Chapter 53 Third Update
There was a commotion downstairs in the military dormitory, and Zhang Huafeng was startled by his family members who suddenly showed up.
The Zhang family came hurriedly without any notice, and even brought a young girl with them and wanted me to marry her. It was simply ridiculous!
"Feng'er, this is from your mother's family. She is your distant cousin anyway." Father Zhang was thin, about 1.5 meters tall, with a hunched back, wrinkles on his face, and dark skin. He was holding a dry cigarette and giving orders to his eldest son, "Hurry up and get the wine with Xiao Cui."
Zhang Huafeng almost laughed out of anger: "Dad, what are you doing? I told you I have a partner, and the person I want to marry is Comrade Yan Min. Who are you bringing here?"
He turned to look at the young girl who was not very old and looked a little immature, and said with lowered eyes: "Comrade Xiao Cui, don't listen to the nonsense of my family, and don't delay your own marriage."
The young girl named Xiao Cui looked at the tall and majestic soldier timidly. She was nervous and excited at the same time. She didn't know what to do. She just said in a voice as soft as a mosquito: "But my father won't let me go back. I belong to your family."
Zhang Huafeng frowned, not wanting to dwell on it any further: "Don't worry, forced marriage is not popular in this country anymore, just go back without worries."
"How can you go back?" Zhang's mother was unhappy when she heard this. She glanced at her son with her triangular eyes and said, "Both our families have made up their minds. Besides, Huafeng, are you going to disobey your parents and marry that vixen?"
"Mom, my name is Yan Min, and you are talking so rudely to me!" Zhang Huafeng said angrily.
Zhang's mother didn't care. Anyway, her family didn't agree with that fox spirit joining the sect.
My son used to be very obedient and only had his parents and younger brothers and sisters in his eyes. But since he started dating that vixen, he has changed. He sends less money and even ignores his family. How can he continue like this?
If that vixen really gets ahead of me, she will whisper in my ears every day, and I am afraid that I will lose my son! Xiao Cui is still good. She is obedient and kind-hearted. She listens to everything I say. She will definitely be a good daughter-in-law when she marries Hua Feng in the future.
At this time, soldiers occasionally came in and out of the military dormitory. Some of them had noticed what was happening over there, and smiled and said hello, "Zhang, is this someone from home coming to visit?"
Political Commissar Zhang suppressed his annoyance and could only pretend to be calm and replied, "Yes."
Turning around, he once again stated his attitude: "Dad, Mom, it's useless for you to say anything. I will make the decision on finding a partner and getting married. If you want to come visit me, I welcome you. If you want to force me to get married, forget it."
"Brother! What's wrong with you?" The second oldest son of the Zhang family was indignant. With a square face that looked 60% like Zhang Huafeng, he accused his eldest brother excitedly, "How can you talk to our parents like that? I think you have really been bewitched by that vixen."
I heard that the girl that Big Brother is dating is twisting and turning around and dancing. How can this be serious? Is she a vixen?
"Zhang Huabing!" Zhang Huafeng did not need to be too patient with his second brother and shouted at him, "Who is the vixen? If you can't speak, shut up!"
The commotion on both sides attracted the attention of the soldiers coming in and out, with curious eyes cast down. The Zhang family seemed to be indifferent, but Zhang Huafeng still had his dignity.
"Zhang Huafeng!"
Just as Zhang Huafeng was about to take his family to the guesthouse to settle down, he suddenly heard a familiar voice coming from the front. When he looked closely, it turned out to be He Hongyuan, with Lin Xiang beside him.
"Why are you standing here talking when your family is coming over? Why don't you go stay at the guesthouse?" He Hongyuan secretly gave Zhang Huafeng a look. The two had been on the battlefield for many years and had a tacit understanding. Zhang Huafeng could understand what He Hongyuan meant, and he asked himself to calm down first.
After all, it's not good to cause a big commotion in the army.
"What is this...?" Father Zhang stared at the imposing military officer in front of him and couldn't help but feel curious.
The Zhang family had only come to the island to visit relatives once in recent years, but He Hongyuan happened to be away on a mission that time and was not on the island, so they had never met.
Therefore, the Zhang family only heard their son say that there was a comrade-in-arms named He Hongyuan among whom he had a good relationship, but they had never seen what he looked like in person.
"This is me..." Zhang Huafeng was about to introduce this as his comrade-in-arms and good brother, but was interrupted by Lin Xiang.
