Chapter 95
Tang Jixue touched his nose awkwardly. Not only was he not angry, he even felt that his sister was particularly reasonable.
Su Rong, however, forgot that she was still in pain just now, and said with trembling lips: "Qingqing, you are finally willing to call me mom."
Tang Qingqing was slightly stunned. She had never expected that Su Rong's focus would be here.
After she came back, she never called her parents "Mom and Dad" because she really couldn't bring herself to call them that.
Although she had memories of being together with him in her dreams and had "read" the book, Tang Qingqing still could not empathize with him.
She is Tang Qingqing, not Tang Zhenzhen in the book, so I can't empathize with her many times.
Therefore, Tang Qingqing can live in peace with everyone, but she cannot call Tang Jianguo and Su Rong dad and mom. It is not intentional, but the memories of the past have affected her, making it difficult for her to speak to them.
I just said it casually, but I didn't expect that Su Rong would catch it.
Tang Zhenzhen felt uncomfortable when she saw Su Rong's excited face.
She called them every day, but nothing happened. Tang Qingqing was so interested in him just by calling him once.
She should have planned it more carefully at the beginning, and let the original heroine stay in the countryside forever, instead of being just an adopted daughter no matter how spoiled she is now.
Tang Zhenzhen smiled and said, "Sister, you finally called me mom. You've never called me mom since you came back. Mom and Dad are really sad, but they don't want to force you. Call me a few more times and let's hear it. And dad, you haven't called me yet, right? Call me now."
Tang Qingqing frowned slightly: "Who are you calling?"
Tang Jixue looked at Tang Zhenzhen in confusion: "Why do you say that as if you were teasing a dog?"
Tang Zhenzhen glared at him, "Third brother, why do you say that to me? I just want my sister to have a closer relationship with my parents. We are all family."
Tang Qingqing: "Don't try to get close to me. I can't stand it."
Tang Zhenzhen's eyes suddenly turned red with grievance. She stood up and rushed upstairs.
“Zhenzhen…”
Su Rong looked worried. She wanted to get up and comfort her, but then she remembered that Tang Qingqing was there too. She didn't know what to do for a moment.
Tang Jidong: "I'll go up and see her."
Before leaving, Tang Jidong looked at Tang Qingqing deeply. Tang Qingqing had a calm expression and didn't take it seriously.
She hated pretense the most. If they liked something, they said they liked it, and if they disliked something, they said they disliked it. Especially for people like them who were together day and night, they had to pretend to be friendly even though they obviously disliked each other. Isn't that tiring?
Tang Qingqing knew very well that Tang Zhenzhen disliked her as well, so she took every opportunity to tamper with her and said some sarcastic remarks.
She had no interest in getting involved with her, nor did she want to act like a good person for the sake of other people's eyes. She just wanted to say what she wanted to say directly, instead of wasting the effort to pretend.
The atmosphere in the room was not good to begin with, and it became even worse now.
Su Rong's expression was not very good either, and her original surprise was instantly washed away.
I thought this was an opportunity to ease the relationship between them, but it ended up making things even more tense.
Su Rong: "Qingqing, Zhenzhen..."
"Don't mention her to me. I've said it from the beginning that I don't like her. Don't expect our relationship to improve. If you are not happy to hear this, I can live on campus or leave."
"How can you talk like that, kid!" Tang Jianguo said in a deep voice.
Tang Qingqing stood up and was about to go upstairs.
Tang Jianguo: "The elders are talking to you, what are you doing?"
"Return to Rongshan Brigade."
Su Rong quickly stood up and tried to calm Tang Jianguo down while pulling Tang Qingqing.
"Old Tang, please stop talking. Qingqing, your dad doesn't mean to force you."
Brother Tang also hurt over to Tang Qingqing and said, "Qingqing, this is your home, how can you leave?"
Tang Jixue also said: "Qingqing, you can't just leave like this. You are the only one in this family who supports my career. I can't leave you!"
Tang Qingqing was pulled back and pressed back to her original position.
"I am not being childish or willful, I am just stating the facts. You can pretend nothing happened, but please don't force me."
Tang Qingqing was firm in her attitude, as if to say, "This is what I am doing. If you accept me, I will stay. If you don't, we will go our separate ways." She was not afraid at all.
