"Juan'er, have you really thought about it?" Although the couple knew that Wang Zhong had always been a guest of publishing houses and magazines, they only knew that Wang Zhong had saved some money, but they really didn't know the exact amount.
"Now that you don't have a job, Bingkun still has to go to college, and you have so many children, your monthly expenses in Yanjing are not small!" Qu Xiuzhen was afraid that the young couple would do whatever they wanted when their heads were hot. Thinking too much.
Zheng Juan took Qu Xiuzhen's hand, smiled and explained softly: "Auntie, don't worry, Bingkun has earned a lot of royalties for writing books over the years. The money for building a house must be enough, and there should be some leftover. Quite a bit, it will definitely be enough to cover our family’s expenses in Yanjing.”
"Besides, now not only does the magazine get royalties every month, but the publishing house also gets a share every six months."
As she spoke, Zheng Juan leaned into Li Suhua's ear and whispered about the share Wang Zhong had received from the publishing house a year ago. Qu Xiuzhen was so shocked that she almost couldn't close her mouth from ear to ear, her eyes widened, and she looked in disbelief. , and subconsciously blurted out: "So many?"
Zheng Juan smiled and nodded.
Qu Xiuzhen swallowed her saliva, still feeling a little unbelievable, and murmured in a low voice: "My monthly pension, plus Lao Ma's salary, even after one year, this guy hasn't gotten anything from the publishing house. The dividends are huge!”
Ma Shouchang also looked curious, came over and asked, "What about the publishing company's dividends?"
Qu Xiuzhen looked at Wang Zhong who was sitting there leisurely drinking tea, and said angrily: "For the few books this guy wrote, he got more than 8,000 yuan in dividends from the publishing house a year ago."
More than eight thousand? hiss!
Ma Shouchang took a breath and looked at Wang Zhong in shock.
The combined salary of him and Lao Qu in a year was not that much. As expected of a couple, their first thoughts were the same.
“Does a writer make money like this?”
Although Ma Shouchang was surprised, he had no doubts. He had bought the entire volume of "Changjin Lake" and the first few volumes of "Shuimen Bridge". He read each volume several times without missing a word, and there was something interesting every time. It feels like dreaming back to the time when I fought against the beautiful country.
Qu Xiuzhen hurriedly drank water to calm down her shock: "Okay, let me tell you, you have always been a smart guy who takes one step at a time and sees three steps ahead. How could you do such an impulsive thing?"
Wang Zhong reluctantly picked up the kettle and filled Qu Xiuzhen's enamel vat with hot water: "Comrade Lao Qu, let's discuss something!"
Qu Xiuzhen rolled her eyes at Wang Zhong: "The weasel is here to pay New Year greetings to the chicken!"
"No way!" Wang Zhong said with a shy smile: "If this matter wasn't something you had to do, I wouldn't dare bother you!"
"If you have something to say, say it quickly. If you have something to say, just let it go." Qu Xiuzhen said.
Wang Zhong chuckled and said with a shy face: "I'm going to Yanjing after the new year! I'm thinking that after the homestead is approved, I will first give the materials such as steel bars, sand, gravel and wooden boards that can be put there. On reserve.”
"I will come back during the summer vacation and personally direct the construction."
"It should not be a problem to complete the main body in two months."
Who is Qu Xiuzhen? She was once the president of the High Court and the secretary of a soy sauce factory and a sugar factory. She has long developed a pair of sharp eyes. "Want me to help you prepare these materials?"
"As expected of our Secretary Qu, President Qu, I am..."
"Come on, come on!"
"Besides, I'm not going to help!" Qu Xiuzhen waved her hands quickly, interrupting Wang Zhong's flattery.
Wang Zhong chuckled and winked at Zheng Juan. Zheng Juan took out a bulging envelope from her pocket and handed it to Qu Xiuzhen.
Qu Xiuzhen's sharp eyes glanced back and forth between Zheng Juan and Wang Zhong. Zheng Juan was a little embarrassed and lowered her head with a blush.
