Chapter 149: Winner in Life: Your daughter is a money-grubber!
On the third day of the Lunar New Year, at the end of the afternoon shift, Wang Ying was pushing her cart near the factory gate when she spotted Gu Mei and her brother outside. Gu Mei was waving at her. Both siblings were wearing coats and carrying bags, and they looked so elegant that anyone passing by couldn't help but stare.
Wang Ying pushed the cart and quickly walked up to the two of them.
Gu Mei hurried forward and hugged Wang Ying: "Happy New Year, Yingzi, I missed you so much."
"Happy New Year. When did you come back?" Wang Ying asked with a smile after hugging Gu Mei.
"I didn't get home until the 27th day of the lunar year. I had a lot of things to do before the New Year, so I didn't come to see you." Gu Mei said.
"Come to my house and have a visit. Are you free?" Wang Ying said.
"I'm here to pick you up from get off work when I'm free," Gu Mei said. "Is Zhao Yunsheng not picking you up from get off work now?"
"Now that he's the team leader, he doesn't dare leave early anymore." Wang Ying smiled. "How's your campus life? Are you enjoying it?"
"I'm happy, but everyone is so talented and hardworking that we don't dare to slack off. We spend our days off in the library," said Gu Mei. "Unlike my brother, he's happy because his teacher likes him and even takes him with him when he's filming a movie."
"What was the name of the last movie Gu Xuan filmed, and when will it be released?" Wang Ying asked.
"It wasn't filmed by me, I just followed along to do odd jobs." Gu Xuan said, "It hasn't been finished yet, so I can't reveal it. You can go to the cinema to watch it when the time comes."
"Our Yunsheng is waiting for you to film his novel. He has mentioned it several times and he is thinking about it very much." Wang Ying said with a smile.
"Well, I signed the contract with him when I came back this time. Writer Zhao's reputation is getting more and more famous. If I don't take action now, it will be too late." Gu Xuan said.
"Yes, yes. Many people in our school read his books, but no one knows that I know him." Gu Mei said, winking at Wang Ying. "I heard that a female reader came to visit?"
"Oh, how come even you guys heard about it?" Wang Ying was at a loss whether to laugh or cry.
"My mother told me that." Gu Mei said with a smile.
After not seeing each other for a year, the three of them had endless things to talk about. When they were almost at Wang Ying's house, they heard the sound of a bicycle bell behind them. It was Zhao Yunsheng.
"Gu Xuan, Gu Mei, Happy New Year." Zhao Yunsheng got off his bicycle and greeted them with a smile.
"Happy New Year, Mr. Zhao, writer. Please sign a few autographs for me later," said Gu Mei.
"Sure."
The four of them entered the Zhao family's yard. When Chen Xiuqin saw the Gu brothers and sisters coming, she greeted them warmly and invited them into the house.
Dongbao was playing with Yueyue on the sofa. When they saw guests coming, they called them obediently. Yueyue looked at the two strangers curiously.
Gu Mei stepped forward and picked up Yueyue: "Yueyue, I am your godmother, do you still remember me?"
"She was only a few days old at that time? How could she remember you?" Gu Xuan said speechlessly.
Yueyue is not shy, but she doesn't understand what her godmother means, so she just stares at Gu Mei.
"Call me godmother." Wang Ying said.
"An Ma." Yueyue called out. Her pronunciation was not quite standard, but Gu Mei was already very happy. She asked Yueyue to call her uncle, but Yueyue called her "Xiu Xiu"...
After some laughter and playfulness, Wang Ying said, "Yunsheng, you stay with them and talk to them. I'll go cook two dishes."
"Let's have something spicy." said Gu Mei.
Zhao Yunsheng and the Gu brothers and sisters sat at the dinner table chatting. Gu Xuan proposed to formally purchase Zhao Yunsheng's copyright and sign the contract today. Zhao Yunsheng readily agreed.
