Chapter 271: Pre-Festival

The 28th day of the twelfth lunar month.

In the morning, Li Dong drove back to Chenjiawan. This time, unlike when he had brought Li Lan back previously, Li Dong had to visit the Chen family because the Spring Festival was approaching.

Carrying bags of various sizes, Li Dong visited the elderly in the village.

Whether they were Li family elders or Chen family elders, Li Dong was generous this time. For every elder over seventy, he gave a red envelope containing two thousand yuan.

Back in 2006, a whole year of farming might not even yield two thousand yuan in savings.

Li Dong's actions greatly enhanced his reputation as a good person.

Of course, Li Dong wasn't entirely without motives. Whenever he visited the elders, he brought Li Lan along.

Li Lan's position in Chenjiawan was somewhat awkward. Rural people weren't very open-minded and had a poor attitude towards illegitimate children.

Li Dong didn't expect a little favor to make everyone grateful. However, by giving out red envelopes, Li Lan's future days should be a bit easier. At least, when others spoke ill of her, these elders might say a few words in her defense.

After visiting the elders, Li Dong returned to the old house.

Since the Li brothers had left Chenjiawan, the old house had remained vacant. In the past, every year, Li Chengyuan would come back to put up the Spring Festival couplets.

This year, since Li Chengyuan wasn't coming back, the task naturally fell to Li Dong.

Since Li Chenghui had passed away this year, the local custom was to put up white couplets for deceased elders and yellow couplets for peers.

Li Chenghui and Li Chengyuan were of the same generation, so yellow couplets were put on the big door of the old house.

After putting up the couplets, Li Dong went to Chen Laohan's house.

In addition to his daughter Chen Jing, Chen Laohan had two sons. One worked on the family farm, whom Li Dong had seen before.

The other worked outside, and Li Dong had met him a few times as a child, but after many years, he had changed so much that Li Dong didn't recognize him.

When Li Dong arrived, Chen Jing was also at Chen Laohan's place.

Before Li Dong arrived, Chen's two sons and their wives weren't very welcoming towards Chen Jing. However, as soon as Li Dong showed up, their attitude immediately changed.

Chen Er, the one working outside, quickly pulled out a pack of Yuxi cigarettes from his pocket and handed one to Li Dong with a smile, saying, "Dongzi, are you done with your business?"

Li Dong nodded and took out a pack of cigarettes, offering some around before smiling and asking, "When did you come back, Uncle Chen Er?"

Chen Er chuckled and said, "Just arrived yesterday."

He then glanced at the cigarette box in Li Dong's hand, raised his eyebrows, and said hesitantly, "Dongzi, is this that Huanghelou 1916? I've seen my boss smoke this before."

"1916."

Li Dong chuckled and handed the remaining half-pack to Chen Er, saying, "I don't smoke much myself. I think there are still a few packs in the car. I'll bring them over for you later."

Chen Er looked embarrassed and said, "I can't accept this! I'm just a worker. This is too extravagant!"

Li Dong didn't insist on this and changed the topic, asking, "Where's Xiaolan?"

Chen Jing immediately responded, "Xiaolan went home to pack her bag. She'll be here soon."

"Oh, then I'll go take a look and bring over the cigarettes for Uncle Chen Er."

After greeting Chen Laohan, Li Dong left for the small building where Li Chenghui used to live.

As soon as Li Dong left, Chen Laodao asked his younger brother, "Old Er, was that Huanghelou Dongzi gave worth a lot?"

Chen Er puffed out his chest and said proudly, "You don't understand. When I was working in Shanghai, my boss smoked this. You know what my boss does? A big developer with so much money, they haul it in trucks…"

Chen Er bragged for a while, and no one inside was impatient.

Although they were poor, they enjoyed hearing about others' achievements.

After a while, Chen Er got to the point and said with emotion, "This kid from the Li family really made it big. A pack of these cigarettes costs 170 or 180 yuan, and each cigarette is about ten yuan. You see, who else would dare to waste money like this?"

Everyone gasped. Indeed, it was a waste of money!

Chen Laodao and Chen Laohan carefully examined the cigarettes Li Dong had given. Who would waste such an expensive item?

Even if they wanted to smoke, they would at least show it off first.

While others were just admiring, Chen Laodao's wife gave him a stern look and thought, "You fool!"

Old Er already knew about the cigarettes; why didn't you ask for some?

Chen Er's wife was pleased and whispered to Chen Er, "Do you think Dongzi could give you some more?"

Chen Er scoffed and said, "You're so naive. I saw they were driving a big Benz. They've already made it. Do you think they'd care about a few packs of cigarettes?"

Just as they were talking, Li Dong and Li Lan walked over.

Li Dong casually threw the remaining half of the cigarettes to Chen Er and handed a large red envelope to Chen Laohan, who was sitting in the main room.

Chen Laohan, smoking his pipe, took the envelope, pinched it, and with a smile said, "This kid, you shouldn't be giving me money. It should be me giving you money."

