Chapter 96

Tan Zheng was amused by Tan Wenyin, "I have never seen a girl go to her mother-in-law's house to celebrate the New Year and bring her father along."

"What are you afraid of? My mother-in-law has invited you several times over the phone. She is not the kind of unreasonable person."

Tan Zheng refused outright. It was New Year's Day, and other families were celebrating the New Year together. Why would an outsider like him go and join in the fun? Even if it was his deceased brother's family.

Tan Zheng's rejection was too thorough, which made Tan Wenyin feel a little disappointed. Maybe when people are happy, they hope that the people around them are as happy as they are.

Tan Wenyin felt that her mother-in-law was a widow and Tan Zheng was a widower, and the two were a good match in terms of appearance and ability. If she wanted someone like her mother-in-law to be her stepmother, she would be more than happy to do so.

Of course, Tan Wenyin also had some selfish motives, as her father was considered quite young in the system.

There are many people out there who want to introduce him to someone, but if he really finds someone else and has a child, he will no longer be close to me.

Tan Wenyin didn't want this to happen. In her heart, she and her father were the closest family members, and she would never allow anyone else to share her father's love.

After returning home, Tan Wenyin looked at the house deed in the drawer and realized belatedly that Meng Hua had a big business.

Tan Wenyin was a little worried. It is said that men become bad when they have money. Meng Hua is a real boss now. He can buy houses worth hundreds of thousands of yuan at will, and he buys several at a time. Will he still be willing to let his child take the Tan family name?

Meng Hua was putting on his trouser belt. It was loose, so he asked someone to punch holes in it again. The belt had just been delivered, so he decided to give it a try.

After hearing Tan Wenyin's question, Meng Hua was stunned for a moment, "Why would you be unwilling to do this?"

"Does mom agree? Mom loves you so much, does she want the child to have your last name Meng?"

Tan Wenyin was worried that her mother-in-law would go back on her word. Although the conditions of the Meng family were not as good as those of the Tan family, they were also one of the best in the county. Meng Hua was handsome and well-educated, and his business was now prosperous. Tan Wenyin felt that this matter would not be so easy.

Tan Wenyin's concern is totally unnecessary. In fact, Meng Hua is a rebellious person at heart.

He follows tradition, but also dares to break it. According to the rules of our ancestors, a child takes the father's surname, but if he takes the mother's, then the child is no longer his?

They are all his offspring, Meng Hua feels that it makes no difference what their surnames are.

If the child takes Tan Wenyin's surname, Tan Zheng will be relieved and can train the child as his future heir. It will only benefit the child and not harm him.

Meng Hua is not stupid. He will not lose the big picture for the small.

Tan Wenyin found it strange that he really didn't care, "Other people really care."

"They are their own family, and ours is ours. My mother doesn't care, and I don't care either. My father does care, but he's dead, so the objection is futile. What can I do? The child is yours, so you can give him whatever surname you want."

Meng Laidi's marriage was arranged, but the Shen family said they were afraid of the cold winter and wanted to get the marriage certificate as soon as possible.

Zhang Qiaohong was so excited that she went back and told the villagers about Meng Laidi's marriage. The date for the wedding banquet was also set, which would be held in half a month.

Half a month later, Shen Yuanliang came to Batou Village to pick someone up. It seemed that he gave Meng Dazhu's family enough face, but anyone with a discerning eye could see that he disdained the shabbyness of Meng Dazhu's house and was unwilling to even enter the door. After finally getting in, he refused to drink a sip of water, with disdain written all over his face.

Mrs. Meng and Mr. Meng were both sighing, saying that Meng Laidi couldn't control this man.

But how could Zhang Qiaohong listen to her advice? She told everyone how powerful her son-in-law's family was and how Meng Laidi was more promising than Meng Zhaodi.

Meng Laidi hosted a banquet, but Zhen Zhen did not show up, which made his attitude clear.

Later, whenever Zhang Qiaohong complained, Zhen Zhen would retort with reason.

After winter came, Zhen Zhen started his annual stockpiling of goods for the winter.

