Chapter 20 Tang Dynasty: Useless, Bright and Beautiful
It wasn't until Old Madam Fu recited, "How many pots of sugar does one have to boil in a month working at the brown sugar factory?" that Tang Mingli realized what was going on.
Nowadays, brown sugar is mostly made using traditional methods, with the sugar stove burning for a whole day.
It doesn't feel so easy.
It's especially unbearable in the summer.
No wonder there was a hint of disappointment on Grandpa Fu's face; he probably even found his own brooding over the past few days a bit ridiculous for a moment.
Being willing to do this kind of hard and tiring work is contributing to the country's realization of the Four Modernizations.
Embarrassed by the belated realization, he didn't even dare to look at his grandson.
Fu Ci remained calm, continuing to eat at his own pace, and casually placed a piece of succulent braised pork into Tang Mingli's bowl.
Tang Mingli was overjoyed.
This was the piece of meat she had her eye on and was planning to eat.
There were still two pieces left in the bowl, and it would be polite to eat one before taking another. She was diligently gnawing on them when Fu Ci accidentally struck a chord.
As a report, she joined the conversation and casually asked Fu Ci, "Did the people in the educated youth office let something slip?"
"No."
"That's good."
Tang Mingli's questions were perfunctory, and her replies were equally perfunctory.
She only said that because she wanted to feel a little involved.
I specifically instructed them not to, but how many people would actually blurt that out?
However, no one expected that he would be assigned to work at the brown sugar factory.
She guessed that there was a severe shortage of jobs, and Tang Mingmei was in a hurry. Finally, a permanent job became available, which was probably one of the better jobs available at the moment. The educated youth office gave her priority in arranging the job.
Fu Ci's subsequent conversations with her family confirmed her suspicions.
He shared what he learned from a friend at the educated youth office: the number of educated youth returning to the city surged in the first half of the year, but most were still staying at home. Those who were assigned to work were mostly not yet permanent employees.
Tang Mingli listened and sighed inwardly. She felt that the difficulty of finding employment at this time was even more severe than during the financial crisis in later years.
Fortunately, a major turning point is on the horizon.
That's great.
Standing at this critical juncture in history, she felt even more deeply the greatness of reform.
From this perspective, it's not bad that Tang Mingmei has a job in such a difficult environment.
Although this job is tough, what job in the world is absolutely easy?
I've finally got the job I wanted, so I should be happy, right?
I sincerely hope that her joy can last a long time, and that she can find passion in this job.
Of course, that's actually quite unlikely.
A person's enthusiasm for work is often like a jerk's attitude towards relationships.
Over time, once the novelty wears off, the value diminishes daily until it reaches zero.
The difference is that a scumbag will turn away coldly after his feelings are gone. But people, driven by survival, will choose to constantly force themselves to be strong.
Contrary to Tang Mingli's expectations, Old Master Fu thought Fu Ci was exaggerating and, suppressing his embarrassment, said, "We've set up so many state-owned factories, yet we can't resettle all these educated youth returning to the city?"
Fu Ci directly presented a set of data: "Our country's current population has increased by approximately 420 million since the founding of the People's Republic of China, almost doubling. The total population increase alone is nearly twice the current total population of the United States."
There are some things he didn't say: the population is growing rapidly, but other aspects of growth are also visible. This is the current predicament, and it's time to break with the old and establish the new.
Fu Ci's words were reasonable and well-founded, which made Old Master Fu fall silent again.
He had been retired for a long time and rarely talked to people about this kind of thing, so he was unaware that the situation had become so serious.
After a long pause, he muttered to himself, "Reading the newspaper news, I thought everything was going very well."
Fu Ci didn't want to see his grandfather like this, and said, "It's true that things are getting better and better."
However, they have been stuck in this bottleneck period for far too long.
Take the office for educated youth as an example. It is under unprecedented pressure, as it has to do a good job in finding employment for unemployed youth while also preventing them from causing any trouble.
This situation cannot be changed in a short period of time.
However, he remains optimistic about the future, believing that the country will definitely get better and better, and the people will definitely get better and better.
