Pei Zheng was in a bad mood on the way. Lu Nong sighed in her heart, thinking that this kid was really unlucky, but people cannot choose their birth and parents. God gave Pei Zheng a birth that could be called a golden finger. He was born standing in Rome, but at the same time, the window of his "parental fate" was closed.
Pei Zheng in the novel is just like he is now, unwelcome by his maternal family, disliked by his mother, and not close to his father. It was not until he met the heroine and was attracted by her lively and noisy family that he realized the warm family love between parents and children.
It can be said that the heroine's family played a very important role in Pei Zheng falling in love with the heroine.
Lu Nong thought of Shen Yimei's ending again. In the book, long after "Lu Nong" passed away, Pei Jinan was promoted twice. The aunts and uncles of the Pei family were trying to introduce a wife to Pei Jinan. Shen Yimei finally couldn't help but show her cards in front of Pei Jinan, but the answer she got was a rejection.
Shen Yimei was unwilling to accept that after all her years of hard work, Pei Ji'an still treated her like a worthless person and didn't even look at her, so she turned to her son Pei Zheng for support. However, Pei Zheng didn't stand on her side at all and advised her not to disturb his father again. Shen Yimei scolded Pei Zheng for being unfilial.
Not long after, Pei Zheng took the heroine to see Shen Yimei. In order to avenge her son for not helping her, Shen Yimei made things difficult for the heroine in every way and embarrassed her at a banquet attended by celebrities. The problem was not resolved until Pei Zheng stepped forward to stand up for the heroine.
The banquet incident was also the beginning of Pei Zheng and Shen Yimei's official breakup. Shen Yimei couldn't get rid of Pei Jinan and made a lot of jokes. Finally, she was sent back to Yazhou by her mother and brother, where she met Su Shiliang, her former cheating partner.
At that time, Su Shiliang was already married with children. After meeting Shen Yimei, the two once again sparked a romance. Su Shiliang abandoned his wife and children but did not divorce, and Shen Yimei was willing to be his mistress.
Later, Su Shiliang learned that Shen Yimei's son Pei Zheng had a bright future, so he gritted his teeth and discussed divorce with his ex-wife. He coaxed Shen Yimei into taking him and his children to Beijing, hoping to rely on Pei Zheng's connections to plan a future for his children.
Pei Zheng had long given up on his mother, but he never thought that she could break through her limits. Pei Zheng, who had already become a big boss at that time, sneered and used some means to make Su Shiliang's family return to Yazhou in disgrace. Shen Yimei also followed Su Shiliang back to Yazhou.
For the rest of their lives, Shen Yimei, Su Shiliang and Su Shiliang's ex-wife were entangled with each other and never had peace until their death.
After Su Shiliang passed away, his children buried their parents together. Shen Yimei cried incessantly and finally remembered her promising son. She called Pei Zheng and asked him to make the decision for her.
Pei Zheng went in the end, and the result of the discussion was that the three of them should be buried together.
Shen Yimei was unwilling, but what could she do? No matter how powerful her son was, he could not stop other people's children from burying their parents together. Agreeing to bury three people together was already a compromise. After all, Yazhou was too far away from Beijing, and Su Shiliang's children would have to rely on them to clean the graves in the future.
These are what Lu Nong thought of recently. After thinking about them, he felt even more distressed for Pei Zheng. There is a saying that goes: An unhappy childhood takes a lifetime to heal.
Most of the unfortunate childhoods were caused by parents. Pei Zheng was even worse off because his mother's misfortune spread throughout his life.
Perhaps it is not only Xiao Huai who needs healing, but also Pei Zheng. Compared with the cold-blooded Pei Zheng in the novel who only slightly shows his affection in front of the heroine, Lu Nong prefers the current Pei Zheng who is silly, talkative and cheerful.
In order to prevent the talkative and cheerful Pei Zheng from disappearing, Lu Nong had no choice but to continue to take care of (bully) him.
