Chapter 87 Hesitation Leads to Defeat
Many others felt the same way as Fu Cheng'an, and Tang Mingli discovered this the very next day.
That day, she got up early for once and went to the nearby grocery store with her grandmother, Zhang Guihua. On the way, they met many familiar neighbors.
In the past, after exchanging greetings, we would have chatted about everyday things, but today we were talking about the news from last night's evening news.
Even housewives are talking about this, which shows how influential this news is.
Although the impact is significant, most people don't understand what such a policy means and just talk about it as if a major event has occurred.
And then there are the young people passing by, rushing to work, who you can occasionally hear talking about this policy.
Tang Mingli, who was listening nearby, couldn't help but feel emotional.
Decades later, some people will lament that they were born at the wrong time, missing out on the good times of the 1980s and 90s, otherwise they would definitely have made a name for themselves.
Some even blame their parents for being incompetent, saying that even when they were born into a good era, they couldn't achieve anything, otherwise they could have lived comfortably as rich kids instead of being treated like slaves.
Tang Mingli also had the regret of not being able to be a rich second-generation, a regret that could not be called having a sound moral compass. When she was very tired and felt like she was about to die, this thought would easily pop up.
Therefore, she can empathize with people who have this kind of thinking. Indeed, society decades later is too hectic and tiring, and everyone seems to have lost the energy to pursue the so-called ideals of their childhood, becoming restless and realistic.
But in reality, even if you were born in the 1980s or 1990s, you might not actually achieve what you imagined.
Most of them are ordinary people, lacking that foresight and courage.
However, on the other hand, an individual's fate is always closely linked to that of the country, and ordinary people will certainly have their lives get better and better as they ride this wave of development.
This upward trend may not necessarily lead to a wealthy life, but this positive atmosphere certainly brings happiness and satisfaction.
Just like now, Tang Mingli listened to their conversation. They didn't actually know what kind of policy it was or what impact it would have, but they still felt that it was a good policy that would make their lives better and better.
She had never seen this hopeful spirit in many young people in her past life.
Upon arriving at the grocery store, the group, who had been chatting animatedly, immediately fell silent and rushed towards the shelves.
A housewife will never lose sight of the center of her life.
Tang Mingli rarely came to the grocery store with them, after all, she rarely got up early after marrying into the Fu family.
Even on these few occasions, the fighting power of the older women was astonishing, and Zhang Guihua's ability to snatch vegetables from the crowd was even more amazing.
Some money is meant for people like Zhang Guihua to earn.
After buying groceries and returning home, I hadn't even entered the house when I heard the phone ringing inside.
After ringing the door several times without being answered, Madam Fu knew that Master Fu had also gone out, so she quickly opened the door and went inside.
"Who could it be? Calling so early in the morning."
...
The day after the news of the establishment of the special economic zone was released, the Fu family's phone rang incessantly.
Some called to find Fu Ci, while others just wanted to chat, but regardless of the reason, they all reminisced with Mrs. Fu, who answered the phone, about Fu Ci's choice back then.
"At the time, I thought it was too impulsive for him to quit such a good job, but now it seems that he had a broader vision than we did, and the outside world is indeed much wider."
Madam Fu felt a sense of triumphant pride.
When I resigned, I was criticized by many relatives and friends for not stopping me.
So even though I was tired from answering so many calls and dealing with so many people, I still looked visibly refreshed.
After hanging up another phone call, Madam Fu couldn't help but say to Tang Mingli, "It's a pity that Fu Ci won't be back for a few more days, otherwise I really wanted him to hear it."
Tang Mingli laughed and said, "It's a good thing Fu Ci isn't home these days, otherwise who knows how many people would have come straight here."
"That's true."
After reflecting on the situation, Madam Fu was relieved that her grandson wasn't home during this time; otherwise, receiving him in person would have been much more tiring than dealing with him over the phone.
However, Madam Fu immediately thought of something else, "Those who want to find him, even if they don't come this time, will still come in a few days."
"That being said, a few days of calming down can also filter out some of the passionate types."
The phrase "passionate type" amused Madam Fu, who pointed at Tang Mingli and said, "You clever little devil, how come you can always describe things so accurately?"
The grandfather and grandson had only exchanged a few words when the phone rang again.
Mrs. Fu was already a bit tired of dealing with it, but she still had to answer the phone.
