The silent atmosphere in the room was somewhat depressing.
Fu Manshan opened his mouth several times, but no sound came out. Was his eldest son dead just like that? The son who had stubbornly survived the war with them was gone?
A wave of grief surged in Jiang Fengxia's heart. Perhaps it was an instinctive feeling of blood connection. Pictures emerged in her mind, all of which were of Fu Tiancheng as a child, surrounding them and calling them "Dad and Mom."
He was young at that time and it was our first child, so we loved him so much that we would give his food to him first. But as we had more and more children, and they had never been to school and had to make a living in very difficult times, it was inevitable that we would neglect his education.
Perhaps the sons are born like this, and they should bear the greatest responsibility.
Fu Baoer clutched his grandparents' hands in pain. Why was he so sad? Why was he blaming himself? His death was his own fault, no one else's. In this age of indiscriminate wrongdoing, who could say what his fate would be?
Shen Xiuqi glanced at his son with some reproach. Shen Qiaosheng had drunk too much and was in a good mood, so it was inevitable that he would get drunk even if he didn't drink. Now, seeing Fu Manshan and Jiang Fengxia crying unconsciously, he really wanted to slap himself.
Fu Xiuzhi was also stunned by the news. Her elder brother and sister-in-law were dead, her nephew was in jail, and her niece's life might be ruined there. Such a tragic ending was not what any of them wanted to see.
No matter how much they hated each other, they just made up their minds not to have any contact with each other. I believe that neither Fu Manshan nor Jiang Fengxia wanted to lose their son in their old age.
But the matter was already settled, and the living did not need to put shackles on themselves. Fu Xiuzhi held her parents' hands tightly and said, "Dad, Mom, if you feel sad, just say it out. Don't hold it in. It hurts me to see it."
"Uncle, aunt, it's all my fault, I... I really am..." Chen Qiaosheng regretted it very much. Why did he keep talking so much? He would never drink again. Once he drank, he would lose control of his mouth!
Fu Manshan patted his daughter and granddaughter's hands: "Okay, your mother and I are fine, but I didn't expect that the eldest brother's family would fall to this point."
Jiang Fengxia was a mother. She was pregnant for ten months and gave birth on the very day the war broke out. She still remembers that at the beginning of September, the sound of artillery bombardment shook their village.
All the villagers hid in the cellar and cave for refuge, except her. Her water broke and her stomach was in cramps. Fu Manshan gritted his teeth, picked her up, and rushed into the place where the villagers were hiding in the midst of the war.
There was a constant roar outside, and the devastated land of China was about to face a new round of invasion. It was at this moment that Jiang Fengxia gave birth to her and Fu Manshan's first child. There was a teacher in the village who said that the world was unfair and the heavens did not respond, so the child should be named Tiancheng, hoping that one day, their China could successfully fight for a way out in the hands of God.
How could it be that forty-three years had passed, China had overcome all difficulties and was now standing firm, but her son was dead? Jiang Fengxia felt pathetic.
Fu Baoer called out "Grandma" several times, but Jiang Fengxia didn't respond. Everyone was worried, thinking that she was grieving over the loss of her son and couldn't get over it. Fu Manshan understood his wife and knew that Jiang Fengxia must be upset, but it was probably not because of her son's death. She just blamed herself, blaming herself for so many years for making sure the family had enough to eat, but neglecting their education.
But could Jiang Fengxia be blamed for that? It was a rare achievement for them to be able to protect their child and keep him alive. Fu Manshan recalled how decades ago, they gave their remaining food to the Red Army who had escorted them all the way, in exchange for a "food loan certificate." By that evening, Jiang Fengxia had run out of milk and cried, her eyes red as she hugged Fu Tiancheng. Fu Manshan asked her if she regretted it.
Jiang Fengxia said she had no regrets. She would rather starve to death than let them go without food. It was the Long March. Although the food they had was just a drop in the bucket, it was enough for the old couple to live a glorious life.
Why should people like them blame themselves for their sons' actions? The saying that a poorly educated son is the fault of his father is incorrect. People shouldn't be bound by the shackles of blood or the ropes of morality. How each person grows up is determined by too many factors.
Does it mean that if parents are good, their children will definitely be good, and if parents are bad, their children will become unforgivable sinners in the future?
Fu Manshan took Jiang Fengxia's hand and said, "I don't blame you, nor do I blame me, old woman. Don't add so much sin to yourself while you are alive."
Jiang Fengxia and Fu Manshan had been through thick and thin together for decades. A glance at each other told them what the other was thinking. "You're right, old man. I gave birth to him and raised him. That was enough. He deserves this outcome!"
Seeing that Jiang Fengxia had figured it out, everyone breathed a sigh of relief, especially Shen Qiaosheng. He was really afraid that Jiang Fengxia would not be able to bear the shock and would be unable to get over it for a while, which would be a big sin for him.
Fu Baoer looked carefully and it didn't seem like her grandparents were pretending to comfort them. They must have really figured it out. Then she felt relieved. Fu Manshan and Jiang Fengxia had seen all kinds of situations. The tenacity and wisdom in this generation's bones were really admirable.
After this, everyone lost interest in drinking. Shen Xiuqi used the excuse of being tired to go back and rest, taking Shen Qiaosheng and Shen Suizhi with him, leaving time for the Fu family. Although he had let it go, some things still needed to be digested slowly.
On the way back, Shen Xiuqi learned about the situation in the capital and knew that the struggle at the top was becoming more and more intense. Perhaps in a few years, China would usher in major changes. Regardless of the outcome, this was definitely an opportunity.
"Qiao Sheng, just go for it. No matter how bad the result is, it won't be worse than before," Chen Xiuqi patted his son's shoulder. "From now on, the Shen family will be handed over to you and Sui Sui. I'm old and can't fight anymore. It's time for me to enjoy a few more years of happiness."
Chen Qiaosheng knew his father was trying to unload the burden, so he had no objection. "I'm already contacting Hong Kong Province. If everything goes well, Mom and my elder sister will be able to return safely. When the time comes, you can bring Mom to Qingshan Village to play. I think the beautiful mountains and rivers here are very nourishing. You have fewer white hairs on your head than before."
Chen Xiuqi laughed heartily. It was true that the mountains and rivers here were beautiful, but it might not be the soil and water of Qingshan Village that allowed him to get better and better after working all day.
The previous hidden diseases are gone. Shen Xiuqi is no fool. The reason why Qingshan Village has come to this point today is all due to the blessing of a lucky star in the village.
"Be good to Xiuzhi, she's a good girl," Chen Xiuqi warned his son sternly, "If you ever let Xiuzhi down or let the Fu family down in the future, I'll be the first to break your legs!"
Chen Qiaosheng repeatedly assured that he and Fu Xiuzhi had been through so much and were finally together. He couldn't wait to cherish her, so how could he do anything to hurt her.
Shen Suiyi watched silently with a smile in his eyes. If his uncle did something wrong to Aunt Xiuzhi, Guangfu Baoer would have to deal with him neatly.
A sudden feeling of reluctance washed over Shen Sui's heart. He looked back at the Fu family's imposing brick house. It would be great if Bao'er could come to the capital to study in the future. Then he would definitely take Fu Bao'er out to play, so that the girl wouldn't always say that she was suffocated.
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