Chapter 287 (First and Second Updates) Main Text...

The Fu family's worries ultimately came true.

Macau has returned to China, but Madam Fu's health no longer allows her to travel.

In response, she comforted her family.

"It's okay if you can't go. You guys go have fun and take lots of pictures to show me. That's the same thing."

Even Tang Mingli dared not easily say things like "Let's go together when you're better."

Humans are powerless against the passage of time.

Everyone downplayed the trip to Macau, as if it had never been planned at all.

To keep her grandmother from getting bored at home, Tang Mingli even started teaching her how to use the internet.

In 2000, Tianya Community already had a large number of active users, and Tang Mingli specially registered an account for her grandmother to play.

At first, Madam Fu said that she was too old and her eyesight was not good, and declined her granddaughter-in-law's kind offer.

Who knew that once I started playing it, I wouldn't be able to stop?

I used to wake up every day and turn on the TV to listen to the morning news, but since I started using Tianya Community, I now turn on my computer and log on to the website.

Sometimes I sit in front of the computer screen for an entire morning.

When I see other people's posts and feel like commenting, I ask my daughter-in-law or granddaughter-in-law to help me type it out.

That day, Madam Fu was still bothered by a post. During lunch, she said to Tang Mingli, "After lunch, please talk to those people for me."

Tang Mingli asked with a smile, "What post did you see today that made Grandma anxious?"

"Oh, it makes me angry just thinking about it."

Then, Madam Fu gave a brief explanation.

I came across a post in the relationship section where a man shared his experience of a peaceful divorce with his ex-wife.

He and his wife were both very strong-willed people, and they both worked very hard in their careers. Over time, the man felt a lack of warmth in his family and gradually developed feelings for a student several years younger than him. After realizing his infidelity, he immediately confessed to himself. After some discussion, the wife decided to respect his feelings, and the two separated peacefully.

That post emphasized a peaceful breakup in every word, as if it were showcasing the refined taste of cultured people who part ways amicably. But after reading it, Mrs. Fu still felt he was a scumbag and was very angry.

"Don't you think he's a scumbag? He's unfaithful, betrayed his marriage, and doesn't even act like a proper teacher."

Tang Mingli didn't agree too much; she was already furious just listening to it.

"Grandma, hurry up and eat. After you finish eating, I'll go and expose that hypocrite's true colors."

"good."

People who usually eat slowly were among the first or second to put down their chopsticks today.

The two went to the computer in the study, where the computer screen still displayed the post that Madam Fu had read that morning.

Tang Mingli quickly glanced at the comments section; there were already quite a few people cursing the man in the comments, so they didn't need to do anything.

Some criticized him for making his infidelity sound so noble, while others called him a hypocrite for liking even his own students.

Seeing these comments made Mrs. Fu feel much better.

"It seems there are still more people with sound values ​​in this world."

“That’s right.” Tang Mingli replied to her grandmother, but her eyes never left the computer screen.

At this time, a relatively large proportion of those who could access the internet were cultured individuals. Just look at the insults in the comments section—they're far more entertaining than the posts themselves.

However, the poster was quite assertive; unable to bear being criticized like this, he started arguing with the netizens in the comments.

That entire afternoon, Tang Mingli and Madam Fu's eyes never left the computer screen.

Finally, unable to bear the insults any longer, the person who posted the message announced that they would no longer use the account.

Thus, the debate ended in victory for the majority of netizens.

Tang Mingli lamented, "Could this be considered witnessing cyberbullying in the early days of the internet?"

She thought the matter was over, but the next morning, as soon as she got up and went downstairs, her grandmother excitedly told her, "The ex-wife of that person who posted that message has also posted one."

Tang Mingli immediately understood that her grandmother was referring to that post. She didn't even bother to eat breakfast and rushed to the study on the first floor.

Perhaps the post by the cheating husband was too popular, and his ex-wife saw it and posted a response last night.

The ex-wife's response was heartbreaking.

