Chapter 34
Early in the morning, Bi Weiguo got up first, glanced at the wall clock with resentment, and staggered to the sink to wash up.
As I brushed my teeth, I thought, no wonder my sister agreed so readily when I asked her to put the clock in the outer room. This clock is really loud. I don't know what's going on, but it keeps ringing every half hour since 6:30!
Bi Chunliu also got up and came out of the house yawning, "Weiguo, you got up so early today? If you have washed up, go heat up the pot and make some porridge, and then prepare the remaining dumplings. If you don't eat dumplings in the morning, save them for lunch."
Bi Weiguo grinned, not bothered by being woken up by the clock, "Okay, big sister!"
People in the compound gradually got up and the yard became noisy.
The three people who were going to school ate half of the dumplings and wanted to take the rest with them for lunch. Bi Chunliu also asked them to take a multi-grain steamed bun and some pickles, and that was the end of the matter.
After dinner, people going to work or school left home one after another, and the compound became much quieter.
.
Textile factory union office.
As soon as Bi Chunliu arrived at work, Zhao Mei and Wang Hongxia pulled her aside to ask about yesterday's events, wanting to see if she knew any more details. She was at a loss for words, "Has word of this reached you?" Didn't this happen last night? Wang Hongxia was fine; her home wasn't far from the textile factory, but Zhao Mei's wasn't. How could she know all this?
Zhao Mei nodded and urged her, "Isn't it? I heard from my neighbor that her aunt's sister-in-law's neighbor's sister lives in the same compound as the Xie family."
Bi Chunliu: "..." Just this relationship alone took her a while to sort out. "Two elder sisters, I took my younger brother and sister to the suburbs yesterday. When we came back, we couldn't even squeeze into their compound. I think you know what I know."
"It's okay, it's okay. Go ahead and tell me what you want. I've been worried and anxious all night." Zhao Mei said, "Otherwise, why would I come so early today?!"
Wang Hongxia nodded and said, "Me too. My sister-in-law called me yesterday and asked me about it. I promised her that I would ask around today and let her know once I have found out."
“…………”
Bi Chunliu told them what she already knew. She didn't mention their speculation yesterday. If it was false, and the whole of Nanshan City knew about it, she would be charged with defamation. After she finished speaking, Bi Chunliu spread her hands and said, "Sisters, I don't know the rest. I just know that the doctor who fabricated the story has been arrested."
"This is really... You said it's a good life, what's this woman thinking?" Zhao Mei sighed, "I heard from my neighbors that the Xie family treated their young wife very well, with good food and drink. I heard that before she got married, she wanted the Xie family to find her a job, but they didn't find one. Do you know what she said? She said that if it didn't work out, they would let the other girl give her the job. Later, they didn't let her, and she still felt that the Xie family treated her unfairly. Tsk tsk tsk tsk..."
Wang Hongxia: "It's not okay to be dissatisfied. Isn't the son of the Xie family a sports car owner? People who work in sports cars can make a lot of money these days. Isn't her husband's salary enough for her?"
"That's right. Not having to work but still managing the money, and not having to live with the in-laws, life is so good! If it were me, I would wish it were like that." Zhao Mei said with envy, "If I were ten or twenty years younger, this woman wouldn't have to deal with anything."
Wang Hongxia glanced at her, "...How dare you say that." This person might have had another quarrel with the old woman, or with her sister-in-law. You can tell by listening to her words.
Bi Chunliu said nothing. She knew Zhao Mei's life didn't seem to be going well, neither better than the best nor worse than the worst. She turned her head and looked out the window. "Huh? Why hasn't Xiaojun come yet?"
Zhao Mei laughed heartily. She sighed internally. Not living with her in-laws was already a blessing. She'd been living with her husband's extended family ever since she got married. They'd said three rooms, but it was two rooms divided into three. Now, there were twelve people living there, big and small, young and old. She was afraid she'd bring the baby to the ground when she woke up in the night. And yet, the old woman was still urging her to have another one. Ugh! Give birth to a child! She always asks for food money from her son and daughter-in-law, but even with the money, the family doesn't eat well. I wonder where the money goes.
Bi Chunliu saw Wang Xiaojun jogging towards her, and her eyes lit up. "Xiaojun, you're here?"
Wang Xiaojun leaned on the table with both hands, panting, "Chunliu, Auntie, Sister Mei, do you know what I heard?"
"What?"
Wang Xiaojun smiled mysteriously, his mouth twisted, and he said proudly, "I guess Chunliu knows about what happened in your family. It's said that a man came home and found out that his wife was having an affair with his best friend. The police were called in!"
Bi Chunliu, Wang Hongxia, and Zhao Mei: "..."
Bi Chunliu smiled and patted Wang Xiaojun, "Xiaojun, you know too little. Sister Hongxia, I'll go get some water. You guys tell Xiaojun."
Wang Xiaojun: "No way? You all know this? Aunt, tell me quickly."
After Bi Chunliu finished fetching water, he returned to the office. Several people were still chatting animatedly. Wang Xiaojun wailed in dissatisfaction, "Oh my god, Chairman Ren, you knew this too? I'm the last one!!"
Chairman Ren saw Bi Chunliu enter the room, clapped his hands, and said, "Huh? Little Bi is back? Perfect! Now that everyone is here, I'll tell you about the meeting. Our factory director has contacted four factories and is planning a five-factory get-together. The union of each factory will be responsible for compiling a list of participants. The get-together is currently scheduled for the 10th, which is Sunday. Let's make arrangements over the next two days to see how we can help all our unmarried comrades find suitable partners and make progress together."
