Chapter 63 Cousin (Part 3) Even if it’s just a cousin, I’m willing…
Yao Miaomiao applied for wedding leave and was not in a hurry to go back, so attending the funeral would not be a big problem.
It was just a pity for Yang Shuming, as he had to take leave on his wedding day to accompany her to the countryside to pay her respects.
I really can't bear it.
Fortunately, they are the fourth generation descendants of the old man. If they were within three generations, they would probably be blamed for their bad luck.
Fortunately, during those days we were destroying the Four Olds, so even if someone really thought this way, they wouldn't dare to talk about it to your face.
Fortunately, the two of them got their marriage certificate today and did not inform the Yao family members. As long as they picked the big red flower, no one would be able to tell. They could just make up a wedding date to avoid being criticized by others.
When we returned to Yaowangzhuang, it was raining heavily and it was already dark.
The Cherry sisters also came back. Although their father was adopted, they still had the title of the old man's descendants.
Although Cao Guangyuan is not tall, he holds his daughter in his arms and silently holds an umbrella for Yao Yingying.
Cao Guangyi hesitated for a long time, then shamelessly followed and followed suit, holding an umbrella for Yao Taotao and Xiaogang.
The difference is that Cao Guangyuan's umbrella is tilted towards his wife and children, while Cao Guangyi cares more about himself and is just a formality.
He didn't even notice that half of Yao Taotao's shoulder was wet, and he thought he was quite affectionate.
Look, Taoer didn’t say a word about such an important matter, but he took the initiative to accompany her back. She must be very touched, right?
How nice it would be if we could quietly remarry and everything could go back to the way it was before.
Anyway, his divorce from Yao Taotao has not been made public yet, and few people know about it.
It’s a bit funny to think about it. Some of these young people got married but kept it a secret, and some got divorced but kept it secret. They all had their own frustrations.
There is no room at home, so after the people who keep vigil are arranged, the others will have to stay in the commune guesthouse.
There are strict rules in rural areas. Pregnant women are not allowed to go to the coffin to worship, and children under the age of six are not allowed to be brought in. Superstitious beliefs say that fetuses and children are easily frightened.
So Yao Zhizhi and Yao Miaomiao stayed at the door, the two sisters holding Xiao Xingxing on each side, and did not go in.
Little Xingxing looked at her mother and aunt blankly, wanting to go to the small pond next to her and wade in the water. After hesitating for a long time, she finally shook her aunt's hand: "Auntie, water."
Yao Miaomiao leaned over, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. This little thing was too smart. Did he know that his mother wouldn't agree, so he went to his aunt to ask?
She handed the umbrella to Yao Zhizhi and stood up holding Little Star: "Just step on it twice, okay?"
Little Star nodded seriously: "Okay."
As he said this, he didn't forget to look back at his mother. What if his mother didn't agree?
Yao Zhizhi really didn't want this guy to bother her aunt, as her aunt was pregnant.
But my aunt is already holding him, so forget it, I’ll remind him next time.
She followed her aunt and nephew toward the pond: "Just two steps, don't get your shoes wet."
"Okay!" The baby responded crisply, but his little feet were out of control and he stepped twice, and his shoes got wet.
I'm so happy that I can't help but step on it again.
Yao Zhizhi held her forehead helplessly. Is this called stepping on it twice? Is this called good?
I'm really impressed by this little guy.
Fortunately, because of the rain, she brought a pair of replacement shoes. Children of this age are always naughty and have to change their clothes several times a day.
Fortunately, Xiao Xingxing has a lot of cousins, so there is no shortage of clothes at home.
Yao Zhizhi turned a blind eye and let him do whatever he wanted.
Just as the party was going on, two couples, no, a couple and a divorced couple came over from a distance.
Yao Zhizhi and Yao Yingying didn't talk, but Yao Yingying still nodded to her politely as a greeting.
Yao Taotao didn't have so many concerns. She no longer wanted to suppress her nature. She ran over and hugged Yao Zhizhi's arm: "It's raining, and you're pregnant. Let's go to the commune guesthouse."
"It's okay, I'm waiting for someone." Yao Zhizhi didn't push her away. It was a rainy day, and she was carrying a backpack with a child in it. She was afraid that Yao Taotao would fall.
