Chapter 65 Chapter 65 Seeing an Old Friend Again

The two followed the directions of the passers-by and walked straight along the crosswalk.

“This is it.”

Standing in front of Gate No. 15, He Liang was in a dilemma for a moment.

As they walked along, they found that each building had several doors, but there was only one big door at number 15. For a moment, He Liang was actually a little hesitant as to whether he should knock on it.

Did my mother say the wrong house number... Did they hear the wrong street name...

Anyway, among all the random thoughts I had, the only thing that didn't occur to me was the idea that the entire house at No. 15 was my second uncle's house.

Knock knock knock——

Impatient Ren Zi had already reached out to knock on the door, but if he stayed outside in the cold any longer his legs would have almost lost all feeling.

"Who is it..."

Maybe it was because it was still a little early, but after knocking once there was movement in the house. He Liang was delighted when he heard the answering voice.

Isn’t this the voice of his father He Jian!

"Dad." He Jian was ecstatic. He ran up the stairs in two steps and banged on the door: "It's me, He Liang." After shouting a few times, his voice became hoarse due to excitement and lack of rest.

Crunch——

The door opened, and the father and son looked at each other. The old father's tears came out first, and he called out with blurry eyes and trembling voice: "Xiaoliang."

"dad."

"I'm glad you're back. Come in." He Jian wiped his eyes, his excitement subsided a little, and he smiled and waved: "Your mother and your second aunt are planting vegetables in the backyard. I'll go call her."

He Jian is not a person who shows his emotions openly. Shedding tears is already a subconscious reaction of the body. Even if the father and son hug each other, they still cannot express it.

"Dad, this is my girlfriend Ren Zi."

His vision was blurred by tears, and for a moment he did not notice that there was a girl standing at the door. When he looked again carefully, He Jian couldn't help but frown.

The girl was wearing a red coat and a short skirt that covered her thighs. The key point was that her face was made up just like Shi Wan's when she was playing house. She looked weird...

"Who is your partner?" He Jian asked again.

"Yeah." He Liang reached out and pulled the tactless Ren Zi: "Hurry up and call for help!"

"Hello, uncle." Ren Zi called out, her voice was clear.

"Come in and talk." He Liang nodded, feeling a little uneasy, and there was not much smile on his face.

After waiting for so long, his son finally came back, but he brought back a person like this. If his wife saw it, she would definitely feel very upset.

It's not the couple's fault for being so old-fashioned. It's just that this girl doesn't look like she came from a respectable family.

"I told you to put on pants but you wouldn't believe it." He Liang followed behind and complained to his girlfriend in a low voice.

The older generation's thinking is not as open as that of the younger generation. In Guangdong, it is common for women to wear short skirts and clothes without sleeves.

Ren Zi didn't usually like to wear short skirts. She changed into them because she couldn't stand the heat on the train. Neither of them expected An Huai to be so cold.

After all, it’s the first time I visit their parents, so I should be serious.

“…”

Shi Guizhi ran over from the backyard happily, and her expression froze instantly after hearing the introduction.

But she was not a mean person. Even if she didn't like the way a girl dressed, she would not judge a person based on first impression. She quickly welcomed the girl into the living room with a smile.

"I see Xiao Zi is shivering from the cold, let's go inside and warm up first."

But Ren Zi didn't have time to care what Shi Guizhi and the others thought. After entering the yard, she was dazzled by the big house.

From the various things placed in the yard, it is easy to infer that this small Western-style building...is home to a family!

"Mom, what does uncle do for a living?" Ren Zi was curious. He Liang asked directly, "How can an ordinary worker live in such a big house?"

"Your second uncle is the chief engineer of the design institute." He Jian picked up the ball that the children were playing with under the eaves and put it on the windowsill: "I got this house entirely by my own ability."

"I told you to study hard before, but you didn't. Now look at your second uncle... You know that studying has great prospects for your future," Shi Guizhi sighed.

If I could make a living with the knowledge I learned, I wouldn't have to go thousands of miles away to make a living like their family.

"I graduated from a technical school and I can only work as a skilled worker in a factory. There is no way I can get such a big house."

He Liang still had no idea what he was like. Even if he went to work in the factory as arranged by his second uncle, he would be at most a third-level worker based on his seniority, and it would be good enough if he could be assigned a single room.

