Chapter 84
Meng Daguo and Jiao Huilan are having a hot relationship, but Meng Eryong is having a bad time with Tao Aihong.
Tao Aihong looked at the man's back, confused. "Meng Eryong, you have made it, haven't you? I am not as good-looking as the wall? What are you doing with your back to me?"
Meng Eryong slept with his arms crossed, and the more he thought about it, the angrier he became.
He hasn't been home for so long that other wives are eager to follow their husbands out to see them, but Tao Aihong is only thinking about pig's trotters.
Meng Eryong was homesick these days. How could he not miss it? This was the first time he had traveled far away since he was a child, and he was going to an island country. He had a lot to say to his wife.
In my imagination, my daughter-in-law ran over like a little bird, coaxing her eyes and crying:
"Eryong, I miss you!"
The reality was that Tao Aihong was gnawing on the pig's trotters, taking a bite on the left and a bite on the right, without even looking up at him.
It hurts my self-esteem!
Tao Aihong pouted and muttered:
"What kind of man is like you, who gets angry all the time? Don't think you are great just because you went to an island country and ate fast food for two days!"
Tao Aihong was so angry that she turned her back to him, determined not to get used to this stinky man.
Meng Eryong became even angrier. He rolled over on the bed and rolled the quilt up on himself. Tao Aihong was left alone and shivered with cold.
"Meng Eryong, what's wrong with you! If I catch a cold, I won't let you off!"
Tao Aihong was so angry that she tried to grab the quilt. Meng Eryong was wrapped up like a caterpillar cocoon. Tao Aihong could only lift the corner of the quilt and crawl into it, pressing her cold body against Meng Eryong's warm back.
No matter how angry I am, I can't vent it at this moment.
Tao Aihong also came forward and probed down stickyly. Meng Eryong almost jumped up as if he had been electrocuted.
"What do you want to do, woman? Are you trying to be a hooligan?"
As Meng Eryong said this, he turned over and pressed the man under him. They staggered and passed a hot night.
On the other hand, Meng Daguo was in good physical condition and had been away for a long time, so he tortured Jiao Huilan several times before stopping.
The two of them were as happy as a newlywed after a short separation. When Jiao Huilan got up, she thought of Meng Daguo in bed and felt warm in her heart.
After a quick clean, she turned on the lamp that Zhen Zhen had just bought for Meng Nan.
A circle of light and shadow appeared on the desktop. Jiao Huilan took out the unfinished novel and began to read it carefully.
When she encountered a word she didn't know, Jiao Huilan would look it up in the dictionary and write it down in a notebook for later review.
She was so engrossed in watching that before she knew it, it was already past 1 a.m.
It was quiet outside. Meng Daguo had just taken a nap and the bed beside him had become cold. He thought Jiao Huilan had slipped while going to the toilet, so he put on his clothes and went out to check what happened.
Who would have thought that from a distance he would see a light on in the house outside. Meng Daguo gently pushed open the door and saw Jiao Huilan sitting at the desk, taking notes seriously.
Meng Daguo had never seen her like this before.
People of this generation don't want to study, but they just don't have the conditions.
Meng Daguo admires people who are good at studying, and also admires people who are not good at studying but work hard for it.
Meng Daguo tapped the door twice with his fingers. Jiao Huilan turned around and asked, "Why are you awake?"
"I was wondering, you haven't been back for so long, I thought something was wrong with you. What are you doing? Where did the book come from?"
"I borrowed it from Wang Ling," Jiao Huilan told Meng Daguo about the last time she read the wrong word. "I made such a big fool of myself. I feel so embarrassed. It was my mother who encouraged me to study. She said that persistence is the key. If you read a page every day for ten or eight years, you will be a different person."
Meng Daguo is also a strong-willed person. He always feels that he is not as good as Meng Hua. The last time he passed by Meng Hua's alma mater, Meng Daguo was extremely envious.
It is unrealistic to ask him to go to university, but at least he can recognize a few more words, and when chatting with people, he can quote from classics and use a few idioms, which makes people look at him with new eyes.
"I went to the island country this time and I felt that my culture was not enough. How about this, I will learn with you?"
It's not easy to persevere alone, but it's much better with two people.
Jiao Huilan smiled and said, "Then why don't you go borrow a few books tomorrow?"
"Okay, let's read different books, exchange ideas with each other after reading, and make progress together!"
The sound of the two people talking woke Meng Nan up. He poked his head out from under the quilt with a vigilant look on his face. "Why are you not sleeping in the middle of the night? Are you trying to eat the pastry without telling us?"
