Chapter 117 (Updated 1171)
Luo Yan has few friends, but she cherishes them all. So, after seeing Chen Yingying the day before, she went to visit Wu Huifang the next day.
Wu Huifang was memorizing vocabulary in her room. When she saw her coming, she quickly dropped her book and pulled her outside, saying, "Let's go, let's go!"
Luo Yan thought she was some great hero who had saved someone from drowning, but when she saw Wu's mother sitting in the living room, she smiled knowingly.
Since they were in front of guests, Wu's mother held back, suppressing the eye roll she wanted to give her daughter, and asked, "Yanzi, how did you do on your final exams?"
Luo Yan: "The results aren't out yet."
Even without Wu's mother's prediction, it was clear: "You must be at the top of your class, Fangfang. You should learn from your friends."
No matter what she says or what others say in response, it always comes back to this one sentence.
Wu Huifang muttered, "Back then, I said that if I got into university, I would be the number one contributor to the Wu family."
Okay, okay, Mom Wu: "You number one hero, go play now."
Wu Huifang couldn't contain herself any longer, so she put on her shoes and dragged her friend away.
Luo Yan stumbled before she could even put her shoes on, saying, "Wait, wait, I'm going to fall."
It's funny: "The auntie won't chase after us."
Wu Huifang looked up to the sky and sighed, "You have no idea, if you hadn't come, I'd be sitting in jail today."
How strange! Luo Yan: "Did you fail your final exams?"
Only failing a course will affect graduation.
After the two of them pushed the cart a little further away, Wu Huifang explained to her, "Next semester, some international students will be coming. We need to provide one-on-one support, and only those with exceptionally good grades can be selected. My mom has a colleague whose daughter goes to the same school as me, and she got selected."
Both of Wu's parents were educated people and had always been strict with their children's studies. Unfortunately, the children were not as competitive as their parents, and their grades were all mediocre.
Luo Yan understood, but was curious: "Where are these international students from? I haven't seen many foreigners before."
Beijing is, after all, the capital city, with several embassies of various countries located there. A decade or so ago, even the waiters at Lao Mo's place were all Soviets with broad noses and thick brows.
However, their numbers are small, and they are rarely seen on the streets, so people are always curious when they hear about foreigners.
The Language Institute is one of only two schools in the city with foreign teachers. Although Wu Huifang's grades are average, she has actually spoken to foreigners.
She seemed somewhat unsurprised, saying, "American."
America? It's too far away for Luo Yan's world.
She just listened and let it go, while her friend continued to complain about her studies.
Wu Huifang: "Starting this year, there is also a government-funded study abroad program. Everyone is working hard now, and there are people memorizing vocabulary on the stairs at four o'clock."
She knew it wouldn't be her turn, but the pressure of being in this learning environment was immense.
Luo Yan had no idea about this project and said, "It should only be at your school, right? I've never heard of it."
The language institute was originally established as a preparatory school for international students. Wu Huifang said, "It seems that Peking University and Tsinghua University also have them, but the number of places is very small, so our school is the main one."
Luo Yan: "It's good to go out and see the world."
It's good, but Wu Huifang said, "A clumsy bird like me can't fly away."
As she poured out her grievances, she suggested halfway through, "I almost forgot, let's go to Xidan for ice cream. You've probably never had it before."
Luo Yan "didn't dare" tell her that she had eaten with Chen Yingying yesterday, and lowered her eyes guiltily: "No, I haven't eaten yet."
Wu Huifang knew this, so she hopped on her bicycle and said, "Let's go, let's go, I heard the queues are really long."
There was indeed a long queue in front of the window, and the crowd seemed especially dense in the sweltering summer heat. At first glance, Luo Yan didn't even know what year it was. She glanced at her watch and realized that she had arrived at about the same time yesterday. She said, "Huifang, let me treat you to a meal."
"This isn't a five-cent popsicle in syrup," Wu Huifang said. "No, no, it's too expensive."
Luo Yan shook her head slightly and said softly, "It's okay, I have money."
We're all good friends, so please come in.
Wu Huifang said happily, "Great! I'll treat you to a sandwich later."
The two girls chatted as they moved forward, and Luo Yan inevitably brought up Zhou Weifang again—mainly because she felt that even friends should be treated equally, and there was no reason to let only Chen Yingying know.
Wu Huifang knew Zhou Weifang. She frowned for some reason, but when she glanced at the crowd around her, she felt that what she was about to say was not so upright. She said, "I'll tell you later."
"Hmm?" Luo Yan said okay, but she couldn't help but have some doubts.
