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Tell me! What will my final position be?
Xu Tangmian was startled by her grandfather's sudden change in expression and subconsciously looked at Yu Chunsheng.
Should we tell him the truth? It's obvious that his grandmother wants to persuade him to resign. If we tell him that he will become a provincial party secretary in the future, will he still be able to give it up?
With this in mind, Xu Tangmian suddenly made up her mind.
"Wu Siping was convicted of embezzlement and sentenced. You were also implicated and your reputation is ruined in your later years."
She made up a lie on the spot, hoping he would stop.
Xu Zhilian retorted, "Later years? How many years have I lived?"
"I can tell him the truth," Xu Tangmian said calmly. "You lived to the age of 76."
"Where is she?" Xu Zhilian asked anxiously, pointing at Liu Yufen.
“She…” Xu Tangmian hesitated, unable to finish her sentence.
"Tell me!" Xu Zhilian's eyes were bloodshot.
“Good child, tell him.” Liu Yufen said calmly.
"Grandma... has eleven years left."
My grandmother passed away in 1998, and my daughter was born the following year. I used to hear my grandfather grumble that she left too soon to hold her granddaughter; now, thinking back, that year seems…
Her gaze, like that of her grandparents, fell upon Yu Chunsheng.
Kong Lin died in 1968.
"Hahaha!" Xu Zhilian suddenly burst into laughter.
"I boasted of loving you, and yet I've survived for 24 years. Two cycles!"
Xu Zhilian stared at his wife with a serious expression. His murky eyes suddenly softened as if a clear spring had flowed through them.
He sighed, "Okay, I promise you."
"Once I've finished dealing with everything I'm doing, I'll quit my job. How about I take you traveling and sightseeing?"
"Are you willing to do that?" Liu Yufen was almost reluctant to say it.
"Stop talking!" Xu Zhilian said through gritted teeth, his face contorted with pain. "What else can I do? The thought that you still have eleven years makes me feel like time is passing too quickly!"
"Okay!" Liu Yufen breathed a sigh of relief and turned to look at Yu Chunsheng.
Her gaze lingered on Xu Tangmian for a moment, then she asked her kindly, "What's your name?"
"Xu Tangmian".
“Xu Tongtong,” Yu Chunsheng added for her, understanding her unspoken message.
"Xu Tongtong?" Liu Yufen frowned. "Who named her?"
Xu Tangmian pointed decisively to the man beside her.
Liu Yufen chuckled and compromised, "Alright, Tangmian sounds better, but Tongtong is also a good nickname."
Xu Tangmian nodded blankly, "If you say so, then so be it."
"Tongtong, move aside a little."
"Yes!" Xu Tangmian quickly walked away, not forgetting to give Yu Chunsheng a look—"Good luck to you!"
“Kong Lin,” Liu Yufen said calmly, looking directly at him. “There are so many things I need to apologize to you about, so many things I need to do to make up for what I owe you.”
“Zhi Lian… he just knelt down before you. I know that’s far from enough, but… can you forgive him?”
Yu Chunsheng: "..."
He then looked at Xu Tangmian in the corner, only to be met with a rebuke from Xu Zhilian: "You don't need to look at her! Forgiveness is forgiveness, and not forgiving is not forgiving. I won't force you, nor do I need you to forgive me for anyone's sake."
Yu Chunsheng sighed, "To be honest, it's hard to forgive, especially after you came to Yilin City and did so many things."
“However,” he changed the subject, “I still have to forgive you for their sake.”
"Xu Zhilian," Yu Chunsheng said calmly, "you've done too many bad things. Only by letting you die once can I vent my hatred."
"But who told you to be her grandfather? Who told you to be her husband? You heartless bastard, you're nothing without a woman."
Xu Zhilian suddenly smiled, let out a long sigh, straightened his collar, and solemnly bowed to Yu Chunsheng, "Brother Lin, I'm sorry."
"Let's skip it!" The two smiled at each other, and Yu Chunsheng patted him on the shoulder. "Now that you've reached that position, do what you're supposed to do."
“You’ve been following me around for so long, you know best what I’m thinking,” Yu Chunsheng said jokingly. “If you really want to apologize to me, then do more practical things for the people. Compared to them, we are all too insignificant.”
Xu Zhilian's expression changed, and he hurriedly looked at his wife, spitting at her again, "Pah! Stop saying such nice things, I really can't stand your hypocritical appearance."
Yu Chunsheng shook his head without saying anything, and walked towards Xu Tangmian, "Have you completed the discharge procedures?"
Xu Tangmian nodded. "It's all done."
Should we say goodbye to them?
Xu Tangmian glanced at the middle-aged couple beside her, "Won't we see each other again?"
"Do you still want to see us?" Xu Zhilian asked, hands in his pockets and eyes narrowed.
Xu Tangmian felt intimidated as soon as she saw him and shook her head.
