Because the Canton Fair was about to close, Yang Ming brought Xia Yan to apologize to Zhu Youliang before it closed.
Although Xia Yan was extremely reluctant, she still whispered "I'm sorry."
Zhu Youliang was only thinking about going home and didn't care. He just said, "I understand."
Zhu Youliang's frivolous attitude made Xia Yan even more ashamed and angry. She broke free from Yang Ming's hand and ran away.
Yang Ming felt helpless and apologized to Zhu Youliang again before hurriedly leaving. He had already made up his mind: he would mention this to his aunt and stay out of it. After all, his cousin was an outsider, so he couldn't force his words, and Xia Yan wouldn't listen even if he did. He also secretly reminded himself not to take it lightly in the future. Xia Yan had always been well-behaved, so he had no idea she would do something so bold.
Many people saw Yang Ming bringing Xia Yan to apologize. After Guo Daqiang learned about this, he praised Yang Ming.
Zhu Youliang didn't take it personally, after all, the man had just yesterday accused him of seducing his cousin. He didn't mind, but he did have some complaints.
At noon, Secretary Chen called all the people who came to attend the Canton Fair from H Province to hold a meeting. He specifically praised the County No. 1 Machinery Factory and the County Textile Factory. Guo Daqiang and Director Liu were so happy that they were grinning from ear to ear.
After dinner, the group of four boarded the train back to Sanshui City.
As they exited the station, they were greeted by several large red banners. Before they could even read what was written on them, a group of people approached and took their luggage. Fireworks and music blared, and a group of elementary school students approached, pressing bouquets of flowers into their hands. Older children draped red ribbons around them, while several people in long robes snapped photos of them. Secretary Li, the city's economic affairs chief, strode quickly up to them, shook hands with each of them, and showered them with praise. Reporters approached them from behind, and Xiao Zhang and the others tacitly stepped back, pushing Guo Daqiang forward.
After a long, lively conversation, the four of them finally boarded the bus back to the county. They rubbed their faces, their smiles tacitly silent. As they neared the factory, Xue Yi suddenly said, "Director Guo, you're not going to have this kind of thing happen at the factory, are you?" He was just a machine repairman, and he couldn't resist the enthusiasm of the group.
Guo Daqiang shook his head: "No, I told Lao Liu to hurry up and start production."
Xue Yi was relieved, but before the car even reached the factory, he saw a large crowd of people huddled at the factory gate. Just as he was wondering, someone shouted, "The factory director is back!" and the crowd immediately made way.
As the car slowly pulled in, the gong and drum troupe began beating, a yangko dance group emerged from the factory, and firecrackers were aplenty. The four of them sat in the car, and for a moment, they didn't dare get out. Finally, Guo Daqiang said, "This Old Liu," and he pushed open the door and got out first. The other three glanced at each other and followed suit, naturally leading to another lively moment.
After a few days of train travel and two more lively gatherings, Zhu Youliang greeted everyone and went home to sleep, not even talking to Liang Yuan in the crowd. When he woke up again, it was already dark. He turned his head and saw Tongtong hunched over the bedside table doing homework.
"Why are you doing your homework here?" Zhu Youliang asked curiously.
Tongtong heard this but didn't answer. Instead, he rushed out with his homework.
"Mom, Dad is awake, we can eat now."
After saying that, he rushed to the bedroom and said to Zhu Youliang, "Dad, you're finally awake. Mom made some delicious food."
Zhu Youliang touched his little head and then followed him out.
Tongtong asked as they walked: "Dad, can you tell me what gift you brought me first?"
"You'll know after dinner." Zhu Youliang wanted to whet his appetite.
"Okay then." Tongtong nodded.
When they reached the next room, they saw a table full of food. Liang Yuan wasn't there, so they were about to ask Tongtong about it when she came in with Ji Minhuai and Li Mingde, followed by Wu Dahai.
"Professor, Brother De, Brother Wu, come and sit down." Zhu Youliang said and started to move the stools.
Ji Minhuai and Li Mingde just nodded, only Wu Dahai said cheerfully: "I knew you were capable."
After everyone was seated, Zhu Youliang took out a bottle of wine from his bag, sat down in front of Ji Huaide and said, "This is the Moutai I bought on the train. Professor, De Ge, Dahai, you guys try it."
"I won't be polite with you." Wu Dahai said excitedly.
Ji Minhuai and Li Mingde's eyes also lit up. Neither of them was a talkative person, so they just nodded.
Zhu Youliang accompanied them while eating and told them what he saw and heard at the Canton Fair. With Wu Dahai making jokes on the side, the meal was quite lively.
After dinner, Ji Minhuai and Li Mingde were both drunk. Wu Dahai was fine, and after Zhu Youliang had sent the others back, he came back to wash the dishes.
Liang Yuan was checking Tongtong's homework. Seeing him washing dishes, he said, "I'll let you take a break today. Leave them there. I'll wash them later."
Zhu Youliang didn't listen to her. "It's okay. I feel much better after a good sleep. You must be exhausted from cooking such a large table of food in this hot weather."
Liang Yuan's lips curled up, and he stopped trying to persuade him. Instead, he turned to explain the problem to Tongtong. After Zhu Youliang finished washing the dishes, he opened the large package he brought back. The big items like the washing machine he had bought earlier had already been mailed back, and he brought only small things. He gave Tongtong a handheld game console, Zhu Xingtong a watch, Liang Yuan a lipstick, Old Zhu a bottle of Moutai and a pack of cigarettes, and Huang Mei a silk scarf. Tongtong had never played a game console before, so when he got the console, he squeezed in front of him and asked him to teach him how to play. He didn't go to bed until Zhu Xingtong came back from evening self-study. Zhu Xingtong was very happy that Zhu Youliang was back, and the father and daughter sat at the dinner table and talked for a long time.
After Zhu Yuetong rested, the couple finally had time to talk alone. They talked about nothing else but what they saw and heard in Guangzhou City, including Xia Yan's affairs. Liang Yuan talked about the family and the headwear factory, and emphasized Huang Mei, saying that she was very knowledgeable and knew to make a decision from the beginning. Otherwise, because of this factory, the family might be separated in the future. He also talked about Zhu Youxian and his wife who often went to the countryside recently. What they said implied that they wanted the half of the shares held by the old couple. Fortunately, the old couple did not give in. As they were talking, Zhu Youliang found that Liang Yuan had not responded for a long time. He turned his head and found that she was already asleep. He shook his head and smiled silently, thinking that it was not bad to come here.
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