Chapter 71 Visiting
Zaogou Hutong.
Although both are hutongs, Zaogou Hutong looks completely different from Guanming Hutong, exuding an unusual aura from the very entrance of the hutong.
The alley was quiet, with only one or two people occasionally passing by. Flocks of pigeons would occasionally circle overhead, and the road surface was entirely paved with cement.
“Only one family lives in each courtyard, so it’s quiet.” Gao Ming switched arms with Gao Nianping and used his right hand to hold Chen Yun’s hand. “Those who can live in this alley are at least directors or above.”
Cao Shengli wasn't even considered a big shot in this alley; he was only able to get in thanks to the influence of the material rationing system from years ago.
"Gao Nian'an, don't run around once you're inside." Chen Yun reminded her daughter again, this being the third time since they left: "Don't talk to people like you do in our alley."
Gao Nian'an's lips trembled a few times before he suddenly blurted out, "Are all the people in this alley mute? Mute..."
In her little head, she had no idea what it meant to be mindful of the occasion; she just thought her parents were acting strangely.
"I'm not telling you to shut up," Chen Yun said, covering her daughter's mouth with a wry smile. "It's just that you can't keep talking. Think about it... what if the other person doesn't like to talk?"
"Okay." Gao Nian'an pouted.
She had only taken a few steps when she started acting spoiled again, insisting that Chen Yun carry her. Once she got on her mother's back, she instantly forgot her promise.
"Mom, what's the name of this alley?"
Why is it called Zaogou Hutong?
"Why is no one sunbathing in front of their doors in Zaogou Hutong? Grandma Liu carries a small stool to sunbathe in front of her door every day. I heard her talking badly about Liu Mazi next door yesterday."
The couple exchanged a glance and both laughed helplessly.
The eldest son talks as much as a typewriter, while the second son is so quiet that he only answers a question at a time.
The siblings are two extremes... It would be great if they could be a better match!
"arrive!"
The Cao family lived in the middle of the alley, just a few minutes' walk away.
The courtyard gate was wide open, and the courtyard was bustling with people; it seemed that many guests had arrived early.
"Director Chen!"
The passing figure immediately turned back, and Cao Chunjuan, with a smile on her face, quickly came forward, took Chen Yun's arm, and led her into the courtyard.
"Dad, Mom, Director Chen and Comrade Gao have arrived."
Several people soon came out of the main room.
Cao Chunjuan's mother, Huang Fengchun, carrying Cao Lei in her arms, rushed to Chen Yun as fast as she could.
Chen Yun put Gao Nian'an down on the ground: "I bought some fruit on the way, mashed it into a puree for Leilei to eat." With her other hand, she slipped a red envelope over.
"Just come, there's no need to bring gifts."
After exchanging a few polite words, Cao Chunjuan turned around and stuffed the red envelope into the hand of another older woman: "Auntie, this is Director Chen whom I told you about."
The woman's face was full of smiles as she affectionately took Chen Yun's arm: "Director Chen must sit in the seat of honor today. All of us from the Cao family must toast you."
Cao Chunjuan quickly explained, "Today is my uncle's 60th birthday, Zhang He will just have lunch with his family."
Chen Yun suddenly realized why there was such a grand display... He had been surprised that the Cao family valued Zhang He, their son-in-law, so much.
"Look! It's all my fault for not asking clearly before I prepared a red envelope!" Chen Yun's smile remained unchanged. Gao Ming quickly took a red envelope from Gao Nianping's pocket and handed it to Chen Yun with a smile: "I prepared it."
Gao Nianping: I quickly looked down and checked my pockets, wondering when a red envelope had appeared.
Chen Yun raised an eyebrow in surprise and glanced at her husband.
This is all thanks to the thoroughness I've developed in the business world; I always subconsciously prepare an extra set before doing anything important.
Before leaving home in the morning, I casually stuffed the money into my son's cotton-padded jacket pocket, thinking that if I didn't need it, I could use the money to buy toys for the kids.
It actually came in handy...
"You're too kind!" Cao Chunjuan smiled, not even glancing at Zhang He behind her, and casually handed the child to Huang Fengchun: "Mom, let Dr. Chen hold Leilei."
The Cao family's attitude towards Zhang He was fully revealed by the two red envelopes.
Leilei seemed very familiar with Chen Yun's scent. His dark eyes darted around curiously, then he suddenly giggled and started babbling incoherently.
"Leilei is the apple of our Cao family's eye." Aunt Cao patted Cao Lei's bottom, wiped the drool from the corner of her mouth, and expressed her gratitude again: "It was Dr. Chen who gave our Cao family tremendous hope..."
