T1983 Chapter 59

Back in the countryside, those who finished a year of busy farming were now wearing bulky cotton-padded jackets, standing in twos and threes under the wall, smoking and chatting. Some young people returned from work and built fires in the open space to keep warm. Zhou Guodong came holding the newspaper that Shu Ran told him about, telling everyone that his son Zhou Ding was in it.

 

“Look, this is my son! My son is shaking hands with a police comrade! Do you see it?”

 

The villagers who listened to Zhou Guodong show off his son all year round had long been accustomed to his behavior, and now they all turned around and refused to acknowledge him. However, Zhou Guodong didn’t care. He hugged the newspaper and went to show off to all the young people he could find: “You guys came back from the big city… Have you heard of my son outside? He does big business and is a big boss!”

 

The young people were smiling, but nobody quite believed it. A farmer’s son could be self-employed outside, but doing big businesses…

 

“Haha, Uncle Guodong, are you okay?” They glanced at the name in the newspaper, but they didn’t see the words “Zhou Ding” anywhere. “Which one of them is your son?”

 

“This one!” Zhou Guodong quickly pointed at Shu Ran’s photo and said.

 

“Haha!” And yet, no one believed it. After all, not everyone in the village met Zhou Ding, and after so many years, the young man in the newspaper was so much different from a few years ago. He was now handsome, elegant, confident, and dressed so well that no one thought he could be Zhou Guodong’s son.

 

“Why are you laughing?! He really is my son!” Zhou Guodong became excited.

 

“Are you bragging? How could you give birth to such a son?!” Some people couldn’t stand Zhou Guodong’s madness, so they asked sharply: “Besides, if your son became such a big boss, how can your family still live here?!”

 

Such a shabby house?! Huh? How come your big boss of a son didn’t move you all into the city?!

 

Zhou Guodong didn’t take it seriously, and shouted at them: “What do you know?! He’ll come back just after the Chinese New Year! My second son is a filial child! He sends money home every month! Did you know that?!”

 

Zhou Guodong had long boasted about the fact that Shu Ran would send money home to honor his parents every month. Everyone in the village knew that there were several people in his family who already worked in the city.

 

“Hey! I believe in working for others but being a big boss is just bragging!”

 

“I’m not bragging! It’s written in the newspaper that my son is the big boss!”

 

“You’re bragging and you’re crazy!”

 

“I’m not bragging!!!”

 

Shu Ran and Xu Shen came back late that year, and it was only on the last days of the year that they finally managed to bring the New Year’s gifts to the Zhou family.

 

However, what Shu Ran didn’t expect was to find Zhou Guodong completely bedridden.

 

The moment he first heard about it, Shu Ran even thought that Zhou Guodong was dying, but Hu Jinhua soon explained: “It’s not that he’s sick, he just got into a fight with someone and accidentally sprained his waist. Now he can’t get out of bed.”

 

Zhou Lan nodded: “Yes, second brother, he’s fine… But his waist is twisted and he can’t get up.”

 

Zhou Guodong… Fought with others?!

 

Shu Ran was speechless. He went over to Zhou Guodong’s bed and took a look: “You’re so old, why are you still fighting with others?!”

 

“Dingzi, you’re finally back…” Zhou Guodong expected in vain for his second son to come back, so he immediately groaned several times and complained loudly from his bed: “Those people are jealous of me, they are just jealous of me…!”

 

Shu Ran listened for more than ten minutes, frowned tightly, and then went out to call the children at home to ask: “Xiao Wu, dad often brags outside?”

 

“Yeah.” Xiao Wu was already ten years old. This little brother knew how to nod when called, and answered the question clearly: “He will brag when there are people around. When he meets new people, he will even say that others don’t like to hang out with him now…”

 

Well, that was a given. He was such a show-off… Who liked that kind of person?!

 

“How’s it going? Is it serious?” Xu Shen finished moving everything from the car, washed his hands outside, and then returned to the house, planning to go in and also see Zhou Guodong.

