Old Mrs. Lu genuinely liked the girl Jiang Meishu—kind-hearted and considerate.
Earlier in the ward, with so many people eating, it wasn’t as if no one had noticed that she, an elderly woman, was still hungry.
But Jiang Meishu was the only one who, without even knowing her, was willing to go to the cafeteria to fetch a meal for her.
Moreover, she even knew to first feed her some cabbage soup to moisten her throat.
Don’t underestimate these small details—they clearly showed this female comrade was a good person.
Old Mrs. Lu felt that having such a female comrade marry into their family would bring prosperity.
As soon as she proposed this, Jiang Lamei immediately began considering the feasibility of the matter. She had waited all day at the Trade Union but still hadn’t managed to meet Factory Director Liang.
So, she asked again, “Has Factory Director Liang come to visit?”
Wang Limei shook her head, “No.”
At this, the two exchanged a glance, both seeing a startling idea in each other’s eyes.
Since the matchmaking with Factory Director Liang hadn’t worked out, why not find a different match for Meishu?
What’s more, compared to Factory Director Liang, Lu Zhiyuan’s conditions were clearly better—no stepchildren or such complications—making him a far superior candidate.
Jiang Lamei grew interested, “Old Mrs. Lu, can you make decisions for your grandson?”
Old Mrs. Lu patted her chest confidently, “Of course I can. My eldest grandson is extremely filial.”
Outside.
Upon learning that his grandmother had been hospitalized, Lu Zhiyuan rushed over from home, clutching account books under one arm and carrying a thermal lunchbox in the other.
As luck would have it, just as Jiang Meishu was about to head home, she turned the corner of the staircase and collided squarely with him.
The accounting documents tucked under Lu Zhiyuan’s arm scattered all over the floor with a rustle.
This left Jiang Meishu rather embarrassed. She quickly crouched down to gather them while repeatedly apologizing, “I’m so sorry.”
Her head was bowed, her delicate features soft and lovely, her fair-pink complexion exuding a fresh charm.
Lu Zhiyuan was momentarily stunned before shaking his head, “It’s fine.”
As Jiang Meishu picked up the documents, she realized they were all too familiar—weren’t these just accounting documents?
In her previous life, she had ranked first in her major all four years of university, interned at an accounting firm in her junior year, and after graduation, directly joined the finance department of a top-tier local company.
During her first six months on the job, she had nearly grown sick of entering vouchers.
Halfway through handing the documents back, driven by her sensitivity to data,
Jiang Meishu narrowed her eyes, suddenly pulled them back, examined them for a moment, and then said to Lu Zhiyuan, “This entry is incorrect.”
“The inventory quantity doesn’t match the stock quantity.”
At her words, Lu Changcheng was taken aback. He followed her finger to the accounting document she indicated.
It really was wrong!
“And your travel expenses for this month are also off. How could your travel expenses possibly exceed the total expenses for the month?”
In just a short while, she had pointed out two errors.
Lu Zhiyuan was even more surprised. He finally looked up and examined her carefully. She was unexpectedly young, with a hint of baby fat on her cheeks and skin as pale as a peeled egg.
Her features were clean and beautiful.
Such a young female comrade?
And she could spot two accounting discrepancies in such a short time?
This made Lu Zhiyuan raise an eyebrow in astonishment. Suppressing his surprise, he calmly asked her in a low voice, “Comrade, are you also in the accounting field?”
Otherwise, how could the other party be so proficient in accounting?
Upon hearing this question, Jiang Meishu shuddered and instinctively denied, “No.”
She never wanted to be an accountant again in this lifetime.
Nor did she want to work in finance anymore.
She was the one doing the calculations, the one taking the blame, and the one who ended up in prison.
She refused to be such a pitiful workhorse anymore.
Jiang Meishu smiled faintly, “I’m unemployed.”
After saying this, she turned and ran, afraid the other person might cling to her.
This left Lu Zhiyuan unable to catch up, so he could only gather all the scattered bills, pick up the thermal container, and slowly climb the stairs.
Unbeknownst to Jiang Meishu, Lu Zhiyuan’s eyes grew brighter and brighter, eventually reaching a startling intensity.
No one knew.
It wasn’t that Lu Zhiyuan didn’t want to get married; he simply had high standards. After years of studying, he preferred to find someone who shared his aspirations.
Lu Zhiyuan thought he might have found her.
The woman he just encountered was exactly that.
She was remarkably skilled in accounting and finance.
