Chapter 50 Passing in the Blink of an Eye
It feels like just yesterday that Gao Ming left...
Over the past four years, Chen Yun has seen off many familiar people or people with whom she had previously had a bad relationship.
Today's farewell was not filled with sadness; on the contrary, everyone's face was beaming with joy as they congratulated Old Man Ma and Old Woman Ma, whose smiles never faded.
“I think it won’t be more than two years before Cuifen takes you two to the big city to enjoy your retirement.”
After all the neighbors had left, Zuo Lingling packed up her things and went outside to say a few words of congratulations to Granny Ma.
"I'm afraid my old man and I won't live to see that day..." Old Ma sighed, though there wasn't much regret in her tone. "But you, I don't know if we'll ever have a chance to meet again after this departure."
Today's banquet, personally organized by Chen Yun, serves two purposes: first, to celebrate Ma Cuifen's assignment to work at the provincial hospital, and second, to bid farewell to Zuo Lingling as she leaves.
The factory's business is getting worse and worse. Although there are no layoffs, the wages have decreased instead of increased, making it even more difficult for all employees to make ends meet than a few years ago.
Some people grit their teeth and persevere in the hope that a turning point will appear, while others make a decisive decision to look for new opportunities.
Zuo Lingling's husband, Gao Cheng, was one of the latter.
Gao Cheng resigned three months ago and announced his return to Beicheng to start anew. If Zuo Lingling doesn't leave with him, the two will get a divorce.
After careful consideration, Zuo Lingling chose to return to Beicheng with her husband's family.
Zuo Lingling once told Chen Yun that she was not afraid of divorce, but she did not want her daughter to grow up in this remote mountain village.
Even if it's just for her daughter's future growth, she wants to bring her to live in a big city.
Zuo Lingling's words were like a pebble thrown into Chen Yun's heart, stirring up ripples that lingered for a long time.
Gao Cheng took his mother and children back to Beicheng first. Zuo Lingling will leave tomorrow with her youngest daughter, Gao Limei, after handing over her work.
The ten apartment buildings that were once fiercely contested by countless people have now been mostly vacated. After Zuo Lingling left, only three families remained on the first floor.
Before the last dish was put into the pot, Chen Yun went around the small bedroom, came to the backyard, stepped on the stepping stone that was placed by the wall, and shouted outside.
"Gao Nian'an, quickly bring your younger brother and sister back for dinner."
Without caring whether the children playing outside heard her, she turned around and went back into the corridor.
As Ruanqiu was carrying a table out, she noticed Chen Yun's hurried movements and couldn't help but smile.
Of the four families, Ma Zhigang was the only able-bodied man left. It was better to rely on oneself than to ask him for help with heavy work.
The Chen family consists of the elderly and the young, plus Ruanqiu and her son; everyone depends on Chen Yun for help.
Over the years, Chen Yun has become an "iron lady," managing both her work and family life perfectly.
"Dinner's ready!"
Led by Gao Nian'an, who was wearing a red cloak, several children rushed into the stairwell like a flock of birds.
Ruanqiu couldn't find her son, Li Shuaishuai, among the children whose faces were covered in mud for a while.
"Gao Nian'an, did you go rolling in the mud?" Ruan Qiu ran up to them, both amused and exasperated, and spread her arms to prevent them from rushing to the table and grabbing the food: "Wash your face before you eat."
"Mother."
Two chubby babies, holding hands, slowly emerged from behind Gao Nian'an. Li Shuaishuai, who was half a head shorter, looked up and called out in a deep voice.
The other doll looked somewhat like Gao Nian'an, with round, big eyes, red lips, and white teeth, just like the adorable doll in the New Year's picture.
"Aunt Ruanqiu, my sister just fell from the tree."
"It fell from the tree!"
Gao Nianping's childish complaint startled Ruanqiu, who grabbed Gao Nianan's cloak and quickly pulled him in front of her for a closer look.
"My sister wanted to go up the tree to see if there were any baby fruits, but she slipped and fell down the tree."
After her little red mouth finished complaining, she sighed like a little adult. Turning her head, she saw Chen Yun coming out of the house and hurriedly repeated what she had just said.
"Let me see." Chen Yun nervously took off her daughter's cloak and checked her over from head to toe.
Gao Nian'an kept chattering away in her ears. Chen Yun's mouth talked for as long as she was checking. Her heart had just been at ease when she couldn't help but furrow her brow.
"You're not allowed to go to the back mountain again, or your dad will spank you when he gets back."
"Mother,"
The little girl visibly became sad when her father was mentioned, shaking her head.