"Uncle, auntie, this is Brigade Commander He, your son's leader." After Lin Xiang finished speaking, she winked at her man and turned to give Zhang Huafeng a look.
Zhang Huafeng was confused by the couple's joke. How did Lao He become He Lu?
When the Zhang family heard that this was their son's leader, they immediately became excited and nervous, and hurriedly shouted: "Hello, Brigade Commander, hello, Brigade Commander."
Only the third son of the Zhang family whispered: "Is the brigade commander so young?"
But no one cared about her.
The group moved to a guesthouse, and Zhang Huafeng paid his family to book three rooms. This time, in addition to Zhang's father and mother, there were also the second son Zhang Huabing and his family of three, and the third son Zhang Huajuan and her husband.
There was no need to be so cautious when talking in the house. Zhang's father and mother seemed to have finally found someone to complain to, and they started complaining about their son to "He Lu".
"Brigade Commander He, you have to make the decision for us. Hua Feng has ignored our family since he started dating a girl with that fox spirit from your army's art troupe. More than half of the money we sent back is missing. That fox spirit is picking on our family every day. We can't go on like this!" Zhang's mother had a worried look on her face. She hated that fox spirit and was also angry that her son was disobedient.
Father Zhang put the dry pipe on the table and said impatiently, "How can a child disobey his parents? We have found a partner for Feng'er, and Xiao Cui is very obedient, but Feng'er is stubborn and refuses to agree. He is obsessed with that vixen. Commander He, you have to help persuade her."
Zhang Huajuan, the third child of the Zhang family, who had not spoken a word, came to the guesthouse and looked around at the tables, chairs, and bedding in surprise, and then echoed, "That's right, they say she looks like a vixen, and she talks nonsense to my brother every day, or she dances something."
He Hongyuan was confused when his wife gave him the title of Brigade Commander He. He was surprised at first, but then he saw his wife winking at him. The two of them had become more and more in tune with each other since their marriage, and he immediately understood what Lin Xiang meant.
Now, Troupe Commander He pretended to be Brigade Commander He and spoke with the airs of a leader: "Vice-like creatures? Uncles and aunts, the female soldiers in the art troupe are legitimate female soldiers in the army, and art performances are also an important part of their work. In your mouths, they have become vixens? Do soldiers just allow you to slander and insult them at will?"
The amiable 'Captain He' suddenly changed his expression, and the Zhang family was stunned for a moment.
They have always called Zhang Huafeng's girlfriend Yan Min a vixen, mainly because they have seen the letters Zhang Huafeng sent home, in which he excitedly introduced that he had a girlfriend, a dancer in the art troupe, and the photo sent with the letter was indeed of an incredibly beautiful young girl.
But what’s the use of being beautiful? Ever since my son started dating her, he has become less and less concerned about his family. What kind of person is this if not a vixen?
They were used to being called a fox spirit on a daily basis, so they naturally had no reaction in front of 'Brigade Commander He'. Now, they were questioned by 'Brigade Commander He' in a deep and intimidating voice, and everyone was nervous.
Zhang Huabing licked his dry lips and stammered, "He, He, Brigade Commander, no, that's not what we meant."
He Hongyuan's sharp eyes swept over, and he said solemnly: "If not this, then what does it mean? The army respects you as military family members. It is not easy to provide logistical support for the soldiers who risk their lives, but we can't let you insult other soldiers at will!"
Lin Xiang spoke up at the right time: "Besides, now we are destroying the Four Olds, there are no foxes here. You can't say such things, or you will be arrested and criticized if you report it to the Revolutionary Committee."
If they were arguing with their own son, the Zhang family would think they were always right, but now it was Brigade Commander He who loved them very much, so they did not dare to act rashly and quickly admitted their mistakes and changed their words.
"I won't say anymore. It's not that vixen, that, that Comrade Yan Min." The family members rolled their eyes, and no matter how dissatisfied they were in their hearts, they had to change their words.
Zhang Huafeng saw that his brother and his wife were in unison and actually managed to control the people in his family a little. He breathed a sigh of relief but felt powerless at the same time.
"Dad, Mom, I've told you that everything will be done according to what was written in the letter I sent last time. I will still give you 20 yuan in the future, which is enough for you to use in the production team. As for the others, they are all adults with hands and feet, and they have all started families. There is no reason for me to continue to support them. You don't have to worry about my marriage to Minmin in the future!"
