After Chen Jitang lost power, Zhang Yonghua took Xin'er back to Foshan to avoid trouble. It was Lin Yue who helped them and their mother escape the hunt of Yu Hanmou's men who surrendered to the Central Army, and went down the river to HK via waterway.
It is not an exaggeration to say that Lin Yue is their benefactor, although because of Wu Zhongsu's relationship, Ip Man has tried his best to keep a distance from senior brother and junior brother Lin since last year, acting like I am not close to anyone, and a bowl of water is even. But for Zhang Yongcheng, this friend his sister met on the train is far more reliable than Wu Zhongsu's husband's senior brother... This has nothing to do with the distance of the relationship. The main reason is that Wu Zhongsu is stubborn and stupid, but he also thinks he is right and likes to be a teacher. .
Zhang Yongcheng quickly controlled his emotions: "Why are you here?"
She quickly pulled him into the house, scratched her head and looked around to see that there were no traitors following her. Then she breathed a sigh of relief and gently closed the door.
A few days ago, Ip Man took her jade bracelet to the grain store to exchange for rice. I heard the rickshaw driver who used to pull feet said that the Japanese were looking for the top leaders of the Foshan Jingwu Association because there was evidence that they actively recruited boxers from the north before the Japanese army occupied Foshan. , with evil intentions. As the vice-president of the Jingwu Association, Lin Yue is naturally the focus of "care".
Fortunately, it was rumored that he left Foshan first and went to HK to avoid trouble.
Unexpectedly, he would appear in the city now, arrogantly acting as if no one was around.
Lin Yue looked a little funny at her nervous look: "Sister-in-law, don't be nervous. The Japanese army had just occupied Foshan at that time. As a non-governmental organization that is hostile to them, it is normal for the Jingwu Association to be suppressed. Now the Japanese are stationed in Foshan Now that we have a firm foothold, the fire to arrest the important members of the Jingwu Association has become much weaker. In addition, they need the existence of Lin's Trading Company to maintain the market. As long as they don't do anything outrageous, they won't touch me."
Zhang Yongcheng thought about it seriously and felt that it made sense.
After the Japanese entered Foshan, they destroyed factories and buildings. The city's population dropped sharply from more than 300,000 at its peak to 70,000, and the market economy was on the verge of collapse.
The people above realized that fishing from the lake was not feasible, so they began to relax control and allowed industries such as food, clothing, medicine, and energy to operate under the supervision of traitors. The trading company run by Lin Yue was able to traffic in daily necessities such as clothes, soap, matches, etc. from Hong Kong. Coming to Foshan was an economic lifeline. Naturally, the Japanese had to weigh the pros and cons and make a choice between capturing a martial artist or using him to restore the Foshan market.
As Lin Yue said, as long as he remains an honest businessman, the Japanese will not touch him in the short term.
Seeing that she calmed down, Lin Yue took a look at the room. There are two rooms at the front and back, and the stove and the living room are connected together. They are smoky every day, and the old furniture nearby is covered with a layer of ash that cannot be wiped off.
The bedroom and living room were separated by hollow screens and rag strips. Inside there was a bed with bricks on one side, and Ah Zhun was lying on it. He didn't even get off the ground when he came in from the outside, but just looked at him without blinking.
"Where's Senior Brother Ye?"
Zhang Yongcheng straightened his loose hair at the temples and forced a smile: "He went to a friend's house as a guest."
Visiting a friend's house?
In such a precarious environment, who would have nothing to do to visit a friend's house? I'm afraid that Ye Wen went to work as a coolie, because when he entered the house, he saw a set of robes lying in the wooden basin in the corner, with a lot of soot on it. .
Although this Ip Man is modest and steady in his words and deeds, he has a kind of aloofness in his heart. Even after he was in trouble, he refused to accept favors from others. The day before yesterday, he went to Qingquan's factory with two business deals, and the other party told him that he had met Ip Man on the street. , and kindly persuaded him to work in a cotton spinning factory, where he could at least provide food and clothing for his family, but unfortunately Ip Man refused.
"Sit, you sit down." Zhang Yongcheng asked him to sit on the stool next to the Eight Immortals table, and went to the stove to get a thermos to make tea for him, but after searching for a long time, he only found a little bit of tea leaves in the iron box.
Coo coo coo......
A muffled sound came from the direction of the bedroom.
Lin Yue looked towards the place where the sound came from. Ye Zhun was touching his belly with his hand and looking at him with curiosity.
"Azhun, don't you recognize me?"
"I know you are Uncle Lin who teaches children to read and write."
When Zhang Yongcheng took his son shopping, he passed by Endeavor Hall and met him a few times. Ip Man also joked that when Ah Zhun is one or two years older, he will send him to his place to study and read. Not only does Teacher Lin teach well, he can also save a fortune in education. fee.
