Chapter 47: Wen Ning's Birthday
  Thinking that his parents were in poor health and that running a restaurant was too exhausting, Fang Qing simply took the opportunity to tell his mother about his plan.

  "Dad, Mom, although the restaurant makes money, it's indeed conspicuous and can easily attract the envy of villains. Let's sell it off."

  As soon as he said this, Fang's mother fiercely opposed it.

  "No, our restaurant has just started to get on track. We finally made some money. I'm also preparing to launch new dishes. If you want to sell the restaurant off, wouldn't all my efforts be in vain? No, just study hard and don't worry about other things."

  Fang Qing's persuasion to his mother was fruitless. He could only suggest that his mother recruit an apprentice to work in the store and not allow her to overwork herself. Only then did Fang's mother agree.

  Today was payday. Fang's father went to the post office to collect his salary and found that this month's salary had increased from over 80 yuan to 120 yuan! After asking his colleagues, he learned that prices had started to rise since the beginning of spring this year. After the national regulation, they had given salary increases to government officials.

  Upon hearing this news, Fang Qing suddenly recalled a time a few months after this in her previous life when, in order to improve the staff housing situation of some units, the county demolished old, dilapidated buildings in several areas of the main urban area. Many people not only received new homes but also compensation for the demolition.

  This thought excited Fang Qing, and she quickly pulled her father aside to chat. She asked him to find out if there had been any recent demolition reports in the county, and to quickly buy a few affordable bungalows.

  Although honest, Fang's father was also very quick-witted, and was surprised by his daughter's words. "Where did you hear that? I don't even know about such a big thing. How did you know?"

  Fang Qing was stunned by her father's question and could only say that she had overheard it from a classmate, which was why she had asked her father to ask.

  Although Fang's father was skeptical, he still made inquiries and returned the next day, extremely excited. Upon entering the house, he dug out the bankbook containing the 100,000 yuan and withdrew 20,000 yuan.

  Fang's mother, assuming he was going to give the money to those families again, immediately stopped him at the door. Fang's father didn't have time to explain. He just said something good happened and hurried out with the money.

  A few days later, Fang Qing came home from school to see her parents sitting on the small kang, holding three notebooks and grinning foolishly. "Dad, what are you two doing?"

  When Fang's mother saw her daughter come back, she immediately pulled her to sit down with her and handed her the notebook. "Look, your dad's harvest today."

  The name of the owner of the house was clearly written on the small notebook: Fang Decai.

  "Your dad got word that the area in Heping District is going to be demolished. I heard they'll give you not only houses, but also relocation subsidies! Your dad took advantage of the news before it was announced and bought three bungalows that were for sale. Wow, in all the years I've been married to your dad, this is the first time I've seen him be so smart!"

  Fang's father, sitting nearby with his legs crossed and humming, shook his head proudly. "Are you underestimating me? It was just me who didn't have a chance before. Look at this time, three bungalows at once. If one of them makes it in time for the demolition, we'll make a profit. Even if I resell the others, I won't lose money either..."

  Fang Qing looked at the property deeds in her hand, feeling reassured. She thought that in a few years, these properties would appreciate significantly in value, and by then, life would definitely improve for the family.

  Watching her parents bicker, Fang Qing's tense heart finally relaxed. Suddenly remembering Wen Ling's invitation to attend Wen Ning's birthday tomorrow, she quickly asked her parents for leave.

  In the past, Fang's mother had always been against her attending any gatherings, but today, in a good mood, she actually agreed and gave her five yuan to buy some snacks to bring back.

  However, Fang Qing wanted to make something different. After all, Wen Ling and Wen Ning were her few close friends, and their families had always been well-off. Bringing ordinary snacks would seem a bit lacking.

  Now that June had arrived and the weather was getting hotter, the soda sold at school could no longer satisfy everyone's craving for a cold drink.

  Fang Qing thought of the various ice cream popsicles she had enjoyed in the mental hospital in her previous life and had always wanted to try making them herself. However, refrigerators had just come onto the market and were still quite expensive, so Fang Qing had to go to Wang Xuefei's house and borrow her refrigerator to make her first fruit ice cream.

  After consulting numerous cookbooks and experimenting on her own, Fang Qing finally made a jam-filled ice cream bar.

  After wrapping the popsicles in paper and putting them in a cardboard box full of ice cubes, Fang Qing left the remaining popsicles to Wang Xuefei, and then hurriedly rode her bicycle to Wen Ning's house.

  As soon as she entered Wen Ning's house, Fang Qing heard a silver bell-like laughter coming from inside the house. Fang Qing straightened her clothes, held the box and knocked on the door.

  Wen Ling ran out quickly after hearing the noise, "Qingqing, why are you here just now? Come in quickly, hey? What's in your box?"

  Wen Ling touched the cardboard box with her hand, felt a chill, and her eyes immediately lit up, "Did you buy popsicles?"

  "I didn't buy it, I made it myself. You can try it later and see if you like it."

  Fang Qing walked into the house quickly and carried the box to the kitchen. He was relieved to see that Wen Ning's family actually had a refrigerator. "Lingzi, open the refrigerator quickly. I'll put the ice cream in to freeze it. It was too hot on the way here. I'm afraid the ice cream will melt."

  Although there was ice cubes to cool it down, the ice cream was still a little soft. The two of them hurriedly transferred the ice cream to the freezer. Wen Ling took the opportunity to take a bite of the ice cream and kept praising Fang Qing for making it delicious. She simply ate the whole thing in two or three bites, and then pulled her to the living room. "Come and sit for a while, they are playing poker, and dinner will have to wait a while."

  Wen's mother came back from buying vegetables after a while. Fang Qing was busy running around to help her pick and wash vegetables. Wen's mother felt bad and asked Wen Ling and the other girl to go play in the house.

  In the living room, a group of students were having fun. Wen Ning was sitting aside watching them play. Next to him was a girl, standing next to Wen Ning, with a beautiful smile.

  Fang Qing glanced at the girl; she was very pretty and looked familiar. The two of them sitting together gave the illusion of a perfect match.

  Wen Ling pulled Fang Qing over and sat across from her. Wen Ning, peeling an apple, looked up and saw her approaching, a hint of a smile on his face. "Why are you so late? I've been waiting for you for ages."

  Wen Ling smiled proudly, "Qingqing made the ice cream herself, that's why I'm late. Brother, I just had a bite and it's really delicious."

  The girl then looked up and saw Fang Qing's face was obviously stunned for a moment, then blinked and shook Wen Ning's arm, "Brother Ning, who is this sister? Why haven't I seen her before?"

  To Fang Qing's surprise, Wen Ning did not shake off the girl's hand as usual. Instead, he patiently told her, "This is my friend, Fang Qing, in the same grade as Lingzi."

  He turned his head and glanced at Fang Qing, "Qingqing, this is my uncle Tang's daughter, Tang Xiaoyu."

  Tang Xiaoyu? Fang Qing was amazed. It was actually her!
  (End of this chapter)