"Huafeng! You have lost your conscience now and don't listen to your parents?" Zhang's mother looked at her son with great sorrow and said in a hoarse voice, "What's so good about that vixen... Yan Min? You changed after she came here. We don't agree!"
Zhang's father changed his cautious attitude towards 'Captain He' and became aggressive towards his son, angrily shouting, "If you are still a child of the Zhang family, break up with Yan Min and me, and marry Xiao Cui immediately. Our family only recognizes Xiao Cui as our daughter-in-law!"
Zhang Huafeng was so angry that his chest was choked with anger. His eyes were red. He felt uncomfortable being forced by his family whom he always loved. "You really don't care who I like or who I want to marry?"
Zhang's father stiffened his neck and shouted angrily: "Your eyesight is useless! Just listen to us!"
"What you mean is that if Political Commissar Zhang is obedient and marries Comrade Xiao Cui whom you brought here, he doesn't have to send money home in the future?" Lin Xiang rarely saw anyone who could exploit the only promising child in the family so righteously. This family was really unscrupulous.
When Zhang's mother heard Lin Xiang's words, she immediately retorted and blurted out: "How can that be possible! When we get married, Xiao Cui will stay at home with us, Hua Feng will have to send more money back, your parents will have to take care of your baby, and your brother and sister will have to help you take care of your wife and children, so that you can feel at ease in the army!"
Look how well-planned this is. He wants to use the excuse of taking care of his son's wife and children to trick Zhang Huafeng into sending more money home every month.
Zhang's mother's words completely crushed the last remaining spark of Zhang Huafeng's spirit. His heart turned cold. He scanned the family members who came to visit relatives from the upper army one by one. They said it was a visit and it should be a family reunion, but now there was no atmosphere of reunion and joy.
The family members whom I took great pains to take care of looked at me with calculations in their eyes.
Zhang Huafeng closed his eyes tightly for a moment, and when he opened them again, he was clear-headed. He said in a calm but remarkably firm tone, "You don't have to say anything more. You don't have to worry about my affairs in the future. I will get married by myself. I will take care of myself. Don't mix everything with me."
Zhang's father was furious when he heard this: "Zhang Huafeng, what do you mean? Do you want to disown us? I don't think you dare! Even if you become a political commissar, a brigade commander, a chief, or a general, you will always be my son. How dare you disobey me?!"
Zhang Huafeng felt like he was being pressed down by an invisible mountain and could hardly breathe.
Zhang's mother wiped her tears and began to talk about how she had raised her child with great difficulty, but in the end, she was treated like this.
"Uncle and auntie are right. How can a son disobey his parents?" Lin Xiang and He Hongyuan looked at each other and said calmly, "Can such a person continue to stay in the army?"
He Hongyuan was angry when he heard this, but he could not lose his temper because this was his brother's family. He immediately cooperated with his wife and said directly: "Comrade Zhang Huafeng can't handle family affairs well. It seems that he is not suitable to continue to serve as the political commissar. It is better for him to retire early and go home to farm."
The Zhang family members were stunned for a moment, their eyes almost popped out of their heads. What...what does this mean?
Our family came here to help Zhang Huafeng get married and get money, so why is he going to retire and go home to farm?
——
After saying these earth-shattering and cruel words, He Hongyuan and Lin Xiang left first.
Zhang Huafeng followed closely behind him, and said with a sad face, "I'm sorry to bother you today."
He Hongyuan was aware of the pressure on Zhang Huafeng's shoulders and simply patted him on the shoulder: "It's not a hurdle that you can't overcome. Cheer up! I think your family members are scared when I told you to retire from the army just now."
Lin Xiang felt sympathy for Political Commissar Zhang. Anyone would be tortured by such a weird family. However, Political Commissar Zhang was usually optimistic, cheerful, witty and humorous. It was really a case of good bamboo shoots growing out of bad bamboos, and he himself grew well.
"Political Commissar Zhang, it's useless to reason with your family. They're trying to use kinship to hold you hostage. Maybe this is the only way. But, are you really determined to clear things up with your family?"
Zhang Huafeng always had some lingering hope, which was a deep desire and trust in his family and kinship. However, over the years, it was worn away bit by bit, until just now, he became disheartened.
"I've thought it through. I can't tolerate it anymore. Otherwise, what hope do I have for the rest of my life?" Zhang Huafeng asked them to help him when the time comes. Finally, after a moment's hesitation, he reminded them, "Don't tell Minmin about this yet."
