Chapter 126 Walking
A bright red banner hung under the eaves of the main house of the Gao family, with eye-catching yellow characters that read: "Warmly celebrate Gao Nianping's success in the college entrance examination."
Several borrowed round tables were set up in the courtyard for the guests to sit down and chat.
The courtyard was already full of people, while the protagonist, who should have been with his parents receiving praise from the guests, was hiding in Li Shuaishuai's room playing computer games.
"Shouldn't we be heading over soon?"
What kind of graduation banquet is it if the main character isn't there? Li Shuaishuai is worried that Chen Yun and Gao Ming are looking for Gao Nianping, and he can't even watch cartoons in peace.
"I'm not going." Gao Nianping lay down on the sofa: "The banner my grandfather commissioned is too frightening. People who don't know better would think it's from ancient times when a scholar was taking the imperial examination!"
"Didn't Sister Nian'an also hold a graduation banquet that year? Why are you so embarrassed now that it's your turn!"
Three years ago, Gao Nian'an's college entrance celebration was also a lively day in the alley. She performed crosstalk and sword dance for the guests. Li Shuaishuai remembers that the applause never stopped that day.
Perhaps it was because her eldest sister's performance was so amazing that Gao Nianping was so frightened that she hid in Li Shuaishuai's room today.
"Don't be too happy for too long. You'll have plenty of opportunities to shine at next year's graduation banquet."
Li Huguo and Hu Yue'e have been married for so many years without having a child. Li Shuaishuai is the only son in the Li family, and who knows how grand the celebration will be when he gets into university.
"Don't ever do that." Just thinking about it made Li Shuaishuai's hair stand on end.
"Is that spring sofa your dad just bought? I'll ask him to get one for the room when we get back."
When I entered the house today, I found that there was a sofa in Li Shuaishuai's room. It was so soft that it felt like lying in a pile of cotton. Gao Nian'an sat down and never got up from the sofa.
“My dad said that he specially hired a carpenter to make the sofa with cotton and wood, so there is absolutely no toxic gas from artificial leather.”
Over the years, Li Huguo had treated him well, and the father and son had a relatively harmonious relationship. Ruanqiu did not want her son to become estranged from her father.
"Uncle Li is really good to you." Gao Nianping yawned, then caught a glimpse of a figure walking in through the window and quickly reminded Li Shuaishuai, "Your dad is here."
Li Huguo knocked on the door.
Upon entering, he saw Gao Nianping trying to get up from the sofa and quickly pressed his hand down, saying, "You can continue sleeping. I just came to say a few words to you."
The word "you" naturally includes Gao Nianping.
"What's the matter?" Li Shuaishuai asked curiously.
Li Huguo smiled, pulled out a stool and sat down: "First of all, congratulations Nianping on getting into university. Uncle Li doesn't know what to give you, so..." He handed Gao Nianping a brownish-yellow envelope: "Buy whatever you want with this money."
"Thank you, Uncle Li." Gao Nianping was stunned for a moment, and only accepted it after seeing Li Shuaishuai frantically gesturing with his eyes.
Even though he was young at the time, Gao Nianping still remembers many things, including that his father's company encountered great difficulties because of Li Huguo.
"My uncle has done many wrong things over the years..."
Li Huguo sighed slowly, and Gao Nianping immediately smelled a faint smell of alcohol in the air.
“Your dad and I used to be best brothers. We joined the army together, were demobilized together, and then went to work in a machine factory together. I was too timid, so I chose the security department, while your dad was brave…”
Li Huguo talked on and on about many past events, while Gao Nianping remained silent, unsure how to respond.
After talking for an unknown amount of time, Li Huguo took a deep breath, as if he had made up his mind, and the nostalgia in his eyes was gradually replaced by fatigue: "You all saw the result. Gaoming Company grew bigger and bigger, and I even sold my last few cars to pay off debts... So, people! Never do bad things."
"Dad." Li Shuaishuai looked at Li Huguo with some surprise.
Li Huguo raised his hand: "I'm sorry to him. I was blinded by greed back then and thought that if he could do it, so could I. But later I realized... he could do it but I couldn't! I even lost my most important brother." He hiccuped from the alcohol and patted Li Shuaishuai's shoulder: "You must not follow your father's example. You and Nianping must get along well in the future."
"Okay!"
Li Huguo felt he had said enough, so he stood up, propping himself up on his knees.
"Uncle might not be able to attend your graduation celebration today; Uncle's train is tonight..."
"Dad, where are you going!" Li Shuaishuai stood up anxiously. "Does Grandma know you're leaving? And Aunt Hu... and my mom?"
“Your grandma and second grandpa already know. Dad’s company has gone bankrupt, and he’s planning to try his luck in the south.” Li Huguo forced a smile, his complicated gaze falling on the first room of the main house: “Your Aunt Hu and I actually divorced two years ago. Once I leave, she should take Tang Hao with her…”
The couple, who came together later in life, formed an already fragile family with different motives. Li Shuaishuai's illness quickly tore open an unhealable rift. Hu Yue'e may have sensed the change in Li Huguo's attitude, so she began to desperately try to get money into her own pocket.
Divorce has become inevitable; it's just a matter of sooner or later.
The divorce agreement clearly states that Li Huguo must pay child support until Tang Hao reaches adulthood, provided that Hu Yue'e is unable to support herself.
But before that, Li Huguo went bankrupt...
Hu Yue'e knew very well that she would never get any more money, so a few days ago she took the initiative to offer to pay 20,000 yuan in child support in a lump sum and move out immediately.
"As for your mother... I'll go talk to her in a bit."
The person he felt most indebted to in his life was someone Li Huguo found hard to talk about. He drank several glasses of baijiu (Chinese liquor) after waking up in the morning before he dared to speak.