(Pei Zheng: Are you polite?)
When they arrived at the first inspection unit, Lu Nong patted Pei Zheng on the shoulder, took off the camera hanging around his neck and handed it to him, and told him the task in a serious tone, "Take it, take a nice picture of me later. If you take an ugly picture of me, you're dead, understand?"
Lu Nong ran to the unit's sign, posed gracefully and smiled.
Pei Zheng took the camera and rolled his eyes. How could someone be so bored that he would come to the door of the unit to take pictures? The key point was that he even dragged him along. It was so embarrassing.
It has to be said that the two people's thinking is half a century apart. Pei Zheng just thinks that it is very boring that Lu Nong went to the door of other people's units to take pictures. In modern times, it is equivalent to someone going to the door of the village canning factory to take pictures.
What Lu Nong wants is to try her best to leave a mark in this era, so that when she enters the Internet era and becomes a cross-century old lady, she can show off these precious photos and information.
Look, grandma, when I was young, I almost entered the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Don’t believe it? Look, here are photos to prove it!
Yes, one of the olive branches Lu Nong received was from the Institute of Archaeology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
The one that starts with the word "national" is the Institute of Archaeology, which is the first national-level archaeological research institution in my country. It has participated in the excavation of the Banpo site, the Luoyang Eastern Zhou city site, the Mawangdui Han Tomb, the Sui and Tang Luoyang city site, etc. These are just the more famous projects that Lu Nong remembers.
In 1961, the Institute of Archaeology was streamlined and there were only about a hundred people left in the entire department. It was very difficult to get in. Even Lu Nong didn't expect that he would receive an olive branch from the Institute of Archaeology.
The pie is big, but as a national archaeological unit, it is bound to conduct archaeological excavations outside. Moreover, from the 1960s to the 1990s, a large number of ancient tombs and historical sites were discovered across the country, most of which involved the participation of the Institute of Archaeology.
It is conceivable that a young man like Lu Nong will most likely travel around the country after entering the country.
Lu Nong was moved, but her heart stopped at that. First of all, she was not sure if she could endure hardship. The eldest daughter Lu Nongnong grew up in her uncle's house with luxurious clothes and food. Now, when she travels far away, she has convenient means of transportation such as airplanes and high-speed railways, and she lives in high-end hotels. The word "hardship" has never been associated with her.
Besides, she is not alone after all, she has Wu Ma and Xiao Huai by her side.
Well... although Lu Nong doesn't usually take care of Xiao Huai, there is still a difference between having a biological mother by your side and having a biological mother on business trips most of the year.
I promised to accompany Xiao Huai to grow up well and not let him grow up to be the villain in the novel, and I must keep my promise.
So she rejected several inappropriate units early on, and actually only one unit wanted to conduct an on-site inspection. This time she went to the Institute of Archaeology purely to take photos at the door as a souvenir. For this purpose, Lu Nong specially borrowed a camera from Shen Jiming's house.
...Speaking of Shen Jiming, Lu Nong seriously suspected that he had social incompetence. He now lived alone in the Shen family, but he was much more open-minded than Pei Zheng.
I listened to the whole process at Pei's house on the Mid-Autumn Festival. After the incident at the Shen's house, I stayed at home obediently. After everything settled down, I started running to Pei's house again. When I saw Pei Jinan, I could call him "Uncle Pei" without changing my expression. Pei Jinan agreed without changing his expression, as if there was no grudge between the two families and both of them were so awesome.
No wonder at the end of the novel, Pei Ji'an and Shen Jiming become a military leader and a political leader respectively, wow.
After checking in at the Institute of Archaeology, Lu Nong took Pei Zheng to several other locations, taking photos despite people's strange looks.
Pei Zheng really admired his stepmother, who ignored other people's opinions and didn't care about others at all.
