Chapter 85
◎ The first person Bei Bitang called to tell the truth was her second elder sister.
Wei Bi...◎
The first person Bei Bitang called to tell the truth was her second elder sister.
Wei Bili was on the phone. Knowing that her sister was so promising and could soar even higher after reaching the sky, she choked up and couldn't speak. Finally, she hurriedly said that she would go back to Shikumen tonight and cook a table of delicious food to celebrate for Bei Bitang.
Lin Bilan and Huang Dashan were resting at home. They and Miao Xiuxiu saw Wei Bili go back to her parents' home without saying hello.
Lin Bilan asked in confusion, "What happened? Did you have a fight with Chen Jinlong?"
Miao Xiuxiu looked at her second daughter's face. She couldn't hide the joy on her brows. It didn't look like they were quarreling. She couldn't help but look at her belly.
Because of psychological effects, Miao Xiuxiu thought Wei Bili's belly seemed to be a little bulging.
She immediately broke into a smile and said unhappily, "Really? You're pregnant, and your son-in-law made you come all the way back? Couldn't he have sent someone to bring a message? Sit down! Is your morning sickness severe? What do you like to eat?"
Wei Bili shook her head and said with a bright smile, "Mom, I'm not pregnant! It's, it's Bitang who passed the exam!"
Miao Xiuxiu was confused. When she heard that her second daughter was not pregnant, her smile disappeared immediately and she put the chair back.
If Wei Bili wants to sit, please get a chair yourself.
Lin Bilan curled her lips, glared, and said, "What nonsense, Bili, are you out of your mind? Are you still trying to make a big fuss and ask me to spend money to celebrate for Bitang again? I'm telling you, that doesn't make sense. If you want Bitang to eat and drink well, you have to pay for it yourself. The most I can do is help with the cooking."
Wei Bili's smile remained undimmed as she spoke slowly and clearly, "Mommy, I mean, Bitang got into a university abroad."
Miao Xiuxiu felt dizzy and asked in confusion, "What foreign university?"
Wei Bili said straightforwardly: "Study abroad!"
Miao Xiuxiu understood instantly, her mouth wide open. She grabbed her second daughter's hand and said in a nearly choked voice, "What's going on? Tell me!"
Lin Bilan and Huang Dashan came over at the same time.
Wei Bili finished her story in a few words, letting her family digest it first, and then she would explain it in detail later.
Miao Xiuxiu ran to the door, picked up the cloth shoes on the ground, and put them on hurriedly.
Wei Bili quickly called her: "Mommy, where are you going? Bitang will be back from school soon."
Miao Xiuxiu spoke quickly, "I'm going to go find someone to chat with! Bili, go buy the groceries first. Take the money, and I'll come back to cook later!"
Miao Xiuxiu went downstairs and with her sharp eyes, she accurately found her target group: the old men in the alley who were most concerned about current affairs.
Miao Xiuxiu clenched her fists and ran up to these people.
She squinted her eyes and asked with a suppressed smile, "Do you know anything about studying abroad?"
An uncle immediately complained, "Grandma Xiaokang, you're talking about government-sponsored study abroad, right? We don't understand, do you?"
Miao Xiuxiu's mouth twitched violently, and she suppressed her pride and continued, "Did you know that a large German company is sponsoring several university students in our city to study abroad in Germany?"
Another uncle raised his chin and said proudly, "Well, of course we know that. College students in our city have more opportunities than those in other cities. This company specifically wants college students from Shanghai."
Miao Xiuxiu stopped talking, covered her mouth, and laughed non-stop.
The uncles were about to ask her, "What are you laughing at? What's so funny?"
At a glance, she saw that something was wrong with her. Her expression was not exactly the same as that of her youngest daughter, Bei Bitang, when she was admitted to Jiaotong University, but it was probably 90% similar.
Thinking of Bei Bitang who was studying at Jiaotong University, an uncle suddenly had an idea and whispered softly, "Grandma Xiaokang, could it be that your Bitang was selected?"
Miao Xiuxiu laughed heartily, slapped her thigh, and nodded heavily, saying, "Yes, yes, our Bitang was chosen. There were only five of them, and she was chosen! Studying abroad, our family should keep up with the trend!"