Liu Yufen walked towards her with a smile, took her right hand and placed it against her heart, "Will I be able to see you born?"
Xu Tangmian didn't know if the original history would change after she came to this time and space. If Xu Zhilian could resign, if they could really put aside their grudges and travel around, then maybe she could really live to see her birth.
Even if we take a step back and say that she and Yu Chunsheng were the biggest upheaval in their world, what else is impossible?
So she told another little lie, nodding and smiling, "Yes, I will."
Liu Yufen nodded and said, "Hey, where did the child go?"
"Qiu Shi?" Xu Tangmian smiled and pointed outside. "There are too many germs in the hospital, so I had my friend carry her out."
"Qiushi..." Liu Yufen murmured, "Kong Qiushi?"
“Yu Qiushi, right?” Xu Zhilian stepped forward to explain to his wife, who was unaware of the truth, “He’s not called Kong Lin anymore, he’s called Yu Chunsheng.”
“Spring is born, autumn is harvested… these names sound better than the ones you came up with.” Liu Yufen laughed and slapped Xu Zhilian on the face. “Xu Tongtong… how could you come up with such a name? Look at other people’s names, Yu Qiushi.”
“It’s Xu Qiushi.” Yu Chunsheng corrected her, then waved his hand at Xu Zhilian as if eager to distance himself, “She takes after her, not you, don’t flatter yourself!”
Xu Zhilian had never imagined that the child would take his surname, but seeing his wife's surprised expression made him a little jealous.
Kong Lin, what a character! Even having a child outdoes him. Knowing full well that his surname is Xu, he dares to name his child Xu before even apologizing to him. Isn't that obviously a cover-up?
How many men in the world would be willing to have their children take their wife's surname? He just had to do it, and now look what happened, Yufen is giving him that look again.
Xu Zhilian glanced at Xu Tangmian out of the corner of his eye and couldn't help but sigh that the child really did resemble Yu Fen when she was young.
The next second, alarm bells went off in his head again!
This child looks so much like Yu Fen. Does Yu Fen think that if she hadn't used her methods to harm Kong Lin back then, she would have had a chance to be with him?
Realizing this, Xu Zhilian decisively pulled Liu Yufen outside.
Liu Yufen, unaware of his thoughts, waved her hand to stop him and complained, "What are you doing! I still want to hold the baby. My great-granddaughter! We won't live to see that day."
"Forget about granddaughters and great-granddaughters. Don't you want your son to be all alone in Beiping?" Xu Zhilian was determined to take her away from Yu Chunsheng, so his tone became a bit harsh.
Liu Yufen was completely unaware that "Zhengde is a boy, and besides, we have a nanny at home. We'll have plenty of time to spend with him in the future."
“Speaking of Zhengde,” Xu Zhilian said quietly, pulling her along as they walked out, “I’ll change his surname when we get back to Beiping. How about Liu?”
"Are you crazy? Why would you change his surname for no reason?"
"..."
The sounds of their bickering faded into the distance. Xu Tangmian sighed, exchanged a smile with Yu Chunsheng, and threw herself into his arms.
"It's finally settled. There won't be anything bothering us anymore."
"Hmm." Yu Chunsheng rubbed her head. "But will you still miss them in the future? If they really go traveling, it will be hard to get in touch with them."
"Grandma... she does think about it, but today was the first time I met her, so... we're not that close yet. Grandpa..."
Xu Tangmian was still somewhat hesitant, "I feel like he becomes brain-dead whenever it comes to anything related to you."
"You and I are practically bound together. He sees me as if he sees you, so... it's better if he doesn't see me!"
"That's really unfair to you." Yu Chunsheng said sincerely, "You've given up so much for me... I promise I'll treat you well in the future."
Xu Tangmian glared at him, "You should just stop talking back to me and stop bullying me."
"When have I ever bullied you?" Yu Chunsheng retorted. "From the time we met until now, when have you ever been the one to make me angry? When have I ever been the one to back down first?"
Xu Tangmian smiled lewdly and nodded in agreement, saying, "What you said is true. Then let's change it. From now on, you have to treat me even better and support all my work unconditionally."
"I have always supported you."
They are more dedicated to taking care of the children and try their best to avoid me interfering.
“Except for the occasional need to breastfeed, I promise not to let the baby bother you.”
“I can’t let you do it all.” Xu Tangmian hesitated again. “I’m the child’s mother after all. What if she doesn’t love me anymore?”
“What does she know at such a young age?” Yu Chunsheng lowered his head to comfort her. “Once she’s three and has memories, she’ll be very mischievous. I wouldn’t be happy if you wanted to leave her with me alone then.”
“That’s true.” The two walked out of the hospital hand in hand, and Xu Tangmian said, “I’m going to the provincial capital for a training course next week, which will last about a week. I’ll have to trouble you then.”
