Chapter 220 Old Demon

Although Lu Shaotang has a deep relationship with his comrades, he is not a nosy person. At least he never asks about other people's gossip, especially not about their hidden pain. Even if the other party takes the initiative to tell him, he still has to see if he wants to listen. Unless it is someone he

cares about, he doesn't want to know other people's secrets.

He and Chen Yanming have been classmates and comrades since their youth. From tit-for-tat to mutual respect, they have never told each other about their inner pain.

That is too corny and too nagging, and neither of them is willing to do it.

The main reason is that Lu Shaotang felt that he had lived a good life since childhood and had no secrets or pains to tell others. Although Chen Yanming was not loved by his parents and was bullied by his second brother since childhood, he did not live in resentment and depression. Instead, he was carefree and cheerful. Even

though Lu Shaotang knew that Chen Yanming had written to his family with great expectations, he could only receive a cold reply. There was no concern for him, and he was always asking him for money and work in various ways. It

was either the second brother getting married, or parents being sick, or drought or heavy rains causing bad harvests, or the house collapsing…

After he got used to asking for money, he was too lazy to find excuses. He just said that writing letters cost money, and asked him to remit all the money to his family every month.

For so many years, Chen Yanming had always sent most of his salary to his parents, even his brothers and sisters, and they had already taken it for granted.

Last spring, he asked the logistics department to remit only 10 yuan to his parents, and his brothers and sisters were exempted from the money. His parents sent a telegram to his unit without waiting for a day after receiving the money.

At that time, Chen Yanming was out on a mission and didn't know about this, so he naturally didn't respond. His hometown sent six telegrams and wrote seven or eight letters, all asking why he suddenly stopped sending money to his parents.

Lu Shaotang and Chen Yanming's wages were paid by the capital, so his parents' telegrams and letters were also sent there.

The capital transferred the matter to Qizhou for Lu Shaotang to handle.

Lu Shaotang contacted Chen Yanming and decided to let the capital send a letter back to his hometown, saying that Chen Yanming was on a mission and his return date was uncertain, so his salary would be postponed.

Chen Yanming's hometown is in a relatively remote province. If he doesn't take the initiative to contact his family, his family won't be able to find him.

He didn't let the capital reveal the address of his new unit, so his hometown naturally wouldn't know it.

He didn't give his family money, and his family didn't have money to buy train tickets to the capital. It was not easy to get from his hometown to the capital by walking, taking a bull cart, a bus, and several trains.

And no one in his hometown knew Chen Yanming's current work unit and address, so it was very strange that his parents could bring Zi Xuwu's child marriage to their house.

Lu Shaotang didn't know how they got the address, and the old couple refused to tell him.

They lived in Chen Yanming's room and refused to leave, and no one could drive them away.

Lu Shaotang had sent people to Chen Yanming's hometown to investigate how the old couple got the news. Even if the old couple didn't say it, there would always be clues.

Of course, he did not hide it from Lin Shu and told her all of this.

Lin Shu asked her elder sister to concentrate on drawing promotional posters for the newspaper. After all, her mother was helping Aunt Jiang take care of the children, so it didn't matter if she left.

Lin Xia thought about her grandmother and ex-mother-in-law, and asked a key question, "What type are Brother Chen's parents...what are their characteristics? Aunt Qiu or Aunt Xu?"

Panpan and Tiantian had told Auntie and the others about the gossip about Lujiazhuang, so Lin Xia knew everything.

Lin Shu and the others looked at Lu Shaotang, because he was the only one who had met Chen Yanming's parents.

Lu Shaotang: "...There has been no trouble yet."

After all, in the cadre family building in Courtyard No. 8, how could they, two farmers from the countryside who had never seen the world, dare to make trouble casually?

People will only mess around with those they can and dare to control. They will definitely mess around with Chen Yanming, but they may not dare to mess around with others.

Because they are not sure whether others will get used to them and whether they will buy into their tricks.

Lin Shu: "You shouldn't have let them into the family compound in the first place. Just take them to a guesthouse far away to stay for a few days, find someone to play with them, buy tickets and send them back."

Lu Shaotang: "...We have no experience."

At that time, he also took people out to perform tasks, and only Xiaozhuang was at home.

Xiaozhuang was young and had little experience, and didn't know about Chen Yanming's hometown. He just thought that since they were Captain Chen's parents, they must be treated well?

