Chapter 33 Study
Having been away from home for a year and a half, and seeing that miserable life in his dreams, Tao Nanfeng felt a little excited when he saw his father.
It was as if I had thousands of words I wanted to say, but they were stuck in my throat and I couldn't utter a single word.
"Dad, you know what? We actually live in a book."
"Dad, Tao You and Feng Chun'e have no good intentions. They want to rob me of my life... and you."
"Tao You broke her collarbone, which was actually staged by herself, just to trick me into replacing her and going to the countryside as an educated youth."
"If it weren't for the jade button my mother left behind, I would not be alive now, and you would have white hair overnight and blame yourself for the rest of your life."
If I say these words, will my father believe it?
My father is a staunch materialist and would never believe these weird things he said.
Feeling his father's warm hands caressing his head, Tao Nanfeng's eyes turned red and he whispered, "Dad, I'm back."
Tao Shouxin has always been reserved, he just gently stroked her and then withdrew his hand, taking the big bag from her hand: "I'm glad you're back."
He glanced at Tao Nanfeng and added, "Your Aunt Feng has prepared a lot of dishes, just waiting for you to come back."
The cold winter wind blew, and Tao Nanfeng's eyes were slightly cold. She didn't say much and walked side by side with her father.
Someone in front called out, "Tao Nanfeng!"
Tao Nanfeng raised his head and saw Tao You whom he hadn't seen for a long time.
Tao You is not a beauty, but she has a slim figure and pretty looks. With a long braid hanging in front of her chest, she looks very feminine. She was wearing a red cotton jacket, standing beside a sycamore tree with yellow leaves on the side of the road, smiling happily and excitedly: "Tao Nanfeng, you are finally back! When I received your letter earlier, I thought you were lying to us."
Tao You ran over and reached out his hand affectionately, trying to hold Tao Nanfeng's arm.
Tao Nanfeng frowned, took a half step back, kept an arm's length away from Tao You, and had a cold and indifferent attitude.
Tao You was stunned, pursed his lips, and shook Tao Shouxin's sleeve: "Dad, look at Nanfeng, she still hates me."
Tao Shouxin felt a little helpless.
If it were two years ago, according to Professor Tao's personality, he would have wronged Tao Nanfeng and accommodated Tao You. But today my daughter has returned home from a long journey. Thinking about how she went to the countryside when she was only seventeen years old and how she suffered so much on the farm for Tao You, how could she bear to say a harsh word to her?
"Okay, Nanfeng just came back and had a hard time on the journey, so don't bother her."
Tao Shouxin sternly pulled away Tao You's hand that was tightly holding his sleeve, and motioned Tao Nanfeng to follow: "Are you tired? Go home and take a shower and change clothes first. Your uncle Qin and his wife went to Shanghai a while ago and bought you a new cotton-padded jacket. It's just in time for you to have new clothes to wear when you come back."
Tao You usually acts like a spoiled child in front of her father, and she always succeeds. But she didn't expect that this time Tao Shouxin would pull her away. She looked up at Tao Shouxin in disbelief.
However, Tao You was very good at observing people's words and expressions. Seeing that her father ignored her, she turned to Tao Nanfeng and pretended to be generous and caring.
"If I hadn't broken my bones, I would have been the one to work on the farm. Whenever I thought about this at home, I felt uneasy. I have simple requirements for life, and I am used to doing things and enduring hardships. But you, Nanfeng, are always pampered at home, living a delicate life, and I am really afraid that you are not living well on the farm. Now that I see that you have a rosy complexion and are in good health, I feel relieved. As expected... through labor to reform your thoughts, my sister is really on a glorious path of integration with workers and peasants."
here we go again.
Neither yin nor yang, every word he says is like a soft knife.
But the neighbor next door thought Tao You was sensible when he heard this and echoed him.
"We are all made of flesh and blood. It doesn't matter which of the two children in the family goes to be an educated youth. Tao You, the elder sister, is very modest. She always thinks that she should go to suffer, leaving Tao Nanfeng to enjoy the good life at home."