He was worried that Yan Min would get even angrier and feel upset after hearing those words.
"Don't worry, I won't tell Minmin about this for now." After all, the Zhang family had a certain status, and it would not be easy for Yan Min to get involved too early. Lin Xiang thought about it and discussed a method with the two of them, preparing to counterattack the Zhang family.
The Zhang family is staying in the guesthouse. They need some time to digest the impact of Zhang Huafeng's retirement and return home. How could this family bear to see Political Commissar Zhang Huafeng become an ordinary farmer in the country?
"Political Commissar Zhang has a lot of troubles too." Lin Xiang was shocked by the shamelessness of the Zhang family. Every word they said was for their own benefit, but they kept saying that we are doing this for your own good. This kind of family bondage is really terrible. If you don't agree with me, they will start to list how difficult it was to raise you.
He Hongyuan understood that his brother would be more hesitant when facing people and things at home, but he was obviously hurt this time: "He has made up his mind this time."
Three days later, the two thought that the time of leaving the Zhang family alone was almost up, so they prepared to go to the guesthouse.
......
The Zhang family stayed in the guesthouse for three days. During that time, Zhang Huafeng just silently brought them meals without saying a word. The "Brigade Commander He" and his wife never came again that day, but the serious words they said when they left, asking Zhang Huafeng to retire from the army, transfer to a civilian job and leave the army, still rang in the ears of several people.
Zhang Huabing and his wife were worried. They said to their parents, "Dad, my brother didn't really lose his job, did he? What should we do?"
"What's the point of coming back to farm? How can the few work points I earn every month support the family?"
Originally, the couple came here with their parents to urge their eldest brother to send money home as he did in the past, because no one wanted their eldest brother to lose his job.
Zhang's father rolled his eyes at them and said angrily, "How could he lose his job? 'Captain He' must have just said that out of anger."
Zhang's mother seemed relieved to hear this: "Yes, there is no way he will not be the political commissar!"
"Uncle, aunt, Zhang Huafeng really can't be the political commissar." He Hongyuan's voice came from far away, and his straight military uniform brought a full sense of oppression and majesty. "The organization has carefully investigated it. Since your family has a lot of opinions about Zhang Huafeng, just let him retire from the army and go home to farm and accompany your family well."
He Hongyuan's words seemed to be the final word. Even Zhang Huafeng, who followed him into the guest house room, agreed with his fate: "Father, mother, if you say that my son is unfilial, then I will retire from the army. From now on, I will go home and farm with you every day, and I will do my best." Fulfill your filial piety. Hua Bing, Hua Juan, you have many babies, and I can help with them. , after all, I have suffered a lot of injuries in the past years in the war, and I will not be able to do any heavy physical work in the future. In addition, most of my previous wages were sent to my family. Now I don’t have much money on hand. I still have to count on you to help me. I will take care of you at home. Mom and dad, I’ll help you take care of the baby, and you can help me with just a few dollars every month.”
Seeing that 'Brigade Commander He' and Zhang Huafeng seemed to be serious, the Zhang family members were really panicked and stuttered when they spoke: "No, no, why can't my son be the political commissar! Brigade Commander He, you can't do this!"
If Zhang Huafeng is no longer the political commissar, where will his family get the subsidies? Who wants a Zhang Huafeng who can only go back to the village to farm?
Zhang Huajuan was also anxious: "Brother, why do you still want us to take money? Where do we have money?"
Zhang Huafeng suppressed his pain and asked, "I have sent a lot of money back home over the years, and your parents have also given you some, right? So you have no money left? I see the fabric of your clothes is pretty good."
The Zhang family was indeed the best dressed in the village. After all, they had the allowance sent back by Zhang Huafeng every month, so they lived a comfortable life, eating meat and wearing new clothes. Everyone envied them.
Zhang's father walked up to 'Brigade Commander He' and pleaded: "Brigade Commander He, there is nothing wrong in our family. You can't send my son back to the village to farm!"
He Hongyuan responded coldly: "Aren't you the ones who keep saying that Zhang Huafeng is unfilial? The organization is helping you."
Zhang's father quickly denied: "No, no, Feng'er is very filial to us. He sends money back every month and listens to us."
Lin Xiang watched as several people's faces changed like turning pages of a book, and felt sad for Political Commissar Zhang.
Zhang Huafeng also saw clearly that his family was only willing to recognize a Zhang Huafeng who could be the political commissar. Once he lost his value, no one would regard him as a relative.