When they arrived at the last unit, which was also the unit where Lu Nong Xinyi wanted to work, she did not take pictures. Instead, she and Pei Zheng went to buy two tickets - tickets for the Forbidden City.
At that time, the Forbidden City did not have the constant flow of visitors from all over the world like in later generations. Tickets were limited each day and the price was very low, only eight cents.
People's living standards are not high, most people are busy making a living, and their pursuit of material things far outweighs their spiritual and cultural needs.
Think about China half a century later. It has undergone tremendous changes. As a person who has lived through two eras, Lu Nong is a witness to this period of history. All kinds of thoughts are surging in his heart, and he has an inexplicable urge to cry.
"What's wrong with you?" Pei Zheng turned around and saw Lu Nong's eyes were wet, not because of sadness but because of being moved, with a misty look on his face.
Lu Nong shook his head, "Pei Zheng, do you believe it? In the future, our country will build rockets that fly into space, land on the moon, and build a space station in space; we will recover the lost land; we will be respected by the world, everyone will be able to eat, and people from all over the world will come to the Forbidden City to travel."
Pei Zheng reached out and touched Lu Nong's forehead, "You don't have a fever, do you?"
Lu Nong slapped Pei Zheng's hand away, "You don't believe it?"
Pei Zheng: "I believe that our motherland will become powerful in the future, but you sound as if you have seen it with your own eyes. If you don't know, you might think you are writing a science fiction novel."
Lu Nong smiled mysteriously, "Science fiction is sometimes a prediction of the future. Wasn't the Nautilus eventually built by the United States? In October, our country successfully detonated its first atomic bomb. These were all fantasies a hundred years ago. Who can say that science fiction is just fantasy?"
Pei Zheng thought for a moment, "It would be nice if it was really like what you said."
"Since you have so many weird ideas in your head, why don't you just write a science fiction novel? You are a graduate of the Academy of Literature, so don't waste your talent. When you become a celebrity and others ask about our relationship, I will tell them that the famous science fiction writer Lu Nong is my stepmother!" Pei Zheng urged Lu Nong.
"Wow, that's great, you have some ideas, young man."
Lu Nong looked at Pei Zheng in surprise as if her mind was opened. She could definitely write a book about modern life in the form of science fiction. Whether it made sense or not was another matter, but at least it could satisfy her expectations for the future!
She also wanted to record the great changes of the times, just as she used a camera to take pictures of herself and the times. She could be a human camera and write down everything she experienced.
After entering the Forbidden City, the two first toured the entire palace from beginning to end, and then went to the library to check in.
There was only an old man in a gray Mao suit in the library. After Lu Nong explained his purpose to the old man, the old man raised his head and looked at Lu Nong, "Are you Lu Nong, the outstanding student recommended by Professor Jing Liang?"
"Yes, hello, I am Lu Nong." Lu Nong smiled slightly.
In response to Lu Nong's polite greeting, the old man's tone did not improve. Instead, he looked Lu Nong up and down more seriously and said, "You didn't graduate from a formal library. Are you sure you can handle library work?"
Lu Nong had never been exposed to the profession of library management, but she could learn it. She was not afraid of any challenges and went to work in the Forbidden City first.
"I can give it a try," Lu Nong said modestly.
"Try it?" The old man sneered. "This is not a place for you to try it. Let me test you. If you pass, you can stay and work. If you fail, you will have to find another job."
Pei Zheng looked at Lu Nong worriedly.
Lu Nong nodded, "Of course."
Seeing Lu Nong's quick agreement, the old man raised his eyebrows and walked towards the library with his hands behind his back, "Come with me, and the young man behind you should follow me."
Lu Nong and Pei Zheng looked at each other and followed the old man.
The old man took the two of them through the vast library area, pulling out one or several books from different bookshelves and putting them in Pei Zheng and Lu Nong's hands. There were as many as twenty or thirty books.
