181 Unusual
Guan Aiguo brought back three catties of mutton. As soon as he entered the house, he said, "I was queuing outside when everyone I met asked me if my eldest sister really went to work at the Supreme People's Court and if my second sister really went abroad on official business."
Guan Aiguo laughed, "It's a good thing we built a toilet at home so we don't have to go all the way to a public toilet. Otherwise, I would have to be asked several times every day while queuing at a public toilet."
“People come to my workplace and ask me if it’s true.” Wan Xiujuan shook her head.
In this alley, everything, good or bad, travels far and wide.
The neighbors in Ginkgo Hutong only found out two days ago that Guan Yuehe had gone abroad.
Guan Yuehe's get off work hours often differ from most of the workers in the alley. Once home, she doesn't go out unless she has something to do. She stays at home playing with her child, watching TV, or studying. Neighbors who don't pay close attention to her usually find it hard to tell that she's not home.
But one day in January, Zhang Quanbin unexpectedly drove home a motorcycle, sparking discussion among the neighbors who said that he was now living alone, with no one to take care of him, and was spending money recklessly.
“Look at Yiku, he’s already a regimental commander, and he only got to ride a motorcycle these past two days.”
"Yi Ku became a regimental commander? How come I didn't know? Did you ask him? His family bought another motorcycle?" A barrage of questions exploded out like firecrackers.
Grandpa Zhang scoffed, "Is that even a question? Didn't you see the epaulets on his uniform have changed? He's definitely a full regimental commander, no doubt about it."
"Really? How come there's not a single word about it?"
“It’s not surprising. He’s been back for several years now. If he doesn’t move up the ranks soon, he’ll have to consider changing careers.”
"This family really knows how to keep secrets."
This casual remark suddenly reminded the elderly folks that they hadn't seen Guan Yuehe for several days. "Is she away on a business trip again?"
"It should be." Aunt Hu also noticed something was wrong at this point. "I was wondering why the only sound of reading aloud at her house lately was 'recalling past hardships'?! She must be away on a business trip."
Just as she finished speaking, she saw Lin Yiku riding back on his motorcycle. Aunt Hu squinted and looked closely, and realized that he was riding the same motorcycle that Guan Yuehe usually rode.
Upon asking Lin Yiku, it was confirmed that Guan Yuehe was away on a business trip.
But as the days went by, everyone saw Lin Yiku riding Guan Yuehe's motorcycle to and from get off work every day, and Guan Yuehe was nowhere to be seen. So someone couldn't help but ask Jiang Guiying, "Where did your Yuehe go this time? Why did she take so long?"
"She's just on a business trip. She might be going to several places. We don't know anything about her job."
Whether it's the Guan family or the Lin family, everyone tacitly avoids talking about Guan Yuehe and Lin Yiku. If anyone asks too many questions, they'll warily ask in return, "Why are you asking so many questions?"
The two families reached a consensus to keep the matter confidential.
But some elderly people are well-informed.
“My son-in-law works at the Jianguo Hotel. He said he hadn’t seen Yuehe when he went to the Ministry of Foreign Trade to submit materials. When he asked, he found out that Yuehe had gone abroad on business.”
What? Guan Yuehe went abroad?
Ginkgo Hutong has become the source of so much new gossip for casual conversation.
"How can she be so capable?!"
"You really went abroad?"
"Are you going on a business trip or staying abroad?"
"I heard there are quite a lot of subsidies for going abroad..."
"I'm telling you, you're really out of your mind. All you care about is the subsidy. Is that the point? The point is that you're representing the country abroad! If it were me, I'd pay out of my own pocket to go."
"Get lost! Even if you paid someone to help you, the country wouldn't want you. Speak a few words of foreign language so we can hear you speak?"
After the discussion, the adults in the alley started raising their voices even louder when disciplining their children.
With so many role models from Ginkgo Hutong getting into university, adults have higher expectations for their own children.
The children all acted like quails, and who knew that just a few days after they received their report cards from school, news spread that Aunt Yuehe had gone abroad?
Oh, and that's not all.
Following the news of Guan Yuehe's departure abroad, news also emerged that Guan Yuehua had been assigned to work at the Supreme People's Court.
"These two sisters...tsk tsk tsk! I told you long ago, they've been unusual since they were little."
This time, no one said it was hindsight.
And that's certainly true. Whether it's Guan Yuehua's fiery temper or Guan Yuehe's powerful fists, it's hard to find anyone in the entire Ginkgo Hutong who can surpass them; they are truly extraordinary.
Sure enough, the news that Guan Yuehe had gone abroad on business and Guan Yuehua had been admitted to the Supreme People's Court could no longer be kept secret, so the family stopped trying to hide it.
"They're just curious about these few days; it's almost Chinese New Year, and everyone's busy preparing for it, right?"
Around the Lunar New Year, there are many lively events in each family, so who would just focus on discussing the two sisters, Yuehua and Yuehe?
In fact, you don't even need to wait until a few days before or after the Lunar New Year; the very next day, new gossip emerged in Ginkgo Hutong.
After years of working in the countryside, Ding Xianzong divorced his wife and returned to Beijing.
As soon as Ding Laoda saw him return, he took him to the factory to retire without saying a word, and let Ding Xianzong take over his job as a worker at the Wuxing Automobile Factory.