This was the kind of marriage partner Lu Zhiyuan had been looking for.
However, he had forgotten to ask for her name.
This left him somewhat frustrated, but thinking of his grandmother still in the hospital, he quickly suppressed his scattered emotions.
After asking the nurse for his grandmother’s ward number, he hurried over from outside, still carrying a small thermal container. “Grandma, why didn’t you tell me something happened to you?”
He had arrived quite late—it was already past eight o’clock.
He had no idea how helpless his grandmother must have felt alone in the hospital.
Old Mrs. Lu softened at the sight of her eldest grandson. “It’s nothing serious. I didn’t want to bother you.”
“What kind of talk is that?” Lu Zhiyuan said sternly. “You’re my elder. We shouldn’t use the word ‘bother’—it’s too distant.”
As he spoke, he poured out the chicken soup from the thermal container. “I was in a hurry, so the chicken might not be fully cooked, but please drink the broth for now.”
Everyone could see how well he took care of Old Mrs. Lu.
In fact, from the moment Lu Zhiyuan entered, Wang Limei had been observing him. He had a good build, a decent figure, and a pleasant complexion. Though he couldn’t compare to the rare handsomeness and uprightness of Factory Director Liang, he was still quite presentable.
Lu Zhiyuan wasn’t exceptionally handsome, but he looked reliable.
Wang Limei exchanged a glance with her sister-in-law.
Both saw satisfaction in each other’s eyes.
He was a good potential match.
But would he agree?
Old and wise, Old Mrs. Lu hadn’t even taken a sip of soup before she understood Wang Limei’s meaning—she was clearly satisfied. Since the woman’s parents were pleased, she decided to add fuel to the fire.
Old Mrs. Lu picked up the bowl and suddenly sighed. “Zhiyuan, I actually already ate before you arrived.”
This puzzled Lu Zhiyuan. “Did my father bring you food?”
That didn’t seem right.
His father was a hopeless gambler and unlikely to bring his grandmother a meal.
Old Mrs. Lu shook her head. “No, it was the daughter of the patient in the next bed. She saw I hadn’t eaten and gave me her portion.”
“I thought she was a young, beautiful, and kind-hearted woman. How about I take the initiative to introduce you two for a blind date?”
Under normal circumstances, Lu Zhiyuan might have agreed.
But thinking of the woman he had just bumped into on the stairs, he found himself drawn to her.
Without a second thought, Lu Zhiyuan refused, “Grandma, I don’t want to go on a blind date for now.”
He wanted to find that female comrade first.
Old Mrs. Lu knew her grandson’s temperament well, so she clutched her chest and said, “Grandma is old and doesn’t have many days left. Aren’t you even willing to grant me this small request?”
Anyone could see that Old Mrs. Lu was deliberately putting on an act.
Lu Zhiyuan was no exception—he knew it, but he couldn’t bear to see his grandmother, who had relied on him for so long, pleading like this.
Pursing his lips, he thought for a moment and said, “I can go take a look, but whether it works out or not is another matter.”
Old Mrs. Lu replied, “Fine. Once you meet that female comrade from before, I’m sure you’ll like her.”
Lu Zhiyuan remained noncommittal about this.
Nearby, Wang Limei watched as the grandmother and grandson settled the matter.
She then chimed in, “Then it’s settled. I’ll go back and ask my daughter. If nothing unexpected happens, how about you come to the hospital tomorrow morning and meet in the ward?”
She was extremely anxious, feeling that Factory Director Liang’s side wasn’t finalized yet.
She worried that her youngest daughter might end up being sent to the countryside. If that happened, she feared she might never see her youngest daughter again.
This was all too rushed.
Jiang Lamei, standing nearby, disapproved. It was too hasty. She tugged at her sister-in-law’s sleeve and whispered, “Aren’t you going to ask Meilan for her opinion?”
Wang Limei replied, “That child listens to me in everything.”
With that, Jiang Lamei found it difficult to say anything more.
After all, Wang Limei was Jiang Meishu’s biological mother.
Meanwhile, Jiang Meilan, who had been accompanying Father Jiang all along, scrutinized Lu Zhiyuan.
To be honest, in terms of appearance, Lu Zhiyuan was far inferior to Liang Qiurun.
Although Liang Qiurun was impotent, he was undeniably handsome—one could even say he was as elegant as an orchid or jade tree.
His face was unforgettable.
However, as good-looking as Liang Qiurun was, he was like a useless vase.
