Chapter 20 Meeting Chen Yun's Parents
Liu Baoguo, who usually pretends to be deaf when there's nothing wrong and tries to smooth things over when there is, was so angry today that he actually took the initiative to tell Fang Ping's whole background.
"Comrade Zhong Zhengguo, the director of the Provincial Revolutionary Committee Office, is Fang Ping's father, or to put it more clearly..." Although his voice was still gentle, the disgust on his face was intensifying: "He should be considered her adoptive father."
Chen Yun's ears perked up; it sounded a bit like the beginning of a romance novel about a real or fake heiress.
Fang Ping's situation is indeed quite dramatic.
Twenty years ago, Fang Ping's adoptive mother went to the city to find her husband, who was an official, while pregnant. On the way, she suddenly went into labor and gave birth to her child at a farmer's house.
The reason for this is unclear. Eighteen years later, the peasant woman, unable to make ends meet, brought the Zhong family's real biological daughter to their door.
However, the Zhong family couldn't bear to part with their daughter whom they had raised for over a decade, so they continued to keep Fang Ping in the Zhong family.
Fang Ping was pampered by her family since childhood, which made her arrogant and domineering, and her aggressive behavior offended many people.
"She didn't have a good life, but instead listened to her own mother's instigation and seduced her own brother. As a result, the two of them..." Liu Baoguo clapped his hands and spread his hands: "They really got together."
Zhong's parents were willing to raise a domineering daughter, but they would never allow another daughter-in-law who was treated like royalty. They had always opposed the two of them dating.
Next, Fang Ping did something that made everyone grit their teeth in hatred.
She first went to the county party committee to report that Zhong Zhengguo was a feudal remnant who used despicable means to obstruct young comrades from freely dating.
Then I went to the county public security bureau and changed my surname back to Fang.
This commotion successfully led to Zhong Zhengguo's suspension from his duties pending investigation, and his entire family underwent several rounds of questioning and investigation.
"This incident caused quite a stir back then, even alarming the provincial leaders. Don't you think this girl is a troublemaker?"
"And then what happened?"
Since she had a premonition that it was related to Fang Ping, Chen Yun naturally wanted to learn more about the background of this problematic person.
"Why was she transferred from the provincial hospital to our factory hospital? Do you even need to guess?" Liu Baoguo said.
Director Zhong personally saw the troublemaker off, and then quickly introduced his son to the daughter of his old comrade-in-arms. The two hit it off and planned to get married.
Many of her colleagues at the provincial hospital laughed at her, and not one of them told the truth.
Fang Ping didn't know that she had been abandoned by her parents and boyfriend until she walked into Hongri Machinery Factory, which is why she acted so aloof in the morning.
After all, he used to be arrogant and domineering in the provincial hospital, and it wasn't easy for him to change his temperament so quickly.
"None of you should be afraid of offending her. The leaders of the provincial hospital called me privately and said that if Fang Ping makes any more serious mistakes in her work or life, she will be severely punished."
"A message from above?"
Liu Baoguo nodded: "It's absolutely impossible for Fang Ping to return to the city. If it weren't for Director Zhong's wife asking me to look after her out of consideration for the years she raised her, who would she be!"
After exposing Fang Ping's past, Liu Baoguo stormed off.
The adoptive mother's last bit of concern vanished on the very first day, and it's likely that news of Fang Ping's actions today will soon reach the Zhong family's ears.
Chen Yun relaxed a little.
There's only a one-word difference between a genuine fool and someone pretending to be foolish, but the difference in how they get along is like night and day.
The new office is about the same size as the first floor, and the layout is unchanged. The only difference is that the old wooden stethoscope has been replaced with a steel one.
The view outside the window shifted from the kindergarten entrance to the state-run restaurant gate.
Chen Yun glanced casually out the window and immediately noticed the tall figure rushing towards them on the road.
"Is something urgent?"