Unlike Gao Nianping, who had never seen his father since birth and whose mood would quickly sink whenever the word "father" was mentioned, Gao Nian'an was different.
Seeing her daughter looking dejected and wilted in front of her, Chen Yun felt that she had really brought up the wrong thing.
“Your dad called.” Chen Yun remembered the call from a few days ago, and quickly raised her eyebrows with a smile, gently tapping Gao Nian’an’s cheek with her index finger: “He also bought a lot of new clothes for you and your brother.”
"Daddy's coming back!" Her droopy eyelids instantly lifted, and she excitedly stretched out her little hands to gesture: "Did you bring a doll that I can dress up? Zhang Mazi has one."
"I told you not to call anyone 'Pockmarked'." Chen Yun deliberately glared angrily.
“I won’t call you that anymore.” Gao Nian’an winked mischievously, tilted her head to secretly observe Chen Yun’s expression, and only continued to ask when she saw that her mother was not angry: “And Nianping’s new leather shoes, Zhang Ma… you know, the kind of leather shoes with buckles that Zhang Chao wears.”
The Zhang Mazi that Gao Nian'an was talking about was the youngest grandson of the Zhang family in the house in front. His son and daughter-in-law went to work in the city two years ago, and in the past few years they have sent back a lot of food and clothes that the city kids like.
Each item brought out made all the children in the family area extremely envious. Those styles that Chen Yun thought were not very good were now Gao Nian'an's number one choice.
Chen Yun now finally understands why there were children wearing cartoon underwear on the outside of their clothes coming to the hospital for treatment in her previous life.
Parents couldn't stop it... and ultimately could only pretend they didn't see it.
"You'll have to ask your dad, Mom doesn't know." Chen Yun didn't dare to tell Gao Ming the fact that she hadn't told him at all, and just avoided his eyes, pretending not to know.
"Mom definitely didn't tell Dad."
Gao Nian'an happily went to wash her face, but her son Gao Nianping immediately exposed his mother's lie with his childish voice.
Li Shuaishuai looked at Gao Nianping and sighed, his expression blank and completely unaware of what it meant.
Ruanqiu found it amusing and pulled the two little ones to sit at the table to wipe their faces.
Zuo Lingling sat down beside her, smiling as she pinched Gao Nianping's cheek: "If I hadn't delivered the baby myself, I would have suspected that Chen Yun really picked the baby fruit from the tree."
"Look at my handsome guy." Ruanqiu patted Li Shuaishuai, whose eyes were glued to the table, with a mix of laughter and tears: "You need Pingping to lead you in everything you do."
Chen Yun's two children, Gao Nian'an and Gao Nian'an, are lively and affectionate, and none of the elders on the first floor dislike this little girl.
The second child, Gao Nianping, displayed extraordinary intelligence at a young age, occasionally uttering surprising remarks that left the adults present speechless.
"Let's invite Aunt Ma and the others to eat."
For example, Chen Yun, who was exposed on the spot, had no idea how to respond to her son, and simply turned her head and awkwardly changed the subject.
"Pingping, your dad is coming home soon, are you happy?" Zuo Lingling found it particularly amusing to tease Gao Nianping, and deliberately brought up the previous topic again: "Do you still remember your dad?"
I thought I'd see a chubby little boy shaking his head and asking who his dad is, but Gao Nianping just sighed again.
"Of course I miss my dad, but my mom probably misses him the most."
"..."
Ruanqiu chuckled and loudly repeated Gao Nianping's words to Chen Yun, who was busy serving dishes.
"Do you often mention missing Comrade Gao Ming in front of the children?"
Chen Yun said that even if she didn't know, the two of them probably wouldn't believe her, so she could only respond with a silly laugh.
Ruanqiu turned her head.
Chen Yun glanced at her son a few more times.
Gao Ming did not witness Gao Nianping's birth, and Chen Yun worried that the two children would forget their father, so she would occasionally show them photos to help them recognize his face.
But Chen Yun never mentioned missing them or anything like that in front of them...
"It seems your mother really misses your father," Ruanqiu teased with a smile.
Gao Nianping nodded emphatically, sounding old-fashioned: "Mom misses Dad, and Aunt Ruanqiu misses Shuai Shuai's dad too."
"Haha—Gao Xiaoer is really funny." Zuo Lingling burst into laughter.
Not long after, Gao Nian'an washed his hands and face and rushed out of the house. He climbed onto a stool, stood quietly for a moment, and then quickly slid down, ran to Ruanqiu and Zuo Lingling, and waved to Gao Nianping and Li Shuaishuai: "Dinner's ready."
