Chapter 108
Because of the incident at the Zong family wedding banquet last time, Xu Huizhu became a little suspicious and rarely doubted Tao Yongchang, who loved her deeply.
One night, when the couple was sleeping, Xu Huizhu couldn't help but test the other party.
"husband!"
Xu Huizhu pulled at the hem of Tao Yongchang's pajamas, her eyes filled with spring, her voice melodious and with a drawn-out ending.
Tao Yongchang immediately understood what Xu Huizhu meant and patted her hand. "No, I've been too busy with work lately. Wait until I'm done."
Xu Huizhu was a little unhappy in her heart. She had always had great needs and she was only in her mid-forties this year. She had maintained her figure and appearance well and looked like she was in her early thirties.
However, this was not her purpose today.
Xu Huizhu lowered her eyes, and her eyelashes cast a shadow on her lower eyelid, which made Tao Yongchang have an idea.
But then I thought about the bad things that happened at work, and all my thoughts disappeared, leaving only a lot of anger.
"Hubby, what do you say about us having another child?"
"What?" Tao Yongchang was shocked and couldn't believe his ears.
Xu Huizhu turned over and lay on top of Tao Yongchang, continuing, "Child, let's have another child."
"No, Huizhu, why do you suddenly have such an idea?"
Xu Huizhu looked at Tao Yongchang aggrievedly. "Why can't I have such thoughts? I'm only forty-five, and you're in your early fifties, both of us are in good health. Now that Yaya is in college, she's only home a couple of days a month. My second child's family isn't in the capital, and my eldest child's family doesn't live with us. I'm very lonely at home alone, so I want to have a child to keep me company."
Tao Yongchang was speechless for a moment before he found his voice again. He stroked Xu Huizhu's back and said, "Huizhu, listen to me. We are in good health, but we are not young anymore. It won't be obvious if we don't have children, but no one can guarantee that there will be no problems after giving birth. If you feel lonely, bring Haohao to stay with you for a few days. Let's forget about having children."
Xu Huizhu's eyes flashed. "I would like to bring Haohao over, but you know my relationship with the eldest brother. We just maintain a polite relationship. If I bring the child over just because I'm afraid of being alone, not only the eldest brother but also the eldest brother's wife will have objections. I won't do such a disgusting thing."
After saying that, Xu Huizhu put her arms around Tao Yongchang's neck and said coquettishly, "Oh, Lao Tao, just let me give birth. There's nothing wrong with my body. When I get pregnant, I will definitely go to the hospital for a checkup every week. I'll be fine."
Tao Yongchang pulled off Xu Huizhu's arm, his face unhappy. "Huizhu, I can listen to you on other matters, but on this matter, you have to listen to me."
"But--"
"Nothing, that's all. I'm tired."
After saying that, without paying any attention to the stunned Xu Huizhu, Tao Yongchang pulled the quilt over him, turned over and fell asleep with his back to Xu Huizhu.
Xu Huizhu's mood fell to the bottom. She stared at Tao Yongchang's back without blinking, with obscure emotions brewing in her eyes.
This failure did not make Xu Huizhu give up.
Later, she talked to Tao Yongchang several times and even went to the hospital for a physical examination, which showed that her body could fully withstand the risks of having a child.
However, when Xu Huizhu gave the report to Tao Yongchang, the other party's face turned ugly.
He got angry at Xu Huizhu on the spot.
Xu Huizhu was also annoyed by Tao Yongchang's unreasonable behavior. She had been busy for so long, but not only did Tao Yongchang not feel sorry for her, he was also angry with her.
Xu Huizhu was furious and couldn't stand it any longer. She smashed the cup on the spot and said, "Tao Yongchang, what exactly do you mean? Are you really saying what others say? You're afraid that if I have a baby, I'll treat those three children badly, and that my baby will threaten their status, so you don't let me have one?"
Tao Yongchang's face flushed with anger, and he pointed at Xu Huizhu with a trembling finger, "Asshole, where did you hear all this? These crooked ways?"
"Crooked ways, I think it's you, Tao Yongchang, who's feeling guilty because I discovered your little tricks."
"Nonsense, I have never had such an idea." Tao Yongchang defended himself.
But Xu Huizhu was still angry, "No, then why didn't you let me have children when I married you?"
"You already had a son at the time, and I already had three children. Why would I have another child? I asked for your opinion, and you agreed."