Gao Ming said last night that he would be leaving tonight and it would take six days to get back.
Everything that needed to be explained has been explained. If someone suddenly comes in during working hours, it must be something important.
Thinking this, Chen Yun couldn't sit still any longer, so she opened the door and hurried to the stairwell to wait.
Soon, hurried footsteps approached from afar, and a long leg lifted up to leap over two steps, appearing in front of Chen Yun in just a few steps.
What brings you here?
"I had something to say yesterday, let's talk about it in your office." Gao Ming grinned foolishly at Chen Yun, looking indulgent and accommodating: "It's good news, don't rush me."
The office door wasn't soundproof. As soon as Gao Ming finished speaking, Zuo Lingling's office door was suddenly pulled open, and Ye Yuanjun and Liu Baoguo poked their heads out. Even Fang Ping walked to the door with a water glass in her hand.
Fang Ping still had that aloof and disdainful look on her face.
"Dean, this is my boyfriend." Chen Yun smiled generously and led Gao Ming back to the office under Liu Baoguo's surprised gaze.
"It's Captain Gao!"
The moment the door closed, Zuo Lingling's astonishment was shut out. Chen Yun quickly asked again, "What is it?"
Gao Ming smiled, took Chen Yun's hand and sat down, then dragged a stool over to sit opposite her: "This time we're delivering goods to Taicheng."
Chen Yun: "..."
"Taicheng? You're going to Taicheng!"
Taicheng is Chen Yun's hometown, where the original body... is now her parents.
"If you have anything or any letter to take back, just give it to me. I have two days off, and I'll deliver it then."
"have!"
Chen Yun stood up abruptly, unable to contain his excitement, and his breathing became rapid.
"I'll go get it now, you wait here."
"Don't rush, take your time to think it over. The bus doesn't leave until tonight."
"Then I'll go ask for leave now..."
She had long planned to send money home, but she hadn't taken action because of her parents' political background and the fact that they might be being watched by people with ulterior motives.
Now that Gao Ming has personally made the trip, Chen Yun can take back the clothes and money he prepared.
Go back to the dorm, go to the credit union, go to the store...
Chen Yun worked until dark, and finally handed over all the things she wanted to take home to Gao Ming.
Having been here for almost half a year, this was the first time I had insomnia due to excitement, and I didn't fall asleep until the early hours of the morning.
That night... Chen Yun had a dream.
In my dream, I saw the hospital where I worked in my past life, and there was also a "Chen Yun" busy in the neonatal department.
She is gentle and considerate in her personal life, capable and outstanding at work, and has a very good reputation in the department.
Her parents adored their daughter, and she had no shortage of outstanding men pursuing her.
The dream felt so real, as if Chen Yun had experienced it herself.
When I woke up, it was already bright daylight.
"Gao Ming should have arrived in Taicheng by now."
Turning my head to look out the window, the sky was overcast, as if it were about to rain at any moment.
Chen Yun turned over and pulled the blanket tighter around herself.
Anyway, I'm off today... I'll sleep a little longer!
***
Taicheng, Beiqiang Street.
Two days before Gaoming arrived, Taicheng had just experienced a heavy rainstorm.
Rainwater washed away several air-raid shelters, and centuries-old city wall bricks and numerous propaganda posters were soaked in muddy water. Barefoot people trudged through the mud on the streets.
Gao Ming took out the note written by Chen Yun and compared it carefully to confirm that he had come to the right place.
Beiqiang Street was a scene of devastation after the floodwaters receded.
A two-foot-high yellowish-brown water line remains on the blue brick wall, like a festering knife scar. The slogan above the supply and marketing cooperative at the alley entrance has been soaked into swollen pulp, revealing several rows of characters carved at some unknown time underneath.
The alley was muddy and murky. Gao Ming had specially changed into new clothes and shoes, but his trousers were already covered in mud splatters from riding his bike all the way.
The alley was narrow and full of mud, so Gao Ming had to get off and push the cart.
