Chapter 82 Bell

The two people's room and the old man's study are both in the front yard, just a short walk away.

When I opened the door, I saw Mr. Ji sitting behind the desk with a sullen face, while Ye Minshu was standing in the middle of the room with her head lowered.

Speaking of which, since the old couple had never called her Ye Minshu, this was the first time Ji Duo saw her after he came back.

Lin Qiao did not leave, and the few times they saw each other were very limited. After all, she was very busy. After Ji Jun left, the old couple's attitude towards their eldest daughter-in-law was also very cold.

As for Ye Minshu, without the support of her husband, she was like a flower out of water, and she had no confidence to speak.

In addition, she was stabbed so harshly by the Song family that she felt angry and regretful. Within half a year, a tumor grew in her uterus.

The tumor was benign and was later removed, but she also lost weight rapidly and looked older. She was no longer as reserved and proper as when Lin Qiao first met her, and she always looked down on people.

Seeing Lin Qiao, the old man was surprised, but he didn't react much. He just relaxed his expression and nodded at her, "Qiao Qiao is here too."

Ye Minshu turned her head suddenly, her pale and thin face was first shocked, and then quickly turned red.

Lin Qiao then noticed that her eyes were red, obviously she had just cried. It was really embarrassing to be seen like this by her sister-in-law, who had been engaged to her son before.

Lin Qiao just greeted her grandfather, "Dad." Ji Duo had already taken her to sit on a chair against the wall.

Now the only people standing in the room were Ye Minshu and Xu Li, who stopped at the door and was about to leave.

The old man looked at his son, then at his daughter-in-law beside him, and suddenly said to his wife, "You stay and listen too."

Xu Li was stunned. She had always avoided any involvement with the eldest brother's family in the past, and the old man didn't say anything. But this time, the old man insisted that she stay. Seeing that there was no place to sit in the room, he stood up and said, "I'll get you a chair."

"Mom, sit here with me." Ji Duo stood up and went out. After a while, he moved a stool and sat next to Lin Qiao.

So Ye Minshu was the only one standing. Facing this entire family, she felt not only like an outsider but also like a prisoner awaiting trial.

This made her expression even stiffer. After a long while, she heard the old man say, "Don't you have something to discuss with the second son? Now that he's here, go ahead."

She could only force a smile. "It's nothing, actually. I was just happy to hear that the second son was back. I even called Ji Jun to tell him before I came. But unfortunately he's in Southern Province. No matter how happy I am, I can't come back. I can't spend the Mid-Autumn Festival with my family."

As he spoke, his eyes turned red again. "He is already fifty years old. He has been away for more than two years. He still has to go to the fields to check the harvest in person. I feel sorry for him just thinking about it."

Oh, this is because her husband is not around and her son doesn't listen to her. She has no one to rely on, so she can only bring up the old topic again and try to find a way to get her husband back.

As soon as Ye Minshu came back, the old man went to call Ji Duo. Lin Qiao had some guesses when he came, but he didn't expect that Ye Minshu would still use the same old tricks after all the trouble.

It has been more than two years since Ji Ze changed his job. Ye Minshu had given up hope. His factory has been doing well in the past two years, so it is not shameful to tell others about it. But Ji Ze is different from Ji Jun. He can give money, things, and treats to face, but if he wants to control him,

No way.

In two years, Ji Ze had never told her about what happened in the factory. Every time she mentioned it, he would just listen with a smile without saying a word, let alone support her at home.

Many times she was so angry that she broke down and cried, saying that raising a son who didn't know how to be loyal to his mother was worse than raising an ungrateful person, and why her life was so miserable.

In the previous two years, Ji Duo was not at home, and the old couple were worried about their son, so she didn't dare to mention it. Now that he is finally back, she can't hold back anymore.

Unfortunately, after I said that and shed tears, no one in the room reacted.

Ye Minshu couldn't help but look at the old man who loved Ji Jun the most in the family, "Dad, you know that Ji Jun had a cold when he was a child. If he didn't soak his feet every day, his feet would be like popsicles. For more than two years, there is no one to take care of him. How can I let go of my heart? You should bring him back."

