Old Fang had prepared to pay the bill, but his son had already settled it.
“Didn’t we agree that I would pay?” As the elder and with a much higher income, he naturally should have paid for the meal.
Fang Muyang smiled, “That was just you saying it—we never agreed.”
Leaving the restaurant, Fang Muyang asked Fei Ni to come with him to choose a bed at the furniture store.
“Just buy whatever you think is good.”
“No, you must come. What if I buy something you don’t like?”
Fei Ni thought a bed was just for sleeping—any sturdy, affordable one would do. But Fang Muyang disagreed with her selection.
Fei Ni smiled, “Didn’t you say you’d buy what I like? I like this one.”
“You only like its price. But even the most expensive beds here aren’t that costly. Choose the one you truly like—I have money.” This furniture store didn’t carry precious woods; teak was their finest offering.
“We have many other expenses—don’t spend all your money just because you have some.” Monthly rent would be a fixed expense, and Fei Ni felt Fang Muyang couldn’t remain a waiter forever. With his parents’ positions restored and his artwork gaining recognition, the university was inevitable. Though university offered stipends, it wasn’t the same as earning wages, and studying art meant buying paints and paper—the stipend wouldn’t be enough. Having savings was always wise.
Fang Muyang smiled, “Good thing I have you watching over me. How about I give you two-thirds of my manuscript fees?”
“That’s not necessary, but you must spend within your means.”
Fang Muyang finally chose a teak bed, far exceeding Fei Ni’s budget.
Fei Ni said directly, “I didn’t bring enough money, and we still need to buy gifts for your parents.”
“We’ll both sleep in this bed—how could I let you pay alone? Let’s split it. Marriage has many benefits; now I only need to pay half for a bed.”
“Don’t you think it’s expensive?”
“I think it’s cheaper than cabbage. Even eating just cabbage costs more than a dime a day. If this bed lasts, we’ll sleep on it for seventy or eighty years. Divide the cost by thirty thousand days, and you’ll see it’s incredibly cheap.”
Fei Ni laughed, “Who calculates things that way?”
“Sleep longer, and you’ll recover the cost sooner. If you regret spending the money, just spend more time on it.”
Though only Fei Ni could hear him, she still glanced around nervously, afraid he might say something more inappropriate. “Fine, let’s buy the one you suggested.”
They split the cost since they would each occupy half the bed.
After leaving their address, the store promised delivery by evening.
Unable to find suitable gifts in regular stores, Fang Muyang suggested the Friendship Store, where he had some exchange coupons. They bought a silk scarf for Teacher Mu, a leather belt for Old Fang, and a silk blouse for Fei Ni, using up all his coupons.
“I already have several blouses, I don’t need one now.”
Fang Muyang smiled, “I’m not the type to forget my wife just because I have parents around.”
Knowing he would spend the money anyway, Fei Ni suggested, “Let’s exchange the blouse for canned food—I’m craving canned abalone.” Everyone could share canned food, including Fang Muyang.
Fang Muyang said, “The old man likes that too. Maybe we shouldn’t get the belt?”
Fei Ni had no choice but to accept the blouse, and they kept Old Fang’s belt.
Old Fang felt embarrassed receiving the gifts. He hadn’t prepared anything in return, thinking treating them to dinner would suffice, but his son had paid for the meal, and now they’d brought welcome gifts.
As the elder and more financially comfortable, he naturally should give something in return. Before he could decide what, Fang Muyang asked, “Could you lend me your landscape painting album to copy?”
Old Fang immediately grew wary: “This isn’t suitable for you. I’ll find you an oil painting album to copy someday.”
Fang Muyang thought Shi Tao’s landscape album was perfect. “All art forms are connected.”
His wayward son’s argument left Old Fang without a ready refusal. He deeply regretted not paying for dinner—it would have put him in a stronger position.
Fang Muyang added, “Don’t worry, I’ll return it.”
“That’s not what I’m worried about.” At this point, he had to lend it, even if it might not be returned.
That night, Fang Muyang and Fei Ni tested the bed’s sturdiness. Though their room was separated from his parents by a living room and thicker walls than before, Fei Ni remained as quiet as ever. The bathroom was on their side, requiring his parents to pass their room to use it.
To suppress her voice, Fei Ni left many finger marks on Fang Muyang’s body.
New to the room, Fei Ni woke very early, discovering the red marks on Fang Muyang’s shoulders and back. Touching them made her feel quite embarrassed.
Since marriage, Fang Muyang and Fei Ni had alternated making breakfast. Had they not moved, today would have been Fei Ni’s turn.
Fei Ni asked Fang Muyang, “What would you like to eat? Should we make some for your parents too?”
“Let me cook today—they might think I’m mistreating you otherwise.” He added, “Mom and we both work, so technically, the old man should prepare breakfast.”
“Don’t say that.” Fei Ni thought for a moment, “It’s no trouble to cook for four instead of two.” Fei Ni felt that as they were staying with his parents, they should take responsibility for breakfast. Besides, cooking for two or four made little difference.
The Fang family kitchen was spacious but had little more equipment than Fei Ni and Fang Muyang’s old place.
Being unemployed at home, Old Fang usually handled breakfast. He ordered milk and bought pastries to make do, occasionally buying from nearby breakfast vendors.
Expecting his son and daughter-in-law, Old Fang had ordered an extra jin of milk. When he came to inspect the kitchen that morning, he found Fang Muyang cooking noodles.
Father and son met in the kitchen, with Old Fang surprised to see his son up so early cooking.
Considering his son and daughter-in-law’s comfort, Old Fang suggested hiring a housekeeper.
“If you’re just hiring someone to make your breakfast, you could give me that money instead—I guarantee you’ll be satisfied with my cooking.”