He gave an ultimatum: "I'd better retire from the army and go home to farm, otherwise I don't know how people will stab me in the back in the future."
This time, all the Zhang family members advised him not to be impulsive and not to make mistakes.
Zhang Huafeng pulled the corner of his mouth in disappointment: "It's okay if you don't retire and go back. We can live separately in the future and have less trouble with each other."
"Split up the family?" The Zhang family was stunned again. They never expected that Zhang Huafeng would actually propose splitting up the family!
"I've been away from home for a long time and I really can't spend more time with my parents. They still live with Hua Bing's family. I've separated them and asked someone to witness the separation. I've borrowed some money from someone and paid it all at once. I'll consider it as honoring my parents in advance. In the next three to five years, I'll go back to see them during the Chinese New Year when I have time."
Zhang Huafeng's words seemed to sever the blood relationship with the Zhang family, shocking Zhang's father and mother so much that they almost lost their balance.
"No! How can you do this!" Zhang's mother screamed!
Zhang Huafeng seemed to have expected this, and he said coldly: "If mother doesn't agree to split up the family, then I will apply for discharge from the army now, and go back to my hometown with you in the next few days to watch over you while you farm."
Zhang's father was trembling with anger and trembling fingers, but he could do nothing. He didn't even have the energy to scold him. If he said just one word, his son would immediately take off his military uniform and go home to farm with him!
Whether to choose one or two, the Zhang family will be extremely uncomfortable!
He Hongyuan and Zhang Huafeng left first. Lin Xiang stayed behind to persuade them. She understood the significance of Zhang Huafeng's military uniform to the Zhang family.
Only because they have a promising son who is a military officer can the Zhang family stand tall in the production team and be respected and envied by other members. For them, face is more important than anything else, and only then can they gain endless benefits.
Zhang Haifeng's retirement from the army was what they least wanted to see, but it has now become a weapon that can control them.
"Uncle, aunt, I think it's a pity that Political Commissar Zhang retired. He was willing to borrow a few hundred yuan from others as an advance donation to our parents. It would be good for everyone to separate and live separately in the future. You can worry more about the second brother's family, and don't have to worry about the eldest brother who is thousands of miles away." Lin Xiang's words were softer than He Hongyuan's, which made the Zhang family feel much more comfortable.
Zhang's mother pulled Lin Xiang to complain, saying that her eldest son was heartless and wanted to break off with her family. Lin Xiang did not argue, but used her trump card: "Then just let him retire and go home to honor you."
Zhang's mother fell silent instantly.
If my son really lets him return home after retirement, all the benefits will be gone. The members of the production team will no longer respect and envy my family so much, and all the preferential treatment for military families will be gone, not to mention allowances and wages.
Zhang Huafeng was determined, and caught the Zhang family off guard.
After a night, the Zhang family discussed for most of the night and finally agreed. Seeing that Zhang Huafeng seemed to have angered his leader, Brigade Commander He, and that it would be difficult for him to climb up in the future, rather than letting him retire now and not gain anything for the family, they simply agreed to split up.
Especially the second son Zhang Huabing and his wife thought that it would be a good thing to divide the family now, so that they don't have to support their eldest brother who is injured and sick after he retires from the army. It is better to get some money now!
Zhang Huafeng took the 800 yuan that "Captain He" "borrowed" in front of his family. Seeing that his family was about to take it, he chuckled and said, "First go back to the village and find the captain and the former village chief to witness the signing of the separation agreement before giving it to me."
The Zhang family withdrew their hands in disappointment and had to give up.
Zhang Huafeng took a leave and went back to his hometown deep in the mountains with his family to handle the division of the family property. After getting the documents in black and white, Yan Min went to the troops to look for him but couldn't find him. Upon asking around, he learned that Zhang Huafeng had taken a leave and left. He was surprised.
Lin Xiang explained the whole story to her and comforted her, "Political Commissar Zhang has seen it clearly this time."
It is called a separation, but in fact it is more like severing relations, only the apparent kinship relationship remains, and there will be few opportunities to meet each other in the future.
Yan Min was shocked and filled with grief. She had lived a happy life since she was a child. Her parents were ordinary workers in the city and they loved her very much. She never thought that there would be parents who would exploit their child like this.
Especially, this person is your partner.
