2.7w nutrient solution bonus chapter: Mother and daughter reunite.

Chapter 104

He Jun didn't speak. He stood at the entrance of the state-run restaurant, watching the bicycles coming and going, and lit a cigarette. "Think it over carefully yourself."

“He Zhang and He Min are already sixteen years old and can no longer continue their high school studies. Every family must send one person to the countryside.”

"If we don't ask Qi Donghan, which of the two of them do you think should go to the countryside?"

Liu Qiufeng's tears instantly welled up. "Xiaomin is the older sister, and she's also a girl. I'm definitely worried about her going to the countryside."

“Xiao Zhang was small from birth and his health was poor, so I can’t just watch him go to the countryside.”

This is truly a difficult situation.

Both the palm and the back of the hand are flesh.

“He Jun, let’s not leave yet. Let’s stay here and watch over Xiao Han. I’ll go and beg her. I’m her mother. I’ll beg her, I’ll kneel down and beg her. She’ll definitely agree to my request.”

This is the result He Jun wanted.

He grunted in agreement, squatted down beside them, and smoked. "If things don't work out here, then we'll just have to watch the two kids go to the countryside."

"Qiufeng, you know our kind of family. Our two children have never suffered since they were little. They can't handle going to the countryside."

Liu Qiufeng nodded, her tears flowing even more freely.

Inside the state-run restaurant, after a round of toasts, Meng Yingying and Qi Donghan finally had time to eat.

It must be said that Liu Qiusheng's cooking skills are truly excellent; he knew that Meng Yingying and Qi Donghan hadn't eaten, and that the food had all gone cold.

I made a separate hot stew of pork, cabbage, and glass noodles and put it on top of rice. To be honest, it tasted absolutely amazing.

After eating, everyone packed up their things and prepared to leave.

Meng Yingying came to check the accounts. She asked Zhao Yueru to help collect the money and write down the names, as these were things she would need to return the favor to later.

Zhao Yueru kept a close eye on the bag from beginning to end, and even while eating, she never let the bag out of her sight.

When Meng Yingying asked her for it, she handed it over without saying a word.

"The money and accounts are all here. Go back and count them, don't count them here."

It's clear that Zhao Yueru keeps the accounts. She probably knows exactly how much money is in there. It's precisely because there's so much money that she can't count it in public, as it would attract attention.

Meng Yingying knew what was going on, and she nodded, "Okay."

"I'll be back in a bit."

She didn't pick up the bag. It was best to give the money to Qi Donghan for safekeeping. At least with the money in Qi Donghan's hands, no one would dare to come and snatch it.

Qi Donghan took it and carried it in his hand, then went out with Meng Yingying.

By now, most of the guests had left, and Meng Yingying and Qi Donghan, as the main characters, were among the last to depart.

However, even though they had all come out at this hour, Liu Qiufeng and He Jun were still outside.

Upon seeing Qi Donghan emerge, the two immediately rushed over to greet him, "Little Han."

Just as Liu Qiufeng was about to speak, Qi Donghan interrupted her, "Yingying, you get in the car first, I'll be right there."

It's clear that Qi Donghan is trying his best to physically separate Meng Yingying and Liu Qiufeng.

Meng Yingying nodded, turned around and left without saying a word. She didn't want to have any contact with this mother-in-law she had never met.

After she left, Liu Qiufeng felt a bit resentful, after all, she was her mother-in-law.

"Xiao Han, isn't it a bit inappropriate for you to do this?"

Qi Donghan raised his wrist to check the time. "Nothing else? Then I'll be going now."

"It's like this." As soon as she saw him about to leave, Liu Qiufeng became anxious and grabbed Qi Donghan's wrist. "Xiaohan, your younger brother and sister are about to go to the countryside. Could you help them pull some strings and get one of them sent to the army?"

"We can go to the logistics, finance, or personnel department."

The implication is that they will not go to the front lines.

Qi Donghan looked down at his wrist and said coldly, "Let go."

His imposing presence was so strong that Liu Qiufeng couldn't ignore it, and she subconsciously let go of his hand.