The ex-wife said that she and her ex-husband were childhood sweethearts. They were in the same class in junior high and high school, and later went to the same university. They started dating in their second year of university.

Four years of dating, five years of marriage, nine years of relationship, couldn't withstand a middle-aged man's one moment of infatuation.

In her post, she confessed that when she first heard her ex-husband say he had fallen for someone else, she wasn't as calm as he claimed. On the contrary, she felt like the sky had fallen.

She couldn't understand how someone could change their mind so easily after nine years of relationship.

In just half a month, she lost ten pounds, suffered from insomnia every night, and would inexplicably shed tears. Whenever she was idle, her heart felt like it was being cut by a knife.

Just then, her ex-husband brought up the topic of divorce directly.

She also had her pride, and since the man wanted to leave, she couldn't possibly beg and plead.

The two divorced peacefully.

In the first few months after the divorce, she lived like a zombie.

Fortunately, after a few months, with the support of her family, she finally slowly recovered.

However, her ex-husband downplayed this difficult process as a 'peaceful separation'.

She wasn't angry, but she thought that Tianya was a public platform where people could say what they wanted, and she could say what she wanted too.

Madam Fu had actually read it once before, but she still couldn't help but shed tears when she read it again.

Tang Mingli also felt deeply empathetic.

Although she hadn't experienced the pain of betrayal, the poster's writing was so good that it evoked such empathy.

Wiping away her tears, Tang Mingli quickly posted a reply under the post. The gist of it was that the post itself revealed how outstanding the poster was, that her ex-husband was unworthy of her, and that she firmly believed the poster would have a better future.

Shortly after, Tang Mingli's comment was replied to by the original poster.

Dreamy Flowers Fall: Thank you. Things will definitely get better and better. I'm going abroad for an exchange program next month. I declined once before because of family considerations.

At this time, being sent abroad for exchange and study by one's employer is undoubtedly a sign of exceptional talent.

Tang Mingli immediately congratulated her.

May wealth and treasures flow in: Congratulations on this double blessing! You've left that scumbag, and your career is soaring. I don't wish you a better next one; I wish you a bright future.

Perhaps these words struck a nerve with the poster, because she replied to Tang Mingli again.

Dreaming of Falling Flowers: Thank you, I like the phrase "a bright future."

After seeing the ex-wife's reply to her granddaughter-in-law's comment, Madam Fu finally felt a little better.

Although I suffered great emotional pain, I have overcome it and my career is now thriving.

She suddenly remarked, "Actually, as long as a woman has a job and can earn money, her life won't be too bad."

Tang Mingli was quite surprised to hear such words from her grandmother.

This idea is so ahead of its time. Even decades later, many mothers still don't understand this truth and still insist that their daughters should get married and have children when they reach a certain age.

You won't have a good life if you don't get married and have children, and you won't have a good old age if you don't get married and have children.

It turns out that no matter the era, there are always women who can see through the essence of things.

Tang Mingli looked at Madam Fu with eyes full of filial piety.

"Grandma, your awareness is a hundred years ahead of women of this era."

Madam Fu was amused by her exaggerated words. "What do you mean by being a hundred years ahead? Anyone with a bit of life experience understands this. Isn't working to earn money to support yourself simpler than dealing with complicated family relationships?"

"Grandma also finds family relationships complicated?" Tang Mingli was even more surprised.

Madam Fu: "My own family is happy, but I can see it for myself."

Especially when she lived in the Guangcheng family compound, she could hear the other residents complaining almost every day. Sometimes she was exhausted just listening to them, and she didn't know how they had endured it for decades.

But today she suddenly realized that the reason she could endure so much was probably because she didn't have the ability to survive on her own.

Look at this poster. Despite suffering such a huge betrayal and experiencing such severe hurt, she was still able to pick herself up again. Isn't it because she is excellent, has her own job, and is capable of earning money to support herself?

I thought the story of the person who posted "Flowers Fall in Dreams" was over.