If it were any other child, Tang Jianguo would have been furious by now, but facing this daughter who had been living away from home for more than a decade, he felt unfamiliar and guilty. Although he was so angry that the veins on his forehead were about to pop out at being disobeyed by her, he still endured it.
He knew very well that his daughter had no feelings for this family. Their disregard for her hurt her. Later, they let off the man who changed her fate and abused her, which further widened the gap between them.
Moreover, Tang Qingqing had made a name for herself in the countryside. Even without them, she could live well there and had no attachment to this home.
It's not that she can't leave this home, but they let her come back.
Tang Jianguo didn't want to continue the topic, and even less did he want to say that he had done something wrong. His eyes turned to Tang Jixue.
"Your mother and I still think you are not doing your job properly. We will not be involved in your affairs from now on. If anything happens to you, don't come to us and cry!"
The words sounded very harsh, but Tang Jixue was very happy because it meant his father had given in!
Although I didn't support it, at least I didn't stop it, which was not easy.
"Mom and Dad, don't worry, I will definitely make something of myself!"
Tang Jianguo sneered: "Just don't cause me any trouble."
Su Rong was still not happy in her heart. She thought that her son was selling socks from door to door in the streets. It was too embarrassing.
"I really don't know what you're after! You don't want to do a good job. You're so smart. If you work harder, you can definitely go to college and have a bright future. If you run this small business now, it will be hard to find a partner in the future."
Although it was still nagging, Tang Jixue did not find it irritating this time and smiled:
"Mom, don't worry. When I make a lot of money, I will find you a beautiful, filial and capable daughter-in-law."
As soon as he finished speaking, he subconsciously looked at Tang Qingqing again.
Tang Qingqing showed no expression, so he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Speaking of her children's marriage, Su Rong felt very worried again.
She looked at Tang Jiquan: "Boss, the daughter of Aunt Wang that Mom told you about before..."
Tang Jiquan didn't expect the topic to jump to his head, and hurriedly said: "Mom, I'm still young now, and my focus is on my career."
"This is not a conflict. If you get married and have children sooner, your mother will have the energy to help you take care of them. Besides, if you have a wife, she can take care of the household affairs. Otherwise, you are so tired after work every day, and you have to go home to wash clothes. I asked you to take them home to wash them, but you refused."
"Mom, I can do these things myself. Even if I marry a wife, I won't let her work for me."
"What are you talking about? Men work outside and women work inside, isn't that the way it is?"
Tang Jiquan rubbed his temples and said, "Mom, I've been working overtime lately and my head hurts a lot. Can you please stop telling me this?"
Su Rong felt depressed, but seeing how haggard he looked, she couldn't bear to say anything more.
"Anyway, you'd better make plans early. If you're late, the good girls will be picked up by others. Mom will keep an eye on you here. If there is a good girl, you must take time to go and see her."
"Mom, don't worry about these things. I have a plan in mind."
"What are you so proud of? You don't know how cunning girls are nowadays. I'm telling you, I have certain requirements for my daughter-in-law. Don't bring any shady girls to me."
Tang Jiquan frowned slightly, clenched his fists, but ultimately remained silent.
Tang Jixue sneaked up to Tang Qingqing and whispered in her ear:
"Looking at the way Big Brother looks, I'm afraid something is wrong."
Tang Qingqing looked at him, and Tang Jixue made a face.
"How did you know that?"
Tang Jixue said proudly: "I have sharp eyes."
"Then why didn't you tell me, brother? If you had told me, you wouldn't be forced into marriage."
"I guess my eldest brother doesn't like the type that my mother likes, so he doesn't dare to mention it."
Tang Qingqing thought about it and found that the book did mention that Brother Tang's marriage was indeed a bit tortuous and that he didn't get married until quite late.
In the original text, the heroine got married earlier than Brother Tang. For this reason, Su Rong often complained to the heroine that Brother Tang was blind. So many girls liked him, but he picked the worst one.
What made Su Rong particularly upset was that there was a very beautiful girl from a wealthy family who liked Brother Tang very much, but he rejected her without hesitation.
