After lunch, Zhou Bingyi hurried back to Hao's house from Guangzipian.
In the living room, Jin Yueji was questioning Hao Dongmei loudly.
"What's going on? Your father and I heard you say that there was a conflict in the old Zhou family, so we happened to meet each other, so we went over with good intentions and planned to make peace with you, but what happened? That Zhou Bingkun, what he said was unreasonable. Every word is either teasing or sarcastic, saying that your father and I are meddling in our own business!"
"You also said that it is difficult for upright officials to deal with household matters. Are you treating us as elders?"
"This obviously treats me and your father as outsiders!"
Jin Yueji was holding back her anger. Although Wang Zhong didn't blush with them or shout a single word, every word was like a soft knife, cutting into Jin Yueji's body and piercing her heart.
Father Hao is no longer as approachable as he was at first, his face is gloomy, and he is sitting on the sofa.
"What happened to the Zhou family?" Hao's father asked in a deep voice.
"Dad! Mom! Dongmei, I'm back!" Zhou Bingyi opened the door and walked in beside Hao Dongmei, supporting her. Just now at the door, Zhou Bingyi had already heard the general idea.
Seeing Zhou Bingyi come back, Hao Dongmei couldn't suppress her grievances anymore. She burst out and threw herself into Zhou Bingyi's arms and started crying.
Zhou Bingyi also ignored the presence of Hao's father and Jin Yueji, and took Hao Dongmei into his arms.
After a few words of consolation, she took Hao Dongmei's hand and sat on the sofa on the other side.
Seeing this scene, Hao's father and Jin Yueji's expressions brightened slightly.
"Dad! Mom! This is my fault. I asked Dongmei not to tell you for now. After all, this is not a glorious thing." Zhou Bingyi quickly prepared a draft in his heart.
"Explain to me what's going on." All Jin Yueji's anger was instantly transferred to Zhou Bingyi.
Zhou Bingyi turned his head and glanced at Hao Dongmei beside him, took the opportunity to take a deep breath, calmed down, patted the back of Hao Dongmei's hand with their fingers intertwined, smiled softly, gave her a reassuring look, and sorted out the ideas in his draft. good.
Then he turned to Hao's father and Jin Yueji and explained: "Actually, this is what happened..."
"Actually, in the final analysis, my dad is also responsible for this matter. Since childhood, because Zhou Rong and I studied better than Bingkun, my dad prefers me and Zhou Rong. Bingkun has been more naughty and mischievous since he was a child. My dad also has a bit of a hot temper when Bingkun gets into trouble. Every time Bingkun gets into trouble, my dad will give him a good beating. Over the years, my dad has developed the habit of attacking Bingkun whenever something goes wrong."
"In the past, Bingkun was still young and ignorant, so he taught me a lesson. But now, Bingkun is in his twenties and almost thirty, and he has three children. My father is still the same as before. If you don't agree, take action, Bingkun will definitely have different thoughts in his heart."
"In addition, Bingkun probably saw that I married Dongmei. Dongmei and I were both admitted to college. You and mom were rehabilitated and you were in a high position. His wife Zheng Juan didn't even finish elementary school. She felt a little unhappy. A big balance, maybe a little jealous, all the emotions accumulated and burst out at once."
"My dad was so angry yesterday that he couldn't hold it back and kicked him in front of the children. Then Bingkun and my dad had a falling out, which implicated Zhou Rong and me. He said he wanted to separate the family, so he took his wife and children out to live alone, and he didn’t want any of the savings for the family house.”
According to Zhou Bingyi, what happened yesterday had nothing to do with Hao's father and Jin Yueji. All the reasons lay with the Zhou family. Zhou Zhigang favored his eldest son and daughter Zhou Rong, but treated his younger son too much. If you look down on them, you will be beaten or scolded.
As for Zhou Bingkun kicking him, he didn't mention it. Zhou Bingyi didn't want Hao's father and Hao's mother to know that he and Hao Dongmei had hidden Zhou Zhigang and Li Suhua's story about Zhou Bingyi's own infertility.