Chen Yun felt increasingly ashamed as she listened.
This is almost being touted as a reincarnation of Hua Tuo (a legendary Chinese physician)... In fact, Chen Yun thinks that Cao Lei's remarkable recovery should be attributed to his mother, Cao Chunjuan.
Having a plan is not enough; people also need to persevere day after day to make it work.
"Dr. Chen is here!"
Hearing the commotion, Cao Shengli, who was in the main house, led a large group of men to gather around.
For the first time, Chen Yun experienced what it meant to be a "distinguished guest."
After finally finishing the pleasantries, Cao Shengli gestured with his chin toward Gao Ming and said, "Little Gao, come in and have some tea. I'll introduce you to some old friends."
Chen Yun knew that it was Gao Ming's turn to be busy, so she took the initiative to let Gao Nianping get down and stay by her side.
Cao Chunjuan promptly carried Cao Lei back home.
"Nian'an, Nianping." Aunt Cao waved to the two children: "Come with Grandma to eat candy. We have foreign candy, all kinds of flavors."
"Foreign candy!" Gao Nian'an opened her mouth wide and quickly took her younger brother's hand, nodding repeatedly: "Thank you, Grandma, we'll just try one piece."
"You greedy girl," Chen Yun chuckled.
As long as there's candy to eat, he forgets all about what he promised before entering the house, and even takes Aunt Cao's hand and asks, "Grandma, is foreign candy delicious?"
Aunt Cao gently touched Gao Nian'an's face, her smile kind: "Delicious."
"How delicious it is."
"It has orange flavor, and peach flavor too..."
Judging from her age, Aunt Cao should be older than Uncle Cao. Most of her hair is white, and the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes are the most obvious.
"Your aunt is so patient with the kids," Chen Yun remarked.
“Auntie has always loved children.” Cao Chunjuan’s eyes darkened, as if she didn’t want to bring up her own family matters in public. She quickly invited Chen Yun to come to my room and sit down.
"Then I'll hold Leilei, and you two can have a good chat."
In just a short time, Cao Lei had already switched hands several times. As soon as Huang Fengchun reached out, the child was taken by a burly old woman.
Cao Chunjuan lived in the first room of the east wing.
The room was decorated in a very fashionable and brightly colored way. The pink sofa was covered with cartoon bunnies, and the walls were covered with various patterns and fonts.
A thick woolen blanket was laid out beside the bed, and toys and books were scattered on it.
Everywhere in the room, you could see traces of the mother and son's usual rehabilitation training. Chen Yun also noticed that the rehabilitation plan she had written herself was posted on the television.
"Please sit wherever you like."
Cao Chunjuan haphazardly threw the things on the sofa onto the bed, and then quickly brought out fruit and candy after Chen Yun sat down.
"At noon, it's just family and friends, so we just eat something casual at home. Dinner is when the real guests arrive."
"Aren't we too early?" Chen Yun smiled, even though Cao Chunjuan had only invited them for lunch.
“Of course you’re family.” Cao Chunjuan smiled, placed a cup of tea in front of Chen Yun before finally sitting down herself. “If you don’t mind, I’d also like Leilei to recognize you as his godmother.”
"This isn't appropriate."
Godmothers are generally relatives or friends who are closest to one's mother. Once you kowtow and acknowledge your godmother, you become a true relative.
Once Chen Yun agreed, he and the Cao family would become legitimate relatives.
Countless people are eager to become this godmother.
“What’s inappropriate about it?” Cao Chunjuan smiled slightly and patted Chen Yun’s hand. “You are his second parents. No one is more qualified to be his godmother than you.”
"You should thank yourself; I only moved my lips."
"Let's not talk about those things."
This is just a preliminary communication. As long as Chen Yun doesn't show any obvious sign of rejection, they'll have to take the time to formally visit him with gifts to show their sincerity.
"Aren't you going to discuss your godmother's matter with Zhang He?"
Chen Yun remembered that Aunt Liu had once mentioned wanting her youngest daughter to be Cao Lei's godmother, and from her tone it seemed that she had already mentioned it to Zhang He.
Cao Chunjuan laughed with considerable disdain: "He's a man whose heart is barely bigger than the eye of a pin, I have nothing to do with him..."
For the first two years after their marriage, their relationship was relatively good, but after spending more time together, Cao Chunjuan discovered that Zhang He was an extremely selfish and self-serving person.
He will turn his back on anyone, whether it's his parents or his wife, as soon as his interests are threatened.
