Chinese New Year
On the eve of the Lunar New Year, Meng Songying quietly left.
News also reached the Song couple; they had indeed hidden something. Lin Jiuyang, through some unknown means, got Song Baicao to reveal the location of the treasure.
It was under a ginkgo tree in the hilly forest. If you kept digging down, you could see a large wooden box.
Its style is ancient and simple, unlike a product of today; it looks like an old object from hundreds of years ago, and it has already decayed.
Opening it reveals a box of pitted and worn silk, with silver notes at the bottom that have rotted into a muddy mess. They're not even worthy of being considered antiques, and no one would recognize them when you tried to exchange them.
Most people would just leave it aside.
But Lin Jiuyang still brought it back and threw it into the fire. When the flames died down, rolls of gold threads and pieces of gold that had been hammered into pieces shimmered in the ashes.
It weighed a full two jin (approximately 1 kg).
After getting no further information, the Song couple were released back to the farm. Once they fully understood their situation, they decided to live a peaceful life.
But this is not up to them; flies, drawn by the news, are gradually surrounding them.
Wu Dong was the same. They couldn't be said to be unintelligent, as their homes were stockpiled with gold. Unfortunately, the others were equally clever. Once something coveted by everyone was exposed, it would inevitably attract predators as well.
Those who disdain the rules of human society and instead yearn for the law of the jungle—the law of the jungle where the strong prey on the weak—ultimately succumb to it.
With Wu Dong's position as director of the factory office vacant, someone naturally needed to fill the vacancy.
Unfortunately, Wang Shuitao was too inexperienced, and one of the former deputy directors, surnamed Zhao, was promoted instead.
He was also quite old, even much older than Wu Dong.
Li Yuanhong explained to Wang Shuitao that Director Zhao would only serve for a year or two before retiring, and that his health was not good, so Wang Shuitao should take on more of the factory office's affairs.
As for the remaining deputy director, he got the position purely because of his powerful connections. Later, those connections faded, and he remained in the deputy director position. He was incapable of doing any real work.
Sun Ming promised that once Director Zhao retires and Wang Shuitao has enough qualifications, he will promote Wang Shuitao to the position of director.
Although it was just empty promises, Wang Shuitao was still willing to try them out.
Finally, it was Lao Wang, Wang Xingye. He was finally able to work properly in the factory office, although he still did most of the odd jobs and errands.
But at least now, when he wants to learn some clerical work, as long as he is willing to put in the effort, such as becoming an apprentice to a young man in his early twenties at the age of forty-six, and spending a lot of money to treat him to meals for several months, someone will be willing to teach him.
Unlike before, when everyone avoided him.
They don't even want the benefits, they think it's too hot to handle.
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The sugar factory shut down on New Year's Eve.
Wang Shuitao did not return to Wangjiazhuang. The Flying Pigeon bicycle she bought had never been moved, and its extra-thick tires had never rolled over the uneven rural land.
Just like that day when Meng Songying returned, she did not accept the money and tickets she had given back.
After leaving the movie theater, Meng Songying and Wang Shuitao did not rush back to the sugar factory, but instead went to the Zhunu River.
This river, which merely passes through Shenxian County, has nurtured this land for thousands of years.
When silent, his kindness extends far and wide; when enraged, his wrath echoes throughout the land.
In the 1950s, shortly after the founding of the People's Republic of China, every household, young and old, was mobilized. They brought their own food and used their bare hands to dig irrigation ditches, build dams, and construct reservoirs.
Since then, the Zhunüjiang River has never again flooded.
The reeds along the shore grew ever more lush and abundant, and in late autumn, the reeds lost their green color, turning a golden hue that resembled the color of a bountiful harvest.
The weather is cold, and the people who used to come to swim in the summer are gone.
It seemed as if only the two of them remained in the vast world.
Hiding in the reeds, one need not concern oneself with worldly affairs or worry about external disturbances.
It's the perfect atmosphere for a kiss.
Wang Shuitao gently pressed her lips to Meng Songying's lips.
This is a small act of rebellion in response to the accusations and continuous disputes I have received in recent days.
Instantly separate.
"Let's go back."
Wang Shuitao took two steps forward, turned back and smiled at Meng Songying, and then continued forward.