The uncles were stunned for a while before they congratulated Miao Xiuxiu one after another.
The news that Bei Bitang was about to go to Germany to study spread like wildfire in this Shikumen town.
The sunset glow was faint. Bei Bitang got off the bus. Before she even entered the alley, an elderly woman who saw her first shouted, "Hey! Bitang is back!"
At the end of her words, she turned around and shouted at the person behind her.
Bei Bitang was stunned for a moment, then she forced a smile and responded to the old lady.
The old lady rushed forward, grabbed Bei Bitang's wrist, and said with a smile like a big bad wolf, "Bitang, the meal is ready. Why don't you come over and have a bite? Let my children get a taste of your elegance!"
After a pause, the old lady slapped her head and said in frustration, "Oh no, that's not the literary style! It should be the science and engineering style!"
Because of Bei Bitang's study abroad, the people in the alley were indoctrinated with university knowledge, such as liberal arts, science, engineering, and graduate school, by the more knowledgeable neighbors for an entire afternoon.
Bei Bitang was at a loss for words. Just as she was about to thank him for his kindness and then refuse, she was pulled over by Lin Bilan who came to pick her up.
Lin Bilan was afraid of being intercepted, so she stood in front of Bei Bitang and said proudly, "Huh, what a beautiful smile! If anyone wants to take any credit, it should be my little one. My little one is Bitang's legitimate nephew!"
Bei Bitang frowned. Lin Bilan offended people too easily with her words, and she wanted to say something to make amends.
Unexpectedly, the old lady didn't mind at all. She smiled and said, "Of course, of course, your little one should go first! Bilan, don't forget, your mother promised me to give me Bitang Primary School's third-grade math textbook. You can get it after dinner, otherwise I will go to your house and ask for it directly!"
Lin Bilan looked back at Bei Bitang with an embarrassed look on her face. After reading her expression, she whispered, "It was Mommy who allowed her to go out."
Bei Bitang smiled and said, "I don't have any use for it anyway, and it takes up space at home."
Lin Bilan's expression relaxed as she said happily, "Not only the third-grade math textbooks, but all the textbooks from first grade up to the one you left at home have been requested. Even the draft paper has been requested."
Bei Bitang: "..."
Lin Bilan asked cautiously, "Bitang, you won't be angry, will you?"
Bei Bitang shook her head and said, "No, I'm just a little surprised."
When she came to her senses, she found that there were a lot of people around her, all smiling and calling her.
Miao Xiuxiu was worried and trotted over. She and Lin Bilan stood on both sides of Bei Bitang like protectors.
After going upstairs and reaching the door, Miao Xiuxiu turned around, waved her hand at the group of tails, and said, "Go away, let my family, Bitang, have a good meal first. I will definitely go down and tell you in detail later!"
Bei Bitang noticed that Chen Jinlong had also arrived. She was startled for a moment, then said with a smile, "Second brother-in-law."
When Chen Jinlong saw Bei Bitang, he quickly stood up from his chair and responded with a smile.
The meal had already been prepared, and this time the whole family joined in, with everyone making at least one of their own specialties.
Bei Bitang was naturally embraced and sat in the main seat. Even Miao Xiuxiu, her mother, was moved up and sat in the second main seat.
Miao Xiuxiu looked at Huang Dashan who was eating quietly below, and a trace of deep thought flashed across her eyes. It is better to rely on her daughter than on her son-in-law.
The atmosphere at the dinner table was lively, and Lin Bilan didn't say a word of bitterness. There was nothing she could do; Bei Bitang was too strong. This had really broadened her horizons, and it also meant that she would understand studying abroad in the future, as her family had students studying abroad.
Naturally, all the topics revolved around Bei Bitang, from studying abroad to all aspects.
Bei Bitang picked out some simple things to say, such as when he would go abroad, how many years he would be abroad, which university he would go to, what he would study, when he would graduate and return home, and how much the funding amount was.
After dinner, Chen Jinlong left alone, but Wei Bili did not leave. She wanted to stay for one night and chat with the sisters Bei Bitang.
In the next few days, Bei Bitang told her good friends about studying in Germany and said goodbye so that others would be busy with other things before leaving.
Feng Guangmei, Kong Baoer, Zhou Jiewen...
There was only one person whom Bei Bitang ignored intentionally or unintentionally.