"Well, even if I agreed before, I regret it now. I want a child of my own now. Anyway, your three children are all grown up, and if I have another child, it won't threaten them."
As she spoke, Xu Huizhu pulled Tao Yongchang upstairs.
Tao Yongchang's face flushed red as he protected his belt and said, "Who on earth is telling you this nonsense? I have to go to work, so stop being unreasonable—"
“Grandpa and grandma!”
Xu Huizhu regained her senses and withdrew her hand as if it were burned.
Tao Yongchang's face turned red and then black, and then black and then red.
He glared at Xu Huizhu fiercely, then turned his head to look at the door. The three members of Tao Lao Da's family, whom he hadn't seen for a long time, happened to be back today.
"Haohao is back." Tao Yongchang was too embarrassed to look at his daughter-in-law. He squatted down and rubbed his grandson's head, then said to his eldest son, "I still have work to do. I'm leaving first."
The eldest son Tao Shu's expression remained unchanged, but there was a hint of sarcasm in his eyes, which made Tao Yongchang feel guilty. He quickly picked up his coat and left home in a hurry.
Tao Yongchang was able to escape from this home for work, but Xu Huizhu had no other reason to leave.
Only Tao Shu's family of three and Xu Huizhu and her family of four were left in the room.
Tao Shu looked up at Xu Huizhu on the stairs, a sarcastic smile on his lips, and then said to his wife: "Take Haohao out first, I'll say a few words to her before leaving."
The wife nodded, took her son Haohao's hand and walked out.
Haohao looked at his mother and asked in confusion, "Mom, why are we leaving again? Aren't we going to visit grandpa and grandma?"
Tao Shu's wife put her index finger in front of her mouth and said, "Be good, don't look at anything inappropriate, don't say anything inappropriate."
Hearing this, a smile flashed in Tao Shu's eyes.
However, Xu Huizhu's face instantly lost color. It was not just her illusion, she felt that the other party was mocking her indecent behavior just now.
After his wife and children left, Tao Shu looked at Xu Huizhu, who had a grim expression on her face, and said directly, "I heard that Aunt Xu wanted to have a child."
Although it was asked in a questioning tone, it sounded more like a statement.
Xu Huizhu didn't say anything.
Tao Shu didn't seem to care. He put the gifts he brought on the coffee table in the living room.
"You don't need to be with us. As long as the child you give birth to is indeed your father's child, the three of us brothers and sisters will naturally recognize him, and he will naturally have a share of everything in the Tao family."
Is it really Tao Yongchang’s child?
Xu Huizhu's expression changed. "What do you mean?"
Tao Shu raised the corner of his mouth and then turned to look at Xu Huizhu, "After my father and mother divorced, he had a sterilization operation. It was done abroad."
Suddenly, a loud thunder sounded in the clear sky, scaring the birds away and making them flee in all directions to avoid the sudden and bad weather.
"We're out. Luckily, we brought an umbrella with us, otherwise we would have to go back in the rain." His wife's gentle voice sounded in his ears. Tao Shu picked up his son and put him on the horizontal bar in front of the bicycle.
"Get on board, let's go home quickly. The rain looks pretty heavy, be careful not to get wet."
His wife sat in the back seat and put her arm around Tao Shu's waist, "Then be careful."
Tao Shu and his wife were both university teachers. Their home was inside the school, in the school's family quarters, with two bedrooms and a living room. Compared to the small villa where his father Tao Yongchang lived, his house was just a thatched hut.
But he would rather live like this than live with his father Tao Yongchang and stepmother Xu Huizhu, as he didn't want his son to be influenced by their habits.
The last time he went to B University for a teaching and research meeting, he saw Pei Xingzhi, the son of Xu Huizhu who had stayed in the Tao family for half a month but was like a transparent person.
The other person grew up and was admitted to university. When Xu Huizhu said at home that Pei Xingzhi was willing to go to the countryside in place of Xiao Wei, Tao Shu was surprised that someone would be willing to suffer in place of others. With doubts, he overheard the conversation between Xu Huizhu and Pei Xingzhi and learned the truth.
But the matter was already settled, and he was powerless to change anything. He could only send him money and food coupons after Pei Xingzhi went to the countryside, but they were all returned by Pei Xingzhi.
After a few times, Tao Shu stopped sending letters. He probably understood Pei Xingzhi's thoughts. He wanted to sever ties with the Tao family and Xu Huizhu, so he was unwilling to accept all this.
Tao Shu respected Pei Xingzhi's ideas.