"Big sister, I want to eat chicken legs." Li Shuaishuai reported loudly, and then quickly broke free from Ruanqiu's hand to take Gao Nian'an's hand: "Chicken wings are fine too, but give the chicken legs to Pingping and big sister."
"My older sister likes to eat chicken wings."
When facing her two younger brothers, Gao Nian'an has the demeanor of a very good older sister. She is not only humble but also very polite.
After expressing his clear preferences, he continued, "However, we can't eat chicken legs or chicken wings today."
"Why?" Li Shuaishuai asked anxiously, looking up at him.
“Since we’re sending off Aunt Lingling and Aunt Cuifen today, the chicken legs and wings should naturally go to the guests,” Gao Nianping replied calmly.
Gao Nian'an smiled and nodded.
"Alright then..." Li Shuaishuai nodded reluctantly, but his eyes still couldn't help but linger on the chicken leg.
Gao Nianping sighed, walked over to Liu Shuaishuai and tilted his head: "My dad still has some chocolates that he sent back. If you behave, I'll give you some chocolates to eat in a little while."
"Really!"
"certainly!"
"Can I eat one now?"
"You can't eat now." Gao Nianping shook her head coldly, her short legs darting towards her room, her childish voice refusing, "Mommy said you can't eat snacks before meals."
Li Shuaishuai was extremely disappointed!
Ruanqiu and Zuo Lingling exchanged a glance, both noticing something unusual in each other's eyes.
None of these words sound like something a three-year-old would say...
"Let's raise a glass to congratulate Cuifen on finally getting a job at the provincial hospital, and also wish Sister Zuo all the best in the future and that she can find a job soon."
Chen Yun stood up on behalf of everyone, raised her glass, and clinked glasses with the two men.
Congratulations!
"It's all good. No matter how bad the northern city is, it's still better than our remote mountain village."
"There are more opportunities in big cities, and you can find a job quickly."
There were all sorts of blessings being offered. Chen Yun sat down and silently took a sip of soda, frowning at the bittersweet taste.
In recent years, Chen Yun has frequently traveled to Kun'an City, and he can glean insights into the city's development just from the beverages he drinks.
The city offers a wide variety of beverages, from the currently popular Coca-Cola to many local companies that have created innovative sodas in imitation.
Both of them taste many times better than the artificially colored sodas that the machinery factory and supply and marketing cooperative have been using for over a decade.
This is the current development gap between big cities and rural areas, and it will only widen over time.
Chen Yun glanced at the children sitting beside her out of the corner of her eye.
Even Gao Nianping drank with relish, and no one ate the dishes first, no matter how plentiful they were on the table.
Saccharin-based soda was a rare treat for them, since the children had never left the Hongri Machinery Factory residential area, and the one-cent bottles of soda at the supply and marketing cooperative were only available during holidays.
"Eat your food, eat your food. We'll have a chance to meet again sometime." Chen Shu gestured for everyone who was busy talking to pick up their chopsticks.
Chen Yun picked up a piece of stir-fried shredded pork with her chopsticks and slowly chewed it, then her gaze swept over the table full of dishes.
There's meat, fish, and even a braised pork hock that I wouldn't have dared to dream of five years ago.
"Did Brother Gao Ming say when he'll arrive?" Ma Zhigang suddenly asked.
"I'm not sure exactly, it depends on which day's train ticket he can buy." Chen Yun smiled and put some pork hock on Li Shuaishuai's and Gao Nianping's plates. "I reckon it'll be in the next day or two."
"Mom, I want to eat meat too." Gao Nian'an pouted and quickly put the bowl under Chen Yun's chin when she saw that Chen Yun hadn't put any food on her plate: "I want the biggest piece of pork hock."
"If I put it on your plate and you don't eat it..."
Knowing her daughter's temperament, Chen Yun never served food to Gao Nian'an. Every time she did serve food, it ended up in Gao Nianping's bowl, with the excuse that she liked the dish yesterday but doesn't like it today.
Gao Nian'an: "..."
Seeing a large, trembling piece of fatty meat placed in her bowl, Gao Nian'an's lips moved, and she chose to pick up some vegetables with her chopsticks and put them on top.
The adults found it both amusing and exasperating, simply watching the mother and daughter's "battle of wits" in silence.
"Zhigang was too embarrassed to say it, so I, his mother, had to say it for him."
Seeing that Ma Zhigang had finally mustered the courage to speak but was interrupted, and that he looked timid and didn't seem to have the courage to continue asking, Ma's mother sighed and decided to take the initiative herself.