Every household in the alley had their gates wide open, and the whole family, young and old, pitched in to wash away the ankle-deep mud from their yards.
"Number three, this is it!"
The courtyard was quiet. Gao Ming parked his car and looked into the courtyard. He could only see a middle-aged man with a hunched back slowly pushing mud.
He was the only one busy in the huge courtyard; there was no other sound.
"Excuse me," Gao Ming asked nervously, straightening his collar and back, his eyes bright. "Is this Professor Chen Shu's home?"
The man paused, turning his head to look at him with surprise in his eyes.
No one has called him that for many years; people in the alley now call him Chen the Dung Bucket.
"Who are you?"
"Hello, Teacher Chen, I am..." Gao Ming swallowed hard, nervously and excitedly introducing himself: "My name is Gao Ming, and I am Comrade Chen Yun's girlfriend."
Snap—
Chen Shu dropped the board from his hand, and as if he hadn't heard clearly, he pushed up his glasses: "Whose girlfriend?"
Chen Shuzhong was of average height. The right lens of his black-rimmed glasses was cracked, and since there were no temples, he hung them on his ears with two black strings. When he looked at Gao Ming, he even turned his head to examine him with his left eye.
Chen Shu gives off a sense of vicissitude and sorrow, but he looks very similar to Chen Yun, especially their face shape, which is almost identical.
"Are you Chen Yun's boyfriend?"
"Yes, we have been officially together for seventy-two days."
"Come in, come in quickly." After his initial suspicion, Chen Shu's face was filled with joy as he waded through the mud to the door: "Tell me quickly, how is Chen Yun doing at the factory?"
Chen Shu was very satisfied with Gao Ming. His military bearing was genuine, and he was clearly an upright young man.
"Old Xu, come out quickly, Chen Yun's girlfriend is here."
Soon there was movement in the room to the left of the main house. After a series of coughs, Xu Cuihua asked Gao Ming to sit down and rest for a while, her voice trembling.
“Your Aunt Xu had a slight cold a few days ago, but she’s fine after taking medicine.” Chen Shu told Gao Ming to push the bicycle into the yard, and then picked up a plank himself: “You talk to Aunt Xu first, I need to finish shoveling the mud before the sun comes out and the mud dries.”
Once the sun comes out, the muddy water turns into mud, making it quite difficult to clean.
"Uncle, let me do it." Gao Ming snatched the wooden board and rolled up his sleeves: "I'm strong, I can clean it up in no time."
"That won't do, don't get your clothes dirty."
"If it gets dirty, I can just wash it. If Chen Yun finds out that I'm just standing around talking without doing any work, I'll probably have to write a self-criticism when I get back."
Chen Shu laughed.
Of course he knew Gao Ming was just joking; how could parents not understand their daughter's gentle nature?
"Then let's do it together, the sooner the two of us finish, the sooner we can get it done."
Xu Cuihua got dressed and came out of the house, only to see Gao Ming quickly push the mud against the wall.
Old Chen wanted to push Gao Ming to do the work that would take several days, but it seemed quite easy for him.
"Borrow two shovels tomorrow to shovel it out and then wash the yard."
After exchanging only a few words, Gao Ming seemed to have already become part of the family, and he took the initiative to go to the well to draw water and wipe the walls.
Looking down, I saw many withered leaves floating on the well, so I cleaned them up.
The elderly couple watched with satisfaction, smiling as they stood at the doorway watching the young man bustling about.
After finishing all the visible tasks, Gao Ming pushed his bicycle in and handed the pastries and wine he had bought to Xu Cuihua with both hands.
"Hello Aunt Xu, I am Chen Yun's boyfriend, my name is Gao Ming."
"Come inside and say, it's strangely cold outside."
After all that work, it was already past 2 p.m. Xu Cuihua didn't have time to ask Gao Ming about the situation in detail, and was busy preparing lunch.