After seeing Pei Xing again at B University, Tao Shu asked someone to inquire about the Pei family's situation, but was caught. The person who caught him was Pei Xingzhi's father, Pei Zhongyuan.
This man is very protective of his family.
On the day he was caught, Pei Zhongyuan appeared outside Tao Shu's school and they had a conversation.
The content of the conversation was very ordinary, and Pei Zhongyuan did not make things difficult for him. After asking him about his purpose in investigating Pei Xingzhi, he let him go.
But Tao Shu keenly sensed that something might happen.
After Tao Shu left, Xu Huizhu was stunned for a while, and then smashed everything in the house like crazy.
After Tao Shu returned, he told Tao Yongchang that Xu Huizhu already knew about his sterilization.
Tao Yongchang was very embarrassed, but he had no way to deal with his eldest son. He had been the one to pay for his mother's expenses since he was a child, and he even moved out after he became an adult. Tao Yongchang tried to act like a father in front of Tao Shu, but it was useless. First, Tao Shu didn't listen to him at all, and second, Tao Yongchang himself didn't have the confidence.
After all, they have been married for so many years, and Tao Yongchang also understands Xu Huizhu's temper. He knows that going back will definitely cause trouble. The thought of that scene gives him a headache, so he simply decides not to go back.
Ever since being rejected by Meng Fengdong last time, Tao Ya has been drowsy in the dormitory all day, not wanting to eat or drink. She is also reluctant to go home and face Xu Huizhu. Although she knows in her heart that it is not Xu Huizhu's fault, Tao Ya, who is obsessed with Meng Fengdong, cannot control herself and vent her anger on him.
Tao Ya was sternly warned by Xu Huizhu and asked to go home. She was full of resistance and ran to her room as soon as she came back. She was unwilling to talk to Xu Huizhu.
Xu Huizhu was very patient with this daughter whom she almost raised herself, but when she saw Tao Ya ignoring her and going straight upstairs, she completely lost her composure.
"Stop, that's what I taught you. If you don't greet your parents when you come home, who are you showing off to?"
Sitting on the sofa with legs crossed, Xu Huizhu called Tao Ya in a cold voice.
Tao Ya was stunned. This was the first time Xu Huizhu had been mean to her since she was a child, and she couldn't react for a long time.
But Tao Ya's silence for a long time caused Xu Huizhu to misunderstand her again. "Why, you're not happy after I told you once? What girl doesn't go home during the holidays and hangs out outside all day? Don't say I taught her that. I, Xu Huizhu, will not let this person down."
Tao Ya came back to her senses. She had been spoiled since she was a child and had a bad temper. Seeing Xu Huizhu talking about her without any reason, she refuted her without any hesitation.
"Mom, who made you angry and took it out on me? Or is it that you are in menopause? If you are sick, remember to take more medicine."
Snap——
After Tao Ya finished speaking, she saw Xu Huizhu walking towards her angrily. Before she could react, she felt a burning pain on her face.
"Asshole, who allowed you to talk to me like that?"
Tao Ya covered her face with her hands, her eyes suddenly turned red and tears welled up in them. No one had ever hit her before.
Tao Ya was angry and aggrieved, but the person who beat her was Xu Huizhu, and she couldn't do anything to her.
So, Tao Ya pushed Xu Huizhu away and said, "Go away. You are not my biological mother. My father has never hit me, but you always do."
Xu Huizhu, who was unprepared, staggered in her high heels when Tao Ya pushed her, and then she felt a piercing pain in her ankle.
"Auntie Zhang, lock the young lady in the room. Don't let her out without my permission."
Tao Ya was startled and looked at the big Zhang Ma who was walking towards her silently. "If you dare to lock me up, Zhang Ma, I will ask my dad to fire you."
Aunt Zhang didn't say a word. She was hired by Xu Huizhu, and her salary was paid by Xu Huizhu. Naturally, she didn't care about Tao Ya's threats.
Miss Jiao's Tao Ya was no match for Zhang Ma, who was used to doing rough work. In Zhang Ma's hands, she was like a little chicken.
After being locked in the room, Tao Ya finally felt scared. She banged on the door and admitted her mistake pitifully, "Mom, I was wrong. Please don't lock me up. I'm scared."
Xu Huizhu responded coldly, "You better reflect on your actions. I'll let you out after you've reflected on them."
After saying that, he was supported by Aunt Zhang and limped downstairs, ready to go to the clinic to check his leg.
