Sweet Nostalgia of the 80s

27: Chapter 27: The Heart Aches, So Does the Flesh 27: Chapter 27: The Heart Aches, So Does the Flesh “Sis, what are you two whispering so closely about!” An Ping, unable to bear his hunger any longer, came into the kitchen to see if An Hao’s cooking was ready and happened upon this scene of the two huddled together and murmuring.

At first glance, it appeared quite affectionate.

“What we’re doing?

We’re whispering a secret, right, sis?” Bai Yanjiao purposefully draped her arm around An Hao’s, presenting a facade of closeness for An Ping to see, while her hand ruthlessly pinched a chunk of An Hao’s inner arm.

A sharp pain shot through her, nearly bringing tears to An Hao’s eyes.

She bit her teeth, squeezed out a smile, lifted her other hand to grasp Bai Yanjiao’s hand, her nails digging deeply into her flesh, and brushed her hand away with a laugh, “Actually, there’s no secret.

Yanjiao said that with New Year’s coming, she wants to use her own saved money to buy you a gift, talking about getting you two cans of luncheon meat.”

At this, An Ping’s eyes lit up, “Really?

That’s great!

Thank you so much, second sis!

I’ll be waiting eagerly for the New Year!”

Bai Yanjiao found herself unable to refuse!

A can of luncheon meat, forty cents each, two cans…

The mere thought was excruciatingly painful!

“Fine, fine, just you wait!

I’ll buy it for you!” Bai Yanjiao grudgingly agreed for the time being, deciding whether or not to buy it later.

This cursed An Hao was truly ruthless, costing her more than two dollars in an instant.

It hurt her so much!

It hurt both the flesh and the heart!

An Hao finished cooking a sumptuous dinner and served it, a stir-fry of eggs with scallions, another dish of pork with Chinese cabbage, a big pot of millet porridge, and a ring of warm pancakes—all to An Shuchao’s contentment.

Seeing An Hao earning money, he felt that life had some direction at last.

After dinner, An Hao did not clean up the dishes; instead, she returned to her room.

She felt tired and lay on the bed with her eyes closed, lost in thought.

This day had been truly exhausting.

In the town, she was indebted to Qin Jian for his help, and when she left, she even took his handkerchief.

One should be grateful and reciprocate kindness.

Although Qin Jian had said nothing, An Hao wanted to thank him.

But, just going to his house to say thanks didn’t seem quite appropriate; what should she bring to thank him?

An Hao pondered this, drowsily drifting toward sleep.

As she was about to enter her dreams, she heard An Shuchao knocking on her door: “My girl, are you asleep?”

“Dad?

Do you need something?” An Hao got out of bed, put on her shoes, and opened the door.

An Shuchao, wrapped in a threadbare cotton-padded jacket, entered the room and found a stool to sit on: “An Hao, you made a fair bit of money at the market this time.

There’s one more market day before the New Year, are you still planning to go?”

“Go?

Of course, I am!” An Hao contemplated; with half a vat of hawthorns left, she could still make some haw cake to earn a bit more.

An Shuchao nodded and inquired, “Do you have enough money?”

An Hao was startled.

“What I mean is, you could take An Ping and Yanjiao with you to the next market, make more, sell more.

If you don’t have enough money, take from me!” An Shuchao, having tasted a little success, wanted An Hao to sell more and bring back some cash.

“Alright.” An Hao had been worried, as she couldn’t carry too many haw cakes herself; having an extra person meant an extra helper.

“Then if there’s nothing else, start preparing early tomorrow.

Leave the cooking and other housework to your mother.” An Shuchao had planned things out, trying to free up more time for An Hao.

He felt that he might have been wrong about his daughter before; perhaps she had a real knack for business.

With such an opportunity, why not let her try her hand freely?