Chapter 94
"Even if you just give your mother a flower, she'll be happy."
Liang Ying said with a smile, her smile never fading as she watched her daughter's face turn red.
Gu Yousi's ears turned bright red, and she mumbled something awkwardly, "Then you should work hard, and when you make a lot of money in the future, I'll send you ten flower baskets."
"Auntie, I'll give you a hundred of them," Lan Lin said, suppressing a laugh as he egged her on.
"Okay, okay, you're all good children, I'll remember them."
Liang Ying smiled and bent down, "When Auntie makes a lot of money, she'll treat you all to a trip abroad."
Although Gu Yousi didn't care about this, she still politely showed an expectant look.
Back to the Textile Factory, since the higher-ups started investigating Textile Factory, quite a few problems have been uncovered. Lin Lianhua was the first person to have Big-Character Poster put up against her, and the first to be investigated.
As for the investigation results, it can only be said that some of the content in the Big-Character Poster is indeed true. For example, the matter of Lin Lianhua bribing the leaders. Although she was praised by her unit for putting out the fire, that was not enough merit for her to become the Workshop Director.
It was because she gave the deputy factory director two cartons of Zhonghua and a bottle of Moutai that she was able to surpass Liang Ying and others and be promoted first.
Although this matter was small compared to the issues involving the deputy factory director and others, it was still enough to give Lin Lianhua a hard time.
She was immediately removed from her original position and sent back to the workshop as a textile worker; her record even showed a demerit.
Lin Lianhua felt both wronged and frightened.
Luckily, I'm not too daring and haven't done anything wrong. I didn't get any benefits when the housing was allocated, otherwise I wouldn't be able to get out now.
But when she thought about how hard she had worked all these years and how much money she had spent on bribing officials, and how she had ended up back where she started, she was furious and hated Bai Xiaoyan to death.
Huang Xirong didn't care whether Lin Lianhua felt wronged or not; all she saw was that Lin Lianhua had been demoted. Her face was long and she gave Lin a cold shoulder the whole way. "Didn't you always say you were capable? How come this time, everyone else was fine but you were? And if you can't get promoted, do you think you can get those things back?"
Lin Lianhua said aggrievedly, "Mom, how can you be so sarcastic? How was I supposed to know this would happen? I was about to become a cadre."
"Originally? You still say 'originally'?"
The thought of her family's gifts going down the drain filled Huang Xirong with anguish, like knives piercing her heart. "What did I tell you before? If you're not capable, don't cause trouble. Look at you, all this fuss has cost my son so much money. And now you've even got a demerit. How am I supposed to face my family about this?"
Lin Lianhua dared not say anything.
After all, the money used to bribe the leader was indeed given by his family.
If she could become the Workshop Director, she could definitely recoup her investment. But now, let alone recoup her investment, she wasn't even fired like Bai Xiaoyan. It's only because the higher-ups let her off the hook that she put out the fire earlier.
Otherwise, how could they have released her so easily?
Lin Lianhua didn't say anything, but she felt increasingly aggrieved. As she lowered her head, she saw Liang Ying and He Chunlian in front of her.
Lin Lianhua's eyes lit up, and she deliberately called out loudly, "Liang Ying, Aunt He."
He Chunlian and her daughter-in-law turned their heads, and upon seeing that it was them, they both muttered a curse in unison.
It has to be said that the Song Family is truly a persistent nuisance. A few years ago, the Gu Family bought a house and moved out of the Courtyard House, hoping to stay far away from the Song Family. But who knew that the Song family was so clingy, and when they bought a house later, they insisted on living next to theirs.
Although they're just across the street, they're still quite close.
"Oh, it's you guys, going to buy groceries?"
He Chunlian said calmly, "We still have things to do, we'll go home first."
Lin Lianhua rushed over, "Aunt He, don't be in such a hurry to leave! We used to be neighbors, why are you leaving as soon as we meet?"
"Maybe it's because I don't want to see you."
He Chunlian spoke very frankly.
Liang Ying was stunned for a moment, then couldn't help but laugh, her shoulders shaking.
