Chapter 144 Old face, once lost, so be it...
This year's Spring Festival was not much different from previous years.
After the New Year's Eve dinner, the Fu family skipped the fireworks display and sat around the television to watch the Chinese New Year Gala attentively.
The Spring Festival Gala started last year, but the whole family chose to go on vacation and missed the first one. After they returned from their trip, the neighbors talked about it for almost half a year, but Mrs. Fu couldn't get a word in edgewise.
She was holding a grudge, and even put on her rarely worn reading glasses, paying closer attention than if she were watching the news.
For people at this time, such a gala was indeed a rare treat.
Whether the songs are good or not, the dances are good or not, or the crosstalk is funny or not, put all that aside, the scene of singing and dancing in peace and joy is enough to excite people.
Mr. and Mrs. Fu, who had personally witnessed the changes of the times, were especially moved to tears.
In their view, this is a time of peace and prosperity.
As the party ended, Tang Mingli noticed that her grandfather got up to leave with red eyes. The other elders were equally unyielding, and none of them remained calm.
After watching the Spring Festival Gala, only Fu Ci and Tang Mingli in the family were still energetic.
The elders, unable to bear it any longer, went back to their rooms to sleep one after another. The two young people stood by the window for a while to watch the fireworks outside, and then went upstairs as well.
Lying in bed, unable to sleep, the two sat close together and started talking about the Spring Festival Gala they had just watched.
Tang Mingli: "Grandpa seems to be crying."
“I noticed that too.” Fu Ci instinctively hugged his wife tighter. “I understand how Grandpa feels.”
Having experienced the near collapse of the nation and witnessed the country's recovery from fragmentation, he thought that no generation could have felt this more deeply than his grandfather's generation.
"I understand."
Tang Mingli truly understood, but her understanding was different from Fu Ci's.
She had a perspective that estimated people would be here ten years from now, and she had seen what people's values would be decades from now.
No criticism, no praise, just differences.
As they chatted, someone started the conversation, and the two of them began to summarize their past year.
For Fu Ci, the past year has been busy and fruitful. While satisfied, there are also some regrets.
As for what the regret is, it doesn't need to be said; both of them understand.
Overall, however, its merits outweigh its flaws.
Tang Mingli's past year can be summed up in a few words.
But who can say that happiness isn't repetitive?
Tang Mingli sighed contentedly, "I've lived another year peacefully, that's wonderful."
Fu Ci knew his wife's words were a happy sentiment, but they also sounded a bit strange, as if living another year peacefully was such a precious thing.
But on second thought, there's nothing wrong with saying that.
Who can guarantee that the future will go exactly as planned? His wife's words also reflect her appreciation for the present.
Thinking about the future, Fu Ci couldn't help but think that he would inevitably be even busier.
I went home very few times last year, and this year it will only be more so.
If things continue like this, we may repeat the regrets of the past year.
He knew in his heart that his busy schedule couldn't be changed in a short time, and he didn't want to ask his wife to hold him accountable, so even though he felt bad, he could only accept the status quo.
"I'll definitely spend more time with you when I'm less busy."
This sounds like empty promises, but Tang Mingli knows that Fu Ci is not one to make empty promises.
This was Xu Qi's request, so she happily agreed.
"Okay, when you're not busy, come with me for a walk around."
Where do you want to go?
"There are so many." Tang Mingli immediately listed several places she had wanted to visit in her past life.
Fu Ci made a note of it and nodded with a smile: "I will definitely go with you."
Once his career stabilizes, he'll have more time for himself and can spend more time with her.
But when will things stabilize? Fu Ci himself couldn't say for sure.
This made him sigh.
Tang Mingli was yawning when he suddenly interrupted her with a sigh.
Anyone who has ever yawned knows how uncomfortable it is to have a yawn interrupted.
Tang Mingli asked him, "Why did you suddenly sigh?"
Fu Ci honestly said, "Thinking about how busy I've been these past two years, I haven't spent enough time with you. I don't know when I'll have time to spend with you again."
"So that's what it is," Tang Mingli comforted him, "It will definitely be soon. We'll definitely be able to spend more time together soon."
She has decided to go to Shenzhen this year to be with him.
The days of living apart are temporarily over; from now on, we'll see each other every day.
The thought of being able to see Fu Ci every day made Tang Mingli quite happy.
I used to hear people say that time is terrible, that it can change a person without them even realizing it.
After several years of marriage, her attitude towards quitting her job has indeed changed a lot.
Who would have thought that someone who has died once could still fall in love?
All I can say is that Fu Ci is such a perfect lover.
Putting aside his family background and his own favorable circumstances, his emotional stability and patience far surpass those of most men in the world.
Eight years.
How many men can treat their wives the same way for eight years?
Thinking of this, Tang Mingli couldn't help but hug him tightly.
She is lucky in her life.
Fu Ci thought she was sleepy.
It was indeed getting late, so I gently patted her shoulder and whispered, "It's getting late, go to sleep."
"Um."
Tang Mingli was also tired; her eyes were sore.
-
In the blink of an eye, another year has passed.