Ji Jun was frozen when he was a child. Apart from the time when he was thrown out by Ji's uncle, when else has he been frozen?

This statement was meant to poke at Mr. Ji's soft spot, but it was also meant to poke at Xu Li's heart.

Because Ji Jun almost died that time, she kept protecting this child to the death, but she couldn't even save her own child. What did she get in the end?

Xu Li lowered her eyes and said nothing, then she felt her hand being held by a soft little hand beside her.

Turning around, Lin Qiao was looking at her comfortingly, and next to her, her son was also looking at her.

She suddenly felt less blocked in her heart, and she held Lin Qiao's hand tightly with her backhand, and patted it lightly with her other hand.

The old man saw this, and instead of feeling distressed as Ye Minshu wished, he looked at his eldest daughter-in-law with a colder look, "Then do you know why the eldest was transferred?"

Ye Minshu choked.

It was impossible for her to say that she knew nothing, otherwise she would not have been so panicked after hearing that Ji Jun was going to be transferred.

But she also knew that the old man seemed to have a hot temper and was always a bit of a peacemaker when it came to family matters. Otherwise, when she passed on the second son to Lin Qiao, the old man would not have just treated her coldly.

It’s just that he always tried to smooth things over before, but today he asked so directly, in front of Lao Er and Lin Qiao…

She was somewhat at a loss for words, so Old Master Ji answered for her, "It's because you wrote a letter of accusation, reporting that Qiaoqiao was running a private business while she was in office. It's because you instigated the boss to come back to me and ask Qiaoqiao to sell the formula to your eldest brother from your mother's family. You've done so much, have you ever apologized to Qiaoqiao?"

The old man raised his voice, "You spread rumors about the second brother and Qiao Qiao, pushed the marriage to the second brother, have you apologized to the second brother and Qiao Qiao?"

Ji Duo has been away for the past two years, and although the old man doesn't show it on the surface, he is actually worried.

Sometimes when he couldn't sleep at night, he couldn't help but think, what if something unexpected happened? He would never be able to let his little son down for the rest of his life.

The grandson's marriage was pushed to the youngest son without a single apology to him, and Qiao Qiao...

He promised Lao Lin that he would take care of her for her whole life, but she had been suffering since she came into the family, so how could he really take good care of her?

The old man looked at his eldest daughter-in-law's shocked face and sneered, "You've done so much and you haven't even apologized, and you still want me to bring the eldest daughter back?"

In front of Ji Duo and Lin Qiao, he tore the fig leaf to pieces.

This time, Ye Minshu's face not only turned red, but turned completely liver-colored.

She was most concerned about her dignity, especially in front of Lin Qiao, her current sister-in-law and future daughter-in-law. Her old man's behavior was like tearing off her face and letting others step on it.

But since Ji Jun was not around, no one would speak for her.

If Ji Jun doesn't come back, no one will speak for her not only now but also in the future.

Ye Minshu gritted her teeth, her expression distorted, and finally turned her head, "Second brother, Qiao Qiao, I'm sorry."

These words were squeezed out from between her teeth. I thought that even to save face in front of the old man, the two would say it was okay. They were all family, so there was no overnight hatred. But Lin Qiao just looked at her and said, "I heard the apology, but I don't accept it."

Lin Qiao was able to get along with her grandfather Xu Li because, although her grandfather Xu Li had kept the secret from her, he had always been very kind to her and helped her when she needed it most.

She was able to reconcile with Ji Duo because Ji Duo treated her sincerely and was willing to make changes for their relationship.

She didn't even have that much of a rift with Ji Ze. After all, Ji Ze did regret what happened, and he offered to help her whenever she needed help.

But what does Ye Minshu rely on?

Because he tried to cheat her time and time again and never treated her straight?

Lin Qiao stood up and said, "Dad, Mom, if there's nothing else, I'll go back first."

He didn't give Ye Minshu any face at all, which made Ye Minshu's face turn red and white, and she subconsciously looked at Ji Duo again.

Ji Duo didn't expect Lin Qiao to have such a cold attitude. He didn't even frown, but stood up and looked like he was going to follow.