 

“It’s okay, he just twisted his waist.” Shu Ran quickly pulled out a chair and asked Xu Shen to sit down and dry his hands.

 

“As you get older, it’s easy to hurt your muscles and bones.” Xu Shen thought of Zhou Guodong’s age and wanted to say something, but was afraid of saying something inappropriate. He looked at Shu Ran carefully and finally suggested: “How about you tell them to stop doing farm work.”

 

Shu Ran nodded since he was actually thinking about that. After listening to Xiao Wu’s description of Zhou Guodong fighting with someone, he felt that leaving Zhou Guodong in the village would be a hidden danger sooner or later… He was sincerely afraid that he might be taken advantage of by someone with ulterior motives.

 

“What do you think would be better?” Shu Ran asked.

 

“Otherwise, just bring them to Nanshi.” Xu Shen whispered next to him. “Then we’ll just pay monthly alimony as before.”

 

Xiao Wu listened to them, with his eyes wide open.

 

“Separate the family first, and then take them to Nanshi.” Shu Ran had no objection to taking care of Zhou Guodong and his wife, but he didn’t want to associate with Zhou Qiang. If Zhou Qiang and his wife were also moved to the city, didn’t that mean that he was now supporting Zhou Qiang’s family? He might even end up supporting his wife’s entire family as well!

 

“Okay, it’s up to you.” Xu Shen nodded and followed Shu Ran. He could be the bad guy when the time came so that Zhou Qiang and his wife would not go out and ruin Shu Ran’s reputation by talking nonsense.

 

Not long after, Zhou Qiang and Lin Xuehua also came back from sending New Year’s gifts to his in-laws.

 

“Dingzi, Xu Shen, you’re back?” Zhou Qiang took out a cigarette and greeted Xu Shen with great enthusiasm: “Want one?”

 

“No, I don’t smoke anymore.” Xu Shen rejected Zhou Qiang, with a stern face and a completely overwhelming aura. Zhou Qiang could only smile coquettishly, not daring to say anything.

 

“Brother, you came back just in time.” Shu Ran said. “I want to discuss something with you.”

 

“What’s going on?” Zhou Qiang asked.

 

“My parents are getting old, so I want to move them to the city and take care of them.” Shu Ran said.

 

Zhou Qiang and his wife were stunned, and Lin Xuehua immediately complained: “You take your parents to the city, but who’ll take care of the fields at home?!”

 

“It’s up to you.” Xu Shen said. “The land and house in the village would belong to you two. Your brother doesn’t want it. He will also provide for your parents in their old age. See, you’re actually benefiting greatly.”

 

“What?!” Zhou Qiang sensed something was wrong and glared at Shu Ran, asking: “You want to separate the family?!”

 

Shu Ran kept his mouth shut and said nothing.

 

Hu Jinhua was scared by her son’s words about “separating the family”. She wiped her hands and asked nervously: “What are you two brothers talking about?”

 

Xu Shen looked at her: “I’m just asking if you and Uncle Zhou would like to move to the city.”

 

Xu Shen sat upright, speaking steadily and forcefully. Zhou Qiang didn’t dare to ask him why he was meddling in other people’s family affairs.

 

“Ah?!” Of course, Hu Jinhua thought about it. Her husband talked about going to the city to retire every day, but she couldn’t let go of the young children in her heart: “Are we the only ones going? The child…”

 

“You can also bring your children with you. It’s better to go to school in the city than in the village anyway.” Xu Shen said. “As for the land and house at home, I’ll give them to your eldest son. Shu Ran will not take it. Do you think that’s reasonable?”

 

Of course, it was more than reasonable! Hu Jinhua felt happy, so she nodded: “Then I’ll go tell my husband.”

 

“Mom…” Zhou Qiang stammered. “We…”

 

…They also wanted to move to the city!

 

Why leave them in the village to farm?!

