"mom!"
It was still early, the sky was still bright, the door of the old house was closed, and the lock on the door was also removed. Wang Zhong breathed a sigh of relief, pushed open the courtyard door, and shouted towards the back room.
"Bingkun?" Li Suhua's response came from inside the room. Wang Zhong rushed outside the main door, opened the door and opened the curtain, and plunged into the house, just in time to catch up with Li Suhua who came out of the east room.
"Why are you here?"
It was Li Suhua who asked.
"What do you think!" Wang Zhong said angrily: "Even if you go back to your old house, you should have told me in advance! How could you just run back without saying anything?"
Li Suhua looked stern, and her youngest son came to the door. She also knew that she was wrong.
Wang Zhong must have gone to Chunyan's parents' house to look for her but couldn't find her, and then came to the old house.
Before Li Suhua could speak, another person walked out of the room.
"Bingkun!" Zhou Bingyi was as usual, there was no change.
"Let me tell you, Mom, for no reason, how could she not know that Juan'er and I would run back to the old house, and it turns out that my eldest brother is also there." Wang Zhong was not surprised. For no reason, how could Li Suhua run back alone? Old house.
"You can't blame mom. Mom and I happened to bump into each other on the road. I had something to tell mom, so I dragged her back." Zhou Bingyi looked very calm.
Wang Zhong looked around the room: "Where is sister-in-law?"
"Your sister-in-law is staying with her mother at home!" Zhou Bingyi said, "Why are you in such a hurry to find your mother?"
It was dinner time this time, and Li Suhua told Wang Zhong and Zheng Juan before going out that she would go back to Guang Zi Pian today. In the past, Li Suhua had finished dinner in Guang Zi Pian before returning to Wang Zhong's house.
Today, when it was time for dinner, Wang Zhong came over and asked if something was wrong.
"I was thinking about taking the whole family to Jishantang for dinner today. I waited and waited but didn't see my mother coming home."
Zhou Bingyi nodded.
Wang Zhong looked at Zhou Bingyi, then at Li Suhua, sighed in his heart, and still extended an invitation: "Brother, do you want to go together?"
Zhou Bingyi has obvious advantages and disadvantages. He is somewhat admirable, but his shortcomings make Wang Zhong despise him.
At first, Wang Zhong felt a little conflicted about him, but he didn't hate him.
That time Wang Zhong kicked him out of anger. To be honest, Zhou Bingyi was asking for it.
But ever since the last time Jin Yueji brought Hao Dongmei to her house, hoping that he and Zheng Juan would adopt the little tail to Zhou Bingyi, Wang Zhong had a knot in his heart, and Zhou Bingyi also knew that once the gap between the brothers was born, it would disappear again. Difficult to disappear.
But today, Wang Zhong was able to talk to him in a pleasant manner without losing face, and even invited him to have dinner with his family. Zhou Bingyi was very happy.
In fact, in Wang Zhong's view, Zhou Bingyi is a very contradictory person. He wants to live in harmony with his family and have a happy family, but he also acquiesces to his annoying mother-in-law and wife's behavior that obviously destroys the relationship between him and his brother. .
He loved Hao Dongmei so much that he gave up his future, the opportunity for advancement, and even the possibility of giving birth to his own offspring for her. For this reason, he did not hesitate to deceive his parents, which became one of the main reasons for the conflicts in the old Zhou family.
He is eager to climb up, to gain power and realize his ambitions, but he naively believes that as long as he works hard and strives to improve, his superiors will always appreciate him.
Wang Zhong didn't hate him, but he didn't like him either. The reason why he invited him was just because of Li Suhua's earnest eyes.
A smile appeared on Zhou Bingyi's face, Wang Zhong's attitude made him happy, "Okay, it just so happens that our family hasn't had dinner together for a long time."
"Let's go then, Juan'er and the children have already gone over to order food."
However, Li Suhua was a little unhappy: "You are not old enough to eat in any restaurant. Juan'er's cooking skills are no worse than those of the chefs in big restaurants. We can cook whatever we want at home. It is not necessary to go out to restaurants."