That's so inhumane.
In the end, the Cherry sisters also stayed outside, each with a child, and only the Cao brothers went in.
In the mourning hall, Qi Changxiao, as Yao Zhizhi's spouse, received the most solemn treatment.
Not only did every peer take the initiative to greet him, but even the elders were particularly warm and polite. After he kowtowed, they brought a chair for him to sit on.
As for Yang Shuming beside him, he was looked at curiously by everyone.
"Xiao Qi, who is this? Why haven't I seen this before?"
"Yes, Xiao Qi, which brother of yours is this?"
Qi Changxiao quickly introduced: "He's not a brother, but a brother-in-law. He's Captain Yang Shuming of the Criminal Police Team, and he's married to Sister Miaomiao."
"Oh, why didn't you tell your family?" When the elders heard that this was Yao Miaomiao's man, they quickly gave him the honorable treatment - a chair and a series of caring words.
Yang Shuming kowtowed and sat down, feeling only amused.
What is this?
A husband's status depends on his wife? That's fine. After all, their father-in-law is so prestigious.
As a result, he and Xiao Qi received the same hospitality as Yao Weihua.
When the Cao brothers come in, their treatment will be...
Tsk, how realistic the human nature is.
When they were leaving, Yao Jingye followed them out and reminded them, "Wei Hua, Xiao Qi, Xiao Yang, the funeral will be held the day after tomorrow. You should go back for the next two days and come back then. Zhi Zhi and Miao Miao are pregnant, don't let them suffer any injustice."
"I understand, uncle. You can go back." Qi Changxiao nodded politely and asked Yao Weihua and Yang Shuming to leave together.
When he got outside on the road, Qi Changxiao was amazed.
Who is that little pig jumping in the pond?
It was covered in mud and so dirty that one would almost suspect it was a little wild boar.
Yang Shuming couldn't help laughing: "Hahaha, what a cute little star, it's just hard for you and my little sister."
"Go back and deal with this kid!" Qi Changxiao had a headache. What should he do now? Who would dare to hug him?
He was covered in mud, just like a wild boar rolling around.
Helplessly, he stood in front of the mud pond, looking at his son giggling in it, and sighed silently.
Fortunately, I brought some clean clothes with me. I wiped him clean and changed him into a set of clean clothes, then hurried to the commune guesthouse.
There are no cars tonight, so let's go back to the city tomorrow.
When passing by Yao Mengmeng's house, Yao Zhizhi was stopped.
She stopped, but before she could see clearly, Yao Mengmeng rushed over like a deep-water torpedo, not forgetting to brake suddenly in front of her. She gently touched her belly and asked, "Lao Wu, are you pregnant with your second child too?"
Yao Zhizhi slapped her claws away in disgust: "Don't touch me."
Yao Mengmeng was thick-skinned and said with a smile, "What's the big deal? You can touch mine too. I'm pregnant too, but my pregnancy is older than yours. I should give birth in August."
Yao Zhizhi didn't care about this. She said "oh" and turned away.
Yao Mengmeng got angry and shouted, "Don't leave, talk to me."
"I'm tired, can you please stop bothering me?" Yao Zhizhi was speechless. How could Yao Mengmeng still be so energetic even though she was pregnant? She was so sleepy.
Yao Mengmeng pouted in grievance: "Wait a minute, I'll ask Jindou to come out and call for help."
He quickly called Liu Hongwei and carried his son out.
They were in the village and had kowtowed in the afternoon.
As soon as Jindou saw Little Star, his eyes lit up and he rushed over to hug Little Star: "Brother, brother!"
Liu Hongwei quickly corrected: "It's brother, little brother."
Jindou didn't understand what the difference was, they were all the same anyway, so he insisted on holding Xiao Xingxing's hand and going to the yard with him to look at the toys.
Yao Zhizhi was speechless. Who did Yao Mengmeng learn this from? She even knew how to use childish social skills to keep her.
It’s not easy to take the child away by force, what if he turns around and starts crying?
I have to wait patiently.
The two little kids soon started playing wildly in the yard, and the only ones who were desperate were the adults at the gate.
Xiaogang on Yao Taotao's back was quiet. Not only did he not want to go down to play, he also fell asleep quickly.
