Chapter 4's prompt agreement is unsettling...
Perhaps because we'll be apart for half a month, Fu Ci is very different from before.
Tang Mingli was exhausted.
Since marrying into the Fu family, today I feel more like a salted fish than ever.
It was turned over and over again.
But I was also extremely happy.
Even though I slept for half an hour longer than usual at noon, I was still so tired after all that I could barely keep my eyes open. I desperately needed to catch up on sleep and regain some energy.
She could barely keep her eyes open, but she forced herself to say to Fu Ci, "I'll take a nap first, and I'll talk to you when I wake up."
Fu Ci was unusually gentle: "Okay, go to sleep first."
Tang Mingli closed her eyes peacefully, and before losing consciousness, she emphasized, "I'll just close my eyes for a little while."
"Um."
Whether it was her imagination or not, Tang Mingli, who was already half asleep, seemed to hear Fu Ci's "hmm" mixed with laughter, as if he didn't believe that she had only dozed off for a short while.
Hmph, who do you think you are?
-
Tang Mingli, who had promised to only take a short nap, missed dinner and finally woke up with difficulty after Fu Ci called her twice.
If it weren't for the fact that dinner would turn into a midnight snack if it were delayed any longer, Fu Ci wouldn't have had the heart to wake her up.
Gone was her previous self-righteousness; she simply admitted her mistake, but after admitting it, she couldn't help but add coquettishly, "You're also responsible."
Fu Ci was well aware of his responsibility and, unusually, showed a hint of embarrassment.
"I didn't mean what you said. Come downstairs and eat."
"Um."
Tang Mingli rubbed her rumbling stomach.
I used up a lot of energy today, so I need to eat more to replenish it.
Downstairs, several elders of the Fu family were sitting in front of the TV sofa, watching TV and chatting.
After calling for help, Tang Mingli touched her nose guiltily and said, "This kind of rainy weather is so good for sleeping."
The elders laughed when they heard this, but fortunately they didn't suspect it. Her tendency to oversleep was no secret in the Fu family.
The food was kept warm, and Tang Mingli started eating as soon as she came downstairs.
She sat at the dining table eating her late dinner, while the Fu family members on the other side were talking about Fu Ci's upcoming meeting.
Despite his obvious pride that his son had surpassed him, Fu's father tried his best to restrain himself and lectured his son on the principle that pride leads to defeat, reminding him not to be arrogant.
Grandpa Fu then instructed his grandson not to betray the trust of the Party and the people, and to do more for the benefit of the people.
Tang Mingli listened from the side and sighed that there was a reason why Fu Ci looked so rigid and serious.
However, she also understood that this was simply their way of getting along. Perhaps it wasn't suitable for you or me, but we shouldn't hold prejudices and think that this way of getting along was wrong.
As someone who transmigrated into a book, knowing that Tang Mingmei died of depression after marrying into the Fu family in her first life, I couldn't help but view the Fu family with prejudice. I thought the Fu family was a family with a heavy atmosphere, perhaps even as dark and suffocating as depicted in many TV dramas.
She still chose to get married, but it was the best solution at the moment.
She preferred the mental and emotional hardship to going to the countryside.
As a former office worker who had endured immense pressure in the workplace, she believed herself to be strong enough to withstand the pressure of living in the Fu family.
After marrying into the Fu family, she did indeed live a cautious life for a while.
This is perhaps the cruelest aspect of marriage: it requires a woman to adapt to a completely unfamiliar family.
After living together for a while, she discovered that the Fu family was not what she had imagined.
The Fu family are the most upright and honest.
Good and bad, disgust and revulsion, are all laid bare.
The most direct manifestation of this is that if they feel you are doing something wrong, they will point it out directly.
For some people, such direct criticism might be stressful, but Tang Mingli has a very positive attitude. It's always better for your boss to point out your shortcomings directly than to make things difficult for you behind your back.
Through the daily trials and tribulations that followed, Tang Mingli gradually figured out how to get along with the other members of the Fu family, and her days became more comfortable.