This time it was Fu Caiping who called. As soon as Hou Xuan heard Madam Fu's voice, he asked if Fu Ci was home.
When facing her sister-in-law, Madam Fu was not so polite: "I really don't know what you were thinking. Why would Fu Ci be home at this hour?"
"You? Sister-in-law, did a lot of people come looking for Fu Ci today?" Fu Caiping's tone became noticeably nervous.
"Absolutely, I don't know how many phone calls I received in just this one morning."
Why are they looking for a resignation?
"I don't know, they didn't say, and I didn't ask. I didn't talk to them much after hearing that Fu Ci hadn't been home for the past few days."
"Fu Ci hasn't been around for the past few days. When is he coming back?"
Madam Fu said irritably, "I don't know. He's been running around a lot this year, and we never know when he'll be back."
Fortunately, Fu Caiping didn't seem to mind, but she said with some emotion, "I wonder what Da Fu Ci has been up to all this time, running around everywhere. Do you remember the people I brought with me during the New Year?"
Madam Fu chuckled and said, "How could I possibly remember?"
Actually, I still remember a few of the people I was quite close to.
"If you don't remember, you don't remember. Anyway, after that conversation with Fu Ci, my nephew has been thinking about applying to the factory for a leave of absence with guaranteed employment."
"I've been thinking about it all along, but it just hasn't been done yet." Madam Fu couldn't help but laugh, almost saying that with such little courage, she should just stay quietly in the state-owned factory.
Fu Caiping didn't realize what she meant and replied, "I just haven't been able to make a decision. After seeing that news last night, the thought got even stronger, and I wanted to ask Fu Ci for his opinion."
“Fu Ci is not at home, and even if he were, he wouldn’t be able to offer any advice.”
Madam Fu's words struck a chord with Tang Mingli. It's best not to make decisions for others on behalf of them, especially when it comes to such a pivotal moment in life.
Fu Caiping was asked by her nephew to make a phone call to get information about Fu Ci, but she didn't expect to be scolded by Madam Fu instead, and finally hung up the phone in a huff.
After ending the call, Tang Mingli gave Madam Fu a thumbs up.
"Grandma, you're becoming more and more sensible."
Madam Fu laughed and scolded, "Did I think I was clueless before?"
"I'm clear-headed, but I used to be occasionally held back by my emotions."
Madam Fu gave a soft snort; she was certainly aware of this as well. However, she definitely wouldn't pay any attention to what her sister-in-law had mentioned on the phone earlier.
"Actually, I wasn't just saying that out of anger. I wanted to leave the factory around the New Year, but after a year I was still stuck there. It's clear that I'm indecisive, and this kind of personality is definitely not suitable for doing business."
Tang Mingli wholeheartedly agreed.
Therefore, the benefits bestowed by the times are not something everyone can grasp; in fact, it can be said that only a minority can. Most people are merely swept along by the tide of the times.
Ring ring ring.
The phone rang again.
Madam Fu was truly at a loss.
"Who called this time?"
She picked up the microphone and said "hello" in a curt tone.
Unexpectedly, Fu Ci's voice came from the other end of the phone, and he was clearly stunned before speaking: "Grandma, what's wrong?"
Upon hearing that it was her grandson, Madam Fu's mood immediately changed, and she smiled and said, "Fu Ci, why are you calling back at this hour?"
Then he told me about the many phone calls he received from relatives and friends that morning.
"So that's how it is." Fu Ci smiled after understanding and advised her grandmother that if she really didn't want to answer the phone, she should ask Aunt Guihua to pretend she wasn't there if she sensed something was wrong.
Madam Fu's eyes lit up, and she sincerely praised, "That's really a good idea. Sometimes I don't even know who learned it from whom, you and Mingli, how come you're so smart."
Fu Ci laughed, quite willing to take the blame, "The good things must be what I learned from her, and the bad things must be what she learned from me."
After saying that, he asked the question he cared about most: "Is Mingli next to me?"
Tang Mingli had already come over when she heard it was Fu Ci, and when she heard the question asked her, she quickly said, "I'm here."
Everyone's here, so let's get down to business.
"I originally only planned to come out for a few days, but plans can't keep up with changes, and I may have to stay in Shenzhen for a while."
"Oh, I see." Old Madam Fu's tone was somewhat disappointed.
Tang Mingli smiled and said, "It's okay, we're doing fine at home, you can focus on your work outside."