 

Hu Jinhua already entered the house, sharing the good news with her husband. Sure enough, Zhou Guodong thought it was reasonable: “I knew that my second son would definitely not leave us alone!”

 

Now that they were getting older and could no longer work, being able to retire in the city was the best outcome.

 

“Dad!” Zhou Qiang came in, sat on the edge of the bed, and said: “You have all gone to the city! We don’t want to stay in the village to farm!”

 

Zhou Guodong glanced at his eldest son: “Who will I give the land and house to?! Your brother is now a big boss, he doesn’t like these things!”

 

“…” Zhou Qiang hesitated, but still said shamelessly: “Dad, why don’t we go to the city too, and you ask my second brother to find a job for us…”

 

Zhou Guodong thought for a while but ended up not agreeing: “If he was willing to introduce you to a job, he would have given it to you long ago! You can tell it yourself!”

 

Zhou Qiang looked disgraced, glancing at Hu Jinhua again: “Mom, are you going to talk for me?”

 

“It’s hard for me to speak…” Hu Jinhua lowered her head, avoiding her eldest son’s eyes: “It’s not that mom doesn’t want to help you, but he still resents me about what happened to your sister before.”

 

Her second son had a good relationship with his sister, and Hu Jinhua could no longer hold her head up after messing up her daughter’s marriage.

 

Zhou Qiang muttered: “Isn’t that just a disguised family separation…?”

 

“If we separate, we separate!” Zhou Guodong initially wanted to live with his eldest son after retirement, but now it was obvious that his second son could offer them a more comfortable life. He immediately rebelled: “Your brother has taken over the burden of caring for us, what else do you want?! Do you still want to calculate our pension money?!”

 

He guarded all the money that his second son gave them every month, and that Lin Xuehua’s family was watching eagerly… How could he not be afraid?!

 

Zhou Qiang was speechless.

 

Within a few days, everyone in the village knew that the second son of the Zhou family had moved Zhou Guodong and his family to the city for retirement. Only the eldest son, Zhou Qiang, and his wife were left behind. It was said that the family separated.

 

Zhou Qiang’s wife cursed in the village for several days, but everyone could hear that she was just jealous that her parents-in-law, sister-in-law, and everyone else could live a better life in the city!

 

The Zhou family soon moved into one of the old houses that Shu Ran bought. Anyway, that didn’t really matter. They were  just very happy to be able to become city dwellers.

 

When Zhou Hui and her husband heard that Shu Ran brought everyone to the city, the couple came for a walk with their chubby child in their arms. The atmosphere was peaceful.

 

Zhou Hui knew the situation at home best and lowered her voice to talk with her younger brother: “Elder brother and sister-in-law must be very unhappy…”

 

Shu Ran whispered back with a smile: “You can come here occasionally from now on to blow your parents’ ears off and tell them not to be soft-hearted.”

 

He was afraid that Zhou Qiang and his wife could still find their way into living in the city!

 

“Well, it must be like that.” Zhou Hui understood what her brother meant.

 

Shu Ran hugged his one-year-old niece and kissed her on her fair face. She was a little rich woman, someone who was already born with real estate and savings.

 

“Give me a hug too.” Xu Shen warmed his palms and took his niece from his wife’s arms. After all, the baby was also his niece: “Look, her features are so handsome!”

 

“She looks a bit like my brother-in-law.” Zhang Yunsheng teased his daughter and said with a smile.

 

Zhou Guodong interjected: “A niece looks just like her uncle, it’s not for nothing!”

 

After Xu Shen had enough hugs, the baby moved to Zhou Guodong’s arms: “If Xiao Hui is busy, you can bring the baby here and we’ll take care of her for you.”

 

“I’ll come with her. I’m not busy.” Zhou Hui said.

 

Not to mention that she really wasn’t busy, and her husband also took care of the child… And even if she really was busy, she would still not dare to leave her baby with her parents!