Thinking of this.
Jiang Meilan’s gaze drifted downward and lingered on the area between Lu Zhiyuan’s legs for three seconds. It looked rather bulky—surely he wasn’t just a decorative pillow?
It wouldn’t hurt for her sister to meet him.
More options were always better.
Lu Zhiyuan felt uncomfortable under Jiang Meilan’s scrutinizing gaze and instinctively wanted to squeeze his legs together.
As if that would give him a bit more sense of security.
Clearing his throat, he exuded an air of an old-fashioned scholar, adjusting his glasses as he said, “You all can decide.”
He would listen to his grandmother.
If his grandmother’s wish was for him to go on a blind date, then he would go.
He always felt that his father had owed his grandmother too much, and he wanted to make it up to her.
But going on a date was one thing—these days, many blind dates didn’t work out.
“Then tomorrow morning, or afternoon will do too.”
Old Mrs. Lu made the final decision, “It depends on when your Meilan can come.”
With that, everyone agreed.
Only Jiang Lamei, after leaving the ward and making sure they were far enough down the corridor that no one could overhear, hesitated.
She said to Wang Limei, who was carrying some items, “Do you think it’s really okay for us to decide like this?”
Wang Limei looked puzzled, “What’s not okay about it?”
Under the moonlight, her features were still beautiful, even with age and wrinkles.
Yet she still couldn’t conceal the elegance of her youth, discernible from her brows and eyes, indicating she had been a beauty in her younger days.
Of course, if Wang Limei hadn’t been a beauty, she wouldn’t have given birth to such a lovely pair of daughters like Jiang Meishu and Jiang Meilan.
Jiang Lamei, stepping on the shadows cast by moonlight, spoke slowly, “It’s only now that I’ve realized we might have been too impulsive. Factory Director Liang hadn’t even finished speaking, and we were already introducing another match to Meishu. If Factory Director Liang finds out, won’t we offend him?”
Hearing this, Wang Limei sneered, “Sister-in-law, haven’t you noticed? Factory Director Liang has no intention of arranging a marriage alliance with our family.”
“Not only did the matchmaking fall through, but also, when my husband Jiang got his hand crushed, Factory Director Liang sent Secretary Chen and Director Yang to visit him. But why did Factory Director Liang’s son come running around, even paying for things?”
At this point, her eyes gleamed with shrewdness. “I’ve never believed in kindness without reason.”
“Unless my husband’s injury itself is inextricably linked to Factory Director Liang’s son!”
As these words fell, Jiang Lamei was startled and recalled the rumors circulating in the factory. After the fire broke out, Factory Director Liang’s son had also been at the scene.
Later, it was said that Factory Director Liang had flown into a rage and taken his son and Director Yang’s child away together.
This might very well be connected to Liang Rui.
Thinking of this, Jiang Lamei felt as if she had stumbled upon some secret. Her eyes widened abruptly. “Are you saying…?”
“This matter is related to Liang Rui?”
Wang Limei retorted, “Isn’t it? If it weren’t related to Liang Rui, why would Liang Rui come when my husband got injured? It’s one thing for the factory leaders to visit him, but why Liang Rui?”
“Moreover, I heard from Meishu that my husband needed some X-ray taken—those films are terribly expensive, and the factory might not even reimburse them. But Liang Rui agreed immediately to have it done and paid without hesitation. Tell me, why would he so readily cover my husband’s medical expenses?”
Why?
Why don’t passersby on the street come to pay for Old Jiang’s treatment?
Of course, it’s because Jiang Chenliang’s injury has nothing to do with those strangers but is connected to Liang Rui.
After Wang Limei finished speaking, Jiang Lamei fell silent instantly. In that moment, she pondered many things. “The Liang family really isn’t a good match.”
“Factory Director Liang is a decent man, but Liang Rui’s temperament is too fierce, like a wild horse on the prairie—ordinary people can’t control him. And Meishu has such a gentle personality. Looking at it this way, Meishu really isn’t suited to marry into the Liang family.”
After all, she served as a director in the Trade Union.
In just a short while, Jiang Lamei had thoroughly analyzed the pros and cons of the situation.
“From this perspective, Director Lu from the Finance Section seems more suitable for Meishu.”
“Indeed.”
Wang Limei agreed.
“So, why can’t our family seek another path? Factory Director Liang wronged us first. If we really trace it back, the fault isn’t on our side.”