"When I first met Huafeng, he was doing ideological work for a new soldier. The soldier was young and missed home so much that his eyes were filled with tears. Huafeng was easy-going and humorous, and he made people laugh with just a few words. He patted the soldier on the shoulder and told him to be quiet and stop crying. At that time, I felt that this person was quite different." Yan Min talked to Lin Xiang about her past with Zhang Huafeng. "Later, during a performance by the cultural troupe, I accidentally twisted my foot while dancing on the stage and jumped to the wrong beat. I was quite panicked at that time and stumbled. I was worried that the audience would laugh at me. Then I saw him on the left side of the third row leading the applause. He clapped very loudly and shouted that he danced well. I thought this person was quite interesting."
Lin Xiang listened to Yan Min's words silently. It was as if she saw a pair of young men with youthful aspirations looking at each other in the crowd and developing a liking for each other.
Yan Min once felt bad for Zhang Huafeng's family and blamed Zhang Huafeng, and wanted to break up with him, but now, she just wants to see her partner and give him a hug.
It was five days later when Zhang Huafeng returned from his hometown. He Hongyuan and Lin Xiang accompanied Yan Min to wait for him at the dock.
Although a major issue was successfully resolved, Zhang Huafeng was not relieved. After all, they were blood relatives for more than 20 years, and now there was only sadness.
But after getting off the boat, I saw Yan Min standing at the dock. He was wearing a neat olive green military uniform, looking dashing, and looking at me with burning eyes.
"Huafeng!" Yan Min waved to the man on the boat that was about to dock. The sea breeze ruffled her hair and brushed across her bright eyebrows. Her eyes were full of Zhang Huafeng's figure, and she could no longer see anything else.
Lin Xiang watched a pair of lovers meet at the pier and couldn't help but sigh in her heart, how sweet it is to watch others fall in love!
This time when Zhang Huafeng returned to his hometown, he separated from his family and lived on his own with Mr. Liu, the most authoritative president of the commune and the former most prestigious person in the village. His parents lived with the second son, Zhang Huabing. He gave them 800 yuan in one go, and the money he had sent them every month was also divided among them. Only then did they gain freedom.
"But I just felt ridiculous when I was leaving." Zhang Huafeng and Yan Min invited He Hongyuan and Lin Xiang to have dinner at a state-owned hotel and talked about what happened in those days. "My parents and my brothers and sisters were staring at me before, and now they are arguing before I even leave, clamoring to divide the previous money and the 800 yuan."
"Let them deal with it themselves from now on. Political Commissar Zhang, you and Minmin just live your lives in peace." Lin Xiang also found it ridiculous. Before, the Zhang family members were all staring at Zhang Huafeng to suck his blood, and they loved each other so much. Now that Zhang Huafeng has left, they have started to fight among themselves, staring at the money and suspecting each other.
This is a good thing, so I don’t have to harm others anymore.
Zhang Huafeng drank half a catty of white wine tonight, which was a rare occasion. He drank away all the depression he had felt over the past few days. He Hongyuan also drank with him. Everything was in the wine.
"Come on, congratulations, Lin Xiang, we are so grateful to you this time!" Zhang Huafeng raised his glass to toast the two of them.
There is no more to say.
Yan Min was very quiet at the dinner table, silently listening to her partner talking about those things, her heart was in turmoil. After a while, she suddenly raised her hand and snatched Zhang Huafeng's wine glass, and said to Lin Xiang and He Hongyuan: "Xiangxiang, Captain He, thank you for helping Huafeng recently, and I toast to you too. In addition, it's a good opportunity for you to witness..."
Lin Xiang drank some coconut juice and suddenly had a premonition when she heard Yan Min's words.
"Hua Feng and I are getting married." Yan Min gulped down the white wine, a spicy taste in his mouth.
Zhang Huafeng dropped the chopsticks in his hand onto the table and was stunned for a moment.
He wanted to get married before, but Yan Min was worried about the impact on the art troupe's career and wanted to wait another two years. But now...
"Minmin, you..." Zhang Huafeng licked his lips and struggled to find his voice, "Don't you want to dance? It's okay, I can wait, don't be impulsive."
Yan Min glared at the man: "Who is impulsive! I will marry you!"
Zhang Huafeng: "Calm down first, you still have to dance."
Yan Min: "What do you mean? Don't you want to marry me?"
Zhang Huafeng: "I really want to marry you, but don't you want to dance for another two years?"
Lin Xiang looked at Political Commissar Zhang's dark skin which was completely red due to drinking. It was really hilarious that Tian Gang rejected Yan Min's "proposal" and the two of them started arguing.