Especially after Cao Lei was born, Zhang He quickly discovered that the child was not normal. Instead of going to the hospital, he used this as an excuse to become arrogant.
He blamed all the problems with the children on Cao Chunjuan and threatened her to make Cao Shengli help him get promoted, otherwise he would not be willing to have a second child.
Having a second child can now be used as leverage for blackmail...
While Chen Yun was puzzled, Cao Chunjuan helplessly explained the current situation of the Cao family. It turned out that Cao Lei really had severe cerebral palsy, and the Cao family was indeed being controlled by Zhang He.
The Cao family has three sons. Cao's eldest son and his two sons both died on the battlefield. Cao's second son died of illness not long after he got married. The burly woman just now was Cao's second aunt.
The third son, Cao Shengli, has only one daughter, Cao Chunjuan.
By the third generation, Cao Lei was the only son, which explains why the Cao family treated Chen Yun as an honored guest.
Chen Yun clicked his tongue in amazement.
"Do you remember the last time I went to your house for dinner?" Cao Chunjuan asked.
Chen Yun nodded: "That's the day I noticed something was wrong with Leilei. I think I even heard you two arguing in Aunt Liu's room that night?"
“He thinks I’m making a mountain out of a molehill,” Cao Chunjuan sneered.
Whether it was making a mountain out of a molehill or not, she didn't know, but Zhang He's opposition to Cao Lei seeking Chen Yun for rehabilitation training must have stemmed from his concern about not being able to handle Cao Chunjuan.
"I heard from Aunt Liu that Zhang He is also going to do business?" Chen Yun said.
“My uncle wouldn’t help him, so he set his sights on my dad…”
"Does he also own a transportation company?"
"That's right." Cao Chunjuan kicked a black wallet that had popped out from under the sofa leg, annoyed. "When did that bastard sneak into my room again?"
Not satisfied with kicking it once, he opened the door, picked it up, and threw it out again.
He slammed the door shut, wiped his hands on his clothes with a look of disgust, and continued, "I heard from Zhang He's mother that Comrade Gao makes money running a transportation company, so I came back thinking about starting one myself."
"Then...isn't my wife competing with him for business?" Chen Yun asked, puzzled.
“My dad just wants others to see clearly that he doesn’t plan to give the agricultural products business to Zhang He… Comrade Gao’s company is quite suitable in all aspects for participating in this year’s bidding.”
Cao Shengli was simply giving Gao Ming a chance to compete; whether he could win or not depended entirely on the decision made at an internal meeting within the supply and marketing system.
What Cai Chunjuan didn't say was... those people were currently sitting in the main room chatting idly.
"You and Zhang He have become like this..."
Chen Yun looked around the room again, but still couldn't see any trace of a man. Coupled with Cao Chunjuan's disgusted look earlier, she became even more curious.
“I do want a divorce, but the children are too young and my parents don’t agree…” Cao Chunjuan gritted her teeth in anger when she mentioned Zhang He, but even so, she never considered divorce: “My dad doesn’t want outsiders to gossip about me and Leilei.”
Everyone in the Cao family knows Zhang He is a scoundrel, but outsiders don't...
To outsiders, Zhang He always played the role of a very filial son-in-law and a good husband; everyone who left his home praised him.
Ultimately, it was the older generation's traditional belief that "a woman should follow her husband wherever he goes" that made it difficult for Cao Chunjuan to get a divorce.
Cao Shengli suppressed Zhang He, preventing him from using the Cao family to climb the social ladder, but he never considered having his daughter divorce him.
"If we could get a legitimate divorce, you...?"
Cao Chunjuan immediately scoffed: "I divorced him without hesitation. To be honest, we've been separated for almost a year... My parents don't know."
Chen Yun wanted to ask Cao Chunjuan if she knew about Zhang He abandoning his wife and children to return to the city, but in the end she didn't ask.
Then Cao Chunjuan continued to complain about Zhang He for a long time.
Although lunch was supposed to be for family, there were actually six tables set up: four in the courtyard and two in the main room.
As "distinguished guests," Chen Yun and her family were seated at the head table.
Besides Cao Shengli's family and Uncle Cao and his wife, there were two unfamiliar faces accompanying them.
"This is Dean Lu Kang of Beicheng People's Hospital, and that is Dean Lu's son, Lu Xingyan." Cao Shengli introduced the two, then patted Lu Xingyan's shoulder familiarly: "Young Lu is a pediatrician, so he should have something in common with Director Chen."
Renmin University Hospital...Workers' Hospital is the top competitor.
Having held the top spot in pediatrics nationwide for many years, I've heard that since a few years ago, they've been continuously sending young doctors from their hospital abroad for further training.