Wang Zhong said sternly: "Comrade Laoqu, this is two thousand yuan. If you want to make a list, I will write to you after I draw the design!"
"You kid has convinced me!" Qu Xiuzhen glanced at Wang Zhong, but at the same time she did not forget to take the envelope handed over by Zheng Juan.
"Hehe!" Wang Zhong said with a cheeky smile: "How can you say that? Isn't it because you have retired and are idle all day long, and I am afraid that you will get sick from being bored, so I am thinking of you!"
"So it's for my own good! Hum!" Qu Xiuzhen grunted, opened the envelope, and started counting in front of Wang Zhong and his wife.
The great unity of Yi Shui, a total of two hundred pictures.
"I'm just buying some materials. Do I need so much money?" Qu Xiuzhen frowned.
Wang Zhong explained: "Refund more and make up less! I'm not afraid of having too much, but I'm afraid of not having enough money. If there is any left, I'll ask you to help me find a dozen skilled bricklayers. Let's pay the deposit first. Let them free up their time during the summer vacation, and we will start work as soon as I come back."
"I have a condition!" Qu Xiuzhen was not polite to Wang Zhong.
Wang Zhong said directly: "Please tell me first!"
"Lao Ma and I still need a few god-grandchildren and a god-granddaughter!" Qu Xiuzhen said directly.
Wang Zhong suddenly laughed: "No problem, Cong Cong, Ming Ming, Lingling! Hurry up and call someone."
Zheng Juan was dumbfounded by Wang Zhong's tricks. The three children were also stunned by Wang Zhong's words and did not react at all.
······
On the boulevard of the provincial party committee compound, Hao Dongmei and Jin Yueji supported Hao's father and walked slowly on the road.
The doctor specifically explained that Hao's father's disease was caused by lack of exercise and overexertion. He should rest more, work less, and move around more to activate his blood.
Just walking outside Ma's house, through the window, the family of three could see the lively scene inside, as well as the hearty laughter of Ma Shouchang and Qu Xiuzhen.
"Isn't that Zheng Juan?" Hao Dongmei blurted out subconsciously as she looked through the glass at Zheng Juan, who was standing by the table, wearing an apron and holding a rolling pin, rolling out dough.
"Zheng Juan? Why does it sound familiar?" Father Hao asked.
Hao Dongmei's face changed slightly, a little unnatural, but she still said: "Dad! She is the daughter-in-law of Bingyi's brother Bingkun."
Father Hao nodded, but Jin Yueji said in confusion: "Why is Bingyi's sister-in-law at Xiaoqu and Lao Ma's house?"
"Bingyi's younger brother used to be a worker in a soy sauce factory. Xiaoqu worked as a senior party official in the soy sauce factory and was good at getting along with the masses. I heard that many young people have visited Xiaoqu's home every year in the past few years."
Father Hao looked at the situation in the room and listened to the laughter lingering in his ears. A faint smile appeared on his face unconsciously, and there was a bit of yearning and envy in his eyes.
"Congcong, don't run around! It's cold outside!"
Suddenly I heard Ma Shouchang's shout from inside the house, and then I saw a six or seven-year-old boy running out of the door with an incense stick in one hand and a bunch of firecrackers in his arms. Ma Shouchang was holding two Boys and girls of three or four years old followed closely behind, with bright smiles on their faces that almost reached the corners of their eyes.
"Grandpa Ma! Grandpa Ma! Hurry up!" Zhou Ming urged Ma Shouchang impatiently, "I want to set off firecrackers too."
"That can't be done!" Ma Shouchang held Zhou Ming's hand and said seriously: "Let my brother let go. Mingming and Lingling are watching from the side."
The little guy suddenly became unhappy and pouted, feeling aggrieved.
"Okay, okay! Firecrackers are very dangerous. Only older children can play with them. Even though they are so small, if their hands are injured by the explosions, they won't be able to eat delicious dumplings later."
Ma Shouchang immediately hugged Mingming and comforted him with clumsy lies.
Unexpectedly, this kid really believed it. He thought seriously for a while and then said, "Then I will set off firecrackers when I grow up."