Wang Limei’s mind was clearer than ever. “It’s not like before when our family had no way out, with only Factory Director Liang and Shen Zhanlie as potential matches. Now that we have Director Lu as an option, I think we should act swiftly and decisively.”
It must be said that a mother-in-law’s eye for selecting a son-in-law is quite sharp. Although Wang Limei had high hopes for Factory Director Liang, she couldn’t overlook the fact that he had a useless son.
With this comparison, even if Factory Director Liang was excellent, he couldn’t be considered anymore.
However, Director Lu was different. He was single, young, and promising. Although his position wasn’t as high as Factory Director Liang’s, it wasn’t far behind either.
At such a young age, he had already reached the position of Director of the Finance Section.
In the future, it wasn’t impossible for him to surpass Factory Director Liang!
Jiang Lamei, however, thought more deeply, “But do you think Meishu will agree to a blind date with Director Lu?”
It was clear that Jiang Meilan had previously refused the blind date with Factory Director Liang.
This had left Jiang Lamei with some lingering concerns.
What if they arranged everything on their end, only for Jiang Meishu to refuse the blind date with Director Lu?
That would be troublesome.
This question stumped Wang Limei, “Agree or not? I really don’t know.”
Thinking of her eldest daughter’s stubbornness, she worried that her youngest daughter might have inherited the same trait.
So,
Wang Limei came up with an idea, “How about this: let’s not tell Meishu for now. When she comes to visit her father tomorrow, we can arrange for them to meet. Who knows, they might just hit it off?”
“Wouldn’t that be a bit inappropriate?” Jiang Lamei hesitated.
“Do you have a better idea?” Wang Lamei was growing anxious, “I’ve calculated the days—there are only twenty-three left before the registration for the rural assignment closes.”
“If we don’t settle this soon, my Meishu will have to go to the countryside for labor. With her frail health, farming? She probably wouldn’t last three days.”
This was the truth.
Jiang Lamei also considered this, “Alright, let’s do as you say.”
That evening, after Wang Limei returned home,
Jiang Meishu was already asleep. She looked truly beautiful in her sleep—her features soft and delicate, her skin fair and clear, like a quietly blooming gardenia.
But she was such a little glutton. Even in her sleep, she was still thinking about the canned fruit she had brought back from her blind date with Factory Director Liang earlier that day.
She was even hugging two cans of it in her arms as she slept.
Wang Limei found it both amusing and exasperating. She quietly reached out, intending to slip the cans out of Jiang Meishu’s grasp.
After all, it was already October, and the nights were growing colder day by day. With her delicate constitution, hugging these icy glass jars all night would surely give her a cold.
But just as Wang Limei moved, before she could even pull out the yellow peach canned fruit, Jiang Meishu woke with a start. Her face was full of alertness, and the first words out of her mouth were, “Who’s stealing my canned fruit!”
Her fair, delicate face, with its cat-like fierceness, inexplicably made her even more adorable.
This left Wang Limei both amused and exasperated, “Who’s stealing your canned fruit?”
“Late autumn nights are bitterly cold. If you sleep hugging these glass jars, do you even care about your health?”
Hearing the familiar voice,
Jiang Meishu’s dazed eyes slowly focused, “Mom?”
Like a creamy-white kitten seeking warmth, she nuzzled against Wang Limei’s arm—a habit she had carried over from her previous life, always acting spoiled in front of her mother.
At this thought,
Jiang Meishu suddenly froze, her mind clearing a little.
Wang Limei was her mother.
But she wasn’t her mother alone.
A dull ache shot through her heart, making Jiang Meishu momentarily short of breath. Her entire body spasmed slightly.
“What’s wrong?”
Watching her youngest daughter’s face begin to pale, Wang Limei immediately grew tense, hurriedly helping her lie down. “Is your chest hurting again?”
Jiang Meishu nodded.
The two mothers were different, but in this moment, their expressions of worry overlapped with surprising similarity.
Jiang Meishu thought.
She was Jiang Meishu.
She was Jiang Meishu from the 1970s, and she needed to learn to accept this identity.
She also needed to accept every member of this family.
After clarifying these thoughts, Jiang Meishu pressed her lips together and asked softly, “How’s Dad doing over there?”
Wang Limei replied, “Not bad. Your sister and Zhanlie are keeping an eye on him. The hospital room can’t accommodate so many family members, so I came back.”
