The whole family was eating, while his two brothers-in-law sat stiffly to one side. Seeing how awkward and at a loss they both looked, Ye Yaodong took out the radio and switched it on for them, making things a little less awkward.
The two looked at the big box in surprise. His elder brother-in-law, Lin Xianghui, asked, "When did you buy this?"
Lin Xiangrong also said enviously, "You've got all Three Rotations and One Ring now. I bet there aren't many households in the whole village with the full set, are there? These big-ticket items aren't cheap. In our village, only the village chief and the village Party secretary have them all."
Lin Xianghui nodded in agreement. These things certainly weren't cheap. It wasn't that people couldn't afford them-plenty could-but most couldn't bear to spend the money. Earning money was hard work, and they had to save it for where it really counted.
"I asked someone to buy it a few days ago. It only arrived the night before last. Listen for a while to pass the time."
"How much did it cost? No wonder Dad and Mom didn't mention it when they got back."
"A hundred yuan or so. You must be tired after walking all this way. Rest a bit, and I'll take you to the Old House after I finish eating."
"Sure, sure. Eat first. Don't worry about us."
At the table, Ye Chenghu and Ye Chengyang ate as if they were fighting a battle. The moment they heard the radio, the two boys, who had been dawdling, suddenly seemed pumped full of energy. Their ears pricked up as they shoveled down the food in their bowls, wishing they could pour it straight into their mouths.
The radio had been switched off earlier precisely because they hadn't