By the time Little Star and Golden Bean had enough fun, it was already past eight o'clock in the evening.
Qi Changxiao left with the yawning child in his arms, and a group of people followed him as they walked towards the commune.
When I arrived at the entrance of the village, I saw a familiar figure.
When the flashlight shone over, the scar on the man's face was particularly obvious.
He was burning paper at the entrance of the village, kneeling on the ground and kowtowing towards the direction of the old man's house.
Yao Zhizhi stopped and looked at him with a frown.
Why is he here?
When their eyes met, Lu Henian stood up calmly without wiping the water stains and mud off his knees.
He knew that this group of people didn't know him, but that didn't matter, and he didn't want to explain.
Just turned and left.
Yao Zhizhi chased after him: "Wait a minute!"
Lu Henian clenched his fists and stopped without looking back.
Yao Zhizhi was very sensitive and had guessed something. She asked, "What is your relationship with my great-grandfather?"
"Maybe you should add a title, cousin." Lu Henian stood in the rain without an umbrella, looking back at the woman.
She is really the darling of the whole family. So many people are surrounding her, afraid that she will get wet. When her husband comes forward to say a word, he will follow her. He is really afraid that she will melt if he holds her in his mouth.
This is probably what is meant by the apple of one's eye.
Once upon a time, he was the darling of the whole family, but unfortunately...
He looked away and gazed into the unknown distance.
There is empty darkness in the distance, the stars and the moon are obscured by dark clouds, and the rain cannot wash away the sadness of losing the last loved one.
He just turned sideways towards Yao Zhizhi, his mind in a trance.
Yao Zhizhi had no idea where this cousin came from, but she could see that he might have some difficulties, so she turned around and took the other umbrella from Qi Changxiao's hand.
Holding up the umbrella, she walked forward and handed it over: "Although I don't know which cousin you are, but considering that you came here so late at night to pay homage to my great-grandfather, you must be a good person. Take it."
"Good man?" Lu Henian smiled. Is he a good man?
His parents were nailed to the pillar of shame, and even his grandmother's family didn't dare to associate with him.
How can he be considered a good guy?
Moreover, since he was hanging out with that bunch of hooligans, in her eyes he should be considered an uneducated hooligans, and she should look down on him.
But she actually said he was a good man?
Ridiculous, ridiculous.
He turned around and wanted to refuse her umbrella, but when their eyes met, he understood her stubbornness and persistence, and finally, for some unknown reason, he took the umbrella.
Yao Zhizhi looked at him calmly: "Before tonight, I hated you very much. You were a bad boy and you kept hanging out with those hooligans. But when I thought about it carefully, you didn't do anything bad. Last time, my mother-in-law and her family were surrounded by those hooligans, it was you who helped to quell the conflict. I am a person who knows how to repay kindness. If you really have any grievances or hidden secrets, you can tell me. Even if it's just a cousin, I am willing to do my best to help you, unless I am really powerless. But you shouldn't let yourself fall into depravity. It's better for you to have less contact with those people in the future. That's all I have to say. Goodbye."
Lu Henian looked at her quietly. With such a sharp tongue, no wonder she could get a marriage in the city on her own. She hadn't acknowledged her relatives at that time, right?
Tang Fengyuan is a visionary mother-in-law, and Qi Changxiao is also a visionary man.
They showed kindness to her, and she also brought them good luck and happiness. They achieved each other and understood each other. It was really enviable.
Lu Henian touched the scar on his left cheek, his eyes darkening. “Thank you for your advice. I’ll return the umbrella to you in a few days.”
"You're welcome." Yao Zhizhi returned to Qi Changxiao's side and stuck close to him. One umbrella was enough for the couple to squeeze together.
After Lu Henian left, Qi Changxiao looked at his wife silently: "I know who he is."
"Let's talk about it when we get back." Yao Zhizhi looked at her watch. It was almost nine o'clock and the little stars were all asleep.
When they arrived at the commune guesthouse, the couple quickly boiled some hot water to clean themselves up.
Xiao Xingxing was carried to Yao Weihua's room, where the couple could lie down and have a good chat about what happened today.