"Didn't your second uncle also come from the factory to the city?" He Jian disagreed, "How can you know it won't work if you don't try hard?"

The father and son had different opinions as soon as they met. Shi Guizhi was afraid that they would quarrel again, so she quickly stepped in the middle and acted as a peacemaker.

"Let's not talk about the past. Let's go to the backyard and say hello to your second aunt first."

This is the backyard.

Wang Nian threw the potato seedlings in the seedling shed into the dug holes one by one, covered them with a thin layer of soil, and finally took out a bag of fertilizer from the space and scattered it on the edge of the embankment.

When He Liang and others came in, she had already finished watering the floor with purified water for the first time, and then watered it the second time with well water that had been exposed to the sun for half a day.

"Xiaoliang, that's your aunt!" Shi Guizhi pointed at Wang Nian's back and said with a smile.

He Liang had never met his "new aunt", but he had heard that his second uncle had remarried a country girl. The image that came to his mind was of a simple girl wearing a big cotton jacket and with rosy cheeks.

Can……

"Second sister, this is Xiaoliang!"

Wang Nian is very young, about the same age as me, and his smiling eyes are clearly black and white, with an indescribable brightness.

He thought he was not well educated, so he couldn't find a suitable adjective to describe this feeling at the time.

Later I realized that it was like having eyes filled with sparkling stars.

"Second aunt." He Liang became a little shy, which was rare for him.

"Your mother has been nagging about you for so many times, but you are finally back."

"Hehe." He Liang smiled foolishly and scratched the back of his head. It took him a long while to remember the person beside him who had been silent the whole time: "Second aunt, this is my partner, Ren Zi."

Wang Nian: “…”

Although the girl was wearing heavy makeup and her long wavy hair covered half of her face, Wang Nian still recognized her at a glance just by looking at her jawline as she turned her head slightly away from his sight.

Ren Zi clenched his fists and even lifted his legs for several moments, but he still didn't have the courage to turn around and leave. He just stood there stiffly, not daring to turn around.

Shi Guizhi and others looked at Wang Nian strangely.

Then Wang Nian softly uttered a name: "Zhou Shanxiu!"

This person was from the same brigade and later married Zhou Shanxiu who worked in the same factory.

Wang Nian's family was busy returning to the city and didn't pay much attention to it. They only knew that she had divorced Yang Fu two years ago and heard that she followed people from the same village to work in the city.

Everyone speculated that the reason for the divorce was that Zhou Shanxiu could not compete with Yang Fu's eldest daughter, Yang Xue, who strictly controlled the family's money and property. Zhou Shanxiu immediately changed his attitude when he could not get any benefits.

I didn't expect that after so many twists and turns, it has changed its name and appears before me again.

"Wang Nian, do you know her?" Shi Guizhi asked hurriedly.

"Second sister, Zhou Shanxiu and I are from the same team. After getting married, she lived upstairs from me. Do you think I know her well?" Wang Nian smiled.

"Married!" Shi Guizhi was shocked and immediately turned to look at He Liang. He also looked confused, so she couldn't help but ask again, "Is she married?"

Wang Nian said "hmm", then turned to He Liang and asked, "Did you know that she was married?"

He Liang shook his head at first, then nodded.

Ren Zi, oh no... now her name should be Zhou Shanxiu. She mentioned that she had a relationship before, but He Liang thought it meant they had been in a relationship, and had no idea it meant getting married and divorced.

"Do you know or not?" Shi Guizhi was anxious.

He Liang looked at Zhou Shanxiu steadily, not knowing what he was thinking. The next second, he reached out and pulled the man behind him, posing as a deputy maintainer.

"Mom, I know she's divorced, and I don't care."

"You are such a good man... why do you want to date a divorcee!" Shi Guizhi was furious, pointing her finger at Zhou Shanxiu with trembling hands, "You are still like this."

"Mom, listen to me."

"I don't want to listen." Shi Guizhi swiftly shook off the hand that He Liang extended to her. She took a deep breath and suddenly her vision went dark and her body swayed.

He Jian hurriedly supported his wife with concern.

"Don't worry, listen to what Xiaoliang has to say." He Jian said to his wife, and winked at He Liang: "Tell your mother the details."

If it were in the past, he would definitely not be able to accept his son marrying a divorced woman.

But it is thanks to Wang Nian that I have completely changed my mindset. Divorced people are not necessarily bad people, and remarriage does not necessarily mean a bad life.