"I'm also quite optimistic about your current serialized novel, but people shouldn't be too greedy. Leave some for others," said Gu Xuan.
"Have you seen it?" Zhao Yunsheng was a little surprised.
"We have a fan of your book in our school too. Listen to what he said."
"Tsk tsk, it's worthy of being a big house, full of readers!" Gu Mei joked, "Stay away from female readers from now on!"
"Don't mention it, don't mention it." Zhao Yunsheng was afraid that others would mention his "black history".
Seeing Director Zhao's embarrassed look, the Gu brothers and sisters couldn't stop laughing.
After dinner, they began to discuss the copyright of Zhao Yunsheng. Gu Xuan was very generous and gave him a copyright fee of three thousand for one long story and one short story.
Three thousand was not a small sum at that time. Wang Ying was now the workshop director, and his monthly salary was only 58 yuan, while Zhao Yunsheng's salary was only 38 yuan.
"Isn't this too much?" Chen Xiuqin said.
"It's not much." Gu Xuan said, "I'm getting a bargain anyway. Yunsheng's book is worth much more than that."
Zhao Yunsheng loved hearing this and was so happy that his head was about to fly off. He didn't expect Gu Xuan to give so much.
Wang Ying also felt that it was not much, but this should be the current market situation.
After Fang Shuang agreed, Gu Xuan took out the contract from his bag.
"You really came well prepared." Wang Ying said with a smile.
"Well, I've prepared it at school." Gu Xuan said, "You all can take a look."
Zhao Yunsheng took the contract and read it once, then showed it to Wang Ying again. Director Zhao also took it and read it. He actually didn't quite understand this kind of contract, but he still had to read it.
After confirming that there were no problems with the contract, both parties signed it. The contract was made in duplicate, and each person kept one copy.
After signing the contract, Gu Xuan took money out of his bag. Three thousand yuan was a lot, considering the largest denomination at the time was only ten yuan. Thirty stacks of one hundred yuan each were placed on the square table in Old Zhao's house.
Looking at the pile of money, Chen Xiuqin's heartbeat quickened. Her son had finally made it big, earning so much money all at once! Even Director Zhao was a little overwhelmed...
Yueyue sat on Chen Xiuqin's lap. She was very interested in the things on the table. She quickly climbed onto the table, grabbed a stack of books, and then sat back on her grandmother's lap.
"Oh, Yueyue likes money!" Gu Mei laughed, "Uncle, hurry up and give Yueyue another wad."
Gu Xuan really took out another stack of money from his bag and handed it to Yueyue, who immediately grabbed the money with her other hand.
"Oh, that's useless. Give it back to uncle quickly." Chen Xiuqin said hurriedly.
When the money came into Yueyue's hands, she refused to return it. She played with the money in her hands like a fan, and it made a crackling sound. She was very happy, as if she had found a new toy.
Zhao Yunsheng took a stack of money from the table and tried to return it to Gu Xuan's bag. Gu Xuan closed the bag and said, "This is the New Year's money I gave to my niece. What do you mean by returning it?"
Nowadays, it is a lot for a child to get a dime as a New Year’s gift, so how can you give a hundred?
But Zhao Yunsheng was too embarrassed to return it, thinking that it was a give and take, and it would be the same if they returned it when Gu Xuan's family had children in the future.
Gu Xuan and his sister stayed until around nine o'clock, when Wang Ying and Zhao Yunsheng took them back. They had walked here, so Wang Ying and Zhao Yunsheng walked with them, chatting and laughing all the way until they returned to the government compound.
Gu Mei and the others agreed that Yueyue would go to the Zhao family again when she turned one year old.
Wang Ying and Zhao Yunsheng walked back hand in hand. Zhao Yunsheng sighed, "Yingzi, I feel like I'm dreaming. I never imagined I'd be where I am today."
"You're such a coward," Wang Ying said. "I have better ideas than this."
