"Yi Feng, why are you here? Bringing Tong Tong over so late at night. It's so cold outside, be careful not to catch a chill."
Hearing his aunt's concerned words, Liu Yi Feng smiled and said, "Aunt, you've worked hard during this time. If it weren't for you running around, these vegetable greenhouses wouldn't have gotten on track so quickly."
"You child, I'm your aunt. What's there to thank me for? Besides, Auntie has invested too, and you paid for it. Isn't it only right to do what I can?" Liu Mei replied.
Then, she turned her gaze to Tong Tong, "Tong Tong, have you eaten dinner yet?"
"Hello, Grandma Aunt. Not yet!" Tong Tong replied sweetly.
Liu Mei stroked his head, "Then what do you want to eat tonight? Grandma Aunt will cook for you!"
"Aunt, you don't have to. I'll cook tonight. You can have dinner at my place tonight. I still have some of the seafood I bought yesterday that isn't finished, and it's still alive. I'll cook it for you when we get back," Liu Yi Feng said with a smile.
Liu Mei shook her head, "I'd better not. We have food at home. Every day when I go back, your Uncle will leave food for me. It would be a waste not to eat it." She was a thrifty person and didn't want to trouble Liu Yi Feng. This was also why she insisted on eating at home during this period.
Liu Yi Feng, however, didn't give her a chance to refuse. "Aunt, it's settled. It's also been a long time since you and my dad got together. You two siblings should have a good chat today!" Without waiting for Liu Mei to speak, he immediately changed the subject, "Aunt, show me how the vegetables you planted are doing."
Speaking of this, Liu Mei couldn't stop smiling, "I don't know if it's because the soil is fertile or because we bought good fertilizer. All kinds of vegetables are growing very well. In just one week, they've grown as large as a month's worth of vegetables. At this growth rate, our vegetables might be ready for sale in about a month."
"Really? Let me see!" Liu Yi Feng, although he knew the reason, pretended to be surprised and strolled around the vast vegetable greenhouses. Celery, bok choy, spinach, cilantro, and green onions were all growing very well, with a vibrant green color that looked appetizing. Every piece of land here was planted with various vegetables, with a diversified selection of over ten types. They also utilized a lot of space by planting some vining vegetables like cucumbers and beans.
"Yi Feng, you're here." Many villagers greeted Liu Yi Feng enthusiastically when they saw him. They were all hired by Liu Mei from the village, and most of them had invested. Because they had invested, they wouldn't slack off at work. They all hoped for a good harvest, so they worked with all their might. Liu Yi Feng smiled and responded to each of them one by one. Seeing their determined spirit, he was also confident that he could lead them towards a prosperous life.
At this moment, Li Dong Mei also greeted Liu Yi Feng. Since they had cleared the air last time, Liu Yi Feng had rarely interacted with her. Seeing her working here now, he said a few more words, "Sister Li, are you getting used to working here?" Sister Li nodded, "Yes, I'm used to it. It's just planting and weeding. I'm used to this kind of work."
"That's good. Work hard. When the vegetables are ripe, I'll make sure they sell at a good price, and then everyone can get more money." He unintentionally raised his voice when he said this. Everyone listened and happily said, "Good." Only now did they feel that their lives had direction, and they had pinned their hopes on the vegetable greenhouses. If the greenhouses didn't succeed, how else could they get rich in this lifetime!
After touring the greenhouses, Liu Yi Feng was relieved to see that all the vegetables were growing well. "Aunt, I'll leave this to you. I'm going back to cook. You must remember to come and eat!"
"I told you not to trouble yourself. It's the same if I eat back home."
"It's not a trouble. If you don't come, wouldn't we still have to cook? It's settled then. Tong Tong and I are leaving. See you later."
"Grandma Aunt, you must come!" Tong Tong reminded her again before leaving. Liu Mei then agreed, "Okay, Grandma Aunt will definitely come after I'm done with my work."
By the time they returned home, it was completely dark. However, Liu Chun Sheng had not yet returned. Just as Liu Yi Feng was about to start cooking, Tong Tong reminded him of something.
"Did Daddy forget about training?"
