Witty Wife, Better Life

Chapter 691: Chapter 681 Return to Gaijiatun

Afterwards, Shen Yunfang felt a bit constrained while strolling through the market.

She saw some green and red beans for sale and thought about buying some, thinking how nice it would be to add a handful when cooking porridge in the morning.

But as soon as she went to ask about them, she was dragged away by Wang Dan again, who said the same thing, that her family had them, and there was no need to buy them from outside. She could just go to Wang Dan’s house later and weigh out what she needed.

Throughout the market trip, whenever Shen Yunfang asked about anything, Wang Dan would say that her family had it and wanted to sell it to her, which put Shen Yunfang in an awkward position. Eventually, after a round through the grain section, she just asked for the prices, planning to buy from Wang Dan’s house later.

It got better as she continued her stroll. They reached the meat and fish section of the market, which the Wang Family didn’t have, so when Shen Yunfang was picking out her items, Wang Dan didn’t hold her back but instead helped her haggle with the vendors.

Shen Yunfang wasn’t stingy at all. There were no sea fish, only freshwater ones, but she still bought several, especially a fatty carp weighing more than ten pounds, which she purchased entirely for herself.

As for pork, she bought half of a side, around seventy to eighty pounds. Wang Dan’s children were drooling at the sight, incessantly begging their aunt to cook fried pork chunks when they got home.

Shen Yunfang quickly placated them, realizing that not everyone could handle that kind of ruckus.

Later, she saw mutton and beef for sale. Shen Yunfang bought an entire sheep, asking the vendor to clean and prepare it. There was only one vendor selling beef, which was said to have been injured during a snowstorm and couldn’t be healed, so they slaughtered it. Shen Yunfang chose the parts she liked and cut about thirty pounds.

When she wanted to buy a block of tofu, she was stopped by Wang Dan again, and that’s when she found out there was already a place in the village that made tofu, where she could buy it directly.

Under the glaring watch of the tofu vendor, they quickly left.

After making their way around the market, they bought quite a bit of everything that was needed and available.

Then, Shen Yunfang made a trip to the supply and marketing cooperative, where she bought some spices and other items that weren’t available at the village consignment store.

Upon returning to where the donkey cart was parked, wow, there were several sacks of goods.

On the way back, the adults didn’t ride in the cart, because with just one donkey pulling, the cart was too heavy and the donkey wouldn’t have been able to move it.

It took almost an hour of walking before they finally arrived home.

Then came the unloading. Wang Dan went back to her own home, making several trips to carry over the rice, flour, and various beans and odds and ends that Shen Yunfang needed.

Shen Yunfang took a rough look and didn’t actually weigh the goods. She simply paid Wang Dan fifty-one dollars according to the agreed price.

After storing everything in the storeroom, which was the marriage room they had used when they got married, they finally settled down.

"Hongjun, rest for a while. Hurry up and have your wife prepare lunch. It’s almost noon." Li’s father had been standing at the door of the main house all this time, watching them carry things into the courtyard.

"Dad, we’ve been busy all morning. Let’s just have a simple lunch. Fortunately, Yunfang bought a few buns at the market. I’ll go have a bite soon," Li Hongjun felt sorry for his wife.

"Hmm, alright, you decide." It took a while before they heard Li’s father respond.

Li Hongjun knew his father was feeling a little uncomfortable, but he cherished his wife and couldn’t bear to have her cook again after running around all morning.

However, after resting for a while in the room, Shen Yunfang still decided to cook. It was fine for others not to eat, but her children couldn’t skip a meal. Besides, with buns available, she just needed to start a fire and cook some cornmeal porridge.

After eating and taking a nap, Wang Dan’s family of five came over again in the afternoon.

This had all been agreed upon in the morning when they came back.

Wang Dan came over to help Shen Yunfang steam buns, and Li Hongxing joined Li Hongjun in taking care of the meat. Of course, there was a price for their help: Shen Yunfang would prepare a feast in the evening as a treat for them.

After bustling about for two days, the house was finally in order, and Shen Yunfang proposed to return to Gaijiatun for a visit.

So she mentioned it to Wang Dan, asking her to look after Old Li at home for the next couple of days, including bringing him meals at mealtimes. Then, the family of four packed up their things and headed back to Gaijiatun.

Once they arrived in Gaijiatun, Shen Yunfang did not go to Uncle Shen’s house but went directly to Aunt Wang’s instead.

It turned out that only Aunt Wang and her two children were at home; surprisingly, Dashuan and his wife had gone to the county to do business.

"It’s all your fault. The fuss you’ve made over the past two years has made Dashuan’s heart grow wild. He’s been planning for a while now, and just after the autumn harvest, off they went to the county. They can’t make it back even once a month. However, they did say last time that they would be able to return on the twenty-ninth of the Lunar New Year." Aunt Wang spoke with an air of helplessness.

"Haha, Brother Dashuan is really something, clever and bold," Shen Yunfang praised. "By the way, what are Brother Dashuan and his wife doing in the county?"

"Selling chickens, ducks, geese, and eggs. Brother Dashuan had planned this long ago. During the time after the autumn harvest when there wasn’t much to do, he would go out and collect eggs, then store them in the cellar. When the weather got colder, the two of them headed to the county. Your sister-in-law sells, while Brother Dashuan goes around collecting," Aunt Wang explained.

Shen Yunfang nodded in agreement; they were truly earning hard-earned money.

After a simple lunch at Aunt Wang’s place and leaving the gifts for the Wang Family, the family headed back to their own home.

Their home was in decent shape, perhaps because Aunt Wang often came by to check; there was only a layer of dust on the surfaces, which was quickly cleaned.

Picking up the gifts they had prepared, Shen Yunfang and Li Hongjun went to visit Uncle Shen’s house.

Although things had been awkward between the two families due to past events, Uncle Shen was still her uncle, and she had received care from him in the past. She might avoid visiting while away, but now that she was back in her hometown, it was a must to pay a visit.

When Shen Yunfang and her husband arrived, Uncle Shen and his wife were both at home.

Ever since the responsibility system was implemented, Uncle Shen’s authority as the team leader was not what it once was, and he did not have as much to do. Therefore, besides farming, Uncle Shen mostly spent time at home.

Uncle Shen was delighted to see his niece and her husband return and hurriedly invited them to sit on the kang bed.

Shen Yunfang noticed that Aunt Shen was still holding a grudge, but she pretended not to see it and sat down at Uncle’s invitation, then handed over the gifts she had brought.

"Uncle, it has been several years since we last visited. We’re back for the New Year and thought it was only right to come and see you and Auntie. We’ve brought you some things; please don’t be shy," Li Hongjun said politely.

"You guys, just come if you want to, no need for all this courtesy," Uncle Shen said, though his face was beaming with happiness. He was genuinely pleased that his niece and her husband had come to see him.

"Uncle, it’s not about being courteous, it’s just a little token of our appreciation," Li Hongjun replied aptly.

"Alright, alright, I’m happy just because you came to see me."

Afterwards, Uncle Shen inquired about how the couple was doing.

According to what Shen Yunxiu had written in her letters, it had been a long time since she last saw Shen Yunfang, so Uncle Shen was somewhat concerned.

Li Hongjun then talked about his job transfer and his wife’s move to teach in Z Province.