Step by step, a gentle breeze leads to a smooth path

Hearing Nan say that she would also like to buy some New Year's goods for the family, Song Xiuying was naturally happy, as she had never gone shopping with her children before.

First, buy New Year's goods for Mom; there's a much wider selection in the county town. Zheng Xiangqian wanted to buy new clothes, but his younger brother, Zheng Ruidong, glared at him and said, "Big brother, what do you mean? Have too much money? Don't you like what I make?"

Zheng Xiangqian hurriedly apologized: "Dongzi, I'm sorry, no, I was just worried that you wouldn't be able to handle everything by yourself with the New Year coming soon."

“Who says I can’t handle it? I’m willing to do it, I enjoy doing it, I can work through the night without getting tired!” Zheng Ruidong argued relentlessly with his older brother, while Ting Nan and Song Xiuying watched the scene with amusement.

These two brothers, Zheng Xiangqian, who is famously known as "Brother Xiang" outside, became timid in front of his younger brother. He immediately dragged Zheng Ruidong to a fabric store, even though he knew nothing about choosing fabrics. Seeing the various fabrics, Zheng Ruidong's anger subsided, and he focused on selecting.

Zheng Ruidong had already planned it out in his mind. Now that he was learning martial arts from his older brother, he wouldn't need to wear a cotton-padded coat in winter. He would buy some thicker fabric and make a suit for his brother, which would also make it easier for him to present a respectable image in public.

He was still a student, so he didn't need to be too particular. Ordinary fabric would do. It had been cut before he came, so all he had to do was sew it. With a sewing machine, it didn't take much effort.

His mother, Song Xiuying's, cotton-padded jacket needed to be thicker with more cotton padding. With suggestions from Zuo Jinyue and Du Hongxue, he also wanted to try a more modern double-breasted style.

Du Hongxue said that Shanghai has those long zippers instead of buttons, which are very convenient to wear, and he is looking forward to them being sent over soon.

To save time, they split into two groups. Tingnan accompanied Song Xiuying to buy some New Year's goods. They bought melon seeds and peanuts to entertain guests during the New Year, and let Ruidong write the couplets and the character "福" (good fortune) himself, so they only bought some red paper. They also bought some meat and other things that the family would like to eat on New Year's Eve.

As they strolled around, Song Xiuying didn't buy much. She knew her eldest son was going to start a brick factory, so she wanted to save money wherever possible. Ting Nan didn't try to persuade her much; everyone was frugal. When they went to the fabric store, Zheng Ruidong had already chosen his items, including cotton, and Zheng Xiangqian was paying for them.

The four of them, each carrying something, went to the ferry to wait. The boat arrived, and thankfully, Yang's father was at the helm. He didn't mind that they had so much stuff and helped them unload it onto the boat.

While waiting for other customers, Yang's father chatted with Tingnan: "Tingnan, your older brother Xiangqian's suggestion is good. Your sister's snack shop has opened. Your sister is skilled, knows a lot, and is clever. The business is doing very well."

Ting Nan was also happy for her sister, "That's good. Is Lele being good? Thank you for taking care of her."

"That's only right. Lele is very well-behaved. She often talks about you. When you have time, come to my house to play. She misses her aunt." When talking about his granddaughter, Mr. Yang's lips curled up.

Nan readily agreed, and Du Hongxue gave her the address of a grocery store her master knew to send the fabric to her brother. When she picked up the goods, she would have Uncle Yang deliver them to her brother. If she had time, she could also visit Lele and her brother's brick factory.

Almost everyone had arrived, and Song Xiuying and the others boarded the ship. They told Tingnan to take good care of herself and to go back and visit when she had a holiday.

Ting Nan nodded in agreement. Watching the ships sailing away, Ting Nan thought that only when one's heart becomes stronger and richer will one be free from resentment, and only then will all relationships blossom and bear sweet fruit.

Ting Nan turned around and bought some New Year's goods for Liu Dayong, and also bought some for Gao Haoran. She picked out things they liked and needed; both of her masters were practical people, and buying them flashy but impractical things would only get them scolded.

Liu Dayong, I heard that Nan is planning to come again on the 29th of the lunar year. Song Wanli has prepared a large pork knuckle and a large hen, but we haven't had time to cook them yet. We'll send them over then to add a dish to the New Year's Eve dinner.

The festive atmosphere of the Lunar New Year is growing stronger, with the occasional sound of firecrackers, children's laughter, and various bright red products offered by businesses, all reflecting people's joyful mood.

On the 29th of the year, when Ting Nan arrived at the nursing home, he ran into Gao Haoran.