Su Rong thought he was simply stupid. He didn't want such a good girl!
Tang Jiquan was the most obedient child in the family and had the best temper, but he did not follow his parents' instructions when it came to marriage.
He would rather not get married than marry the woman he loves.
In the end, there was really no other choice, and with the persuasion of the original heroine, Su Rong and Tang Jianguo finally gave in.
Unexpectedly, Tang Jiquan had already chosen his future sister-in-law so early.
"But hiding it is not an option."
Tang Qingqing remembered that Tang Jiquan didn't get married until he was in his thirties, which was still ten years away.
If my future sister-in-law is the one we are talking about now, it has been delayed for too long.
Tang Jiquan is a man who has never been married. The pressure is already great, and the pressure on women will only be greater.
The two got married at an advanced age and spent a long time trying to have a child, which was a huge pressure for a young couple who wanted to have a child.
"That's true. If it were us, we wouldn't have so many problems. My eldest brother has always been very obedient. If he does something a little out of the ordinary, our parents will be furious. We have always been like this. If we do something a little out of the ordinary, people will be more accepting of it."
Tang Qingqing raised her eyebrows and looked at him.
Tang Jixue sighed, "We are the only ones who are fine today. If it were my eldest and second brothers, the scene, tsk tsk - they would definitely not let it go so easily."
Tang Jixue knew it in his heart. His second brother had resisted before, but was beaten down severely.
Since then, my second brother's personality has changed. Sometimes he seems sinister and it's hard to tell what's going on in his mind.
Unfortunately, no one in the family noticed this, and Su Rong was still very proud of her wise decision, otherwise her second brother would not have become so outstanding.
Although Tang Jianguo didn't say anything, one could sense that he was proud of it.
The second brother Tang is the most educated in the family. He has achieved a lot before graduation. He will definitely have a brighter future.
Tang Jixue has been a disobedient child since he was young, and his parents can tolerate him much more.
If the eldest and second brothers dared to quit their jobs like him, oh my, the scene would be unimaginable.
Tang Jixue said earnestly, "Sister, you should stay as rebellious as you are now. Don't change."
Tang Qingqing laughed: "Okay."
"Don't bother with Zhenzhen. She's not a very kind person. She's nothing like you."
Tang Qingqing squinted at him and said, "You said this about her in front of me, but you won't say that I'm rude and unreasonable in front of her, right?"
Tang Jixue glared: "How could I be such a two-faced person!"
At dinner time in the evening, Tang Zhenzhen went downstairs again.
The dinner was very sumptuous. Su Rong put a lot of effort into celebrating Tang Qingqing, with both meat and fish. Some families couldn't even eat such good food during the Chinese New Year.
Everyone at the table acted as if the dispute had never happened, and the atmosphere was harmonious as usual.
Tang Qingqing went upstairs to review all the classes she would take tomorrow, then studied some psychology for a while before finally starting to identify footprints.
Once she starts to identify, she will easily lose track of time and her mind will keep replaying that scene, so it is more appropriate to put it at the end.
————
National Day is approaching, and the atmosphere in the art troupe is becoming more and more tense. Everyone is actively preparing for the performance, striving to show their best to the audience when they go on stage.
Tang Zhenzhen felt irritated every day when she thought about going to the art troupe. The high-intensity training every day made her exhausted.
"This teacher Wang is clearly targeting me on purpose!"
Tang Zhenzhen couldn't help complaining during her break. Her movements were so perfect, but she was still criticized.
Don't think she can't see it. The seconded teacher Wang is not satisfied with her. She prefers Li Xinyue, who plays the B role, to be the lead dancer.
Yang Sihui: "She is also doing this for the show effect. Just bear with it for a while, the reunion will begin. I heard that many big shots are coming this time, so she is quite nervous."
Although Tang Zhenzhen was unhappy, she also knew the importance of this performance.
As long as she can get through it and get to know the hero, she won't have to dance anymore.
She would definitely not be as hypocritical as the heroine when she gave up dancing.
Yang Sihui looked at Tang Zhenzhen with a hesitant expression.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
Yang Sihui pursed her lips: "Is what everyone is saying true?"
"What is true or not? You are talking nonsense."