It wasn't until they bought ice cream and found a corner to eat that Wu Huifang said, "Yanyan, do you still remember my third cousin?"
The Wu family has been scholars for five generations. In recent years, several of their relatives have been undergoing reform, and this third cousin was one of them.
He spent many years in the countryside, married a local girl who was not very literate, and had two lovely children. The family of four enjoyed a happy time together. Later, the college entrance examination was reinstated, and he was admitted to Peking University. His parents were also exonerated, and the organization provided compensation to their family, so his wife and children were able to settle in Beijing with him.
Logically, this should have been a perfect ending, but all the cracks started from there.
Wu Huifang said, "My third sister-in-law is a very good person, and so is my third brother, but even so, they are still going to divorce."
When two people live in different environments, even if they live under the same roof, the best feelings will be worn away completely.
Wu Huifang gave a simple example: "Yanyan, although my grades are average, I feel that I don't have anything in common with those classmates who went to work right after junior high school."
Luo Yan understood what she meant and pursed her lips: "My brother has said these things too, and I think they make sense."
She now admits that Zhou Weifang is indeed different from her, but the slight affection he has for her brings more considerations, making her feel irritable, as if she doesn't have to face it if she doesn't think about it.
Wu Huifang could also see that her expression was different when she talked about Zhou Weifang. She was afraid that Zhou Weifang would not like what she had just said, but after hearing this, she said, "There will definitely be someone you like in the future, someone who is suitable for you in every way."
Maybe so, Luo Yan said, taking a bite of the no-longer-crispy egg roll: "Maybe that person doesn't like me."
"How could that be?" Wu Huifang said matter-of-factly. "That just proves he has bad eyesight, a major flaw. You definitely wouldn't like him."
Luo Yan's mixed feelings vanished, and she laughed, saying, "That makes sense. I don't want what doesn't like me."
"Come on, let's go buy some cakes," Wu Huifang nudged her shoulder.
The two girls had lunch together before going home separately.
--
When Luo Yan got home, she saw her mother washing and scrubbing in the yard, so she moved a small stool and sat down next to her to work together.
Liu Yinfeng had foam on her hands and nudged her daughter with her elbow, saying, "I don't need you, I don't need you, go play."
She'll finish this chore in no time.
Luo Yan didn't move and said, "There's nothing fun about it."
The funny thing is, there's nothing there. Liu Yinfeng gestured with her chin toward the back room and said, "Third Sister is home. Go and walk around."
She understood all too well the awkwardness of someone coming to a city thousands of miles away from home, facing unfamiliar people and environments, so she always told her daughter to be more hospitable whenever someone came to visit.
When Luo Yan returned yesterday, she didn't see anyone and thought she should go and say hello. She shook the water off her hands and said, "I'll go over there."
Once she arrived, she sat down and chatted with Zheng Sanmei for quite a while.
Li Hongyu lay on her mother's lap listening to her talk to her aunt. It was supposed to be bedtime, but just as she was about to close her eyes, she suddenly opened them again.
Even Luo Yan, an outsider, couldn't bear to watch, let alone her own mother who had been pregnant for ten months. Zheng Sanmei's eyes were red, and she patted her daughter's back to comfort her, saying, "I was supposed to go to work today, but Hongyu thought I was leaving and cried so hard that she couldn't go."
She came here as a temporary worker, and she would be paid for each day she worked, but with her child like this, how could she leave?
Luo Yan comforted her, saying, "At least this time we can stay until after the New Year. Hongyu will be fine in a couple of days."
But then I thought about it again, and the word "good or bad" itself implies a lot of unsatisfactory things.
After the New Year, we'll still have to leave. Zheng Sanmei doesn't dare mention that word now, afraid her daughter will immediately start wailing, saying, "It should be possible, but it's hard to say."
She obtained her Beijing entry permit as a temporary worker and had to register her residence at the local street office and police station every month. Once the factory was no longer short of workers, she had to return to her hometown.
Luo Yan could only try to say things like "good luck will come," but she was at a loss for words, so she decided to stay a little longer and then go home.
Liu Yinfeng had finished her chores and was watching TV when she heard footsteps. She turned her head to look and saw her daughter: "I just bought these peaches today; they're in the cupboard."
Luo Yan opened the cupboard, washed a peach, and sat down next to her mother, crunching it with a hint of unspoken words.
This is obviously something's wrong. Liu Yinfeng: "What? Did you have a fight with Huifang?"
Although she asked that question, she secretly felt it was unlikely.