"As for being pretty, Tao Nanfeng is better than her sister. However, what's the use of being pretty when working on a farm? You still have to be capable and hardworking. Tao You signed up so enthusiastically, probably because she was worried that her sister would suffer. She is a good sister."
"I don't know where Tao Nanfeng was assigned to. Looking at her appearance, she doesn't look like she's suffered at all, which is strange. Could she have been... deported?"
When she said the last sentence, Aunt Mao's voice became much softer.
Aunt Mao is Professor Qian's country wife. She is very energetic and loves to ask about family matters. She has a very good relationship with Feng Chun'e.
Deportation? Hearing this, Tao You's eyes lit up, and he turned around and asked Tao Nanfeng: "Don't you have a set vacation for the educated youth? The Spring Festival home visit leave is only one week at most. If you come back now, it will take seven or eight days on the road. Is the home visit leave enough?"
Tao Shouxin didn't like discussing family matters outside, and said to Tao You: "Let's talk about this when we get home."
Tao You stuck out his tongue mischievously and chuckled, "Dad, I just heard Aunt Mao mention the repatriation of educated youth. I was shocked and worried that Nanfeng wouldn't be able to spend the New Year at home."
Tao Shouxin looked at Aunt Mao, trying to suppress his inner dissatisfaction, and said coldly: "Nanfeng is visiting relatives, not repatriating."
Aunt Mao was usually a little afraid of Tao Shouxin. Seeing his serious face, she waved her hands hurriedly and said, "No, no, I didn't say Tao Nanfeng was a sent-down youth. I just mentioned it casually. Professor Tao, please don't be offended."
Tao Shouxin is an upright person. He seems unkind on the surface, but he is actually a person who is strict with himself and lenient with others. He didn't want to conflict with his neighbor, so he said "hmm" and whispered to Tao Nanfeng: "It's okay if we can't celebrate the New Year."
Because he was worried that his correspondence with his father would be read by his stepmother and Tao You, Tao Nanfeng only said in the letter that he had taken leave to go home to visit relatives, but did not elaborate on the reason. Tao Shouxin waited at the intersection every day these days, afraid that he would miss the opportunity to greet the girl. I finally saw her. She looked radiant and her eyes were bright. I could tell at a glance that she was living a happy life. Only then did I feel at ease.
It’s good that his daughter is back, but he doesn’t dare to force her to stay at home for the New Year.
We set out from Xiufengshan Farm on the 21st and walked for four days. Today is already the 25th, the fourteenth day of the twelfth lunar month, and there is still half a month before the Chinese New Year. Seeing that her father sounded anxious, Tao Nanfeng knew that he actually hoped that she could stay at home for the New Year, but he was afraid that it would affect her work, so he didn't dare to say it.
Thinking of this, Tao Nanfeng smiled slightly and gently put his left hand on his father's arm: "Dad, don't worry, I'm on a business trip this time and can stay at home until the New Year."
I felt a pair of soft hands putting into the crook of my right arm, and the warmth spread from my arm all the way to my heart. Since remarrying, his daughter has never been so intimate with him. Tao Shouxin was both terrified and surprised. He turned his head slowly, his eyes shining behind the glasses: "Okay! Okay!"
Tao You gritted his teeth secretly, this Tao Nanfeng! He used to be a cold-blooded animal and never got close to his father. But now, after more than a year, he has become cunning and even knows how to make his father happy.
She came up to the two of them, took Tao Shouxin's other arm, and smiled sweetly, "Really? That's great! Your farm is really good. Not only do you give you such a long vacation, but you can also go on business trips. What kind of career are you taking, sister? It's much better than the average educated youth."
Everyone nearby pricked up their ears.
Many people think that universities are places where intellectuals gather, and they must be elegant places where they talk about papers and majors. In fact, we all live in the mundane world, and daily necessities include firewood, rice, oil, salt, sauce, vinegar and tea.
There was once a professor who had a cat that often loved to fight with the neighbor's cat. The professor prepared a long bamboo pole by the door. He would listen carefully when cats were fighting, and if his own cat was at a disadvantage he would rush out to help - so intellectuals were just as childish and playful.
