Chapter 631: Car Talk with Xiaolin
I breathed a sigh of relief when the studio's office location was confirmed.
In the following days, the family of three returned to Wuxiang and stayed at Xiaolin's home for two days. On the way back, they visited Master and his wife.
While driving, I said, "I've prepared 100,000 yuan in new banknotes. You can give it to my wife later."
She asked, "Me?"
I said, "Yes. In a sense, I only represent myself, but you represent the whole family in every way."
She said mischievously, "Okay, I'll be the head of the family for a while too."
When we arrived at Master's house, Master's wife was overjoyed to see our family. She immediately picked up Xiaoyu and put her hand against his cheek, asking him to call her Grandma.
Xiaoyu was completely bewildered, and Xiaolin guided him, and he finally managed to pronounce a rather unstandard "Grandma". The master's wife was so happy that she patted his face several times.
The Master's wife said, "Not only is the one in your family your real grandmother, I am also your real grandmother."
The master's wife took Xiaolin to visit each room, and while we were at it, she told me where to sit and where to sleep.
Master and I went into the study. The nurse served tea and fruit. Master and I chatted for a long time, all about the old neighbors in Youranju.
His former neighbors often came to see him to tell him about things like who had built a new house and who had successful children... He was like a father to his son, explaining everything to me in detail.
I remembered that my master once taught me handwriting. He said that young people write with a more casual style for the horizontal stroke because they are facing the future; older people write with a heavier stroke and in a shorter style because they like to reminisce.
When people get older, they are less interested in the future and are full of nostalgia for the past.
Out of respect for him, I didn't interrupt and showed that I was listening with great interest.
Finally, he suddenly said, "If I die, you have to help me notify these neighbors. Your eldest brother and Xiaoli may not understand, and they may not be familiar with all of them."
It turns out that what I have said so much is about this matter. I laughed and said:
"First, I remember it. Second, you have to live happily and live past a hundred years old."
The master laughed and said, "You just want to please me, but you can't live to be a hundred years old."
During lunch, Master's wife said to Master, "Xiao Lin gave us money again. Look, I feel embarrassed to accept it."
I immediately picked up the cup and said, "Let's not talk about these things. Let's use tea instead of wine to toast Master and his wife."
Xiao Lin quickly stood up, holding the teacup, and said, "I wish Master and his wife a long and happy marriage, and that they live to be a hundred years old."
I said, "Yes, live to be over a hundred years old."
After lunch, we headed back home. Master's wife insisted on giving Xiaoyu a red envelope. Xiaolin declined, but I said, "Take it. This is a token of our gratitude from Master and his wife."
Bid farewell to Master and his family.
As soon as we got on the highway, Xiaoyu fell asleep.
I said, "Xiao Lin, let me tell you a story."
She said, “What did I do wrong?”
"Why do you doubt that you did something wrong when I tell you a story?"
"Humph, isn't this your usual tactic? You're using stories to criticize me."
"It's not criticism, it's help. Several township leaders went to visit a senior official in the provincial capital who has now retired.
One of them, like you, said, "May you live to be a hundred years old." The old leader was very unhappy because he was already ninety-eight. This blessing only meant he could live for two more years.
Xiaolin covered her mouth and laughed when she heard this, for she was afraid that laughing too loudly would wake Xiaoyu up.
"So, later the village stipulated that when visiting all old leaders, the only thing to say is, 'I wish you live to be 100 years old.'"
Xiao Lin said, "No wonder your mother was unhappy one time and ignored me for several days."
"What's up?"
"We were still living in the old house in Xuri, and we were watching the news together. An old leader had passed away, and the news broadcast said that the leader was 87 years old.
I didn't think much of it and just said, "That's the end of my life." Then I stood up. Now that I think about it, I said the wrong thing. She was very rude to me those days.
I never knew why, but now that you've said it, I understand why she had such a sullen face those days."
"Right. When people get old, they fear death. They want to see more of their children and grandchildren growing up. They want to see if their children are doing well at work and if their grandchildren are growing up well.
This can be said to be their biggest fear of death. They want to live longer and see their descendants.
Even though they know they can’t help their children and grandchildren with their studies, work, and life, they always want to protect them in their hearts.”
Xiao Lin said, "Master, when I watch the news from now on, I will sigh, 'Alas, he died too young! He had such a good life, he should have lived to be 200 years old.'"
"That's another lie. 87 is too young to die? It's insincere. It won't please others."
"So what do we do, Master?"
"Just keep silent. Silence is golden. Otherwise, just quietly walk away. When people get old, they become very sensitive. Don't blame my parents. You will be the same when you get old. This is the irresistible law of nature."
Xiao Lin asked: "What does it mean to be old? Is there an age limit?"
"No. Everyone's physique is different. You have to observe carefully."
Xiao Lin said, "When my grandmother was alive, whenever my parents discussed something behind her back, she would always ask what was going on. Why was she always thinking something bad was going to happen at home?"
"Your grandmother must have had neurasthenia when she was young. People with neurasthenia become suspicious when they get old. They only think the worst."
"It's probably what you're talking about. Whenever I go home and look a little unhappy, she'll ask me if I was bullied at school."
I said, "Miss Lin, please don't become like your grandmother when you get old. You're so suspicious. I can't stand it."
She stared at me and said fiercely, "What? Are you starting to dislike me? Stop talking nonsense!"
Then, still not satisfied, he blurted out, "Master Wan, that's hard to say. You'll get old too."
I said, "I'm not talking nonsense. Just calm down. I'll analyze it for your grandma and then for you. It'll be good for you and me, too."
Xiaolin fell silent.
"Don't bear a grudge against me. Between husband and wife, words may be harsh, but they do have their benefits."
"Tell me, for the safety of my mother and me, I won't punish you."
I said, "For the safety of the three of us, I'd better go home and talk about it first."
Xiao Lin smiled and said, "Don't worry, my psychological endurance is no worse than yours."
"Well, why am I afraid that you'll be like your grandmother when you're old? Because of a little Shitou. Due to his physical defects, he must have been bullied by others when he was a child.
The kids who bully him are also ignorant. So, if you have a brother like this at home, your brother's every move will affect your heart.
Whenever he's unhappy, you suspect he's been bullied. If he doesn't say anything, you get even more worried and force him to write it down. Even after he does write it down, you still feel uneasy, fearing he's lying.
Living in this kind of environment for a long time, your whole family has a kind of... I won't say more."
"Wan Shanhong, then why did you look for me in the first place?"
"Let's not talk about this anymore. I didn't understand your family situation at the time. I like you."
"It's not too late to divorce now. You are Master Wan, rich, handsome, and young."
I said, "Xiao Lin, don't be angry. You don't understand what I mean at all. Let's help Xiao Shitou. Let him live a happy life and help him find a virtuous wife.
You are relieved, and your parents are relieved too. You don't have to worry about him anymore. Now, Xiao Shitou's skills are better than Yifan's, and everyone praises his character. Aren't you living a more and more comfortable life? "
After listening to this, Xiao Lin said, "I misunderstood just now. I apologize to you."
"Hey, what's the point of admitting fault between two people? Since you took the initiative to mention your grandmother, I'll take this opportunity to communicate with you. I don't dare to say anything when it comes to others."
"Honestly, I know you have a good heart. I can tell from the way you treat your mother."
As I was talking, my cell phone rang. I said, "Please answer it for me."
Xiao Lin answered and said, "Mr. Kong, I told him you were driving, and he said to contact me when you get back."
What does Mr. Kong want to talk to me about?
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