Once life becomes comfortable, I am incredibly grateful to myself for having the courage to make that decision.
I can't even imagine what it would have been like if I had been sent to the countryside back then; it must have been worse than death.
She knew she wasn't as hardworking and resilient as the original owner, nor as intelligent and strong. Despite being in a harsh environment, she was able to study hard, get into university, and escape the mire through her own efforts to pursue what she wanted.
All she wants is a good life, so why not just get it right away?
Distracted, Tang Mingli finished two full bowls of rice before getting up and sitting down next to her mother-in-law, completely satisfied.
Even if she can't really participate in the conversation, relationships are built through interaction. Even just sitting together in silence shows that you're part of the family.
Besides, the TV series she watches every night is about to start.
Tang Mingli's gaze was fixed on the television, and she would occasionally whisper a few words to her mother-in-law and grandmother.
This kind of scene is actually the norm in this family, which she prefers to call warm and cozy.
This warmth continued until Fu Ci suddenly announced a decision he had made.
"I plan to resign after this meeting."
Regardless of whether the Fu family was surprised or not, Tang Mingli expressed her utter shock.
No, brother, your career is going so well, why do you suddenly want to resign?
Compared to Tang Mingli's silent inquiry, the old man of the Fu family was much more direct, frowning as he asked his grandson, "Why so suddenly?"
Fu Ci met his grandfather's scrutinizing gaze and admitted, "Actually, it wasn't sudden. I've had the idea of going into business for a long time."
These words shocked everyone even more.
It's not that this era still had the social hierarchy of scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, but rather that individuals doing business at this time were easily labeled as speculators and profiteers.
Why would someone give up a perfectly good, secure job to go into business?
Tang Mingli tried hard to recall whether Fu Ci had gone into business in the original novel. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't recall anything related to it.
Yes, the author abruptly ended the story, and every day after she arrived here was not part of the plot of the book.
However, Tang Mingli quickly calmed down. A composed person like Fu Ci wouldn't make any rash decisions.
Making such a decision must have been done after careful consideration, and perhaps they even knew about some major decisions in advance.
Yes, that's right.
Before Fu Ci could even begin to explain why he wanted to go into business, Tang Mingli had already calmed herself down.
As Fu Ci eloquently explained his views, everyone's expressions gradually shifted from solemn to enlightened.
It turns out that the reason he had this idea was because he sensed the policy change earlier than the average person.
He judged that the higher authorities already had a mature idea for developing a socialist market economy, and even asserted that China would undergo earth-shaking changes in a short time.
"Actually, I've always felt that my workplace isn't really a good fit for me."
He yearns for a wider, freer world with more possibilities.
Thanks to Fu Ci's consistent steadiness and composure, the Fu family did not think he was acting recklessly.
However, Grandpa Fu still asked, "What if your judgment is wrong?"
If the judgment is wrong, there may not be a chance to turn back.
Fu Ci naturally understood and smiled, "That's why I said after this meeting..."
He had a feeling that many policies would become clearer after this meeting.
Having made up his mind, Old Master Fu said nothing more.
Although he is old, he is not the kind of elder who would hinder a child from pursuing their dreams.
Since the person with the highest status had no objections, Fu's mother said, "As long as you've thought it through, go ahead and do it. Anyway, the family will back you up."
Madam Fu nodded in agreement, "Your mother is right."
Tang Mingli was deeply moved.
Having been destitute for two lifetimes, she envied those who had families to rely on the most.
But why are my mother-in-law and grandmother looking at me?
Once she realized what was happening, Tang Mingli quickly added, "I support you too."
This is the Fu family tradition: whatever the men want to do, the women behind them will provide the greatest support.
-
After the TV series ended and the conversation had gone on for the most part, people of all ages gradually went back to their rooms to rest.
Back in her room and lying on the bed, Tang Mingli suddenly remembered her aunt's plea to her.
Before I got too sleepy, I quickly told Fu Ci.
She didn't insist that Fu Ci help, but instead asked in a consultative tone, "Is there any way to resolve this?"
