Chapter 452 Idle Talk
Before leaving, Wei Zhao sent all the belongings he couldn't take with him to Song Lubai's house.
The night before their departure, Song Lubai cooked a few dishes at home to send them off.
Wei Zhao held his two nieces' hands and said, "Study hard. Now that the college entrance examination has been reinstated, you two should try your best to get into a university in the capital. Once you get there, stay at my house."
Song Lubai said with a smile, "They're only in third grade now, and the college entrance exam is still a long way off. If they really have the ability to get into the capital, they'll definitely be a lot of trouble for you in the future. Just don't find it a bother."
Wei Zhao shook his head and said, "It's not early at all. In the blink of an eye, I've been here for ten years. Ten years have passed just like that!"
Song Lubai also felt that time was passing quickly. She came here in 1965, and now it is the autumn of 1977.
It's the busy farming season now, and although Zhang Heping is busy in the workshop, he still has time to read every day.
Zhang Heping wasn't particularly fond of studying, but his sister always reminded him, and Wei Yang also kept reminding him when they were at the farm, so he could only look at his high school textbooks more often.
Song Lubai and Wei Yang made a special trip to the 18th Farm to tell him the news that the college entrance examination would be resumed soon.
“I’ve been telling you to study hard for the past few years. If you don’t pass the exam, you can stay here. Don’t expect us to get you into the city.”
Song Lubai felt that this kid didn't care about anything. He was obedient and didn't cause trouble, but thinking about how Lin Dahai had prevented her from going to university, and how she had warned these two kids long ago, if they still didn't live up to her expectations, why should she help them in the future?
Of course, that was just a thought; if he really failed the exam, she would have to arrange a job for him.
Zhang Heping said nervously, "I haven't done any practice tests. Even though I've studied, I don't know my own level. If I really fail, I'll try again next year."
Song Lu rolled her eyes at him, "What a wimp! Study hard."
The couple brought Zhang Heping a lot of food on their trip to the farm, ensuring he wouldn't go hungry during this time.
Regardless, Song Lubai still hoped that the two brothers could live up to expectations.
A few days later, Zhao Hongying came to the Commerce Bureau for a meeting, and the two met at the meeting.
Last year, she ran into Zhao Hongying, who was delivering goods, at Song Hai's place. The two chatted for a long time.
After getting off work at noon, Song Lubai took Zhao Hongying home for lunch.
Zhao Hongying sat on a wooden chair, looking around the room, appearing somewhat reserved.
Song Lubai poured her some tea and said with a smile, "What's wrong? It's just been a while since we last met, and you're even afraid to talk to me. You're a team leader now, where did your former enthusiasm go? Now you're all so polite to me."
When she was in the 18th Regiment, she missed Zhao Hongying very much.
Although she has had friends she can talk to over the years, she still misses Zhao Hongying. Without Zhao Hongying's earnest flattery in her life, she always feels like something is missing.
Zhao Hongying tucked a strand of short hair behind her ear and said awkwardly, "When I entered your house, I didn't know where to put my feet. I don't know why, but I just felt uncomfortable all over and didn't dare to be comfortable."
Although the room was just like hers, with only a table and chairs, she felt that the table in the other person's room was arranged more neatly than hers, as orderly as rules and regulations posted on the wall, which made her feel uncomfortable.
Wei Yiping tilted her head and said, "Aunt Zhao, is it because our house is bigger than before? Don't feel uncomfortable. Although the house is bigger and we are getting older, you and Mom are still good friends."
Zhao Hongying felt a surge of warmth in her heart. "Oh my, you must be Yihua. I thought you were good at talking when I was little, and now you're even better at it than before. You both look like your mother, fair-skinned, refined, and delicate. You're just so likable."
Wei Yihua, who was standing nearby, said, "Aunt Zhao, you're wrong. I am Wei Yihua."
Song Lubai burst out laughing.
After her initial embarrassment, Zhao Hongying laughed.