As long as this girl is a good girl, she can live a good life like Shi Xiangming and Wang Nian in the future.

"Mom, Ren Zi and I met when we were working in a clothing factory... She has helped me a lot in both life and work... I can't live without her."

The two first met in a clothing factory. Zhou Shanxiu was a sewing worker and he was the team leader who managed the sewing workers.

I started to notice Zhou Shanxiu because she was a quiet girl. I only knew that she worked every day and did the most work for the same salary.

After a few interactions, He Liang fell in love with Zhou Shanxiu and began to pursue her enthusiastically.

Afterwards, Zhou Shanxiu followed He Liang out of the factory. The two bought two sewing machines and took small orders. One worked day and night at home, while the other was outside negotiating business.

Seeing that the business was getting better and better, they expanded from a two-person workshop to a small factory with four or five workers.

It can be said that the development of the garment factory to its current scale was achieved through the joint efforts of the two of them.

Even though he just found out today that Zhou Shanxiu was divorced, He Liang instantly forgave his girlfriend and stood firmly in front.

The two of them have been through thick and thin together for more than three years, and he is confident that he absolutely understands Zhou Shanxiu.

He Liang spoke passionately, and Shi Guizhi and He Jian's attitudes seemed to waver, but Wang Nian still looked at him doubtfully...

Zhou Shanxiu noticed the scrutiny, turned around and met Wang Nian's eyes, and then his heart skipped a beat.

Wang Nian's eyes were heavy, and there seemed to be a sneer on the corner of his mouth.

"Second sister." Wang Nian suddenly interrupted He Liang's story, smiled and pointed to the kitchen and said to Shi Guizhi: "I think Shanxiu seems to be very cold, I will get her a new pair of pants to change, you and your brother-in-law go buy some good food, we will have a reunion dinner in advance tonight."

Shi Guizhi was awakened from her complicated emotions, and was shocked that she had been in for such a long time but still hadn't poured a glass of water for the girl.

"Lao He, let's go buy some groceries."

After all, they are all kind people. Even if they feel a little dissatisfied at first, in the end they cannot overcome their sympathy for the children who have a difficult life outside.

The two left in a hurry, and Wang Nian led He Liang and Zhou Shanxiu into the living room.

"Second aunt."

He Liang's eyes were very quick and he soon noticed that Wang Nian was not very happy. He felt very uneasy and couldn't calm down.

"Sit down."

Wang Nian asked the two to sit down and found a blanket to hand to Zhou Shanxiu. No matter what, they couldn't let anyone freeze.

"He Liang, do you know the specific situation of Zhou Shanxiu?"

Facing Wang Nian, He Liang no longer had the confidence he had just when facing his parents.

Even though this was our first meeting, I knew that no matter what, if I said those two words, in the end, silence would be the only answer.

"Zhou Shanxiu, since you haven't told He Liang about your past marriage, you won't tell him about your relationship with Xie Hua in the brigade either."

"You!" Zhou Shanxiu was so shocked that the blanket that had just covered his legs fell to the ground when he suddenly stood up.

Then, just like Shi Guizhi just now, his vision went dark in an instant and he fell back onto the sofa.

"I know more than you think." Wang Nian said coldly, with some anger between his eyebrows: "After all, I have to pass by the brigade's firewood pile frequently when I cook."

"Stop talking!" Zhou Shanxiu yelled. He seemed to be devastated. He covered his head and glared at Wang Nian fiercely: "Why do you keep dwelling on the past? Why can't you just let me go? Why?"

"Why?" Wang Nian thought it was ridiculous and his tone became even sharper: "You think you can pretend you didn't do it by not mentioning it. You didn't get divorced because of Yang Fu...but because you hooked up with Xie Hua again."

Xie Hua successfully got the job position of Huang Xiaohui's father. After three years of work, he was successfully converted to a regular employee. He also became friends with Tan Huisong, the son of the deputy director of the Political Department.

How could such an ungrateful person continue to coax and deceive Huang Xiaohui after he has enjoyed great success? He will definitely be unable to hide his true colors.

How could Xie Hua not think of his old lover after gaining power? Wang Nian didn't need to think about what would happen next.

She didn't care before because it had nothing to do with Wang Nian, but now that Zhou Yuxiu was dancing in front of her, how could she just sit there and watch?