Fu Ci's optimism not only comforted Grandpa Fu, but also made him realize that he was really old and that we were now in a time of peace, and could not always look at things from the perspective of wartime.
After thinking it through, Grandpa Fu said to Fu Ci, "It seems I really am getting old. The world now belongs to you young people."
One of the most heartbreaking things in the world is the aging of heroes and the graying of beauties.
Hearing someone as once so bold and magnanimous as Grandpa Fu admit to being old is heartbreaking for anyone.
Fu Cheng'an quickly comforted his elderly father: "The world belongs to young people, but it also belongs to us. The elderly, the middle-aged, and the young are like the beginning, development, transition, and conclusion of life."
Fu's mother was surprised that her husband, a rough and uncultured man, could speak so eloquently, and couldn't help but ask, "Where did you hear that? It doesn't sound like something you would say."
Fu Cheng'an, having been seen through, smiled and admitted it directly. He had heard this from Tang Mingli during a conversation.
Since it was her daughter-in-law who said it, Fu's mother was even more lavish in praising her daughter-in-law.
"I knew it! Only someone as insightful as Mingli could say something so philosophical. Mingli is not only beautiful, but also incredibly knowledgeable."
Tang Mingli felt embarrassed after hearing this.
Putting aside her past life, in this life she is just a junior high school graduate.
Well, even including her past life, she was just an ordinary person who graduated from an average university, far from being a learned person. She had seen these words online in her past life and happened to borrow them during a chat with her father-in-law.
Sigh, since that's how it is, she could only shamelessly accept the praise and said a few more words, just hoping to comfort Old Master Fu.
"Aging is an irreversible process of life. Some people will grow old, and some people will stay young. Young people are just taking the baton from the previous generation." He then added, not forgetting to specifically ask Grandpa Fu, "Grandpa, don't you think so?"
This was arguably the most high-profile she'd ever been since marrying into the Fu family.
For the past two years, she has consistently maintained a low profile and tried to avoid making any moves.
But, she seemed to have seen her grandfather's body tremble just now?
Tang Mingli paused, her hand, which had just picked up her chopsticks again.
Isn't this going too far with its high profile?
But then she thought about it again and decided to pretend she hadn't seen it.
That conversation with Fu Ci made her realize a truth.
Family members spend most of their time together, and it's inevitable that there will be some clashes. However, not all problems need to be solved; some can be avoided.
It will disappear on its own over time, leaving no trace.
Unbeknownst to her, Old Master Fu's earlier shock was due to her attitude.
Just a few days ago, he had a fit of anger with Fu Ci over Tang Mingmei's work arrangements, and he also didn't give his granddaughter-in-law a very nice look.
He thought she would have some complaints about him.
But judging from Tang Mingli's attitude towards me just now, she clearly didn't mind at all.
This made Mr. Fu feel even more ashamed.
"Yes, you're absolutely right."
Grandpa Fu's response was somewhat awkward, but it also meant that the matter was over.
Grandma Fu looked at her grandson and granddaughter-in-law with relief and gratitude, and finally felt completely relieved after these past few days of worry.
These two kids are much more tolerant than the old man.
This is so good; a family should live in harmony. She'll have to have a good talk with the old man later; he can't keep letting his temper run wild.
Family members are not his soldiers; he cannot always treat his family members the same way he treats his soldiers.
-
After dinner, it was time for Tang Mingli to watch TV, which was her favorite time of the day.
Because Grandpa Fu finally broke the ice, the atmosphere was exceptionally good tonight.
Because it was the weekend, the TV series started half an hour earlier than usual, and naturally ended earlier as well.
After watching TV, Tang Mingli didn't stay to chat, but went upstairs to take a shower first.
I've been feeling particularly sleepy these past couple of days, probably because my period is about to start.
I had just finished showering and lay down on the bed when Fu Ci came up to me.
Normally, he would be reading in his study at this time.
He is the kind of person who doesn't want to waste his life.
However, he didn't do that today. Instead, he took his usual pajamas and went into the bathroom to take a shower.