Who knew that when she woke up from her nap at noon, Madam Fu discovered that her ex-husband, who had posted in her dream, had posted another message defending himself against the content of her post.

After reading the post, Madam Fu was furious.

Unfortunately, she couldn't type, so she could only wait for her granddaughter-in-law to wake up from her afternoon nap.

However, Tang Mingli's nap time was always unpredictable, sometimes lasting an hour, sometimes an entire afternoon.

Fortunately, she only slept for an hour or so today and came downstairs around 2 p.m.

Madam Fu immediately pulled her into the study and showed her the reply from her ex-husband, who had written in a dream.

Tang Mingli also found it funny after reading it.

It turns out that the term "green tea" applies to both men and women, regardless of era.

It turns out that the idea that "the one who doesn't love is the third party" has existed for so long.

He attributed his attraction to other women entirely to his ex-wife's lack of concern for him, as she was only focused on her work.

The post concludes by repeatedly mentioning that "going on an exchange program to study abroad is proof of that."

Tang Mingli understood; this man must have been tempted by his wife being sent on an exchange program to study abroad.

Without thinking, she typed a long reply under the post about the cheating man.

"May wealth and treasures come your way: Oh dear, so it turns out the cheating scumbag broke down because he saw his ex-wife doing better after leaving him. There's no need for that. Even though you're inferior to your ex-wife in character, ability, and career, you have true love. Even though your ex-wife is about to go abroad for an exchange program and see a wider world, you have true love."

At that time, the internet didn't have a style like Tang Mingli's, which was so precise and nuanced. As soon as it was posted, it was immediately quoted by many netizens.

The ex-husband of "Dreaming of Falling Flowers" on the other end of the internet was probably so angry he was about to vomit blood. Even though it was a weekday, he spent the whole afternoon posting and jumping around under the thread.

Tang Mingli had plenty of time, so she naturally decided to keep him company.

Madam Fu couldn't type, so she could only cheer her on from the sidelines and occasionally bring her tea, water, and food.

Before she knew it, an afternoon had passed, and Tang Mingli had won a great victory.

Having lived two lifetimes, I finally experienced arguing with someone online.

Fortunately, although netizens at this time were all different, depression was not widespread, and they were still able to withstand pressure.

Perhaps it was the online debate that brought her a kind of excitement and joy she had never experienced before, but Tang Mingli felt listless all day and only wanted to stay online in front of the computer.

Fortunately, they have two computers at home.

There is one in the study on the first floor, and another one in the study on the second floor.

In the evening, after dinner, she went upstairs early and plunged into the study on the second floor.

Besides the posts by the "Time-obsessed dreamer" about her scumbag ex-husband, she also suddenly took a liking to browsing randomly in various sections of the community.

Once you start exploring, you can't stop; you become completely engrossed in it.

Fu Ci was busy at the company until very late that day, and didn't get home until almost 11 p.m.

In the past, when I got home at this time, my wife would already be in bed.

I'm either half asleep or half awake, or I'm leaning against the headboard reading a novel.

But today, when he returned home, he found his wife sitting in front of the computer in the study on the second floor, completely absorbed in something, and she didn't even notice him coming home.

"What are you looking at?"

Fu Ci walked over out of curiosity, but his words startled Tang Mingli, who was focused on reading the post.

Tang Mingli turned to look at her husband and reflexively patted her chest.

Why do you walk so quietly?

Fu Ci claimed she was innocent, saying, "You were so engrossed in playing on the computer that you didn't even notice I was back."

"Oh, I see." Tang Mingli couldn't deny it; she had indeed been drawn to the post.

"What are you looking at?"

As Fu Ci spoke, he leaned closer to the computer screen.

"This is... a novel?"

Tang Mingli nodded and enthusiastically shared the suspense novel she was reading with her husband.

Seeing his wife's interest, Fu Ci didn't stop her, but only reminded her not to overuse her eyes.