Jiao Huilan didn't know whether to laugh or cry, "You only know how to eat!"
Meng Nan felt that his guess made sense. Her parents often stayed up at night.
She thought about it and decided that apart from stealing food, there was nothing else worth doing secretly at home.
Jiao Huilan covered her three daughters with blankets and said, "Hold Zhen Xin tight."
Meng Nan responded, "Mom, it's really warm to sleep with the child in your arms. Zhen Xin is like a furnace. I wake up every night because of the heat."
Jiao Huilan smiled and said, "You were like this when you were little. Mom loved to hold you in her arms while sleeping."
Meng Nan nodded happily, rested his chin on Zhen Xin's soft head, and fell asleep again in a daze.
During the Chinese New Year, Wang Ling's bookstore was closed, so Meng Daguo went to her house. Wang Ling's house had a lot of old books that had not been sorted out, all of which were collected from junk dealers. Meng Daguo picked out a few pirated martial arts novels and borrowed two books on idioms and proverbs.
When he returned, his family had already packed up and were ready to return to Batou Village.
Zhen Zhen is a well-mannered person and brought back a lot of snacks and candies to share.
The Meng family is not at home all year round, so the family has to rely on the villagers to take care of them. It is not a bad thing to have a good relationship with them.
The family rode their bikes to the entrance of Batou Village and they felt that something was not right with the villagers.
"Auntie Zhang, are these our pajamas?"
"Auntie Wang, your pajamas look familiar."
"Master Qiao, is this the black pajama set that your daughter bought for you? It's warm, right? Huilan also gave you a discount of two dollars? That's what she deserves."
Zhang Cuihua and Gou Zi's mother cleaned the house for the Meng family a few days in advance. There wasn't much to clean, just wiping off the dust and taking the quilts out to see the sun.
Fortunately, the sun was shining these two days, otherwise Zhen Zhen would have nowhere to sleep when he came back.
Zhen Zhen had just sat down and had not even had time to drink a sip of water when Secretary Wang from the village came with two officials.
Don't treat bean buns as anything other than dry food, and don't treat the village chief as anything other than a cadre.
The relationships in the village are the most important. You can talk about reasons outside, but you won’t be told these things in the village. Zhen Zhen doesn’t want to cause trouble.
Meng Daguo brought stools for several officials to sit on, "I'll go get some water for the leader."
Secretary Wang saw that their business had grown, and they were still as polite to him. He felt relieved and drank a sip of water before saying:
"Daguo, don't be in a hurry. I'm here this time on behalf of the villagers to talk to your mother about something."
Meng Daguo and Zhen Zhen looked at each other, and Zhen Zhen smiled and said:
"Leader, just say what you want to say. I will never say anything else as long as I can help."
Secretary Wang slapped his thigh and said to his two followers:
"Look, having a high level of awareness makes a difference. Otherwise, people can make money."
Last month, Secretary Wang received a notice from his superiors asking him to go out for a few days to study and see how others are working to alleviate poverty and become rich.
Batou Village is relatively poor and is the most difficult village in the village. Secretary Wang has a heavy burden of poverty alleviation. After going out, he saw that the private economy was recovering, and he also started to revitalize the rural economy.
Of course, revitalizing the economy is just a formality. The main reason is to achieve the poverty alleviation targets given by superiors.
But everyone can do it by just shouting slogans. The important thing is to take action and help the villagers find a way to get rich.
After much thought, he still felt that being a self-employed person was the most profitable and much better than being a farmer. Seeing that the Meng family had become prosperous, Secretary Wang wanted to talk to Zhen Zhen to see if his method was feasible.
"The terrain of our Batou Village is suitable for growing medicinal herbs. If we can grow them successfully and sell them, I am confident that every family can become a 10,000 yuan household."
Secretary Wang is dedicated to helping the village get rid of poverty. Even if he has selfish motives, his intentions are good.
Zhen Zhen pondered and said:
"Of course we can grow medicinal herbs, but we need to send people out to learn and apply the technology. We can't just do it blindly."
"You are right, Daguo's mother. I also want to send a few smart and literate people to study for a month or two." Secretary Wang asked again, "Daguo's mother, what do you think of raising bees, chickens, and pigs?"
Zhen Zhen is not optimistic about these things. Farmers are not engaged in breeding on a large scale, so they just do small-scale business and earn hard-earned money.