Winter vacation is here and there is nothing to do. It's a rare occasion that the second daughter of the Tao family, who is an educated youth, comes home, and everyone becomes excited when they hear some gossip.
Tao Nanfeng suddenly stopped, with a half-smile on his face: "Tao You, what do you mean by this?"
A soft knife is most afraid of a needle hitting the thread. Let me point it out clearly and directly. I want to see how you can continue to speak in a sarcastic tone.
Tao You never expected that the cold and aloof Tao Nanfeng would actually argue with him. Isn't she self-righteous and unwilling to argue with others?
There must be something wrong when something is abnormal. Tao You panicked and raised his voice unconsciously.
"What can I mean? I just envy the good treatment you get at your farm. You've only been there for a year and a half and you're able to go on business trips. Is that a problem? Tao Nanfeng, are you still holding a grudge against me? As soon as you came back, you looked at me with disdain and spoke in sarcastic tones. I've been waiting here to welcome you for nothing. I've discovered that you're really hard to serve!"
Tao Nanfeng looked at Tao You who was avoiding his gaze, and then he realized that this villain with a dark heart only dared to say a few lies in front of others and behind their backs, and he didn't have any real ability.
In the past, I was too naive and could be easily provoked by her, but now...
Tao Nanfeng glanced at Tao You, his eyes full of mockery: "I envy the good treatment at the farm, why would you rather break your hand than go?"
Tao You was hit by her, his face changed drastically, and his heart started beating violently: Did she know something? What does she mean by this?
When others heard this, they couldn't help but become curious, and the topic of discussion quickly turned to Tao You.
"There's something behind Tao Nanfeng's words."
"That's right. It was Tao You who signed up to go to the countryside, but as soon as Professor Tao left, Tao Nanfeng took over. I was surprised."
"It's unlikely that he would break his hand on purpose, right? If Tao You would rather injure himself than become an educated youth, that's a very serious ideological problem, and we can put up big-character posters to criticize him."
Tao You's face turned red and white, and his fingers were almost twisted into knots. She really didn't expect that Tao Nanfeng would be ready to settle past matters with her as soon as he came back. She clearly didn't complain in the letter, but now she is spreading the matter out loud. What should I do?
Tao You was stunned for half a second, and stammered, "I don't want to break my arm. It takes a hundred days to heal the broken bones. Please don't hate me, okay?"
A year and a half had passed since the incident. Tao Nanfeng knew that he couldn't immediately convict Tao You with just one sentence, but he had to make his tit-for-tat attitude clear.
"You were the one who signed up to go to the farm, and you were the one who pretended to be positive, but I was the one who suffered in the end. Don't be so ungrateful!"
"Oh..." It was the first time that Tao You encountered Tao Nanfeng being so strong. He shrank his neck in fear and admitted defeat, not daring to flatter him anymore.
Tao Shouxin saw the neighbors coming out of their houses, watching their two daughters quarreling with excitement. He felt a little embarrassed, so he quickened his pace and pulled his daughters towards the small red building No. 6.
The small red building is the professor's building, with four households in one building. There is a yard on the first floor and a large balcony on the second floor.
Tao Shouxin lives on the first floor, with three bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen and a bathroom, which is spacious and bright.
When he hurried into the house, Feng Chun'e came out with a big smile on her face and said, "Nanfeng is back. You've worked hard on the way."
She bent down and brought out a pair of brand new cotton slippers, and presented them to Tao Nanfeng attentively, with a gentle smile and a relaxed tone: "You must have felt stuffy after sitting in the car all the way. Come on, change your shoes and go inside to loosen up."
Tao Nanfeng took the cotton slippers and put them on. They were warm, fit well, and had fine stitching. It was obvious that they were made by Feng Chun'e herself. I have to say that Feng Chun'e did a very good job in pleasing herself in front of her father.
Tao Shouxin's expression softened noticeably.
Feng Chun'e took the luggage and put it in the living room. She brought a cup of steaming hot ginger tea from the kitchen and held it in front of Tao Nanfeng: "Are you cold on the road? Have a cup of ginger tea to warm yourself up first."