Tang Mingli agreed very readily and asked her husband, "Why are you so late today?"

"We attended an awards ceremony and had a meal together."

Tang Mingli responded with an "oh," but because her mind was still on the novel she was reading, she didn't ask any further questions. Instead, she told her husband to take a shower first.

"After you're done showering, I'll take a shower and rest too."

"Okay." Fu Ci smiled and went to take a shower first.

Tang Mingli continued reading the novel, while also glancing at the post by her ex-husband, "Flowers Fall in Dreams".

The other party hasn't replied to the comments section for an hour, so it seems they've given up.

After Fu Ci finished showering, Tang Mingli also reluctantly turned off the computer.

After taking a quick shower, I lay in bed and talked to my husband, who seemed a little too energetic, about the 'flowers falling in my dreams'.

Fu Ci listened patiently, occasionally responding with a smile.

Tang Mingli's energy was actually almost completely depleted by surfing the internet, but when she was in front of the computer, her adrenaline surged, making her exceptionally energetic.

Now, as soon as I touch the bed, sleepiness washes over me.

As she spoke, her speech slowed down until she finally fell into a deep sleep.

Fu Ci smiled as he looked at his sleeping wife and murmured, "Is it really that fun? I'll go back to the company and see for myself tomorrow."

-

When Tang Mingli woke up from her nap, there was no one beside her.

I glanced at the time and realized it was already past nine o'clock.

As if remembering something, the doctor was instantly wide awake and jumped out of bed.

After a quick wash, I ran downstairs.

Madam Fu had already eaten breakfast and was online when she heard someone coming downstairs, so she came out of her study.

"You're up?"

Tang Mingli nodded and hurriedly asked her grandmother, "Has that ex-husband from 'Dream Flower Falls' posted anything again?"

Madam Fu: "No, I've been keeping an eye on things since I woke up this morning, and I haven't seen him post anything again."

Tang Mingli was relieved and ate her breakfast in peace.

After breakfast, the grandfather and grandson, one upstairs and one downstairs, each sat in front of a computer, surfing the internet with great enjoyment, and before they knew it, another morning had passed.

At noon, the family sat down at the dining table for lunch, and Fu Cheng'an habitually turned on the TV.

Over the years, he has developed the habit of listening to local news while eating lunch.

At first, it wasn't a big deal, until the news report about the awarding of the top ten outstanding entrepreneurs suddenly brought up Fu Ci's name on TV.

The whole family suddenly turned their heads to look at the television, holding their breath at the same time.

It wasn't until the news report lasted for more than ten seconds that Madam Fu broke the silence: "Was the news just reporting that Fu Ci was named one of Shenzhen's top ten entrepreneurs?"

Tang Mingli nodded and told her grandmother with great certainty, "Grandma, you heard right. Fu Ci's name was indeed among the top ten outstanding entrepreneurs in Shenzhen mentioned on the TV news just now."

Only then did I realize what Fu Ci meant when he said he attended an awards ceremony last night.

She thought he was the one presenting the award to someone else, but she never expected that he was the one receiving the award, and such a prestigious one at that.

Top Ten Outstanding Entrepreneurs.

Has Fu Ci's career already become so successful?

Such an honorable event was not told to his family, as if it were some trivial matter.

Tang Mingli wasn't the only one who thought this way; Fu's mother did too.

As Fu's mother smiled with pride, she said to her son, "This child, being named one of the top ten outstanding entrepreneurs, such an honor, why didn't he tell us?"

Fu Cheng'an also looked proud: "My son takes after me, remaining calm in the face of both honor and disgrace."

Fu's mother glared at her husband, "If he really takes after you, he'll be a silent gourd."

Fu Cheng'an felt wronged. He might have been called a quiet person when he was young, but he was anything but quiet after retirement.

After the TV station finished broadcasting the news about the top ten outstanding entrepreneurs, it broadcast several other news items, but the Fu family was talking about Fu Ci being selected as an outstanding entrepreneur and didn't pay attention until the TV broadcasted news about China's bid for the Olympics.