"Are you going to introduce me to a partner? Chairman, can the family members of our factory come? I have a sister-in-law who is not married yet." Zhao Mei asked.
Ren Qianjin thought for a moment, "Doesn't your sister-in-law work at the garment factory? They're joining us for a social gathering this time. As long as she signs up, you, as her sister-in-law, won't have to worry about it."
"Okay, okay." Zhao Mei felt relieved. She went home and urged her sister-in-law to help her persuade the old woman. She always had high aspirations and wondered how she could get married. If she stayed any longer, she would just become an old maid. This time, she would find a good one for her, and the sister-in-law could finally get married.
Ren Qianjin turned to Bi Chunliu and said, "Chunliu, come with me to my office."
Bi Chunliu nodded and responded, "Okay, Chairman Ren." He wondered if she had another special mission.
Sometimes it makes people anxious and uneasy when their leaders pay too much attention to them, especially when they don’t intend to achieve any outstanding results.
.
In the chairman's office.
Ren Qianjin kindly poured a glass of water for Bi Chunliu, with a smile on his face and in his eyes.
Bi Chunliu: ...
I'm even more worried. What's going on?!
Ren Qianjin smiled as kindly as Grandma Zhang next door. "Xiao Bi, I didn't know much about your specific situation before. How are you doing? Are you adapting to the work? Are there any difficulties?"
Bi Chunliu's radar went off. He took over the job after his father passed away, and it was because his father died in the line of duty. In addition, he was a high school graduate, so he changed himself to a clerical position in a trade union. He had only worked there for less than two years. He wouldn't change his job, right?
"Thank you for your concern, Chairman Ren. I'm doing fine. You're always nice to me, and our factory treats me well too. I don't have any difficulties." Bi Chunliu praised Chairman Ren implicitly, hoping that her impromptu flattery would be of some use, although she also knew that her flattery was awkward.
Ren Qianjin noticed Bi Chunliu's nervousness and wondered if he was serious today. What he said didn't seem ambiguous, did it? Why was Bi Chunliu getting more and more nervous? It seemed like he wasn't suited to the role of matchmaker. So he simply asked, "Bi Chunliu, are you single? Can I introduce you to someone?"
"Ah? Is that what you want to tell me?"
Ren Qianjin curled his lips and said, "What do you think I want to say?"
Bi Chunliu touched his forehead and muttered softly, "I thought I had done something wrong and the factory was going to punish me..."
"Hahahaha, you're overthinking it. It's my fault, I didn't explain myself clearly." Ren Qianjin finished laughing before continuing, "I want to introduce you to the child of a former comrade of mine. You're 20 this year, right? He's a little older than you, 25. He was also in the army, but he retired a while ago and now works at the Public Security Bureau."
Bi Chunliu looked at Ren Qianjin, unsure if he knew about her family's situation, but her first reaction was to refuse. "Chairman Ren, this man sounds quite promising. Why did you introduce him to me? You may not know my family's situation. My parents are both deceased, and I have three younger siblings. I promised my parents that I would raise them."
Ren Qianjin patted Bi Chunliu soothingly, "I'm your leader, so of course I know your family's situation. Don't underestimate yourself, comrade. Let me first tell you about his family's situation."
This kid's name is Xing Fei. His father was also a soldier. After his biological parents died, he was adopted by one of his father's comrades and came to Nanshan. His adoptive father's surname is Han, and he is now a policeman.
Speaking of Old Han, it wasn't easy for him either. His daughter was only two or three years old when his wife passed away. Add to that Xing Fei, and he took care of her from head to toe. Old Han was both a father and a mother. Honestly, we can all see that Old Han really treated Xing Fei like his own son. He was worried about Xing Fei's marriage back then, but he said he wouldn't find one in the army. Now that he's finally retired, Old Han has asked me for help, and I thought of you.
This person’s name is…Xing Fei?
Bi Chunliu clenched her fists nervously, pinching her fingertips to keep herself calm. She wondered if the Xing Fei Chairman Ren was talking about was the same Xing Fei she knew.
In a previous life, Bi Chunliu, who had moved to Northeast China, also knew someone named Xing Fei. She was about fifty-three at the time, and had originally thought it would be fine to be alone for the rest of her life, free and easy. Then a friend insisted that they could be companions, so they wouldn't be left without someone to pour water or talk to if they got sick. Bi Chunliu thought about it and agreed, and her friend introduced her to Xing Fei.
Two people in their fifties naturally make friends differently than younger people. After they met, they'd just go for walks and dinners, and occasionally Xing Fei would even take her to the movies. Back then, with nothing else to do, she learned to follow celebrities while surfing the internet. Xing Fei, now almost sixty, joined her, even learning to vote for their favorite singer. They even flew to see that singer's concert.
They weren't registered; they simply lived together, like roommates. Life was pretty good, and Xing Fei would take over anything she didn't want to do. One Chinese New Year, she was making dumplings at home and asked Xing Fei to go shopping. Even though he was retired, he never forgot he was a police officer. When faced with danger, he ignored his age and rushed towards the criminals, only to get himself killed.
From then on, Bi Chunliu lived alone again, but it took her more than half a year to adapt.
So...is this Xing Fei the same Xing Fei?
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