Zhao Yunsheng chuckled softly twice: "I can't compare to Yingzi."
"Believe me, this must be the cheapest you have ever sold the copyright for." Wang Yingyu said confidently.
Every time Wang Ying spoke of the future in such a confident tone, Zhao Yunsheng felt a subtle feeling in his heart, and this moment was no exception. However, he still did not express his feelings. Instead, he squeezed Wang Ying's hand tightly and said, "I believe you."
"Gu Xuan said he wanted to go back and polish the script. He is still a student, so it probably can't be filmed for the time being," said Wang Ying.
"Don't worry." Zhao Yunsheng said, "Maybe I can write my own script in the future?"
"That's even better," Wang Ying said. "I can write my own work myself."
"I could also try writing a script," Zhao Yunsheng said. The 3,000 yuan copyright fee stimulated Zhao Yunsheng's creative spirit.
The two of them walked back slowly, and Zhao Yunsheng suddenly said, "Yingzi, it turns out I'm a vulgar person. Money can actually make me so happy. I didn't write novels for money."
Wang Ying turned to look at him and said, "That's not contradictory. He's achieved his dream, gained fame and fortune, and is truly a winner in life."
"Winner in life..." Zhao Yunsheng repeated Wang Ying's words. He really couldn't think of any regrets in his heart. He was so lucky.
After the two returned home, Chen Xiuqin and Director Zhao were still in the main room. Chen Xiuqin was holding Yueyue who had fallen asleep, and Director Zhao was looking at the money on the table.
"I'm back. Yueyue is asleep. Carry her upstairs." said Chen Xiuqin.
"Okay, thank you for your hard work, Mom. You should also go to bed early." Wang Ying took Yueyue.
Director Zhao pointed to the money on the table and said, "Would you like to save this money?"
"Let's put it at home first. We'll buy whatever we need for the house," said Zhao Yunsheng.
"There's nothing else to buy. I've already bought a washing machine." Chen Xiuqin glanced at the table again. So much money was still very eye-catching.
"Let's talk about it later. Let's go up first." Zhao Yunsheng said.
"Take the money." Director Zhao felt anxious for them when he saw that they treated the three thousand yuan as if it were three yuan.
"I'll come down and get it later. Take the thermos up first."
Wang Ying carried Yueyue upstairs first, and Zhao Yunsheng followed closely with a thermos.
Wang Ying took off Yueyue's coat and stuffed her into the quilt. The child was sleeping soundly and could not be woken up no matter how much Wang Ying tossed and turned.
Zhao Yunsheng put the thermos behind the door, walked over to Wang Ying and asked, "Yingzi, is there anything you want to buy?"
"No, there's nothing missing at home." Wang Ying said. She actually wanted to buy some land, but she wasn't allowed to sell it now!
Zhao Yunsheng put his arms around Wang Ying's waist and said, "Oh, so this is what it feels like to have money but not know how to spend it!"
Wang Ying was amused by him and thought to himself, that's not much money.
"You can buy the books you like," Wang Ying said. "The bookstore is gradually getting new books, and I think foreign books will also start to arrive."
"But I want to spend it for you," Zhao Yunsheng said. He was thinking about what Wang Ying liked, but it seemed that she didn't particularly like anything except work, which really worried him.
"I know you have this intention. You will spend it when you can." Wang Ying yawned and said, "I'm sleepy, I'll take a shower and go to bed. Oh, by the way, you can give some of the money to your parents to show your filial piety."
Zhao Yunsheng returned downstairs, and the money was still on the dining table. Zhao Yunsheng took a thousand and went to his parents' room. The old couple were making the bed, not yet asleep, and the door was not even closed.
"Mom and Dad, this money is for you," said Zhao Yunsheng.
"We don't want it," Chen Xiuqin said. "We have money, you can keep it."