Finally, he led Lu Nong and Pei Zheng out of the book collection area, turned to Lu Nong and said, "Now go put these books back to their original places. As long as you can put two-thirds of them back correctly, you can stay. This guy is not allowed to go in."
Pei Zheng's eyes widened after hearing this. It was obvious that they were trying to make things difficult for Lu Nong. With so many books, it would be difficult to put half of them in the right place, let alone two-thirds.
Lu Nong smiled and said, "Okay."
She re-entered the library area with a pile of books, and this time it was the old man's turn to follow Lu Nong.
When Lu Nong put the first book back to its original place, the old man looked disapproving. When Lu Nong put the second book back to its original place, the old man still looked disapproving.
When Lu Nong put the third, fourth, fifth... and tenth books back to their original places, the old man's expression became serious.
When Lu Nong put the twentieth book... the thirtieth book... and the last book back to the correct place, the old man was shocked.
He took off his reading glasses and once again looked Lu Nong up and down, but this time his eyes were no longer filled with contempt but admiration. Finally, he coughed lightly and said, "You have passed my test, so you can stay here to work. Report in next Monday."
"Thank you so much." Lu Nong bowed and thanked him.
The two returned to the office, and Lu Nong said goodbye, "Master Li, I'll take my leave now."
Master Li waved his hand and returned to his seat to continue reading the newspaper.
Pei Zheng didn't know the result, so he asked Lu Nong in a low voice: "How is it?"
Lu Nong shook his head, "Let's go."
Pei Zheng looked at Master Li, then looked at Lu Nong who had already walked out of the library, and chased after her to comfort her.
"Failed? It's okay. There are more than thirty books, and even I can't remember them all..." Pei Zheng comforted Lu Nong.
"What do you mean even you can't remember? Do you mean I'm worse than you?"
Pei Zheng: “…” He really didn’t dare to say that.
Pei Zheng took a deep breath and told himself that Lu Nong was in a bad mood because she was kicked out, and he had to be understanding, understanding!
"That's not what I meant. I meant that the old man was deliberately making things difficult for you. If you are not welcome here, there will be other places for you. Don't be discouraged."
Lu Nong covered his face with his hands, and a muffled voice came out from his palms, "I'm in such a miserable state, and you don't have any expression?"
Pei Zheng hissed and thought to himself that it was not good. Who knew what evil ideas Lu Nong would come up with to torment him when he was in a bad mood.
"…What do you want?"
Lu Nong immediately made a request: "This weekend I will take your grandmother Wu and Xiao Huai to the Great Wall to take pictures. You can help us carry the backpack for the pictures."
Pei Zheng gritted his teeth and said, "Okay, I promise you!"
Lu Nong quickly let go of his hand that was covering his face and said with a smile, "That's great. Then you can bring all your brothers with you. One will hold Xiao Huai, one will carry the backpack, one will take photos, and the remaining one will support your Grandma Wu."
Pei Zheng: “…” What a nice thought.
...But brothers are meant to be cheated.
After returning home, in order to celebrate her successful employment, Lu Nong made a bunch of snacks, and prepared a table of delicious dishes with Wu's mother. She called Pei Zheng to help, and she went upstairs to change clothes first.
Pei Zheng picked some vegetables and asked Wu's mother curiously, "Grandma Wu, what good day is today? Why did you cook so many dishes?"
"You didn't know?" Mother Wu said happily, "Nong Nong was assigned to work in the library of the Forbidden City. She has a lot of free time. Let me cook a good meal to celebrate."
Pei Zheng: “…”
"She said that? She said she got a job at the library?"
Mother Wu nodded, "Yes, she also said that an old man in the library made things difficult for her, asking her to put all the books back to their original places one by one. As a result, she put all of them back without missing a single one. His trick was just a trivial one. She has a photographic memory since she was a child. She can remember exactly where everything is in the room just by standing at the door and taking a look at the room, let alone a few books."