During the day, she was busy with classes and submitting documents for studying abroad. Every night when it was quiet, Bei Bitang would rest her arms on her feet and keep her eyes open, thinking about what the relationship between her and Gu Wangxi was. It was obvious that they were lovers.
Apart from this relationship, we should be considered friends, right?
If they were friends, why did she tell Feng Guangmei and the others about going abroad without hesitation? But she didn't want to face Gu Wangxi, say goodbye to him, and break off the improper relationship between them.
After drinking a few glasses of wine on an empty stomach, Gu Wangxi's face turned red and his ears felt hot. He felt a little uncomfortable and stuffy. He opened the door while frowning and pulling off his tie with force.
Bei Bitang, who was in the bedroom, heard the noise coming from the entrance, paused, and then returned to normal.
Gu Wangxi looked at the women's shoes on the shoe rack, his face was stunned, then he changed into slippers and walked quickly to the bedroom.
Bei Bitang was bending over to pack her things, carrying a black cloth bag, and putting the gifts one by one from the bedside table into the bag.
The five-layer bedside table was filled with gifts from Gu Wangxi. Bei Bitang had never opened most of them. Only a small part of them was opened and used after Bei Bitang asked Gu Wangxi what they were and thought she could use them.
Most of them were skin care products, hairpins, hair ties, pens, notebooks, two pairs of shoes and a towel.
When you count them all, there are quite a few things. This is the result after Gu Wangxi deliberately stopped giving Bei Bitang gifts.
After giving the ring, Gu Wangxi slowly realized that it was extremely inappropriate to give Bei Bitang a gift after getting out of bed.
He quickly corrected his mistake and stopped giving Bei Bitang gifts unless it was a special holiday.
He wanted to get their relationship back on track, which was Bei Bitang's standard for a normal relationship.
Bei Bitang didn't care if he gave her a gift, and she didn't care if he didn't give her a gift. Gu Wangxi's idea was dashed.
Bei Bitang knew that Gu Wangxi was behind her, watching her quietly.
She felt like a thorn in her side.
The drawer was closed, and before Bei Bitang turned around, Gu Wangxi said in a muffled voice, "Are you leaving?"
Bei Bitang paused and said softly, "Yeah."
"Congratulations, your wish has come true."
Bei Bitang remained silent, as if her throat was blocked.
"Do you want me to take you there?"
"No."
…
"I didn't ask anyone else to deliver it."
"Okay then."
The day Bei Bitang went abroad was a beautiful spring day, and the sky was as blue as water.
Gu Wangxi went out before dawn and went from one dinner party to another until the moon was at its highest point before he returned to his room at the Peace Hotel.
There was a floor lamp left on in the living room, the light was warm. Gu Wangxi was stunned for a long time, as if in a dream.
There was a note and a folded blue handkerchief on the coffee table, weighed down by a teacup.
Gu Wangxi hurriedly stumbled over, picked up the teacup, and held up the note to read it.
On half a sheet of paper was written Bei Bitang's elegant handwriting: "Mr. Gu, I'm leaving. I wanted to say goodbye to you one last time, but I didn't know you weren't here."
Gu Wangxi's hands trembled. Bei Bitang's departure also made him heartbroken.
He frowned painfully, pinched the bridge of his nose, and continued reading.
"But it's okay. I'll write down what I want to say to you, and it's the same thing. You gave me a lot of gifts, most of which I haven't opened. Please deal with the unopened ones and give them to other people. I'm afraid it's not good to give away the other opened ones. My luggage allowance is limited, so I can't take them on the plane. I'll give them to the thrift store."
Finally, Bei Bitang made a rare quip, "I didn't expect the things you gave me were so expensive. I was shocked. I consigned them all and got eight hundred yuan back. I put the money in the top drawer of the hallway cabinet. You can use it to buy coffee for a month. Mr. Gu, Mr. Daozigu who gave me the handkerchief, take good care of yourself. We'll see you again."
Gu Wangxi put his hand down. He didn't know when Bei Bitang recognized him.
Time passed and it was 1983.
The weather is clear and crisp in autumn, and it is time to get off work and school.
With a smile on her face, Miao Xiuxiu held the little boy's hand, took his small schoolbag, and took him home from school.