"Just accept it. Yingzi won't want it if I want to buy her something, and you won't feel good about giving me the money. I have no way to express my love and filial piety, and I don't feel any sense of accomplishment at all," said Zhao Yunsheng.
Chen Xiuqin was amused by him and took the money: "Then I'll keep it for you. Come to me for more when you need it in the future."
"Okay." After giving his parents a thousand yuan as a filial gift, Zhao Yunsheng felt relieved and took the remaining money back upstairs.
In a blink of an eye, it was the eighth day of the first lunar month. Little Zhao Xinyue was one year old, and the Zhao family was bustling with activity.
Zhao Yunfang and her family arrived early, and Zhao Yunfei also switched shifts with her colleagues. The two sisters helped pick vegetables in the kitchen and chatted in private.
Zhao Yunfei said that Zhao Yunsheng's novel was sold to someone for a movie and sold for three thousand yuan, which shocked Zhao Yunfang.
“Is this true?”
"Of course it's true. He even gave my parents a thousand." Zhao Yunfei said, "Don't tell anyone about it, or you'll be targeted again."
Zhao Yunfang said sourly: "Don't say that outsiders are watching me, I want to watch me too!"
Zhao Yunfei glared at Zhao Yunfang, who chuckled, "Now my parents won't say he's a loser, will they? If he's successful, when will his novel be made into a movie? When will it be released?"
"I don't know. It's still too early. Isn't Gu Xuan still studying? He also said that Yunsheng's books will be more valuable in the future!" said Zhao Yunfei.
"Tsk tsk, Zhao Yunsheng is really amazing." said Zhao Yunfang.
"That's right," Zhao Yunfei sighed. "At that time, no one in the family agreed with him writing. Only Yingzi supported him, so he persisted."
"What a lucky kid!" Zhao Yunfang also sighed, "Yingzi is also capable."
The elderly couple Wang Yongren and Wang Hui's family arrived together.
As soon as Huanhuan arrived, she went to play with Dongbao and Mingjie. Yueyue saw her two sisters and one brother running and playing on the ground, and she became anxious. She also wanted Zhao Yunsheng to hold her and chase them.
Zhao Yunsheng put her on the ground and said, "Do you want to play with your brothers and sisters? Then go and chase them yourself."
Yueyue refused to get off the ground, so Huanhuan walked over to her and pulled her hand: "Don't be afraid, sister. I'll take you away."
Mingjie also came over and took Yueyue's other hand: "Brother will hold yours too."
Yueyue looked at her sister on the left and her brother on the right, and she seemed less scared. Zhao Yunsheng took the opportunity to let go, and Yueyue just stood there.
Huanhuan said to Mingjie, "Brother, let's walk slowly."
Huanhuan and Mingjie walked Yueyue for several steps. Zhao Yunsheng ran upstairs, took out his camera, and filmed the scene.
Li Fengju and Wang Hui were both watching from the yard. Li Fengju said, "Huanhuan is quite a good sister. Your eldest sister raised you the same way when you were little."
Wang Hui snorted and didn't respond.
Yueyue was unable to walk and soon fell down. However, because Huanhuan and Mingjie were holding her, and she was wearing warm clothes, she was not hurt. She understood that falling does not necessarily hurt, so she held her sister and brother and continued walking.
When the people in the house heard that Yueyue could walk, they all came out to see.
Wang Ying and the Gu brothers and sisters came down from upstairs. Yueyue saw her mother and wanted to go to Wang Ying, so she pulled Huanhuan and Mingjie and asked them to go with her.
Huanhuan and Mingjie first took Yueyue forward. When they were almost in front of Wang Ying, Huanhuan called Mingjie, "Brother." and then winked at him.
Mingjie didn't realize it at first, but when he saw Huanhuan let go of Yueyue's hand, he realized it and let go of her hand as well.
As soon as her sister and brother loosened their hands, Yueyue opened her arms, stumbled over to Wang Ying like a little bird, and threw herself into her arms.