"First of all, I don't have any younger brothers or sisters."

"Secondly, I don't own the garrison."

"Finally—" He looked up at Liu Qiufeng with such cold indifference, "Is this why you came here?"

It wasn't out of guilt as a mother that she came to see her youngest son, whom she hadn't seen for many years, getting married.

Watching him get married and have children.

Rather, it was because he wanted to ask his son for a favor in order to help his two children.

How ridiculous!

Liu Qiufeng wasn't particularly intelligent, but at that moment she saw hurt in Qi Donghan's eyes.

Liu Qiufeng trembled slightly, "Xiao Han."

Qi Donghan lifted his foot and left, saying, "I thought our fate was severed when you pried my hand apart many years ago."

He was still young then, and he couldn't bear to see his mother leave, nor could he bear to see her get married.

He clung to Liu Qiufeng's legs, crying and begging her not to leave him.

But Liu Qiufeng kept her head down and pried his hands open one finger at a time, and he could only watch helplessly as his mother left.

There was no turning back.

Upon hearing this, Liu Qiufeng froze, unable to utter another word.

Seeing that Qi Donghan was about to leave, He Jun tried to stop him, but Liu Qiufeng grabbed him, saying, "He Jun, let him go."

Liu Qiufeng's voice was numb, "I never raised this child, and now I really have no face to beg him."

"Is your dignity that important?" He Jun snapped, his voice growing increasingly menacing. "Do you really want to see He Zhang and He Min go to the countryside?"

He broke free from Liu Qiufeng's grasp, wanting to catch up with Qi Donghan and seize the last remaining chance.

"He Jun, that's enough."

"Isn't this enough of a disgrace to the He family?"

Unbeknownst to them, He Run had returned in his car, looking travel-worn. He sat inside, his face weathered, but his eyes were unlike anything his name suggested.

Sharp yet composed.

He Jun didn't expect his older brother to come back at this time, and even to appear at the entrance of the state-run restaurant.

This frightened He Jun. "Brother, why are you back?"

No one in the He family, from top to bottom, is afraid of He Run.

He Run ignored him and walked towards Qi Donghan, carefully examining the young man in front of him.

His sharp edge is tempered with a touch of composure and restraint. Most importantly, he is still young, yet he already possesses the aura of someone in a position of authority.

This child is indeed quite good.

He Run extended his hand to Qi Donghan, "Let's get acquainted, my name is He Run."

Qi Donghan didn't extend his hand, but simply looked up at him quietly.

Twenty-five-year-old Qi Donghan showed no signs of losing in terms of momentum against nearly fifty-year-old He Run.

He Run admired him somewhat, so he wasn't angry. He casually withdrew his hand and introduced himself, "I'm He Jun's older brother. Don't worry, He Zhang and He Min's matter of going to the countryside will definitely not involve you again."

"besides."

He called over He Jun and Liu Qiufeng, saying, "Seventeen years ago, Liu Qiufeng, since you didn't bring Commander Qi to my He family, then he has no relation to my He family."

"Similarly, we, the He family, will handle our own affairs."

"Don't bother Commander Qi again." He was still a very gentle person, but his tone suddenly turned cold and stern. "If I find out that you are contacting him again, then leave the He family."

It's exhausting for one person to support an entire family.

He Run didn't mind loosening the reins on this burdened family, letting go of what needed to be let go, and letting go of what needed to be let go, so that he could also relax a bit.

Upon hearing this, He Jun's expression changed drastically, as did Liu Qiufeng's. Most of the He family members were incompetent.

The fact that we are living like this now is all thanks to He Run carrying the burden for them.

They would absolutely refuse to leave the He family home and squeeze into the crowded pigeon coop outside.

"Big brother."

He Jun tried to explain, but He Run wouldn't listen. He introduced Song Fenfang to her, "This is Qi Donghan."

It's so convenient to talk to smart people. As soon as he opened his mouth, Song Fenfang knew what he meant. She had been observing Qi Donghan all along.