He turned a deaf ear to the subsequent apologies.
After all that happened, Xu Huizhu was no longer as confident as before. She began to think about her life in old age. Her greatest pride was her husband's love, her children's respect, her social status and her elegant life that others envied...
But recently she discovered that all of this, and the confidence she had in facing others with pride, seemed to be fake and were just her imagination.
Tao Yongchang, who loved her, seemed to have some feelings for her, but they were definitely not as strong as those children born to his ex-wife. Moreover, he even voluntarily got sterilized for his ex-wife.
When he learned the truth from Tao Shu, he slapped Xu Huizhu in the face fiercely and stepped on her face hard on the ground.
But Xu Huizhu is Xu Huizhu after all. After she understood this fact, she quickly withdrew her feelings.
From now on, Tao Yongchang was just a man who could bring her social status.
If it were Xu Huizhu when she was young, she would choose to divorce Tao Yongchang without hesitation and choose a man who loves her to marry.
However, as Xu Huizhu entered middle age and began to enter old age, her way of thinking about things began to change. She believed that she was the most important thing, and she was willing to endure in order to maintain a luxurious life.
But Tao Yongchang was different. She would not allow anyone else in the family to challenge her authority, especially Tao Ya. When she got married, Tao Ya was only one or two years old. She took good care of Tao Ya.
Therefore, she would never allow Tao Ya to disrespect her.
This time, Xu Huizhu put Tao Ya in solitary confinement with the intention of teaching her a lesson, telling her not to think that she can disobey her just because she has grown up and has become independent.
——
In December 1978, the country implemented the policy of internal reform and opening up to the outside world. The domestic situation underwent major changes, which accelerated the process of national modernization.
On May 15, 1979, Tao Yongchang had not been home for a month.
At first, he was reluctant to go home, and later, he couldn't. Starting at the end of last year, his power was gradually being stripped away. Two weeks ago, his longtime leader, who had supported him, suddenly retired. Tao Yongchang was about to visit his old leader, but was stopped and didn't see him.
Tao Yongchang vaguely sensed that something was wrong, but before he could investigate, he was taken away for tea by the Discipline Inspection Commission.
In the office of the interrogator of the Discipline Inspection Commission, he met Pei Zhongyuan and the old leader who retired due to illness.
In the early 1960s, the leadership racked their brains and worked day and night for the development of New China.
Pei Zhongyuan's group believed that the country needed to learn from Western countries and could not blindly reject Western things. If they wanted to restore economic trade, closing the country to the outside world was a lesson learned from the past, and it was absolutely unacceptable to stick to the old ways.
The other side rejected everything about capitalism, believing that exchanging trade with foreign countries would only reintroduce imperialism into China. The motherland, which had just recovered some of its vitality, could not withstand another blow and plunder, so it firmly disagreed with the resolution of the reformists.
Policy disputes are normal, but the worry is that some people will use them to seize power and profit. Pei Zhongyuan and his colleagues encountered such a crisis at the time. Some members of the opposition did not care about the national interest, but only about whether their power would be weakened.
Therefore, facing Pei Zhongyuan who actively advocated innovation, the other side investigated Pei Zhongyuan and found out that Pei Zhongyuan and his wife Xu Huizhu were not in harmony.
The other party sent someone to contact Xu Huizhu, learned about her character, and secretly put Xu Huizhu in touch with her first love Tao Yongchang who had just returned to China.
In order to divorce Pei Zhongyuan and be with her first love, Xu Huizhu became a key link in the conspiracy against Pei Zhongyuan and the innovative faction.
In order to promote the reform process, Pei Zhongyuan's side held many secret meetings, and the results of the meetings were squeezed into a notebook and kept by Pei Zhongyuan.
This notebook was eventually stolen by Xu Huizhu and fell into the hands of the person behind the scenes.
Based on the contents of the notebook, the meaning was distorted by the people behind the scenes, and Pei Zhongyuan's people were falsely accused of colluding with capitalism.
In order not to implicate others, Pei Zhongyuan took the initiative to take all the responsibility.
In this way, Pei Zhongyuan was imprisoned and cut off from the outside world.
Then, the Cultural Revolution came, Xu Huizhu remarried Tao Yongchang, the Pei family suffered, Pei's grandparents died one after another, Pei's house was taken away, Pei Xingzhi was left on the streets, and was adopted by Bai Fengyao.