However, she still pressed for an answer, asking how long "a period of time" meant.
"About half a month." Fu Ci could only give a rough estimate, but he thought things should be resolved within half a month.
Tang Mingli had a plan in mind. "Okay, we'll see each other again in half a month. You can focus on your work."
The expectant tone warmed Fu Ci's heart.
Now, when he goes on business trips, his wife always looks forward to when he will come back.
Deeply moved, Fu Ci hung up the phone, little did he know that his wife was already discussing with his grandmother how to make the most of his extended business trip of more than half a month.
"Grandma, let's go on a trip!" Tang Mingli's eyes sparkled as she offered her suggestion. "I passed by a hotel a couple of days ago and on a whim went in to check it out. They recently launched a ten-day tour of Jiangnan. Let's go on a trip and see the water towns of Jiangnan."
These words moved Old Madam Fu, but she still hesitated.
Is this really a good idea?
"Why not? Is it because we don't have time, or because we don't have money?"
Madam Fu shook her head.
Neither.
"So what is Grandma worried about?"
"I……"
Madam Fu was speechless, unable to explain herself clearly for a moment. Perhaps traveling was still too unfamiliar to her.
But Tang Mingli is different. In her view, traveling is just as ordinary as shopping, as long as time and money allow.
“Some things can’t be done hesitantly, because hesitation leads to failure. And have you ever thought about it? Today it’s just so many people calling, but one day someone might come to our door.” The implication is that they can go out for a while to avoid the limelight, “The opportunity to go out and have fun when the time is right is actually quite rare.”
Encouraged by this, Madam Fu's hesitation dissipated, and she stamped her foot and agreed.
Once I agreed, I felt completely relaxed, both physically and mentally.
You can fool others, but you can't fool yourself; she also has a restless heart that longs to go out and have fun.
The water towns of Jiangnan are a place that inspires longing.
-
That evening, at the Fu family dinner table, Tang Mingli told her family about her desire to travel.
Fu's mother was slightly disappointed, as she was busy at work and couldn't easily take leave.
As for Mr. Fu, he didn't have much to say. Unless he retired or took a proper vacation, going out to play was not something he could do.
As for Old Master Fu, both Tang Mingli and Madam Fu assumed that he, being a free man, would go along. However, after some thought, he decided not to go.
"I spent the whole day chatting with Lao Li and the others outside. We all believe that this major new policy issued by the country will inevitably have a tremendous impact. At this time, we are really not in the mood to play."
Madam Fu found it amusing but dared not laugh, saying to him, "You're an old man who's already retired. Even if this policy has earth-shattering effects, what does it have to do with you?"
This question echoed the sentiments of everyone present.
Grandpa Fu raised an eyebrow and said matter-of-factly, "National affairs are everyone's responsibility. How can we men be thinking about playing at such an important time? No, no, I'm not going."
Madam Fu went along with him, saying, "Alright, alright, you can continue discussing with Old Li and the others, and see what you can change by just talking."
Speaking of talking, Madam Fu thought of something and reminded Mr. Fu: "If anyone uses the pretext of inquiring about Fu Ci to ask you whether they should give up their stable job and go into business, don't give them unsolicited advice."
"How could I?"
Grandpa Fu retorted verbally, but his voice grew softer and softer as he spoke.
If his wife hadn't reminded him, he really might have.
The trip was settled, and Tang Mingli, being a woman of action, quickly went to the hotel to complete the necessary procedures.
Traveling with just the two of you is much simpler and easier.
Ten days sounds like a long time, but they only visited Yangzhou and Gaoyou.
In Gaoyou, Tang Mingli made a point of trying salted duck eggs.
Sometimes I think, fate is truly amazing.
Mr. Wang's essay about salted duck eggs was only published last year, and she came here specifically to taste them this year because she had read the article in her previous life.
Perhaps because she was too emotionally invested, she felt that the salted duck eggs from Gaoyou were indeed delicious.
Besides eating salted duck eggs, she also saw the Grand Canal, which always appears in Sui and Tang dynasty dramas.
Putting aside the cruelty behind the construction of the canal, it is indeed beautiful, especially when bathed in the sunset.
While showcasing its magnificence, it seems to be telling people that no matter what cruelty the world has experienced, the great beauty of heaven and earth remains eternal.
Thinking that the ultimate destination of the [unclear] is to merge into the great beauty of this world, the end doesn't seem so scary anymore.
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