Lu Xingyan was among the second batch of doctors who had just returned to China for further training.
"Director Chen of the Neonatal Department at the Workers' Hospital?" Lu Kang had only been there a few minutes when Cao Shengli mentioned Chen Yun's name and immediately recognized him: "I've long admired your name."
Lu Xingyan suddenly looked up.
"Dean Lu, you flatter me." Chen Yun smiled and shook hands with Lu Kang. "When it comes to pediatrics, we have so many advanced concepts to learn from your hospital. We still have a long way to go."
"Director Chen, you're too kind." Lu Kang smiled with satisfaction: "My third son said that the neonatal care regulations proposed by Director Chen are even more comprehensive than those of the hospital where he interned abroad."
The charter proposed by Chen Yun is a summary of decades of experience from hospitals around the world, and its advanced nature is inevitable.
"Dr. Lu, you flatter me. Actually, I was able to summarize this by referring to many domestic and foreign literatures. It is not an innovation. I believe that if Dr. Lu wanted to write a new charter, he would be able to do so very quickly."
"Director Chen, please don't be modest."
Chen Yun's honest words were taken as modesty at the dinner table, and coupled with his indirect praise of Lu Xingyan, Lu Kang's smile became even warmer.
"Today is my older brother's birthday, so let's not talk about work!"
Cao Shengli raised his glass, gesturing for everyone to start eating.
Lu Kang and Uncle Cao were close friends, and they had endless memories to reminisce about whenever they met. In addition, Cao Shengli would occasionally interject with a few jokes, making the atmosphere at the dinner table harmonious.
Zhang He, sitting below, had a gloomy expression, his venomous eyes hidden behind a wine glass, occasionally glancing to his side.
Although it wasn't explicitly stated that the transportation of agricultural supplies for half of the supply and marketing system would be handed over to Gao Ming, Cao Shengli summoned all those who could make the decision to the main room, suggesting that the bidding process was merely a formality.
Zhang He was furious; the Cao family was clearly trying to cut off his path to running a transportation company.
"You old codger..."
Amidst the clinking of glasses, Chen Yun suddenly heard a soft murmur, which Gao Ming, sitting next to Zhang He, heard even more clearly.
"Whether you want me to be a good-for-nothing depends on whether I'm willing to..." Zhang He looked at Lu Xingyan with a deep gaze.
Chen Yun and Gao Ming exchanged a glance, and then subconsciously looked at Cao Chunjuan, who was sitting on the other side of Zhang He.
She was engrossed in a lively conversation with Lu Kang's wife next to her and clearly didn't hear Zhang He's absent-minded mutterings.
"Don't let the children run too far later."
Gao Ming glanced worriedly at the two children sitting opposite Aunt Cao, then lowered his voice and whispered to Chen Yun.
It's better to be safe than sorry; who knows what Zhang He might do in his quest for revenge?
Chen Yun nodded silently.
It was their caution that prevented a tragedy from happening.
After lunch, Cao Shengli insisted on dragging Gao Ming and his old friends to play mahjong. The group chatted and laughed and then went to the Lu family's house at the entrance of the alley.
Strangely, Lu Xingyan did not go back to his own home, but stayed in the courtyard under the eaves and started reading a book.
Chen Yun stayed behind, citing the need to take the children for their afternoon nap, and did not go with them.
The Cao family's large courtyard house suddenly fell silent.
After putting the two children to sleep, Chen Yun was about to sit down and rest for a while on the veranda.
The moment his bottom touched the bench, Lu Xingyan, who had been so quiet in the corridor as if he had fallen asleep, suddenly spoke up: "Dr. Chen, I have a few questions I'd like to ask."
Although Chen Yun found it strange, he still replied in a good-natured manner, "Dr. Lu, please speak freely. Let's discuss this as colleagues."
Why didn't Lu Xingyan go home? Was he planning to stay and have an academic discussion with Chen Yun?
As they chatted, Chen Yun confirmed... that was indeed the case.
Lu Xingyan's appearance makes it impossible to guess his exact age. His handsome face is expressionless, and he unconsciously purses his sharp, thin lips when he speaks.
He leaned back lazily in the rocking chair, gently swaying, and his outstanding presence made it hard to look away.
For example... Cao Chunjuan.
Chen Yun caught a glimpse of a figure passing by out of the corner of his eye. The figure quickly returned, and after going back and forth several times, it finally settled in the same spot.
"The link between neonatal hypoxia and cerebral palsy..."
Reflecting on Chen Yun's final summary, Lu Xingyan seemed to fall into deep thought.