"Huh?" Yu Chunsheng paused. "Isn't a week too long?"
"You just said you supported my work?"
"Yes, I support you. I didn't say you couldn't go, but isn't a week too long?"
"It's alright." Xu Tangmian counted on her fingers, "The milk powder at home is enough for Qiushi for a week, one can every two days. When winter comes, be careful not to let her get cold when you change her clothes."
“She’s been enjoying listening to music lately. When she’s about to go to sleep, you can take out your accordion and play a couple of songs for her. Early childhood education is quite important.”
"besides…"
"Alright, alright," Yu Chunsheng interrupted her. "You've said so much, but it's all about the kids. What about me?"
"You?" Xu Tangmian crossed her arms, seemingly enjoying the spectacle. "You're a grown man, what more do I need to say?"
Yu Chunsheng looked around, and when no one was paying attention, he quickly leaned over and kissed her on the lips. "I've been holding back for over five months and only managed to do it a few times. I missed you so much these past few days in the hospital."
Xu Tangmian found it funny to think about how he had worked so hard all night and ended up in the hospital.
"Okay, okay," she said soothingly. "Before you go on your business trip, can I let you do as much as you want?"
"Okay." Yu Chunsheng was finally satisfied.
——
Before leaving after his inspection, Xu Zhilian made a point of attending the memorial service held in town for Luo Hui.
Luo Hui, despite his young age, risked his own safety to save others. Although his life was short, its significance is immeasurable.
The town awarded him a medal for "heroic act" and also gave his parents a pension.
Yu Chunsheng even took the initiative to provide his parents with two leisure jobs at the printing factory to solve their future financial problems.
Disheartened by this incident, Principal Ding refused to return to his post, even when Xu Zhilian and the town secretary personally visited him. Instead, he simply started farming in Meixiang Village.
At his recommendation, another principal was sent to Hongxing Elementary School. Unfortunately, he served for less than a year before being transferred to another place due to a conflict with the director of teaching.
At the same time, due to her excellent teaching methods and outstanding teaching results, Xu Tangmian was officially appointed as the deputy director of the teaching affairs office of Hongxing Primary School by the higher authorities.
On the day the cable-stayed bridge opened to traffic, Yu Chunsheng specially drove his wife and daughter to the riverbank.
Traffic was heavy on the bridge, while bulldozers started construction again below, preparing for a new round of "beautifying the river project".
Xu Qiushi pointed to the kites flying in the sky, sat on her father's shoulders, and said in a childish voice, "Daddy, fly!"
Yu Chunsheng smiled and replied, "Okay~ Daddy will take you flying~"
But when he turned around after speaking, his wife was nowhere to be found.
Yu Chunsheng searched around for a long time but couldn't find the child. In his anxiety, he put the child down from his shoulder and carried him in his arms, then ran away.
Finally, in a shady spot under the bridge pier, he caught Xu Tangmian, who was engrossed in eating cotton candy.
"Fine!" Yu Chun was furious. "Didn't you say you had a toothache yesterday? And you've been eating it behind our backs again?"
Xu Tangmian smiled sheepishly, made a face at him, and then ran off in a flash.
"Xu Tangmian! Come back!" Yu Chunsheng picked up the child and chased after him, laughing so hard he almost choked: "If you can't leave me a bite, at least leave the child a bite!"
Xu Qiushi's voice trembled from the jolting, "Mom...Mom...shame...shame..."
Xu Tangmian stopped and, holding up the kite she had just bought, called out breathlessly, "Come on, Qiushi! Mom will take you to fly a kite!"
Xu Qiushi, with his short legs, ran shakily toward his mother, tripping and falling just as he reached her.
Xu Tangmian immediately turned her head to look at the blue sky and white clouds.
Little Qiushi lay on the ground with her bottom sticking up, pouting as if about to cry. When her mother ignored her, she looked at her father behind her.
Yu Chunsheng walked towards the mother and daughter with a smile. When he saw his daughter fall, he was about to help her up, but his wife gestured for him not to move.
The next second, his daughter pouted like a little duck and turned to look at him.
Yu Chunsheng immediately felt a high alert. He turned around, zipped up his clothes, looked at the sky and the ground, but avoided looking at his daughter.
Xu Qiushi's tears were welling up, but seeing that no one was paying attention to her, she stood up, dusted herself off, and ran back to her mother.
"Dad, it's sweet!" Xu Qiushi held up a cotton candy, her face sticky from eating it, but she didn't forget to give her father a bite.
"Qiushi is such a good girl, Daddy won't take her from you." Yu Chunsheng picked up the child and, taking advantage of her inattention, turned his head and tasted Xu Tangmian's lips.
"It really is sweet," he said with a grin.
"Shameless!" Xu Tangmian glared at him, snorted, put her hands in her pockets, and went to the next place.
"Wait for us!" Yu Chunsheng said with a smile as he chased after them.
The End.
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