"These two are a perfect match!" Lin Xiang said to her husband, "How can they still argue about marriage? Zhang Huafeng, who wants to get married the most, advises Yan Min not to be impulsive, while Yan Min, who has always been reluctant to get married too early, insists on getting married right away."
The two men left first. In the dark night, He Hongyuan smiled and said, "These two men are really... I have never seen anything like them."
——
Finally, the next day, Zhang Huafeng, who had sobered up, confirmed Yan Min's feelings again. After going through this hurdle, both of them wanted to settle down as soon as possible. The only agreement was not to have children in the first two years.
After all, Yanmin's dance career was basically at its peak in the last two years.
For this matter, Zhang Huafeng did some research and found out that after getting married, he could go to the health center to get family planning supplies.
"Hey, Lao He, how many do you get in a month?" Zhang Huafeng feels that he has a long way to go and a heavy responsibility. For the sake of his girlfriend's dance career, she must not get pregnant in the first two years.
He Hongyuan calmed down and said, "I don't remember, but there is a stack anyway."
Zhang Huafeng: “…?”
There was indeed something wrong when Lin Xiang and He Hongyuan went to get condoms after they got married. When they got married, Lin Xiang did not want to have children too early. After asking around, she learned that she could get condoms at the health hospital. At that time, family planning had not yet been fully implemented, and few people came to get condoms. After all, the mainstream nowadays is still to have children crazily, and no one would think about contraception.
He Hongyuan has always been cold-hearted and knew little about condoms. Lin Xiang even thought that condoms in the 1970s were similar to those in later generations and were all disposable.
The two of them threw away one after using it. The first two they got were quickly gone, so they went to the health hospital to get more. At that time, the nurse looked at them with something strange in her eyes.
After repeating this several times, the nurse finally couldn't help it and said, "Comrades, don't let your age get you so far."
Lin Xiang:?
After asking around, the two found out that the condoms could be washed and reused. Normally, they could get two new ones every month, and they could reuse them for a month without any problem.
No wonder the nurses were so shocked to see them coming to collect them every now and then.
Lin Xiang felt bitter and no longer wanted to go to the clinic. She would let He Hongyuan, who was so shameless, get away with it when she needed to get condoms next month!
Zhang Huafeng and Yan Min agreed on the marriage, and they prepared to take a leave to visit Yan Min's home to visit Yan's parents and finalize the marriage.
At ten o'clock in the evening, He Hongyuan diligently washed two condoms and hung them on the wire on the second-floor balcony. The breeze blew and the condoms swayed. Lin Xiang lay on the bed, feeling sore and limp, and she was already looking forward to Zhang Huafeng and Yan Min's wedding.
"We'll have to help out then. It's fun to attend a wedding!"
He Hongyuan returned to the bed shirtless and pulled his sweet and soft wife into his arms: "You are quite active."
"That's right." Lin Xiang lay at the man's neck, gossiping about other people's love affairs. "It's interesting to watch other people fall in love."
He Hongyuan pinched Lin Xiang's chin and kissed her: "Don't worry about them."
He Hongyuan is a man with a strong learning ability. Lin Xiang was dizzy from the kiss and hummed comfortably. Suddenly she noticed the changes in the man's body and pushed him away: "Nothing!"
The last two sets of condoms I got at home are dangling on the wire.
He Hongyuan gritted his teeth and said, "Go get another one tomorrow."
Lin Xiang still wanted to maintain her image: "No, two are enough!"
Having escaped from the shackles of a man, Lin Xiang went to work the next day in high spirits. After two months of training, her physical strength gradually improved.
Kong Zhenzhen and Lin Xiang discussed the task assigned by Zhao Jianjun, and based on the analysis of coconuts collected and purchased for juicing in the past month, they confirmed the type of coconut that is most suitable for juicing.
Nowadays, the wild coconuts in the wild vary in size, the shells have different thicknesses, and they are picked by different people, so the maturity is also different. It is difficult to ensure that they are of the same quality, so there are actually some differences in the coconut juice produced.
The golden coconut with a yellow-brown skin is more suitable for juicing. The golden coconut shell is thinner and easy to open and split to take out the flesh. The flesh is full and the juice is sufficient. The coconut juice squeezed from this type of coconut is milky white in color and tastes sweet. The coconut water is clear and slightly sweet.