Zhao Yunsheng took the camera and took several pictures.
Wang Ying picked up Yueyue and praised her, "Yueyue is amazing! She can walk now."
Zhao Xinyue was praised by her mother and immediately wanted to walk on the ground to show her. Wang Ying put her on the ground, and Huanhuan and Mingjie, who were standing not far away, came over to hold her hand. Wang Ying saw what Huanhuan had done and thought to herself that Huanhuan was really smart.
Dongbao was the oldest child, playing with three younger children. Wang Ying thought about it and walked over to Li Fengju and said, "Mom, did you see Huanhuan taking Yueyue for a walk just now? She winked at Mingjie."
"I saw it." Li Fengju said with a smile.
"Huanhuan is really smart. Ask Wang Hui and the others to teach her well and not teach her bad things. Let them set a good example for the children." Wang Ying said.
"Huanhuan is smart, well-behaved and clever. I always say that Huanhuan is more sensible than Huihui. It is better to rely on her own teaching than Huihui." Li Fengju sighed. Thinking of Wang Hui and Du Jianguo quarreling at home every day, she felt sorry for Huanhuan.
"When you have nothing to do, you can visit Huanhuan more often, teach her, talk to her, and see if Huanhuan's personality has changed. Don't let their family harm their good child." Wang Ying said.
Li Fengju quickly agreed.
Wang Hui and Du Jianguo arrived at the terrace on the second floor of the Zhao family's house at some point. Wang Hui saw her mother and elder sister standing together and talking, and she rolled her eyes.
Du Jianguo saw Wang Hui rolling her eyes and rolled his eyes at her too.
Before lunch, Yueyue was about to begin the "Zhuazhou" (grab the things that belong to the first month of a child's life) ritual. A large piece of red silk sat at the entrance to the main hall, upon which lay all the usual items children use for this ritual: books, pens, seals, an abacus, cakes, food coupons, and money. Zhao Yunsheng even placed his camera on top.
"Come, Yueyue, catch what you like." Director Zhao picked up Yueyue, put her on the ground, and let her catch it.
Yueyue looked at this and that, but seemed to be interested in nothing.
Zhao Yunsheng hoped the girl would grab the book, but Yueyue simply crawled over it without even touching it. She did touch his camera, but didn't seem interested.
A crowd gathered to see what Yueyue was going to catch. At this moment, Gu Xuan pulled out a wad of money from his bag. It was a wad of ten bills, a total of one hundred yuan, and placed it next to Zhao Yunsheng's book. Gu Mei slapped him, trying to stop him but failed.
“!”
Under everyone's expectant gaze, Zhao Xinyue went straight to the banknotes, grabbed them and refused to let go.
Zhao Yunfang laughed heartily: "Yingzi, Yunsheng, your daughter is a little money-grubber!"
Zhao Yunsheng glared at Gu Xuan angrily, but Gu Xuan was overjoyed. He was just trying it out, but he didn't expect that this little girl was really here for the money.
"This little girl doesn't even look at the food coupons and small-denomination money here! She only takes a wad of money seriously." Zhao Yunfei also laughed.
"Now the country needs to develop the economy, and we Yueyue are responding to the country's call." Dong Zhiyuan is worthy of being a teacher at the Party School. He immediately elevated Yueyue's behavior to a higher level.
Yueyue took the money, crawled over to Gu Xuan, called him "uncle" in a nonsensical way, and then held out her empty hand to him. Gu Mei clapped her hands with joy and laughed, "Gu Xuan, you deserve it. Hurry up and pay!"
The onlookers also laughed and praised Yueyue for her intelligence, so Gu Xuan had no choice but to take out another stack and give it to her.
Yueyue took two stacks of money, stood up tremblingly, walked to Wang Ying and asked Wang Ying to hold her.
Wang Ying was very happy. Money-loving people are great. She planned to start a business with her in the future.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com