She first asked Meng Daguo to take the best pork home, and asked Jiao Huilan and Tao Aihong to stuff sausages. She also bought more than ten trucks of cabbage and piled them in the warehouse. She also bought a lot of soy products, dried goods, and sauerkraut.

There are many employees at Haopo Po, and the consumption of vegetables and meat is high. Zhen Zhen not only has to prepare for the winter at home, but also has to prepare food for the employees.

She was piling up cabbages when Old Lady Meng and her father came over carrying loads of cabbages.

The old couple had no means to support them, so every time they came they would bring some vegetables grown in the fields, eggs laid by their own chickens, etc.

Zhen Zhen came out with a smile, "You're here, why do you bring so many things?"

Carrying two baskets full of things from Batou Village is not an easy task, especially for the two old people at this age.

Old Mrs. Meng had lost a tooth, and her smile was a little leaky. "They are all grown at home. I sent them to you to taste."

Old Mrs. Meng took out potatoes, eggplants, peppers, and a basket of eggs and brought them to Zhen Zhen's kitchen. She hadn't been to the county town for a long time. She heard that Zhen Zhen had built a two-story building, but she had never bothered to come and see it.

"Wow, this second floor is pretty high, and there's a staircase leading to the third floor?"

Zhen Zhen smiled and said, "Leave it to dry something."

"This house is really well built. It looks more spacious than the houses in our village."

Zhen Zhen used a lot of glass windows to increase the lighting area, but glass windows waste money and do not keep warm. Xin Yao County is located in the north, and the windows of other people's houses are as small as possible, but she did the opposite, and her house looks imposing.

Zhen Zhen cut two apples and brought some snacks.

The old couple are not young, but they love snacks. However, their teeth are not very good, so they can only eat apples with dough.

Zhen Zhen brought them things that were easy to chew. Old Mrs. Meng ate them happily, as if she was back in her childhood and was being cared for by her parents.

Zhen Zhen then suggested that they move in. She had had this idea for a long time. The winds in the countryside were strong and the winter was not easy to endure.

Old Mrs. Meng and her father lived alone in a room. They were reluctant to light a charcoal fire in the winter and did not wear warm clothes, so it was difficult for them to survive the winter.

Several elderly people die in Batou Village every winter. Zhen Zhen is thinking of having the two of them move to the county seat. Now that there are many houses at home, it is not impossible to accommodate them.

"There is an empty room downstairs. The beds and quilts are ready. You don't have to cook or do laundry when you two come over. Just take care of yourself." Zhen Zhen said.

Old Mrs. Meng and her father also want to come to the county town to enjoy themselves. Who doesn't know that life in the county town is better?

But Zhen Zhen didn't mention it, so they couldn't just come over with such a thick face.

Now that Zhen Zhen brought it up, Old Lady Meng couldn't stop laughing. "We are so old, coming to the county town would only cause you trouble. Besides, we still have to farm the land in our hometown."

Meng Daguo heard this and said, "What can you grow on your two acres of land? You live in the city, you don't have to worry about food and clothing, you don't need to spend money at all. If you really want to farm, just go back every few days."

Old Lady Meng laughed:

"I'm so sorry to bother you so much."

Mrs. Meng: "That's right. You guys are busy, and we're just adding to the chaos."

Zhen Zhen smiled and said, "Why are you adding to the chaos? An old person in the family is like a treasure. When you come, the children will be there to keep you company. When there's no one at home, I can feel more at ease."

Mrs. Meng said:

"If I were here, I would definitely help you look after the children and stop these naughty monkeys from bothering you."

"That's fine. It's cold in the winter, and you'll be more comfortable if you move in."

Old Mrs. Meng and her father went home to discuss the matter with their eldest son and his wife, and the two did not object. After all, the second wife's life was getting better and better, and the food, clothing and daily necessities were much better than those in the countryside.

Good Mother's Food Store is also close to the county hospital, so if the elderly couple has a cold or flu, they can get treatment early.