 

Shu Ran and Xu Shen went back after dinner. Zhou Guodong watched their car leave, saying to Zhou Hui who was holding her daughter next to him: “Why are they always together? Xu Shen is already twenty-five, he needs to find a wife to take care of the house for him.”

 

“The two of them are partners and do business together to make money. Their relationship is closer than that of brothers. Why can’t they always be together?” Zhou Hui answered.

 

Zhou Guodong actually agreed when he heard that. In his heart, business partners were a very sacred relationship, and it seemed that no matter what happened, it was normal.

 

Anyway, now, whether it was Shu Ran’s or Xu Shen’s marriage, he had no control over it. And he didn’t dare to interfere either.

 

…………

 

Zheng Shuo, who was persevering, finally found out that Xu Shen would participate in a charity event organized by the city during the Lantern Festival. He spent money to forge relationships with everyone, managing to sneak into the scene.

 

From a distance, he saw two outstanding young people. Well-dressed, standing in the crowd, chatting and laughing with the city leaders. Their industrial park had been in the limelight recently, and there wasn’t a single person present who didn’t love those two young entrepreneurs.

 

When Zheng Shuo saw Xu Shen in person for the first time, he thought… He looked very much like him! His son was, in fact, exactly the same as how he looked in his youth, making Zheng Shuo feel very excited.

 

However, the exact sameness was quite a bit exaggerated. They looked at most 70% similar, but it was obvious that they were related by blood.

 

Xu Shen was more keen and noticed that there was an unusual gaze staring at him, so he turned his head and looked over. After discovering who that gaze belonged to, he turned his eyes away as if he didn’t see it.

 

That couldn’t help but make Zheng Shuo feel cold. Was what Shu Ran said the truth? That his son hated him very much? Anyway, he was not discouraged. After all, he had so much wealth. As a businessman, it was difficult for Xu Shen to not be tempted.

 

Zheng Shuo, who quickly regained his confidence, held up his hat and walked towards Xu Shen.

 

At that time, Shu Ran also saw Zheng Shuo. He frowned, thinking that he was still lingering around… Then, he pulled Xu Shen’s clothes.

 

“I saw it, it’s okay.” Xu Shen whispered to him. It just so happened that the city leader finished speaking to them, moving to greet others.

 

Zheng Shuo took a big step and stopped in front of Xu Shen: “Boss Xu, can you take a walk and talk with me?”

 

People were coming and going around, and gradually, some started to cast curious glances at them.

 

“Who are you?” Xu Shen looked Zheng Shuo up and down. “Why should I walk or talk with you?”

 

“I’m…” Zheng Shuo took out a business card from his coat pocket and gave it to Xu Shen: “You’ll know just by looking at it.”

 

Xu Shen glanced casually and saw that he was a big, coal boss. However, he did not accept the business card. Instead, he put his hands into his trouser pockets and sneered: “So?”

 

“You..” Zheng Shuo said directly: “My current business is not small. If you’re willing to recognize your ancestors and return to the clan, the family property will be yours from now on.”

 

“Recognize your ancestors and return to your clan?” Xu Shen laughed and said: “You have even changed your name. What qualifications do you have to ask me to recognize some ancestors and return to some clan? Are you not ashamed?”

 

Zheng Shuo held back his displeasure and said softly: “Child, I know you hate me, and you can’t accept it for a while…”

 

“Stop.” Xu Shen interrupted him, his face quite ugly because of the way he called him a child. “Sir, don’t think so highly of yourself, you’re nothing in my heart. Listen carefully, you’re nothing! Even a dog has more weight!”

 

“You!” Zheng Shuo didn’t understand why Xu Shen looked down upon him even though he was speaking so nicely.

 

“I told you…” Shu Ran said quietly from the side after watching the play: “No one will pay attention to you, so why humiliate yourself?”

 

Xu Shen smiled at Shu Ran as if he was acknowledging his words.