Later, Pei Zhongyuan was transferred to a labor camp, and Pei Xingzhi was brought back by Xu Huizhu to replace Tao Wei in going to the countryside.
The mastermind behind the framing of Pei Zhongyuan was Tao Yongchang's former boss. Tao Yongchang thought his boss's appreciation for him was actually a reward for Xu Huizhu's plot to frame Pei Zhongyuan.
After hearing all this, Tao Yongchang was completely dumbfounded.
"No, no, Pei Zhongyuan, you lied to me. Even though I stole your wife, you don't have to go to such great lengths to forge so many things. Huizhu may be a little spoiled, but she's not that bad."
Pei Zhongyuan's eyes flashed with sarcasm. He turned to look at the old leader whom Tao Yongchang admired, who looked haggard. "He has confessed everything. If you don't believe me, you can ask him."
The old man raised his head when he was mentioned, ignoring Tao Yongchang who looked hopeful, and looked at Pei Zhongyuan coldly, "The winner is the king and the loser is the bandit, it's up to you to deal with it as you wish."
Tao Yongchang was dumbfounded.
The person next to Pei Zhongyuan laughed, "You are quite tough. I hope your family can be the same as you."
The old man frowned and said, "They didn't do anything. I did everything myself."
Pei Zhongyuan walked up to the old man and said, "Good deeds and evil deeds will eventually be rewarded. It's not that there is no reward, but the time has not come yet. Who are you? What good can the one with your bloodline be?"
The man standing next to Pei Zhongyuan was stunned for a moment. It was the first time he heard Old Pei say such harsh words. However, when he thought about how the man in front of him had almost caused the Pei family to be destroyed, Old Pei was very merciful by not chopping him off with his own hands.
"Congratulations! Your four sons and two daughters have all inherited your legacy. Your eldest son embezzled and accepted bribes, your second son hit and killed someone, your third son harmed two girls at school, and your youngest son was even worse, forcing girls of good character into prostitution. Your two daughters are no slouch either. Your eldest daughter secretly had someone disfigure your son-in-law's mistress, and your youngest daughter's son pushed another child down the stairs at school, leaving the child with a lame leg. Your wife kept all of this a secret. Tsk tsk, you really are a nest of snakes and rats. It seems your family won't have to separate. Whether in prison or in the underworld, you'll have someone to accompany you. Aren't you happy, old man?"
After hearing what this man said, the old man's face turned blue to white, then white to blue again, and finally his face turned red. His breathing became rapid, his eyes rolled back, and he fainted.
"Fuck, this old man has such a poor tolerance, is he dead?" Zong Xuehai hurried over, put his hand on the old man's nose, and breathed a sigh of relief when he felt that he was still breathing.
When Tao Yongchang heard what Zong Xuehai said, he finally felt scared. His old leader, who was always kind on weekdays, turned out to be a family of evil people with all kinds of evil intentions.
Pei Zhongyuan ignored the fainted old man and looked at Tao Yongchang. "You haven't done anything illegal or disciplinary, but do you know how many of the things your old leader's wife asked you to do are related to what Lao Zong mentioned before?"
After hearing this, Tao Yongchang's face turned pale.
When Tao Yongchang came out of the Discipline Inspection Commission, he was more than ten years older. Before, only a few white hairs could be seen on his head, but now they are all white.
When he was packing up his things from the office, he saw his eldest son waiting for him on the side of the road, holding his bicycle.
Suddenly, he remembered what Pei Zhongyuan said: You have a good son!
My eyes turned red uncontrollably.
Tao Yongchang turned his face away, secretly wiped away his tears with his sleeve, walked up to Tao Shu, and said calmly, "I'm here."
Tao Shu didn't ask him, and took the sundries from Tao Yongchang's hand and said, "Come up, I'll take you home."
Tao Yongchang sat in the back seat next to his son and looked at his son's broad shoulders. He couldn't help but feel dazed. His son had grown so big.
“I was expelled from the party and expelled from the party.”
Tao Shu said "hmm" lightly.
After learning the outcome, Tao Yongchang felt both relieved and a little scared.
I was relieved because I didn't have to be shot.
What he was afraid of was seeing the disappointment in his children's eyes. He was about to enter old age, but had lost his career and ended up like this. Tao Yongchang, who attached great importance to his career, felt very frustrated.
But seeing his eldest son's calm expression, his shame disappeared.