"Didn't you go with her? You should know better. Why are you asking me?" Mother Wu was surprised.
I was deceived again.
Pei Zheng clenched his fists and beat his chest with his hands. He always felt that one day Lu Nong would make him angry and play tricks on him.
Lu Nong changed her clothes and returned to the kitchen, picking up the baby who had just woken up. What greeted her was Pei Zheng's deathly stare and the look of hatred.
"What's wrong?" Lu Nong put the baby down.
Pei Zheng: "...Didn't you say you didn't pass the exam?"
Lu Nong paused for a moment and pretended to recall, "Did I say that?"
“…”
Pei Zheng's mouth twitched. Yes, Lu Nong never said from beginning to end that he had failed. He just acted calmly. At best, this "calmness" looked like extreme disappointment.
This liar! If he believes Luk Nong again, he will be a pig!
Lu Nong: "Since you misunderstood me, you can't go back on your promise to me."
Pei Zheng chuckled and said through gritted teeth: "Every spit is a nail, I will never regret it." He will always remember the consequences of being deceived by Lu Nong.
"That's good." Lu Nong nodded with satisfaction.
When Pei Ji'an returned home in the evening, he saw a table full of sumptuous dishes, as if it was Chinese New Year. He looked at Lu Nong in confusion.
Mother Wu said happily, "Our daughter, Nong Nong, has come to work at the Forbidden City. Let's make something delicious to celebrate."
"Let's celebrate." Gu Xiaohuai repeated what Mother Wu said. He has been speaking more fluently recently.
Lu Nong touched Zizi's little head and nodded modestly.
"In that case, it's time to celebrate." Pei Ji'an glanced at the dining table, then walked to the wine cabinet, opened it, took out a bottle of low-alcohol liquor, returned to the dining table, opened the lid, and poured a small glass of wine for himself, Wu Ma, and Lu Nong.
Pei Zheng looked at Pei Ji'an eagerly, and then he realized belatedly that this was the first time in so many days that he dared to look his father in the eye, and he didn't expect it was all for a glass of wine.
"..." I must have been led astray by the heartless Lu Nong.
He immediately dropped his eyes.
Pei Ji'an picked up the teacup in front of Pei Zheng, poured out the tea inside, poured him a glass of wine personally, and gently placed it in front of Pei Zheng.
Pei Zheng looked up in disbelief. His own father actually poured wine for him personally?
The two father and son looked at each other, Pei Zheng's eyes were red, Pei Jinan frowned and said with a straight face: "A real man sheds blood and sweat but not tears. You are my son, Pei Jinan, and I don't want to see you show weakness again in the future."
It was still a scolding and merciless speech, but for the first time Pei Zheng took it seriously.
Although Lu Nong did not agree with Pei Jin'an's words, Pei Zheng felt the most insecure at that moment. A word of instruction from his father was more useful than thousands of words of comfort from others, because his father's reprimand meant that he cared and that he had not been abandoned.
I don’t know whether Pei Jianan understood this principle and took the right measures.
After reprimanding Pei Zheng, Pei Jinan raised his glass and said a few polite words to congratulate Lu Nong on his successful work. The whole family raised their glasses and took a sip of wine.
Just as everyone put down their glasses and started to eat, Wu's mother suddenly patted her head and said, "Wait, I made deer blood soup specially for Auntie today. I'll go get it right away."
Pei Ji’an: “…”
Lu Nong: “…” Amazing, mom. I tried everything to prevent it but you still made the soup right under my nose.
Pei Zheng: “…” Forget it, it’s time for me to bow my head again.
This time, Pei Zheng also pressed his younger brother's head down, and the two brothers buried their heads in eating in the same posture, vowing to let everyone else at the table know that they can't hear, can't hear, can't hear, and it's up to them to do whatever they want.
Lu Nong: “…”
The author has something to say:
Tonight, the deer bloodline will rise again!
Pei Zheng: Always believe, always be deceived.