterns and said, "This year's situation is special, so I can't take you down the mountain to see it." Wait until you unload the goods in the summer, and I will take you to see the Lantern Festival every year after that. ”

Song Huaishu, who was originally immersed in emotion and joy, couldn't help but be a little surprised when he heard the phrase 'unloading' in Lu Zheng'an's mouth. "Unloading? What to unload? ”

Looking at Song Huaishu's dazed face, Lu Zhengan pointed to his slightly bulging belly and said, "It's the one you have in your belly now, isn't giving birth to a child just like unloading." ”

Listening to Lu Zheng'an's explanation, Song Huaishu's heart was full of emotion and suddenly disappeared. He looked at Lu Zhengan with tears and laughter, and complained: "You, a father, do you have such a thing about your own children? Be careful that the child is born and does not kiss you in the future. ”

Xu was to prove that what Song Huaishu said was true, and the little guy in Song Huaishu's stomach, who was originally quiet, suddenly moved. Although the fetal movement was sudden, Song Huaishu clearly felt it.

Song Huaishu excitedly took Lu Zhengan's hand and exclaimed, "Move, move!" The kid moves! ”

Hearing this, Lu Zhengan hurriedly poked his hand into Song Huaishu's shirt, and a big hand had just been attached to Song Huaishu's stomach, only to feel that the position of his palm seemed to be pushed by something.

Lu Zhengan immediately exclaimed, thinking of what Fang had just said, he hurriedly bent down to face Song Huaishu's stomach, and cautiously apologized: "Baby, Fang is what my father is talking nonsense." You're my father and my father's baby, and my father just said something wrong, so I apologize to you. ”

Seeing that Lu Zhengan actually apologized to the unborn baby in his womb in a serious manner, Song Huaishu couldn't help but cry and laugh for a while.

However, the miraculous thing is that when Lu Zhengan's apologetic words just fell, the baby in Song Huaishu's belly really quieted down.

Song Huaishu subconsciously touched his stomach, and said to Lu Zhengan helplessly: "I feel that this kid seems to have a big temper, and when he grows up, he will not be disobedient." ”

Hearing Song Huaishu's worry, Lu Zhengan pressed against his stomach for a moment to feel it. After making sure that the baby was settled, he straightened up and waved his hand and said to Song Huaishu: "Don't worry, my daughter will definitely be born with a clear right and wrong personality in the future, and I like this kind of character the most." ”

Lu Zhengan's words made Song Huaishu even more speechless, "The child has not been born yet, how do you know that it is a daughter?" What if it's a boy? ”

Listening to Song Huaishu's words, Lu Zhengan glanced at him and didn't answer it. However, being so troubled by the baby, the two no longer have the interest in appreciating the lanterns. "Hungry? Or look at it a little longer? ”

"I'm a little hungry." Song Huaishu is currently eating for two people, and he is naturally hungry very quickly, and when he heard Lu Zheng'an's question, he also nodded honestly.

Hearing this, Lu Zhengan immediately took Song Huaishu's hand and walked home. asked Song Huaishu to help light the fire, and Lu Zhengan gave the two of them a bowl of Lantern Festival.

When the Lantern Festival Forest was about to come out of the pot, Lu Zhengan poured the floating wine he bought into the pot and threw some broken eggs and a few pieces of □□ sugar into it. After the Lantern Festival in the pot floated and rolled twice, a bowl was served to Song Huaishu and placed on the pot table.

Because of the addition of float wine and □□ sugar in the pot, the Lantern Festival soup is very delicious to drink with sweet and sour. Song Huaishu finished eating the Lantern Festival and drank two more bowls of soup before he felt satisfied.

Seeing him sitting in front of the stove with a satisfied look, Lu Zheng'an, who was watching, couldn't help but laugh.

"When you have enough to eat and drink, let's go to the hall to rest and rest. I'll clean up the stove house, take back the lanterns hanging outside, and I'll go over with you. ”

Song Huaishu slept in the afternoon, and did not feel tired at this time, and sat on the stool when he heard Lu Zhengan's words and did not move.

Seeing this, Lu Zhengan also understood what he meant, so he let Song Huaishu sit aside and accompany him.

I don't know if it will snow again, but when the two of them took back the yard and were about to lock it back to the house, the bright stars in the sky were obscured by dark clouds. The two stood in the courtyard and looked up for a moment before closing the door and going back to the room.

……

Following

When Lu Zhengan opened the door, he was not surprised to see snow falling on the ground.

However, it is now the beginning of spring, and it is not as cold as it was a year ago, so the snow on the ground is not particularly thick. Lu Zhengan swept the yard out of a road first, so that it was convenient to wait for Song Huaishu to get up and walk around.

Before Lu Zhengan could sweep the yard, Song Huaishu also got up. Seeing that it was snowing at night, he stood at the door and watched for a while, then went to the stove house to light a fire and warm some water, and only after washing up did he start cooking.

"It's been more than 10 days since the beginning of spring, and I didn't expect it to snow again. I thought that when the snow melted on the mountain, I would be able to start clearing the mountain. As soon as the snow falls, it is estimated that it will have to be postponed for a few days. ”

Hearing this, Lu Zhengan couldn't help but smile. "Heaven is not beautiful, and it is impossible to be in a hurry. However, the snow was not heavy, and the sun melted in a few days. Moreover, this mountain will definitely have to be cleared this spring, and when the saplings are planted, a large field of peach blossoms will be seen next year. ”

Newly planted fruit trees usually take three years to bear fruit, and if they are small saplings, it may take longer to reach fruit.