Tang Mingli thought that since that was the case, she would wait until he finished showering before they slept together, so as not to be woken up right after falling asleep.
For her, being woken up just as she was drifting off to sleep is the hardest thing to do to fall back asleep.
She picked up the book from the bedside table and forced herself to read it, while mentally estimating how long it would take before she could fall asleep.
He doesn't take long showers; he can always finish within ten minutes.
Her guess was right; a few minutes later, Fu Ci emerged from the bathroom shirtless.
shirtless?
She had been very sleepy just moments before, but the sight of her beauty instantly woke her up.
While surprised, Tang Mingli didn't waste the opportunity to admire the young man's muscular physique.
Besides, this person is her husband, so it's perfectly legal for her to admire him; there's no need for her to feel guilty.
I'm so busy that I don't have time to exercise, but how come I don't have an ounce of fat on my body?
With such a naturally blessed figure and appearance, what else could it be but a gift from God?
Tsk tsk tsk.
Fu Ci wanted to pretend he hadn't seen his wife's lecherous look, but she was too brazen, her eyes were unabashed, and she even made a clicking sound.
Don't assume he won't hear you if you speak softly.
He had only accidentally gotten his clothes wet while showering and had to come out shirtless. Little did he know that this inadvertently exposed his wife's lecherous nature.
I've always known she likes her body, but tonight she seemed to be expressing it more strongly.
Does she think of him as a saint?
Noticing the change in herself, Fu Ci's cheeks flushed slightly.
Although it has been several days in a row, as a qualified husband, he should make his wife satisfied.
...
Another night where I won't be able to sleep until midnight.
Tang Mingli was too tired to move, but she couldn't hide the look of satisfaction on her face.
She forced her husband to lie down with a distance of about half a meter from her, and reminded him, "When you get up at dawn, please be very quiet and don't wake me."
Fu Ci always gets up very quietly, and she has rarely been woken up, but she was really too tired tonight, so just in case, she had to remind her.
Fu Ci hummed in agreement and asked with a smile, "What time are you going to sleep in tomorrow?"
What time is it?
Tang Mingli replied confidently, "Of course it's midday."
Fu Ci wasn't surprised by the answer, but couldn't help but laugh again.
"Why do you love to sleep so much?"
What does that mean?
Tang Mingli opened her eyes and said to him, "I remember on our second day of marriage, I slept until the sun was high in the sky."
The implication is that you didn't just find out now.
Actually, she had thought about pretending to be a wife when she first got married, but she accidentally played with fire on her wedding night and could only bear the consequences with tears in her eyes.
Romance novels aren't lying; a man's first time really does end very quickly.
But she was momentarily blinded by greed, feeling that it was all over before she had even had a chance to fully enjoy such a handsome man, and she was so unwilling to accept it.
Maybe she lost her mind, or maybe she had been drinking that day, but I don't know where she got the courage, she pitifully asked him if what happened earlier, which was so quick, could be disregarded.
Any man would find it hard not to be inspired by the word "fast".
It happened very quickly later, but this kind of speed was not the same as that kind of speed.
The past was too painful to recall. Tang Mingli closed her eyes and forcefully forced the unforgettable memories of her wedding night out of her mind.
Fu Ci, unaware of her thoughts, honestly replied, "I thought I was the one who made you tired."
He had lived for over twenty years without much contact with women.
When I was in school, all I thought about was studying; now that I'm working, all I think about is work.
His marriage to Tang Mingli was merely an arrangement made by his elders.
At first, he didn't have high expectations, thinking that it would be good enough if they could treat each other with respect.
On their wedding day, perhaps after drinking a little alcohol, his wife surprised everyone.
Despite being so cautious, she was also so brave and frank.
He lost control that night, but little did he know that losing control was just the beginning.
Tang Mingli yawned and asked him again, "So when did you realize that I really just love to sleep?"
When? Fu Ci didn't know either.
It seems like one day I suddenly realized that it wasn't me who made her so sleepy that caused her to be so tired.
Tang Mingli was not dissatisfied with this answer; in fact, she was quite pleased, which showed that she had grasped the timing of her exposure very well.
