In the winter of 2006, the Lantern Festival has passed, and the auspicious spring is still snowing heavily, shrouded in the white snow and cold winter.
The north wind is like a knife and the ice is biting.
The closed door was pushed open with a creak. Zhou Ling, wearing a down jacket, a ponytail, a few strands of hair hanging behind her forehead, and a pair of high-neck leather shoes, opened the curtain behind the door and walked into the house.
"call!"
"This damn weather is so cold."
Cursing, Zheng Juan hurried forward to greet her, picked up the towel on the entrance cabinet, and patted Zhou Ling's body and black hair away from the snowflakes. .
"It's snowing outside, and I don't know how to take an umbrella." Zheng Juan, who has silver hair and can hardly hide her old appearance, said worriedly and complaining.
"Mom!" Zhou Ling looked into the room: "Where is my dad?"
"Where's the study!" Zheng Juan looked behind Zhou Ling: "Where's the aid to Korea?"
"I'm getting something at the back. Their work unit gave out a lot of stuff. Half of it was given to his parents, and the other half was brought back to you and my dad to try."
"Mom!" As soon as Zhou Ling finished speaking, the tall and burly Guo Yuanchao came in carrying two bags of apples, two boxes of cans, and a box of supplements.
"Yuanchao is here!" A bright smile immediately appeared on Zheng Juan's face. She said that she was half a son-in-law. This was true. Zheng Juan was also very satisfied with Guo Yuanchao.
"Hurry inside and sit down. Sit down."
Everything was put in the storage room. Zheng Juan cut a plate of frozen pears, a plate of apples, two opened pomeloes, and placed a basket of large oranges. There was no shortage of melon seeds and peanut candies.
The mother-in-law looked at her new son-in-law, and the more she looked at her, the more satisfied she became. Although Guo Yuanchao was tall and thick-set, he seemed to be a fool, but he was actually a considerate person. He was also very good to Zhou Ling. The couple got married on May Day, although they were already older. It's been half a year, but you're still newlyweds, and it's time to mix things up.
"Yuan Chao, you and Lingling are not young anymore. When are you going to have a baby?" Zhou Ling is already thirty. If she delays it for a few more years, she will be an advanced maternal age. Although children can still be born, for Zhou Ling The level of risk is greatly increased.
"Mom! What did you say?" Zhou Ling was too shy to look at Zheng Juan.
"Lingling and I have already started preparations." Guo Yuanchao also blushed slightly.
"That's good, that's good!" Zheng Juan was very satisfied.
After chatting for a while, Zheng Juan suddenly said: "By the way, have you visited your uncle in the hospital?"
Zhou Ling's attitude immediately changed 180 degrees, and her expression was cold: "Why should I go see him!"
Zheng Juan grabbed Zhou Ling's hand and said earnestly: "I know you have always had a grudge against your uncle, but he is your uncle after all, and it's been so long since those things happened, it's time to let it go."
"Mom!" Seeing the frown on her face and the concern on her face, Zhou Ling also sighed and said, "It's been so long. I'm not a petty person, so how can I still hold a grudge against him."
"I just simply don't want to have contact with him."
"Hey!" Zheng Juan shook her head helplessly: "You kid, you are exactly the same as your father."
"I'm my father's daughter, I must look like him!" Zhou Ling said proudly.
As soon as Zhou Ling finished speaking, there was a shout from outside: "Third aunt! Third uncle! Third uncle! Third aunt~~~"
"It seems like Xiaoyan!" Zheng Juan said doubtfully.
"It does sound like Hao Yan's voice." Zhou Ling also nodded and said.
Sure enough, a moment later, Hao Yan, covered in wind and snow, ran into the house.
"Third Aunt!" As soon as he saw Zheng Juan, Hao Yan's eyes lit up and he ran to her quickly: "Sister Lingling and brother-in-law are here too!"
Zhou Ling had a good impression of Hao Yan, so she replied, and Guo Yuanchao also said hello to Hao Yan.
"What's wrong, Xiaoyan? You're in a panic." Zheng Juan asked.