As a result... they couldn't be sent away.

Lin Shu discussed with Lu Shaotang: "Why don't we go home and pick up mom and grandma? My eldest sister-in-law is fine now, so why don't we pick up my eldest sister-in-law as well?"

Civil servants can't deal with such cunning common people, and soldiers like Lu Shaotang can't do it either. They can only passively take the beating. Only common people of the same status can deal with them.

If Chen's father and mother want to take advantage of their age, grandma is older than them, so don't say that they bully them.

If they want to make trouble, mother-in-law and eldest sister-in-law are more powerful than them, and they won't let them take advantage.

Anyway, there is no need for Lu Shaotang and others to interfere, lest Chen's parents run to the streets and cry, saying that the soldiers bullied them.

Lu Shaotang thought for a moment and said, "Okay."

Lin Shu said, "Then let's do this. Leave it at the gate of your family compound. You don't have to go back. Just take people on a business trip."

She had sent Lu Shaotang on a business trip to deal with the Guan family. It would be difficult for them to do anything when he was at home.

Lu Shaotang understood.

Lu Shaotang went home and told Fang Dihua about the matter. Fang Dihua thought it would be better for her to go than her daughter-in-law. After all, Lu's sister-in-law was a younger generation, and it would be difficult for the younger generation to do anything if the other party was really naughty.

Mrs. Lu disagreed, "What is my grandmother going to do? She is so old, what if she gets bumped? Let me fight!"

Fang Dihua: "Fighting is the worst option, we are not going to fight. If there is a real fight, your sister-in-law can just call a bunch of women in the family yard, are you afraid of them?"

Fang Dihua asked Mrs. Lu to take over her work in the incense making room.

This is money, and production cannot be delayed.

Mrs. Lu: "Mother, third brother, if you need anything, call me back quickly, I will take people over as soon as I get the call!"

Ever since Mrs. Fang heard Lu Shaotang and Fang Dihua talking, she quickly went to prepare a change of clothes.

The little old lady is now staying at the Lu family, chasing chickens and ducks every day. When Lin Shu and Sister Lin are not at home, she and Lu Xiuxiu cook, and Fang Dihua doesn't have to intervene.

She took the shoe sole awl and the thumb-thick itchy stick she often used and put them in her pocket. If there was a real fight, she would not hold them back.

After returning to the steel mill, they stayed at Jiang's house for another night. Fang Dihua and her daughter congratulated Lin Xia first, and the old sisters got together again.

The next morning, Lu Shaotang took them back to Qizhou at dawn.

Xiaozhuang was so worried and regretful. Why was he so stupid?

Why didn't he ask Captain Lu for permission before arranging the people in?

Now, Chen's parents refused to leave and spread rumors everywhere.

In just three or four days, they have already taken the older girl around the family compound, introducing their son to everyone they meet, saying that they sent their daughter-in-law to reunite with their son, and also talking about how hard it was for them, how hard they had worked to raise Captain Chen, and now that their child has become successful, they can finally enjoy their lives.

Well, I won't leave!

I'll stay with my younger son until I'm old.

At this time, Father and Mother Chen had already taken Zhang Juying for a walk and bought a cabbage outside.

Father Chen had his hands behind his back and a sullen look on his face.

Mother Chen kept on rambling: "The people in this city are really evil. They charge us 1.2 cents for a cabbage and 2 cents for a pound. You say that Sangou's subordinates are really incompetent and have no sense of propriety. They don't know how to serve the leaders and their parents well when they come. They let us buy vegetables and cook for ourselves, but they won't buy them and send them to us? Not to mention that the unit has a cafeteria, can we eat and drink for free? Why don't they let us eat there? And we need food coupons? Where can we get food coupons? That comrade named Lu also... Yes, they are totally unkind. They don’t even know how to give us some money and food coupons? And they let us spend our own money. And that little soldier, what’s his name? Yes, Xiaozhuangzi, why is he avoiding us? I wanted to borrow some money and food coupons from him but couldn’t find him. "

When they first met, the boy was obviously very enthusiastic. He led them upstairs and even went to buy big steamed buns and meat dishes for them. But he changed overnight. Not only was he not enthusiastic towards them, he was also avoiding them.

Humph, either San Gou’er is unpopular, or his comrade-in-arms is full of evil intentions!