Zhenzhen has prepared everything. You don't need to bring anything, including bedding and sheets. Just bring your clothes.

When Mrs. Meng went out, many neighbors came over and asked, "Where are you going, Aunt Meng?"

Old Mrs. Meng raised her chin high and said, "My youngest son asked me to come and live with him."

"Oh! Guizhi has become rich and will take you to the county town to live a good life. This daughter-in-law has nothing to say!"

"Yes, they built a new house, so I went to live there for a few days and take care of their children."

Although the villagers didn't say it outwardly, they were very jealous in their hearts.

Everyone knows how successful the second branch of the Meng family is. They built a two-story house, bought a refrigerator and a large color TV, and even opened a factory. Such a good life would make them wake up smiling in their dreams!

Under the gaze of the villagers, Old Lady Meng and her father went to the county town in a grand manner. When they arrived, they saw Zhen Zhen bringing them new washbasins, foot basins, toothbrushes and toothpaste.

"You don't need to brush your teeth every day. It's not good for your teeth," said Mrs. Meng.

The main reason is that toothpaste is expensive. Who in the country wants to brush their teeth every day?

Zhen Zhen laughed and said, "That won't work."

"Why not?"

"If you live in my house, you have to listen to me. Brush your teeth, wash your feet and face every day, and dress yourself up nicely to show off to me."

This daughter-in-law is even controlling her mother-in-law!

Old Lady Meng laughed angrily, "I am already an old lady with missing teeth, how can I be your face?"

She said she was unwilling but was afraid of offending others. Old Mrs. Meng didn't like brushing her teeth before, but now she brushes twice a day. Old Mrs. Meng's father didn't like washing his feet before, but now he puts his feet into the foot basin obediently.

There are also rules such as washing hands after meals, keeping foot and face basins separate, not spitting anywhere, and not mixing adult clothes and children's underwear.

Old Man Meng's father has been lazy all his life, and now he is controlled by his daughter-in-law. He wants to kick back all the time, but when he thinks of the new down jacket and new cotton shoes his daughter-in-law bought for him, he feels how comfortable they are. He also feels that it is indeed more comfortable to wear new clothes and shoes after washing them cleanly than to wear them in a dirty way.

Old Mrs. Meng washed her feet every night feeling aggrieved.

Not only were Mrs. Meng's habits rectified, but her appearance also changed greatly.

Zhen Zhen took her to the barber shop to have her hair cut short, had it permed black, and also spent more than twenty yuan to have her teeth fixed.

It's no wonder that after being dressed up by Zhen Zhen, Mrs. Meng looked like an old city lady in her early sixties.

When Old Mrs. Meng saw her, he was stunned. He thought that some young girl had run away from home. Then he took a closer look and was surprised to find that his old wife had become young again!

No matter how you look at it, they are of different generations!

After Mrs. Meng had her teeth fixed, she talked more than before. She even went to chat with Old Man Qiao next door. I don’t know what Old Man Qiao said, but Mrs. Meng was laughing so happily.

She is obviously much older than others, but she still covers her mouth to act younger, almost making Mrs. Meng's cheeks sore.

The old couple lived in the county town with good food, warm quilts to sleep on, charcoal burning in the house, and children around them. How comfortable they were!

Zhen Zhen also asked Zhao Meilan to help buy a color TV to put in the couple's room.

When Meng Li heard the news and saw the imported color TV, she became extremely envious.

"Grandma, you are really good at choosing a daughter-in-law. My aunt is too good to you. She bought you a TV worth thousands of dollars, a radio, a washing machine, a refrigerator, etc. I don't even have such a good life."

Old Mrs. Meng smiled proudly, "Then you have to learn from her and choose a good daughter-in-law for your baby in the future!"

"My aunt is so beautiful, capable, and kind. I'm afraid there is not one in China who can match her. My little treasure is not destined to be like her!"

Meng Li pinched a sweet potato chip and put it in her mouth. Good Mother-in-law’s snacks are always more delicious than those made outside. Meng Li is simply a die-hard fan of Good Mother-in-law.