Madam Fu exclaimed, "Oh! Our country has applied to host the Olympics again!"

Tang Mingli, who was aware of the Olympic bid, naturally chimed in, "Yes, our country is applying to host the 2008 Olympic Games."

"Our country has changed so much, we are sure to succeed in our bid for the Olympics this time."

For some reason she couldn't explain, Madam Fu had a strong premonition that the bid for the Olympics would definitely succeed.

Tang Mingli knew the outcome and nodded vigorously: "This time it will definitely be a success, and the Olympics will definitely be held in Beijing in 2008."

2008.

As Madam Fu silently recited the number in her heart, she felt it was so distant, a future she dared not hope for.

But for Fu Yu, the future definitely belongs to her.

She counted on her fingers how old she was in 2008.

After counting, I was surprised to find that I was already twenty-two years old in 2008. By then, she must have been in college.

"Really?" Tang Mingli found it unbelievable.

My daughter is still a primary school student now, no, she just graduated from primary school, but in 2008 she will be a college student.

This seems too fast.

But if you count carefully, there are still 9 years until 2008.

Three years of junior high school and three years of senior high school, adding up to no more than six years.

Fu Yu nodded excitedly and said, "Maybe I can get into a university in Beijing."

Tang Mingli smiled and said in a very cooperative manner, "If I go to university in Beijing, I might be able to do volunteer work."

What is a volunteer?

Tang Mingli thought for a moment and explained, "It means people who are willing to contribute their time and energy to the Beijing Olympics."

Fu Yu immediately replied, "I do!"

Tang Mingli laughed: "Then you have to work hard! It's not easy to become an Olympic volunteer; there might be foreign language requirements."

"That's great, Mom. Did you forget? I'm very good at English."

Fu Yu has been taking English classes with her parents since she was a child. After studying for several years, her English level is indeed unmatched by her peers.

However, in order to become a volunteer, she needs to study Yingyue even better.

Fu Yu made up her mind.

She also thought that in 2008, her cousin Tang Xin was already twenty-six years old, and she wondered if she would want to be a volunteer.

I really want to ask my cousin, but unfortunately she went on a trip with my aunt after finishing her college entrance exams, so I can only ask her when she comes back.

At that time, Tang Xin was traveling in Dunhuang with her mother.

Perhaps it was a meeting of minds, but after returning to the hotel that night, she called her cousin to share her travel experiences in Dunhuang.

"...Today we went to see the Mogao Caves. Cousin, let me tell you, it's so beautiful and breathtaking. I can't describe it in words. I must ask your aunt to bring you here sometime."

Fu Yu felt envious upon hearing this and made a mental note of it. She was determined to have her parents take her.

After talking about the Mogao Caves, Tang Xin told her cousin about their plans for tomorrow.

"Tomorrow we're going to ride camels in the Kumtag Desert."

"Wow, camels!" Fu Yu exclaimed with longing. "I've never seen a grassland or a desert before."

Tang Mingli happened to overhear these words while passing by.

She was surfing the internet in her study on the second floor when she got thirsty and came downstairs to get some water.

Hearing her daughter's words, she suddenly reflected on herself, wondering if it was wrong for her to be addicted to the internet all day.

How many summer and winter vacations will my daughter have left?

Shouldn't we take the opportunity to take her out to see more of the world?

Without hesitation, Tang Mingli told her husband about her idea that very evening.

"I want to take my daughter to Dunhuang for a trip."

Fu Ci was taken aback and asked, "Why so suddenly?"

Tang Mingli briefly recounted the incident of her daughter and niece talking on the phone, and also shared her reflections.

Fu Ci couldn't help but laugh, finding his wife's self-reflection incredibly endearing.

"If you want to take your daughter on a trip, then go ahead, but make sure you book a good tour group. Don't worry about the cost."