"If you ask me, my father-in-law did the right thing. Zhou Bingkun is the real young master." Jin Yueji said angrily.
Father Hao frowned and glanced at Jin Yueji: "Okay! Just stop saying a few words."
"In the end, Zhou Bingkun can't be entirely blamed for this!"
Hao's father said something fair: "In a family with many children, the most taboo thing for parents is that a bowl of water is uneven. If this was done in ancient times, if you were not careful, it would probably lead to brotherly feud."
The old couple, one with a red face and the other with a pale face, have a tacit understanding.
Zhou Bingyi was a little embarrassed. Hao Dongmei looked nervous and held Zhou Bingyi's hand tightly. She wanted to say something, but when the words came to her lips, she couldn't say them out.
"Hey!" Zhou Bingyi sighed: "For so many years, he has stayed in Jichun alone, taking care of my mother and the family. At this point, Zhou Rong and we really owe him."
"Your younger brother should be a pretty good person. Xiao Qu is the most disgusting person in his eyes. He can be so close to Xiao Qu and Lao Ma, so his character should be good." Hao's father comforted Zhou Bingyi.
"Either he is too scheming and even the little song was deceived by him." Jin Yueji made no secret of her disgust towards Wang Zhong.
"Lao Jin, don't think everyone is so bad! Our people are still very simple." Hao's father said.
Jin Yueji did not agree, but she did not refute Hao's father's words in front of her children.
"Bingyi, your family is really going to be divided. Zhou Bingkun is going to take his wife and children to separate. Do you want you to inherit the old Zhou family?" Jin Yueji looked at Zhou Bingyi with a calm expression on her face, but her eyes became sharp and seemed to be able to penetrate people's hearts.
This question stunned Zhou Bingyi.
If you inherit the old Zhou family, you have to support your parents. At least in the future, when your parents are old, Zhou Bingyi will support them. Even if the family is not divided now, the old Zhou family will be divided in the future. From ancient times to the present, it is assumed that the eldest son will inherit. Having a family and supporting his parents is a step that Zhou Bingyi cannot escape no matter what.
It's just that Wang Zhong has pushed this step forward.
"I am the eldest son in the family, and of course I have the obligation to support my parents in the future." Zhou Bingyi blurted out the answer without hesitation.
Jin Yueji's expression changed slightly, but Hao's father smiled, quite satisfied: "It is the responsibility and obligation of children to support their parents."
Zhou Bingyi continued: "As for the old Zhou family, except for the two old houses built by my father, there is nothing else to inherit. There are many children in the Bingkun family, so they will definitely not be able to live in them."
Zhou Bingyi's reaction was also quick. In just a few words, he deduced the reason for the family separation.
They are all smart people, Hao's father naturally heard it, and looked at Zhou Bingyi and nodded with satisfaction.
Father Hao said: "If you have time, please advise your brother. We are all one family. If anything happens, just sit down and talk it over."
"What dad said is that I will find an opportunity to persuade him later." Zhou Bingyi agreed decisively.
······
In the room, Zhou Bingyi and Hao Dongmei were lying on the bed. Hao Dongmei was leaning on Zhou Bingyi's arms. Both of them were only wearing pajamas.
"Bingyi, you... why are you... today..."
Zhou Bingyi gently stroked Hao Dongmei's back and said softly: "Dad just had asthma yesterday. There is no need for us to worry about dad's messy things in my family."
"You can tell Mom about this in private later, so that they don't encounter Bingkun in the future and do what they did today."
Jin Yueji has a strong body. She doesn't even notice minor illnesses or pains on weekdays. She also has her own set of rules for doing things, but her airs are too high. Now that the Hao family has been rehabilitated and has recovered, she will I can’t look down on the old Zhou family from a working-class family.
In fact, the same is true for Hao's father. Otherwise, they have returned to Jichun for so many years, and Hao Dongmei is their only remaining daughter. How could they not have time to meet her in-laws.
Speaking of busy, is it possible that the two of them can still be busy from day to night, from the beginning of the year to the end of the year, with their heads hanging upside down? Feet not touching the ground?
