Rebirth in 1986: Unforgettable Regrets
Chapter 60 New Clothes

Chapter 60: Chapter 60 New Clothes

The night before Little New Year, ever since they decided to return to the village the next day, Tang Zhengde and Tang Mingli, the brothers, had been busy.

Tang Mingli later followed Tang Yue’s suggestion and added a lot of pretty scarves to his stall for sale, and he also brought in some gloves, which made his business even better.

If it weren’t for Granny Tang’s strict order for him to return home for Little New Year, Tang Mingli would be reluctant to close his stall for half a day, knowing that around New Year’s, his business was at its peak.

"Second brother, second sister-in-law, this set of clothes is for you."

Tang Mingli handed over the new clothes he had already prepared, and added, "Xiao Jun, Xiao Yue, these are for you."

"Wow, thank you little uncle." Tang Jun, holding the new blue robe, immediately took off his clothes and put on the new one, which made him look a lot more spirited.

"Does it look good?" Tang Jun vainly twirled in front of them, touching his new robe and feeling both happy and fortunate; the warm new robe felt especially cozy on him.

Zhang Hualian looked carefully and said, "It looks good, our Xiao Jun is really handsome."

"Mingli, it was enough that you bought for the kids, why did you get us some too?" Tang Zhengde looked at the new clothes; the cotton-padded jacket was the most fashionable type he had seen others wearing.

Tang Mingli unfolded the clothes and asked Tang Zhengde to try them on, saying, "Second brother, in past years you asked me to buy them, but I myself was reluctant. Now that I sell clothes myself, these clothes are very cheap at cost."

"Try them on quickly." As Tang Mingli spoke, he gestured to his own new clothes, pulled out a pair of sunglasses from his shirt pocket, put them on, then stuffed his hands in his trouser pockets, adopting a cool demeanor, and said, "How about it, do I look handsome?"

"Little uncle, there’s no one in the village as handsome as you," Tang Yue praised, knowing that her little uncle had made a lot of money, she unhesitatingly tried on her new clothes.

The whole family wore their new clothes, and had a lively reunion dinner. Tang Zhengde was very happy, clinking glasses one after the other with Tang Mingli.

In just over a month, they had made two hundred dollars. Tang Zhengde had never imagined that it was possible to earn two hundred dollars in just over a month.

This New Year, after paying off all their debts, they would still have a little money left over to enjoy the festivities.

He had already planned that next year, with hard efforts, they might even be able to build a new house back in the village.

Zhang Hualian had drunk quite a bit, and her face was constantly smiling.

Tang Yue and Tang Jun had finished their meal early. Tang Yue was checking Tang Jun’s end-of-term exam papers, specifically working on his weak areas. She explained very thoroughly, the shadows of the siblings doing their homework under the light looked exceptionally harmonious.

The next day, they got up bright and early, Tang Mingli and Tang Zhengde’s family, loaded with big and small packages, headed back to Qianjin Village.

Tang Zhengde walked with his head held high and chest out; after so many years, this was the first time he felt so confident.

In previous years, he always worried about money for buying meat for the New Year; this year, he could finally be proud, answering those who didn’t understand why he went out to start a business.

Along the way to Tang’s house, Tang Zhengde was asked by many people; mostly about why he didn’t work at the logging camp, why he opened a store in the county, and if his business made money or not.

Tang Zhengde replied to everyone, but not until they reached Tang’s house could he finally breathe a sigh of relief. Although he was initially very pleased, repeating the same answers made him somewhat irritable towards the end.

"Oh, the big earners are back?" Granny Tang looked at the group dressed in brand-new padded jackets and immediately frowned.

"Mom, this is the new clothes and pants I bought for you," Tang Mingli sweetly handed over the pre-prepared clothes and said, "Mom, I specifically bought you these dark red padded jackets, guaranteed to make you stand out. Everyone will compliment how good you look."

Tang Mingli took out the clothes and pants, selecting two sets for Granny Tang.

Granny Tang looked at the beautiful new clothes, which were never even seen in the village before, and her mood suddenly brightened. Hesitantly, she said, "Can I wear this bright red jacket?"

"Of course, Mom, you’re still young, wearing this jacket will make you look even more beautiful than those young girls," Tang Mingli’s words were as sweet as honey.

"Mom, here are some fruits, wine, several pounds of pork, and several pounds of beef," Tang Mingli also carried over bags big and small.

Granny Tang’s face immediately lit up with a smile.

The pork was not cheap, and the beef was even more expensive.

"Mom, these clothes must be expensive. I haven’t seen anyone in the village wearing them," Aunt Wang Aihua said enviously looking at the clothes.

"Big brother, sister-in-law, these are for you." Tang Mingli’s expression softened a bit, and even though he didn’t like his older brother much, he still kept up appearances in this regard.

Before Tang Zhengyuan could respond, Wang Aihua excitedly accepted the clothes and said, "Ours?"

"Xiao Xian, Xiao Min, come quickly." Wang Aihua loudly called, flipping through the clothes one by one, saying, "This black one must be for Zhengyuan, this navy blue for Xiao Xian, and this pink must be for Xiao Min."

Wang Aihua flipped each piece, growing happier the more she looked, and when she got to the floral jacket she was to wear, she joyfully said, "This jacket is really beautiful."

Soon, everyone including Granny Tang had changed into their new clothes, even Wang Aihua, who had been cooking at home, took off her dirty clothes and showed off the new ones.

"Zhengde, opening a store in the county is going well, right?" Tang Zhengyuan poured him a glass of wine and asked, "Mingli, your stall business is also doing well, right?"

Before, Wang Aihua had privately mentioned, this clothing costs at least several dollars each.

"It’s alright, better than working in the forestry," Tang Zhengde responded, something he had thought through beforehand, not to reveal too much whether he earned more or less.

Tang Mingli sipped some wine and replied, "My stall just manages to scrape by."

Tang Zhengyuan didn’t ask further.

After lunch, Tang Mingli took Tang Yue to town, and even Tang Jun went along to help.

Tang Zhengde and Zhang Ailian were tidying up at home, planning to head to the county later, taking the opportunity to earn some money in the days before the New Year to have a more affluent celebration.

Tang Zhengde had paid off all his previous debts and also collected his forestry wages, having some spare cash on hand. He planned to repay Tang Mingli a bit during the New Year.

"Hualian, for the money from your family, we’ll bring it all together when we visit your mother’s house before the New Year."