She said to Zhang Juying, who was walking with her head down while holding a cabbage, "Juying, your brother Sangou is a big official. You will have a good life with him in the future. Don't make any mistakes."

Zhang Juying nodded, her two braids swinging back and forth.

Seeing two female family members wearing coats and scarves coming over, Chen's mother immediately smiled and greeted them, "Are you off work? We're going to buy vegetables."

Yang Shumin and Zhang Ya looked at her in surprise.

Director Chen's mother is really... Two days ago, she looked very shy and reserved. She didn't dare to speak much. She was timid when she greeted people, and her voice was vague and trembling. But in just two days, she is like an old acquaintance.

They have a good relationship with Lin Shu, so they pay close attention to the No. 8 Courtyard.

When Xiaozhuang brought the three people in that day, Yang Shumin noticed them and quickly came over to inquire.

She was also very happy to know that they were Chen Yanming's parents, thinking that Director Lu and Director Chen had a good relationship, and she had a good relationship with Lin Shu. Since Lin Shu was not there, she naturally had to help greet them.

When greeting them that day, Chen's father and mother were still very uneasy. After all, they had just arrived and were unfamiliar with the environment and were a little restrained.

Chen's father kept his cigarette bag in his hand, puffing on it. When others greeted him, he would respond in a low voice, and then squat aside without saying a word.

Chen's mother was a little timid, but her eyes rolled around, revealing a kind of shrewdness that made people dislike it.

Knowing that Yang Shumin was on good terms with the people in the No. 8 Courtyard, Chen's mother immediately pulled her aside to ask about everything, most of which was about money, how much each person was paid, how much Chen Yanming was paid, how much his comrades were paid, etc.

Although Yang Shumin didn't understand the situation, she was frightened and had a bad impression of Chen's mother. She didn't want to have any more contact with Chen's mother and went back to talk to Lin Shu.

As a result, Chen's mother directly said that she had brought a daughter-in-law to her son, and she was trying to warn someone in the city not to plot against her son, and that she had the final say on her daughter-in-law.

Yang Shumin felt bad when she heard this, because she and Lin Shu had asked Chen Yanming about his personal problems before. After all, he was still unmarried at the age of 27 or 28, had a good job with a high salary, and was tall and handsome. There must be many young women eyeing him.

Lin Shu said that Chen Yanming had no partner, but she didn't know why he didn't seem to be in a hurry to find one. It all depends on fate.

Now Chen's mother said that she had brought a daughter-in-law, which meant that Chen Yanming didn't know.

She could tell there was something wrong with her toes, so she didn't approach Chen's mother again.

But these two days, Chen's mother took the old man and Zhang Juying to visit the family compound, showing off her son and announcing that her son already had a daughter-in-law, as if she was afraid that someone was planning to snatch her son away.

It was just a brief encounter, but she greeted her so warmly, no longer showing her previous awkwardness, which surprised Yang Shumin.

Zhang Ya also knew that when she first heard her mother-in-law say that Director Chen's parents from No. 8 Courtyard had come to visit with their daughter-in-law, she wanted to invite Yang Shumin to visit them together, but after hearing Yang Shumin say so, she never went and asked her mother-in-law not to get involved.

"Should we tell Lin Shu?"

They knew that Lin Shu's family had a good relationship with Chen Yanming.

Yang Shumin: "No, Director Lu went home to pick them up."

Every time she met Lu Shaotang, she would ask when Lin Shu and the child would come over, but Lu Shaotang always said that it was uncertain. But two days ago, he said that he would go home to pick them up.

Zhang Ya was also very happy, "Really? That's great, it will be more lively when she comes."

The two talked about how the Health Bureau wanted to invite her to work but was rejected.

Yang Shumin smiled and said, "If I had her ability, I wouldn't go to work either."

Chen's mother stopped, glanced back, listened to Yang Shumin and Zhang Ya talking and laughing in a low voice, and snorted.

She thought the two women must be making fun of them.

The one with the surname Yang came to say hello before, but after talking for a while, his smile became more and more fake, and finally he left and never came again.

He is not enthusiastic even if he meets him on the road. Humph, he is not a good person!

They returned to Courtyard No. 8, and Chen's mother shouted, "Xiao Zhuang, Xiao Zhuang!"

No one answered.