Yang Sihui looked timid and lowered her voice, "Xie Shasha said she saw your third brother carrying a bag of socks and selling them to everyone he met... He smiled very flatteringly at those aunts and uncles... That shouldn't be the case, right? Didn't you say that Third Brother Tang was going to do big business? How, how could he sell socks? I think she saw the wrong person, right?"
Tang Zhenzhen's face suddenly darkened and her ears began to turn red.
It's shameful, so shameful!
Tang Zhenzhen held the leg press bar tightly in her hands. No wonder she felt that everyone looked at her strangely today. It turned out to be because of this incident!
This was the first time she lost such a big person since she became Tang Zhenzhen.
The son of a provincial machinery factory director actually started selling socks, not just a small shop! This is something that only a fool would do.
He is not a poor guy with no capital, but he actually follows those poor guys and starts with such a small business. He deserves a beating!
It’s all Tang Qingqing’s fault. If it weren’t for her, Brother Tang San wouldn’t have eaten this magic potion.
He will be a big boss with hundreds of millions of assets in the future, and now he is just a sock seller?
It will be embarrassing to talk about it in the future, as you will be classified as a nouveau riche, and will have nothing to do with the real wealthy family.
“Zhenzhen…”
Tang Zhenzhen was awakened to her senses by this voice. She really wanted to say that they were mistaken, but now that Tang Jixue had confessed, there would be no taboos when walking around the streets in the future. It would be even more embarrassing if she was discovered by others.
"It is indeed him. He is investigating."
"survey?"
"If you don't do research beforehand, how do you know what will sell well? My third brother does it himself, is there a problem?"
Yang Sihui smiled and shook her head: "No, no, Brother Tang San is very serious and responsible."
Tang Zhenzhen didn't want to dwell on this topic for too long and quickly skipped over it.
For the next few days, Tang Zhenzhen felt that people were looking at her and talking about her behind her back. In the past, she always boasted about how great and capable her three brothers were. When the third brother Tang failed the college entrance examination, it was said that he did not want to take it and gave up on his own initiative because he wanted to do big business.
Now, he is just a sock seller! How unrefined!
Tang Zhenzhen hated Tang Qingqing even more in her heart. If he hadn't given Third Brother Tang the drug, Third Brother Tang wouldn't have done such an outrageous thing!
Originally, Tang Jixue was planning to go south, but Tang Zhenzhen was fully prepared this time and would definitely be able to help him leave.
As a result, when Tang Qingqing arrived, Tang Jixue no longer had this plan and actually went to sell socks himself.
You can only earn a few cents from a pair of socks. It's really like throwing away the watermelon to pick up sesame seeds.
Such a big business tycoon actually wasted his time on such petty profits. Tang Zhenzhen didn't know what to say.
This is all Tang Qingqing's fault, what a troublemaker!
Tang Zhenzhen wanted to pretend that this incident didn't happen, but someone just wouldn't let her go.
The next day, someone actually showed off to her: "Zhenzhen, my mother bought a lot of socks from your third brother. He said that it is cheaper to buy thick socks now than when it gets colder."
"Tang Zhenzhen, we are so familiar with each other, you can ask your third brother to give us a discount. By the way, can he wear long stockings?"
Tang Zhenzhen's face turned green and she could hardly maintain her expression.
As she left, she could clearly hear laughter behind her.
Not only that, the news had spread beyond the machinery factory, and Tang Jixue was now selling socks on the streets!
Many people were surprised after knowing this, thinking that Tang Jixue had gone crazy to do such a shameful thing.
Why can't he do something else?
Some people even secretly wondered if Tang Jixue had fallen out with his family and had no choice but to rely on selling socks for a living.
Not only was Tang Jixue not affected by these remarks, but he also expanded the "battlefield" to the machinery factory.
I openly told those gossipers, "There's a discount if you buy socks from me. Don't miss it if you pass by. There are only 100 pairs available and the discount is 20%. The price will go up after they are sold out!"
Those aunties and grandmas who originally wanted to chat together could no longer sit still when they heard about the discount.
Although I can’t wear such thick socks now, it won’t be long before the wind starts to blow in and the temperature drops, and then I’ll need them!