Fortunately, when they were packing the mountain, the deed was written with a term of twenty years. During this period, as long as it is properly managed, the cost of planting trees in this package can be doubled.

"You're right, it's not something that can be done in a hurry. However, in the past few years, the fruit trees on the hill have not been able to achieve a climate, and in the first few years, I am afraid that we will have to rely on the original orchard of more than 10 acres. I hope God will bless us with good weather so that we can earn more. ”

Hearing Song Huaishu say this, Lu Zhengan just smiled and didn't take it any further. However, since he had chosen to engage in the dried fruit business, it would not be possible to rely on the garden at the gate until the fruit trees on the hills had grown.

Therefore, Lu Zhengan had already made a plan to go to other people's orchards to buy fresh fruits. However, their barns and stoves will have to be enlarged again, and I am afraid that it will be a great expense at that time.

At the moment, Lu Zhengan was just thinking about this idea in his heart, how to do it specifically, whether he could do it or not, and he still wanted to discuss it with Song Xiren before making a decision. After all, Song Xiren is an old businessman, and no matter how he is, he has more experience than him.

Sure enough, as Lu Zhengan expected, the snow on the mountain melted clean under the strong sun for two consecutive days.

Seeing that the sun was shining, Lu Zhengan and Song Huaishu took the bedding outside to dry. The two of them, who had nothing to do, also moved two stools to sit in the yard and eat melon seeds and peanuts in the sun.

However, at this moment, Lu Tiezhuan and Lu Tiezhu's brothers suddenly came to Lu Zheng'an's house.

At this time, although Song Huaishu's pregnant belly was not too obvious, he still couldn't help but panic when he saw so many people coming to the door.

Seeing this, Lu Zhengan quietly shook his hand and asked him to sit on the stool without moving, and he got up to meet him.

"How come the brothers are free to come here today? But what's the matter? ”

Lu Tieniu is a straightforward character, and when he heard Lu Zheng'an's question, he immediately said: "Didn't Uncle Changgen say that you were looking for someone to clear the mountain a few years ago, and the brothers discussed it and decided to let a few elder brothers be the leaders, and then find some capable people from the village or relatives to help. After all, we are brothers with roots, and we can't let people with foreign surnames take the lead. ”

Listening to Lu Tieniu's words, Lu Zhengan raised his eyes and glanced at the expressions of Lu Tiezhuan and Lu Tiezhu. Seeing that the eyes of a few people were a little evasive, it was obvious that they had discussed it at home, and then pushed Lu Tieniu to come to him as the first bird.

People are self-interested animals, and they can understand Lu Zheng'an thinking so. This matter didn't matter to him, but it wasn't a good proposition for Lu Changgen.

Lu Changgen takes good care of himself, just like a parent, and no matter how Lu Zhengan is, he has to think about him.

However, a few of them just pushed Lu Tieniu out to talk about it, and Lu Zhengan didn't break it down, but still smiled and said to a few people: "Uncle Changgen is in charge of this matter, and I can't remember who Uncle Changgen called to go that day." However, several brothers were also chosen by Uncle Changgen, so you still tell Uncle Changgen about this matter, as long as Uncle Changgen agrees, I can do whatever I want. ”

Several people have also dealt with Lu Zhengan many times, so they naturally know a little bit about his personality. Hearing him say this, the group did not continue to pester, but looked at each other and went down the mountain.

After Lu Zhengan returned to the courtyard, Song Huaishu was obviously relieved. Seeing Lu Zhengan coming back, Song Huaishu hurriedly got up and greeted him.

"Brother Iron Bolt, what are they doing here? I've never seen them together like this. ”

Lu Zhengan took Song Huaishu's arm and asked him to sit on a stool under the eaves, and said as he walked, "What else can I do for it?" Naturally, it is for the sake of clearing the mountain. ”

As he spoke, Lu Zhengan told Song Huaishu everything about Fang Cai, and recalled the dodgy appearance of the Lu family brothers in Fang Cai, and couldn't help but laugh for a while.

However, after Song Huaishu listened, he couldn't help frowning. "You pushed the matter on Uncle Nagane, is that okay? Don't get him in trouble. ”

"It's okay, now we have handed over the affairs of Baoshan to Uncle Changgen, and he is also the person he helped find. Now that Brother Tie Niu has crossed Uncle Changgen to come to me, it is not suitable, and it is normal for me not to agree to them. Besides, although Uncle Changgen is said to be the patriarch of the Lu family, he also has the burden of the village chief on his shoulders. When discussing things a few years ago, why did Uncle Nagane call several other people in the village to come over as well? It's not that we want to have money and make it together. Now that they are squeezing out the people with foreign surnames in the village like this, doesn't it make it difficult for Uncle Changgen? ”

Seeing that Song Huaishu's brows still hadn't spread, Lu Zhengan raised two fingers to help him smooth it.

"Don't worry, it's not a big deal, Uncle Changgen can definitely settle down."

Listening to Lu Zhengan's comfort, Song Huaishu also nodded.

Lu Zhengan still seemed to be a little relieved when he saw Song Huaishu, reached out and pinched his nose, and said with a smile: "Don't worry, Uncle Changgen will definitely come to tell us about this in two days." ”

On the afternoon of the second day after Lu Zhengan and Song Huaishu finished talking about this, Lu Changgen, who had a stinky face, came to the small courtyard of Lu Zheng'an's house with his hands behind his back.