"By the way, where's my aunt?"

"Your aunt has gone to the factory."

"Grandma, what are you doing?"

Old Mrs. Meng smiled, took out the brewed medicinal wine and shook it to see if it was brewed well.

"This is an ancestral house in my hometown. It is particularly effective for bruises and frostbite. Your aunt has frostbite and she used the cherry wine your aunt Cuihua sent to rub it, but it didn't work. I want her to try this."

Meng Li felt her eyes getting hot for some reason. Her aunt was filial to the old man, but the old man was also thinking about her aunt. It was a two-way relationship between the two.

“Will this work?”

"Just give it a try whether it works or not. Once you get frostbite, you'll be itching for decades to come."

Meng Li realized that a home also needs to be managed. If others are nice to you, you have to respond in order to get more good things.

Meng Li smiled and took out a stack of tickets. "These are tickets for a bathhouse issued by my company. The bathhouse attendants there are very good. When you have time, ask my aunt to take you there for a bath."

"Your aunt said that I should take a bath once a week. I was very obedient and never missed a week. My skin has become so tender after taking a bath." Old Mrs. Meng laughed at herself.

Meng Li felt relieved to see that her grandmother was living well.

When Zhen Zhen came back pushing her bike, Meng Li walked up to her and took her handbag. "Auntie, I have something to discuss with you."

"What is it?"

"Somehow a message came out from Jiang Dongping's unit saying that state-owned enterprises were going to be reformed and some workers would be taken back by the state."

If Zhen Zhen remembered correctly, the Xiagangchao was more than ten years later. It was only the early 1980s. We couldn't try it now, could we?

"It's a matter of time, so you should make plans early."

Meng Li was stunned. "Can you really bring him back home?"

Meng Li has been turned into a regular employee in recent years, but she is not as stable as the regular employees. When the wave of layoffs comes, she and her group will be the first to be affected.

"Yes, the country's tax revenue has been reduced, and state-owned enterprises are burdened too heavily. The country also wants to reduce its burden and reform."

"What about the people who were sent back home?"

"Find your own way out. Either learn a skill and switch to another career, or go out to work, or become a self-employed person like me."

Zhen Zhen told Meng Li about the transformation of the market economy. Meng Li was stunned. It turned out that a few stores had been opened in the small county town. In a broader sense, the national economy was undergoing transformation. It turned out that layoffs were not groundless and could happen at any time.

Meng Li was worried. "I have three children. If they really have to leave their jobs, who will earn money to support the family?"

For Meng Li, working for the government is the most secure thing. It takes time for people to change their mindset, and she will come around one day.

"Auntie, if I quit my job, what can I do? I can't even sell clothes or snacks. I feel like I can't do anything."

"The country has a lot of things to do and there are opportunities everywhere. Young people should not be too quick to deny themselves."

Meng Li nodded. Her aunt was right. In life, there are always more solutions than difficulties.

"If you really want to start a business, I can show you a way."

Meng Li asked: "What is it?"

“Health products.”

"Health supplements? What are these for?"

Zhen Zhen wanted to make health products herself, but she was too busy. If Jiang Dongping wanted to do it, she was willing to invest in him to make formal and legal health products.

Health care products were the most profitable industry in the 1980s, with a certain oral liquid brand once generating annual revenue of 1 billion yuan, and Zhen Zhen did not want to miss out.

Zhen Zhen explained the situation to Meng Li, and after returning home, Meng Li informed Jiang Dongping. The couple lay in bed at night and discussed their future path.

The period before the Chinese New Year is the peak season for food sales. Zhenxin Food Factory's shipments have increased several times, and the sales of chili sauce have also soared.

The factory is now on the right track, and Zhen Zhen doesn't go there every day. She is delivering New Year gift packages to various state-owned enterprises for their mothers-in-law.

While he was busy, he caught a glimpse of two figures out of the corner of his eye. Zhen Zhen looked at them carefully and immediately smiled.

Meng Hua and Tan Wenyin came back to celebrate the New Year.