Mother Chen couldn't help but scold: "These people who look down on others are hiding because they think we are poor."

She said to Zhang Juying: "You go up to the third floor to cook. Fortunately, there is a small kitchen there, otherwise we have no place to cook."

Father Chen squatted on the ground and started smoking a dry pipe, puffing out clouds of smoke.

Mother Chen: "His father, you have to find a way to call San Gou'er back, so that he and Juying can have their wedding night."

Father Chen: "Didn't his comrade named Lu say he was on a business trip? He won't be back for a while."

Mother Chen curled her lips: "I think he is not honest, he certainly didn't tell us the truth, maybe he was hidden by San Gou."

Zhang Juying hid in the corridor and listened to what Father Chen and Mother Chen said, then slowly went up to the third floor. She stood at the door of Lin Shu's house and pushed the door, looking inside through the crack.

The gap was too small and she couldn't see anything.

She turned around and went to the balcony to cook on the stove.

At this time, the sound of a jeep came from the street outside, and her heart skipped a beat. Is it Brother San Gou who is back?

Father and Mother Chen downstairs also heard it. They looked at each other and ran out excitedly, "San Gou'er, come back..."

Before they finished speaking, they saw a group of people coming over there.

A group of women were huddled around a young daughter-in-law who was so beautiful that she was dazzling, with a white face, a red mouth, and a pair of big, bright eyes. The

young daughter-in-law was holding an old lady, who was wearing glasses and had a row of neat white teeth. She looked very educated.

There was also a tall and strong woman next to them, wearing an old military uniform, carrying a big bundle and a big bag.

The three of them were protected by these fashionable women in the family compound, talking and laughing, looking very intimate.

Father Chen tiptoed to look back, and the jeep had turned around and ran away, and did not come over.

Mother Chen suddenly became a little nervous. She stomped the floor subconsciously, grabbed the hem of her clothes with both hands, and smiled at the few people, "You are Comrade Lu..."

At this time, Lin Shu, who had stepped into the house, suddenly stopped and turned around and said, "How come Tiantian and Panpan disappeared as soon as they got off the car?"

Yang Shumin smiled and said, "They were playing with some children over there. We haven't seen them for a long time, and the children miss them too."

Lin Shu then turned around and said with a smile, "I miss you too. Come home and sit for a while."

As they were talking and laughing, they saw Father and Mother Chen in the yard.

Father Chen, who was squatting on the ground, stood up now, slightly bent his knees and half-bent his waist, with a flattering smile on his face, "The leader is here."

He stretched out his hand, as if he wanted to shake hands with the leader, but when he saw that the other party was a woman, he quickly retracted it and winked at the old woman.

In his hometown, because of his son, they were also respected people in the production team and the brigade. In addition to the brigade cadres, they could also meet the commune cadres.

Every time he met the commune cadres, he shook hands with them enthusiastically.

Lin Shu had already prepared herself mentally, and at this time she put on a superior attitude and glanced at Father Chen and Mother Chen lightly, "Who are these two?"

Father Chen and Mother Chen are people who will immediately take advantage of you if you are nice to them.

Chen's father said repeatedly, "We are Sangou'er's parents."

Chen's mother pushed him hard and said, "What are you talking about? We are Chen Yanming's parents. Our Yanming has become an official. It is said that he is the head of the No. 8 courtyard."

She forgot about the position of director again and thought it would be easier to call him head.

Lin Shu had already heard Yang Shumin briefly talk about Chen's father and mother. She raised her eyebrows slightly, "Chief? Who told you?"

Chen's mother was startled, then she straightened her back and said righteously, "Who..., what's the matter? My son lives on the third floor, which is the chief's house."

Yang Shumin smiled and said, "Auntie, you got it wrong. Your son is the deputy, and Miss Lin's husband is the principal. Her husband has the final say in this No. 8 Courtyard."

When Chen's mother heard this, her son was the deputy? Of course, she knew that the deputy was not as powerful as the principal.