 

“I would like to advise you, come and go wherever you want, but don’t disturb his life anymore.” Shu Ran continued.

 

“It’s you!” Zheng Shuo pointed at Shu Ran and gritted his teeth. “You’re fanning the flames and preventing a father and son from recognizing each other!”

 

“Where are you pointing?!” Xu Shen immediately stood in front of Shu Ran. “It’s best to put your hand away now.”

 

Zheng Shuo had a terrifyingly gloomy face after being warned. He found that the other party was actually half a head taller than him! And his momentum was also quite overwhelming! He could only put his fingers down involuntarily, completely unwilling to do so in his heart!

 

“You guys…” Zheng Shuo saw Xu Shen standing in front of Shu Ran. He didn’t know what he thought of, but his face became very strange and ugly, and even his lips were trembling.

 

Shu Ran’s heart tightened slightly, but he pretended to be calm, walking out from behind Xu Shen: “What about us?”

 

“Humph!” Zheng Shuo saw how nervous Xu Shen was towards Shu Ran, and also saw how Shu Ran treated that son of his… He thought of that disgusting guess again, and his eyes suddenly filled with contempt: “Is that what you want? To go to jail?”

 

Hearing that, Shu Ran actually calmed down, saying with a smile: “No… You don’t have to go to jail for abandoning your wife and child in favor of a soft life, but we have to go?”

 

The moment he heard the word “jail”, Xu Shen frowned. Whether it was Xia Yun or Ye Heng, they were both here only to cause trouble for them! “What? Nobody wants to recognize you as a relative, so you’re now starting to throw dirty water on us?” Xu Shen said. “Then you have to clean up your own tail and make sure that nothing happens in your mine, otherwise..”

 

“Maybe you’ll become famous across the country…” Shu Ran continued. “After all, there’s no evidence to accuse us, but with a wave of the pen in my hand, won’t your bad things be exposed to the world?”

 

Zheng Shuo knew they were right, and his face was filled with rage. He held the cane in his hand and dared not speak in anger.

 

Shu Ran smiled and patted Xu Shen’s arm: “Brother Shen, let’s go.”

 

“Yes.” Xu Shen took a deep look at Zheng Shuo and followed Shu Ran away.

 

Zheng Shuo never imagined they knew his affairs so well, even knowing that there had indeed been an accident in his mine! It was obviously impossible to attract Xu Shen with his hard-earned wealth, so he could only watch his son follow Shu Ran away like a loyal wolf.

 

Shu Ran went to the place where the drinks were placed, poured himself a glass of hot water, and took two sips to calm down his shock.

 

“It’s okay.” Xu Shen saw that his wife’s hands seemed to be shaking, and he reassured him worriedly. If they were back home, he would have already hugged him.

 

Shu Ran forced a smile. After all, Zheng Shuo was an outsider. How could it be possible that he saw that kind of relationship between him and Xu Shen so easily?!

 

However, the truth was that many people could tell. But there was no need to speak out and go against them.

 

“It’s difficult to provide evidence for this kind of thing. If someone really talks about it, we can report it and issue a statement. Everyone will support us.” Xu Shen whispered to comfort Shu Ran, for fear that he would not be able to get over it, causing a psychological burden. He then paused and continued: “It’s all my fault for always getting you into trouble.”

 

“I don’t blame you.” Shu Ran came back to his senses, raised his eyes to look at Xu Shen, and quickly interrupted his thoughts: “What are you talking about, thinking like this again? I’ll get angry…”

 

“Okay, okay, I won’t think anymore.” Xu Shen said immediately.

 

“It’s now 1987…” Shu Ran counted with his fingers: “One, two, three… I remember that in about three years, we wouldn’t be considered insane anymore, and in ten years, it would no longer be a crime.”

 

“You’ve mentioned it before.” Xu Shen smiled: “I’ll just wait. Ten years is not that long, it will pass in the blink of an eye.”

