"My uncle has been in Hong Kong for many years. He has a lot of experience. He can drive and speak Cantonese and English. While he is still able to work, he can start a business with you. When he retires in ten years, we will take care of him in his old age. It will be better than him being alone in Hong Kong."

Pei Yang didn't say anything, apparently thinking about her proposal.

The next day, Shen Mingzhu went to work at the factory. The Spring Festival holiday was about to start, and she had to distribute the workers' wages and year-end bonuses.

Pei Yang, along with his two children, accompanied Pei Ke back to his hometown in the countryside to worship his ancestors.

On the way, Pei Yang first told Pei Ke some of his ideas and plans, and invited Pei Ke to join.

"Uncle, now is the golden period of domestic economic development. The government strongly encourages individuals to start their own businesses. The policies are much more relaxed than before. It is really worth a try."

Peck was still very moved.

Fallen leaves return to their roots. He is already fifty years old. He can't really die alone in Hong Kong City in this life.

This time when he came back, he also felt the changes in the country firsthand.

Clean and spacious streets, various types of cars, towering buildings, and fashionably dressed women, everything indicates that this country is moving towards prosperity.

go home.

The temptation of these two words alone is greater than thousands of others.

Imagining the days of living with his family and being surrounded by children, Peck's chest felt like a ball of charcoal was burning and his blood was boiling.

…

The sound of firecrackers bids farewell to the old year, and the blooming fireworks welcome the new year.

It’s New Year’s Eve again.

After dinner, before it was completely dark, brother and sister Chen Xiaolu and Chen Xiaochao were clamoring to go out and set off fireworks.

Pei Wenping originally wanted Chen Yi to take the two children out while she helped clean up the dishes at home, but Chen Yi asked her to go out and play with the children while he would clean up.

Seeing that he wanted to show his filial piety, Pei Wenping did not hesitate. She put on her coat and took the two children out.

When I went downstairs, I realized I had forgotten to bring matches.

Pei Wenping asked the two children to find a place first, and she went back upstairs to get matches.

When I got to the door, I realized that I had not closed the door tightly. Just as I was about to push the door open, I heard Chen's mother's voice coming from the living room.

"…If you really can't live together anymore, just get a divorce. What's the point of forcing yourself to stay together? You still have a long time to live. Do you want to stay out there forever and never come back?"

"Your father and I are both sixty years old. How many years can we live? Think about us..."

"In the past two years, your father and I have always given in to her. We haven't let her worry about the family and the children. What else does she want?"

"Go and ask around. Which daughter-in-law is as carefree as she is? When you first got married, she was quite sensible. But now she is really unreasonable..."

The sound of a door opening was heard upstairs, and Pei Wenping turned around and hurried downstairs.

When I got downstairs, I couldn't move any more steps. It felt like there was a hole in my chest and the cold wind was blowing into it.

Pei Wenping stood there for an unknown amount of time until her daughter Chen Chaolu came over.

"Mom, did you get the matches?"

Pei Wenping came back to her senses and said casually, "I've run out of supplies at home. I'll go buy some."

"Today is New Year's Eve, where is there anyone selling matches?"

"If you don't have matches, don't light them!"

Although Pei Wenping has a hot temper, she has never yelled at her children.

Chen Xiaolu was frightened and at a loss, tears quickly welled up in her eyes.

Pei Wenping was hurt by the light reflected from her tears, and she stepped forward and hugged her daughter, who had grown to her shoulders.

"I'm sorry, Mom shouldn't lose her temper."

"Mom, what's wrong with you? Are you crying?"

Pei Wenping tried hard to hold back her tears, "It's okay, there's sand in my eyes."

"Which eye? Let me blow it for you."

"No, let's go buy some matches."

"oh."

After Chen's mother finished speaking, Chen Yi spoke up, "Mom, I won't get a divorce. Don't say these things again. I was the one who let her down in the first place. If it weren't for my stupidity, she wouldn't have had any health problems."

"You did something wrong, but it's been two years and she's fine now. Do you want to atone for your sin for the rest of your life?"

"I don't divorce her not because of atonement or guilt, but because I still love her."

Father Chen: "You love her for nothing. How can you sleep with other women if you still have her in your heart?"

Chen Yi was speechless.

He did take the wrong path, but no matter in the past, present or future, she is the only woman he wants to grow old with.

Compared to losing her as a person, her indifference and bad words were nothing to him.

…

After the Spring Festival, Chen Yi began to pack his luggage and prepare to return to Shanghai to work.

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Pei Wenping sat on the bed and watched him clean up.

In the past, she did all these things.

Whenever Chen Yi was going on a business trip, she would inquire about the weather and temperature there in advance and prepare suitable clothing for Chen Yi, from coats to the thickness of socks.

Compared to the past, she is indeed not as gentle, sensible and considerate now.

"Chen Yi."

"Um."

Chen Yi looked at her, his eyes deep and gentle under the light.

"What's wrong?"

"Let's get a divorce."

Chen Yi was silent for a few seconds, then lowered his head to continue sorting his clothes.

The air became very quiet, so quiet that it was hard to breathe.

"Didn't we agree on this?"

"Well, I regret it."

Chen Yi raised his head and looked at her.

Pei Wenping lowered her eyes, "I've thought about it. At our age, we are neither young nor old. Let's let each other go and live happily ever after."

"You should take Xiaolu and Xiaobei to Shanghai. You are right. It is better than Fengcheng in every aspect. If they study and grow up there, they will have a better future."

"If you can't take care of them, you can bring your parents with you."

Chen Yi said: "What about you?"

"After you leave, I will move back to the family compound. My brother said that if I get divorced, the house will be mine."

Chen Yi couldn't pack any more of his luggage.

He walked to the bed, sat down, and asked Pei Wenping, "Did my mother tell you something?"

Pei Wenping shook her head. "My parents are very good to me. It's me who can't live with you anymore."

"I don't agree."

"Then I will sue."

As if the suppressed emotions had found a way to vent, Pei Wenping angrily said, "Whenever I see you, I will think of your betrayal. I will never forgive you. I don't want to live with hatred anymore. I want to move forward, let myself go, and let you go."

Chen Yi's eyes were slightly moist. "Does it have to be like this? Wenping, from the time we met to the time we got married, it's been fifteen years. You've occupied almost half of my life."

"Fifteen years is nothing. You can find another woman to accompany you for the next fifteen years, or the next fifteen years."

"You can give up on me, but don't you even give up on Xiaolu and Xiaochao?"

"I don't want them, it's just that the education in Shanghai is indeed better than here. I will go to see them often."

Chen Yi turned his face away, his voice choking, "Is there no chance of redemption? Murderers have the opportunity to reform, but I don't?" (End of this chapter)