As soon as he finished speaking, he turned around abruptly, strode to the next room, and knocked on the door.
"Shuai Shuai." Gao Nianping pulled Li Shuai Shuai back, who was about to cry and follow them out: "Let your parents have a good talk."
"Um."
After all, they were father and son by blood. When the day came for Li Huguo to leave, Li Shuaishuai was still very sad and reluctant to part with him.
"Uncle Li gave me too much money, I'm going to tell my parents."
The envelope contained a thick wad of cash, at least 20,000 yuan, a huge sum for Gao Nianping, far beyond pocket money!
"Go ahead," Li Shuaishuai said, wiping away his tears. "I'll wait until my parents finish talking."
"good."
Li Shuaishuai took the money and found Gao Ming, who was chatting with Cao Shengli.
"Keep two hundred yuan for pocket money, and give the rest to your mother."
Gao Ming stared at the wad of cash for a few seconds, then quickly regained his smile and continued chatting with Cao Shengli.
"Nianping's notification letter has arrived."
As Gao Tiejun held up the admission notice he had specially retrieved from the post office, the laughter in the courtyard paused, and someone immediately led a burst of enthusiastic applause.
"The Gao family has really made something of themselves, producing two college graduates."
"good!"
"The old saying that dragons beget dragons and phoenixes beget phoenixes is really true. Erming and Xiaochen are capable, and their two children are also outstanding."
"When my granddaughter gets into university, I'll also hold a small celebration in the yard."
"The notice has arrived, what are we waiting for! Let's start the feast!"
Everyone started chattering and jeering, and Gao Ming immediately waved his hand and said, "Let's go to a restaurant, all the good food and wine we can eat!"
As Chen Yun passed by the Li family's courtyard, she turned her head and glanced inside twice.
The courtyard was quiet...
The mother and son arrived late, just as the banquet was about to begin, and their red and swollen eyes spoke volumes.
Chen Yun patted Ruanqiu on the shoulder: "Uncle Li and Aunt Fang are waiting for you."
"Okay." Ruanqiu's voice was hoarse, but she still managed a forced smile. "I feel much better after crying. We can talk about the rest after dinner."
"Okay." Chen Yun patted her arm again.
Everything is understood without words.
As soon as Ruanqiu left, another group of hurried guests arrived at the restaurant entrance.
"Liu Qian, over here!"
Liu Qian and her husband, along with her parents and son, all arrived together.
Congratulations!
As their hands clasped together, the red envelope was already placed in Chen Yun's palm.
"Ankang, why aren't you greeting us yet!" Liu Bo'an pushed the shy boy forward: "This is your savior. Aunt Chen personally delivered you back then."
"Hello, Dr. Chen." This was the first time Liu Ankang had seen Chen Yun outside the hospital, and he was too embarrassed to change his address for a moment.
"I heard from your mom that you got third place in your grade in the final exams this time. Your grades are much better than your older brother Nianping's," Chen Yun said with a smile.
Parents... seem to subconsciously start by praising grades.
Even though she had read many posts condemning this kind of chat content in her previous life, she still subconsciously used the word "grades" to start her conversation after becoming a mother.
Liu Ankang smiled even more shyly.
"Congratulations, Nianping!" Liu Hai handed Gao Nianping a small box and gave him a heartfelt pat on the shoulder: "Study hard in university and strive to contribute to the country and your family as soon as possible."
"Alright! Why are you bringing up the spirit of dedication again?" Liu Qian laughed and pushed her husband aside. "As long as you're healthy and safe, that's all that matters."
"Thank you, Uncle Liu. Thank you, Aunt Liu."
Inside the small box was an exquisite fountain pen, with Gao Nianping's name engraved on its body.
"Actually, I should congratulate you on your double happiness today," Liu Qian suddenly said, raising her eyebrows mysteriously.
"What other good things are there that I don't know about?"
"Where's Nian'an? I'll talk to her when she arrives."
It seems the second good thing is related to Gao Nian'an.
Soon Gao Nian'an appeared at the door, bouncing around, his pockets bulging with snacks stuffed in by his elders.
"You're already in your twenties, why do you still love snacking so much?"
Gao Nian'an winked mischievously and greeted happily, "Hello, Teacher Liu."
Regardless of what he was like at school, Gao Nian'an always acted like a child at home, habitually relying on his parents.
As soon as Chen Yun finished speaking to her, Gao Nian'an immediately took out the snacks from her pocket and gave some to Liu Ankang, then stuffed the rest into Gao Ming's pocket.
Liu Qian patted the back of her head, both amused and exasperated: "Will you have to bring your parents with you when you go out to film in the future?"
Chen Yun's eyes lit up immediately.
"This is what I mean by double happiness. A director my dad knows is looking for a supporting actress. My dad recommended Nian'an, and after watching Nian'an's final exam video from last semester, he agreed to let her audition."
The audition was just the official story; in reality, the director immediately took a liking to Gao Nian'an's lively and charming appearance and had already ended the audition schedule for other actors ahead of time.
As long as Gao Nian'an goes through the motions without making any major mistakes, his role is basically secure.
"Audition!" Gao Nian'an shouted excitedly, then immediately turned to Chen Yun and repeated, "Mom, did you hear that? I have an audition opportunity!"
Chen Yun smiled and nodded.
"For your first audition, it would be best if one of you went with her," Liu Qian said, mainly to Gao Ming. "Otherwise, I'm really afraid she'll cause trouble on set."
“Okay.” Gao Ming was naturally happy to make the trip.
At the brightly lit entrance of the restaurant, several people were chatting enthusiastically, all excited about the child.
Not far away on the street, a figure almost blended into the night. He took one last look, then turned and strode quickly into the deeper darkness.
There was no turning back...
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