Chapter 275: 276: You've Worked Hard!
Seeing that his wife ignored him, Chen Dahai continued, “We’re only staying for three days, it’s not like we’re moving over.”
Yang Jiahui turned around and glared at him, “Chen Dahai, will you ever stop? You’ve said it hundreds of times already on the way here, why are you nagging like a woman!”
Chen Dahai coughed and said no more.
Suddenly, Yang Jiahui turned back and asked, “Hey, I’m asking you? Cang Er is in such a hurry to have us come buy a house, has he taken a fancy to someone’s daughter?”
Chen Dahai frowned and nodded, “Hmm, I think that might be the case!”
A while later.
Yang Jiahui suddenly remembered something and whispered, “Did you check if the money is there?”
Chen Dahai glared at her, “What are you talking about at the train station!”
After that, he carefully felt a bag he was carrying, then glanced around and nodded to Yang Jiahui, “Hmm! It’s here, it’s here!”
Only then did Yang Jiahui breathe a sigh of relief, “Why is he still not here? Should I give him a call? I’m too anxious carrying all this money on me.”
Chen Dahai said, “This Ammonium City is big, traffic jams are normal, don’t keep hurrying him.”
Back at home, when they heard Chen Cang wanted to buy a house, they were immediately frightened. In the past two years, since Chen Cang graduated and worked without spending much money, and since little brother’s high school costs weren’t high, he had managed to save up about a hundred thousand or so. But when the old couple inquired about the house prices in Ammonium City, they found out it was fifteen thousand per square meter, which made them hurriedly borrow money from neighbors and friends in their hometown.
Fortunately, the Chen family, being helpful in their daily interactions, managed to lend a bit. This time coming to Ammonium, they took out a total of a hundred and fifty thousand, which emptied the old couple’s savings.
As parents, no matter how much Chen Cang assured them he had money, they couldn’t feel at ease. They’d chip in as much as they could; if they were unable to help, then there was no helping it.
After all, buying a house isn’t a small matter, is it?
Which family could come up with so much money at once?
Yang Jiahui couldn’t help saying, “There’s less than ten thousand yuan left in the house, should we leave some for the younger one, he’s still in school…”
Chen Dahai shook his head, “Let’s sort out the elder one’s issue first. You know what Cang Er is like; unless he’s run into some issue, he definitely wouldn’t be in such a rush to buy a house. I bet he’s set his sights on a girl, maybe her family is urging him?”
Yang Jiahui nodded, she also thought it possible.
“Little brother’s expenses will come after the New Year, and after the autumn, we’ll sell this year’s corn harvest. I can also make a bit in the second half of the year. Little brother’s tuition, miscellaneous fees, and living expenses for next year can be arranged. Life is about overcoming one hurdle after another, and once we get past one, there’s another waiting.”
Yang Jiahui might talk tough, but when it came to significant family matters, she ultimately followed Chen Dahai’s decisions.
After waiting for a short while, Chen Cang and Chen Luo saw Chen Dahai and his wife and came over with smiles to greet them.
From a distance, Yang Jiahui looked at her two sons, Chen Cang and Chen Luo, walking side by side, tall and imposing, and her heart swelled with joy. Isn’t this what parents wished for?
Chen Cang came over and looked at his parents, who hadn’t changed much.
Chen Dahai was tall and sturdy, his skin somewhat darkened from working beside fires over the years, his arms under the short-sleeved shirt were muscular, though naturally not as explosive as a bodybuilder’s. However, to Chen Cang, his father’s arms had always been strong.
The Chen brothers both resembled Chen Dahai in stature, tall and sturdy, with Chen Luo being more muscular than Chen Cang, though Chen Cang was also in good shape, thanks to his years of working in emergency medicine.
Their mother, Yang Jiahui, was a typical rural woman, thrifty in managing the household, and the home she ran was full and bustling.
Although the Chen family of four wasn’t wealthy, they were still happy and content.
Seeing that Chen Dahai was carrying many things, Chen Cang laughed, “Dad, why are you carrying so much?”
Chen Dahai laughed heartily, “Your mom loves you kids so much, she’s practically moved us out.”
Chen Luo joined in with his own laughter, “Dad, that’s not fair. Everything we have goes to my brother; what about me? I have to raise an objection here!”
Chen Luo’s words amused the whole family, and Chen Dahai slapped him playfully, “I’ll knock some sense into you, you little rascal.”
After they all came out, Chen Cang hailed a taxi, but soon found they had too much stuff to fit in one cab, so they had no choice but to take two taxis to Chen Cang’s rental place.
In the evening, Chen Cang booked a suite at the hotel downstairs. It had been a long time since the family gathered, and he thought they could have a good chat in the evening.
Chen Dahai enjoyed having a couple of jars of wine with his meal.
Chen Cang could handle his drink, while Chen Luo had been a handful since childhood, sneaking drinks from Chen Dahai’s supply.
Previously, Chen Cang thought children in the village were wild, but it was only after he started working at the hospital that he realized unruly kids weren’t confined to any one place.
For dinner that night, Chen Cang chose Haidilao, where the family could enjoy a harmonious hotpot meal and the parents could also experience what caring service was all about.
While waiting to be seated, the waitress insisted on taking Yang Jiahui for a hand treatment.
Yang Jiahui had never encountered such a thing. She was shy and blushing terribly, awkwardly reluctant, holding on to Chen Dahai’s arm, her fists clenched, too embarrassed to open her hands.
Chen Luo and Chen Cang followed behind, chuckling, “Mom, go on and try it!”
Chen Dahai laughed as well, “Go for it, it’s good for your hands. Look how rough they are.”
At last, urged on by everyone, Yang Jiahui went inside.
Standing at the door, Chen Cang smiled, watching his mother, this woman who had silently followed his father and toiled all her life.
When his father worked as a chef, Yang Jiahui was the kitchen helper, a tough job.
It wasn’t until Yang Jiahui opened her hands that Chen Cang suddenly felt his heart being clenched tight…
He saw those small hands covered in wrinkles, some dirt ingrained in the lines that could not be washed clean, numerous folds on the backs of the hands, rough palms, and callouses thick and yellow…
Chen Cang felt a sudden sourness in his nose.
It was these hands that had raised him.
Chen Luo felt his eyes well up, unable to hold back the tears, “I’m going to the bathroom.”
He turned and walked out. As soon as he was out the door, tears could no longer be contained, and large drops flowed down his face. Chen Luo quickly wiped them away, taking a deep breath.
He washed his face in the bathroom.
Looking at his own tall, handsome reflection in the Mirror, he could see a strong resemblance to Yang Jiahui.
Chen Luo took a deep breath, resolving firmly to make money sooner and take good care of his parents.
It wasn’t that Chen Luo was prone to tears; on the contrary, he was tough during his school days, as stubborn as Chen Dahai when his temper flared.
But at that moment, seeing his mother’s labor-worn hands, Chen Luo’s heart ached more than if it were sliced with a knife.
He had never noticed before, but at that moment, Chen Cang’s mind was filled with the image of his mother’s rough, calloused hands.
Chen Dahai stood behind, his eyes smiling contentedly.
In this life, you’ve suffered, my dear wife.