Actually, she should have stayed, but then she reconsidered – her eldest daughter and Shen Zhanlie had just registered their marriage. It wouldn’t be good to separate them. Moreover, Wang Limei had more considerations – this was a good opportunity to observe Shen Zhanlie’s character.
If he proved to be good, then she could truly rest easy.
Jiang Meishu frowned slightly, “Then where will they sleep?”
“They can make do with cardboard boxes spread on the ground outside the hospital for the night. If that doesn’t work, they can spend twenty cents to rent a bed.”
“Don’t worry about these things.”
Wang Limei asked her seriously, “Meishu, what do you think of Factory Director Liang?”
Old Liang?
Jiang Meishu was momentarily confused, then pressed her lips together and said, “He’s a good person.”
Old Liang was truly a good person.
Adopting his comrade’s child and not having children of his own.
Just for this alone, his character was beyond reproach.
He was a responsible person.
Hearing this evaluation, Wang Limei’s heart skipped a beat. To be honest, this assessment was both broad and very high praise.
This left Wang Limei somewhat perplexed. She asked another question, “Then what do you think of Liang Rui?”
Mentioning Liang Rui, Wang Limei thought her daughter’s high opinion of Factory Director Liang might decrease somewhat?
Jiang Meishu waved her hand, “That guy needs a good beating.”
A single sentence described him perfectly.
Liang Rui really needed a good beating!
This made Wang Limei both amused and exasperated, “Then what do you think of them?”
At this point, Jiang Meishu also sensed something was off. She pinched her slender white fingertips, “Mom, why are you asking this?”
There was now a hint of wariness in her tone.
Wang Limei hadn’t expected her usually slow-witted youngest daughter to be so sharp today.
“No particular reason. With nothing happening at home these two days and your father hospitalized, you can come with me to the hospital tomorrow to take care of your father.”
“Let your sister and Zhanlie rest for a couple of days.”
Jiang Meishu responded, “No problem.”
“Mom, are we going?”
Lin Qiaoling asked. After all, she was still the Jiang Family’s daughter-in-law.
Wang Limei said, “You and the eldest should continue working. Your father’s hospitalization has already affected his work. When wages are paid at the beginning of next month, our family income will be cut in half. If you and the eldest also take leave, our whole family might as well go drink the northwest wind next month.”
This was the difficulty of ordinary families.
They didn’t dare to get sick.
They didn’t dare to take leave.
Because they needed to eat, and because the pressure was great.
Lin Qiaoling actually quite appreciated her mother-in-law’s reasonableness. Since her mother-in-law was reasonable, and she wasn’t a bad person either, she was happy to do a good deed.
“How about this – when Daxiang and I get off work tomorrow noon, we’ll go to the hospital to see Dad.”
This showed her filial piety.
Wang Limei acknowledged, “That’s thoughtful of you.”
After stepping out of her younger sister’s bedroom, she glanced back once more. “Get some rest early and come with me to the hospital tomorrow.”
Jiang Meishu responded with an “Mm-hmm,” pulling the quilt over her head and rolling over.
For the first time, she felt that having many siblings also had its advantages.
At least when parents fell ill and were hospitalized, there was someone to share the burden.
Unlike back when her parents were sick, and she alone was overwhelmed with the chaos of it all.
Just as Jiang Meishu was rolling over, Wang Limei suddenly lifted the curtain again and called out, “Meishu?”
Jiang Meishu pulled down the quilt, revealing a soft and delicately fair face, her almond-shaped eyes slightly open. “What’s wrong?”
Wang Limei wanted to discuss her blind date with Director Lu the next day. But remembering her eldest daughter’s previous resistance to arranged meetings, she swallowed her words. “It’s nothing.”
Jiang Meishu found her mother somewhat odd but couldn’t figure out why. After her mother left, she repeatedly caressed her jar of Yellow Peach Canned Fruit. Under the dim kerosene lamp, the golden peaches swayed in the syrup, looking utterly delicious.
Gulp.
Jiang Meishu swallowed hard and forcibly averted her gaze, stuffing the canned fruit under her pillow.
“Can’t eat it, can’t eat it,” she murmured, her small lips crimson.
“Must save it for Sister and Dad.”
She feared that if she opened it alone, she might transform into a ravenous wolf—these two jars wouldn’t stand a chance against her appetite. What would happen to Sister then?
After all, Jiang Meilan was someone who, even after a blind date, would bring back a portion of Yangchun noodles for her. Such kindness made it impossible for Jiang Meishu to enjoy treats selfishly.