This child is indeed quite good.

Song Fenfang nodded to Qi Donghan, but instead of introducing herself, she asked, "I heard you're getting married today—"

"congratulations."

Qi Donghan didn't know Song Fenfang, but he could sense kindness from her. He nodded and said, "Thank you."

He is a man of few words.

Song Fenfang started chatting with him, saying, "You look so handsome, your bride must be very beautiful too."

This brings us to Qi Donghan's favorite topic.

He hummed in agreement, then turned and pointed to Meng Yingying, who was sitting in the car waiting for him.

"My wife is indeed very beautiful."

He spoke in ordinary words, but anyone could hear the pride in his tone.

Song Fenfang looked in the direction Qi Donghan was pointing.

This was the first time she had seen Meng Yingying in person up close.

They were only five or six meters apart. She sat in the car with great poise, her face pressed against the window, her features exquisite, with red lips and white teeth.

She bears a resemblance to Meng Baichuan in his youth, with similar eyebrows and eyes—no, not quite.

Her features still vaguely resembled her own.

Song Fenfang's lips trembled slightly.

Meng Yingying was also looking over here. She was wondering why Qi Donghan hadn't come over yet. She couldn't wait any longer, so she jumped off the car.

In the blink of an eye, she ran up to Qi Donghan and greeted him, "Why aren't you leaving yet? Everyone in the car is waiting for you."

Qi Donghan pulled her along, saying, "I'm coming right now."

He ignored Liu Qiufeng and He Jun, and simply nodded to He Run and Song Fenfang, saying, "Goodbye."

Song Fenfang was reluctant to see them leave so soon.

She quickly called out, "Wait!"

Qi Donghan and Meng Yingying stopped at the same time and both looked over.

In fact, Meng Yingying always felt that Song Fenfang looked somewhat familiar, but she couldn't remember where she had seen her before.

Under Meng Yingying's gaze, Song Fenfang's heart pounded like a drum. She forced herself to calm down and said, "You two are a perfect match, a handsome man and a beautiful woman."

As she said this, her eyes welled up with tears. "I heard from He Run that you two got married today."

Meng Yingying nodded, "Yes."

Her voice was gentle and very pleasant to the ear.

So that's what her voice sounds like. Song Fenfang coughed lightly, staring intently at Meng Yingying's face. "Then I wish you both a long and happy marriage, and peace and prosperity."

Meng Yingying received so many blessings today that she didn't think much of it.

Thinking it was just a casual greeting, she nodded and said, "Thank you."

She pulled Qi Donghan and turned to leave.

Song Fenfang stared at her retreating figure and suddenly called out, "Meng Yingying."

Meng Yingying turned around abruptly.

Song Fenfang smiled gently at her, "You are very beautiful."

"It's really beautiful."

Just like when she was little, she had a pair of big, very fair eyes. Back then, Song Fenfang would often hold her and marvel at how she could have given birth to such a beautiful child.

This was the first time Meng Yingying had received such a direct compliment. She smiled and said, "Thank you."

"You are beautiful too."

Although Song Fenfang looked tired, her facial features, including her eyebrows and eyes, were still striking.

She must have been a beauty when she was young.

Song Fenfang was very happy to be praised by Meng Yingying. She watched Meng Yingying get into the car and then watched the car drive away.

She stared at the vanished car, unable to come to her senses for a long time.

He Run reminded her, "They're all gone."

Song Fenfang then came to her senses and said, "I know."

"He Run".

"I know what you're going to say, but I want to tell you that I'm content."

She was already very satisfied to be able to see Meng Yingying and talk to her.

Song Fenfang was never greedy.

She always reserved her gentleness only for Meng Baichuan and Meng Yingying.

When she looked away and saw Liu Qiufeng and He Run, her gaze was somewhat cold. "He Run has already told you."

"Then I'll say it one last time: if I find out again that you've gone to see Qi Donghan or bothered Meng Yingying..."

"That would be to make an enemy of my Song family."

Liu Qiufeng and He Jun didn't understand.