Fu Ci was preparing to go to Shenzhen again, and Tang Mingli finally told her family about her thoughts the day before he was about to leave for Shenzhen.
When Fu Ci heard that she was going to Shenzhen to be with him, he was naturally happy, but when he thought about the harsh conditions there and the dull factory life, he couldn't bear to see her suffer like that.
Putting everything else aside, just considering the surrounding environment, the compound opens onto a park, and it's only a ten-minute walk from both the hospital and the commercial area. The factory, on the other hand, is located in an industrial zone, and outside the factory gates are dusty, muddy roads. The area is surrounded by factories, making it inconvenient to buy anything.
Besides, the industrial area is a mixed bag, and he certainly wouldn't feel comfortable letting her leave the factory alone. But he's so busy with work; if she went with him, she'd be trapped in that few hundred square meter factory like she was in prison.
After weighing the options, I still couldn't bear to give up.
He held his wife's hand and said softly, "People are usually quite busy after the New Year. Let's talk about it after I'm done with my work."
Tang Mingli was surprised to hear this and looked over in disbelief.
The person he longed for offered to come and keep him company, but he refused.
If I didn't trust his character, I would have suspected that he was doing something in Shenzhen that he wasn't letting me know.
Fortunately, he then explained the reason.
"After returning to the factory tomorrow, I won't stay for more than a few days before going on a business trip to other places. I have several business trips planned for the next two months, so the time I spend at the factory and the time I spend away from home will probably be about 50/50."
"Oh, okay. Then let's talk about it after you're done with this phase."
Although it was somewhat unsettling, Tang Mingli couldn't deceive herself; after learning of this outcome, she breathed a small sigh of relief.
Like many others, she prefers comfort and dislikes change, especially a comfortable lifestyle.
At the same time, Madam Fu and her mother also secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Their feelings were conflicted; they didn't want their son and daughter-in-law to live apart, but they also couldn't bear to see their daughter-in-law leave.
If Mingli leaves too, the four of them will be left alone in the house. It will be so quiet and lonely. I don't know if they will be able to get used to it.
Madam Fu, who had been secretly relieved, finally spoke up: "That's good too, the weather will warm up a lot in a while."
Mrs. Fu quickly nodded in agreement: "Yes, it's better to move when the weather is warmer. What if we get sick from exhaustion in this cold weather?"
Tang Mingli was amused by the two lovely elders.
When the weather gets warmer, there will be more rain.
There are always times when things are convenient.
There are always times when things are inconvenient.
She understood that her grandmother and mother-in-law were reluctant to part with her, so she didn't argue.
However, Fu Ci's work will likely be centered in Shenzhen for the next few decades. Does that mean his family will have to be separated forever?
The thought of this happening made Tang Mingli feel distressed.
I wasn't just thinking about their family, but also about the millions of people who left their hometowns to work elsewhere.
The history of China's economic take-off is also a history of blood and tears, in which a generation was torn apart from their families.
-
After resigning and returning to Shenzhen, Tang Mingli's life returned to normal.
calm?
When the word popped into her mind, Tang Mingli was slightly stunned.
When did she begin to feel so strongly that these days were too peaceful?
Is it because Fu Ci has become increasingly busy?
Or after seeing the huge changes that Tang Mingmei underwent in just one year?
Or perhaps we'll see Zheng Hao go from a clothing store salesperson to becoming Boss Zheng?
In the great tide of the times, more and more people around me are changing with the tide.
However, her own turmoil was about to begin.
That day, she and Madam Fu went to their calligraphy class as usual.
Professor Chen, who never wastes a single second of class time, spoke a lot of things that had nothing to do with the lesson when he arrived today.
The Guangcheng Calligraphy Association is about to organize a calligraphy competition, and Mr. Chen encourages his students to participate.
"Although this is a calligraphy competition organized by the association and not a national-level competition, the organizers and judges are all well-known figures in the calligraphy world. If we can gain their approval, it will be a huge encouragement to the students."
However, the students didn't seem very enthusiastic.
"Teacher, I've only been practicing calligraphy for a year, I don't have the ability to participate in competitions."
"I'm not confident either. What if I'm not praised by the judges, but instead criticized?"
...
Before even participating, several classmates gave a bunch of reasons for backing out, leaving Mr. Chen feeling extremely helpless.
"Is there anyone among you willing to sign up?"
No one raised their hand.
I'm so disappointed in you!
Since that's the case, he has no choice but to call out names.
With a determined effort, Old Chen selected a few students he considered to have potential, including Tang Mingli and Madam Fu.
Tang Mingli is fine; she doesn't feel any pressure participating in this kind of calligraphy competition.
But Madam Fu was different.
The only competition I ever participated in was when I was in school, decades ago.
Is she capable?
At this age, what if you get nervous and can't even hold a pen properly? Wouldn't that be embarrassing?
Tang Mingli noticed her hesitation and encouraged her, "If your teacher thinks you can do it, then give it a try. Let's try it together."
Hearing Tang Mingli suggest giving it a try, Madam Fu felt less anxious.
Yes, and his granddaughter-in-law was with them too.
Let's give it a try.
Anyway, I'm old and shameless, so what if I lose face?
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