Chen Yun finally found an empty space to turn around.
Startled at the sight, Cao Chunjuan stared intently at Lu Xingyan, who seemed completely oblivious.
Unrequited love...
These words flashed through Chen Yun's mind.
Cao Chunjuan raised her hand and wiped away her tears. Chen Yun turned her head away abruptly, pretending not to have noticed.
Not long after, Gao Nian'an's voice suddenly rang out from inside the room, calling "Mom," clearly indicating that he was having trouble sleeping in a new bed.
As soon as Chen Yun stood up, Cao Chunjuan hurriedly took two steps back around the corner.
"Mother."
"Aren't you going to sleep?"
The guest room had been unoccupied for a long time, and there was a faint musty smell in the room. Chen Yun opened the window to let in some fresh air as soon as she entered the room.
"Mom, it's cold!" Gao Nian'an poked her head out from under the covers, sniffed, and pitifully stretched out her hand: "When can we go home?"
One morning was enough for Gao Nian'an to lose interest in the new place, not to mention there were no fellow hutong dwellers here yet.
"I was so happy last night that I didn't have to go to school!" Chen Yun laughed.
Gao Nian'an wrinkled her nose and quickly climbed into Chen Yun's arms, squirming around: "I'm not happy because I don't have to go to school, I'm happy because I'm going out with my mom."
Chen Yun: "..."
"Nian'an hates Mommy?" Chen Yun felt a pang of sadness at her daughter's sudden display of affection. She lowered her head apologetically and kissed the pouty little face. "It's all Mommy's fault for being too busy with work."
Gao Nian'an pouted and hugged Chen Yun tightly with both arms.
Suddenly, a childish voice answered from under the covers: "I love Mommy the most in the world."
Chen Yun smiled and pulled her son, who was pretending to be asleep, into her arms.
"And what about Dad?"
“Dad is also in the top tier.” Gao Nianping held up two fingers, then quickly and seriously corrected himself: “I love Mom and Dad the most in the world.”
"Sycophant." Gao Nian'an snorted, shaking Chen Yun's arm vigorously: "I love my mom the most in the world, and my dad is second!"
“If your dad heard this, he would be very sad.” Chen Yun smiled as she watched the two children bicker: “Your dad picks you up from school every day, but you don’t put him first.”
"Dad is so fierce when he helps me with my homework," Gao Nian'an complained, feeling wronged.
Chen Yun burst out laughing.
Even the most good-tempered person can't stay calm when helping their child with homework. If they also have a playful daughter, even the composure and calmness that Gao Ming has honed in the business world will crumble.
“If your mom were to help you with your homework, your palms would be in for a rough time,” Chen Yun said.
Gao Nian'an nervously withdrew his hand and nervously stuffed it into his cotton-padded coat pocket.
At least Dad only clenched his fists in anger, but Mom would really slap her palms... after all, she had been beaten up at the factory before.
"Mom!" Gao Nianping clapped his chubby little hands excitedly. "My sister is the big brother in the alley. If Little Pockmarked Brother and the others find out that my sister got her hand slapped while doing her homework, they definitely won't play with her anymore!"
"Big brother?"
"It's my eldest brother!" Gao Nianping was puzzled. Didn't her mother know the word "elder brother"? She was about to explain when Gao Nian'an covered her mouth.
"Mom, Gao Nianping was just joking!" Gao Nian'an said, looking embarrassed.
Although she didn't understand why it was inappropriate to be called "big brother," she could tell from her mother's expression that she shouldn't let her mother know.
In the TV series, the eldest brother leads his younger brothers to fight for justice and drive away bad guys who bully ordinary people. Gao Nian'an thinks the eldest brother is a good person.
She formed the "Anping Gang" to drive away all the bad guys for her neighbors in Guanming Hutong.
It's not a given that she should be the eldest brother...
Chen Yun: "..."
Just as Chen Yun was about to delve into the origins of the title "elder brother," a figure walked past the window, interrupting his thoughts.
After putting the child on the bed, she immediately leaned out the window to look outside.
Zhang He walked up to Lu Xingyan and whispered something, but the person in the rocking chair didn't move.
The next moment, Lu Xingyan opened his eyes.
Chen Yun heard Zhang He say, "Come with me and take a look!"
The two walked one after the other along the corridor towards the backyard.
Just as Chen Yun was wondering what was going on, Cao Chunjuan reappeared in the spot where she had been looking at Lu Xingyan. However, she didn't see him this time and returned to the house diagonally opposite with some regret.
A few minutes later... Zhang He pushed open the door and entered the room.
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