Socks are consumables. Not only do they easily tear if worn too much, but they also become less warm the more you wash them.
The machinery factories have good profits. Many families do not just replace their machines three years old and three years new, then patch them up and replace them for another three years. They replace them quite frequently.
When I heard there was a discount and asked about the price, I didn't have time to chat and hurried home to get the money.
You don’t need cloth coupons and it’s cheap, so you’ll lose out if you don’t buy them!
I buy things at a high price while others buy things at a low price. I can be angry for days just thinking about it.
Must buy, buy, buy!
As a result, Tang Jixue also sold a lot of socks in the machinery factory, and some people even came to Tang Jixue to buy socks.
Tang Jixue's socks were indeed no longer sold at the 20% discount, but considering that they were all employees of the machinery factory or their children, he still gave them a 10% discount.
Nowadays, when people talk about Tang Jixue, they no longer mention Tang San or Tang Lao San, but call him the sock seller of the Tang family!
The people in the art troupe no longer grumbled behind her back like they did at the beginning. Some people directly asked Tang Zhenzhen, "Tang Zhenzhen, why didn't your brother who sells socks come to pick you up?"
When Tang Zhenzhen heard this title, she was so angry that she was about to explode. She couldn't bear it any longer and went to find Tang Jixue.
"Third brother, how long are you going to sell your socks?"
"If there is a market, just keep selling. Why are you asking this?"
"When you sell socks, I get laughed at! Now people call me the sister who sells socks. Many people ask me if I'm upset and why I sell socks!"
Tang Jixue was unhappy: "I'm just selling socks. There are many people doing small business outside now. What's so weird about it?"
"You're just being surprised! Now I'm known as the socks-selling sister, and even the mention of me smells like stinky socks! No, you can't sell socks anymore!"
Tang Jixue's face darkened: "We have already discussed this issue. I don't want to repeat it again. I will not give up!"
His business is now gradually developing. Although he is a mobile stall, he has built up a good reputation and many people like to buy socks from him.
Although the goods Tang Jixue imported were all slow-moving items, they were carefully selected and their quality was guaranteed.
Everyone is not rich now, and everyone wants to buy the best things with the least money.
Knowing that his goods are good, everyone likes to buy from him.
"You, how could you do this! Can't you think about us? Do you know how much we have lost because of you?" Tang Zhenzhen was so angry that she ran upstairs while crying.
Tang Jixue also got angry after hearing this, and did not go upstairs to comfort her like he did before, "I am like this anyway!"
Tang Qingqing heard his roar even upstairs. She picked up the teacup and went downstairs to pour some water.
When Tang Jixue saw her, he couldn't help but pull her aside to complain.
"You can say that about others, but how can she be so narrow-minded? She was the only one who supported me to go south to do business. Now that I am doing business, why is she unhappy?"
Tang Qingqing did not comment on this. She was indeed dissatisfied with Tang Zhenzhen, but she did not bother to say anything about her behind her back.
"Have you been affected by this kind of talk?"
"How is that possible!"
"Then there's no need to worry about it. Even among family members, we can't understand each other unconditionally."
Tang Jixue was depressed: "I really don't know what's going on in some people's minds."
He actually doesn't care what people say about him now. When he sees the money in his pocket, all he feels is happiness.
But when he saw those who were barely able to make ends meet but were still trying to save face and suffer, he felt annoyed.
"Just tell me, I gave him such a good opportunity, but he would rather live a hard life than do it."
Tang Qingqing didn't know who Tang Jixue was talking about, so she consoled him, "You've done what you should do, and you've been a good friend."
"I know that, but I just feel unhappy."
Tang Qingqing didn't say anything else, just patted him on the shoulder.
Nowadays, everyone looks down on self-employed individuals. Even Tang Zhenzhen, who knows her future development, thinks selling socks is shameful. It is even more difficult for those who are influenced by the past ideas to accept such changes.
Most of the people Tang Jixue knew outside were children of working people, so it was normal for them to be unable to break free from the constraints of their thinking.
But by doing so, you will miss this opportunity and watch the gap between yourself and some people widen.
Tang Jixue was not the kind of person who would indulge in negative emotions, and he soon happily shared the fruits of his recent labor with Tang Qingqing.