"Auntie, don't bother, we're going out to eat today."
Gao Ming opened his satchel and took out a bunch of all sorts of tickets. Half of them were national passes collected by Chen Yun, and the other half were ones that Gao Ming had secretly added.
"Chen Yun said she absolutely has to treat you guys to a meal at a restaurant." Gao Ming pushed the tickets over, then took out a few more tickets from his shirt pocket: "I can't explain myself if I don't complete the mission."
Chen Yun prepared many things for her parents.
In addition to the tickets, there was 300 yuan, two sets of clothes, and they even thoughtfully prepared coal exchange certificates for the elderly couple.
The two elders, unable to refuse, followed Gao Ming out the door.
"..."
Many people heard the commotion and ran to the door to see what was happening. There were already quite a few people who noticed Gao Ming entering the alley earlier.
Seeing him chatting and laughing with Chen Shu and his wife, someone shamelessly asked about Gao Ming's identity.
Xu Cuihua and Chen Shu didn't reply at all, their attitude towards these old neighbors of decades was even colder than that of strangers.
They ignored him, and Gao Ming, naturally siding with the Chen family, also gave them the cold shoulder.
After sitting down at the state-run restaurant and Gao Ming ordered the food, Xu Cuihua began to explain why she had such a bad relationship with her neighbors.
After Chen Shu was reported, his neighbors took the opportunity to kick him while he was down in an attempt to distance themselves from the situation.
Many of them were people they had known for decades who had thrown stones at them. Chen Yun's hand was injured when the stones hit them. If Chen Shu hadn't been exonerated and not sent down for reform, their house would have been seized.
"Don't be fooled by their enthusiasm today; they were ruthless when they broke into my house and stole things before."
The reason Chen Shu made a wooden board to push the mud was because his family's shovel had been stolen in the chaos, and he didn't know which family was using his shovel to shovel mud today.
“A few days ago, it rained heavily. My house had the highest foundation, and they barged into my house to take shelter from the rain without even saying hello. Why should we associate with neighbors like that?”
Gao Ming listened with a frown.
"Don't tell anyone outside the fact that Chen Yun brought back money and tickets," Gao Ming said worriedly.
The two elders nodded knowingly.
The waitress brought over the stir-fried dishes, her eyes lingering on Gao Ming's face for a long time before reluctantly looking away.
Xu Cuihua was overjoyed to see this.
They were too happy that their daughter's boyfriend was so outstanding that they didn't have time to worry about anything else.
Moreover, in her parents' eyes, their daughter was equally outstanding.
"Tell us about your situation with Chen Yun!" Chen Shu was clearly more concerned about the two children than himself.
Gao Ming placed a piece of braised pork on each of the two elders' chopsticks, then put down his chopsticks and solemnly introduced himself.
He came from a wealthy family, became a factory cadre at a young age, and was also very handsome.
Xu Cuihua felt that the braised pork tasted so good today that she chewed it for a long time and was reluctant to swallow it.
Two pairs of eyes looked at Gao Ming with delight.
"What about Chen Yun?" Chen Shu asked, worried about his daughter.
"Comrade Chen Yun is far more outstanding than me. Due to her excellent work, she has been officially promoted to Director of the Department of Internal Medicine at the hospital. At the National Day commendation ceremony..."
When talking about his partner Gao Ming, his tone was full of pride, and he probably remembered every detail better than Chen Yun did.
"Uncle and Aunt, don't worry, Chen Yun is a very strong comrade." Gao Ming sincerely said everything he wanted to say.
"..."
Chen Shu shakily pulled out the ticket from his shirt pocket, then took out a crumpled one-yuan coin.
"Go buy a bottle of wine; I'm going to have a couple of drinks today."
Xu Cuihua wanted to stop him, but Gao Ming readily picked up the ticket and smiled, "Let Uncle have a few drinks. If he gets drunk, I'll carry him back."
After years of suffering, it seems that today we can finally see the end.
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