Tao Nanfeng took the ginger tea, nodded, and thanked him as usual.
Feng Chun'e's eyes suddenly turned red, she turned around, and after a long while she said in a choked voice, "Nanfeng has suffered so much, I haven't seen you for so long, you've become polite to Aunt Feng."
In the past, Tao Nanfeng was simple-minded. He didn't like Feng Chun'e and Tao You, so he was rude to them and had a cold face in front of others and behind their backs. Tao Shouxin didn't understand and thought she was arrogant and rude, so he privately taught her to respect her stepmother and be friendly to her stepsister.
Seeing Feng Chun'e's loving motherly attitude, Tao Shouxin also softened his heart and sighed: "Why say all this? It would be great if Nanfeng could come back."
Feng Chun'e nodded repeatedly: "It's good to be at home for a thousand days, but it's hard to go out for a day. Nanfeng suffered a lot as an educated youth, and now he can appreciate the good things at home. He has grown up and become sensible."
With just one sentence, the suffering that Tao Nanfeng had to endure on behalf of Tao You was lightly revealed.
Tao Nanfeng watched her performance quietly, and what he saw in the book flashed through his mind. For some reason, his anger disappeared, and only disgust and indifference remained.
After taking a shower and drying his hair, Tao Nanfeng put on the new cotton-padded jacket that his father handed to him with a smile.
The lilac satin is radiant and has a hint of dark patterns. The cotton filling is very smooth, and the lining is covered with a mottled sheepskin vest, which is thick and warm. The collar is stood up high, with a circle of pure white rabbit fur on the inside, which looks both noble and exquisite. After Tao Nanfeng put it on, her neck looks even longer and her figure even more exquisite.
Saddles make the horse look good, and clothes make the man look good. The lilac satin makes Tao Nanfeng's face look delicate and rosy, making her look like a delicate young lady.
Tao You's eyes turned red with envy, and he quietly tugged at the corner of his mother's clothes.
Feng Chun'e stretched out her hand to touch the glittering satin, but timidly drew her hand back and exclaimed, "It's really beautiful. I've only seen rich young ladies of capitalist families wearing such clothes in movies. When our Nanfeng wears it, she really looks like a rich and beautiful flower."
After hearing what she said, Tao Shouxin's smile froze on his face.
Tao Nanfeng's eyes were sharp: "Is this a compliment?"
This time it was Feng Chun'e's turn to freeze her smile: "Nanfeng, you... of course I am praising you."
Tao Nanfeng looked at his father: "Dad, how do you feel when you hear this?"
Tao Shouxin frowned, as if thinking about something. Is it a compliment? It sounded like a compliment on the surface, but secretly it was more like a reminder: this dress was too expensive, and if Tao Nanfeng wore it, people would probably say she was a wealthy daughter of a capitalist, which would be bad for her reputation.
Having just arrived home and not wanting to waste time on irrelevant people, Tao Nanfeng did not continue to say anything. He only lowered his head to look at the snow-white rabbit fur piping on the cuffs and smiled, "Dad, it looks good. Thank you."
Tao Shouxin nodded: "I'm glad you like it. Your uncle Qin said this is a thank you gift for your improved thatched roof design."
When Tao Nanfeng heard his father mention the small picture he sent with the letter, he smiled and said "hmm" softly. The father and daughter looked at each other and laughed at the same time.
At this moment, there is a strong family affection flowing between Tao Shouxin and Tao Nanfeng. Feng Chun'e and Tao You seemed like outsiders and could not get a word in.
Feng Chun'e lowered her head and said, "I'm going to cook. You guys talk first." Then she went to the kitchen and started busying herself with the clanging of things.
Tao You tiptoed to the restaurant and sat down far away, listening attentively to what Tao Shouxin and his daughter had to say. Unfortunately, Tao Nanfeng did not sit on the sofa in the living room at all. Instead, he went into the study with Tao Shouxin and closed the door.
"Click!" When the slight sound of the door lock interlocking came, Tao You could no longer control his emotions and cursed through gritted teeth: "Who is that? It's like I'm guarding against thieves!"
