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Zhao Changhe opened the clay-sealed Zhuangyuan Hong wine, filled three small cups, and handed one to Zhao Feng. Excitedly, he said, "Xiao Feng, you've returned victorious. Dad toasts to you. You've worked hard these three years of high school."
Zhou Qingmei said lightly, "Xiao Feng is still a child. How can he drink?"
Zhao Changhe laughed. "He's eighteen, an adult now. When I was eighteen, I was already with you and had a son."
Zhou Qingmei blushed with embarrassment and tugged at Zhao Changhe's ear, scolding, "You old fool, are you out of your mind?"
Zhao Changhe raised his glass and clinked it with Zhao Feng's, saying with a smile, "Cheers!"
Zhao Feng, having lived two lives, had never seen his parents so happy before.
In his previous life, he had returned home crying after failing the college entrance exam. His parents were utterly disappointed, skipping dinner that night, and the whole family sighed in despair.
This life, however, he had finally made up for the regrets of his past life, achieving a comeback in the college entrance exam and not letting his parents down.
Zhao Feng raised his cup and drank it all in one go. He then picked up the wine bottle and poured wine for his parents, smiling as he said, "Mom and Dad, you've worked hard too. Once the exam results come out, we'll celebrate properly."
Zhao Changhe downed his drink in one gulp and said excitedly, "In ancient times, those who passed the imperial exams would go to the capital. If your results are good, apply to universities in the capital, okay?"
Zhou Qingmei objected, "No! I think Provincial Polytechnic University is good enough. Xiao Feng can come home on weekends."
Zhao Changhe argued, "I want to send our son to the capital. There's no future here."
Zhou Qingmei shot back, "The cost of living in the capital is high, and tuition is expensive. Can you afford it?"
Zhao Changhe declared, "For Xiao Feng to have a bright future, I'd sell the house and land to send him to the capital."
Listening to his parents argue, Zhao Feng's mind buzzed with noise.
He recalled the greatest tragedy of his past life—his parents, under the influence of his uncle, had secretly sold their three large tile-roofed houses at a low price, missing out on the demolition and relocation windfall. This turned Zhao Feng from a potential "demolition second-generation" into a "debt-ridden second-generation."
The decline of the Zhao family began when Zhao Feng got into university, and his parents, unable to afford the tuition, were deceived into selling their three large tile-roofed houses. His uncle was the mastermind behind this, causing Zhao Feng to have no marital home, his parents to struggle endlessly, and the whole family to fight for a house until their deaths, never recovering.
Zhao Feng fell into deep thought and said calmly, "We can't sell the house, no matter what. I need it as my marital home. What did you think of the tall girl who came over to study with me a few days ago?"
His parents were stunned, staring at each other in shock, struggling to process this earth-shattering news.
Zhao Feng, having successfully executed his plan, added fuel to the fire, "We've agreed to get married and have kids right after graduating from university. Start a family first, then build a career."
Zhou Qingmei slammed the table, her blood boiling with excitement. "Well done! Double happiness! Not only did you ace the exams, but you're also planning to start a family. I'll expand the chicken farm and build a new house for you in the backyard."
Zhao Changhe broke out in a cold sweat. He pulled out a crumpled Lingyan cigarette box, took out a black-stemmed cigarette, and lit it with a trembling hand. After taking a deep drag, he said awkwardly, "Xiao Feng is growing up too fast. He's already planning to start a family. Seems faster than we were at his age."
Zhou Qingmei scoffed, "Not faster than you! Isn't it just about the tuition? Once the exam results come out, I'm throwing a big banquet to entertain relatives and friends, including your colleagues. We'll recoup all the money we've spent on gifts over the years in one go."
Zhao Feng's eyes lit up. In his past life, he had been too ashamed to throw a celebration banquet for college admission after failing the exams. This time, he would reclaim his pride and cover the tuition.
Zhao Feng gave a thumbs-up and praised, "Mom, you're the smartest. If we throw a big banquet, we won't have to worry about tuition."