Chen Yun laughed: "Brother Ma, you want to ask how Gao Ming is doing outside, right?"
The workshop where Ma Zhigang works now only operates for three days and then stops for two. Ma Zhigang is as anxious as an ant on a hot pan, wanting to leave but lacking the courage.
At least the neighbor across the hall has Chen Yun's salary to support them, but his wife Zhang Guixiang is in the same situation. The Ma family hasn't had any savings since they bought the house a few years ago.
If they go out and don't make any money, their whole family will starve!
"I have no idea." Ma Zhigang's eyes were somewhat vacant as he absentmindedly picked up some food with his chopsticks and put it in his mouth. "The farthest I've ever been in my life is the county town. Big cities... I don't even dare to dream about what they're like!"
"When he comes back, feel free to ask him anything you want."
As soon as she finished speaking, Zuo Lingling suddenly widened her eyes, then stood up with a smile: "Don't wait any longer, the person is back!"
Chen Yun turned her head to look at the stairwell.
Two figures walked slowly into the stairwell with their backs to the light. The man in front was wearing a beige long-sleeved shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, and black trousers that made his legs look long and straight.
Chen Yun always thought that Gao Ming's appearance was definitely in the category of handsome men, and if he paid a little more attention to his clothes and appearance, he would definitely attract attention wherever he stood.
At twenty-six, Gao Ming could still read the emotions in someone's eyes, but at thirty-four, his eyes and brows had become deep and unfathomable.
She didn't speak, quietly watching Gao Ming approach.
Gao Nian'an immediately recognized her father, dropped her chopsticks, jumped off the stool, and ran over with her arms outstretched, shouting as she went.
"dad."
“My daughter Nian’an has grown into a beautiful young lady.” Gao Ming put down his luggage bag and opened his arms to welcome his daughter.
Gao Ming had lost a lot of weight, and his brow bones and eye sockets had become more prominent. His once soft facial features had become much sharper. Just by looking into his eyes, Chen Yun could tell that he had suffered a lot in the past few years.
Fortunately, his thin lips curled up in a big smile as always. He hugged his daughter tightly and rubbed against her again and again before his gaze fell straight onto Chen Yun's face.
Chen Yun smiled slightly, picked up Gao Nianping, and finally stood up.
“Li Shuaishuai…”
Ruanqiu was even faster than Chen Yun, grabbing Li Shuaishuai who was only focused on eating and rushing to Li Huguo's side.
With his mouth still stuffed full, Li Shuaishuai didn't recognize the person in front of him who was as black as coal. He tried to get down but failed, and then stupidly licked his chopsticks again.
"..."
"You brat." Ruanqiu snatched the chopsticks away and shoved the child into Li Huguo's arms: "This is your dad. Didn't you always talk about your dad? Why don't you recognize him now that you're back?"
"Nianping?" Gao Ming's gaze also locked onto Gao Nianping, who was obediently hugging Chen Yun's neck.
With a pair of dark, grape-like eyes, he glanced ahead and, without Chen Yun saying anything, exclaimed, "I've seen your picture. You're my father."
Gao Ming reached out his other hand and took Gao Nianping from him.
He held his daughter and son in his arms, his wife beside him, warmth flowing down his arm, and a few steps away, there was steaming food.
These scenes were the ones Gao Ming had dreamed about for years, and today they finally came true.
"I know you two families have a lot to talk about, let's eat first and then talk slowly."
Old Mrs. Ma told Ma Zhigang to bring out two stools and two more sets of bowls and chopsticks, and specially arranged for them to sit down next to their respective wives.
"Sister-in-law." Li Huguo kissed his son's cheek, eliciting a disgusted struggle, before smiling with satisfaction and raising his glass: "Thank you for taking care of Ruanqiu and Shuaishuai these past few years."
"We're all family, no need to be so polite." Chen Yun took another sip of the flat soda, which didn't taste as cloyingly sweet as before.
"Dad, you hold my little brother." Gao Nian'an sensibly gave his father's arms to Gao Nianping, and then reached out to Chen Yun: "Mom can hold me."
"I want Mommy to hold me too." Gao Nianping suddenly grabbed her sister's arm and stretched her body toward Chen Yun with all her might.
Chen Yun found it strange that the siblings' personalities had suddenly changed today. The eldest, who usually wouldn't let go even when being spoiled or unreasonable, had become unusually sensible, while the usually calm second child was reacting so intensely.
The siblings pinched their noses at the same time and shouted in loud voices, "Dad stinks!"
Everyone burst into laughter at the siblings' disgusted expressions. After Gao Ming finished laughing heartily, he insisted on rubbing his head against their faces.