Even if Hao's father is busy, Jin Yueji has already retired and is idle at home all day long. Can't she also meet her in-laws?
In the final analysis, she still looks down upon her. She thinks that Zhou Bingyi is too high to marry her daughter. It is great that they can accept Zhou Bingyi. How can they accept Zhou Bingyi's family.
"What are you going to do about Bingkun?" Speaking of this, after thinking about it for a day and a night, Hao Dongmei even felt a little apologetic in her heart.
Partly because of his parents, partly because of Zhou Bingyi.
After calming down, Hao Dongmei also thought clearly. Wang Zhong's kick to Zhou Bingyi yesterday was not really unjust. It was Zhou Bingyi who rushed forward to fight Wang Zhong first. At that time, Wang Zhong had just been kicked hard by Zhou Zhigang. Kicked, he was angry.
Zhou Bingyi wanted to hit him again, how could he hold back and not fight back.
"What can we do? We don't have time to think about him now." Zhou Bingyi smiled helplessly.
"What's wrong?" As soon as Hao Dongmei asked, the expression on her face suddenly froze. She got up from Zhou Bingyi's arms and looked at Zhou Bingyi with wide eyes: "You mean, I can't have children?"
Zhou Bingyi nodded: "When I went back today, my dad caught me and asked me about it. Fortunately, I was able to keep it quiet."
Although Zhou Bingyi said it lightly, in fact, Zhou Zhigang's attitude towards him today was not good at all. He had a cold face and a questioning tone.
"We definitely can't keep this matter secret any longer." Hao Dongmei had tears in her eyes, "If... if..."
Hao Dongmei couldn't even imagine it, and she couldn't even say it, so she threw herself into Zhou Bingyi's arms.
"Don't worry! I'll take care of everything! As for my dad, I will convince him."
Zhou Bingyi vowed to do so.
Although she felt better after receiving Zhou Bingyi's assurance, Hao Dongmei still felt uneasy and tears fell from her eyes.
It made Zhou Bingyi feel distressed.
······
On the third day of the new year, Qiao Chunyan organized another party. The party was not outside, but in the house assigned by Qiao Chunyan's work unit.
After leaving the children in the care of Li Suhua, Wang Zhong led Zheng Juan there. There were not many people there, just National Day and catching up, as well as their daughters-in-law Wu Qian and Yu Hong. Tang Xiangyang did not come back from Yanjing, but Lu Chuan did. In Jichun, there was no intention of attending the party.
As soon as the door was opened, everyone in the room was somewhat surprised when they saw the couple coming hand in hand.
"What an expression!" Wang Zhong casually threw his coat, hat, and scarf aside as if he were returning home.
Hearing the sound, Qiao Chunyan walked out of the kitchen with a spatula in her hand and a smile on her face. When she saw the two people, she happily greeted them: "Brother! Sister-in-law!"
"Chun Yan'er! The child was too noisy, so we were delayed for a while! We must not have been late!" Wang Zhong also explained with a smile.
"No, no, it's not late at all, the meal is not ready yet!" The Chunyan thief will have troubles, ups and downs, and now he has become a well-organized grassroots cadre, who has not been polished by life into the original plot. The final look.
The current Qiao Chunyan is still the enthusiastic, generous, cheerful, and capable Qiao Chunyan. At least so far, Wang Zhong and Zheng Juaner have good feelings about her.
Yu Hong and Wu Qian also came out of the kitchen and greeted the couple.
"I'm going to help in the kitchen, you guys chat first." Zheng Juan squeezed her way into the crowd of women, and the four of them crowded in the small kitchen, chatting and cooking, talking and laughing, which was quite lively.
Outside, four grown men sat in a circle, eating melon seeds and peanuts.
"Bingkun'er, is it true what you told Qianchao?" Taking advantage of this opportunity, Xiao Guoqing suddenly asked.
Wang Zhong said: "Fake, am I just trying to catch up with you when I have nothing to do?"
Xiao Guoqing was stunned and looked at Wang Zhong in disbelief with his big eyes.