Meng Songying was left standing there, stunned. After a moment, she pressed two fingers to her lips, as if the soft touch and fragrance from before still lingered there.
He quickly followed.
Back at the sugar factory, Wang Shuitao sorted out a stack of banknotes and handed them to him: "Here, take this."
Meng Songying grasped her wrist and pleaded, "Don't forget, you owe me a bicycle."
The two stared at each other for a long time.
Wang Shuitao took back the money and asked, "Do you want me to write an IOU?"
Meng Songying: "Yes!"
The joyful laughter interrupted Wang Shuitao's reverie.
Although it was a holiday on New Year's Eve, many people considered the factory their home, so the dormitory area was not deserted, and even the canteen was open as usual.
Today's meal was exceptionally plentiful.
There were large chunks of braised pork, crucian carp and tofu soup, steamed egg custard, and stir-fried shredded radish.
On the way to the cafeteria, Qian Guang rushed over and said, "Director Wang, Happy New Year!"
Wang Shuitao smiled instinctively: "Happy New Year!"
Qian Guang: "Hehe, by the way, Director Wang, there's someone who says he's your older brother, waiting for you at the factory gate. I've never seen him before, so I don't dare let him in."
Wang Shuitao then went to the factory gate.
Wang Jinbu stood there, wrapped in a military overcoat and wearing a Lei Feng hat.
As you approach, you can see that he is carrying something in his arms.
"younger sister!"
He waved to the familiar figure approaching.
Wang Shuitao frowned: "Why are you out during the New Year? Don't you need to cook at home?"
Wang Jinbu grinned foolishly: "I've brought you some food."
Wang Shuitao reluctantly accepted it: "The factory has them all. Oh, right, I deposited some money for my sister-in-law, and there's also New Year's money for the two little ones. Wait a minute, I'll go get it."
After several unsuccessful attempts to refuse, Wang Jinbu simply said, "Just keep it with you."
He has already started working at the supply and marketing cooperative and has been receiving his salary for two months. His family owns land and has no shortage of grain or vegetables, so he can save at least half of his salary.
But in reality, not a single penny was left.
He knew where the problem lay, he knew why his father had suddenly left the widow and returned home, and he knew why his sister had become estranged from the family.
His confused mind, however, was incapable of showing him a clear path to the heavenly realm he longed for, where his parents, siblings, wife, and children were all gathered together in happiness.
So they just drifted through each day in a daze.
But he didn't want to take the money, and he was too ashamed to take it.
Wang Shuitao pondered for a moment, then looked up and replied, "Okay, come find me if you need anything. How's your sister-in-law at home?"
She didn't plan to persuade them any further; there was no point in saying more. She could simply wait until the two younger ones grew up and then give them to them.
The two children have already been given formal names: the boy is named Wang Miao, who is lacking the element of water, and the girl is named Wang Xin, who is lacking the element of fire.
He secretly consulted the most famous fortune teller in the surrounding area.
It is said that with this name, the two children will have a smooth and prosperous life.
When Wang Shuitao first heard it, she was stunned for a long time. Her two tender little faces just couldn't match those two beasts in the story.
But the exact same name still appeared.
Li Yuanhong called out from afar, "Hey—Taozi, come to my house for dinner today!"
Wang Jinbu: "Who is that?"
Wang Shuitao: "Our leader."
Wang Jinbu: "Then hurry up, hurry up, don't keep the leaders waiting."
He stood on tiptoe, watching his sister's retreating figure until she was no longer visible.
Sun Ming and Li Yuanhong's child lives in the city, not in the county town, and spends the Spring Festival with his grandparents.
On the dining table were three meat dishes from the cafeteria.
Wang Jinbu brought an enamel mug containing a large, diced chicken leg, which had been stewed, and poured it into a basin that Li Yuanhong brought out.
"After we finish the meat, we can use the leftover broth to make chicken soup with rice, and add a couple of small green vegetables. They're freshly picked, they're still very tender."
Sun Ming and Li Yuanhong's glasses contained baijiu (Chinese liquor).
Wang Shuitao's glass contained orange soda.
The three of them clinked glasses.
"Happy New Year!"
Wang Shuitao's first year here has passed.
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