"Mom! That's not how this happened."
Wang Zhong said: "Think about it, Juan'er has to cook, pick up and drop off the children every day for more than 360 days throughout the year, and has so many housework, without a day off throughout the year. Don't you feel bad when you look at her?"
"It's a woman's job to do housework and take care of her children. Which woman doesn't come here like this? Remember when your father was working outside and your grandparents were in Ludi's hometown, wasn't it true that I took you three siblings by myself? I still have to cook and do housework, after all these years.”
"Yes, you don't feel sorry for your daughter-in-law, but I still feel sorry for my own!" Wang Zhong often took the initiative to quarrel with Li Suhua like this, which was a way to adjust his life.
Li Suhua glanced at Wang Zhong: "You brat, are you really angry with your mother? Is that what I meant!"
Wang Zhong spread his hands and looked innocent: "How dare I make you angry!"
"What I mean is, even if you feel sorry for your wife, you don't have to go out to a restaurant! It's so expensive to eat in a restaurant. If you really feel sorry for your wife, then cook yourself and help Juan'er cook for a few days."
"Okay, I will cook for a few more days later. Today we will go to Jishantang. I have already said hello to Editor Shao in advance. They have specially reserved a big box for us. If we don't want to go, let's go. You pigeon, I will never meet Editor Shao again."
Li Suhua has always been a soft-spoken person, so Wang Zhong didn't know her very well.
"It's just a waste of money." Although Li Suhua couldn't help but roll her eyes at Wang Zhong again, she didn't say anything.
"Bingkun, when did Zheng Juan and the children set off?" Zhou Bingkun shook his head with a smile on his face. Seeing the relaxed and happy way his mother and brother got along, he felt happy.
Wang Zhong said: "They went over first when I went out. Let's rush over now. It should be about the same time."
"Okay, Mom, it's getting late. We should set off. Don't keep Zheng Juan and the children waiting too long."
The three of them immediately set off and rushed towards Jishan Hall.
Jishantang was run by Golden Land Magazine, a subsidiary of Jiangliao Publishing House, and the person in charge was Shao Jingwen, the former editor-in-chief of Golden Land Magazine. Although it was not like the original plot, where he did not take the leading role, Jishantang was finally opened. , and the business is not bad, it is quite famous in Jichun, and the business is prosperous.
Wang Zhong called Shao Jingwen early in the morning and booked a large box.
Just a few steps out the door, I ran into Qiao Chunyan and Cao Debao who were coming.
"Godmother!" When Qiao Chunyan saw Li Suhua, a relieved smile appeared on her face. Fortunately, Li Suhua was fine. Otherwise, she really didn't know how to explain to Wang Zhong.
"Ouch! My godmother, wherever you are going, you can just say hello to us in advance! If something happens to you, then I will never have the honor to see Brother Bingkun in the future!"
Qiao Chunyan held Li Suhua's hand and said with lingering fear. Although the words were a bit exaggerated, they made Li Suhua feel even more guilty.
There's nothing she can do about it, she did it improperly.
"I didn't expect this either!"
Li Suhua rolled her eyes at Qiao Chunyan: "It's not you, girl! You said you were not going well at work. Why are you venting your anger on your mother? You'll make her so angry."
Qiao Chunyan also understood that Li Suhua was worried that she would quarrel with her mother and make her mother angry, so she went to her home specifically to visit and persuade her to stop.
"It's my attitude that's wrong. I shouldn't have brought the anger I suffered at work home and made you worry." Qiao Chunyan also has a temperament that is used to going downhill.
"I, Qiao Chunyan, promise to the party and the people that I will make corrections and never do it again." Qiao Chunyan raised her hand and pointed three fingers to the sky, vowing.
Li Suhua pulled her and continued to exhort her, saying nothing more than some commonplace words.
The two women walked in front, and the three grown men could only follow behind.