"I should go abroad and take your sister away. You and Xiao Wei have already started a family. It's up to you to decide whether to stay or go."
Tao Shu was riding a bike. The sunlight shone from the slant, casting two long shadows on the ground.
"I don't need it. Xiaowei and I have discussed it and decided to stay in the capital. As for Xiaowei, you can ask him yourself."
When he arrived at the door of his house, Tao Shu did not go in.
After watching his eldest son leave, Tao Yongchang sighed, holding the sundries he brought back, and walked into the two-story villa with a hunched back.
When he returned home, Xu Huizhu was not at home, and Tao Yongchang did not care. But when he saw that his daughter had been locked up by Xu Huizhu for three whole days, Tao Yongchang's eyes darkened. He ignored Zhang Ma's obstruction and directly chopped the door handle with a knife.
After hugging his crying daughter and comforting her, Tao Yongchang asked Zhang Ma to go to the kitchen to get some food.
Frightened by Tao Yongchang guarding the door, Aunt Zhang didn't dare to say anything more and quickly returned to the kitchen.
That night, Xu Huizhu came back and saw Tao Yongchang, but did not explain anything.
In her opinion, Tao Yongchang had done her a disservice by hiding the fact that he had undergone a sterilization operation from her. She had raised Tao Ya, and as a mother, she had reason and evidence to discipline her, so there was no need for her to explain to Tao Yongchang.
Of course, she was very satisfied with Tao Yongchang's response of not asking any further questions. If Tao Yongchang really questioned her, Xu Huizhu would definitely have a big fuss tonight.
The next day, everything at home was the same as usual. Tao Yongchang went out during working hours as usual, and Tao Ya stayed in the room obediently. Xu Huizhu didn't notice anything unusual.
On the third day, the same thing happened.
On the fourth day, Tao Yongchang and Tao Ya went out together.
After returning that day, Tao Ya's reaction was strange. Xu Huizhu was a little upset that the father and daughter had gone out without her. However, that evening, Tao Yongchang apologized and specially brought Xu Huizhu a cup of hot milk, which she reluctantly drank.
On the fifth day, when Xu Huizhu woke up, it was already noon. Tao Yongchang and Tao Ya were both gone. Xu Huizhu's mood worsened again.
She went downstairs to question Aunt Zhang.
Aunt Zhang said, "The gentleman and the young lady left with their luggage, saying they were going to visit the young lady's grandmother."
Xu Huizhu raised her eyebrows, her chest heaving violently, "What kind of luggage do I need to bring to my grandma's house?"
Tao Ya's grandmother's home is in the capital.
Not only did she think of something, Xu Huizhu quickly ran to Tao Ya's room and saw a letter on the bedside table.
Xu Huizhu tore open the envelope and took out the letter inside.
[Mom, by the time you read this letter, Dad and I will have already boarded a plane to the United States. After what happened last time, it's hard for me to face you again. Meanwhile, Dad has told me a lot. He's been expelled from the Party for your involvement in everything you did to the Pei family. And soon... Dad will take me away to save me from the strange looks from others. ...Mom, thank you for taking care of me over the years. If I have the chance, I'll come back to see you. —Tao Yaliu]
Despite the scorching weather in June, Xu Huizhu felt the biting cold. Her body was shivering and her hands and feet were shaking uncontrollably.
They knew, they knew the truth of that year!
Tao Yongchang was fired, so will it be her turn soon?
No, she couldn't stay in jail. She wanted to escape. She wanted to leave China and run away far away.
Xu Huizhu regained her senses and thought of something. She immediately ran back to her and Tao Yongchang's room and opened the cabinet where she kept her jewelry.
Still——
Xu Huizhu felt complicated. She didn't expect that Tao Yongchang didn't take anything away and even put some US dollars in it.
Without thinking too much, Xu Huizhu immediately took out her suitcase, stuffed a few sets of clothes that were easy to move in, and then frantically stuffed the jewelry in the cabinet into it.
After finishing everything, Xu Huizhu opened the door and went downstairs, saying hurriedly: "Auntie Zhang, I have to go out for something urgent. If anyone comes to the door, just say I went out to relax."
Not hearing a response, Xu Huizhu frowned and turned around to see Aunt Zhang squatting on the ground with her head in her hands, and several men in police uniforms beside her, their faces turning extremely pale.
"Ms. Xu Huizhu, please come with us. We have a case that requires your cooperation in our investigation."
By July 1980, there were more and more shops of all kinds offering free trade on the streets of the capital.
