Chapter 145, 1984 - Owning a car of one's own...
Tang Mingli is the kind of person who, once she decides to do something, will definitely go all out.
Since she decided to participate in the calligraphy competition, she practiced much harder than usual.
However, she maintained a calm mindset, knowing that something like calligraphy couldn't be mastered through short-term hard work. But practicing was better than not practicing at all; even small improvements were acceptable. Regardless of success, the most important thing was to have the right attitude.
The competition is in mid-May, which is about two months away.
Perhaps after the competition is over and Fu Ci has finished her work, she will also have to leave Guangcheng.
She has been practicing hard during this period, striving for a good performance in the competition, which can be considered a perfect ending to her life in Guangcheng this year.
With a focus in life, the pace of the days suddenly seems to quicken.
Before we knew it, it was already April.
There was nothing special about this month until one day, Fu Ci called home and told them something.
The whole family was stunned and remained silent for a long time after hanging up the phone.
You look at me, I look at you, and we both see confusion in each other's eyes.
Finally, Tang Mingli broke the silence first, slowly asking, "Did you hear what Fu Ci said on the phone just now?"
She wondered if she had misheard, or if Fu Ci was joking.
Madam Fu replied blankly, "He seemed to have said he was planning to buy a car."
As she spoke, she worried that she had misheard, so she looked at her daughter-in-law and asked, "You heard it too, right?"
Fu's mother nodded, then asked the others with a blank look, "He can't be joking, can he?"
Based on Fu Ci's tone on the phone and his usual manners, Grandpa Fu concluded: "Fu Ci is not the kind of person who would joke about something like this."
That means I really need to buy a car.
The women still found it unbelievable.
Madam Fu even asked, "Can individuals and companies now apply to buy cars?"
These words were spoken to Fu's mother, who had been retired for so long that she no longer knew anything about the outside world.
But Fu's mother didn't know either; her workplace didn't handle these kinds of things.
Tang Mingli corrected Madam Fu: "It wasn't a company; it was purchased by him personally."
"Oh, right, right, he bought it himself." Old Madam Fu quickly corrected herself, finding it even more unbelievable. "Living so long really does make you see everything. But how much does a car cost? Does Fu Ci have enough?"
This statement inadvertently hit the nail on the head. Nobody knows how much a car costs; they only know it must be very expensive.
After thinking it over, Grandpa Fu made a decision.
"Since he wants to buy it, we shouldn't object. If he doesn't have enough money, we'll support him."
The pension is pretty good; I've managed to save some money over the years.
Madam Fu nodded, agreeing wholeheartedly with her husband: "Of course we should support him."
They even came up with a reason for Fu Ci's decision: "It must be for work purposes, otherwise Fu wouldn't be thinking about buying a car."
Fu's mother agreed with her mother-in-law's guess, saying, "It should be. Fu Ci isn't the kind of person who indulges in extravagance. He wouldn't do all this unless it was absolutely necessary."
As for her son's character, Mrs. Fu was confident in his integrity.
Tang Mingli suddenly remembered that she had once lamented to Fu Ci that it would be great if she could have her own car, and she touched her nose guiltily.
Fu Ci probably didn't buy the car because he kept remembering his casual remark.
Of course, she doesn't see buying a car as pursuing extravagance. In her view, a family car is quite necessary; she just still thinks that only government employees can buy cars.
I never imagined that individuals are now allowed to buy cars; the changes are truly remarkable.
The reform and opening up has only been going on for a few years, and it is no exaggeration to describe it as changing rapidly.
but……
Regardless of how big or small the changes are, the fact is that their family is about to have a family car, which will make getting around so much more convenient!
The belated joy that overwhelmed Tang Mingli almost drowned her.
Actually, she can drive. She got her driver's license in her second year of work in her previous life, but she just couldn't afford a car.
Once she resigns and buys the car, she can start driving it right away.
I can't wait!
But shouldn't she get a driver's license first?
I'll go to the vehicle management office to find out more when I have time, and I'll get my driver's license as soon as the competition is over.
But if that's the case, wouldn't it mean we have to postpone our trip to Shenzhen?
This put Tang Mingli in a somewhat complicated and conflicted state.
Let's wait and think it over first.
A contradiction, a hesitation, a wait—more than half a month passed.
I've already paid for the car from Fu Ci's side, and I'm just waiting to pick it up in a month.
Tang Mingli thought about how long she would have to wait to pick up the car, and decided it would be better to wait until after the calligraphy competition. After all, the competition was only a few days away, so she might as well focus on preparing for it during those days.
Things have priorities; you can't rush things on both fronts and end up with nothing.
With that in mind, she decided to put off taking the driving test for the time being.
Soon, the day of the competition arrived.
Tang Mingli and Madam Fu arrived at the competition venue early.
There were quite a few people attending. The large auditorium was set up with dozens of tables and chairs, and each table was prepared with paper and pens for writing.
Even after entering the competition venue, no one knows what the competition is about.
It wasn't until the competition started that the association president announced on-site what the participants would be required to write.