Cao Debao looked back and forth between Zhou Bingyi and Wang Zhong, curious and hesitant to speak.
"What's going on with Chunyan?" Zhou Bingyi couldn't help but asked curiously after hearing the conversation between Li Suhua and Qiao Chunyan.
Wang Zhong raised his eyebrows slightly and asked, "Didn't Mom tell you?"
Zhou Bingyi shook his head, but Cao Debao was quick to talk, "That's what happened, Chunyan's unit..."
Qiao Chunyan's matter was explained clearly in a few sentences. Zhou Bengyi frowned but said nothing.
Cao Debao wanted to say something more, but Wang Zhong grabbed him, winked at him, and shook his head.
Zhou Bingyi didn't say much. Now he is just a sinecure with no power. Hao's father has been gone for a few years. Although there is Jin Yueji who has also retired, Zhou Bingyi is also a man of great ambition. , I don’t want others to say that I relied on the blessing of my in-law family to climb up step by step.
Even Cai Xiaoguang, who was very helpful to their family and almost became Zhou Bingyi's brother-in-law, didn't ask Zhou Bingyi to ask his father-in-law for help. Instead, he asked Wang Chong to find Qu Xiuzhen, let alone Qiao Chunyan.
Wang Chongcha changed the subject: "De Bao, we haven't gotten together for a long time. This Saturday, in celebration of National Day and National Day, come to my house together and let's have a good drink."
Wang Zhong looked at Qiao Chunyan, who was chatting and laughing with Li Suhua in front of her, as close as his own daughter, and his thoughts moved slightly.
When they arrived at the door of Qiao's house, Qiao Chunyan let go of Li Suhua's hand and waved to the three of them: "Godmother, Brother Bingyi, Bingkun, we will go back first, please go slower on the road."
Li Suhua warned her again: "Don't argue with your mother!"
"I know godmother!" Qiao Chunyan grinned, two rows of white teeth looming, making her look even more elegant.
It has to be said that Qiao Chunyan is worthy of being the second most beautiful woman in the optical film after Zhou Rong in appearance.
Wang Zhong stepped forward and said: "If you are really not going well at work and are willing to give up your iron job, you can come to me. I don't dare to say anything else. With your energy to do things right now, your salary will definitely be better than Now it’s doubled several times.”
Qiao Chunyan looks carefree, but in fact she has a delicate mind and can observe people's words. She is also smart and clever, and she is a malleable talent.
Wang Zhong is preparing to develop in Jichun and is in need of capable talents. If Qiao Chunyan is willing to come and train for a period of time, he will definitely be an effective stopper.
Qiao Chunyan was stunned for a moment, and then the smile on her face became even wider: "Keep your word. If I can't survive, I'll have to rely on you."
But Wang Zhong quickly pushed back a step: "As long as you don't dislike my little temple here."
"Come on, hurry up and don't let Juan'er and the children wait too long."
······
At the dinner table in Jishan Hall, Wang Zhong grabbed a bottle of wine and started drinking with Zhou Bingyi.
It was Zhou Bingyi who suggested it.
After three rounds of drinking, Wang Zhong's face was slightly red from the alcohol, but Zhou Bingyi's expression remained as usual.
"Bingkun, look at Dongmei's mother's place..." Zhou Bingyi also knew that he was in the wrong and wanted to completely untie the knot between the brothers.
But as soon as he finished speaking, he was interrupted by Wang Zhong.
"Brother!"
"If you don't mention this, you are still my eldest brother. If you keep talking, then let's stop drinking this wine. After we finish our meal and go out, then don't blame me for turning against me."
Wang Zhong's attitude was very firm.
"Bingkun!" Li Suhua suddenly became anxious, but he could only stare and worry.
Li Suhua really knows this old guy in her family very well.
Zhou Bingyi's face didn't look very good.
"Bingkun, you are my family, but Dongmei's mother is also my and Dongmei's family!" Zhou Bingyi's voice was trembling.