Tang Mingli gave an OK sign: "Don't worry, I definitely will."

Being stingy with money is a thing of the past.

Two days later, Tang Mingli booked a tour group before telling her daughter the good news.

Fu Yu was overjoyed, and Tang Mingli kissed her neck and face repeatedly.

"Mom, you are so good to me, I love you so much."

Great! She can go see the Mogao Caves, the desert, and ride a camel.

Summer vacation is so great, she loves it.

Tang Mingli deliberately asked, "Do you only like summer vacation?"

It seems like I might be able to take my daughter skiing in Northeast China this winter break.

-

Tang Mingli and Tang Mingmei visited Dunhuang one after the other, but agreed to return to Shenzhen together on the same day in mid-August.

They arrived back in Shenzhen in the morning, and the four of them didn't even bother to go home first; they went straight to their teacher to get Tang Xin's admission notice.

The notification letter arrived some time ago, but they couldn't come back in time, so it was temporarily left with the teacher.

Even though I already know which school I've been accepted to, I'm still excited when I receive the acceptance letter.

Tang Mingmei's hands trembled when she saw the words "China University of Political Science and Law" on the admission notice.

Although she didn't understand it, she felt that the university was very good just by looking at the name.

"Law, does that mean you'll become a judge after you graduate?"

Tang Xin said no, "I want to be a lawyer in the future, a great lawyer!"

She was eighteen years old, but Li Dazhu had never given her a single penny in child support.

Even though his mother hired a lawyer and the court ruled that Li Dazhu had to pay, he still refused.

The law seems to have no effect on such scoundrels.

But she refused to believe it.

She learned it herself.

She believes that the law will surely punish such a scoundrel.

More than what Tang Xin would do in the future, Fu Yu was more concerned about the fact that the university was in Beijing, and immediately said excitedly, "Sister Xin, I also want to go to university in Beijing in the future."

"Okay," Tang Xin said with a smile, "but you can't get into a worse university than me, okay?"

Fu Yu assured her, "It definitely won't happen."

Tang Mingli chuckled inwardly at the child's ignorance and arrogance, asking how many universities in Beijing could be better than the University of Political Science and Law.

...

Six years later, Fu Yu proved with facts that she was not ignorant of her own limitations, but rather full of confidence.

In 2005, she was admitted to the English major at the School of Foreign Languages, Peking University.

That same year, Tang Xin, who had just graduated with a master's degree, returned to Shenzhen and joined a very famous law firm, becoming a senior lawyer as she had said back then.

In the same year, Fu Ci basically relinquished his business, handing it over to a professional manager he trusted.

After all, his biggest source of income each year is no longer those few companies, but investment dividends, stocks, funds, and so on.

After he had some free time, he fulfilled a promise he made when he was young and accompanied his wife to many, many places.

Three years have passed in the blink of an eye.

For China, 2008 is destined to be an indelible year, a year etched with countless glorious marks.

Fu Yu, a third-year university student, fulfilled her childhood dream of becoming an Olympic volunteer.

Tang Mingli and Fu Ci also came to Beijing.

On the opening day of the Olympics, as night fell, the Bird's Nest was ablaze with lights.

Tang Mingli leaned against her husband's chest, watching the fireworks bloom brilliantly in the sky, and her heart surged with excitement.

In her lifetime, her marriage with Fu Ci seemed to be more dazzling than fireworks.

Amidst the noise, Fu Ci could still hear her murmurs.

He smiled, lowered his head, and whispered gently in her ear, "No, fireworks are brilliant but fleeting, but we will last forever."

May she and he be together forever.

Tang Mingli pondered these words and smiled.

Looking at her husband's profile, she seemed to see the face that had captivated her at first sight thirty-two years ago.

--End of text--

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Author's Note: Just wanted to announce that the main story is now complete! There are still many main storylines and side stories to come, so stay tuned!

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My new novel, "The Daughters of the Song Family [Era]", will be released soon. If you're interested, please check it out!