"Mom, did Dad tell the higher-ups that he doesn't want to be the brigade leader anymore? We're very worried about him being home alone."
A hint of worry flashed in Tian Hongfang's eyes, but she knew the children were already very worried, so she couldn't say anything negative.
She waved her hand, "Hey, it's okay. Don't you know your dad? He's been busy his whole life. He might not be used to retiring."
The last time I talked to him on the phone, he bragged to me that he was living a carefree life without me.
Never mind him, if anything really happens, the neighbors will definitely help.
Ye Zhiyu smiled and brought her little face close to Tian Hongfang, who was kneading dough, and asked, "Really? Mom, aren't you worried? Don't you miss Dad?" Her eyes sparkled with a smile.
Tian Hongfang stopped what she was doing, and wiped her fair face with her flour-covered hands. "You little rascal, what's there for us old married couple to think about?"
"We've spent half our lives together, so this separation is much more comfortable for both of us."
Ye Zhiyu didn't believe it, staring at the little face stained with flour, and then took Tian Hongfang's arm.
"It's precisely because we've spent half our lives together that we miss each other. Dad must miss you too, but neither of you is too embarrassed to say it."
Sometimes you can't keep your thoughts to yourself. If you don't speak up, how will anyone know what you're thinking? Don't talk about telepathy.
Even if you're perfectly in sync, you can't read each other's minds. Life is so short; you have to learn to express your love.
Ye Zhiyu's remarks completely overturned Tian Hongfang's understanding, and even Tao Qingtang and Lu Ze were somewhat surprised.
Because from childhood, we've always been taught to be reserved, humble, and not arrogant or complacent.
Even self-confidence is seen as arrogance by elders, let alone expressing love.
The moment you open your mouth, someone calls you shameless.
Throughout my life, the word I heard most often was "endurance".
But why should they tolerate it, and what gives them the right to tolerate it?
Tian Hongfang thought of the last time she called Lu Weimin, and how she finally mustered up the courage to say that she missed him.
Indeed, it makes me feel much better to say it out loud.
Seeing that they all seemed to be deep in thought, Ye Zhiyu was pleased, for the biggest taboo between husband and wife is not being in different places.
It's because of the time difference caused by the long distance that I don't know what happened to you, and you don't know my struggles, sadness, and pain.
The two, under the guise of doing what's best for each other, planned to only share good news and not bad.
But you didn't have a good day today, so how can you tell me good news? You can only lie.
One lie requires countless lies to cover it up. If it goes undetected, all is well, but if it is, arguments are inevitable.
This is how estrangement arises. He thinks you don't understand him, and you think she's hiding something from you, and a good relationship disappears.
Perhaps it was because something had opened Tian Hongfang's heart, but she was exceptionally happy today.
Making dumplings and singing songs, they were having a wonderful time.
As soon as the dumplings were ready, I ran to the phone and waited for the call.
They had agreed to call each other every now and then, and today was that day.
This is how it is from Ye Zhiyu's perspective.
As soon as the phone rang, she answered it without hesitation.
Lu Weimin's somewhat aged but still steady and powerful voice came through, "Old woman."
"Hey old man, have you eaten yet?"
"What did you eat? I made dumplings today, did you have any left?"
"What? You're not craving it? If you're not craving it, wait for the dumplings I make when I go back for Chinese New Year. Don't eat them."
The other side must have been anxious, because they said a few kind words, and Tian Hongfang was visibly pleased.
She even gave a haughty snort, "You're smart to know what's good for you."
The conversation lasted for ten minutes, but Tian Hongfang, feeling the pinch of the phone bill, quickly hung up.
Before hanging up, I said, "Old man, I miss you," and then quickly hung up.
Call transfer operator: No, you're only targeting me, right...?
This time, the voice wasn't very quiet; it was at a normal volume because she had figured it out: if she didn't want her own husband, who would?
However, my face still felt a little hot.
Tian Hongfang stood up humming a little tune, but before she could turn around, she heard an unpleasant voice.
"Shameless! Acting like this in broad daylight, in the middle of the world."
He frowned and looked in the direction of the sound.
"It's you again?"
Yes, it's Bai Yulian again.
Tian Hongfang was really having a headache: "Can you stop focusing on our alley? Can't you go talk to someone in another alley?"
She's always wandering around this area. Since I talked about her last time, things have been quiet for a long time, but that doesn't mean she's stopped.
And here I am, eavesdropping here again, I don't even know when.
Bai Yulian looked up, shoving her nose at people, "Mind your own business! I've caught you red-handed. Let's see how you try to deny it this time. I heard you clearly as you said you missed me. How shameless!"
Ye Zhiyu and the others saw it too, and Tao Qingtang was about to step forward to help Tian Hongfang.
Ye Zhiyu stopped her, saying, "You have to trust Mom. She was having a good time when she was interrupted, so she's definitely angry. She's got a lot of fighting spirit."
As expected, Tian Hongfang slammed the bowl she was holding onto the table.
"Bai Yulian, I'm going to tear your mouth apart today. My old man, I don't want to. You want to, but you're not qualified. Look at your face, all bark and grime. If my old man could even look at you, he'd be blind."
As he spoke, he rolled up his sleeves and slapped her across the face.
Bai Yulian screamed, "Ah, you shameless bastard, you dare to hit me! I'll beat you to death!"
As he spoke, he prepared to retaliate.
Unfortunately, this old woman with bound feet, who drank vegetable soup all year round and was so weak, how could she possibly defeat the strong and healthy Tian Hongfang?
Soon, all she could do was scream.
The shout successfully attracted the attention of the neighbors who were having dinner at home.
He grabbed his rice bowl and ran off to see what was going on.
Of course, there were also peacemakers who stepped in to break up the fight.
Unable to resist Tian Hongfang's grip on Bai Yulian's hair, she finally let go after several more slaps.
"Hey, calm down, calm down. We're all neighbors, let's talk things out and not resort to violence."
Bai Yulian burst into tears, crying, "Heavens above! Is there no justice left? In broad daylight, they're beating people! They're going to kill someone!"
She cried and wailed, but no one paid any attention to her.
"Tian, what's going on? Don't let her bother you again."
While helping her catch her breath, Sister Chen asked her questions.
Tian Hongfang swallowed hard to moisten her throat. "Ask her. I was just making a phone call to my old man, and she was eavesdropping from behind the wall. That's bad enough, but she also called me shameless."
This capital city is full of influential people. Just look at these old neighborhoods; every family there has some power or influence.
They are prominent figures when they go out into the world.
I've never encountered anything like this before, where someone's peeking out from behind a wall.
"Bai Yulian, is this really true? If it is, why are you wailing like that? Has someone in your family died?"
Bai Yulian choked, "You, you all bully me, I don't want to live anymore."
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