"I don't want to have anything to do with him anymore!" Zhou Shanxiu screamed with all his strength, tears streaming down his face, his face full of pain: "He is threatening me, he is threatening me!"

"I'd like to hear the details." Wang Nian sneered.

He Liang's face turned pale instantly. He must have suffered a severe blow. He did not immediately support Zhou Shanxiu who was about to fall.

Wang Nian's aggressiveness was really helpless. The words Zhou Shanxiu said when he was lying in Xie Hua's arms were still vivid in his mind.

It is impossible for a person to change from being frivolous and cunning to being down-to-earth. Unless he encounters a major turning point, it is impossible for him to change his nature easily.

Aren’t the losers in those novels reborn because of their tragic death in their previous life?

And now... Wang Nian is just waiting for the opportunity that will make Zhou Shanxiu change.

"I originally...wuwu...really wanted to live a good life with Yang Fu, I wanted to live a good life..." Zhou Shanxiu spoke intermittently about those years that Wang Nian and even the entire 431 Factory had no way of knowing about.

Outsiders said that Zhou Shanxiu's father was the village chief, and he doted on his daughter so much that he spoiled her like an adult. Only I knew that my parents just wanted to have a good reputation for loving their daughter.

Why do you need a good reputation? So that your younger brother can get a wife, and so that you can sell your daughter for a good price.

My mother had always taught me that when I grew up I should marry a city dweller or the son of a brigade cadre. It was my mother who personally helped me get to know Xie Hua.

Xie Hua promised to take her with him when he returned to the city, which persuaded Zhou Shanxiu to get together with him.

That blind date with Shi Xiangming failed and she was also told that she was pregnant. It was the first time that Zhou Shanxiu felt ashamed.

When her parents found out about this, they beat her and immediately sent her to her elder sister's house to have an abortion. Then they quickly arranged a blind date for her without her knowledge.

When Zhou Shanxiu went on a blind date with Yang Fu, it was five days after her miscarriage, and her parents were eager to sell her off as soon as possible.

The person who spent 350 yuan as a betrothal gift to buy her was Yang Fu.

Although Yang Fu is old and a little serious, he is really kind to Zhou Shanxiu and knows how to care for others.

As time went by, Zhou Shanxiu felt that there was hope, and she began to plan to have a child and live a good life with Yang Fu.

But Xie Hua showed up again at that time.

Xie Hua uses the fact that they used to be in love to force Zhou Shanxiu to continue to hang out with him. If Zhou Shanxiu refuses, Xie Hua will seduce Yang Fu's eldest daughter Yang Xue.

The girl also lacked care from her parents, and Xie Hua's few words made her feel good about him.

So the two of them got together again.

However, Zhou Shanxiu did not expect that his affair would be exposed so quickly. Huang Xiaohui soon discovered their affair.

Huang Xiaohui did not say anything, but quietly waited for the opportunity.

Just when the factory was busy holding the year-end commendation meeting, Huang Xiaohui brought Yang Fu and Factory Director Luo to catch the couple in adultery.

Yang Fu did not make a big deal out of the matter for the sake of their relationship, but the two quickly got a divorce, and Zhou Shanxiu went to Guangdong to work.

The blows came one after another, and He Liang was in so much pain that he could hardly breathe.

First she got married for the second time, then she had an affair, and finally she was reported to have had a miscarriage.

Just one blow is enough to make any man resolutely choose to break up, but what hurts He Liang is not the past, but Zhou Shanxiu's deception.

Shi Xiangming once said that He Liang's personality is such that once he sets his mind on something, nothing can change his mind, and he is also very stubborn when it comes to emotional issues.

Wang Nian kept observing his expression, and finally could only pinch his brows helplessly.

Shocked, sad, distressed...but there is not a trace of disgust.

He Liang felt sorry for Zhou Shanxiu, and no matter how shocking what Wang Nian said was, his emotions did not waver at all.

"The matter has been brought to light. It's up to you to decide what to do." Wang Nian sighed inwardly and stood up. "If you choose to hide your second sister and brother-in-law, then I will pretend that I never said a word just now."

It is not clear whether it is the south wall, but if Wang Nian insists on bringing the matter to the second sister and her husband, he will only be the "sinner" in He Liang's heart.

"Thank you, your second aunt." He Liang wiped away his tears and carefully embraced the emotionally broken Zhou Shanxiu: "I have decided to go on with her. I believe in Ren Zi who saw it with her own eyes."