Zhao Changhe frowned, puffing on his cigarette, and said gloomily, "Throwing a banquet at a big restaurant would cost at least two to three hundred yuan per table. If guests bring their families, we might even lose money. It's not worth the effort."
Zhao Feng smiled. "Who said we have to go to a big restaurant? Our backyard is spacious enough for ten tables. We can hire a chef to cook, and we'll provide the ingredients and drinks. Even if they eat their fill, we won't lose money."
Zhou Qingmei patted Zhao Feng's head and praised, "You're truly my son. Xiao Feng is so clever, born to go to university. Hiring a chef is a waste of money. I'll cook myself, your dad can entertain the guests, and you can serve the dishes. We won't spend a single penny, and we'll still throw a big banquet."
Zhao Feng added, "Mom, you can ask Auntie and Aunt-in-law to help. Otherwise, it'll be too much for you."
Zhao Changhe covered his face in frustration, exhaling a cloud of smoke. He said gloomily, "Throwing a banquet in our own backyard is so embarrassing. I can't bear the shame."
Zhou Qingmei sneered, "You care too much about face and suffer for it. Throwing a banquet at a big restaurant doesn't make you look better, and the food won't be as good or affordable as mine. We might even lose money. For our son's tuition, I'm willing to throw away my pride. We're having the banquet in the backyard. If you're too embarrassed, don't come home that day."
Zhao Feng laughed. "Who else has a backyard as spacious as ours? Other families don't even have the space to throw a banquet at home. It's perfect. I'll ask Little Fatty next door to help, and we'll borrow some tables and chairs. I guarantee the banquet will be a success."
Zhao Changhe said bitterly, "The exam results aren't even out yet, and you two are already planning a big banquet. Isn't that a bit too soon?"
Zhou Qingmei snorted, "It's called being prepared. You have a high school education; you should know that. I've already planned it out. After the banquet, I'll expand the chicken farm and build a new house in the backyard. In a few years, we'll be holding our grandchild."
Zhao Changhe wiped the sweat from his forehead and said gloomily, "We can't even afford the university tuition, and now you want to build a new house. Where will the money come from?"
Zhou Qingmei said coldly, "Starting tomorrow morning, I'll sell eggs at the morning market. I used to let the middlemen take them because I was worried about embarrassing you. But now, for the sake of building a new house, I don't care about my pride anymore. I'll sell the eggs myself."
Zhao Changhe slumped into his chair, resigned. "Selling eggs from dawn to dusk will turn your face as black as a pot."
Zhou Qingmei declared, "For Xiao Feng to go to university, get married, and have a new house, I don't care if I turn into a black coal ball."
Zhao Feng scratched his head, realizing that his decision to start a family had shaken his parents to the core. His mother, who had always cared about her reputation, was now willing to sell eggs in public to cover his tuition and build a new house.
In his past life, after losing the family home, his mother's chicken farming business had collapsed. She had no eggs to sell, and Zhao Feng's decision to get married after graduation had completely changed her mindset. She was now willing to throw away her pride.
In his previous life, after Zhao Feng failed the college entrance exam and went to a no-name university, his mother had been devastated. Her spirit crushed, she became indecisive and easily deceived.
But in this life, with Zhao Feng getting into a top university and planning to start a family, Zhou Qingmei had found a new purpose. She was full of energy, and her entire demeanor had changed.
"Alright, I'll take you to the morning market tomorrow and pick you up after it closes," Zhao Changhe said with a bitter smile.
"Dad, you don't need to go. I'll go with Mom to sell eggs tomorrow morning," Zhao Feng said.
"You've just finished the exhausting college entrance exam. You should rest and have fun. I'll go," Zhao Changhe insisted.
"The morning market closes around nine. I'll take Mom home afterward and then go out to play in the afternoon," Zhao Feng said.
"Look how sensible Xiao Feng is. He's so much better than you," Zhou Qingmei said.