It turned out to be "The Song of Everlasting Regret".
When talking about the longest ancient Chinese poem, the "Song of Everlasting Regret" is always the first thing that comes to mind.
My hand must be tired after writing these 800-plus words.
Fortunately, Tang Mingli and Madam Fu practiced diligently during this period. If they had maintained the same attitude as before when they were just taking an interest class, they might have run out of strength after writing a few dozen characters and their writing would have been crooked and messy.
But writing over 800 words in one go, who can guarantee that it will be just as good from beginning to end?
Tang Mingli believed she had done her best, but as she wrote, it was obvious that her handwriting was becoming weak.
So after the competition, she understood that she definitely couldn't win any prizes.
However, Grandma's writing seems quite good, and she thinks it's worth looking forward to.
But I only thought it to myself, not wanting to say it out loud and raise my grandmother's expectations too high.
After all, this is just her opinion; the actual outcome depends on the judges.
What if the judges' likes and dislikes differ from yours? And what if you said you would win, but didn't in the end? Wouldn't your mood fluctuate wildly?
It's better to maintain a calm attitude and consider winning an award as an unexpected surprise.
Alright, the match is over, so this matter should be put aside.
Tang Mingli decided to go to the vehicle management office tomorrow to inquire about taking the driver's license test.
The weather in May already felt a bit like summer. Tang Mingli set off after breakfast, but she still felt a bit stuffy while sitting on the bus.
Fortunately, the compound is not far from the vehicle management office, so there is no need to wait too long.
However, when she arrived at the vehicle management office and asked a question, the sky fell down.
Individuals who want to take a driver's license test must apply through their employer.
But where does Tang Mingli work?
To put it nicely, she's a housewife.
To put it bluntly, they are unemployed vagrants.
Tang Mingli walked out of the vehicle management office as if she had lost her soul.
If I can't get a driver's license, what's the point of buying this car?
That evening, Fu Ci called back, and Tang Mingli told him the sad news.
After listening, Fu Ci remained silent for a while before finally speaking softly, "I forgot, I got my driver's license while I was at work."
"What should I do? Is it too late for me to find a job now?"
That was obviously a joke.
The Fu family really went out of their way to find her a job. Did she just consider it and then leave after getting her driver's license?
That definitely won't work.
Therefore, there is no solution to this problem for the time being; we can only wait until the country allows individuals to apply for driver's licenses.
But when will that day come?
Tang Mingli didn't know that she hadn't studied history well.
The Fu family knew even less, as they could not predict the future.
Fu Ci felt guilty, thinking that it was his lack of consideration that caused his wife to experience such a dramatic ups and downs.
Tang Mingli didn't blame him, and comforted him, "It's okay, we still have you. When you have time, you can drive us around."
When will I have time to resign all year round?
The only thing I can be sure of is the Lunar New Year.
I'm so frustrated.
However, Tang Mingli quickly came up with another idea.
Although she can't get a driver's license, her mother-in-law can.
When Fu's mother saw her daughter-in-law's eyes suddenly light up as she looked at her, she immediately understood what her daughter-in-law was thinking and quickly waved her hand: "No way, I'm already this old, how could I possibly learn to drive?"
Fu Ci heard his mother's words over the phone. Although he was surprised, he thought about it again and realized that it wouldn't be a bad idea to teach his mother to drive.
So, Tang Mingli on one end of the phone and Fu Ci on the other, the two of them worked together to give their mother confidence.
The two women were incredibly eloquent, especially Tang Mingli, who repeatedly looked at her with pleading eyes, until finally Fu's mother gave in.
If she learns to drive, life will definitely be much more convenient for the whole family.
With gritted teeth, she declared, "Fine, then I'll give it my all, even with these old bones."
Tang Mingli: "Mom, you're not old. You haven't reached the legal retirement age yet. The country doesn't even consider you an old person."
Madam Fu: "Yes, if I weren't so old, I would like to give it a try."
Fu's mother spoke up for herself in a low voice: "I'm only two years away from retirement."
Tang Mingli coughed awkwardly twice to clear her throat, then picked up her water glass and drank.
Madam Fu: "...I still have two years before I retire."
As she spoke, she began to feel guilty and started looking for things to do.
He pats his old legs one minute and shakes his old arms the next.
-
One month later, it was time to pick up the car.
To prepare for this day, Fu Ci worked overtime for half a month to handle all the important matters, and managed to carve out a few days of vacation for himself.
After picking up the car, he drove it back to Guangcheng.
The journey from Shenzhen to Guangcheng wasn't exactly far, but it wasn't close either. Plus, some sections of the road were in poor condition, so it took him half a day to get home.
The whole family was very excited when the new car arrived home, and they stood at the door waiting for it.
Finally, the roar of a car engine could be heard in the distance.
Madam Fu excitedly grabbed Tang Mingli's hand and said, "It must be Fu Ci who has returned in his new car."
A moment later, a black car came into their view.
The person sitting in the driver's seat was indeed Fu Ci, but it was a new car...
The group of people began to doubt their own eyesight.
New car?
Is that so?
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