After their last argument, Liu Aimei and Song Guomin secretly reconciled without mentioning the previous incident.
Two days before the Chinese New Year holiday, Liu Aimei's shopping mall held a year-end event, and the mall was bustling with people.
Song Guomin came to the mall after get off work today to pick out some New Year's goods, hoping to send them to the Song family if he had the chance during the New Year. Liu Aimei happened to be off work, and the two of them browsed the health products section on the second floor together.
Suddenly, Liu Aimei's gaze froze.
Ahead, Tong Hongyun was walking with a woman. The woman looked quite old, adorned with gold and silver, and dressed in fine clothes; she must be Tong Hongyun's wife.
Tong Hongyun had obviously also seen Liu Aimei.
The two looked at each other; they hadn't seen each other for a long time.
Tong Hongyun said a few words to Zhang Liqin, and then headed towards the restroom.
Liu Aimei looked away, her heart pounding like a cat's claws, and she lost all interest in looking at the gift box.
"How about this one..."
Liu Aimei didn't pay any attention to what Song Guomin was saying. She pursed her lips and said, "Song Guomin, my stomach isn't feeling well. I need to go to the bathroom. Just wait for me here and don't go too far."
Song Guomin hummed in agreement, not seeming to care much.
"Go."
Zhang Liqin was also waiting for Tong Hongyun at the same spot, about ten meters away from Song Guomin, so she would never suspect that they were related.
Liu Aimei hurried to the restroom, but slowed down as she approached the women's restroom.
"Here." Tong Hongyun's voice came from the emergency exit.
Liu Aimei's heart skipped a beat, and she was pulled over by Tong Hongyun.
It's been a long time.
Dry wood ignites a raging fire.
The emergency exit door was closed.
About ten minutes later, Liu Aimei, drenched in sweat, straightened her clothes and turned to leave.
Tong Hongyun: "Going to work tomorrow?"
Liu Aimei: "Take a break."
"Ten o'clock in the morning, the usual place."
Liu Aimei swallowed hard, hummed in agreement, and then said, "Come out again in a bit."
Tong Hongyun scoffed and lit a cigarette.
"Don't worry, I understand that."
Liu Aimei went to the women's restroom, tidied herself up, and then came out of the restroom.
Song Guomin did not notice anything unusual.
Perhaps feeling guilty, Liu Aimei didn't dwell on it and quickly chose the gift box she wanted to buy before leaving with Song Guomin.
-
On New Year's Eve, the third and fifth brothers came to Heping Lane together.
Without comparison, there is no difference.
With Song Guomin leading the way, the neighbors in Heping Lane became much more amiable towards the third and fifth sons.
He also greeted the third and fifth brothers.
Both brothers were carrying things in their hands.
The third brother couldn't spend the Spring Festival at home last year. In the blink of an eye, he had been kicked out for more than a year. He cheered himself up and decided that he had to stay at home this time no matter what!
They knocked on the Song family's door.
Grandma Song's voice rang out, "Who is it?"
The fifth son coughed twice. "Grandma, it's me. I'm back to wish you a Happy New Year."
The third child hurriedly added, "Grandma, me too! I'm back too!"
Grandma Song opened the door a crack and peeked at her two stinky grandsons; the smell of mutton soup wafted from inside.
It smells so good!
Grandma Song looked at the two of them and said, "Go back, go back. You're not welcome here."
The two brothers stared wide-eyed. "Grandma, what's wrong?!"
Grandma Song has come to her senses these past two days. I guess the third and fifth sons are also eyeing the house that Big Dog and his wife have!
Grandma Song snorted, "Alright, we accept your kind gesture. You can all leave now."
The third and fifth brothers exchanged a glance. Just as they were about to speak, Xu Guiying approached.
"mom."
"mom."
Xu Guiying said to Grandma Song, "Mom, it's cold outside, you should go inside first."
Grandma Song turned and left without a second thought, leaving the two brothers looking pitifully at Xu Guiying.
Xu Guiying crossed her arms and said, "If you have something to say, say it. If not, get out of here."
Song Anmin: "Mom, we and Lao Wu came back specifically to see Dad. Is he better yet?"
Xu Guiying: "Alright, she's fully recovered."
Song Jianmin's mouth moved slightly, as if he was about to speak, but Xu Guiying interrupted him.
"Alright, you've been repeating the same few sentences over and over again. I'm sick of hearing them. You're not going home!"
After saying that, Xu Guiying slammed the door shut.
The two brothers had no choice but to head towards Song Yun and Xu Songyuan's home, since they couldn't go home themselves.
My aunt's house was locked; no one was home.
So they went to Xu Songyuan's house.
Huh? My uncle isn't home, but the door isn't locked.
The two brothers went inside and sat under the eaves, both wearing military overcoats.
Last year, Song Anmin thought he was only being driven away temporarily and would be able to go back sooner or later.
But now, things aren't so optimistic.
The two brothers fell silent.
Xu Songyuan returned quickly. He was going to the Song family for dinner that night, so he went out to buy wine and braised meat to take with him.
They saw the third and fifth brothers huddled under the eaves like two quails.
Xu Songyuan couldn't help but laugh.
What are you two doing?
Song Anmin: "Uncle, where did you go?"
Xu Songyuan: "I'll buy some food and go to my older sister's place tonight."
Song Jianmin opened his mouth and asked, "Uncle, what should we do?"
Xu Songyuan's eyes widened. "How would I know what you're going to do? There's rice, vegetables, and meat in the kitchen. Get some for yourselves."
"Uncle! You're all having such a lively time, leaving my third brother and me here. How can you bear to do this?! Uncle!!!"
Song Anmin had the same expression.
Xu Songyuan clapped his hands, "Well, there's nothing I can do about it. I can't afford to offend Big Sister. You two better watch yourselves."
Since entering the city, Xu Songyuan has been in much better spirits, and since he is now working as a food vendor, he has become much stronger.
Xu Songyuan went back into the house and gave each of the two brothers ten yuan.
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