"Grandpa Ma, Grandpa Ma, I want to eat dumplings too!" Zhou Ling next to her also started coquettishly, grabbing Ma Shouchang's rough fingers with her little hands and shaking them from side to side.
"Okay, okay! Let's eat lots and lots of dumplings for Lingling later."
Ma Shouchang held one in his arms and held the other in his arms, with an unusually bright smile on his face.
Over at the intersection, the Hao family of three watched this scene, with a look of envy on the faces of Hao's father and Jin Yueji.
"Dongmei, are those the children of Bingyi's brother?" Hao's father asked curiously.
Hao Dongmei forced a smile and said: "The eldest is Zhou Cong, and his nickname is Congcong. The two younger ones are called Zhou Ming, a boy, and Zhou Ling, a girl. Their nicknames are Mingming and Lingling respectively."
Yesterday, Wang Zhong had just had a falling out with his family, and he even mentioned the separation of the family. In and out of his words, he was trying to get rid of Zhou Bingyi, at least that's what Hao Dongmei thought.
Because of this, the good impression Hao Dongmei had accumulated towards Wang Zhong over the years had almost disappeared.
"Auntie?"
Zhou Cong had just put the firecrackers away and was about to look around to see if anyone was about to burn them. He happened to see Hao Dongmei's family of three standing at the intersection.
"Hao*Chang? Jin*Ren? Who are you?" Ma Shouchang followed the sound and saw the three of them, and quickly said hello.
"Let's take a walk!" Hao's father showed a smile on his face and acted quite warmly.
In fact, the two families are very familiar with each other. Jin Yueji is Qu Xiuzhen's old superior and the matchmaker between Qu Xiuzhen and Lao Ma. The two families often have frequent contacts.
"Hello, Auntie!" Zhou Ming and Zhou Ling, who were put on the ground by Ma Shouchang, saw Hao Dongmei and called out obediently.
"Congcong, Mingming, Lingling!" Hao Dongmei still liked Wang Zhong and Zheng Juan's children from the bottom of her heart.
"Hao *Chang, Jin *Ren, the house is busy today. Lao Maqu and the others are making dumplings in the house. Let's sit inside for a while and eat some together later."
"No, Lao Ma, we just had breakfast." Father Hao said politely.
"Oh~~~ We've had breakfast, but haven't we eaten lunch yet? It's lively with so many people."
Congcong was quite sensible. While the adults were talking nearby, he waited obediently and did not set off firecrackers to disturb them.
"Hey! Isn't this sister-in-law!"
Wang Zhong walked out of the room and shouted loudly, pretending to be surprised.
"Is he Zhou Bingkun?" Jin Yueji asked in a low voice, and Hao Dongmei hummed softly.
"Bingkun!" In front of Ma Shouchang, Hao Dongmei could only force a smile, but the smile was really forced.
While talking, Wang Zhong had already picked up Lingling. Zhou Cong looked at the firecracker in his hand tangledly. After much hesitation, he ran to Wang Zhong's side and stood obediently.
"Why don't you go sit at home when you're here?" Hao Dongmei's smile was so forced that even Ma Shouchang could tell something was wrong.
"What my sister-in-law said is interesting. I just want to sit down, but I have to know which way the door of my sister-in-law's house opens!" Wang Zhong said with a smile on his face.
But after hearing this, Hao Dongmei just felt embarrassed and didn't know how to respond to her brother-in-law's words, especially in front of Ma Shouchang, a familiar elder.
If Wang Zhong kicked Zhou Bingyi yesterday, revealed her and Zhou Bingyi's secret in front of Zhou's father and mother, and made her inability to conceive known to the public, Hao Dongmei's impression of Wang Zhong should have deteriorated, but last night When the couple returned to Hao's house, Hao Dongmei tossed and turned, had trouble falling asleep, and thought a lot.
The fact that she was unable to get pregnant should not have been hidden from Zhou Zhigang and Li Suhua. Even if they were hiding it now, could they keep it hidden for the rest of their lives?
