NOVPUB
Chapter 521: Chapter Five Hundred and Eleven: Enough Control
In 1981, during the Spring Festival, Shen Yunfang, Li Xianglian, Dashuan, and Ma Liguo’s families all spent a prosperous New Year together in the quadrangle.
They still split into two tables, with Wang Da Nian preparing twelve dishes, covering all bases with chicken, duck, fish, and meat. The children were eating with their mouths greased, while the adults were toasting and swapping glasses at the table. Although they hadn’t yet finalized how much they had earned that year, it was clear as day to everyone—they had made a good haul.
"Mommy, we’re full. Can my brothers, sisters, and I go out and set off firecrackers?" Pangpang, who had been elected by the other children to act as the spokesperson, leaned in to whisper in his mother’s ear.
Shen Yunfang glanced over his shoulder, seeing the longing in the eyes of the seven children, including the three girls. Well, she thought, even though she sells firecrackers, she can’t short-change her own kids.
"Okay, but you’re all too young to play with regular firecrackers on your own. How about this—you and your brothers and sisters take some poppers and sparklers to play with instead?" The firecrackers with higher risks made Shen Yunfang uneasy letting the kids handle them by themselves.
"You always have such a soft spot," said Li Xianglian, who overheard the conversation and disapproved, "That’s inventory to sell, not for causing trouble. Shuanzi, did you instigate this? Let me tell you to behave yourself, or I’ll have your father give you a good thrashing."
Shuanzi looked at his dad and shrank back, yet he replied defiantly, "How do you know it was my idea? I didn’t cause any trouble." Indeed, the idea to set off firecrackers had been his because his own mother was too fierce, lacking the gentleness of his Aunt Yunfang. Otherwise, why would he bother conspiring with little brother Pangpang.
"Don’t even try to hide it, you street vendor," Li Xianglian rolled her eyes at her younger son, "I can tell what you’re up to the moment you stick out your butt."
"It’s the New Year, what are you saying? Mind your words, will you?" Liu Jianjun couldn’t listen anymore. No one was considering the occasion; everyone was enjoying their meal until she brought up butts and pooping. Naturally, he was speaking out of consideration for others, having become accustomed to it himself, unfazed by any topic during meals.
Li Xianglian was about to retort, but when she glanced at the table and saw everyone trying not to laugh at her, her face began to heat up. 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙥𝙪𝙗.𝒄𝙤𝙢
She thought back and couldn’t recall saying anything too outrageous. Weren’t these things commonly said all the time?
"The kids have also been working hard these past few days, especially your older ones. Shitou and Shuanzi helped sell goods during the freezing cold days, and Jiajia watched over her little brothers and sisters. They all deserve credit. Now all the kids want to do is set off some firecrackers, and we must agree," Ma Liguo said, beaming with pride at the children. When it came to firecrackers, besides Yunfang, he was the most qualified to speak, as he and Yunfang were partners in the business.
"Exactly, it’s the New Year. We sell firecrackers for other kids to play with; why can’t ours do the same? Wait for me, I’ll get some for you to play with, enough for everyone," Shen Yunfang declared with a wave of her hand, granting their wish right away.
Upon hearing Shen Yunfang’s words, the eight children jumped up, cheering.
"See how happy the kids are?" Shen Yunfang said to Sister Li.
"Of course they are happy. With an indulgent aunt like you spoiling them, how could they not be?" Sister Li rolled her eyes. "Just let them play with a few; don’t let them have enough to keep them going forever. When they run out, don’t say I didn’t warn you."
"Oh dear, Manman, you’re not even as tall as the sparkers yet, and you want to join your brothers and sisters in setting off firecrackers? Aren’t you scared?" Dashuan’s wife saw Manman jumping among the rest, picked her up in her arms fondly, and teased.
"Not scared, whoosh~bang~ it’s so fun!" Manman imitated the sound of sparklers with her not-so-nimble little mouth, amusing all the adults at the table.
"Alright, alright, alright, we must set off the fireworks for Manman. Just wait, Uncle Dashuan will go get some for you." Dashuan stood up to go to the storeroom to bring out some sparklers for the children.
"I’ll go with you. Let’s carry back more." Ma Liguo also stood up.
Consequently, a group of little tails followed the two uncles out.
Before long, the two men came back, children no longer in tow.
Just now in the yard, the two adults had divided sparklers and poppers among them—five sparklers and five boxes of poppers for each child. The moment the kids got their stuff, they cheered and ran out of the yard to play outside.
In the courtyard, there was a storage of fireworks. For safety, lighting them inside the yard was not allowed.
"You guys, always spoiling the kids," Li Xianglian said with a smile and a slight complaint.
"What do you mean spoiling? Big sister, you haven’t seen real spoiling. That’s when they want the stars but won’t settle for the moon. We’re not even close to that," Mu Huazhen’s eldest sister worked at a kindergarten and interacted with many children, so she knew about the behavior of some kids.
"Nowadays things are better than before. Back when Dashuan was younger, even if the family wanted to spoil the kids, there were no means. The kids today are living in better times," Wang Dan sighed.
Everyone nodded in agreement. They were indeed fortunate to live in better times; who would have thought they’d one day be doing business and making money.
"Also, each family has just one child. If there’s something good, of course, you’d give it to them. If not to them, then who? Unconsciously we end up spoiling their tempers," Mu Huazhen shook her head.
Shen Yunfang knew somewhat about Li Hongqi’s work; Wang Dan had not stopped talking about it when she visited. Mu Huazhen was also somewhat familiar with the situation, having dined with Wang Dan before and hearing her talk about the gossip from her hometown.
"Enough, enough, it’s New Year’s, let’s talk about something happy. Don’t bring up these vexing matters. Do you want to jinx next year or not?" Mu Huazhen tried to steer the conversation elsewhere.
"Right, let’s talk about happy things," Ma Liguo naturally sided with his wife, "Looking at the accounts this year, our business has been much better compared to last year. Our hard work over these days hasn’t been in vain."
"Exactly, exactly, we can have a prosperous New Year," Liu Jianjun also echoed.
"That’s for sure. Come on, everyone pick up your glasses; let’s toast to our better life ahead," Mu Huazhen was the first to raise her glass.
"Cheers." Everyone laughed and responded, raising their glasses to clink together, then drained them in one gulp.
After setting down the glasses, people began to chat about the year’s business, "You’d never know what’s out there in the world of business, in a big forest there are all kinds of birds, just yesterday..."