 

“Well,” Shu Ran nodded: “I came here in 1983, and now four years have indeed passed in the blink of an eye. Ten years should also go by fast.”

 

“I’m relying on the future you mentioned, full of expectations.” Xu Shen knew that he and Shu Ran had a bright future, and they would not be separated down the road.

 

The two looked at each other and smiled, their eyes firm. Yes, let’s get through it slowly. Together.

 

…………

 

In the last three years of the 80s, Shu Ran’s most vivid memory was the emergence of mobile phones and computers. Modern technology finally entered the domestic market. Although the models were limited and the styles were relatively bulky, they just needed to be usable.

 

The computer was imported from abroad, and a notebook sold for tens of thousands of yuan. However, Shu Ran only bought it to write manuscripts and free up his hands.

 

When Xu Shen first met with those electronic products, he didn’t know how to use them. Shu Ran had to teach him how to operate step by step. But in fact, they didn’t have much use for mobile phones. It was enough to be able to contact the landline outside. But one good thing was that they could choose their phone numbers, making them spend some money and pick two very suitable couple numbers.

 

Before entering the 90s, Shu Ran also completed writing his “Lost Era” series, with a rate of two new books per year. Everything he wrote became popular all over the country, and immediately after the completion of his series, a foreign publishing house wanted to translate and publish it. They were currently in contact.

 

In addition to that invitation from the publishing house, there was also an olive branch from a well-known foreign science fiction film director. The foreign film and television industry was in fact very developed, and the special effects were also very good, but Shu Ran didn’t agree. His books were reserved for his own use…

 

Although he knew that leaving it to a team of famous directors might produce better results and make more money, he was happy to refuse. After all, he was not short of money. After investing and doing business over the years, each one of them was now very rich.

 

Correspondingly, the entire team was getting worse and worse, and interpersonal relationships were becoming more and more complicated. Therefore, in 1991, Shu Ran proposed a partial property division to make the equity ratios among shareholders clearer.

 

That time around, they even hired a team of lawyers and spent a whole month sorting out all the data. The meeting also lasted for a long time. It wasn’t that they couldn’t reach an agreement, everything was just too complicated.

 

In fact, everyone still didn’t understand why it must be so clearly divided. Wouldn’t it be enough to calculate the total income every quarter and then divide it equally?

 

See… Very easy!

 

The reason given by Shu Ran was: “You’re all too young. Those who are getting married soon and those who are having children… It will definitely be more complicated with more people. It’s better to make the distinction now.”

 

“We thought you two were going to separate from us.” After hearing Shu Ran’s words, the big guys finally breathed a sigh of relief. They had been partners for so long, and if they suddenly had to separate, everyone would be very uncomfortable.

 

“We won’t separate, right?” The person who was most worried about it was Chen Kai. Everyone got married and had children! Only him, a single man, was left behind… How pitiful did he look?!

 

Jiang Fan was also a bachelor, so if they had to put it that way… Their relationship status never changed, but as Shu Ran said, they still needed to start thinking about it.

 

After all, Chen Sen’s child was already in kindergarten, and they themselves were approaching their thirties… However, they didn’t know when they’d meet true love.

 

It had something to do with Shu Ran’s subtle influence… He was the one who said all day long that they were young diamond bachelors… So rich at such a young age, so the only top enjoyment left was sincere love.

 

After witnessing the love between those around them, everyone was very eager to meet their special someone.

 

“That shouldn’t happen, right?” Chen Kai still looked at Shu Ran as if Shu Ran was their backbone.

 

“What are you thinking about?” Shu Ran said with a smile. “You want to separate while I still enslave you to work like this?” He himself no longer participated in the work very much. If they were to separate, Xu Shen would have to work alone. That wouldn’t do.

 

Xu Shen smiled and looked at his wife. Indeed, Shu Ran was their backbone.

 

“School is almost over.” Chen Sen glanced at his watch: “Let’s continue talking later, we need to pick up the kid.”