The succession was not unusual; what was unusual was that Ding Xianzong had completed the succession process the day after he returned, and on the third day, he was arranged to go on a blind date with a female colleague.
Ding Xianzong refused to go, but his sister-in-law was not angry. She thought that he would come to his senses after a while.
After waiting for three days, Ding Xianzong's divorced wife arrived in the city with their children. Ding Xianzong acted first and informed her later, taking her to get their marriage certificate.
Ding Laoda and his wife were furious. They thought about having their second son return to the city to take over the family business and marry a woman who was also a worker. In the future, both of them would have a salary, and Ding Laoda would also have some retirement income. That way, the family could live a comfortable life.
Now things are really messed up. Ding Xianzong's wife and two children are all registered rural residents and don't have a fixed income quota, so they can only live off Ding Xianzong's salary.
Let alone expecting the second son to take care of him, even the eldest son has to use his retirement savings to subsidize the family.
On a freezing cold day, Sister-in-law Ding sat on the ground in front of her house, wailing. None of the neighbors tried to comfort her or openly watched the commotion; instead, they all quietly peered out of their windows, listening intently.
"Serves them right! They deserve to be taught a lesson by their second son. I didn't realize that kid was so cunning."
Ding Xuewen, who was busy making a list of New Year's goods at home, suddenly sneezed.
Ye Zhi Qiu looked over and said, "You have a cold? I touched my forehead... I don't have a fever, but you should still take some cold medicine. It's uncomfortable to be sick."
"It's alright, I'll make some brown sugar ginger water later." Ding Xuewen beckoned her over to look at the list. "Is there anything else you need to add?"
Ye Zhi Qiu peeked out from behind him at the list on the table, and after a while, added two more items.
"By the way, Ding Xianzong sent some fruit, should we give him something in return?"
Ding Xuewen shook his head, "No need. I've already told him that we can just treat each other like ordinary relatives from now on. If we run into each other outside, we can just say hello, but there's no need to keep in touch."
If he were to associate with Ding Xianzong, other members of the Ding family would likely follow suit. Besides, he and Ding Xianzong didn't have much of a relationship as uncle and nephew to begin with.
Ye Zhi Qiu nodded, not continuing the unpleasant topic, and turned to talk about Guan Yue He.
"Senior sister won't be back until March, right?"
—
"Our inspection trip went more smoothly than expected, and we might be able to return to China by the end of February."
Guan Yuehe took a deep breath, "It doesn't matter whether it's sooner or later."
Just a few days ago, Lin Ting turned one year old. She missed both Lin Ting's first birthday and the Spring Festival.
Su Linghua, however, felt the difference was huge. "I really can't get used to their food here."
Guan Yuehe also frowned. She, who was never a picky eater, had lost her appetite after staying here for a month.
Fortunately, on New Year's Eve, everyone borrowed the hotel's kitchen and the entire inspection team worked together to prepare a New Year's Eve dinner featuring dishes from various cuisines.
Guan Yuehe's braised pork received unanimous praise.
"Comrade Yuehe, you could open a small restaurant and specialize in braised pork."
Guan Yuehe wasn't being modest, but she also recommended Ming Family Restaurant, hidden in a small alley.
"Sure, when we get back to China, we'll definitely have to try the little restaurant that Comrade Yuehe highly recommended."
"Take a break for the next couple of days, but everyone should avoid drinking too much. Just one more drink, and then we'll stop," Director Ouyang said.
"Okay, have another one."
When the cups clinked together, everyone fell silent for a few seconds, then exclaimed in unison, "May our motherland prosper and flourish!"
—
"What should we say..." Guan Canghai was encouraged by Guan Aiguo to say a few words. He swept the table and laughed, "At times like this, it's time for Director Guan to take the lead in speaking. She has a whole bunch of grand principles to share now."
Jiang Guiying urged impatiently, "Hurry up, Yuehe doesn't care about these fancy things, she only wants to eat as soon as possible."
Everyone burst into laughter.
Guan Canghai laughed and said, "Alright, then I wish us a prosperous life, smooth work for the adults, and good health for the children."
Outside, Tingting cheered, "Mom, Grandma, Dad's back! We can cook now!"
Jiang Guiying got up and looked out the window. Xie Zhenhua had just returned, covered in snowflakes.
"The factory is breaking through a new technology, and the technical department staff are all on holiday today."
"Oh, I should add one more thing: I wish our Five Star Automobile Factory a speedy breakthrough in new technologies, so that we won't have to beg foreigners to import our technology in the future."
"That's right. They've been negotiating that joint venture car deal at the factory for years, and it still hasn't been finalized. Yuehe has been going to the factory a lot."
It's not just the Five Star Automobile Factory, but also the one in Haishi. Otherwise, Guan Yuehe wouldn't have to go to Haishi so often on business trips.
The adults were looking forward to a good new year, but Lin Ting's heart and eyes were only on the food in front of her, and she would open her mouth to anyone who fed her.
"Your mother gave you that easygoing nature when it comes to food."
"Mom!" Lin Ting pointed randomly with her finger.
Lin Yiku was helpless and gave up on correcting her. She figured she'd forget about it anyway, so she'd wait until Yuehe returned.
"It's not just the Wang family who buys melon seeds; several families have bought fireworks to set off this year."
Thinking of Guan Yuehe, Lin Yiku lost interest in this year's fireworks.
Author's Note: I got back too late, so the second update will be very late. I'll check back tomorrow morning!
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