Li Dong politely replied, "Sixth Uncle, don't be so polite. This is just a little token of my appreciation. Xiaolan usually stays here, so please take care of her."

After pressing the envelope into Chen Laohan's hand, Li Dong gave red envelopes to the children of Chen Laodao and Chen Er.

Chen Er, having worked in the city for a few years, could endure it.

Chen Laodao was simple and said nothing, but his wife snatched the envelope from their son's hand, opened it, and then smiled broadly.

Five hundred yuan per person wasn't much for Li Dong, but in the countryside, it was a considerable amount for New Year's money.

Especially since Li Dong was an outsider, this gesture was even more significant.

Everyone was delighted in the room.

Only Chen Jing pursed her lips. The two sisters-in-law had talked a lot of nonsense yesterday, and now they were all smiles after receiving the benefits.

But thinking that these people were benefiting from her own good fortune, Chen Jing felt quite pleased.

Although she hadn't received any money herself, Chen Jing didn't care. Li Lan was Li Dong's real cousin; she wouldn't be left out.

Li Lan's money would eventually be hers anyway, so there was no need to rush.

Li Dong didn't care about everyone's reactions. After chatting for a while, he finally said, "Sixth Uncle, we'll leave now. The roads are busy, and I'm worried about getting stuck in traffic."

Chen Laohan smiled broadly, "If you're busy, go ahead. Don't delay your important matters."

Li Dong then said goodbye to the others and left the Chen family with Li Lan.

---

In the Car

Li Lan, who had been silent, suddenly said, "Brother, you don't need to give them so much money."

Li Dong smiled and asked, "Why? Are you worried there won't be any for you?"

Li Lan shook her head and bit her lip, "They've never been good to me. I don't care if they're good to me now. Especially Chen Xiaosan and Chen Xiaoli, they're the worst. They often bully me. Giving them money is a waste."

Li Dong raised an eyebrow and said, "Next time they bully you, tell your grandpa. If he doesn't do anything, just say you'll call me."

If Chen Laohan received benefits from him this time, he should know what's what.

If it weren't for Li Lan, Chen's family wouldn't be such a big deal to him!

No matter what Chen Laohan thinks, he will surely pay attention next time.

Moreover, Chen Jing wasn't a saint either. Li Lan probably hadn't told her, or else Chen Jing would be quite troublesome.

Seeing Li Dong's words, Li Lan nodded slightly and didn't say anything more.

---

Li Dong arrived home just past midnight.

When Li Dong and Li Lan entered, Li Chengyuan quickly took Li Lan's schoolbag and said, "Xiaolan, you must be hungry. Wash your hands and get ready to eat."

Li Lan smiled and called out, "Second Uncle," then asked, "Where's Second Aunt?"

"Second Aunt went to the supermarket. It's still open today. Tomorrow, the supermarket will be closed, so she went to make arrangements."

Li Dong then asked, "What about Cousin Feng and the others?"

"They went out shopping. The house is small; they can't all stay home. The snow has stopped today, and the streets are lively. After dinner, I'll take Xiaolan out for a walk. Do you want to come?"

"I won't go. I've arranged to visit Wang Jie later at his internet café."

Li Chengyuan nodded and added, "How's Wang Jie's business? I think selling chickens isn't bad. It should be more profitable than that internet café. He sold it, and someone else took over immediately. At the end of

 the year, he could make over a thousand a day. It's just a bit dirty. I think it's better than an internet café. Young people can't stand hard work…"

Li Chengyuan rambled on for a while, then shared stories about his own days of hard work and dirtiness, while disparaging Li Dong a bit.

Li Dong smiled with a forced expression, feeling a bit frustrated.

It's not his fault. The old man closed his stall and was probably feeling unsettled, so he complained a bit. Li Dong didn't argue.

Once they got to Pingchuan, if he really can't stand it, he could find something for the old couple to do.

After dinner, Li Chengyuan took Li Lan out for a walk, while Li Dong put on his coat and headed to Jie Jie Internet Café.

---

Despite the approach of the New Year, the internet café was still packed.

In particular, many young people returning from outside made the business of the café booming.

When Li Dong arrived, Wang Jie was busy running around.

Seeing Li Dong, Wang Jie quickly said, "Dongzi, help me deliver a bottle of juice to machine 38."

Li Dong gave him a thumbs-up and said grumpily, "You're giving me orders now. Getting a bit big for your britches, huh?"

Wang Jie clasped his hands and, while helping new customers register, said with a bitter smile, "Master Dong, could you give me a hand?"

"Alright, I'm in a good mood today, so I won't hold it against you."

Li Dong joked as he took a bottle of juice to machine 38.

When he returned, Wang Jie had just finished registering a few new customers. He sighed with relief and said, "Good business isn't easy. I haven't had a break since this morning and didn't even have time for lunch."

"Complaining about making money? How pretentious!"

"Hey, you don't understand. You're a capitalist. You don't know what it's like for us common folks."

"Shut up!"

Li Dong laughed and said, "Did you go to the gathering last night?"

Wang Jie pretended to be troubled and sighed, "It's a long story!"