As for the canned peaches, Jiang Meishu woke in the middle of the night, fondling them again and whispering, “Old Liang is truly a good man.”
In these times, gifting Yellow Peach Canned Fruit upon first meeting—wasn’t that equivalent to treating someone to a five-star meal in later years?
At the Liang residence.
Liang Qiurun returned from work at eleven o’clock, his refined and handsome face etched with deep exhaustion. The trouble Liang Rui had stirred up was significant, and resolving the aftermath had drained considerable energy.
Instead of heading straight to his bedroom, he went to the west room where Liang Rui stayed.
Liang Rui lay awake, the whip marks on his back burning with pain. He replayed the day’s events repeatedly: how he’d trusted Liang Haibo and Chen Hongjiao, how Liang Feng had whispered about setting a fire, how his father had risked danger to rescue him and was now cleaning up his mess, and the pained expression on Uncle Jiang’s face.
The more he reflected, the more regret consumed him. He wished he could throttle his past self for being so foolish and easily swayed—how could he have believed Liang Haibo and Chen Hongjiao, who never wished him well?
Liang Rui sat up and slapped himself hard across the face.
Just then, Liang Qiurun entered. Frowning at the sight, he asked, “Liang Rui, what are you doing?”
“Dad!” Liang Rui hadn’t expected his father to come in at this hour. Ignoring the stinging on his cheek, he jumped off the bed, wincing as the movement tugged at his wounds. “How did it go? Did you get scolded?”
The rebellious, defiant boy now wore only deep concern—a sight that comforted Liang Qiurun, who had never seen such emotion on his son’s face.
He changed his initial response to, “I got scolded.” His teacher had advised showing appropriate vulnerability in front of children.
Sure enough, Liang Rui’s guilt intensified. “Dad, I’m sorry,” the boy muttered, head bowed, eyes red-rimmed. “I’ve caused you trouble.”
Liang Qiurun rubbed his head, his lowered eyes gentle and refined. “Between father and son, there’s no need for words like ‘trouble’.” Then he shifted the topic, “However, this incident has indeed caused quite a stir. If you can learn from it, then my scolding won’t have been in vain.”
Liang Rui pursed his lips and nodded. “Was it resolved later?”
Liang Qiurun hummed in affirmation. “It was resolved, but as I said before, the losses from the Meatpacking Factory will be borne by you personally. Liang Rui, can you handle that?”
Liang Rui straightened up and thumped his chest in assurance. “I can.”
This eased Liang Qiurun slightly. Feeling tired, he pulled over a chair and sat down.
His legs were exceptionally long, and as he sat, they curled slightly. The stretching of his knees caused his suit pants to ride up, revealing ankles with clear muscular definition—pale yet powerful.
He lifted his gaze, calm as water. “This morning, I sent you and Secretary Chen to the hospital. How did it go?”
Liang Rui pressed his lips together. “Uncle Jiang’s hand is fractured. They needed to take X-rays this morning, but the cost was too high. Secretary Chen said he had to report it to the factory, so I took the initiative to pay for it first.” After speaking, he looked anxiously at Liang Qiurun.
Liang Qiurun raised an eyebrow. “Well done.”
“At least you know how to make amends afterward.”
“What else?”
“What else?” Liang Rui was puzzled, racking his brains. “I plan to visit Uncle Jiang tomorrow. I’ve already asked Wang Ma to help stew some chicken soup for him to nourish his health.”
Liang Qiurun countered, “Why should Wang Ma do it?”
“Whoever caused the trouble should be the one to make it right.”
This—
Liang Rui wanted to say he didn’t know how, but meeting Liang Qiurun’s gaze, he swallowed his words.
“I understand.”
“I’ll learn from Wang Ma.”
Liang Qiurun hummed in acknowledgment. Feeling drowsy, he pinched the bridge of his nose. “One last thing.”
“What?”
Liang Rui looked confused.
“A written self-criticism.”
Liang Qiurun said, “You need to write a self-criticism.”
“During the Meatpacking Factory’s general meeting on Monday, you’ll deliver a public self-criticism. You, Liang Feng, and Liang Haibo—none of you are getting out of it.”
Hearing this, Liang Rui was stunned. “Dad.”
Liang Qiurun added, “Not only will you write one, but I will too. I’ll be joining you on stage for the self-criticism.”
This incident had significant repercussions.
If Liang Rui were older, he might have ended up at the police station.