Lin Lianhua looked embarrassed, but she was thick-skinned and didn't want to leave even after being rebuked like that. She even looked at He Chunlian with a concerned expression, "Aunt He, I know your family has run into some trouble recently, so I understand why you're in a bad mood. Liang Ying is the same; how could she just lose her job like that? It was a secure job!"
Upon hearing this, Huang Xirong's face immediately revealed a gloating expression. "That's right, your wife is no good. Even if your Jin Shui is good at making money, there's no reason for her to waste money like this. Sister He, you're not as good as me in this respect. You need to discipline your wife properly. Besides, your wife has already given birth to a son for your son, and you don't care!"
Huang Xirong's proudest achievement in front of the Gu Family over the years has been having a great grandson.
He Chunlian laughed and said, "Sister, you're absolutely right. Sometimes I feel like my wife is too disobedient."
Just as Huang Xirong was about to smile, she heard He Chunlian's helpless tone, "My daughter-in-law just left the factory and started her own business. She earns more money in a month than my son. I advised her not to work so hard to earn money, saying that money can never be earned enough, but she just wouldn't listen. She even said she wanted to expand her business and buy me gold in the future."
"Mom, forget about gold. When I earn even more money in the future, I'll send you on a world tour," Liang Ying said, trying to stifle a laugh.
"Oh, no, no, I'm not used to Western food. It's not as good as China food. I think a simple trip around China, trying all eight major cuisines and seeing all the beautiful landscapes would be enough."
He Chunlian waved her hands repeatedly, "This trip abroad is out of the question."
"Mom, if that's what you mean, then I can send you on a trip right now. Aren't domestic trips cheap?" Liang Ying deliberately provoked Huang Xirong. "That's right, I'm worried you're too busy filming and won't have time."
"You're so thoughtful. How about this, we can talk about the trip after I finish filming."
He Chunlian shook her head and said, "But I think it will be a while before I can. I have too many acting offers right now, and I can't keep up. I can't turn down any offers. I told the director I was busy, but he said he would wait until I was available. He wouldn't take anyone else even if they paid him."
The four people present all knew perfectly well who they were talking about.
In her early years, He Chunlian's portrayal of Lily's Mom in "Flower and Leaf Wedding" made her an instant star. The old lady's acting skills were a revelation. Especially in recent years, she has frequently acted, and her acting skills have become increasingly refined. She is also very dedicated, and her reputation in the industry is truly excellent.
"What's the use of all the money your family earns? You only have one girl in your family, your family is doomed to extinction."
Huang Xirong was clearly deeply provoked and couldn't help but speak from the bottom of his heart.
She thought that He Chunlian and her mother-in-law would feel embarrassed if they heard this.
Unexpectedly, they didn't care at all. He Chunlian even said, "Whether the lineage goes extinct or not is a matter for the future. But, sister, your Da Bao isn't smart, that's the immediate problem. I heard he got two zeros on his test again. Oh my, even if our Yousi had their eyes closed, they could score higher than your grandson. It's not important whether you have a boy or a girl, what's important is that the child is smart. Otherwise, if a stupid child begets another stupid child, it's better to go extinct, so the ancestors in the underworld won't be so angry they'll vomit blood."
Don't hit someone in the face.
Huang Xirong and her mother-in-law were so angry their faces almost turned green, but Song Dabao was notoriously stupid.
Chapter 93 The Ninety-Third Day of Being Eavesdropped On
He Chunlian and her mother-in-law infuriated Lin Lianhua and the others, but the two women couldn't find a rebuttal and could only leave in resentment.
That day, Gu Jinshui received two bottles of ginseng wine as a gift. He didn't like drinking, but he remembered that his master usually liked to have a drink while reading before going to bed at night, so he packed up the wine and bought braised beef, pig ears, and peanuts to take to his Old Master's house.
The Old Master was exonerated last year. His original house was sold, and he was replaced with a small Courtyard House near Gu Jinshui's home.
He was initially reluctant to move, but Gu Jinshui persisted and even sent her daughter as a go-between, finally managing to persuade the Old Master to come over.
There's no other way. Old Master Xi is seventy-three this year. Who would feel comfortable letting him live so far away by himself at that age? Living closer means I can visit him every morning and evening to check on Old Master, and if anything happens, I can find out in time.