"Just remember what you said today." Wang Nian walked out, leaving the living room to the two of them.

After a while, another voice came from the kitchen: "Put the pants on the sewing machine. Change your pants after you finish talking!"

In the kitchen, Wang Nian scratched his head, wondering whether what he did today was right or not.

"Let's just ask the child's father." Subconsciously, Shi Xiangming has become the most reliable person in Wang Nian's heart.

The sunlight was dimming, the sunset glowed on the horizon, and a slight smell of earth was carried by the breeze.

"It will definitely rain heavily tomorrow. Will the potato seedlings we just planted be okay?"

The kitchen is large and the wind blows in through the gaps in the door and window frames. If there is no fire, it will be so cold that people will shiver.

Shi Guizhi took out a ball of red wool from the house and sat in front of the beehive coal stove knitting a sweater.

The bright red color was neither suitable for Shi Guizhi nor could it be knitted for He Liang, so Wang Nian immediately concluded that the sweater must have been knitted for her future daughter-in-law Zhou Shanxiu.

After He Liang and Zhou Shanxiu came out of the house, the tears on their faces were still wet, but their smiles were as clean as if they had been washed with water.

He Liang was very grateful to Wang Nian for telling him the truth about Zhou Shanxiu's past. After this incident, the two of them became even closer.

What else could Wang Nian say... If He Liang was willing, how could she, an aunt, jump up and shout in opposition?

"The New Year is coming soon, so please don't let it rain on New Year's Eve." Wang Nian smiled and continued with Shi Guizhi's topic: "As long as there are not several heavy rainstorms, it will be fine."

"We have to buy New Year's goods early. If it rains, it will be inconvenient to go out."

"Zhou Yuyuying said that she would prepare the dishes on New Year's Eve and our family would prepare the seasonings, and the two families would have the New Year's Eve dinner together."

"She's not going home!"

"Second time of the New Year."

It's funny to mention the reason why she didn't go back to her husband's house for the reunion dinner. It was because Zhou Yuying couldn't eat the food cooked by her mother-in-law. She would feel sick every time she ate it and would definitely have diarrhea when she got home.

After a few times, Meng Chengxin was so worried that he was afraid that he would get diarrhea and something bad would happen. He couldn't let his wife be unhappy during the New Year.

"We'll have a great time together, but you'll have to cook."

As long as Wang Nian is at home, everyone in the family, young or old, male or female, will eat the food she cooks, and everyone else has to stand aside.

"He Liang just said he would take you to see a house tomorrow?"

Perhaps worried that it would be awkward for Zhou Shanxiu and Wang Nian to live under the same roof, He Liang moved up the house-buying schedule to before the New Year, as if he was going to move in right after the New Year.

Wang Nian didn't stop him...after all, it was really embarrassing.

"That's right, that kid just can't save money." After finishing a row of knitting and pulling out the knitting needles, Shi Guizhi continued with a smile: "Shanxiu also said that it's not a big deal to stay with you guys for a long time, and we can save money later."

Those words touched Shi Guizhi's heart. She immediately thought Zhou Shanxiu was a good kid and immediately started planning to knit a sweater for him to wear during the New Year.

"It's a good thing that children are filial," said Wang Nian.

Regardless of whether it is sincere or not, as long as the benefits are realized, Wang Nian thinks it is a good thing.

"As for me! I just hope they can get married soon so that Lao He and I can have grandchildren soon..."

Wang Nian and Shi Xiangming confirmed their relationship right after the blind date, and after that they started planning for marriage. However, the speed at which they got married was actually quite slow at the time.

He Liang and Zhou Shanxiu have been in a relationship for three years, so it's not too soon to get married.

"Aunt, let me help you cook."

As they were talking, Zhou Shanxiu suddenly came to the kitchen door and took the initiative to talk to Wang Nian. The face that had been washed clean due to crying finally revealed its original appearance.

Wang Nian smiled and nodded.

"Help me stir the pot! And warm yourself by the beehive stove."

Although that red face looks innocent, it looks like...it's about to catch a cold.

Every time Shi Wan caught a cold, her cheeks would turn red, and then she would have a high fever.

"A-choo——"

As soon as he stepped into the house, Zhou Shanxiu covered his mouth and nose and sneezed twice loudly.

It doesn't look like... but I already have a cold.