After confirming the type of coconut analyzed, Lin Xiang and Kong Zhenzhen followed Director Zhao to investigate nearby, especially to find some elderly people on the island. They heard that there was a production team west of Phnom Penh with many wild golden coconuts, which seemed to be the most suitable place for the growth and cultivation of this variety of coconut.
The three of them took a bus to Jiefang Commune. In front of them was a relatively poor area. Jiefang Commune was surrounded by mountains and rivers, but it was not very suitable for farming. Most of the members made a living by fishing. There were many wild coconut groves around the Wudaogou Production Brigade under the jurisdiction of Jiefang Commune. The trees were full of golden yellow-brown coconuts, but not many people came to pick them.
"This Wudaogou Production Brigade is really suitable for growing golden coconuts." Lin Xiang couldn't help but sigh. These wild coconuts are densely distributed and can be found in all kinds of corners, which is very tempting.
Zhao Jianjun's eyes sparkled, this was a great place, his mind had automatically filled in the scene of cooperating with the Wudaogou Production Brigade to have them set up plantations, and then using trucks from his own factory to transport coconuts to the factory. This would indeed standardize the raw materials and unify the color, texture and taste of the coconuts.
The three of them met some lesbians with children on the road and asked curiously, "Comrades, no one eats your coconuts?"
The lesbian holding her girlfriend had a dark face, which was from sunburn after occasionally following the men out to sea. She immediately complained: "It's okay to get it to eat when you really have nothing to eat."
Who eats it at other times?
Zhao Jianjun smiled and said, what a waste! He rubbed his hands, as if he was going to make great plans. He must develop this coconut plantation!
The three of them inquired their way to the Wudaogou Production Brigade Headquarters, walked into the office and met the Wudaogou Brigade Captain.
"Hello, Captain Qian. I am Zhao Jianjun, the office director of the second plant of Phnom Penh 119 Food Factory. These are our office staff Xiaolin and Xiaokong."
Qian Yong, the captain of Wudaogou, looked at the three people with a puzzled look on his face. He had heard of the 119 Food Factory. It was quite famous. Who in Haining Province didn't know about the 119 canned shrimp sauce? Qian Yong made up his mind to buy some last year for his children to try.
Zhao Jianjun stated his purpose straight away: "Our soda workshop is now producing coconut juice vigorously. Your brigade has many wild golden coconuts, which are quite suitable. Especially your place is suitable for growing golden coconuts. Let's see if we can cooperate with our factory. Your members can grow coconuts, and then our factory will purchase them, just like many supply and marketing cooperatives outside purchase oranges and pears from the commune."
Captain Qian looked at Zhao Jianjun in surprise: "Can our coconuts still be sold for money?"
Lin Xiang smiled and replied, "Captain Qian, coconuts are useless here, but they are useful in our factory, but we need to process them. We see that many members of the Wudaogou Production Brigade are idle on weekdays and wait for good weather to go out to sea to fish. If we grow coconuts, we can at least have a stable income, right?"
Zhao Jianjun had discussed the specific purchase quantity and amount with Lin Xiang and others in advance, and handed over the terms immediately: "Captain Qian, take a look, we can sign a contract and confirm it in black and white."
Qian Yong looked at the strings of numbers on the paper and was even more surprised: "Is there such a good thing?"
Our production team is indeed poor and our income is unstable, but it is still shocking that those coconuts can make money. Can pie really fall from the sky?
"I have to discuss this matter with the officers in the team." Captain Qian said cautiously.
Zhao Jianjun naturally had no objection: "Okay, we'll wait for you."
As soon as Captain Qian left, Zhao Jianjun felt relaxed, as if the bright future of coconut juice was just around the corner: "Xiao Lin and Xiao Kong, let's discuss the details of the contract later. We should hurry up and collect their coconuts. They are all good things! When the time comes, we will make unified arrangements for planting, and determine the harvesting time and maturity. In the future, the taste of coconut juice will be even better!"
Lin Xiang looked at Director Zhao, who was squinting his eyes with a satisfied look on his face, and laughed, "Director, you have fooled yourself now."
"That's right." Director Zhao patted his thigh lightly, humming a model opera tune, and said leisurely, "I didn't expect this to go so smoothly!"
As soon as Zhao Jianjun finished speaking, there was a sudden noise at the door. Captain Qian, who had just looked easy-going, came in with several men in militia uniforms.
"It's these liars who are trying to deceive us! Catch them and send them to the commune!"
Three people from the food factory:?