Liang Rui bit his lip. “Dad, I’m sorry.”
He had dragged the other into this.
Liang Qiurun replied, “What’s done is done. Now we need to focus on how to resolve it.”
“Liang Rui, you’ll be sixteen by the end of the year. You can’t afford to be so impulsive anymore.” He looked at him, his expression serious and tinged with indescribable weariness. “In my position, many people are watching, and many want to see me fall. Do you understand?”
He didn’t expect Liang Rui to help him.
But at the very least, Liang Rui shouldn’t hold him back.
Liang Rui clenched his fists, his voice low and hoarse. “Dad, I understand.”
Liang Qiurun hummed and stood up. Under the light, his silhouette was tall and upright. “Tomorrow morning, I’ll take time off to accompany you to visit Comrade Jiang.”
Liang Rui nodded.
“One more thing.” Liang Qiurun had reached the door but paused. “Still resisting?”
Resisting what?
Of course, it was about whether he was still resisting the arranged meeting.
Liang Rui understood. He lowered his gaze, his slender eyelashes veiling his eyelids, the stubbornness in his expression fading as compromise took its place. “Perhaps… I can try to accept it.”
Liang Qiurun responded, “Then let’s meet together tomorrow.”
“Liang Rui, be sincere. Don’t throw a tantrum.”
Liang Rui remained silent for a moment before murmuring, “I know.”
A fall into a pit, a gain in your wit.
It was time he learned his lesson.
The only question was—would Uncle Jiang and “Jiang Meilan” be willing to forgive him?
Liang Rui didn’t know.
After Liang Rui fell asleep, Liang Qiurun went to check on him. After washing up in the bathroom, he sat at his desk to ponder matters.
This was Liang Qiurun’s habit. Under the lamplight, his gentle features appeared even more refined, his posture relaxed as he wore light gray checkered pajamas that accentuated his scholarly demeanor.
When the wall clock’s hour hand pointed to twelve, Liang Qiurun stood up. He opened the top drawer of his desk and took out a pack of Da Qianmen—the finest cigarettes in the house. He remembered Comrade Jiang smoked.
After retrieving the cigarettes, he went to the five-drawer cabinet in the main hall and took out a can of malt extract. Recalling there was also a tin of powdered milk stored below, he added that as well.
Surveying the items, he felt they weren’t enough.
He wanted to make it four items, with the most important one yet to be added. He remembered that bone broth was essential for nourishing someone recovering from a fracture.
Wang Ma had already clocked out for the day, and asking her to go tomorrow would be too late.
Moreover, meat had been scarce in the market recently due to shortages.
Liang Qiurun decided to handle it himself. At 5:30 the next morning, his biological clock woke him on time. After practicing a set of military boxing, Secretary Chen appeared punctually at the door.
Liang Qiurun got into the car. “Take me to Dongfeng Market.”
Secretary Chen was taken aback. “Where?” He couldn’t quite process the request.
“To Dongfeng Market.”
“To buy large bones.”
Secretary Chen: “???”
He wondered if he had misheard. Was this the same Factory Director Liang he knew—the one who seemed detached from worldly concerns?
Liang Qiurun had already settled into the back seat, but Secretary Chen remained standing outside.
“Aren’t you getting in?” The calm, light tone snapped Secretary Chen back to attention.
“Coming, coming.”
All the way to Dongfeng Market, Secretary Chen remained bewildered. “Sir, why are we buying large bones?”
He was still puzzled.
Liang Qiurun explained, “Comrade Jiang is injured. After buying the bones, drive directly to Qudeng Hutong to deliver them.”
So he even knew where the Jiang family lived.
Now Secretary Chen understood. “Aren’t you going?”
“The bones can’t conveniently be delivered to the hospital, so you’ll take them to their home. Liang Rui and I will bring the other items to the hospital.”
“Before that, I need to return to the office to handle urgent morning matters.”
This was a work directive.
Secretary Chen immediately grasped the situation.
“Understood. After I deliver the bones to the Jiang family, I’ll pick you up at the unit.”
Liang Qiurun gave an affirmative hum and closed his eyes to rest.
Secretary Chen, however, was still curious. Why didn’t Liang Qiurun just send him to buy the bones alone? Why did the leader need to come along?
The leader’s time was precious.
It wasn’t until Secretary Chen arrived at Dongfeng Market that he understood why Liang Qiurun had come.