Luo Yan shook her head, roughly organized her thoughts, and said first, "I feel that Hongyu's mother is in a bad mood."
Too many people call her "sister-in-law," and she felt it was impolite to call her by name, so she simply used a term of address that her mother could understand best.
Liu Yinfeng whispered, "Hongyu cried and made a fuss this morning, wanting her mother and saying that she liked her mother the most. Your Aunt Li couldn't hold her and left with a dark face."
She probably felt very uncomfortable because she felt she had given her granddaughter her whole heart, but the granddaughter was still her closest mother.
Luo Yan understood immediately, but also felt that "children are naturally closest to their mothers."
Even though her father loves her so much, she still consults with her mother first when faced with a problem.
Liu Yinfeng: "Who says otherwise? Besides, a new toilet always smells better. Mom hasn't seen me in a long time, so let's kiss.
Her mother used some dialect phrases that sounded awkward when translated into standard Mandarin, but Luo Yan understood the meaning: "If I had to be mindful of my mother-in-law's mood from the moment I arrived, I wouldn't be happy either."
But on someone else's turf, this frustration can't be expressed openly; it has to be kept inside.
Her complexion was secondary. Liu Yinfeng glanced at the open door and whispered, "Two months ago, someone came to ask Jianjun if we wanted to find someone else."
Li Jianjun returned to the city after his divorce. Although he and Zheng Sanmei now refer to each other as husband and wife, and everyone assumes they are still a couple, they are legally considered to be two completely unrelated people.
Luo Yan could guess what Aunt Li was thinking, and said, "Auntie must think that finding someone with a Beijing hukou would solve all the problems. How could Brother Jianjun agree to that? I can tell that he and Sister-in-law have a good relationship."
The daughter looked indignant, but Liu Yinfeng had a different perspective.
She said, "Jianjun took over his mother's job, so your Aunt Li's retirement benefits are gone. He hasn't been officially hired yet, and his salary is barely enough to support himself, meaning the whole family's expenses depend on your Uncle Li. How many children does they have? What do people think?"
That's true, Luo Yan said, "Well..."
She wanted to say something that the couple could face together, but found it all too weak, and her shoulders slumped slightly: "Yes, we still have to look at reality."
Reality is full of difficulties and troubles. Even if this young couple has deep feelings for each other, when they have to overcome these insurmountable obstacles, they will think: If we weren't together, would everything be solved?
Liu Yinfeng knew her daughter well, and judging from her tone, it didn't seem like she was simply commenting on the matter. She said, "I can tell you have something on your mind."
Luo Yan thought for a moment and said, "I need to sort things out before I tell you."
She herself couldn't understand it, and when she explained it, it only made her parents wonder.
Young lady, something seems to be on your mind.
Although Liu Yinfeng wanted to ask, she respected her daughter's wishes and said, "Okay, whatever you do, Mom will support you."
Luo Yan wasn't very supportive of herself these days. She dawdled back to her room, crumpled a piece of paper with a Fujian number on it on the table, tossed it around, and finally flattened it and placed it under the glass of the desk.
Actually, she has a good memory and can remember the string of numbers after seeing it twice, but she still read it aloud again, blinked at the window, patted her face, and said, "Never mind, never mind, I'll do my homework first."
There's a lot of summer homework, and the most difficult one is the bus tracking report. Luo Yan had already chosen to investigate bus route 17 from her home to school when she suddenly clapped her hands: "I haven't gotten a monthly pass yet."
She realized she needed to go to the bus company right away, so she rushed out the door, leaving only the words "I'll be right back" in the air.
This child can be quite impulsive at times, which is similar to his older brother.
Liu Yinfeng shook her head helplessly, but didn't take it to heart. However, after a while, she still couldn't find her daughter and muttered, "Didn't she say she would be back soon?"
Luo Yan had planned it this way, but she ran into Zhou Yuyao on the road and they stopped by the roadside to chat.
Zhou Yuyao said, "What a coincidence, I just came out of your brother's shop."
Huh? Luo Yan noticed she wasn't riding a bike and assumed, "Is the bike broken?"
Zhou Yuyao: "No, my family is making dumplings today, and I'm just bringing some over to him."
Her younger brother went on a long trip and entrusted the shop to her childhood friend. It's only right and proper for her to thank her; reciprocity is the proper way.
Although Luo Yan wasn't very good at interpersonal relationships, she could still understand basic logic, so she politely said on behalf of her brother, "If he goes out, Zhou Weifang will definitely help him too, it's not a big deal."
That's what they say, Zhou Yuyao said: "I think his shop is busy enough, and the three parties are causing trouble for others."