Although their clothes didn't look dirty, Gao Ming and Li Huguo had been on a crowded train for two days and one night, their clothes getting wet and drying repeatedly, until they were actually quite sour.
A two-day, one-night train journey?
Chen Yun did not voice his doubts hidden behind the chopsticks in public.
The meal ended happily amidst the joy of reunion and the subtle flavors.
After the meal, those who need to clean up should continue cleaning, and those who want to enjoy the family reunion should close the door and have a quiet chat.
"Both Dad and Mom are listening to the radio."
As Gao Ming closed the door, strands of hair, still dripping wet from the freshly washed hair, gently flicked out a drop of water. Chen Yun sat on the edge of the bed and nodded. Gao Ming immediately took a towel, sat down on the edge of the bed, and lowered his head.
The furnishings inside the house are exactly the same as when I left home four years ago, even the location of the towels is unchanged.
"My parents have recently become obsessed with listening to storytelling. I'll talk to them about it tomorrow morning."
Gao Ming nodded.
"Dad, you're so old and you still need Mom to wipe your hair, how embarrassing!"
Gao Nian'an turned his head and saw this scene. He rolled over and climbed out of the quilt, shaking the drowsy Gao Nianping awake in the process.
"Little brother, look! Dad doesn't even know how to dry his hair."
Gao Nianping: "..."
"Didn't you say yesterday that you wanted to sleep in the same bed as your younger brother?"
The double bed is only 1.5 meters wide. It's fine for Chen Yun to sleep with her two children, but it's obviously too crowded for a family of four.
A few days ago, Chen Yun had discussed with her two children that they would sleep in the small bed for a few days.
She slept soundly all day yesterday, and I don't know when she crawled back into the big bed, even her little pillow was already laid out.
"Let Dad sleep in the small bed, and we'll sleep with Mom." Gao Nian'an thought it was a good idea, and then shook Gao Nianping a few times: "Little brother, don't you think so?"
Gao Nianping nodded dazedly.
Afraid of waking him up and not being able to coax him back to sleep anytime soon, Chen Yunsheng quickly pushed Gao Ming away, picked up Gao Nianping, and patted him gently.
Gao Nianping has a bad temper when he wakes up. If he wakes up without enough sleep, his big eyes are filled with tears, which is heartbreaking to see.
clever:"……"
He had just enjoyed a minute of marital intimacy when he was suddenly reduced to a pitiful figure who had been pushed down.
Gao Ming rolled onto the bed and soon started laughing and joking with Gao Nian'an.
Chen Shu, who was just a wall away, reached out and turned on his small radio. He listened for a while before turning it up with a chuckle.
The laughter was exactly the same as before; the father and daughter were probably arguing again.
"Shouldn't we bring Nian'an and Nianping over to sleep here?" Xu Cuihua nudged Chen Shu. "The young couple haven't seen each other for years. Wouldn't it be in the way if the kids slept on the side?"
They've both been through that age, so how could they not understand the saying that absence makes the heart grow fonder?
Chen Shuxiao said, "Let them get to know each other better tonight, and it's not too late to bring them over tomorrow."
The intimacy is just a pretense; the important thing is that we won't be broadcasting storytelling tomorrow...
"Did you and Li Huguo leave Guangshi a long time ago?"
The usual "absence makes the heart grow fonder" or "hot fire" scenario didn't play out next door. After carrying Gao Nian'an and her brother, who had finally fallen asleep, to their small bed, Chen Yun sat back up on the headboard and casually picked up a book to open.
My period arrives precisely on the 15th of every month, and today happens to be the 16th.
If Chen Yun remembered correctly, Ruan Qiu from next door had just borrowed toilet paper yesterday, so she must have been on her special day as well.
So tonight... it's destined that both couples will only be able to chat under the covers.
“I remember the train journey from Guangzhou to Kunming took a day and a night,” Chen Yun said.
After arriving in Guangzhou from Kun'an, Gao Ming wrote a long letter to Chen Yun, in which he described their experiences over the past day and night and the shock of entering a big city for the first time.
Chen Yun remembers this very clearly, and the letter is still kept in the drawer.
Gao Ming smiled, stretched out his long arm and pulled his wife into his arms. He greedily inhaled the fragrance of her hair for a long time, and only after he was completely satisfied did he slowly speak.
“We moved from Guangzhou to Beicheng last year.”
After working hard in Guangzhou for three years and accumulating enough capital, the first thing the two did was to head north back to the city that was both familiar and unfamiliar to them—Beicheng.
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