"Tong Tong, Daddy hasn't forgotten. It's just that your Aunt will be coming for dinner later, and it won't be safe for her to ride her electric bike back so late. After dinner, can Daddy train, okay?" Liu Yi Feng asked.
Tong Tong then nodded, "Okay. Daddy, you can't be lazy then. Training only leads to continuous progress through long-term persistence."
"How long do I have to persist?" Liu Yi Feng didn't want to live like this forever. He felt that having the ability to protect himself and his family was enough. As for being invincible, he hadn't thought about it and didn't think it was necessary. This was a lawful society, and no matter how powerful one was, they were no match for a bullet.
"That depends on how quickly Father learns. It should be at least a year!"
"Ah, a year?" Liu Yi Feng exclaimed. Tong Tong smiled, "Yes, a year actually goes by very quickly. Once this year is over, Daddy will be a heroic figure, and it will be easy for him to take on ten people at once!"
"Alright, I'll listen to Tong Tong. I'll train for as long as you tell me to!" Although a year of persistence wouldn't be easy for Liu Yi Feng, with Tong Tong's encouragement, he was willing to persevere!
"Go, Daddy!" Tong Tong clenched his fist and made a cheering gesture.
"Okay, then you play with Da Hei and Da Bai for a while. Daddy will go cook. I'll make your favorite sweet and sour pork ribs tonight, okay?" Liu Yi Feng asked with a smile. Tong Tong nodded enthusiastically, "Okay, thank you, Daddy!" Currently, Tong Tong was still a little foodie. Besides playing, he loved to eat. When he first came, he was as thin as a chick, but now he had gained some weight and looked more energetic. Therefore, Liu Yi Feng loved to cook delicious food for Tong Tong, wanting to feed him until he was plump and fair.
He then went to the kitchen. A moment later, his father returned, followed by his aunt. Liu Mei had even specifically ridden her electric bike to town to buy some fruit for Tong Tong. Seeing this, Liu Yi Feng was a little displeased, "Aunt, why did you specially buy things? We are family, there's no need to be so formal!"
Liu Mei smiled, "I bought these for Tong Tong to eat. They're not expensive fruits!"
"But you still had to make a special trip to buy them. Next time you come for dinner, don't do this again, or I won't dare to invite Aunt to dinner anymore," Liu Yi Feng warned. Liu Chun Sheng also chimed in, "Your aunt, Yi Feng is right. When family eats together, there's no need to be so polite. It's like entertaining guests."
"Alright, alright, you father and son. I just bought some fruit for the child. By the way, has Liu Ju contacted you? No matter what, we are born of the same parents. Can we really cut ties?" Liu Mei had wanted to ask for a long time, but she had been too busy. Now that she had time, she quickly asked.
Liu Chun Sheng shook his head helplessly, "Since she said those things last time, she hasn't called at all. Sigh, I don't want this either, but she was indeed wrong that time. I can't apologize to her, can I?"
"That's true. I'll give her a call sometime. She's really something, this older sister and aunt. How can she get angry with her younger brother and nephew? She's becoming less and less like an elder as she gets older." Liu Mei said with some dissatisfaction. Liu Yi Feng was indifferent. He had never liked this second aunt much since he was young. Even if they never contacted each other for the rest of their lives, it wouldn't matter.
"Aunt, it's cold outside. Come in and sit down. The dishes are still cooking in the kitchen. They'll be ready soon." He didn't want to discuss this topic and was about to go to the kitchen. But Liu Mei hadn't finished speaking, and she wouldn't let him leave so easily. She also knew he was trying to avoid the topic. However, if she didn't say it, she would feel uncomfortable. Moreover, she was the eldest sister of the family. With their parents gone, she was like a mother to her siblings, and naturally, she didn't want the family to fall apart.
"Yi Feng, wait. Aunt has something to say."
"Aunt, say it later. The food is going to burn," Liu Yi Feng had already guessed what his aunt wanted to say.
"It won't take up much of your time. Aunt just remembered that I'll call your second aunt tomorrow and ask her to admit her mistake. You, as the nephew, shouldn't hold grudges against your elders. Once she apologizes, you give your second aunt a way to save face, understand?"