Luo Yan said with a hint of reproach, "I don't think my brother finds it troublesome at all. Sometimes I feel that the two of them are the real brothers."
Zhou Yuyao: "If he had a brother like that, he would be incredibly grateful."
She was obviously alluding to her two older brothers when she said that, but she probably knew it was awkward for others to respond, so she laughed and said, "Don't mention it, when I was little I always thought it would be great if I could trade him for you."
Luo Yan clicked her tongue and said, "Then my mom would just beat the kids all day and wouldn't have to do anything else."
She couldn't even imagine what kind of "good life" anyone would have if they had such a pair of cronies.
Zhou Yuyao laughed even louder, realizing for the first time that the other person was actually quite witty. Her eyes inadvertently glanced at her watch: "Oh, it's already this late. I have something to do, see you later."
Luo Yan waved to her and rode her bicycle home. Her nose caught a familiar aroma wafting from a certain direction. She followed the scent and stopped in front of the pancake stall: "Auntie, I want four pancakes, how much?"
The stall owner quickly wrapped it in oil paper and said, "Four cents."
Luo Yan couldn't wait and ate one while standing by the roadside.
After taking a bite, she knew this was the same shop Zhou Weifang had bought from. Her mouth slowed down for some reason, and she thought to herself: He's quite good at finding good food.
But Zhou Weifang is actually not a picky eater. He lives a very comfortable life. If his brother hadn't kept watch for him at night, there wouldn't even be a fan in the attic.
Perhaps it is because of his own nature that he adds a bit of weight to ordinary things, but can these things offset the fact that the two people have different lifestyles?
Luo Yan herself couldn't explain it. After finishing the pancake, she wiped the crumbs from her mouth and went home. When she passed by the phone booth, she glanced at it for no reason, but didn't stop.
Thankfully, she didn't stop. Liu Yinfeng knew her daughter was always punctual, and she had been waiting anxiously at home for her. She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw her daughter and asked, "Where did you get delayed?"
Luo Yan told her mother about meeting Zhou Yuyao, and also mentioned that Zhou Yuyao had given her brother dumplings.
Liu Yinfeng commented: "I won't say anything about how Aunt Shuilan does things, and Daliang and Erping also look like mothers, but Yuyao and her sister are impeccable. Yuying, don't let your quiet demeanor fool you, you're very capable when it comes to getting things done."
A thought suddenly occurred to her: "Yu Ying seems to be only two years older than your brother."
Luo Yan immediately understood what she meant and instinctively retorted, "That's not appropriate."
Liu Yinfeng was just mentioning it casually, taking the opportunity to nag a bit about her son's marriage, saying, "Never mind, I can't be bothered with him."
Luo Yan quickly pulled out a pancake to distract her mother: "This is especially delicious."
Liu Yinfeng took a bite before saying, "Luckily, I haven't steamed the rice yet."
In hot weather, leftovers can't stand being left out overnight. She carefully measures the amount of food for each of her three meals a day, preferring to eat until she's only 70% full rather than waste any.
Luo Yan seized the opportunity: "Once we have a refrigerator, we can store it."
Liu Yinfeng has now accepted the fact that her family is about to have a major new appliance: "Someone will come to cut the electricity the day after tomorrow, and my brother will bring the refrigerator back tomorrow."
Since I've already bought it, the sooner I use it, the sooner I'll recoup my investment.
But she was still worried about the money, so she reached out and patted her daughter on the back: "How much did you take? Is it enough?"
Luo Yan smiled and didn't answer, only saying, "I'm very rich."
Liu Yinfeng tapped her finger twice in the air, noticing that her husband had almost finished get off work, and went to the kitchen to cook.
Luo Yan sat in the living room looking at the remaining pancake. As soon as her father came in, she immediately shared it, saying, "Eat it quickly, it's getting cold."
Luo Xinmin took a bite without even seeing what it was, and asked, "Did you and Mom eat any?"
Luo Yan held up two fingers: "I ate two."
Is it really that delicious? Luo Xinmin couldn't quite tell the difference, but he had to praise his daughter for her filial piety. He took the pancake and headed to the kitchen, leaning against the doorframe as he talked to his wife.
He said, "Old Zhang is gone."
While her parents were discussing social obligations, Luo Yan went back to her room to pack her things for tomorrow's trip. Suddenly, her gaze fell on the table, and her finger hovered over the phone number, tapping it repeatedly, still unable to make up her mind.
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Author's note: I'm working hard on the second update, aiming for before midnight, but it will probably still be a little late.
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