"It's not impossible to raise poultry, but the risks are not small. They get sick every now and then, which is frustrating to watch."
"I think so too. If you want to raise bees and chickens, you can go ahead if you have the labor force at home. But we can't be vague about the industries that our village is developing."
Secretary Wang’s idea is right. If the village wants to make a lot of money, it has to take a long-term view.
There is no threshold to raising chickens and bees. Any village can do it. It is a business that everyone can do, but the competition is fierce, so it is very difficult to make money.
Zhen Zhen does have an idea, which she has been thinking about for a long time. She wants to make clothes, but she doesn't want to do clothes processing, because clothes processing is a downstream industry with limited profits and a waste of energy.
If Jiao Huilan could outsource the clothing processing and just design the styles, she could focus on fabrics and design.
This is the long-term solution.
"There are quite a few people in our village. Men grow medicinal herbs, and women can do clothing processing. To be honest, we have not had enough clothes to sell. If you are willing, you can set up a small processing factory in the village to make clothes for us, and we can pay you in cash."
Secretary Wang's eyes widened, obviously not expecting Zhen Zhen to be willing to give up profits and help them.
"That's great! With you guys backing us up, why should we worry about not making any money? Daguo, you are such a good person!"
Zhen Zhen waved his hand, "But I still need to discuss this with my daughter-in-law. The clothing store is managed by my Huilan and Aihong."
"That's for sure. Please discuss it and give me the exact answer."
Zhen Zhen told Tao Aihong and Jiao Huilan about this.
To Zhen Zhen's surprise, the two agreed to outsource the clothing.
Tao Aihong said while eating melon seeds:
"It's really hard to control. People can't make money from everything."
Tao Aihong has been doing business for a long time and has seen the world. It is completely different from before.
Making clothes is too tiring. I earn a lot of money, but I am often too busy to take care of meals or take good care of my children.
If we can outsource it, the whole family will be much more relaxed.
Jiao Huilan also nodded:
"Manager Qiu wants pajama sets, but we can't deliver them. If the village could do clothing processing, our shipment volume would be much larger."
It is easy to hide in the village and not easily reported.
Zhen Zhen wanted to build a processing plant in the village for safety reasons.
Policies are unclear these days, so it’s better to have less trouble than more.
But Jiao Huilan was also worried that the villagers' goods would not be able to meet the standards.
"That's easy," Zhen Zhen smiled. "Ask Song Xiaohong to stay as a manager or foreman. She'll check the quality of the clothes before they're shipped. We also have to sign a contract with the village. If the standards aren't met, no money will be paid. Let's be frank. They won't dare to cheat us for money."
After the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law had discussed it, Zhen Zhen gave Secretary Wang a reply.
"Let us be frank. If the standards are not met, we will not pay or accept the goods! Also, you have to buy the machines and train your employees yourself."
"Don't worry, Daguo, we will never ship the products if they don't meet the standards. If you are willing to share a bite of food with us, we can only be grateful and will never hold you back!"
"Okay, then once you guys get it done, we can talk about cooperation."
Secretary Wang held a meeting with the villagers, and they all agreed to secretly run a garment processing factory and borrow money from a credit union to buy machines. Song Xiaohong would be responsible for technical training. In the early stage, every family would send one woman to work in the factory, and then expand the recruitment after the technology was stabilized.
This way, every family can make money and no one will object.
"Let me be frank with you. This is something we did quietly, and everyone must keep it a secret. If anyone dares to leak it and makes everyone lose money, don't blame me for being rude."
After he said this, the people in Batou Village were not stupid. They knew the interests involved and kept their mouths shut. They didn't dare to say a word to anyone they met.
Meng Hua got married this year, and not only the villagers, but even the Meng family, including Mrs. Meng and her father, did not go to Beijing to attend the wedding.
Farmers are particular about food, so Zhen Zhen asked Meng Daguo and Meng Eryong to prepare a banquet and invite the villagers to have a drink.
In fact, Old Lady Meng and her father were not very happy either. They loved Meng Hua the most. Meng Hua's father had been dead for so many years. Seeing that their youngest grandson was getting married, they also wanted to see what the bride looked like.
But the daughter-in-law said that she was the daughter of a leader, and it was not that she didn't want to invite them, but she was afraid that they would not be used to the long journey and might get sick on the way.
"When Meng Hua comes back, ask him to treat us to a drink and bring the bride for everyone to recognize," said Meng Daguo.