Hao Yan is the adopted son of Zhou Bingyi and Hao Dongmei. After much discussion, the couple gave Hao Yan the surname Hao so that he could inherit the Hao family. Hao Yan also has a sister, one year younger than him, named Zhou Yu. The two siblings Although they are one year apart in age, they studied in the same year and both entered university last year.
"Third aunt, where is my third uncle?" Hao Yan looked around the room and couldn't see Wang Zhong, so he couldn't wait to ask.
"It's in the study upstairs!" Zheng Juan said doubtfully, "What do you want from him?"
Hao Yan quickly explained: "It's my dad. He wants to see his third uncle and has something to say to him."
"What is your dad doing with my dad?" Zhou Ling asked with a puzzled look on her face. The relationship between Wang Zhong and Zhou Bingyi was very ordinary. They basically didn't have much contact with each other during the holidays. They were not like other families during the holidays. Even their parents Went, but every Spring Festival, the brothers and sisters would still bring their children and grandchildren to dinner, sit together and chat.
But the old Zhou family was an exception. The three brothers and sisters lived their own lives. Especially after Li Suhua's death, the three of them had very little contact with each other.
That is, the children would get together occasionally.
But as the children get older, due to various relationships, the time they get together is far less than before.
Cai Xiaoguang often came to Wang Zhong's house, but every time he came alone, Zhou Rong refused to come.
And Zhou Bingyi has been lingering on the hospital bed since he was defeated. In the past few years, he has been either in the hospital or on the way to the hospital, and has been recuperating in various ways.
"I don't know either." Hao Yan shook his head, "My dad just said something that he wanted to say to his third uncle in person."
"I'll go up and call your third uncle..." As soon as Zheng Juan stood up, a voice came from the stairs: "No need!"
Wearing a Chinese tunic suit, with a slicked back hair, his hair was silver and black, and there was no beard on his face, Wang Zhong was in high spirits and walked down the stairs calmly with his hands behind his back.
"Third uncle!" Hao Yan quickly greeted Wang Zhong when he saw him.
"Dad!" Zhou Ling and Guo Yuanchao also quickly stood up and greeted Wang Zhong. Zhou Ling went up to him directly, took Wang Zhong's arm, helped him walk to the sofa and sat down.
"Yeah!" Wang Zhong responded, looked at Hao Yan and asked, "What's going on with your dad now? Why do you want to see me all of a sudden?"
Speaking of this, Hao Yan's face couldn't help but reveal a bit of sadness: "The doctor said that my dad's time is running out, and he may have a comeback."
In retrospect, time is running out.
Wang Zhong thought for a while, nodded, looked at Zheng Juan and said, "Let's go together!" His tone was a bit sad and emotional.
Time is ruthless and illness is unforgiving.
Zhou Bingyi, who was only in his early sixties, unexpectedly reached the end of his life.
Hao Yan was overjoyed when he heard this, his sadness disappeared and he smiled: "Thank you, uncle."
Wang Zhong raised his hand to indicate that he didn't need to say this. Zheng Juan stood up with a smile and said, "Okay!"
After saying that, he stood up to get Wang Zhong's coat, helped Wang Zhong put it on, put on his scarf, and put on his hat. He also didn't forget to put Wang Zhong's thermos cup filled with wolfberry tea into Wang Zhong's coat pocket.
Then he wrapped himself up equally tightly.
"Are you going to stay at home or come with us?" Wang Zhong looked at Zhou Ling and Guo Yuanchao and asked.
"Aren't you asking nonsense? You and my mother have already gone. Yuan Chao and I can't just sit at home and wait!" Zhou Ling walked between Zheng Juan and Wang Zhong, holding one hand on the other.
Guo Yuanchao was also very diligent: "I'll drive."
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In the hospital, in the single ward, Hao Dongmei and Zhou Yu were guarding the bed. Zhou Bingyi had a smile on his face and was talking to his wife and daughter.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door of the ward. After three rings, Hao Yan pushed the door open and entered.
"Dad! Third uncle and third aunt are here!" Hao Yan was quite excited.
Hearing this, Zhou Bingyi was stunned for a moment, then struggled to get up. Hao Dongmei quickly held his hand: "Don't get excited."