Nowadays, when people go shopping, they no longer have only the supply and marketing cooperatives as an option.
Six-year-old Pei Jingxi successfully graduated from kindergarten in May of this year. In September, she will officially become an elementary school student.
Since both parents and children are students, the holidays naturally become a time for parent-child travel.
The Pei family had many shops, but after the reform and opening up, many of them were rented out. Pei Xingzhi kept one for himself, and he and Meng Wanqiu opened an antique shop together, located in Panjiayuan.
During the Chinese New Year last year, Pei Zhongyuan went abroad on a business trip.
So the family packed up and rushed back to Qinghe Village to celebrate the New Year. When she returned from school, Meng Wanqiu brought back the antiques she had buried in the mountains, and they are now on display in her antique shop.
That's right, her antique shop.
This shop has been adopted by Pei Zhongyuan to Meng Wanqiu.
In addition to studying, Meng Wanqiu's hobby in her spare time is to find bargains everywhere, and Pei Xingzhi is happy to accompany her.
However, Meng Wanqiu, this old antique connoisseur, has a good eye and can often find all kinds of good things, but the antiques sold in the store are all imitations.
Although it is a replica, it is still an antique.
It was a real treasure, and Meng Wanqiu couldn't bear to sell it at the current price. She wasn't short of money now, and collecting antiques was one of her hobbies.
When September came, Pei Xingzhi and Meng Wanqiu took Xixi to the primary school near their home to register.
At the dinner table, Xixi started asking questions non-stop.
“Are elementary school teachers mean?”
"Teacher won't be mean if you listen to me."
"I heard from Little Fatty that the elementary school teacher would hit people. Mom, if the teacher hits me, can I fight back?"
Meng Wanqiu gave Pei Xingzhi a look, and Pei Xingzhi smiled and pinched her ears, causing Meng Wanqiu's ears to turn red.
"The teachers in the elementary school are the same as the teachers in Xixi's kindergarten. As long as Xixi is obedient, the teachers won't hit you for no reason."
"But--"
"But what but? There is no but. Just eat your breakfast quickly."
Meng Wanqiu suppressed her forcefully, ignoring Xixi's unconvinced pouting.
The school is a little farther away than Xixi's kindergarten, and one needs to walk a little further. The school is very large, with complete facilities, and the teachers are gentle, appearing to be in their early twenties and easy to talk to.
Seeing such a teacher, Xixi finally stopped complaining in her heart.
Meng Wanqiu was a little worried, wondering if such a gentle teacher could subdue this little devil in her family.
Pei Jingxi is the one who gets more and more naughty as she grows older.
When they were in kindergarten, Meng Wanqiu and Pei Xingzhi had no idea how many times they were asked out by the teacher.
God knows, how can a little kid who just started kindergarten have so many abilities to cause trouble?
Once, Meng Wanqiu was so angry that she almost took action to deal with this little thing.
Here's the thing.
There is a thin little boy in Xixi's class who is slightly picky about food. He doesn't like to eat meat and only eats vegetables.
The lunch portions at the kindergarten are precisely measured, and each child has a fixed amount of food, with no leftovers allowed. However, there are always differences in the children's situations, such as Xixi and this picky eater.
Xixi eats a lot, while the little boy eats less. Every time Xixi doesn't have enough to eat, and the little boy always has leftovers. Every time the teacher scolds him, Xixi, as a very chivalrous child, will consciously help the little boy solve the problem of leftover food.
After a long time, the little boy fainted at home, which scared his parents. They went to the hospital for a check-up and found out that he was malnourished.
This is strange for the parents. They have never mistreat their child at home, so how could the child be hungry and malnourished?
There is no problem at home, so the only problem is at kindergarten.
So, when the parents came to the kindergarten, they saw Xixi snatching other people's food, and she was so mean as to specifically snatch the meat.
After being called to the teacher's office, Xixi still had an expression of being praised. She helped her classmates to deal with leftovers and not waste food, so why did the teacher still scold her?
Looking at Xixi's innocent eyes, the teacher sighed helplessly and decided to call the parents.
When Meng Wanqiu and Pei Xingzhi arrived, they heard Xixi snatching food from other children, starving them to the point of malnutrition and fainting.
Meng Wanqiu suddenly became angry.
Xixi quickly hid behind her father, and Meng Wanqiu didn't get to fight in the end because the teacher was there.