Wang Zhong put down his wine glass, turned to look at Zhou Bingyi, and stared into his eyes: "Yes, she is your family, not mine. In the past, she looked down on our old Zhou family. Although I was not happy , but did I say anything? I didn’t say anything.”
"The key to this matter does not lie with her, nor with me, but with you."
"It's up to me?" Zhou Bingyi was a little unable to turn around.
Wang Zhongdao: "You want to be a good son, take good care of your parents and make them happy, you want to be a husband and make your sister-in-law happy, and you want to be a son-in-law so that the Hao family can look up to you."
"The idea is good, but how about the implementation? I dare not say you are wrong, but I have never approved of your approach. What are you like in the Hao family? You must be cautious in what you say and do, right? Worry about this, worry about that, for fear of They’ll look down on you.”
Zhou Bingyi didn't answer, but his expression already gave the answer.
Wang Zhong had no intention of stopping: "You feel that you are caught in the middle, so you have been married for so many years and your parents have never met each other. No, we met in 1981. My sister-in-law's mother and Our mother met, but why did we meet? Do you want me to give my brother a heads up?"
Zhou Bingyi's expression was a bit unnatural. He had always felt guilty about this matter, both for Wang Zhong and Zheng Juan.
"Bingkun! This matter is indeed our fault. We did not consider the feelings of you and Juan'er. We were too selfish." Zhou Bingyi said.
Wang Zhong did not answer Zhou Bingyi's words, but continued: "Between our two families, I know you are in a dilemma, but I don't believe you haven't thought about what this matter is all about."
Zhou Bingyi didn't expect Wang Zhong to say so many words at once, but he still listened patiently to every word. When Wang Zhong finished speaking, he opened his mouth and wanted to explain something, but he didn't know what to say. They were all told by Wang Zhong.
But what Wang Zhong said next made it difficult for Zhou Bingyi to breathe: "It is true that our family is a workers' family, but my sister-in-law's parents are both big leaders in the province. I don't know, when you lived in the Hao family, there were There has never been a time when you were tossing and turning and couldn't sleep. Have you ever felt inferior to your family background in front of your sister-in-law's parents?
If you really have, then I can only say that you, eldest brother, are to blame for the relationship between our two families developing to this point. "
Wang Zhong's sentences are like swords.
"Today is no longer the old society. Eight years of resistance and three years of liberation. Those who sacrificed their lives and blood in exchange for the ancestors of today's era. Most of them are either workers or farmers. Now we ordinary people Now that we have become the masters of our own country, aren’t those leading cadres serving our people?”
"You are a party member and a cadre, don't you even have this awareness?"
Facing Wang Zhong's questions, Zhou Bingyi felt deafened and dumbfounded.
Once upon a time, Zhou Bingyi was also full of passion.
Thinking carefully about what he had done over the years, Zhou Bingyi couldn't help but feel a little ashamed.
It's not because he didn't make any mistakes or did anything heinous, but because the passion and faith that he had fought through countless difficult years disappeared in front of the Hao family.
His inferiority complex when facing Hao’s father and Jin Yueji, and his inaction in handling the relationship between the two families...
Wang Zhong looked at Zhou Bingyi, "Brother! Times have changed! Those backward and old ideas are all dregs and should have been abandoned long ago."
"Zhou Bingkun!"
Seeing Zhou Bingyi's expression getting worse and worse, Li Suhua became anxious and stood up suddenly: "You won't know who you are after just two sips of cat urine, right?"
The implication was that Wang Zhong should shut up immediately.
Wang Zhong grinned at Li Suhua: "Yes, yes, I won't say it anymore, I won't say it anymore."
"Juan'er, remove their wine and stop drinking. Let's eat!" Li Suhua looked at Zhou Bingyi with some worry. Zheng Juan showed an apologetic smile to Zhou Bingyi and took the wine bottle away without forgetting to gently He pushed Wang Zhong and winked at Wang Zhong.
Wang Zhong smiled slightly and looked back. Zheng Juan shook her head helplessly.