Why did Song Fenfang value Qi Donghan so much? No, it should be said that she valued Meng Yingying even more.

Liu Qiufeng was completely baffled.

She has been at home for so many years and has not worked, so she naturally does not know the impact of Song Fenfang.

He Jun, standing beside him, no longer dared to act as arrogantly as before in front of Qi Donghan.

He said to Song Fenfang and He Run, "Brother, Comrade Song, we will remember this."

Song Fenfang did not speak.

He Run said, "I hope you really remember that."

He Jun was sweating profusely. He explained, "Brother, I must have lost my mind. You know how the policy of sending people to the countryside is now in effect. My family has two children of school age. If we parents don't take care of them, then no one will take care of them."

He Run's tone was calm: "If the children of the He family can't even endure this little bit of hardship, then it's only natural that the He family will fall into ruin."

The surroundings instantly fell silent.

Even after He Run left, Liu Qiufeng still didn't understand. She went to ask He Jun, "What did you mean by what you said earlier, brother?"

"Is he going to get involved in the affairs of He Min and He Zhang in our family?"

If they won't let her go to Xiao Han, then they'll have no choice but to ask him for help.

He Jun shook his head, "My older brother won't interfere."

"Then we—"

"He meant that the younger generation should be able to endure hardship if they are supposed to."

Liu Qiufeng said, "But my Xiaomin and Xiaozhang have never suffered in this kind of way before."

"Isn't this going to get them killed?"

For the first time, He Jun felt that his second wife, though beautiful, was also incredibly stupid.

"Didn't you understand what Big Brother meant?"

"My eldest brother's idea is for us to send He Min and He Zhang out to gain some experience so that they can inherit the He family business in the future."

Liu Qiufeng, “?”

Is there?

She hadn't grasped the implication at all, but seeing her husband's confident expression, she didn't know what else to say.

That's all we can say, that's how it is.

*

The car sped from the state-run restaurant to the troupe's family compound. Because she was still on her honeymoon, Meng Yingying wasn't in a hurry to return to the cultural troupe.

Instead, she returned to her new home with Qi Donghan.

A new home that belongs only to the two of them.

When they got home, Meng Yingying put the bag of money on the table and the two of them counted it.

Two thousand three hundred and thirty.

Of the 430 yuan, Zhao Yueru gave 50 yuan, Commander Chen gave 50 yuan, and Liu Qiusheng gave 50 yuan.

Yang Jie, Coach Zhao, Director He, and Team Leader Fang each contributed twenty.

Apart from that, the remaining people gave gifts ranging from one to five yuan, which is the normal amount for a gift.

After counting everything, Meng Yingying took out the envelope and looked at it carefully. "Who do you think gave such a generous gift?"

Qi Donghan looked at the envelope, trying to find clues on it, but there were none. The envelope was plain and had no address or source on it.

It's impossible to tell where this envelope came from.

"It's not from my side, I'm absolutely certain."

Qi Donghan said, "You've seen my mother. She has so many children. Even if she had money, she wouldn't spend it on me."

"Besides, I know her personality. She's the kind of person who does one thing and says ten. If she's the one who gave me the money, she'll definitely make a big fuss about it so everyone knows."

This way, everyone will know how good she is to him.

When conflicts and contradictions actually occur, it's his fault.

"As for my uncle, it's even less likely. Uncle Chen is also unlikely. Although he has a high salary, he has four children at home, and two of his sons are waiting to get married in two years."

This is a huge expense, so it's impossible for Commander Chen to give him two thousand at once.

"Since it's not on my side, it's most likely on your side."

Meng Yingying was somewhat bewildered, "But I don't have any relatives in Harbin."

"As you know, I only know Yue Ru and the Qi family."

“I know Yue Ru is out of money.”

"As for the Qi family," she said with some suspicion, "could it be that Uncle Qi felt sorry for me, so he gave me two thousand as compensation?"

"Won't."

As soon as she came to this conclusion, Qi Donghan refuted it, saying, "The Qi family has already suffered serious damage after what happened before. It's impossible for them to easily come up with so much money again."