They didn’t go to the front pork stalls. Instead, they sought out Manager Xu at the Dongfeng Market department store. “Old Xu, I need a set of tube bones, plus—”
“Plus five jin of pork ribs.”
Manager Xu was startled. “Qiurun, your own factory is a meatpacking plant. Why are you asking me for ribs?”
“I don’t have enough meat here either.”
Liang Qiurun said, “The Meatpacking Factory only sells externally, not to internal staff.” If the factory sold directly at retail, it would disrupt the entire market.
Even as the factory director, he had to abide by this rule.
This—
Manager Xu paused, unable to resist glancing at him. “You really do stick to the rules.”
“But as for whether there are any tube bones and ribs, I’ll need to check. Please wait here for a moment.”
After speaking, Manager Xu stepped out. Shortly after, he returned carrying five jin of ribs and two sets of tube bones.
“This is all the stock we have today, and I’m giving it all to you.”
“If anyone else had come today, I definitely wouldn’t have given it out.”
How precious meat was in these times.
Never mind the factory director—even high-ranking leaders’ families had to buy with meat coupons, and each household’s meat coupons were rationed.
Liang Qiurun nodded. “Thanks.”
Manager Xu waved his hand. “But why do you need so many ribs and tube bones?”
Liang Qiurun replied, “They’re useful. We’ll talk later.”
As he left, he placed two packs of Da Qianmen cigarettes on Manager Xu’s desk. When asking someone for help, one couldn’t not put in some effort.
After exiting Dongfeng Market, Secretary Chen placed a large burlap bag of items into the trunk.
Liang Qiurun looked at it for a moment, then said thoughtfully, “Deliver the large bones to the Jiang Family. Don’t touch the things on the front seat.”
Secretary Chen thought for a moment and asked, “What about you?”
The route to the Jiang Family and the Meatpacking Factory weren’t on the way.
Liang Qiurun considered briefly. “I’ll take the bus back to the unit. You go directly to deliver the items—the sooner, the better. The Jiang Family probably needs them urgently.”
The rest he would deliver to the hospital ward. Logically, the large bones should also go to the ward, but delivering such items there was inconvenient—too conspicuous and would only cause unnecessary trouble for the Jiang Family.
Moreover, Liang Qiurun had another consideration: the Jiang Family might not be able to buy meat. The fire at the Meatpacking Factory had caused a significant reduction in pork supply on the market.
Not just the Jiang Family—even the Liang Family found it hard to buy meat.
And Liang Qiurun had guessed correctly.
The Jiang Family urgently needed large bones. Wang Limei wanted to get some to make soup for her husband.
Early in the morning, Wang Limei dragged Jiang Meishu to Dongfeng Market. Before leaving, she glanced at Jiang Meishu’s outfit—a patched cotton shirt. Though it couldn’t hide her delicate features, worn clothes were still worn clothes, and they didn’t look pleasing.
Wang Limei said calmly, “Go put on Xiao Juan’s school uniform.”
Jiang Meishu tugged at her clothes, puzzled. “I’m not going on a blind date. Why dress so nicely?”
The question made Wang Limei pause. She thought to herself, Isn’t it exactly like a blind date? She just hadn’t told the girl.
Uncomfortably, she said, “We’re going to the market to buy things. Can’t you dress up a bit when going out?”
Jiang Meishu didn’t pay attention to her mother’s expression—of course, she never suspected her mother.
Obedient by nature, when her mother said to change clothes, she promptly went inside and changed into a clean, presentable school uniform, then went with Wang Lamei to Dongfeng Market.
Just as they arrived,
At the Jiang Family, the car had just left.
Wang Lamei took Jiang Meishu straight to the pork stall at Dongfeng Market. But before they reached it, they saw Pork Zhang from afar, scraping his cutting board with a knife, preparing to close up.
Wang Limei was surprised. “Pork Zhang, why are you closing up so early today?”
Pork Zhang said, “We only had one pig today, and it’s all sold out. If you need pork, come early and queue up tomorrow.”
This—
Wang Limei immediately grew anxious, “Do you still have any tube bones? Someone in our family has a fracture and urgently needs to stew large bones to nourish their body.”
Pork Zhang, “None left.”
“Not just large bones, even miscellaneous bones are gone. Today’s tube bones were all taken in one go by someone else before they even made it to the stall.”
Hearing this, Wang Limei instantly gritted her teeth in anger, “Which blockhead bought up all the large bones?”
“What are others supposed to do?”
“Damn them to hell!”