 

“Go and pick him up. Just leave one of you here. You don’t need to go together, right?” Shu Ran glanced at Xue Yan.

 

“Then I’ll go.” Xue Yan said with a smile, stood up, and asked her husband for the car keys: “You continue the meeting, I’ll wait for you to come back for dinner.”

 

“Alright.” Chen Sen handed the car keys to his wife. “Drive carefully.”

 

“I got it.” Xue Yan then looked at everyone: “I’ll leave first. You guys can talk slowly.”

 

There wasn’t much left to do. After the chat, Xu Shen asked Chen Sen: “When are you going to pick up Uncle Chen? Remember to call us.”

 

Eight years later, Chen Qingshan, who served twenty years in prison, was finally going to be released.

 

“In a few more weeks.” Chen Sen nodded. “I’ll definitely call you.”

 

“Looking forward to that day.” Shu Ran said with a smile.

 

After so many years, the Yuan family had long been suppressed by them in Nanshi. Because they did not keep up with the development of the times, they were no longer the leader. In fact, they were not even in the top three.

 

Chen Qingshan should be very happy to see it after he was released from prison.

 

…………

 

Back in prison, Father Chen was experiencing the last few days of his sentence in a very peaceful mood. Over the years, his family members would tell him about the changes outside and at home every time they came to visit.

 

At first, when his family came to see him, they didn’t say much. They just said that everything was fine and told him not to worry.

 

But he knew. How could it be fine?

 

He could guess what would happen after his imprisonment. His children were too young at that time, so how could they keep the family business? It would be fine if he went for three or five years… Others would at least be wary of him and not dare to do anything. But twenty years… The whole world already changed, who would still be afraid of him?

 

Chen Qingshan had been waiting for his two sons to endure enough hardships and make a comeback one day. Finally, after serving his sentence for more than ten years, Chen Sen began to tell him about some changes in the family and admitted that the past ten years had indeed been difficult. After hearing that, Chen Qingshan’s mood did not sink, but in fact, he felt better… He understood Chen Sen’s temper. Since he was willing to say it, it meant that it was a thing of the past. They could now raise their heads back up.

 

Chen Qingshan did not say a word to the inmates around him about what he heard from his son. Even when he was about to be released from prison, nobody knew about it.

 

Monday morning, at the prison gate.

 

Countless cars lined up in a long queue, driving slowly and stopping one after another as if there was no end in sight. The comrades working in the prison were shocked by what they saw and quickly asked: “Who will be released from prison today in such a grand way?!”

 

Someone quickly checked the list and saw that nobody looked like they could be worthy of such a grand event.

 

“I can’t tell.”

 

“Maybe it’s someone from that family that’s getting rich.”

 

“The sentence must be long enough.”

 

“There’s a man with twenty years, Chen Qingshan.”

 

“Chen Qingshan!” In the prison, the prison guard came to pick him up.

 

“Here!” Chen Qingshan, still wearing his prison uniform, stood up straight in his cell.

 

The prison guard opened the door and gave him a new set of clothes and shoes: “Your family brought this for you. They’re already waiting outside. Please change your clothes and go.”

 

“Thank you, comrade!” Chen Qingshan touched the clothes in his hands, his eyes surrounded by crow’s feet from laughter.

 

Outside, everyone was there. After getting out of the car, they were in high spirits and looked extraordinary, attracting countless people to watch and comment.

 

“Why hasn’t our father come out yet?!” Chen Kai was impatient after seeing several people walking out one after another, with no sign of his father among them.

 

“It’s today anyway, so wait patiently.” Chen Sen said. He and Xue Yan held their child’s hands, looking forward to it.

 

Shu Ran and Xu Shen were also there, but Jiang Fan didn’t come. Otherwise, if they all skipped work, there would be no one left in charge. Xue Feng also came but sat in the car without getting out. Now that she was getting older, she would get a headache every time the wind blew.