Is this still the second son of the Ji family who is notoriously difficult to approach and won’t even look at anyone introduced to him?

After a moment of shock, even the usually good-tempered Xu Li stood up and said, "I feel it's not easy. I can't stand it anymore. I'll go back first."

Three of them were about to leave, but the old man didn't even bother to stop them. "Then you can go back."

Ye Minshu finally got anxious, "Second brother, Ji Jun is your elder brother after all. He carried you on his back a lot when you were little. How can you bear to let him suffer in Southern Province without anyone to take care of him?"

"What happened to Nan Province?" Lin Qiao suddenly turned around. "He is suffering on the front line and his life is in danger at any time. Is there anyone who can take care of him?"

These words were obviously meant to protect Ji Duo.

"When you spread gossips between him and me and pushed the marriage to him, why didn't you think about the fact that he is your brother after all?"

Another sentence, ruthlessly criticized.

Ji Duo was obviously not affected at all, but when he saw her like this, some warmth rose in his eyes.

He showed himself to be smarter and more mature than his peers since he was young, and therefore, his father was more strict with him since he was young.

Later, when Shao Ping got into trouble, he even restrained the domineering and aggressive side of his character. In the eyes of outsiders, he seemed to have become so strong that he was invincible and could not be harmed in any way.

But Qiao Qiao still stood in front of him and refuted everything her sister-in-law said.

Ji Duo grabbed the hand beside him and said, "Since sister-in-law is worried about brother, then go over and take care of him. I will make arrangements for her."

After saying this, he opened the door and left without even looking at Ye Minshu's reaction.

After a while, Ye Minshu finally remembered to go see Grandpa Ji, "Dad!" Her tone was full of grievance.

Unfortunately, Master Ji is not Ji Jun, and he would not feel sorry for her because she was repeatedly scolded by the couple. "Old Second is right. If you are worried, just go with her. Xiaoling, your mother and I will help you take care of her. Anyway, she will graduate from high school in less than a year, so there is no need for you to follow her all day."

Not only did he agree with what Ji Duo had just said, he had even thought about how Ji Ling should be arranged.

Ye Minshu's eyes went dark for a moment. On the other side, as soon as Lin Qiao walked out of the door, he saw the bright moon in the sky.

The pale white moon, although not round enough at the edges, still cast a layer of soft glow on the two-story courtyard.

"Would you like to take a walk?"

"Walk?"

The couple looked at each other almost at the same time and made the same suggestion at the same time.

This made Ji Duo unconsciously tighten his grip on her hand, and Lin Qiao sensed it and shook her hand back.

It was a rare opportunity, never before seen, to hold hands together.

But they are so natural and close to each other, as if they were supposed to be this way.

"You were the one who told your sister-in-law about Song Jing and Yu Jin's engagement, right?" Lin Qiao recalled an old story.

This man doesn't like to meddle in other people's affairs. If he hadn't said it, how could he be so sure that Ye Minshu was sick because she was angry about this incident?

Ji Duo did not deny it. "I also told her that you were admitted to Tsinghua University as a graduate student."

That was really hurtful and heartbreaking. This man looked calm and composed, but he actually held a grudge deep down.

However, even if these words were said to Ji Jun, he would be happy for them. The only one who would be really angry would be Ye Minshu.

"I won't let them come back until I retire." Ji Duo said as he passed through the moon-shaped gate connecting the front yard and the back yard.

Lin Qiao turned her head and found that the man raised his chin slightly and was looking at the bell hanging from the eaves of the courtyard.

The autumn weather is clear and calm.

, the big bell hung quietly, without making a single sound.

"Do you want to listen to it?" Ji Duo turned to her and asked.

Before Lin Qiao could react, the man had already stepped back a few steps, took a run-up, kicked off the wall, jumped, and raised his hand to accurately hit the bell.

Almost instantly, the clear sound of bells rang out in the quiet yard.

Ji Duo patted the dust off his hands, his expression was serious, and his breathing was not irregular at all, it didn't seem like he had just done such a childish thing.

