"Brother Chu, do you mean that no matter how it ends this time, it's come to an end?"
"Well, the glass ceiling is there. Unless I change careers later, but you should know me, it's impossible for me to switch to an administrative position."
Having known each other for over twenty years, Chen He certainly understood what kind of person Li Chu was.
He nodded silently and said with a smile, "It's okay, as long as we can enjoy the treatment, that's fine."
"Yes, that's what I was thinking too. Anyway, how's your grandfather's health?"
"Not bad, he can eat and sleep well all day, and he even has a couple of sips of wine when he has nothing to do."
"Hehe, when you get back, tell your old man that I said it's okay to have a couple of sips of alcohol, but not too much, and he should definitely smoke less cigarettes."
“Brother Chu, ever since you reminded him last time, the old man has been very careful about smoking. Now he smokes about five or six cigarettes a day.”
"Hmm," Li Chu nodded, took out a handkerchief from his pocket, and wiped the mouth of the little stinky boy who was sucking his thumb.
"He doesn't need to quit completely. It's not a good thing for him to completely give up a habit he's developed over a lifetime."
"Young man, Dr. Li, your dog is running away on its own."
A few people were chatting at the entrance of the courtyard next door. One of them saw Li Chu and his group coming over and said with a smile.
"Old Meng, you didn't go out to pick up passengers today?"
Li Chu looked down at the second-year junior high student who was holding the chain in his mouth by his side, then looked up and asked.
"No, I was exhausted yesterday, so I'm resting at home today. Dr. Li, how about I hold one of your puppies if your dog has any more?"
"You're too late. Seven have already been reserved. Don't even mention this time, you might not even get a turn next time."
"Oh, I keep telling you, but I always forget. Could you please put one in my order? Whenever you have extra, please spare one for me."
"Okay, no rush, I guarantee I'll give you extra."
"Thank you, Dr. Li!"
"You're welcome. You two continue chatting. We'll go take a look around."
"Okay, Dr. Li, please take care."
"Wow, Brother Chu, your dog is so popular."
"We're just joining in the fun. Why do you want one too?"
"I think I'd better give up. I don't have the patience for that. Just thinking about having to worry about whether it's eaten or drunk every day gives me a headache." Chen He shook his head like a rattle drum.
"Brother, we've been rambling on for ages. Tell me, what brings you here today? Don't tell me it's nothing."
"Hehe," Chen He said, scratching his hair somewhat awkwardly.
"Brother Chu, you figured it out."
Li Chu glanced at him sideways and said, "We've known each other for over twenty years. Do you think I can't tell if you're troubled or not? Tell me, what happened that could possibly stump you, the third young master of the Chen family?"
Chen He sighed and said, "The son of someone I investigated back then is now a leader in our unit."
With a "whoosh," Li Chu turned his head and looked over.
"You mean those years when you said 'investigation'?"
“That’s right. I remember I went to see him after his father came back from the farm in 1980. Although his father didn’t blame me, his son…” Chen He shook his head at this point.
"What, have you already made a move?"
"Hehe, buddy, I've been promoted to director of the archives office of our supervisory committee."
When did this happen?
"Right after the New Year."
"Then why didn't you come to find me sooner?"
"Sigh," Chen He said with a wry smile, "At first, I wanted my older brother to help me transfer to another unit, but I didn't expect that this guy wouldn't give face to anyone."
Of course, he's the director of the supervisory committee.
"Then why are you looking for me now?"
"To be honest, Brother Chu, if I could make a living, I really wouldn't be bothering you with this trivial matter."
"You mean he's still causing you trouble?"
"That's for sure. I've been through so many troubles already. You know me, I'm used to being free and easy. I accept it when people cause me trouble, since it's my fault first. But the problem is, this kind of life seems endless. I'm even worried that one day I won't be able to control my temper."
"So you're thinking of leaving this company? Do you have a specific goal in mind?"
"If there's no specific target, any unit will do."
Li Chu frowned as he sorted out his interpersonal relationships, and after thinking for a while, he slowly nodded: "Okay, I understand."
As one of his few friends, I had to help him with this.
"Hehe, thanks, Brother Chu."
"No need to be so polite. You didn't tell your father about this, did you?"
"No, it's not bad enough. Telling him would only make one more person angry. My older brother and I never even considered telling him."
"Yes, your grandfather has a heart condition, so he really can't get angry."
"Brother Chu, just let me know if you need anything. I've prepared everything I need."
Li Chu understood what he meant by "preparation," and waved his hand, saying, "No need, just focus on your work these next few days."
"No problem, I promise I'll behave myself these next few days."
"Alright, now that you've finished talking, hurry up and get to work. You should be at work right now."
"I'm off right now, I'll come back another day to chat. Goodbye, you little rascal!"
"Ah ah"
Watching Chen He turn around and disappear in a flash, Li Chu smiled and shook his head. Whether it was the old man or his two older brothers, the Chen family members were all very calm and composed. How come the genes changed when it came to him? He was so impulsive.
Holding the child, he continued to stroll casually through the alley. Without being disturbed by others, he kept talking to the child in his arms as he walked, reciting a passage from the Three Character Classic or an ancient poem, and occasionally reciting a verse from a traditional Chinese medicine formula.
The little rascal nestled in his arms, listening attentively, occasionally responding with "ooh ooh."
As they walked, they came to a small intersection a little to the west, where a few people were standing and talking. Upon seeing this, Li Chu took the chain that he had been holding in his mouth during the second year of junior high school and put it on his own hand.
As he passed the small intersection, he realized that he had been wandering around the alley for a long time and had ended up at the intersection where Old Fu's house had been the site of the previous incident.
Then one of the people spoke, which caught his attention.
"Xiao Fu, have you finished taking care of your father's funeral arrangements?"
"Uncle Hou, thank you for your concern. Everything has been taken care of."
"Little Fu?" This title made Li Chu turn his head to glance at it.
What came into his view was a young man of about thirty years old, wearing a black armband on his left arm with the character for "filial piety" on it.
Judging from his appearance, he must be Old Fu's youngest son who lives outside.
However, the commotion from the second-year junior high school student puzzled Li Chu.
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