"Okay! If you can't move, lie down on the bed. Don't hold on!" It was Wang Zhong's voice, as loud and deep as ever, full of energy, completely unlike a man in his fifties and almost sixty years old.
Zhou Bingyi looked at Wang Zhong walking towards him, and countless complex emotions suddenly surged out of his originally calm heart.
"You...you're here!" Zhou Bingyi's tone was full of emotion, as if he had a thousand words to express.
"Juan'er, Lingling! The Korean aid is here too!" But then a bright smile appeared on Zhou Bingyi's face.
Due to health reasons, Zhou Bingyi was unable to attend the wedding of Zhou Ling and Guo Yuanchao. However, after the wedding, Zhou Ling and Guo Yuanchao listened to Zheng Juan's words and made a special trip to the hospital to see Zhou Bingyi. They also wanted Zhou Bingyi to see his niece-in-law. .
Zhou Yu quickly stood up and moved his seat out of the way. Wang Zhong sat at the head of the bed, his back straight, his hands on his thighs and knees. He looked at Zhou Bingyi and said, "Don't you have something to tell me?"
Zhou Bingyi looked at Wang Zhong's magnanimous and calm eyes and winked at Hao Dongmei on the other side. Hao Dongmei immediately stood up and said: "You two brothers, talk slowly, let's..."
But Hao Dongmei spoke normally, but was interrupted by Wang Zhong: "You can tell others everything! There is nothing to avoid!" Wang Zhong looked at Hao Dongmei, raised his hand, and said.
Then he looked at Zhou Bingyi: "It's already this time, why bother worrying about this? My sister-in-law and children can spend more time with you."
Zhou Bingyi didn't expect Wang Zhong to say that at all. He was stunned for a moment. Zhou Yu who had just stood up, Hao Dongmei and Hao Yan who were about to walk out were also stunned.
Zhou Ling, on the other hand, helped Zheng Juan sit down on the chair next to the wall while minding her own business. She also took out an orange from the fruit basket given by someone on the table, peeled it and handed it to Zheng Juan.
"You're right!" Zhou Bingyi laughed at himself and shook his head slightly: "It was me who got caught."
As he spoke, he raised his eyes to look at Wang Zhong, his eyes were extremely complicated, and he said with emotion: "I have been inferior to you in many places in my life!"
"Everyone has his or her own merits, and no one is incomparable to the other. The achievements you made when you were in the military factory and our second-in-command in Jichun are beyond my reach."
Although Zhou Bingyi had many shortcomings, even Wang Zhong couldn't help but admire him on this point.
For more than ten years, he has worked diligently and hard, always insisting on serving the people, being fair and honest, abiding by the law, and always adhering to his principles. Just the transformation of the optical type film has made most of the people in the optical type film grateful to him. .
"You came to me to say this, didn't you?" I admire him, but that doesn't mean that the relationship between Wang Zhong and Zhou Bingyi must be so good.
Zhou Bingyi shook his head: "Of course not."
"Actually, there are some things I have wanted to say to you for a long time, but I have been putting it off until now because of some irrelevant face issues."
"It is said that people are most sober before they die. Things they did wrong during their lifetime and problems they couldn't figure out will suddenly become clear to them before they die."
"I didn't really believe it before. I thought it was just rumors and there was no scientific basis at all."
Wang Zhong did not interrupt, and just listened to Zhou Bingyi quietly.
"Actually, during the last period of dad's life, I had a lot of resentment towards you. Dad was like that back then, but you still didn't even want to look at him, and didn't even want to reply to the photo. Until dad really You just showed up after I left."
"Because of this matter, I have always had a problem with you."
The king nodded and said: "This is normal. Anyone who has this matter will think that I am unfilial. After all, the old man is also a father. He gave birth to me and raised me. Although he treated us for a few times, It's a bit biased, but after all, he is also a father, but as a son, I refuse to even see him, which is really not what I should do."
Zhou Bingyi was once shocked by Wang Zhong's words. He thought that Wang Zhong had always hated Zhou Zhigang in his heart, but he didn't expect that Wang Zhong could see it so clearly and thoroughly.