The study faces south and is very large.
There are bookcases on both walls, and the cabinets are full of books.
A large solid wood desk stands firmly in the center of the study. The desktop is neatly tidied with a pen holder, pen stand, inkstone, drawing tools, and an open ancient thread-bound book.
A framed calligraphy piece was hung on the wall, with two large characters on it: "雅趣". The handwriting was elegant and graceful, and the force was so strong that it could be seen through the paper.
The rich scent of ink and books filled the entire room. Tao Nanfeng took a deep breath, ah! It feels so good to be home. Since she was a child, her favorite place has been this study. If no one calls her to eat, she can sit on a small stool and read books all day long.
Tao Shouxin sat at the table. Tao Nanfeng moved a brocade cushion from the wall and sat down next to his father. It seemed like this was the first time that the father and daughter sat facing each other so closely since the stepmother came in.
Without anyone around, Tao Nanfeng no longer suppressed his inner emotions. He gently lowered his head, placed his head on his father's knees, and called softly, "Dad..."
This call brought out infinite tenderness in Tao Shouxin's heart.
He didn't know when it started, but his daughter became more and more introverted. Whenever she saw him, she would look at him coldly, purse her lips, and have an expression that said "stay away from me", which deeply hurt his heart. Now, after a long separation, the soft and lovely south wind has finally returned.
The leaves of the sycamore tree outside the window rustled in the cold wind, but Tao Shouxin felt that the years were peaceful, as if he were in a dream.
After a while, Tao Shouxin stretched out his left hand and patted his daughter's back rhythmically. When Tao Nanfeng was a child, she was weak and cried a lot. She would make noise every time she went to sleep. He had coaxed her to sleep like this countless times.
Tao Nanfeng lay quietly on his father's lap, the corners of his mouth gradually rising. Being in his father's lap, this is the joy of family.
After relaxing, Tao Shouxin asked softly, "Originally, Tao You was supposed to go to the farm, but she broke her collarbone before leaving. You went instead of her. Do you feel resentful?"
Tao Nanfeng did not hide his true thoughts and just said "hmm".
"Don't hold grudges. We can't change others, we can only work hard to make ourselves stronger. You have made new friends on the farm and have a new direction to work towards, which is a good thing."
My father is still the same, strict with himself and lenient with others.
Thinking of what Xiangbei had said to him, Tao Nanfeng clearly expressed his inner dissatisfaction for the first time: "If you repay evil with kindness, how can you repay kindness?"
Tao Shouxin was stunned and stopped patting his daughter's back.
He thought for a moment and sighed, "Back then, your Aunt Feng was a well-off woman, and she was still a worker. She married a stinking ninth grader like me, and she faced off against those young men who broke into my house and ransacked it, risking her life to protect the books in my study. I have always remembered this favor. I have been away on business for a long time, and it is not easy for your Aunt Feng to take care of the family. Although Tao You is a little narrow-minded, since she called me dad, I have a responsibility to her as well."
Every word he said revealed the father's strong sense of responsibility.
Tao Nanfeng slowly straightened up.
His eyes were bright and he looked at his father level. Only then did Tao Nanfeng realize that his father had white hair on his temples and fine lines at the corners of his eyes. My father is only 46 years old this year, which is the prime of his life.
"Tao You broke her collarbone. It was staged by the mother and daughter. Their purpose was to send me to the farm to suffer while you were not at home. You were away on business trips all year round and you didn't know how the mother and daughter treated me behind my back, mocking, ridiculing, attacking, and ignoring me... Didn't you ever wonder why I loved to laugh and make noise when I was a child, but later I talked less and less?"
Tao Shouxin couldn't believe his ears and stood up suddenly.
"What? Do you have any proof for what you said?"
Her father's eyes were majestic and filled with anger. If it were the Tao Nanfeng of the past, she might have been scared. But now Tao Nanfeng has experienced the farm power struggle and has grown up. She did not back down and bravely looked her father in the eye.
"You don't need any proof. You can believe my words if you want, or forget it if you don't want!"
