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Chapter 255: Chapter 255: Won’t Take This Humiliation.
Tong Yao listened to their conversation, thinking: Zhang Lijuan’s uncle really seized a money-making opportunity.
Although the Spring Festival travel rush only lasts a little over a month, Uncle Zhang could make several hundred yuan by driving people back and forth, which is much more than his earnings from working in the factory.
What they said on the internet in her previous life was right indeed, in this era, as long as you have the guts and the brains to seize opportunities, you can amass a small fortune doing any small business, and lead a prosperous life.
As long as one has money, they can live a good life in any era.
*
After a bumpy journey, the car finally arrived at the village at eight ten in the evening. Si Chen gave Uncle Zhang three yuan. Uncle Zhang initially refused to accept it, but upon seeing Si Chen’s insistence, he reluctantly accepted it, and asked them when they would be leaving after the New Year, so he could give them a ride to the city.
Fearful that Si Chen would think he wanted to make money off them, he explained: "Don’t give me money next time, or else it would seem like you’re looking down on me as your uncle."
Because Zhang Lijuan was married to Si Boyi, according to familial hierarchy, Si Chen should also call him uncle.
Si Chen did not refuse. Although the journey to the city was bumpy on Uncle Zhang’s three-wheeler, it provided considerable convenience. He said in a calm voice, "We will leave on the eve of the New Year. We’ll have to trouble you then, uncle." As for the issue of money, it was too early to discuss it now.
"What?" Uncle Zhang was surprised, "Aren’t you going back after celebrating the New Year at home? "
In this era, very few people celebrate the New Year away from their hometowns, especially in families like Si Chen’s. His father was no longer alive, and as the eldest brother, he was definitely supposed to preside over the New Year’s festivities at home. If he wasn’t home, what could Lin Fengying and Si Boyi do?
When he glanced at Tong Yao beside him, he instantly realized what was going on. Si Chen was married to the phoenix from Kyoto and was most likely returning to Kyoto to celebrate the New Year with his father-in-law. On the other hand, Lin Fengying’s situation was pitiful. She had brought up her son single-handedly, who managed to get an education and accomplish something, only to end up taking care of someone else’s family.
Sigh!
If it were up to him, he would rather his son not go to college or the city, than endure such humiliation.
Seeing Uncle Zhang shaking his head in resignation, Si Chen seemed to guess something. Without offering much explanation, he politely said, "I need to be on duty at the hospital during New Year’s, so I have to go back."
After saying this, he bid Uncle Zhang farewell and entered the village, hand in hand with Tong Yao.
Gu Hongwei, who had been following them all the while, remained silent. He also noticed that Uncle Zhang had misunderstood something, but Si Chen remained calm and did not bother to clarify further. An outsider might find it hard to comprehend this, but Hongwei could empathize. If he were in the same situation, he may also have been reluctant to explain.
Ever since Si Chen married Tong Yao, people in the village were arguing about them more frequently. Some envied Chen’s getting into college and marrying a city girl, while others mocked him for marrying a ’golden phoenix’ who was essentially good-for-nothing. There was always someone criticizing them regardless of whether they were actually good or bad. If one cared about the opinions of others, they would have to hover around corners all day to prevent backbiting.
Upon reaching the village, Gu Hongwei bid goodbye to Si Chen and Tong Yao, and went home with his few possessions. This comprised a cotton-padded jacket he had been wearing for over three years and had patched more than once, and waxed trousers.
Although it was past eight in the evening, the snow outside was making the surroundings as bright as day. As he approached the doorway, he heard a bout of coughing. Looking up, he saw his father leaned on a crutch, waiting at the door.
Gu Hongwei felt a pang in his heart and hurried over, "Dad, why are you standing out here in the snow?"
Seeing a layer of snow on his father’s body, he knew his father had been standing at the door for a while. He pulled him inside and brushed off the snow simultaneously.
His father’s eyesight wasn’t as good anymore and he saw blurry figures at a distance. it was only when Gu Hongwei was close enough did he realize it was his son returning. With a smile on his worn-out face, he said, "You said you’d be back today. It was so late that I stepped out to look for you. Are you frozen? There’s Steamed Bun Porridge in the pot which is still warm. Have some to warm up."
Gu’s father was not in good health, having suffered from a chronic illness, half of his body was paralyzed and he moved slowly. Although he could just about manage his daily chores, living by himself in a cold, empty house felt rather lonely. But he never voiced these feelings, fearing it would worry his son and affect his studies.
Now, on the verge of the New Year, his son had finally returned home. His lonely and desolate expression gave way to genuine happiness.
The fire in the house had gone out, indicating how long father had been standing outside. Gu Hongwei rekindled the fire while trying to hide his reddened eyes from his father.
Studying was a path he had chosen for himself. Despite relatives advising him against education and suggesting he take care of his father at home, Gu Hongwei remained unfazed. He knew there was little left for them in their impoverished home if he didn’t study.
His father’s health was deteriorating by the day, and hospital bills would add up in the future. Their two acres of farmland were nowhere near enough. He had to strive on his own to seek a way out for both himself and his father.
Ever since Gu Hongwei started college, their farmland was loaned out to relatives. This was an arrangement that yielded two sacks of rice and thirty kgs of sweet potatoes annually. Although this couldn’t sustain them, it was better than leaving the field fallow. After Gu Hongwei left for college in Kyoto, his father couldn’t possibly farm the land himself.
He was relieved to find work at school. If he were lucky enough to get a scholarship next year, life at home would be somewhat better. 𝔫𝔬𝖛𝖕𝔲𝖇.𝖈𝖔𝖒
These thoughts comforted Gu Hongwei. It seemed like hope was within reach at last.
Watching him stoke the fire, his father slowly went to the kitchen and brought out a steamed bun. "It’s still warm. Have it with some pickles quickly. I’ll fetch some porridge for you."
"You sit and warm up a bit, I’ll get it." Gu Hongwei put down the poker and rushed to the kitchen to fetch two bowls of sweet potato porridge.
He had eaten three meat buns on the train and rushed home directly after getting off, so Gu Hongwei was quite hungry. He pulled up a stool and started eating, the embers cast a shadow on his father’s face making his features seem even more worn-out. Yet the smile on his face did not fade.
He had assumed his son might have been suffering in school. However, upon his return home after a semester, he seemed healthier and even a bit plumper than he was at home.
This reassured him, though he still asked anxiously, "How are you doing in school? Does anyone bully you because of our financial situation? It’s different there than at home. If you can endure, do so. Don’t get into conflicts with anyone. We’re poor and can’t afford to pay up if you end up hurting someone in a fight."
While talking, his father started coughing. Gu Hongwei handed him a bowl of porridge. Seeing him stop coughing after drinking the porridge, he softly replied.
"Dad, don’t worry, no one’s bullying me."