"Since you knew it in your heart, why did you do it then?" Zhou Bingyi didn't understand, and asked with a puzzled look on his face, a little excited.
This is not only Zhou Bingyi's question, but also the question hanging in the hearts of everyone in the room except Zheng Juan.
All eyes were focused on Wang Zhong.
"That's the difference between you and me."
"In your eyes, the more that time comes, the more we, as children, must stay with them, take care of them, accompany them, and spend the last period of their lives."
"Shouldn't it be right?" Zhou Bingyi asked.
Wang Zhongdao: "I didn't say it shouldn't be done either."
"why?"
"Filial piety is not foolish filial piety, it also depends on the situation."
"First of all, I do have objections to the old man, and they are not small. I am not very happy to see him. Furthermore, the old man has been delirious for several years at that time, and he has long forgotten who I am. Should I go and see him? To him, there is no difference, so why should I go there? I hired a nanny for him to take care of his food and daily life, and carry his excrement and urine for him. Isn't this filial piety? "
"I let him stay in the best hospital, hired the best doctor, and spent a lot of money to buy him the best medicine on the market from abroad. Isn't this filial piety?"
Zhou Bingyi said: "This..."
Zhou Bingyi didn't know how to refute it for a moment. Wang Zhong's words sounded a bit unreasonable at first, but if you think about it carefully, it makes some sense.
As early as that time and after he moved out of Wang Zhong's house, Zhou Zhigang completely forgot about Wang Zhong's family. Not to mention Wang Zhong, he didn't even remember any of his beloved grandchildren.
After that, Lao Mao became increasingly confused and confused, unable to recognize people at all, and even had problems with his basic cognition.
He didn't even know that he was going to poop or pee, so he did it directly in his crotch. Apart from his instinct of eating, drinking and urinating, he didn't know anything else.
Wang Zhong continued: "Does Zheng Juan and I have to put down all the work at hand, take the old man to our side, carry his feces and urine with our own hands, and serve him day and night to be filial?"
As soon as these words came out, not only Zhou Bengyi felt guilty, but also Hao Dongmei blushed.
During the last period of Zhou Zhigang's life, they were said to be by his side, but they both knew what was going on.
At that time, Zhou Bingyi had just been promoted to the second-in-command in the city. He was busy with work all day long. He left early and came back late every day. Sometimes he had to deal with things even when he went home. As for Hao Dongmei, the attending physician at the hospital, she became busy in two or three days. It’s possible not to have a home.
They did stay with Zhou Zhigang, but the one who really took care of Zhou Zhigang was the nanny hired by Wang Zhong. The first one he hired was Sister Hu. Later, Zhou Bingyi and his wife were too busy and were often away from home. Sister Hu had limited energy on her own. Not to worry Li Suhua, Wang Zhong hired another one. They worked two shifts, one in charge of the day and one in the evening. He offered them a salary three times higher than the market price every month.
Zhou Bingyi smiled bitterly: "I don't mean to accuse you."
"I just want to know what you are thinking. Over the years, it seems that we have never been able to sit down and have a good talk."
Listening to Zhou Bingyi's sincere tone, Wang Zhong was a little surprised: "The ancients said that the Tao is different and we can't seek each other. You and I have different views and pursue different hobbies. Even if we really sit down, there is nothing to say. No. We have to get together."
Zhou Bingyi laughed at himself and said, "To be honest, now I'm a little envious of Qianchao and Guoqing, for having a sincere friend like you."
"Being friends is nothing more than sincerity for sincerity." Wang Zhongdao: "Although Chao Chao and National Day are not very educated, they are better because they are sincere and don't have any small thoughts. When I get along with them, I will only feel relaxed."
As he spoke, he looked at Zhou Bingyi and said seriously: "But you are different! It's too tiring to stay with you."
Zhou Bingyi didn't expect this reason and was a little bit dumbfounded.
"Are you surprised?" Wang Zhong asked.
Zhou Bingyi nodded: "A little bit!"
"Bingkun!" Zhou Bingyi suddenly became serious: "I still owe you a thank you for all these years."