"What were your thoughts after you discovered it?"
What do you think? Fu Ci smiled subconsciously.
He couldn't tell her that.
His first thought was regret, regret that he had mistakenly thought he was the one who made her so tired, and he restrained himself for a while.
He didn't answer, and Tang Mingli didn't press him for an answer.
She was so tired that she fell asleep before she could get an answer.
Listening to his breathing gradually becoming more even, Fu Ci closed his eyes as well.
-
When I opened my eyes again, there was no one beside me.
The heavy curtains were drawn tightly, preventing any sunlight from entering and making it impossible to determine the time of day by the light.
However, Tang Mingli wasn't worried, since it wasn't lunchtime yet.
She lingered in bed for a few minutes, then sat up and stretched before leisurely picking up her watch from the bedside table.
She couldn't stay calm after just one glance.
The watch showed the time as 12:40.
Is it broken?
But this brand of watch is of good quality, and the possibility of it breaking is very low.
So, despite her reluctance to accept it, Tang Mingli didn't want to lie to herself; she most likely, very likely, slept until she missed lunch.
Why didn't Grandma wake me up?
Tang Mingli sighed and slowly got up to wash up.
It's already like this, there's no use in worrying.
When I go downstairs in a bit, I'll just lie down obediently and let them mock me.
However, when she finished washing up and went downstairs, she found that there was no one there.
There was a note on the dining table. After reading it, Tang Mingli smiled and breathed a sigh of relief.
It was really unfortunate that Grandpa and Grandma went out to visit their old comrade-in-arms today, and they took Aunt Guihua with them.
Why didn't you tell me beforehand last night?
Tang Mingli was puzzled, little did she know that all of this was arranged by Fu Ci on a whim.
Since she was the only one eating at home, I decided to just make something simple and stir-fry the leftover rice from last night in the fridge.
The phone rang as I opened the refrigerator.
To her surprise, the call was from Fu Ci, who invited her out for dinner.
"Now? Won't it be too late?"
Even if she went out immediately, by the time she got to the state-run restaurant, it would probably be past lunchtime, and she wouldn't be able to get anything good to eat.
Fu Ci said, "It's okay, take your time going out. I've already called ahead to order the food."
She had almost forgotten that there was such a thing as being able to make reservations in advance.
Since that's the case, she decided not to postpone it any longer.
The weather outside is great; it's perfect for going out for a nice meal.
The restaurant Fu Ciding chose wasn't far from the compound; it was only three bus stops away.
When Tang Mingli arrived, Fu Ci was already waiting.
As soon as she sat down, the waiter brought out the dishes they had ordered in advance.
Three dishes for two people is not extravagant.
All three dishes were things Tang Mingli liked to eat, and she was very happy.
During a break from eating, Tang Mingli noticed Fu Ci eating at a leisurely pace and reminded him, "Aren't you supposed to start work at two o'clock?"
Fu Ci swallowed the food in his mouth before telling his wife, "Work at the office is completely finished this morning."
Although she knew he had resigned, Tang Mingli was still surprised and a little saddened to hear this.
No wonder she suddenly asked me out for dinner.
Feeling down, you probably need someone to be with you.
Even in this state, she still ordered all her favorite foods. Sometimes, this person really doesn't know how to take care of herself.
Tang Mingli, who had misinterpreted Fu Ci's intentions to the point of being completely detached from reality, felt a rare pang of sympathy and picked up a piece of meat for him.
"Let it end now, eat more."
Eating can improve your mood.
Fu Ci wasn't a foodie and couldn't understand this logic; he simply thought his wife was concerned that he wasn't eating enough.
If there were a mind-reading third party present at this moment, they would probably be so helpless they would facepalm.
How can there be a couple who are so out of sync?
After taking a few bites, Fu Ci asked, "Is the food here to your liking?"
Tang Mingli nodded repeatedly, satisfied, and said, "It's better than the one we ate at during the Qingming Festival."
Fu Cixiao said, "I think so too. I had lunch here with my colleagues yesterday and thought the food was delicious."