He and Lin Qiao looked at the eaves together. "Isn't the duo a big bell? When I was sick as a child, my parents were both at work and couldn't come to take care of me. So my eldest brother carried me on his back and used a long pole to ring the bell for me to listen to."

Ji Jun was a dozen years older than him and had really loved him when he was a child and Ji Jun was not married yet.

But life is often like this, we drift apart as time goes by, especially after the elderly pass away. After all, everyone has their own little family and their own little life to live.

Ji Duo took Lin Qiao's hand again and said, "If you like to listen, I will play it for you in the future."

Since the eldest brother can't control the eldest sister-in-law, then don't come back. Anyway, they are far away and can do whatever they want to them.

He also has his own little family and people he cares about to protect.

"Well, I like listening to "Childhood". Will you sing it for me too?" Lin Qiao looked at him with a smile.

Ji Duo didn't say anything, but his brows furrowed when he saw this.

Lin Qiao couldn't help it, and smiled as she pressed his brow, "Wrinkle your eyebrows less in the future, or you'll get wrinkles."

Ji Duo paused after hearing this, and let her move between his brows. He also subconsciously supported her waist as she leaned towards him.

Lin Qiao sensed this and whispered, "Actually, I think even if my sister-in-law goes with me, it's unlikely that she can instigate my brother like she did before."

This made Ji Duo raise his eyebrows, and it was obvious that he didn't quite believe it.

"My eldest brother listens to my eldest sister-in-law so much, not only because he is soft-hearted, but also because my eldest sister-in-law is the only one who relies on him wholeheartedly."

For someone like Ji Duo who has been outstanding since childhood, it might be difficult for him to understand Ji Jun's feelings of inferiority and self-esteem.

As the eldest son, he is not even as good as his younger brother who is a dozen years younger than him. His father, whom he has admired since childhood, has no requirements for him. He is dispensable everywhere. Only Ye Minshu relies on him wholeheartedly. Everything she has comes from him. She is weaker than him and needs his support and protection.

He realized his greatest self-worth in Ye Minshu and satisfied his desire to protect her, which is why he stood up for her again and again.

In the past two years, Ji Jun was transferred away from Yandu, but not many people compared him with others.

Like other officials of the same level, he went to the grassroots and mingled with the common people. The self-worth that he lacked in Ye Minshu had already been found elsewhere. During his recent Chinese New Year trip home, he did not even stay until the end of the holiday and hurried back to Southern Province.

If not for this, Ye Minshu wouldn't be so anxious to have him come back.

Under the moonlight, a young couple snuggled up to each other and whispered to each other.

In the main room, Xu Li lowered the raised corner of the curtain, "I think it's completely fixed this time."

"Didn't you tell me not to take care of the young couple's affairs?" Old Master Ji snorted.

"I don't want to interfere. I just heard the bells ringing in the backyard. I'm afraid something might have happened." Xu Li lifted the quilt.

The old man didn't say anything until she lay down. Then he put on a stern face and suddenly asked, "Are you really reconciled?"

"Didn't you tell me not to look? Why are you asking?" Xu Li smiled at him.

After she finished laughing, she hurriedly said before he could get anxious, "We've made peace. When the second brother brought people here today, I saw Qiao Qiao was a little relaxed. Later, when the eldest brother's wife said that, she was still protecting the second brother."

This made Master Ji silent for a long time, "Okay, untie it from where it was tied."

The next day was Mid-Autumn Festival. Lin Qiao got up late as expected. Ji Duo came out first to wash up. His expression was still serious as usual, but he seemed inexplicably refreshed.

Xu Li looked at him with a half-smile, "Should I keep Qiao Qiao's breakfast for her, or should you take it back to the house?"

"I'll take it back later and eat it with her." Ji Duo washed his face without changing his expression.

This kid is not the same as when he asked her what to do at the exhibition.

Xu Li wanted to glare at her son, but she didn't expect that after Ji Duo washed his face and wiped it with a towel, he actually stood in front of the mirror and looked at himself carefully.

This was unlike her son, who used to just wash it hastily and leave. Any time he spent more than half a minute was a waste of his time.