Seeing his expression, Sun Qianchao quickly pushed him: "What do you think, Bingkun can fool us?"
The three of them grew up naked, so they know very well what kind of temperament they have.
Even Zheng Juan's square in Taiping Hutong could be rented to Sun Qunchao and his family of three for temporary stay at a low price, so how could he deceive them about such a thing.
Xiao Guoqing rubbed the back of his head, feeling a little embarrassed.
"Besides, if you learn a craft, you can find a way out even if you don't work in the lumber factory anymore."
Xiao Guoqing nodded, convinced: "It really makes sense."
Sun Qianchao on the side hooked Xiao Guoqing's shoulder: "Bingkun is a college student, or a college student at Shuimu University. How can he trick us?"
"That's true." Xiao Guoqing rubbed his head, smiled naively, and explained to Sun Qianchao belatedly: "I don't believe you, and I want to confirm it with Bingkun."
"Hey, Xiao Guoqing, okay!" These next words made Sun Qianchao stand up excitedly, rolled up his sleeves and prepared to take action.
It's clear that he doesn't believe his mother! He also forced himself to explain.
"It's time to let him have a long memory!" Wang Zhong also nodded in agreement.
In an instant, Sun Qianchao and Cao Debao pounced on Xiao Guoqing, pressing him on the bed and rubbing him hard for a while.
Wang Chong looked on with a smile. No matter how much Xiao Guoqing begged for mercy, he had no intention of helping him.
"What's so lively?" Qiao Chunyan asked curiously as the women walked out of the kitchen one by one carrying plates.
The two of them quickly let go of Xiao Guoqing and tidied up the clothes, sofa and messed up bed sheets.
Sun Qianchao said: "It's nothing. Bingkun said that Guoqing and I should learn some brickmaking skills. Even if we don't work in the lumber factory anymore, we can still find work."
"Mason?" Qiao Chunyan said with a smile: "You two have done a good job in the lumber factory, why should you learn to be a mason?"
"That's right, a job in the lumber factory is an iron rice bowl." Wu Qian immediately expressed her position. After speaking, she looked at Wang Zhong warily. Xiao Guoqing had discussed this matter with her.
Wang Zhong said with a smile: "There is an old saying that says that if you have many skills, you will not be overwhelmed. If you can do as many preparations as you can, do as many preparations as possible. We are not afraid of spending time and effort."
"You don't have to be a bricklayer, you can be a carpenter, an electrician, a welder, a fitter, anything. As long as you can learn it, you can do it. You can't just be a material worker all your life!"
"Let's just talk about me. In this life, I have never thought about glory, wealth, and good food and clothing. I just want to be able to provide for my parents until they die, bring up the children, and do my best to let the children enjoy what they can enjoy at this stage. get the best education, and then watch them marry, have children, and start a family.”
Wang Zhong counted on his fingers: "You build a house and send the children to school. When the children grow up, you have to give them something good to eat. The children are getting older year by year, so you have to buy clothes. ?That doesn’t cost money.
To put it bluntly, in the future our parents will get old, sick, and need to be hospitalized. Well, at this time we will have no money in our pockets! Should we just let them endure it and suffer it? "
Wang Zhong's words were like a needle piercing into the hearts of Qian Chao and Guo Qing, and also spoke to the hearts of everyone in the room.
After all, it was the poor word that caused trouble before.
Sun Qianchao said: "I don't have much ability. I'm not as smart as Debao or as capable as Chunyan. I don't know how to get into trouble. I'm not as smart as Bingkun. My hands are also stupid. I can't do the carpentry work. Those who can do it can't do it." That’s all you have.”
"National Day, no matter what you think, I have made up my mind anyway. I not only want to learn clay brickwork, but I also have to learn it well."
Guo Qing put his arm around Qian Chao's shoulders and said, "Chao'er, you're right. We don't have the fate of Debao. We can only become leaders with this strength."
"We will study together then."
Although Wu Qian was unhappy, she couldn't refute it. After all, if she could do more jobs, she would have more income, and her family's current situation would also be better.