Fu Ci thought for a moment and replied succinctly, "Yes."
Tang Mingli didn't expect Fu Ci to agree so readily. She was half-lying down, but now she sat up straight.
Having lived in the Fu family for two years, I know to some extent that although the Fu family holds high positions and great power, they rarely abuse their power for personal gain.
She asked Fu Ci for help with a personal matter today, and he agreed so quickly?
This made Tang Mingli a little uneasy, and she asked, "Will it be very troublesome?"
Fu Ci smiled faintly and shook his head: "I can handle it."
Tang Mingli believed it, but she still wanted to tell Fu Ci, "If it's too much trouble, then don't help. Anyway, all the educated youth sent to the countryside will be able to return to the city soon."
She muttered the last part very quietly.
Although he spoke softly, Fu Ci still heard it, which surprised him.
How did you know?
Recently, some people at higher levels have indeed expressed a desire to cancel the "sent-down youth" policy. He sensed that this policy would definitely change, which is why he readily agreed to it.
When her husband questioned her, Tang Mingli realized what she had blurted out. Fortunately, it wasn't irreparable, and she quickly smiled and said, "I read the newspaper with my grandma every day. Recently, the newspaper has been reporting on many educated youth returning to the city. I think it will be possible for all of them to come back soon."
Fu Ci, unsuspecting, praised, "I didn't read the newspaper for nothing."
Tang Mingli chuckled.
After finishing their business, the two of them, as usual, each picked up a book to read before bed.
Perhaps it was because Tang Mingli mentioned her cousin tonight, but Fu Ci, looking at the book in his hand, chatted with his wife about Tang Mingmei: "How is your relationship with your cousin?"
Two years into their marriage, she rarely mentioned her aunt's family to him.
Fu Ci could tell that she wasn't close to them.
"How are things going?" Tang Mingli pondered how to answer in a way that would make Fu Ci understand.
Fu Ci was somewhat surprised by his wife's thoughtfulness.
Is it really necessary to think about whether a relationship is good or bad?
However, he waited patiently for his wife to figure out what to say.
After thinking for a while, Tang Mingli told him, "Actually, I don't know how to describe it. Let me just say this: when she's better than me, she takes good care of me. But when I'm better than her, she looks at me like I'm an enemy."
Fu Ci understood; no wonder he needed to think about how to organize his thoughts.
Unbeknownst to the two, while they were lying on their soft bed chatting about Tang Mingmei, hundreds of kilometers away in a rural village, the subject of their conversation was angrily weeping under the moonlight.
-
The night was cool and still.
After a day of farm work, Tang Mingmei sat by the window, looking at the bright moon in the sky, and was overwhelmed with sorrow.
It was drizzling today, and it also happened to be my period. I wanted to ask the team leader for leave to rest, but the team leader not only refused, but also criticized me for my improper attitude and for always making excuses to ask for leave.
Tang Mingmei felt wronged.
Although she had made many excuses to be lazy before, this time it was for real.
The team leader refused to approve, so she had no choice but to bite the bullet and work with everyone for a day.
After finishing her work, she immediately boiled a pot of water to take a bath, which relieved her physical discomfort, but her mental discomfort only deepened.
Why didn't anyone tell her how hard life was in the countryside?
Did Tang Mingli suffer just as much in her previous life?
How did she manage to get into university under such difficult circumstances?
Having personally taken the college entrance examination once, Tang Mingmei can no longer attribute Tang Mingli's success in her previous life to luck.
However, she still complained about Tang Mingli.
If in her previous life she hadn't always reported good news and kept the bad to herself in her letters home, saying she was doing well in the countryside; if she hadn't so easily gotten into university in her previous life, how could she have thought that life in the countryside wasn't hard, or that getting into university was easy?
"Tang Mingli!"
Tang Mingmei gritted her teeth and muttered her cousin's name, her eyes blazing with hatred. Anyone who didn't know better would think she was calling out the name of an irreconcilable enemy.
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