Chen Zhipeng is recovering well today; at least he is able to get out of bed.
The young man in front of him didn't take special care of himself; once he saw that he could get out of bed, he went about his own business.
After putting up the couplets, I started working in the kitchen.
Just then, several other male educated youths squeezed in noisily.
Upon seeing Chen Zhipeng, everyone suddenly remembered that he had been lying unconscious on the kang (a heated brick bed), and they had all forgotten about him.
Wu Dashan and Liu Junkai greeted Chen Zhipeng with smiles and then ran over to Jiang Tiecheng to help.
“Tell me what you want to do, Brother Jiang.”
"Yes, we can all do it. Let's have a good meal today. I know Brother Jiang is a good cook."
It's a pity Comrade Chen isn't here. If Chen Ruixue were here, she would definitely be eating like crazy.
"That little girl is indeed a glutton."
Chen Zhipeng sat on the kang (a heated brick bed) and listened to their conversation, his mind occasionally wandering when they talked about his daughter.
However, this small room was already packed with people.
"Sigh, it's just that Xiao Chen is lucky. Her family has a cadre background, and look, her brother has already gotten her a job in the county town."
I heard that being a broadcaster at a textile factory is a good job.
"This little Chen is an ingrate. Back when we were educated youth, Brother Jiang, you treated her so well."
He treated her like a daughter-in-law.
Liu Junkai felt a bit indignant, mainly because Xiao Chen had never come back after leaving.
Chen Ruixue never visited them.
It's inevitable that I'll still feel a little resentful.
It was mainly on behalf of Jiang Tiecheng. They all saw how good Jiang Tiecheng was to Chen Ruixue back then.
Everyone assumed from the outset that Jiang Tiecheng liked Chen Ruixue.
Chen Zhipeng's ears perked up.
"Don't talk nonsense. I treat Xiao Chen like my own sister."
What kind of wife?
A girl like Xiao Chen is clearly spoiled and pampered. Do you think marrying a girl like that will lead to a good life?
Jiang Tiecheng spoke frankly about the matter at hand; in his previous life, he had already married a spoiled and willful wife.
He worked like a slave for someone, was cheated on, and still devoted himself to raising their child.
He never wanted to give his whole heart to someone like that again in his life, no matter what. He truly treated Chen Ruixue like a younger sister.
Wu Dashan was stunned when he heard this.
"Brother Jiang, you don't like Chen Ruixue, so why are you so nice to her?"
"I really do treat her like a younger sister."
I once had a younger sister who was incredibly kind to me, but she died young.
Seeing Chen Ruixue is like seeing my younger sister.
Jiang Tiecheng thought of the woman who had given everything for him in his past life.
Between my two lifetimes, this woman was probably the only one who was truly sincere to me.
He'll never meet her again in this lifetime, but once he does, he'll silently protect her.
"Oh my, Brother Jiang, I've never seen anyone like you before."
"I didn't expect you to really treat Xiao Chen like a younger sister."
“But even as a younger sister, Xiao Chen is a bit too heartless. He didn’t even come back to see you after he left.”
"Enough with the nonsense. I ran into Xiao Chen in the county town. Chen Ruixue said she'll be back for the New Year."
Let's have a good get-together then.
"She, a girl, went to the textile factory."
It's definitely difficult to gain a foothold in an unfamiliar place when you're not familiar with the people and the place.
It's only natural that they can't come back. Why are you morally blackmailing them like this?
"I am most annoyed by your demands for favors and repayments from others."
We act according to our conscience; if we give, we don't expect anything in return. If we expect something in return, then we shouldn't give in the first place.
"I just want to feel good about myself after making my own contribution. I need some psychological comfort. If I wait for others to repay me, I will only be disappointed in the end."
"I don't test human nature, I only do what's in my own heart."
These philosophical words immediately stunned everyone present.
Chen Zhipeng nodded.
Jiang Tiecheng has a very good character.
It was truly remarkable that he could say such things. He had never seen such a insightful young man before, and even at his age, he probably couldn't be so open-minded.
It's true that the student surpasses the teacher.
A group of people busied themselves for several hours, and the meal was finally served.
They cobbled together two small kang tables.
The six people sat cross-legged on the kang (a heated brick bed). Chen Zhipeng leaned against the pillow. Although he was much more energetic at the moment, he was still recovering from a serious illness.
There were six dishes on the table, along with several large plates of steaming dumplings.
Jiang Tiecheng's Erguotou (a type of Chinese liquor) was also served.
Each male educated youth brought a bottle of Erguotou (a type of Chinese liquor), so there were six bottles of Erguotou on the table.
"Come, come, today is Lunar New Year's Eve, for our first New Year away from home."
Let's all celebrate!
From then on, we established ourselves here and supported each other.
This kind of camaraderie among former educated youth is something we'll probably never encounter again. I wish us all the best for the future, and that our paths will become increasingly smooth.
Everyone raised their glasses, and under the dim oil lamp, they talked and laughed heartily.
Or perhaps tears of homesickness flowed from their eyes.
Or they might passionately make wishes for the future.
The wine was very mellow, and the food was very fragrant.
Looking at the group of young people in front of him, and at Jiang Tiecheng, whose face was flushed from drinking.
Chen Zhipeng grew increasingly impressed with the young man before him, who remained calm and composed in any situation.
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