Xu Li was wondering, Ji Duo was looking at her and suddenly asked her, "Do I have a 川 character tattoo?"

She was stunned, wondering if she had heard it wrongly.

Seeing that she didn't say anything, Ji Duo subconsciously frowned, but then he quickly relaxed his brows and repeated in a low voice, "Do I have a chuan character tattoo?"

This time Xu Li heard it clearly and was amused, "People who are not afraid of scars from a cut on their face are afraid of having a 川 character wrinkle?"

The sky was clearing up for the young couple, but Ye Minshu was gloomy and sad.

Ji Duo acted quickly, and soon her transfer order came down. She couldn't find an opportunity to find someone to plead for her.

Ji Ling was asked to tell her family, but she refused. "I'm already a sophomore in high school, so I can live on campus. If you're really worried, I can transfer to another school and go with you."

"What school do you want to transfer to? Are there any good schools there?" Ye Minshu was almost mad at her daughter.

Ji Ling stopped talking and lowered her head to take out her homework and start doing it.

She is sixteen this year and will soon be eighteen. Even if you don't know many things, you can still tell some clues.

The attitude of her grandparents towards her mother, her uncle and aunt, and her brother...

What's more, her mother no longer has her father by her side, and can't persuade her brother, so she keeps nagging in front of her whenever there is something. She has heard enough of it.

In the end, Ye Minshu did not take Ji Ling away. She took the train to Southern Province by herself, thinking that she could go and coax Ji Jun and let Ji Jun talk to the old man. Maybe the old man would agree to let them come back.

Ji Ling moved all her things back to the old house. When she ran into Lin Qiao, she stopped and asked, "Am I grown up now?"

The sixteen or seventeen-year-old girl already had the appearance of a young girl and had finally grown a little taller. She looked up at her and said, "Auntie, I still want to be an actor, play different characters, and appear on the screen with different images. That's not only amazing, but also very interesting."

The confusion in his eyes faded away, and they were still bright and clear. In addition to the initial desire, there was also a sense of determination.

The day after Ye Minshu left, all the stores that had cooperation with Muzi Chemical Factory put new products on the shelves - Muzi detergent and shampoo.

Many of these stores were originally small designated sales outlets for liquid soap, but after several years of operation, their size has expanded several times.

For example, Mrs. Li's store in Maoer Hutong has been renovated. Not only is it bigger and brighter, but it also has a shelf dedicated to the products of Muzi Chemical Factory. There is also a small blackboard at the door, which lists the new arrivals today. The detergent and shampoo are placed at the top in large and bold sizes.

Of course, this is not the most eye-catching thing. What makes people notice the new products at a glance is the plastic bottles proposed by Lin Qiao.

Plastic has been used more and more in the form of plastic sheets and plastic bags in the past two years, but this is the first time it has appeared on shelves in the form of plastic bottles.

If it's something new, people will look at it. If they look at it, they will ask about it. Then, after looking at the manufacturer, some people who are used to using liquid soap will choose to buy it.

Soon, dishwashing liquid replaced alkali and became the mainstay of dishwashing because of its better ability to remove grease.

Shampoo has gradually replaced liquid soap and become popular among women because of its more targeted ingredients and better cleaning and care effects.

When Lin Qiao returned to school to help Zhang Changning write his thesis and prepare a report on his achievements, the factory's delivery trucks had already left for the surrounding provinces and cities.

Guo Yan and the people from the wholesale point were waiting in the provincial capital. As soon as the goods were received, they were immediately transported to the tricycles that had been prepared in advance.

Knowing that Yan Du sold this product, she approached the factory herself without going through Lin Qiao and became the first and only wholesale agent in their city.

Because of this, many people in the city said that she was courageous and that it was no wonder that she could make money.

Several hours had passed from the provincial capital to the city, and then to the wholesale point. She was directing people to unload the goods when she looked up and saw a familiar figure.

"Swallow, I'm back." The other person grinned at her, vaguely looking like the sunshine of those days.

Guo Yan said nothing, walked in with a bucket of water, and splashed it at the other person's feet, "Who are you? Why do you call me Yanzi?"