sinovels Chapter 59 Returning Home for the Spring Festival Holiday
Chapter 59 Returning Home for the Spring Festival Holiday
With the Spring Festival approaching, universities are on holiday.
On the 25th day of the twelfth lunar month, the North Gate Bus Station in Chengdu was bustling with people.
Lin Feng, wearing a newly bought dark gray wool coat and carrying a full load of New Year's goods, boarded the bus back to his hometown, Rongping County.
After a bumpy three-hour journey, familiar street scenes gradually came into view. The small county town was already filled with the festive atmosphere of the New Year, with red lanterns hanging on both sides of the street and the New Year's greeting song "Wishing you prosperity" playing on a loop in the shops.
When Lin Feng arrived home carrying large bags, the door was ajar, and the television was loud. He pushed the door open and called out, "Dad, Mom, I'm home."
Li Huilan, who was busy in the kitchen, ran out wearing an apron: "Xiao Feng's back! Was the journey safe?"
Lin Feng put the things down and rubbed his hands together. "Have a safe journey. These are for my family."
There were Wuliangye liquor and Zhonghua cigarettes for my father, a cashmere sweater for my mother, and several boxes of pastries from a time-honored brand in Chengdu.
"Mom, I bought you a cashmere sweater. Try it on and see if it fits."
"Why did you buy all this when you came home! You're wasting money!" she complained, but when she took the cashmere sweater, she couldn't help but touch the fabric and her face lit up with a smile.
Father Lin Guofu came out of the inner room, holding a newspaper. He glanced at the two bottles of Wuliangye liquor and said, "It's good that you're back. You must be tired from the journey, take a rest."
The house was the same as always, with a New Year's calendar hanging on the wall and Lin Feng's high school award certificates, polished to a shine, on the TV cabinet. The aroma of the New Year's Eve dinner wafted from the kitchen—this was the taste of "New Year".
During dinner, his parents didn't ask him about his business or mention the pledge.
Lin Feng thought to himself: His parents didn't bring it up because they were afraid it would hurt his pride and cause an unpleasant atmosphere at home during the Spring Festival, so they decided to wait until after the New Year. They probably assumed that their son had "hit a wall" this time, but was just being stubborn and refusing to admit defeat.
Since his parents didn't ask, he didn't bring it up himself.
On the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month, the streets were decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, and children happily set off firecrackers.
Lin Feng followed his parents, carrying New Year's goods, to an old residential area in the east of the city. His uncle, Lin Guodong, lived here. It was a welfare house allocated by his work unit many years ago. Although it was a bit old, it was quite spacious, with three bedrooms and a living room, which was considered very respectable in those days.
My grandparents passed away early, so in previous years we always had our New Year's Eve dinner at my uncle's house.
Auntie opened the door, wearing an apron and greeting us with a smile: "Guofu, Huilan, Xiaofeng's here! Come in quickly, it's cold outside!"
She glanced at the Wuliangye liquor and Zhonghua cigarettes Lin Feng was carrying: "Oh dear, you've come all this way, why bring such expensive things? Don't be so formal!"
"Of course, sister-in-law, Happy New Year." Li Huilan said with a smile.
The living room was warm and cozy. Uncle Lin Guodong, who was sitting on the sofa, stood up and greeted them, "Guofu and your wife are here, please sit down. Xiaofeng is on vacation from university, right?"
"You're on holiday, Uncle," Lin Feng greeted politely, placing the New Year's gifts beside the coffee table.
My cousin Lin Jun and his wife had already arrived and were playing with their three-year-old daughter, Niu Niu, using building blocks. Lin Jun works as a civil servant in the county town and was wearing a wool sweater with a jacket over it.
My cousin and his wife greeted Lin Feng's family and then continued playing with their daughter.
"Your third uncle and the others will be here soon," Auntie said as she poured tea.
Lin Guofu and Li Huilan sat down on the sofa, while Lin Feng and his cousin Lin Jun chatted for a few minutes.
The eldest uncle took a sip of tea, his gaze falling on Lin Feng, and began the routine questions asked by an elder:
"Xiao Feng, you're about to graduate from university. What are your plans for the future? Are you going to stay in the provincial capital, or consider coming back?"
Before Lin Feng could answer, his father sighed and took over the conversation: "Brother, don't even mention it. Huilan and I have been talking about this so much we're almost hoarse. We were just hoping he would graduate, come back, take the civil service exam, and settle down. But this kid insists on staying in the provincial capital to do business."
"Sigh... I can't persuade him anymore. Since your eldest uncle and third uncle are here today, you two can help me talk to him. Is it really that easy to make money outside? A stable job is much more reliable."
These words created an awkward atmosphere in the living room.
Lin Feng's cousin, Lin Jun, glanced at him. He himself was a civil servant and knew all too well that life wasn't easy for civil servants these days; overtime was the norm.
The image of civil servants in our parents' minds as simply reading newspapers and drinking tea at work is long gone.
Upon hearing this, the sister-in-law glanced at her cousin and smiled helplessly.
Uncle Lin Guodong put down his teacup, leaned back, adopted the posture of the "head of the family," and began to lecture:
"Xiao Feng, it's good that young people are energetic, but doing business isn't easy these days. You need capital and connections. If you want to do business, go back to your hometown. There are many relatives and friends there, and you can ask them for help."
He pointed to his son, his tone tinged with pride: "Your brother Jun works at the tax bureau. It's a stable job with good benefits. He makes a few thousand yuan a month, which is quite comfortable in our small town. Listen to your dad, come back and focus on your studies. If you get a secure job, your dad won't have to worry anymore."
Just then, Uncle Lin Guoliang and Aunt Lin arrived, bringing with them their cousin Lin Xiaoyu.
After exchanging pleasantries, upon hearing this topic, Uncle San gently advised, "Xiao Feng, your uncle and your father have been through a lot and have seen a lot. You haven't experienced much yet and don't know how murky the waters are in business. Although the competition for the civil service exam is fierce, it's still a safer path."
All eyes were on Lin Feng. Some were concerned, while others were more interested in watching the spectacle.
Li Huilan looked at her son with some nervousness, afraid that he would talk back in his youthful arrogance, yet secretly hoping that he would say something.
Lin Feng remained calm and waited for the elders to finish speaking before addressing them, saying, "Thank you for your guidance, Uncle and Third Uncle. I understand that you all meant well for me."
Seeing his "proper" attitude, the uncle felt that the child was sensible enough, and that his efforts had not been in vain.
Lin Guofu breathed a sigh of relief, but the frustration and helplessness he felt about his son's "disobedience" remained.
Lin Xiaoyu, Lin Feng's cousin, was a freshman in college. At that lively and curious age, she sat down next to him and asked, "Brother, what kind of business are you in now?"
Lin Feng casually said, "Let's make some digital products to sell, like MP3 players and stuff."
Lin Xiaoyu's eyes lit up, and she said excitedly, "I know MP3! I just bought one!" She casually took out a "Lilac Commemorative Edition MP3" from her pocket.
"This MP3 player is really popular right now. It has a high-definition version of Tang Lei's 'Lilac Flower'. A lot of my classmates have bought it."
My third uncle took a look at it and thought the design was quite unique.
"This one..." Lin Feng smiled, "This one is selling fairly well right now."
"It's more than just okay!" Lin Xiaoyu is very sensitive to trendy items. "It's super popular! I waited for a long time to finally snag one, and I even had to pay a deposit before receiving the goods."
"By the way, bro, aren't you at Sichuan University of Technology? I heard that Tang Lei, who sang 'Lilac Flower,' came to your school to sing at Christmas. Is that true? Did you see Tang Lei?"