Moreover, the reason for the conflict between Lao Zhou's family yesterday was, in the final analysis, that her parents said they were going to Guangzi Film to meet her in-laws, but the reason for this was not just because of this.
She and Zhou Bingyi have been married for six or seven years, and her parents have been back in Jichun for more than three years, but the two families who are supposed to be in-laws have never met each other.
Hao Dongmei thought about all these things all night long and suffered a sleepless night.
"Bingkun!" Ma Shouchang, who was standing next to him, kicked Wang Zhong and winked at him: "It's all nonsense."
"Uncle Ma, I'm not lying. Since my brother and my sister-in-law got married, no one in our family, except my eldest brother, including my parents, has ever met my sister-in-law's parents."
“Let alone going to my sister-in-law’s house!”
"You two are my sister-in-law's parents! Ouch, look at what happened. If I hadn't run into my sister-in-law taking my two elders for a walk today, if we had bumped into each other on the road, I, a junior, wouldn't have recognized them. My sister-in-law’s parents, if this spreads out, wouldn’t it make people laugh?”
Ma Shouchang was stunned by Wang Zhong's words, obviously he did not expect such a situation.
"Bingkun! I'm about the same age as your father. Is it okay to call you Bingkun?" In front of Ma Shouchang, both Hao's father and Jin Yueji looked bad and quickly changed the subject.
Wang Zhong said: "You are an elder, you can call me whatever you want."
"Bingkun, Lao Jin and I are really too busy on weekdays. We don't consider many things and do them poorly. No wonder you have prejudices against me and Lao Jin!" Father Hao said with emotion on his face. .
Wang Zhong also smiled: "How can that be enough? I must have heard you wrong. You and your sister-in-law are both national and state cadres. They work hard to serve ordinary people like us. You two have to take care of everything. At such a long age, I have limited energy, so I can’t cover everything. We all understand this.”
Beautiful words, who can’t say them?
"As expected of a college student, he has insights and structure." Hao's father nodded, looking very satisfied: "But if you are dissatisfied with something, don't hide it, say it openly, and let the two of us The family needs to sit down and work it out.”
"After all, we are in-laws!"
Wang Zhong said: "There is nothing to be dissatisfied with, you are worrying too much!"
"By the way, my sister-in-law said you have asthma. It's so cold outside and the wind is so strong. You can't stay too long. If you catch a cold, you'll suffer." Wang Zhong looked warm-hearted.
"Dad, Mom! Let's go back quickly!" Hao Dongmei didn't want to stay here any longer. Facing Wang Zhong, she was even a little at a loss and didn't know how to deal with it.
After all, Ma Shouchang had also been in the officialdom, and he still had the ability to observe people's emotions. After listening for a while, he could faintly hear that the two sides did not seem to be dealing with each other very well.
"Why are you so anxious, Dongmei? Uncle Ma has to talk to you. Your father is usually so busy with work, so it's rare to meet him. During the Chinese New Year, the family happens to be making dumplings. Everyone sits together and eats dumplings. That's no better than you." It will be much more lively when we go back.”
"Uncle Ma, this..." Hao Dongmei frowned, a little anxious.
Jin Yueji noticed something was wrong with her daughter and quietly tugged on Hao's father's clothes.
Father Hao noticed something, and after looking at each other with Ma Shouchang, he still smiled and said: "Old Ma is right, it's rare to be busy during the Chinese New Year."
But it was Hao's father who noticed Ma Shouchang's plan to reconcile the two sides and resolve the conflict.
It just so happened that Hao's father also had this idea. It was better to dissolve enemies than to make enemies. Moreover, the two families were in-laws. Hao Dongmei was Wang Zhong's sister-in-law, and she would not see her in the Zhou family without looking up.
After hearing this, Hao Dongmei was very anxious, but she had nothing to do. Hao's father was always the one who made the decision in the family.
Hao Dongmei did not dare to tell Father Hao about what happened at Zhou's house yesterday. She only told her mother because she was afraid of causing Hao's father's condition to relapse.