"Wife, this person is very strange. His merits are positive, but his fortune is negative. You are right, he should be a good person, but he is unlucky and was harmed by others. I just used the cause and effect connection on the road. He is Director Hu's enemy. As for the specific situation, I don't know." Qi Changxiao was ill before and didn't hear anything about the outside world.
It is impossible to care about the marginalized people in the city, nor is it possible to go to the slums where they live.
It's a chaotic place with all kinds of people, and even the police are unwilling to intervene.
Yao Zhizhi understood: "Since he is Director Hu's enemy, then it's easy to talk about it. Go ask him later and see if he is willing to say anything."
"Okay." Qi Changxiao breathed a sigh of relief. Now that they had a ready-made enemy, then... their plan to bring down Director Hu should be easier.
The next day, after returning to the city, Qi Changxiao went to find Lu Henian.
Only then did I know that Lu Henian's only relative had passed away. After asking those hooligans, I found out that the time of death coincided with the time when the old man died.
Could it be... He quickly asked who the deceased was to Lu Henian.
A slovenly scoundrel told him, "It's his grandmother, her last name seems to be Yao."
Qi Changxiao understood. So that's how it was. Then she must be the old man's sister.
There were a lot of people around at the moment, and he didn't want to be seen interacting with Lu Henian, so he decided to go back first and come back in the evening.
When they came over after dark, the group of hooligans had already left. Lu Henian seemed to have guessed that someone would come, so he left a letter on the roadside and turned away.
Qi Changxiao picked up the letter and showed it to Yao Zhizhi after returning home.
Yao Zhizhi was a little surprised: "It turns out that his parents were framed by Director Hu, and they couldn't bear the humiliation and committed suicide in prison."
"What do his parents do?" Qi Changxiao leaned over to take a look, "So it's them."
"Do you know him?" Yao Zhizhi asked curiously.
Qi Changxiao shook his head: "I saw it in the newspaper. It was said that he was in prison for corruption and bribery. I didn't expect it was his parents."
What I didn’t expect was that he was his wife’s cousin.
No wonder Lu Henian always looked at him strangely.
Maybe it’s because he’s afraid to acknowledge his relatives?
It's quite pitiful.
Qi Changxiao closed the letter and asked, "Wife, what are you going to do?"
"See if there is anyone who knows about this. There is no need to rush this matter. We need to take our time." Yao Zhizhi had to take it seriously.
Since this cousin has been lying dormant for five years and has not been able to do anything to Director Hu, it is obvious that Director Hu's power has long been deeply rooted.
It's not easy to deal with, so I have to be careful. So I won't reply to this letter for now.
Hey, wait.
Yao Zhizhi suddenly remembered something and quickly went under the bed to pull out her mailbox of readers' letters.
I couldn't help but laugh: "So it's him, always looking for trouble. I was wondering, the handwriting looks so familiar."
Qi Changxiao took the reader's letter and read it, feeling a little angry: "Is he jealous of you?"
"I don't know. Maybe he's having a hard time and wants to vent his frustrations by arguing with someone? Luckily, I ignored him." Yao Zhizhi put the letter away. "It's quite pitiful. He's the only one left alive in the family."
Yes, Qi Changxiao brought it in, it was so miserable.
Even when his great-grandmother's relatives passed away, he didn't dare to worship them openly.
*
It's late at night and everyone is asleep.
Lu Henian knelt alone in front of the mourning hall to bid farewell to his grandmother.
The plum rain is murmuring and continuous, like endless sorrow and endless hatred.
Just as I was in a daze, someone came over.
Lu Henian glanced back and said kindly, "What are you doing here? Don't get your sister into trouble."
Before last night, Yao Weihua didn't know the existence of this cousin. Now that he knew, he couldn't pretend that he didn't exist.
He decided to come and see his great aunt off. He knelt down and kowtowed dozens of times, to himself, his parents, his brothers and sisters, his sister-in-law, his brother-in-law, and his children.
Lu Henian was stunned. "Why bother? Everyone at Yaowang Manor kept their distance. No one dared to come over."
"Yaowangzhuang is Yaowangzhuang, and the Yao family of Northeast China is the Yao family of Northeast China." Yao Weihua had not finished kowtowing and continued.
Lu Henian didn't stop him. He finished counting silently and asked, "Did you even count what's in your stomach?"
