Fu Linchuan set out the bowls and chopsticks. "I figured you'd be busy late, so I bought the groceries in advance. Go wash your hands. It's just the two of us today, let's have a good drink."
Zhang Xianglong took off his clothes to wash his hands and asked, "Where's Xiangdong? Why hasn't he come back yet?"
Fu Linchuan untied his apron and hung it up, then went to get a wine glass. "He still has work to do and said he'll stay at the factory tonight and won't be coming back."
Zhang Xianglong sat down and said, "Da Chuan, this looks and smells delicious. It's been a while since I've had your cooking. I've been craving it."
Fu Linchuan placed a piece of braised pork in Zhang Xianglong's bowl.
"Here, have a taste." Fu Linchuan said with a smile, "I haven't cooked for quite a while, let's see if it still tastes the same."
Zhang Xianglong picked up the piece and put it in his mouth, praising it repeatedly, "That's right, it still tastes the same. I have to say you're amazing, you can do anything, and you even cook better than others."
Fu Linchuan picked up his wine glass. "Come on, let's have a drink, you two brothers."
The strong, pungent liquid goes down the throat and into the stomach.
Then I could even taste the aroma of wine and a hint of sweetness in my mouth.
"Wow, this liquor is strong. What's its alcohol content?"
Fu Linchuan said, "It's alright, 52 degrees, that's strong enough."
The two ate, drank, and chatted.
After drinking, Zhang Xianglong became more talkative.
Fu Linchuan doesn't usually drink much, but since his rebirth, he has told himself to stay sober.
I haven't drunk alcohol in a long time, so I get a little dizzy after just a little bit. Luckily, this wine is pretty good, and I didn't feel any headache or discomfort.
“Da Chuan, tell me, Xiang Dong and I are really thanks to you. Look at us now, we don’t have to worry about whether we can still do carpentry work or make money.” Zhang Xianglong raised his wine glass. “We never dared to dream of this kind of life before.”
Fu Linchuan's wine glass clinked against Zhang Xianglong's, producing a crisp sound.
He took a sip and said, "Yes, life is much better now."
"Speaking of which, I have to thank you a lot. Back when we were in the commune, you would always call on me when there was work to do. Otherwise, given my family's situation, I don't know how we would have fared."
Zhang Xianglong waved his hand, "We're brothers, it's all only right. Besides, I only call you jobs because you're skilled. The jobs I call you are nothing. The real favor is that you brought me and Xiangdong out of here."
As he spoke, he gave Fu Linchuan a thumbs up.
Fu Linchuan grasped his hand. "Who said it's insignificant?"
“Those were such difficult and painful times. Xianglong, cause and effect are cyclical; what you sow, you reap. Just like you and your sister-in-law.”
When Sun Cuie was suddenly mentioned, Zhang Xianglong's fingers stiffened for a moment.
Fu Linchuan seemed oblivious.
"Speaking of my sister-in-law, she's truly a wonderful woman. Come to think of it, have you two been married for nine or ten years?"
Zhang Xianglong poured himself a glass of wine and drank it all in one gulp. "It's been almost ten years. Time flies."
"Yes, that's fast," Fu Linchuan said. "Ten years have passed. Your wife went through a lot of hardship with you at the beginning. She gave birth to your son and daughter, and she's been taking care of the children all along. Back when things were so tough, when you brought money home, she wouldn't eat a single bite herself; she saved it all for you and the children."
"Back then, when you brought your paralyzed mother to our home, it was my sister-in-law who stayed there the whole time, taking care of her, cleaning up after her, and working tirelessly without complaint. Although fate was unkind and my aunt didn't make it, we men have to say that my sister-in-law was truly amazing. My aunt passed away peacefully, all thanks to my sister-in-law."
"Now, I've brought you and Xiangdong to Kyoto, while your wife and children have all stayed in Xuancheng. To be honest, Xianglong, the reason we're able to do this job and earn some money is because we have such a capable wife behind us, isn't it?"
“My sister-in-law is in Xuancheng, taking care of the family and the children. She manages all the big and small things at home, and she’s no less busy than we are.”
"When the kids start their winter break in a few days, come over and I'll treat you all to a meal so we can have a good get-together."
As Zhang Xianglong listened to Fu Linchuan's words, he suddenly didn't know what to say.
Sun Cuie's face kept flashing before his eyes.
"Okay, Da Chuan, when they arrive in a few days, let's have a good get-together."
As Zhang Xianglong spoke, he was about to pour wine for Fu Linchuan, but Fu Linchuan stopped him, saying, "My alcohol tolerance is really not good, not as good as yours. Right now, when I look at you, I see only double images."
Zhang Xianglong laughed and said, "I'm happy today. You don't usually drink."
“That’s right. I don’t usually drink, but I drank this much today and felt like I’d had too much. I couldn’t let Chunmai worry about me,” Fu Linchuan said.
Zhang Xianglong exclaimed, "You and Chunmai have such a good relationship, really good, really really good."
Fu Linchuan said, "Xianglong, as I always say, I firmly believe that those who love their wives will prosper. Our wives are our good fortune, don't doubt it."
Feng shui?
Zhang Xianglong took a bite of food. "Da Chuan, I can't argue with what you're saying. But to be honest, it's tough working out here. Sometimes it's really tiring. Don't you want to find a place to relax and unwind?"
"Relax? I feel relaxed when I see Chunmai and my two daughters," Fu Linchuan said. "You'll understand when your sister-in-law and the children arrive."
"It's my fault, really, for letting you two live apart for so long."
Zhang Xianglong said, "This is not your fault. You are the one who gave us our good life. It's heartless of you to say such a thing."
Fu Linchuan stopped drinking, took a large steamed bun, and ate it along with some vegetables.
After eating and drinking his fill, Fu Linchuan lay down on the bed. "Xianglong, let's not tidy up. I'm really dizzy. I'm going to lie down for a bit."
Zhang Xianglong had a high alcohol tolerance, and he stared blankly at Fu Linchuan, who had fallen asleep as soon as he lay down on the bed.
His face was flushed from the smell of alcohol.
He stood there for a long time, feeling very flustered.
He always felt that Fu Linchuan knew something.
Thinking of what Fu Linchuan had just said, Zhang Xianglong slumped to the edge of the bed and covered his head with his hand.
He knew that his wife, Sun Cuie, was a good woman.
He often felt guilty.
He really couldn't control himself.
Zhang Xianglong rubbed his head, then pulled a blanket over Fu Linchuan.
Then he picked up a mirror and stared blankly at the person in it, finding that he hadn't changed, yet it seemed as if he had.
He slapped himself hard across the face, trying to bring himself back to his senses.
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