When Gu Jinshui arrived at the Old Master's house, he heard laughter and chatter coming from inside, as if guests had arrived that day.
He was secretly amazed. The Old Master was so lonely that he wouldn't even acknowledge the newspaper deliveryman. Who could it be? He knocked on the door, then went straight in, calling out as he went, "Master, I've brought you something. Which room are you in?"
This small Courtyard House faces south, with three main rooms, two side rooms on the left and right, a well, and a pomegranate tree in the courtyard.
The Old Master came out of the main room and said, "What are you shouting for? Do you think I'm deaf?"
"Hey Master, your hearing is perfectly fine. I'm shouting so loudly because I'm afraid you're doing something shady and I might catch you."
Gu Jinshui placed the food and wine on the table with a teasing tone. (Situ. com document sharing and online reading)
That's how they always talk; if you didn't know better, you might think they had some deep-seated grudge.
"Old Xi, is this your apprentice?" A refined-looking old gentleman walked out from the next room, the curtains drawn back.
The old man was taken aback when he saw Gu Jinshui. "Oh, it's you?"
"Isn't this Professor Bai? What are you doing here with my master?" Gu Jinshui was no less surprised than Professor Bai, and even looked at the Old Master with some surprise. "Master, is this your friend?"
"Nonsense, what? Can't your master have a few friends?"
Xi Han retorted without hesitation, Professor Bai, "This is my apprentice. He's good for nothing, but he's barely managed to get into the profession these past few years."
That's what he said, but his tone was clearly very smug.
Professor Bai, of course, wouldn't be so foolish as to take Xi Han's words seriously.
He was a very good man, and he laughed and said, "Old Xi, what you're saying is not untrue. I've seen your apprentice's abilities before. Such a big vase, all my other apprentices misjudged it, but he saw it clearly and could even explain the intricacies, which convinced all my students."
A slight smile appeared on Xi Han's lips.
He said to Gu Jinshui, "Go and get a few wine glasses. It's lunchtime now, and I was just thinking of going out to eat with Lao Bai. It's perfect timing that you brought wine and food; this saves us a lot of trouble."
"No need for that, no need for that," Professor Bai quickly waved his hand. "I'm leaving now, so I won't trouble you."
"Don't worry about it, Jin Shui, just go."
Xi Han's tone was very decisive.
Gu Jinshui naturally listened to his master and went to the kitchen to get plates and wine glasses. Fearing that they wouldn't be full just from eating this, he even went out and bought a pound of steamed buns.
Professor Bai watched Gu Jinshui bustling around, buying steamed buns and arranging them on plates, and couldn't help but praise, "Old Xi, you've made a good apprentice. She's quick to notice things. My students can't compare to her."
"That's his good point—he's hardworking," Xi Han said. "How can he compare to you top students?"
Gu Jinshui laughed and said, "My master is right. I dare not compare myself to your Peking University students. How could I possibly be comparable? Come, Professor Bai, this is genuine ginseng wine, a gift from a friend in the countryside. You must try it."
He poured Professor Bai a full glass.
Xi Han's eye twitched as he glanced at his unruly disciple.
Why pour so little of such good wine for outsiders? Just a token amount is enough.
Seeing the Old Master's expression, Gu Jinshui suppressed a laugh, pretended not to notice, and kept urging Professor Bai to eat and drink.
Professor Bai was a straightforward person, not at all coy. After three cups of wine, he became much more intimate with Gu Jinshui, saying, "Jin Shui, we're quite destined to meet. I mentioned earlier that I needed your help with something, but I've been held up by various matters these past few days. I was planning to visit you in the next few days, but I didn't expect to run into you here. This proves that we're fated to be together."
"Hey, don't talk nonsense. Who are you destined to be disciples with?"
Xi Han was not happy about it and retorted.
Gu Jinshui laughed and said, "Professor Bai, if my master hears what you say, he'll be unhappy. He thinks I'm a golden goose that everyone wants, but in reality, only my master would think highly of me. He's just being paranoid."
Professor Bai, clearly aware of the Old Master's temperament, showed no displeasure and even said, "Are there many kinds of fate? It doesn't necessarily have to be a disciple. I think it's enough for me and Jin Shui to be just friends despite our age difference. As for me..."