 

Finally, Chen Qingshan completed the process inside and was sent out. When he saw a group of people waiting to pick him up from prison, he, who was already in his sixties, burst into tears.

 

“Your family is waiting for you, go over.” The prison guard said.

 

“Thank you, comrade!” Chen Qingshan shook hands with him, walked out of the door without looking back, and ran towards his family. Xue Feng also got out of the car that had been separating the couple who had not hugged each other for twenty years. They could only cry in each other’s arms. Back when they parted, both of them were in their prime. However, when they met again, their temples were gray and their bodies were heavy.

 

The scene was quite contagious. Everyone present had red eyes, stepping forward to comfort them.

 

“Okay, let’s not cry on this big day!”

 

After they finished crying, Chen Sen introduced everyone one by one, and then got in the car and drove home. The superstitious saying was that one couldn’t go home directly, otherwise, it would bring bad luck to the family. However, they were not a superstitious bunch. At most, they would get a brazier for Father Chen to step over, make him take a bath with grapefruit leaves, and then go have a good meal to catch the wind and wash away the dust.

 

While having dinner, Chen Qingshan held a cup with both hands, standing up to toast his son’s two friends. However, before he could speak, he once again burst into tears, making Shu Ran and Xu Shen feel extremely embarrassed. They quickly stood up: “Uncle, let’s not say anything more! Don’t be polite with us!”

 

Mainly because they were two grown men who didn’t want to cry!

 

“Okay, hahaha, no need to be polite!” Chen Qingshan smiled excitedly. “Then let’s just drink and everything will be fine!”

 

“Hey, okay…” Everyone drank the toast in one gulp, turning their glasses over.

 

“You two boys have a better eye for making friends than me!” Chen Qingshan sighed to his two sons. After a moment of silence, he added: “After all, I am still better than that Old Thief Yuan. Is he very sad now?”

 

“Let’s go back to Nanshi and see for yourself another day.” Chen Sen said.

 

“Yeah!” Chen Qingshan laughed.

 

“You’re not just going to drink all night, right?” Xue Yan smiled and said while picking up vegetables for her child: “Eat more vegetables. Father-in-law is getting older, and mother-in-law will blame us if he drinks too much.”

 

Chen Qingshan then looked at his own wife: “Okay, no more drinking, no more drinking, let’s eat!”

 

“Eat quickly!” Xue Feng gave her husband a pile of meat, her eyes full of heartache. He was not well fed, looking as thin as a monkey.

 

Xue Yan turned around and said to Shu Ran and Xu Shen: “You two have also been drinking, so it’s inconvenient to drive. Also, we’re quite far from home. Why not stay here for the night?”

 

“Yeah, definitely stay over! You should be tired after driving all day long.” Chen Kai also persuaded them to stay.

 

Everyone looked at Shu Ran and Xu Shen, who had no choice but to nod: “Okay.”

 

But the room Xue Yan arranged for them was just… One.

 

Shu Ran was secretly surprised and thought, has Chen Sen already told Xue Yan about their relationship?! But they knew that was not Chen Sen’s style of doing things, so Shu Ran went to find him, looking for a remote place to talk: “Brother Sen, did you tell your wife that… Brother Shen and I are a couple?”

 

“No.” Chen Sen immediately shook his head. If he wanted to say anything, he would definitely ask for Shu Ran’s opinion first.

 

“Sister-in-law arranged just one room for us…” Shu Ran said.

 

“That means… She must have guessed it.” Chen Sen scratched his head. “That’s not surprising, it’s been so many years, and she’s not stupid.”

 

Shu Ran looked at him.

 

“You and Brother Shen are so sticky, anyone with eyes should be able to see it.” Chen Sen added.

 

His wife and… His mother too. However, they all tacitly agreed not to say anything, silently protecting that illegal love in their own way.

 

T.N: Aaah, we’re getting closer to the end and I’m getting emotional 😭