Song Lubai took out money and tickets and asked the child to go to the cafeteria to get food.
The child had just gone out when Wei Yang returned carrying a large bag of small apples.
Upon seeing Zhao Hongying, he smiled and said, "Sister Zhao, what brings you here today?"
Zhao Hongying quickly stood up and waved her hand, "Why are you calling me Sister Zhao? I can't accept that."
Zhao Hongying felt that she had become very eloquent over the years, but at this moment she hated herself for being clumsy with words.
Wei Yang washed a plate of apples and said, "Don't let their small size fool you, these apples are quite sweet. They're early-ripening apples. I brought back a lot; take half of them back and try them later."
Zhao Hongying waved her hand in refusal, saying, "What kind of behavior is it for me to come to your house and eat and take things?"
Song Lubai said, "I've eaten at your place quite a bit before, so don't be shy. You have no idea how much I've missed talking to you these past few years."
Wei Yang also said, "She has dreamed about you several times."
The family has moved three times in the past few years. Song Lubai often dreams of the days in the 16th Regiment, and Zhao Hongying appears in her dreams quite often.
A few words moved Zhao Hongying to tears.
"Why don't you come looking for me if you miss me?"
Song Lubai honestly said, "It's too much trouble to go back and forth. After work, I still have to take care of the child. I'm just too lazy to move."
Zhao Hongying said, "Then you still don't miss me enough."
Song Lubai smiled, stood up and said, "You sit here and wait, I'll fry you another egg."
Instead of sitting inside, Zhao Hongying followed Song Lubai like a shadow, chattering on and on while eating an apple: "Do you know Feng Gang? He disappeared a few days ago, but came back at the beginning of the year. He's been pestering Sister Xiu'e every day since he came back. Sister Xiu'e couldn't take it anymore and sent him home, but they still sleep in separate rooms. If it were me, I'd fight him every day and show him what I'm capable of, then he wouldn't dare come back. Sister Xiu'e is still too soft-hearted..."
Song Lubai waved the spatula and asked, "Where's your brother Liu?"
Zhao Hongying said embarrassedly, "It's not right for a grown man like him to keep working at a kindergarten. I used my connections to get him a job at the post office. Now he's busier and earns more than before, but he comes home to cook less often..."
Song Lubai laughed and said, "You complain that someone is too idle and has no ambition, but when someone gets busy, you complain that they don't cook. You want to have all the good things. I think your Lao Liu is pretty good."
Zhao Hongying brushed her hair aside. "I was just saying a few words. You know, Zhao Dongmei passed away this March. I heard she had a tumor, which is a terminal illness."
Song Lubai had anticipated this outcome, but she never expected him to die so quickly.
"That Feng Xiaolong is a real scoundrel. He treats his eldest daughter like a donkey, even a donkey isn't as capable. You haven't seen her, have you? She's dark and skinny, practically skinny, and Feng Xiaolong beats her all the time. The Women's Federation people come to his door every day before he calms down a bit. Last year, Zhao Dongmei found a family for her eldest daughter, and after they were all sent away, Feng Xiaolong took her back. Do you know what he said?"
Song Lubai thought for a moment and said, "I've raised her all these years, if I send her away now, wouldn't that be a waste of my time?"
Girls eat less, are easier to raise, and can even do all the housework – what a worthwhile deal!
Even Song Lubai could guess what a man like Feng Xiaolong was thinking with her toes.
Zhao Hongying clapped her hands and said angrily, "Yes, that's exactly what he meant. In my opinion, it's better to send that girl away than to keep her own father. She's so pitiful..."
"What about Zhao Dongmei's eldest son?"
Zhao Hongying shook her head. "Feng Xiaolong doesn't care about him. He eats a lot and often gets scolded, but that kid is no pushover. He knows to run away when he gets beaten and he also knows to shout loudly. He doesn't suffer much. I just feel sorry for that girl. I gave her all of my eldest daughter's tattered clothes..."
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