"Thank you, Bingkun. You have done a lot of things that I, the eldest son of the family, should do. In those years, if you hadn't taken care of my mother and our family, I wouldn't have been able to go to the Corps with peace of mind. , and it is even more impossible to take the exam and go to university without any burden."
"This thank you is not necessary, because that's what I want to do."
"Thank you! Thank you!"
Seeing his persistence, Wang Zhong did not continue to shirk the blame with him: "It's up to you!"
A smile appeared on Zhou Bingyi's face, he raised his hand, spread his palm, and looked at Wang Zhong expectantly. Wang Zhong thought for a moment, stretched out his hand, and held Zhou Bingyi's palm.
"To be honest, many times, I feel a little ashamed in front of you." Zhou Bingyi said with emotion.
Wang Zhong said nothing, and only calmly withdrew his palm.
"I don't have much time!" Zhou Bingyi suddenly changed his tone.
Wang Zhong looked at him: "What do you mean?" He was not asking what this sentence meant, but what Zhou Bingyi meant when he suddenly said this.
As expected, Zhou Bingyi changed his voice and said: "You and Zhou Rong have been stubborn for so many years. It's time to find time to sit down and have a good chat. After all, you are also siblings, and we are both so old. How many more years do you have left to live?”
Wang Zhong said: "I can do it at any time. The one who really can't let go is Zhou Rong. You should tell her this."
"Hey!" When talking about this, Zhou Bingyi couldn't help but frown, sighed, and then said: "This is Zhou Rong's temperament, you should be more tolerant and tolerant of her!"
Wang Zhong looked at Zhou Bingyi speechlessly: "You still haven't figured out why Zhou Rong's temper is like that!"
Zhou Bingyi's expression froze. How could such a smart person not understand what Wang Zhong was referring to?
"We are already at such an age, and we are not better than anything else if we are harmonious? Why do we care so much!"
Wang Zhong stood up, put his hands behind his back, and said, "Look, this is the difference between you and me."
"In your eyes, kindness is more important than anything else, but here, right is right and wrong is wrong."
"As the ancients said, who has no faults? If you can correct your mistakes, there is no greater good!"
"People are not afraid of doing something wrong, but they are afraid of not realizing that they have done something wrong and going further and further down the wrong road. But what is even more terrifying is that they clearly know that they have done something wrong, but for the sake of so-called face, they have self-righteous self-esteem. , just stubbornly refusing to admit his mistake."
"What's going on with Zhou Rong? You and I both have eyes and hearts."
Zhou Bingyi shook his head helplessly: "It seems that I can't convince you anymore."
"This is a matter of principle!" As he said this, Wang Zhong looked around at everyone in the ward, and finally his eyes rested on Zhou Ling, and said: "It's the same with you children, you are all still young, and you still have a long road ahead in life. , on this long and arduous road, no one knows what will happen in the future.”
"But there is something I hope you can remember." Before Wang Zhong finished speaking, Zhou Ling stood up and said: "People are not afraid of doing wrong things, but they are afraid that they will continue to do wrong even though they know they have done wrong. .”
"Yes, my dear father!"
Zhou Ling walked to Wang Zhong and took Wang Zhong's hand.
Wang Zhong looked at her and said solemnly: "Not only must you remember it, but you must also implement it into practice."
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Three days later, at 7:30 pm, Zhou Bingyi breathed his last and passed away completely.
At the end of summer in 2019, the scorching heat was gradually gone and the weather was already a little cooler.
On the hospital bed, the white-haired Zheng Juan was already dying. Her four children, niece Feng Yue, and grandchildren all cried together, especially Zhou Ling, who was crying heartbreakingly.
Even Zhou Cong, who had always been calm and unsmiling, couldn't help but tears falling from his eyes.
"Dad! Why don't you go and have a rest!" Zhou Cong bowed and whispered in Wang Zhong's ear.
Wang Zhong has been staying in front of Zheng Juan's hospital bed for seven days. Ever since Zheng Juan fell ill and was hospitalized, Wang Zhong has never left her.
Seeing Zheng Juan who had completely lost her breath and closed her eyes, Wang Zhong's heart, which was originally full of grief, suddenly calmed down. When he raised his hand and wanted to stand up, Zhou Cong immediately supported him.