I ate here with my colleagues yesterday.
Tang Mingli asked in confusion, "A farewell dinner?"
"Um."
Since we had a farewell dinner yesterday, why be sad today?
"You invited me here for dinner today, not because you were saddened by the end of your job after several years?"
Fu Ci was stunned, never expecting his wife to think that way.
"I just thought the food here was pretty good, and since you were home alone today, I figured you might just grab something to eat for lunch, so I made sure you came out to eat."
When he tasted the food here yesterday, he felt that she would definitely like it.
So it wasn't because I was sad and needed someone to be with me, but because I wanted to bring her here to eat.
Having understood Fu Ci's good intentions, Tang Mingli bit her lower lip lightly to suppress the slight turmoil in her heart.
After calming down, she whispered, "Thank you."
Although she dislikes letting emotions override reason, she understands that responding to everything prevents relationships from growing distant.
Sure enough, those three simple words had already pleased Fu Ci.
Now that she no longer needed to go to work, Tang Mingli asked Fu Ci about his plans for the future.
Without thinking, Fu Ci said, "Let's rest for a few days first."
Tang Mingli thought she had misheard. Fu Ci, such a workaholic who was afraid of wasting even a second of his life, would actually say he wanted to take a few days off.
Her adorable surprised expression made Fu Ci laugh again.
"Can't I rest?"
Tang Mingli shook her head: "Of course not, I just really didn't expect you to want to rest too."
"I am a person too."
"But not an ordinary person."
However, even the most extraordinary person will lose their enthusiasm after working for a long time.
Thinking of this, she thought of Tang Mingmei, "I wonder how long my cousin's enthusiasm for working at the brown sugar factory will last."
She always felt it wouldn't be too long.
-
Tang Mingli was right; Tang Mingmei's enthusiasm for her work did indeed decline rapidly after the initial excitement subsided.
However, after only half a month at work, she opened her eyes that day and already had the thought of not wanting to go to the factory anymore.
Fortunately, reason eventually prevailed over inertia, and I struggled to get out of bed.
Li Hong had already cooked breakfast, and when she saw her daughter wake up, she immediately served her a bowl.
Perhaps because she was in a bad mood, Tang Mingmei still complained about the egg noodles that she liked.
"Don't you get tired of eating this every day?"
Li Hong looked at the noodles with eggs and oil floating on top and subconsciously swallowed.
She ate vegetarian noodles, but she couldn't bear to add eggs or too much oil to them.
If she could eat it every day, she would only feel happy, how could she get tired of it?
However, Li Hong didn't want to say anything that would upset her daughter even more, so she could only force a smile and say, "It's not because I feel sorry for you working so hard. If you think it's too greasy, I'll put less oil in it tomorrow. Just make do with it for now."
Tang Mingmei heard those few words in the conversation: "Working is hard."
It was really tough.
In just half a month, almost all of her previous wonderful expectations for going to work were gone.
Working in a brown sugar factory is really tough. Every day you have to wash tons of sugarcane and watch over the sugar furnaces, which dry you up almost completely.
It was tough enough, but after starting work, I learned from the senior employees that the pay wasn't even stable.
Only a few people can earn eighty yuan a month during the sugarcane harvest each year.
There's almost no work to do at other times, and I only earn about twenty yuan a month.
Just thinking about it is so annoying.
When there's work to do, it's too hard; when there's no work, there's no money.
I thought that going to work would bring hope to my life, but once I actually started working, I realized that things were still a mess.
Disturbed and confused, Tang Mingmei finished the bowl of egg noodles and left the house with a heavy heart.
The moment she closed the door, she suddenly thought of Tang Mingli.
Is she still sleeping at this hour? Or is she already awake?
Whether she's sleeping or awake, she seems happier than someone like her who has to drag her tired body to work.
As soon as she thought that, Tang Mingmei spat out a curse.
How could she think that?
How can you be happier staying at home like a couch potato?
-
Tang Mingli, the "useless good-for-nothing," looked at her husband with a pitiful expression and asked somewhat reluctantly, "Does this really have to be this way?"
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