"Sister, do you know how much money I made in the last few days? Not counting the money before that!"
Tang Qingqing thought for a moment: "One hundred yuan?"
Tang Jixue shook his head, "Be brave!"
"Two hundred?"
"Be braver!"
"It can't be sold for 300 yuan, right? It's not even been a month yet."
"Hahahaha, in eighteen days, I earned a total of five hundred yuan!"
Tang Qingqing was surprised, "Why are there so many? Are you selling socks? Are you selling gold?"
"Hahaha, you didn't expect that! I didn't expect that I could earn so much from this pair of socks. Only the stockings are a little more expensive, and those hair ties and flowers are even less valuable. In the end, I lost so much. When I settled the bill, I was shocked!"
Tang Qingqing gave him a thumbs up: "Third brother, you are so capable!"
"Not bad, hahahaha, I also think I'm pretty awesome."
Now that he has made money, Tang Jixue doesn't care what others say. There is nothing more real these days than having money in your pocket!
"Keep it up! This is a great start."
"I plan to go back and get some towels and other things to sell. Some textile factories are having a hard time and have a lot of inventory. I plan to take the bus to sell farther away later. In our area, it may not be so easy to sell in a while."
Tang Jixue was ambitious and full of vision for the future, so he began to plan in his heart.
It is impossible for him to keep going from door to door selling socks. His ability is limited. It is a credit to him that he can earn so much money and get commission.
Although his commission is very low, it cannot stand the large volume.
Moreover, the more people he has under him and the more goods he imports, the more confident he will be in negotiating prices with factories and he will have more choices.
Tang Qingqing actually didn't have any business advice to give. She could only encourage him and supervise him to avoid going astray. As for the rest, Tang Jixue could exchange experiences with Wang Heizi, learn from each other, and make progress together.
The two began to communicate with each other after they met.
The letters Wang Heizi sent to Tang Qingqing were often stuffed with letters from other people, and each letter was overweight.
The letters included not only those from Wang Heizi to Tang Jixue, but also those from others to Tang Qingqing, such as the master, Tang Xingsheng, Tang Xingqiang and Tang Qiaoqiao.
Although Tang Qingqing left the Rongshan Brigade, she never forgot these people.
Especially for the master, if she saw something good that was suitable for him, she would buy it and send it back when she had enough.
He would also exchange experiences in footprint identification with his master in the letter, and after Old Liu came out of retirement, he also gained more experience.
Things are gradually getting back on track at school, and Tang Qingqing is able to handle both her studies and interpersonal relationships.
Although Tang Qingqing obviously felt that someone disliked her, no one jumped out to cause trouble for her. At most, they just said a few sarcastic words.
Tang Qingqing came to school early that day and started her morning reading in the open space as usual.
She always comes very early and enters the classroom five minutes before class starts.
When she entered the classroom today, she didn't see her deskmate Tang Xiaoxiao, and she was very surprised.
Tang Xiaoxiao arrives at school on time every day, ten minutes early. Every time she comes back from morning reading, I see her waving at me with a particularly bright smile.
But today, the place is empty.
Tang Qingqing thought she might have overslept today, but when the morning reading class ended and Tang Xiaoxiao hadn't come to school yet, she knew something must have happened.
I don't know if it's sick leave or something going on at home.
Tang Xiaoxiao is Tang Qingqing's best friend at school, so she went to ask her class teacher about the situation.
Zhao Guangming, the head teacher, said, "Oh, it's Tang Xiaoxiao. Her mother came to ask for leaving this morning, saying that she has a cold and will come back to school in a few days."
"Is that so? Then I'll go see her after school and give her my notes. Thank you, teacher."
"etc!"
Tang Qingqing was about to leave when Zhao Guangming stopped her.
"Teacher, what else do you need?"
"Her mother came over today and said she was feeling very unwell and didn't want to be disturbed."
Tang Qingqing became even more worried when she heard this. "Is it so serious?"
"It shouldn't be a big deal, just need some rest."
Although Tang Qingqing was worried, since the other party said so, she did not go to visit.
Unexpectedly, Tang Xiaoxiao didn't come to school for three days after taking leave.
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