Her straight back softened instantly, and her figure became shorter. She smiled and said, "You are the wife of the chief." Lin

Shu frowned slightly, "We are all the family of the people's soldiers, there is no such thing as the wife of the chief." Chen's mother subconsciously admitted her mistake, "Yes, you are right." Lin Shu was too beautiful, with outstanding temperament, and she was wearing a woolen coat, which made Chen's mother feel that she was more majestic than the wives of officials she had seen when she was a child, so she subconsciously felt shorter. Lin Shu supported Grandma Fang and said softly, "Grandma, let's go upstairs." Grandma Fang adjusted her glasses and said, "Let's go." A group of people surrounded them and went upstairs. Looking at their fashionable backs, Chen's mother felt sour and angry. The old lady was wearing several rings on her hands, some silver and some gold. Just now when the old lady adjusted her glasses, she saw it! She pouted and muttered to Chen's father: "Is this the family of Mr. Lu? Look at them, with the same salary, they buy rings, clothes and glasses for their parents, and look at what we have?" Chen's father snorted, "Go and tell the third brother." Chen's mother: "How much does Mr. Lu make a month? Look at what that little witch wears, it must cost a lot of money." Chen's father: "Why do you care what they do." Chen's mother: "Calculate how much money they make, let them keep it, and arrange a job for our Erhu and his wife in the city." They came to scout the way, and the second brother's family would come later. They planned very well. The eldest couple would farm at home, and San Gou'er would arrange a job as a team leader through activities. The second couple would come to the city, and San Gou'er would arrange a dual-time job for them. In the future, the nephews and nieces could also find jobs in the city. The two were whispering to each other, and suddenly there was a giggle next to them. They were startled and found that they didn't know when the two children were squatting on the ground. Mother Chen scolded in a low voice: "Where did these naughty kids come from!" Tiantian: "We are little goblins." Panpan: "The children of goblins." They hid beside them and heard all the bad words the old couple said behind their backs! Mother Chen's face turned red, but she was not embarrassed at all. She quickly adjusted herself and said, "You two are so handsome, aren't you like the fox fairies in the mountains? I am flattering you." Panpan nodded, "Thank you, old fairy!" Mother Chen couldn't keep her expression straight for a moment and cursed, "You dead child, why are you still cursing?" Tiantian: "Didn't you say that fairy is a compliment? We are little fairies, then you are the old fairy, we are complimenting you." How could Mother Chen, who was good at talking, be a match for them? Mother Chen was so angry that her face turned black and she cursed a few words in dialect.

Tiantian and Panpan looked at each other, she was scolding us! Although I don't know what she scolded!

They immediately grumbled to Chen's mother.

Chen's mother said fiercely: "You two are scolding people?"

The two children shook their heads, "No, I'm complimenting you."

Panpan: "Are you Uncle Chen's mother?"

Along the way they already knew that the godmother was not good to the godfather, and he didn't want to recognize her!

Chen's mother: "Yes, you have to call me Grandma Chen, and you have to be polite."

Tiantian and Panpan said obediently: "Hello, Grandma Chen and Grandpa Chen."

The old couple looked better.

Panpan: "Are you my Uncle Chen's stepmother?"

Mother Chen was so angry that her nose was about to be crooked, "Who told you that? I am his biological mother!"

Tiantian: "Biological mother? Then why didn't anyone care about Uncle Chen when he was injured? He went to my house to recuperate after being injured."

Mother Chen: "When was he injured?"

Tiantian told her.

When Mother Chen heard this, she realized that San Gou'er had stopped saving money for the family since then!

Ten yuan a month is not money!

She tried to get the child to answer questions: "How long did you stay at your house to recover? What happened after you recovered?"

Panpan: "I went back to work."

Chen's mother: "Did you see him later? Did you see him here? How many times did you see him?"

The more Chen's mother asked, the more vicious her tone became. She suspected that the reason why her son did not save money at home was because he was instigated by this family! Who knows, her son's money might have been defrauded by this family!

She said fiercely, "Hurry up and tell me!"

Father Chen said, "Don't scare the child." He forced a smile and said, "Child, tell Grandpa Chen, did your Uncle Chen give you money?"

Panpan said loudly, "My Uncle Chen didn't give us money. He still owes my family money. Grandpa Chen and Grandma Chen, are you here to pay him back?"

Hearing this, Father Chen was furious and didn't dare to ask any more questions.

Did San Gouer, this stinky boy, still owe others money?

He didn't expect such a little kid to lie.

Tiantian nodded and said seriously: "Yes, Uncle Chen still owes my family 300 kilograms of grain coupons, more than 500 yuan."

"What? Why does he owe you so much money?" Mother and father Chen were terrified and looked at the two children in disbelief.