The little boy had grown taller. He jumped up and down and asked, "Grandma, why is my aunt coming back?"
When talking about Bei Bitang in Europe, Miao Xiuxiu smiled from ear to ear and said, "It will be soon, soon. When the little brat gets a perfect score next time, your aunt will be back."
A black car drove past the road in front of the door.
"Stop the car." Gu Wangxi closed the document and said softly.
The driver, his eyes and ears alert, slowly stopped the car. He glanced in the rearview mirror at his boss's expression and then tactfully shut his mouth, saying nothing and making no move.
Gu Wangxi opened the car door and walked down as if he was instructed by someone.
When the wind blew, the tall plane trees on both sides of the road made a rustling sound as if it was raining.
Gu Wangxi got out of the car, but did not walk towards the entrance of the alley across the street. He leaned against the car door, lowered his head slightly, and looked deep in his mind, not knowing what he was thinking.
There were people picking up their children from school, people riding bicycles home, people carrying coal stoves to clean up, people calling their children to stop playing and go home to do their homework and eat, and the sound of the radio coming from the window.
Gu Wangxi stood there until night fell and the street lights came on.
A young girl in a floral dress, wooden clogs, with loose hair, fair skin, a sweet smile on her lips, and curved eyes came out from the depths of the alley.
She walked to the phone booth, pouted her lips slightly, answered the phone with a hint of pride, and then talked sweetly to her lover.
Like Bei Bitang, these alley girls have similar facial features to local girls, live in the same place, wear exactly the same daily clothes, and their life experiences from childhood to adulthood should overlap to about 80%.
But they are not Bei Bitang.
Gu Wangxi realized this very clearly and turned to walk into the car.
The street lamps cast a dim light onto the road, and the evening breeze blew through the leaves. Then, the pedestrians on the street gradually disappeared, leaving only the shops on both sides with lights on. The clerks yawned, lowered the door panels and closed the shops.
Passing by Bei Bitang's house, Gu Wangxi's mood calmed down for a long time.
That day, he made a special trip home for dinner. Gu Xiangnan was not at home, having gone on an autumn outing to Qingdao with his friends.
After eating the six dishes and one soup carefully prepared by Zhang Ma, the mother and son came to the tea room and were served tea.
Amidst the lingering aroma of tea and sandalwood, Gu Qinghua asked about the company's situation as usual.
Although Gu Qinghua works at a school, she is not completely ignorant of business. Before Gu Wangxi graduated from university, she was in charge of her parents' overseas business.
But she has little interest in doing business. She works in her parents' company just to relieve the worries of her elderly parents. She just takes over on behalf of them and waits for her children to take over in the future.
At the dinner table, he showed concern for his son and asked about business. Gu Qinghua was reluctant to let his son leave, so he talked about a lot of other things.
Her mouth was dry from talking so much. She picked up her teacup, took a sip to moisten her throat, and suddenly said, "By the way, there was another call from overseas today, looking for you."
Gu Wangxi leaned halfway out and asked hurriedly, "Is the call from Germany?"
Gu Qinghua paused while drinking his tea, glanced at his son in surprise, and shook his head, saying, "No, it's from England."
Gu Wangxi leaned back, hugged his head, and sighed deeply.
Gu Qinghua hadn't seen his son at such a loss for a long time. He found it amusing, but also worried. He said, "You're waiting for a call from Germany. Are you having trouble with your business partnership?"
Gu Wangxi pursed his lips and said, "No, I'm planning to buy an imported car. I ran into some trouble going through customs, and I'm communicating with the car company."
Gu Qinghua nodded, pretending to understand and said, "Oh, so that's how it is."
Since her son didn't want to say it, she just believed it.
Gu Qinghua put down his teacup and continued, "It's from London. They say it's your classmate, but I don't know him. If you're willing, please call him back."
Since my mother said she wasn't familiar with him, then this classmate must not have been close to him. Gu Wangxi returned to the Peace Hotel and made a redial international call.
It turned out to be an alumnus of the same university as me and the same major. He was so happy because he proposed to me eight times before I succeeded. He contacted everyone he could and invited them all to attend his wedding in London.
Gu Wangxi thought for a while and decided to take time to fly to the UK to attend the wedding of this classmate.
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