The villagers originally grumbled a few words, but when they saw that what they said made sense and that Meng Hua had climbed up the social ladder again, how could they still say anything bad about the Meng family?
He was praising Meng Daguo in every way he spoke, thinking that if their child could be admitted to Beijing in the future, Meng Hua's father-in-law would be able to arrange a job for him.
But there are also people who talk too fast and after a few drinks, they can't tell the directions.
"Daguo, look at you, you are not as successful as your brother."
Meng Daguo smiled indifferently:
"My brother is doing better than me, I can only be happy!"
Zhen Zhen was not very happy. Would he die if he spoke nicely? What did he mean by not doing as well as Meng Hua? What was wrong with our great country?
Zhen Zhen raised her eyelids, and Meng Eryong caught a glimpse of his mother's action with his peripheral vision. He inexplicably felt that a war song was ignited and his mother was about to show her power.
As expected, Zhen Zhen threw down his chopsticks and said with a dagger hidden in his smile:
"Guozhu's father!"
Guozhu's father was stunned for a moment when she mentioned his name, "Daguo's mother?"
"You are wrong to say that!"
Guozhu's father was still stubborn, "Why is it wrong? Who in the village doesn't say that Daguo is not as successful as Menghua? Menghua is a graduate of Peking University, and his father-in-law is a commander. How can Daguo compare to Menghua?"
Zhen Zhen protects the short track:
"Among my three sons, Meng Hua is the one who is doing better on the surface. However, this kind of child who is doing better is like a bird. Once it has wings, it wants to fly. It flies high and far, and you can't even see it if you want to. Children who are doing averagely don't fly high or far, but they can stay at their parents' knees and fulfill their filial duties. Daguo's father passed away early. If I had trained my sons to be like Meng Hua, it would have been the end! None of my children would have stayed with me! Now it's just right. Meng Hua is building his empire outside, and Daguo and Eryong are guarding the family business. Everyone has a good life!"
After hearing this, Guozhu's father felt embarrassed.
Guozhu's father was never careful with his words, and Meng Hua was really aiming too high, so he felt a little jealous. He felt uncomfortable thinking about his good-for-nothing child who had to borrow even a few bags of corn.
Zhen Zhen's words were so powerful that no one could refute them.
Guozhu's father also realized that what he said was wrong. His wife glared at him and he slapped his lips and said with a smile:
"Look at me, I'm talking nonsense after drinking a few cups of cat urine! Daguo's mother, you are right, I watched Daguo grow up, he is tall and handsome, and he is reliable in his work! Among the young people of our village, no one can compare to Daguo! You are lucky, Daguo's mother!"
"Yes, Daguo's mother has raised three good sons, and there is still more good fortune to come!" Secretary Wang said, "Come on, don't say these hurtful words at the banquet, everything is in the wine!"
A group of people started toasting each other again, one glass after another, and everyone got drunk.
Only Meng Daguo became happier the more he drank.
Meng Daguo has always been very inferior. He is not as smart as Meng Hua, nor is he as liked by his mother as Meng Hua. He agrees with what Guozhu's father said. He is just not as successful as Meng Hua.
But his mother's words made him feel at ease.
Since when did the great country of Meng begin to feel safe?
This home was like a solid fortress, giving him strength he had never had before.
In the evening, Meng Daguo was drunk. He took a book from his bag and went to his mother's bedside to act coquettishly.
"Mom! Look, how do you read this word?"
Zhen Zhen pinched his nose in disgust, "What are you reading at this hour? Be careful not to hurt your eyes. Hurry up and take a shower and go to bed!"
Meng Daguo smiled foolishly, "Mom, Daguo can read now, are you happy?"
Zhen Zhen smiled, bent down and spread the quilt, "You are so motivated, mother must be happy."
"Mom, you're so kind!" Meng Daguo said, and pushed Zhen Zhen to sit on the bed. "Mom, sit down. I'll get some water for you to soak your feet!"
Zhen Zhen sighed. It was difficult to deal with a drunkard. She called out to Jiao Huilan, wanting her to take the man back.
Twenty minutes later, Jiao Huilan came running over in slippers, looking at Meng Daguo kneeling on the ground, and exclaimed:
"Hey, Mom, what is Daguo doing?"
"She said she would wash my feet!"
Jiao Huilan smiled, "Then just let him wash! He is your son, if you don't call him, who will call him?"
"I owe him so much that he has washed my feet ten times! My feet are all bald from all the rubbing! Take it away quickly, I am so blessed to have a family full of filial sons and virtuous grandsons!"
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