"What else?" Yao Weihua turned around, looked at his cousin with a scar on his face, and asked, "How old are you in your twenties?"
"I'm almost thirty." Lu Henian said calmly, "I should be older than you."
"Then I have to call you cousin." Yao Weihua knelt beside him. "How old are you in your twenties?"
"I'm a pig, and I'm 26. Rounding it up, isn't that almost 30?"
"From 1947?"
"Um."
"I'm a tiger, 50 years old. You're a little younger than my second sister, she was born in 1944."
"A monkey?"
"Yes, my eldest brother was born in 1941 and is a snake."
"How old is your cousin?"
"Born in 1952, zodiac sign is dragon."
"Where's my cousin's husband?"
"Chang Xiao? He was born in 1948, and his zodiac sign is Rat."
"He looks sickly and indeed like a rat."
"Be careful, he might hear you and beat you up."
"No, he's very patient and has a good personality."
"You have a good impression of him?"
"Well, I know a little bit about fortune-telling. His zodiac sign is very compatible with my cousin's, so they will be happily married for a long time."
"You still understand this?"
"I was bored, so I just learned a few things. Her zodiac sign is very compatible with your second sister, and she's also good with you. Our personalities are compatible. She complements your eldest brother quite well. One is outgoing and enthusiastic, the other is gentle and reserved. They're the big dragon and the small dragon, after all. Overall, the four of you have a very good relationship with each other, and there's no conflict."
"What about my parents? My dad was born in the Year of the Sheep, and my mom was born in the Year of the Horse. She's one year older than my dad."
"They're both good. Not quite compatible, but not conflicting either. They understand and tolerate each other, and they'll get along very well."
"That's weird. What book are you reading? Why is it the same as what I'm learning?"
"You want to see it?"
"You have?"
"I hid it. Never mind. We'll talk about it later."
"good."
Maybe it was blood, maybe it was fate, but after chatting for a long time, the two of them became more and more compatible.
It was almost dawn when Yao Weihua got up. "I'm going back now. I'm going to Yaowangzhuang tonight and the funeral will be held tomorrow morning. I'll come back to see you."
"Okay, help me bring the umbrella to my cousin." Lu Henian stood up and went to get the umbrella. He had been kneeling for a long time and his legs were numb, and he almost fell.
Yao Weihua helped him up: "No need, just take it. I see there aren't many valuable things in your house. Here you go—"
As he said that, he took out a hundred yuan.
Lu Henian refused to accept it, so Yao Weihua knelt in front of the mourning hall and said, "Then I won't get up. If you want to harm me, then keep fighting with me."
Lu Henian smiled for the first time in a long time: "Are you also playing rogue like this with your cousin?"
"Hey, don't mention her. She's been lying to me all day. I've been fooled so many times." Seeing that he had relented, Yao Weihua quickly stuffed the money into his pocket. "Alright, we're family, why are you being so polite? If you really have any problems, you can come to my shop and tell me. He Meiqi is quite honest. You can just make something and hide it inside the note. She won't read it."
"Okay, then I'll accept it. Wait a minute, I'll write a IOU." Lu Henian stood firm and got up to find a pen.
After writing the IOU, I came out and saw that the person was gone.
This cousin is an interesting person.
Lu Henian held the hundred yuan in his hand and looked at the gloomy sky silently.
The rain has stopped. I hope it will be a nice day today.
After dawn, he called a few lackeys to help send the old lady to the funeral home.
Finally, he chose a plot of grave in Nanjiao Cemetery. Fortunately, Yao Weihua gave him some money, otherwise he would have to borrow money from others for the funeral expenses.
He stood in front of the grave and clenched his fists silently: "Grandma, don't be angry, I will find evidence as soon as possible."
After returning home, I cleaned up and sorted out the things that the old man had used, giving away those that should be given away and throwing away those that should be thrown away.
Looking back, I am alone.
The wind in late spring and early summer blows lazily on my body, and the fragrance of gardenia comes with the wind.
Lu Henian suddenly turned around, thinking someone was coming. It turned out that the gardenia in the yard next door had bloomed, and a child nearby had picked one of them, and was fighting with his friends for it.
Lu Henian silently closed the door, took out a pen and paper, and tried to tell the story of his parents.
He had a hunch that Yao Zhizhi must really need this story.
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