Chapter 468: For the sake of my mother’s happiness, I put down my pride
During lunch, my mother said, "It's almost Chinese New Year, and there aren't many people walking around this year." My father said, "People in the city don't like to walk around."
She said, "You don't understand. You only know how to play the erhu with those who sing."
I kept silent, knowing what she meant—it was Chinese New Year, and no one was coming to deliver New Year's goods like they used to. And with the recent pandemic, people were too lazy to go out.
Plus, I'm not a leader. In normal years, when people give me gifts, it's usually because they've helped someone. This isn't a long-term check; it's a lump-sum deposit. Giving it to you once is enough.
Xiao Lin said, "I'll go shopping with you this afternoon. There's a huge supermarket here that has everything. All the ingredients are ready."
My mother said, "It's better to go to work. It's more popular."
I finished my meal in silence and went upstairs to rest. After a while, Xiaolin came in and said, "Yu'er has become attached to Sister Guihua. Now I can't even take him to bed."
I didn't say anything.
She said, "Why, are you unhappy?"
I said, "Don't become like my mother in the future. She didn't take my father seriously and scolded him in front of us."
Xiao Lin smiled bitterly and said, "You have to understand her. It's lonely here. She doesn't know anyone and has no one to play with.
She still holds the old tradition of welcoming guests into her home. She once told me that such a beautiful house had no one coming in to visit.
I said, "She hasn't seen the decorations of other people's houses. In this row of villas, every family is rich. Who would care about the decoration of your house?"
Xiao Lin said, "She also said that she wants your uncles to come and live with us for a while."
I said, "That's fine. Anyway, they don't need to stay in a hotel. She just wants to hear good things from others. We can't do that this year. After the New Year, they are welcome to stay here."
Xiao Lin asked: "Do you really agree?"
I said, "You don't want me to cook, so why should I disagree?"
Xiao Lin said, "Living in a nice house also has its troubles. Your sister rarely comes here anymore. She came here once the night you were out.
Weiba always asks your sister, "Mom, when can we live in a house like your uncle's?" Your sister didn't even eat and left with an excuse.
I didn't say anything for a long time.
My mother is vain, and as a son, I can't go against her. I said, "I'm going to take a nap. Wake me up at three."
I've been in Yuzhen for the past two days, drinking, looking at rocks, attending a party, doing fortune-telling, climbing mountains, and then driving again. I'm really tired. I fell asleep soon.
I got up at three o'clock, washed up, and walked to the bank of Huaxi Lake. I called Baibai and told him that I had moved and asked him to invite Chen Ting and Shi Ting to visit when he was free.
Mingzhi said: "You moved, but you didn't tell me. I thought you were still living in the same place."
I said, "Some things are hard to say to others, but I'll be frank with you. My mom said no one comes to visit and she blames me for quitting. Just buy a fish."
Mingbai burst out laughing: "Master, you are such a filial son. I understand, I understand very well. My wife is being transferred, and without you, it wouldn't be possible. Give me a position."
I won't call anyone else. I sent the location map to Mingbai.
I understand this person. Although he is not very familiar with some rules in getting along with the upper class, he has a flexible mind.
After finishing the call, I went back to my study. Then Mr. Deng called.
"Shanhong, is there any movement from Professor Zhang?"
I said, "I calculated on my fingers that it's already March."
"Why?"
"He said last time that the results of the Top Ten Traditional Chinese Medicine Doctors would not be available until March. I calculated for him and there was no hope this time. Once the results come out, he will admire me.
Secondly, I want to make the best of a bad situation. If you don't judge me, I will find another way out and live a better life than you."
President Deng laughed heartily. "You, you're a devil, you know people's minds better than anyone else. I've only been in Shangzhou for a few months, and you came to see me tonight. Otherwise, it would be too rude."
My heart warmed, and I said, "Come over for dinner. I've moved, and I'll send you the location later. My mom loves a lively atmosphere."
"Okay. Are you free tomorrow?"
"Yes, you say."
"Let's go back to Wuxiang to see Master."
"Okay. You're going back to Wuxiang and won't be returning to Upstate until after the New Year, right?"
"right."
"Then I'll drive a car myself."
After hanging up the phone, Bai Xiao called back and said, "Director Shi doesn't have time. He said he'll come alone another day. Director Shen and I will come over for dinner."
I said, "That's great, President Deng will be here too."
When I got home, I told my mother that Mr. Deng, Mingbai, Chen Ting, and others were coming to dinner. My mother's face lit up with joy. She said excitedly, "Call Xiaolin to help us prepare."
After that, she stood at the stairs and called Xiaolin. After Xiaolin came down, my mother said, "Drive with me to the supermarket, the biggest supermarket you mentioned."
Xiao Lin asked, "Purchasing New Year's goods?"
I said, "We have guests."
Xiao Lin said, "Aren't there vegetables in the freezer at home?"
My mother said, "Buy some things that others have never eaten, and buy some high-quality, fresh fruits."
I said to Xiaolin, "Ask less and do more. Go drive now."
After they left, I told my dad, "I'm going out for a while."
Then I walked outside. When I passed Jiang Yiwei's door, I suddenly heard her calling me.
I looked up and saw her on the second-floor balcony. I only heard her say, "Wait a moment, I'll take you there."
She hurried downstairs, drove out, and I got in. She asked, "Where are you going? I'll take you there."
I said, "It's the place where you picked me up this morning."
"What are you going there for again?"
I told him about making the stone shelf. He said, "My husband likes stones too. Can he come and see your stones tomorrow night?"
I laughed out loud: "I only have a stone, what are I looking at?"
"He also likes to look at a stone."
I suddenly had an idea and said, "After the New Year, I'll take him to see a feast. He has a house full of stones."
She said, "That's great. He's a Stones fan."
The car stopped in front of the Huaxi Arts and Crafts store. Jiang Yiwei waved at me and drove away.
Mr. Fang was sitting there, varnishing a shelf. When he saw me come in, he said, "You're early."
"Can't wait."
He carefully swept it one last time, placed it on the counter, and went inside to wash his hands. He turned back and warned me, "Don't touch it."
I stared at the frame, lost in thought. A river was carved into the base, winding its way down from upstream. At the very end of the downstream section, a crouching woman was carved, her head tilted upwards.
She seemed to be washing something, but she seemed to have no intention of washing anything. It was just a turn of her head, so vivid. In the middle of the river, there were actually three fallen leaves carved.
There is a line of words engraved on the stone: You live at the head of the Yangtze River.
After washing his hands, he sat down in his old position and said, "It will be dry in half an hour. Are you satisfied?"
I nodded and said, "Very satisfied. The way the woman turned around, carved with just two simple strokes, was so... indescribable."
Also, the Yangtze River is not so winding, but you imply that the distance in your heart is too long.
Then there are the three fallen leaves, carved with great lightness, floating in the air, as if they were restless. They also suggest that a day without seeing you feels like three years have passed.
He made tea, poured it for me, put down the teapot and asked, "What do you do for a living, Mr. Wan?"
I said, "I don't have a proper job. I usually provide psychological counseling to others."
He looked at me again and said, "A cultured person."
I said, "Half."
He laughed heartily: "You can't hide it from me. I can tell faces. You are a man of great culture."
"How do you know I'm a cultured person? I don't wear glasses."
He said: I’ll give you two sentences: the real person does not show his face, and making money is effortless.
I said, “Can you tell me more about that?”
He nodded, and I listened attentively—
(There's another chapter coming tonight, so stay tuned.)
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