Both parents and children were present, and after listening to the teacher's explanation, they understood the whole story.
In the past, the little boy couldn't finish his food, and would still eat a few more bites of meat and vegetables after being scolded by the teacher. But now, after Xixi's "kindness" help, he can't eat any meat at all. Isn't this causing malnutrition?
However, after learning the truth of the matter, Meng Wanqiu felt even more ashamed. After repeatedly apologizing to the other party's parents, she took out a precious health-preserving medicinal herb from her private storage and apologized to the other party. Only then did she understand the truth.
After returning home, Meng Wanqiu didn't want to see this unlucky child for the time being, so she handed the task of educating Xixi to Pei Xingzhi.
The last incident gave Meng Wanqiu many warnings. This time when Xixi went to elementary school, she set many rules for her, and if she violated them, she would be punished according to the family rules.
Facing his daughter's pleading eyes, Pei Xingzhi silently held up the newspaper and pretended not to see it.
Her ungrateful father was unwilling to help her. The small and weak little monkey Xixi was unable to resist the powerful suppression of her mother Meng Wanqiu and was pressed under the Five Finger Mountain.
On the first day of school, only Meng Wanqiu sent Xixi off. Pei Xingzhi was hurriedly called to school by his tutor last night, saying that there was a problem with the experiment.
"You are not allowed to bully your classmates, okay?"
"Mom!" Xixi's tone rose, "Am I that kind of person? How could you doubt your lovely, beautiful, and smart daughter?"
Meng Wanqiu cleared her throat. "My lovely, beautiful, and smart daughter Xixi, please remember those 'repeated orders'. If you violate them, hmph."
This little thing is just weird. But she is not her grandfather, this trick has no effect on her.
Xixi's face suddenly fell, and she muttered, "I'm not going to talk to you anymore. I'm going to school."
After saying that, she trotted towards the school with her two ponytails in tow.
"Don't run, or you might bump into other kids." Meng Wanqiu frowned again.
"knew!"
The little brat agreed from a distance and his pace slowed down significantly.
Meng Wanqiu smiled and said, "It's okay, I'm not that naughty."
After watching the little guy disappear in the crowd, Meng Wanqiu turned around and left. She also had to go back to school for class.
Just as I was about to leave, I suddenly smelled a fragrance.
Following the smell, I found that it was a vendor selling glutinous rice at a stall. I don’t know how it was made, but the aroma of the glutinous rice was particularly overbearing and went straight into my nose. My stomach, which had just eaten breakfast, began to rumble again.
Yes, it’s still early before class, so it won’t be too late to buy some glutinous rice.
So, the feet that were supposed to be heading towards the school suddenly turned and walked towards the stall selling glutinous rice.
"Boss, give me two servings, one to take away and one to eat here, with all these toppings."
The packed portion was for Pei Xingzhi. If I come across delicious food, of course I have to buy some for him as well.
She was not worried that the glutinous rice would get cold. As a gourmet, she could feel that the glutinous rice sold by the boss had a unique flavor even when it was cold.
"Okay, let's eat here. Please take a seat first. It will be ready soon."
Meng Wanqiu only turned her attention to the gentle voice when it was heard. The boss looked to be in her thirties, with a haggard face and fine lines around her eyes and forehead, but one could still tell she had a good foundation.
The other person was wearing an apron, and the surface of his stall was wiped clean. The area around each bowl of condiments was very tidy, unlike other vendors, who had residue all over the table, which made people look unappetizing.
Therefore, Meng Wanqiu opposed Xixi buying food from the stalls outside.
But the boss of this shop is a very particular person.
The boss was quick and efficient and quickly prepared Meng Wanqiu's portion. The small tables around were occupied by elementary school students, but Meng Wanqiu didn't care. She casually shared a table with two classmates, sat on a small stool, and started eating with big mouthfuls.
As soon as the glutinous rice entered her mouth, Meng Wanqiu whimpered with satisfaction. The glutinous rice was mixed with a faint aroma of soy sauce, which made people drool unconsciously.
The rice is filled with diced bacon, shredded dried tofu, sour beans, chili oil, etc., which is appetizing and leaves a lasting aftertaste.
By the time Meng Wanqiu reacted, she had already eaten it all.
It was getting late, Meng Wanqiu looked at the portion she had brought for Pei Xingzhi with envy, put it in her bag cruelly, and got up to walk towards school.
The departing Meng Wanqiu didn't know that the person she had been trying so hard to find was here.
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