Just as Xu Yaozu was about to slap himself, Xu Laosan came to his aid, "Brother, come stay at our house. What's so good about this educated youth settlement? Those ugly bastards are obviously no good. They even tried to order my sister around today. I hate them so much."
Mu Jingheng immediately added, "She's quite the troublemaker and very cunning."
Upon hearing this, Xu Yaozu also began to worry. At this moment, he genuinely wanted Mu Jingheng to come and stay at his home. How could he explain to his old leader if something happened to Mu Jingheng at the educated youth settlement?
Xu Yaozu: "Third brother, after you finish eating, go and move your luggage over with your brother Mu. From now on, your brother Mu can stay in your brother's room."
Xu Laosan: "Where will my brother stay when he comes back to visit? How about letting Brother Mu stay with me?"
Xu Laosan genuinely liked Mu Jingheng, always feeling that Mu Jingheng possessed countless admirable qualities that attracted him.
Xu Yaozu was well aware of the Mu family's circumstances. He knew that a young master like Mu Jingheng would definitely not like sharing a room with someone else, so he said, "Your brother rarely comes back, so let him share a room with you then."
Mu Jingheng really didn't like living with others. When the educated youth were assigned rooms today, he was quite reluctant to share a room with someone he had just met. But he wasn't spoiled and knew he had to adapt to the environment. Now that he suddenly had this opportunity, he was really happy.
Mu Jingheng was certain that Xujia Village was definitely his lucky place.
Mu Jingheng: "Thank you so much, Uncle. I will give you living expenses every month. Please don't complain if I give you too little."
Xu Yaozu: "You child, why are you being so formal? Just stay here and relax. If you have any difficulties, tell your aunt. As the brigade leader, her words still carry some weight."
Mu Jingheng: "Uncle, I understand."
Yang Chunqin had no idea that during the time she washed her hands, she had gained another son.
As soon as Chen Ping got home, he heard Old Mrs. Chen complaining about Wang Ying again, which made him very unhappy.
He was out driving all day long, not eating or sleeping well, and he thought that when he got home he could have a wife and children and a warm bed, which would be a relief for his tired body and mind. But his mother never made him feel at ease.
Chen Ping remembered that when Guoqing's (his son from his first marriage) mother was still alive, the atmosphere at home seemed quite good. Although he was serving in the army and rarely came back at that time, in his limited memory, he remembered that his mother and his wife seemed to get along very well, and it would not be an exaggeration to say that they were mother and daughter. Unfortunately, Guoqing's mother was not blessed. She suffered a severe hemorrhage during childbirth and died after two months.
In Chen Ping's heart, Wang Ying was a very gentle and virtuous woman. She was cultured, reasonable in her speech and actions, and had a job. But his mother always disliked her. Whenever the two met, one would be nagging and criticizing, while the other would be doing her own thing as if she hadn't heard.
The two of them didn't find it annoying, but Chen Ping really was.
Wang Ying: "You're back? Go wash up quickly, dinner will be ready in a little while."
Chen Ping: "Hmm!"
I wonder if the marital relationship between Wang Ying and Chen Ping was like that in that era.
The couple's relationship seemed harmonious, but they weren't very close. When they were together, their interactions were as calm and uneventful as a still pond.
If you knew how they got together, this situation would seem very strange.
The way Chen Ping and Wang Ying met is actually quite romantic. Chen Ping rescued Wang Ying when he was on a mission. There was nothing special about it at the time, but perhaps it was fate. Later, Chen Ping ran into Wang Ying several times while on his trips, and the two of them started dating.
Everyone has a different way of getting along. Perhaps their personalities make them feel more comfortable interacting this way, or perhaps they are completely different when they are alone. Who knows?
Chen Ping quickly washed up, changed his clothes, and came out to ask, "Where's Jianguo?"
Wang Ying replied without looking up, "He's next door. Xu Laosan made a mistake and got a beating from his sister-in-law. Jianguo is supervising him while he does his homework."
Chen Ping smiled knowingly, a rare occurrence. He had always loved the atmosphere of the Xu family next door. The family was always lively and cheerful, laughing together when they were happy. If the children misbehaved, they would chase after them with feather dusters. Old Mrs. Xu used to do this, and now Yang Chunqin did it too. After the beating, the family would be happy again.
Unlike their family, which was small and whose father, Chen Ping, was a quiet and unassuming person, their home had always been quiet and deserted. Perhaps the most comfortable time for them was the two years when Guoqing's mother was still alive.
No wonder his mother liked to peek over the Xu family's wall every day to watch their life; perhaps that was the life she longed for.
Chen Ping glanced at the braised food he had brought back, then went back to his room to get his treasured wine, and said to Wang Ying, "I'm going to find Yaozu for a drink. We haven't gotten together in a long time because we've been on the road so much."
Wang Ying: "Wait a minute, we have braised fish and cold seaweed salad today. Bring the dishes and let's go over for a get-together."
Old Mrs. Chen had just come from the main room when she heard this and immediately started scolding, "You woman are so restless and always want to run around outside. Can't we keep you in our house anymore?"
Wang Ying remained silent, as if she hadn't heard anything. She continued working, taking the lunchbox and dividing the food into two portions.
Fearing that Old Lady Chen would continue, and that it would be embarrassing if others heard, Chen Ping said, "Yaozu and I haven't sat down to talk for a long time. I heard that he recently got rid of the title of deputy, so I have to go and celebrate. I also heard that one of our comrades is also retiring, and Yaozu used some connections to get him a job in our county's armed forces department."
Grandma Chen: "How come Yaozu is so capable? It's not that I'm criticizing you, but you two joined the army together, so why is there such a big difference? Why don't you ask Yaozu to put in some effort and get you an official position?"
Chen Ping: "My situation is different. I retired early, and my rank back then wasn't as high as Yaozu's. I'm doing quite well now."
Grandma Chen: "If you don't compare yourself to Yaozu, you're pretty good. This transport team job is in high demand. Putting aside everything else, Yaozu definitely doesn't earn as much as you do."
Chen Ping sighed and stopped him, saying, "Mother, you can't say things like that outside."
Grandma Chen waved her hand impatiently: "I know, I know, it's just extra money, I know, I know."
After packing the dishes, Wang Ying also packed the freshly made sorghum and corn buns and said, "Let's go!"
Chen Ping said to Old Lady Chen, "Grandma, we're going over there."
Old Mrs. Chen was very unhappy and deliberately made banging and popping sounds, glaring at the old man sitting in the stove smoking his pipe. Unfortunately, no matter what she did, no one agreed with her.
Meanwhile, the Xu family was bustling with activity. Mu Jingheng fawned over Yang Chunqin and Old Madam Xu, showering them with compliments as if they were free (and indeed they were), making Yang Chunqin and Old Madam Xu laugh frequently. Before the meal was even served, Mu Jingheng's address in the Xu family had changed from Xiao Mu and Jingheng to Aheng and Xiao Heng.
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