His daughter's words stirred up a storm in Tao Shouxin's mind. I originally thought that Feng Chun'e, the successor to the throne, was a virtuous woman who would treat her daughter well. I originally thought that Tao You was a simple and good child who would be grateful if I treated her well.
Who knew that today Nanfeng told himself that these two people are two-faced! The virtue and innocence that he saw was just a performance, performed for him to put his mind at ease.
How dare they? How could this be?
As the saying goes, I respect you one foot and you respect me one yard. Even if there is no love, at least there is grace. Even if there is no grace, at least there is righteousness!
Nanfeng lost her mother at a young age and was left alone and helpless. I was wrong to leave her to Feng Chun'e?
Tao Shouxin sat down dejectedly, his lips trembling slightly, and he didn't utter a word for a long time.
Seeing his father's shock and pale face, Tao Nanfeng couldn't bear it and comforted him softly: "Although they are not kind to me, they treat you sincerely..."
Tao Shouxin was a serious man. He shook his head and said, "No! I believe what you said. You are my child. Your mother and I are both upright people. You will not lie. You never said these things before. I thought you had grown up and had something on your mind that you didn't want to tell your father. Seeing that you were well dressed, well fed, and had good grades at home, I thought you were well taken care of. I was negligent. As a father, I failed in my duty.
These words must have been hidden in your heart for a long time, right? You were young and timid before, but now that you have grown up and become brave, you can say these words. Nanfeng, you have been wronged..."
If the grievance can be understood and seen by others, it is not considered a grievance. Tao Nanfeng's eyes became hot and he buried his head in his father's knees, trying hard to control the tears that were suddenly coming.
Tao Shouxin looked down at his daughter. Because she had just washed her hair, her jet-black hair was spread out with a mist of water. This thick, jet-black hair looked so much like Xu Xiqin's.
My heart was filled with pain, regret, and sadness. All these emotions mixed together and converged into one sentence: "Nanfeng, Dad is sorry for you."
When Tao Nanfeng was born, the couple were nearly 30 years old. They treated her like a treasure. They were afraid that she would melt if they held her in their mouths, and afraid that she would fall if they held her in their hands. They pampered and protected her, watched her grow up day by day, and their family of three lived happily.
Misfortune struck, Xiqin fell ill and was bedridden. She passed away soon after, leaving only the seven-year-old Tao Nanfeng crying.
My daughter, who I couldn't bear to say a single harsh word to or lift a finger against, was actually being bullied by her stepmother and stepsister? In order to get rid of Tao Nanfeng, he even broke his hand!
His beloved daughter was suffering on the farm, while Tao You, who was full of cunning thoughts, was leisurely in the library? Thinking about how he treated Tao Youru like a daughter, with respect and care, and how he respected and was grateful to Feng Chun'e and gave all his salary to her to manage, Tao Shouxin was furious.
——How dare these two people treat Tao Nanfeng like this!
There was a faint knock on the door, and Feng Chun'e gently reminded: "Teacher Tao, Nanfeng, it's time for dinner."
Hearing this voice, a chill flashed across Tao Shouxin's face. This hypocritical woman who was unkind to her stepdaughter and unjust to her husband was actually deceived by that weak face for eight years.
divorce! This thought popped into my mind for the first time.
The older generation is traditional and respectful, and they take marriage very seriously. The thought of divorce flashed through his mind, but was rejected by Tao Shouxin. She may not care about other people's opinions, but Tao Nanfeng will always come back, get married and have children in the future, and divorce will have an impact on her future.
In just one second, countless thoughts flashed through Tao Shouxin's mind. He is kind and sincere to others, but he also has a bottom line.
Tao Shouxin took a deep breath and patted his daughter on the shoulder: "Man is made of iron and rice is made of steel, let's eat first."
Tao Nanfeng stood up, rubbed his eyes, and smiled brightly: "Okay, let's eat!"
The author has something to say:
I know everyone wants Professor Tao to divorce Feng Chun'e quickly, but the older generation is very cautious about marriage. Please give Tao Shouxin some time.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