"Therefore, this money definitely did not come from the Qi family."

Who is that?

Meng Yingying asked instinctively, "I don't know anyone else."

"Think about it again."

Meng Yingying couldn't believe it; she couldn't understand it no matter how hard she thought about it. "My third uncle doesn't have that ability, my father is gone, and my mother—"

She paused when she said those two words, then added, "Could it be that my mother gave it to me?"

Qi Donghan looked over.

He seemed to have never heard Meng Yingying mention her mother.

"But it shouldn't be like this either."

Meng Yingying denied it herself, saying, "According to my father's last words, my mother should still be alive in this world, but how could it be such a coincidence that she just happened to send the money over when I got married at the state-run restaurant in Harbin?"

"No, it can't be her, because there's no such thing as a coincidence in this world."

Moreover, if it was her mother, since she had already given such a large sum of money, why didn't she come and pick her up?

She denied it quickly, but Qi Donghan felt that this was the most likely analysis.

"What if she gave it to you?"

He stared intently at Meng Yingying's face, not missing a single expression.

Meng Yingying held the envelope with two fingers, her tone calm, "If she gave it to me, then she gave it to me."

"I'll take it if she gives it to me."

"This is what she owes me."

No—it should be owed to the original owner.

She's not that stupid; she wouldn't resist the other person's presence. Having a rich and capable mother brings so much convenience.

Meng Yingying had experienced this in her previous life.

Seeing her tone, Qi Donghan breathed a sigh of relief, "I thought you—"

"You think I don't recognize her, so you throw away her money and tell her to take it and get lost, the farther away from me the better, right?"

Meng Yingying countered with a question.

Qi Donghan hummed in agreement. "I thought your personality would..."

"No, Qi Donghan." Meng Yingying wrapped her arms around Qi Donghan's lean waist and hugged him tightly, resting her chin on his shoulder. Her voice was calm. "We are both adults."

"Adults don't have that much sentimentality or clear-cut sense of right and wrong; everyone is just looking at interests."

She didn't know if she would acknowledge her, but she knew that if the other party gave too much...

She might not be so firm in her refusal.

Qi Donghan liked holding her like this, and when he heard Meng Yingying's words, he breathed a sigh of relief, "It's good that you can think things through."

He had previously worried that Meng Yingying was prone to overthinking.

Meng Yingying chuckled, "No."

She murmured, "Qi Donghan, I need connections so much to get into the performing arts troupe dancing business."

“Look at me, I went to the Soviet Union for an exchange competition, I got a certificate of completion and won an award, but none of these seem to be of any use to me.”

"Because I am from the Harbin Municipal Cultural Troupe, a local cultural troupe, I am born to be inferior to others."

“Look at Li Shaoqing and Shen Meilan, who are worse than me. After returning to China, they quickly joined the Capital Song and Dance Troupe.”

"Only Tong Jialan and I didn't have that."

"What we lack is connections."

"Therefore, I will not reject people who are stronger than me, nor will I be so arrogant as to foolishly reject relationships that come to me."

What I fear is not having it.

What I fear most is the uncertain future, with nothing in sight.

What's frightening is having talent but being able to watch others rise to the top.

She could only struggle bitterly at the bottom of society.

She witnessed all the cruelty she had never seen in her previous life in this one.

The only difference is that she had a good family background in her previous life, and her parents protected her.

She was born a village girl in the countryside, so she was looked down upon when she first joined the propaganda team.

Qi Donghan felt a pang of heartache. He hugged Meng Yingying tightly. "Should I go to the capital and ask?"

"No."

Meng Yingying shook her head, "After we get married, Director He will contact me."

Just as Meng Yingying had expected, she had just finished speaking with Qi Donghan.

Director He then sent someone to find her.

When Meng Yingying saw Director He again, he looked into her eyes and asked her the first question, "Yingying, do you still want to go to the Capital Song and Dance Troupe?"

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Author's Note: Bonus chapter for 27,000 nutrient solution readings. Goodnight, my darlings!