"Oh, by the way, your paintings are also very good."
Lin Yue smiled: "It's almost evening and I'm still taking a nap. Why don't you go out to play?"
Ah Zhun said with a serious face: "Dad used to love boxing, but he hasn't done it for a long time now. He said he gets hungry easily when he moves too much. We don't have money now, so we need to save some money. Then I won't go out to play, mom." You and dad can eat more."
Lin Yue couldn't help but smile: "Azhun is so good."
After speaking, he opened the bag on the table, took out a small iron box with an English cover and handed it over: "Are you hungry? These are the biscuits I brought from HK. Eat some first."
Ah Zhun got up from the bed and wanted to pick up the iron box he handed over, but stopped halfway and looked at Zhang Yongcheng with doubt.
"Since it's a gift that Uncle Lin brought you, just take it." She held the teacup in both hands and pushed it to Lin Yue. Although it had only been a few months since they last met, compared to the previous Zhang Yongcheng with exquisite features, whether it was Both his complexion and energy levels have deteriorated a lot.
Ah Zhun thanked Uncle Lin, took the iron box, opened the lid with all his strength, grabbed a handful of biscuits and stuffed them into his mouth, scattering the powder.
At this time, Zhang Yongcheng made a small move. She walked over and pushed the iron box in front of Ah Zhun, so that the fallen debris would not be scattered on the bed, but would be collected in the iron box.
Before she got married, she was the daughter of the deputy mayor. After she got married, the living conditions of a young lady from a wealthy family were much better than those of ordinary people. What about now? Even though Ip Man was down and out, she never left him and learned how to live an ordinary life. She was an admirable good woman.
Lin Yue picked up the tea cup and took a sip. The tea was a bit astringent and there was a circle of tea leaves floating on it. It looked cheap, but he drank it naturally.
"Sister-in-law, do you still remember what you said to me when you went to the backyard of Endeavor Hall to find Senior Brother Ye?"
Zhang Yongcheng thought for a while, smiled and nodded.
Lin Yue said: "I haven't eaten the food you cooked for several years in Foshan. I won't leave tonight."
Zhang Yongcheng was very happy that he said this, but the biggest problem now is that there is only a little rice in the urn. During the day, Ye Wen goes to the mine to work as a coolie, and he has to save half of the roasted sweet potato distributed at noon and bring it back to Ah Zhun as rations. , I don’t know where there is extra food to entertain the guests... I can only wait for Ye Wen to come back and ask him to pawn the jade that his father gave her when they got married and buy some meat and vegetables.
"Oh, right."
Lin Yue took out a long and narrow oil paper bag from his bag. Inside was a piece of bacon of about four kilograms.
He then took out an oil paper bag with a cotton rope on it and two tail fins exposed below. It must be a pair of carp, weighing more than ten kilograms.
This is not the end.
The third oil paper package was opened and revealed a small roast goose, the fat almost covering the brown oil paper.
This is not the end.
He rummaged in his handbag and took out several boxes of canned beef and a bottle of wine.
I didn't expect that such a small bag could carry so many things.
Zhang Yongcheng was dumbfounded, and Azhun, who was sitting on the bedside eating biscuits, swallowed hard.
In the past, these foods were nothing to the Ye family, but now, they are a feast to improve their lives.
"Foshan is no different now than it used to be. When I came here, I just walked around the streets and bought a few things. Sister-in-law, just watch and do it."
Zhang Yongcheng took a deep look at him, his nose was slightly sour, and his heart was full of appreciation and gratitude. This cheap junior brother who had not had much interaction with Ip Man growing up was really good to their family.
Ip asked who? Never willing to accept favors from others, even Qingquan, who owed them money, asked him to help in the factory, but he refused. If Lin Yue gave money as a gift, he would definitely not accept it, but what if he came to his home as a guest? When guests come to eat with food, it's not called charity, it's called etiquette, so Ye Wen doesn't have to feel owed a favor.
…
When it was getting dark, Ye Wen came back from the mine. His face, body, and clothes were covered with soot. Zhang Yongcheng helped him wash his face and change his clothes. After that, he took out the stewed fish and steamed bacon and put them on the table. , served everyone a bowl of porridge, and helped Ah Zhun wash his hands. Then under Lin Yue's persuasion, he sat down next to Ye Wen, and the four of them ate and talked around the table.
After three drinks and five dishes, while Zhang Yongcheng was clearing away the leftovers on the table, Lin Yue turned his family talk back to business.
"Senior Brother Ye, I actually want to ask your help for this visit."
Ye Wen was stunned for a moment: "Junior brother, tell me, as long as I can do it."