"Take your mother home. I want to go back too. I want to take a bath, change clothes, and see her off for the last time."
Wang Zhong is sixty-seven years old this year. Although his physical fitness is far superior to that of his peers, it does not exceed the limit of ordinary people. In addition, due to the intensive mental work he performs all year round, his hair is inevitably a little sparse.
Zhou Cong quickly said: "Lingling, Yueyue, you send dad back, and we will take mom home."
After returning home, Wang returned to his and Zheng Juan's bedroom, took off his clothes, put on sandals, entered the bathroom, turned on the hot water, and let the hot water pour down from his head.
Wash your hair, brush your teeth, take a shower, wipe every part of your body with soap, and rub your back vigorously with a bath towel. This bath king washes again very carefully, and it lasts half an hour. Zhou Linghe Feng Yue could not help but worry while sitting outside.
Half an hour later, Wang Zhong put on a white vest, only underwear, and came out wearing slippers.
The children have also arrived home, and Zheng Juan's body is currently lying on the big bed in the room.
Wang Zhong glanced at Zheng Juan and asked, "Where are the clothes?"
"Here it is!" Zhou Ling handed Wang Zhong a white long-sleeved shirt and black trousers.
Wang Zhong took the clothes and pants, put them on directly in front of his two sons, put on his socks and leather shoes, sat in front of Zheng Juan's dressing table, dried his hair by himself, combed all his long silver hair into a bun, and stood Stand in front of the mirror and straighten your collar.
Seeing this, Zhou Ling hurriedly stepped forward to help Wang Zhong tidy up his collar.
"Okay, you all go out and let me be alone with your mother tonight! Don't let anyone disturb me."
After saying that, he kicked everyone out without explanation, closed the door, took out the pen and letter paper from the bedside drawer, sat in front of Zheng Juan's dressing table, and wrote a suicide note.
At around ten o'clock in the evening, the living room was full of people. Zhou Cong, Zhou Min, their wives, Zhou Ling and Guo Yuanchao, Zhou Feng and his wife, Feng Yue's family, Guangming's three children and their family, and Hao Guangming's family. There are two families, Yan and Zhou Yu.
"No, I'm not worried. I have to go see dad!" Wang Zhong and Zheng Juan were left in the room. Zhou Ling was really uneasy and stood up as she spoke.
The eyes of everyone in the room were also focused on Zhou Cong.
Zhou Cong is the eldest brother and has always been calm. At this moment, he is the backbone of everyone.
"Brother!" Zhou Ling shouted.
Zhou Cong also stood up, with a solemn expression on his face: "I'll go with you."
The two walked in front, and the others followed, went up to the second floor, and crowded in the living room. The four brothers and sisters Zhou Cong walked to the door of the room. Zhou Cong raised his hand and knocked on the door, shouting in a low voice: "Dad!"
"dad!"
I shouted several times in succession, but there was no response from anyone in the room.
Zhou Cong immediately frowned, and Zhou Ming said: "Is Dad asleep? Dad hasn't had a good night's sleep these days."
Zhou Ling was worried: "No, I have to go in and take a look."
After saying that, he turned the handle and pushed the door open.
In the room, Wang Zhong was sitting on the bedside, with his back to the door. Seeing this, several people thought that Wang Zhong was asleep, so they walked in quietly and wanted to carry Wang Zhong to the bed.
Zhou Ling stood behind Wang Zhong and shouted several times, but Wang Zhong didn't respond. Zhou Ling frowned, raised her hand and put it on Wang Zhong's shoulder, and leaned her head towards him. She was about to wake Wang Zhong up, but suddenly she felt something was wrong. , Wang Zhong's body also leaned forward.
Fortunately, Zhou Cong was right next to him, and he quickly grabbed Wang Zhong's other shoulder.
"dad?"
Zhou Ling suddenly panicked and screamed. She stretched out her fingers to touch Wang Zhong's breath, and her heart instantly went cold.
Feng Yue rushed forward and said anxiously: "Let me take a look!"
He probed Wang Zhong's nose and neck successively, and felt as if he had been struck by lightning.
Crying loudly and heartbreakingly: "Little uncle!"
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