Chapter 610: Zhou Bingyi’s plan, New Year greetings
Zhou Bingyi didn't care about Zhou Chen's attitude, or he was used to it.
In his opinion, his younger brother is a petty brother. If you treat him well, he will greet you with a smile. If you treat him badly, he will never treat you well.
With this kind of personality, it's a good thing he didn't pursue an official career, otherwise I don't know how many people he would have offended.
"Then you have to be serious about it. It's our father's lifeblood, a lifetime of hard work."
Zhou Chen glanced at him. He didn't know what Zhou Bingyi's plan was, but he was sure that it was not as simple as he said.
"I understand, you don't need to remind me."
Seeing that Zhou Chen was really interested, Zhou Bingyi breathed a sigh of relief. He was afraid that Zhou Chen wouldn't listen. He was a decent person and it was impossible for him to ask for a house from Xiao Guoqing's family. It was also impossible for Zhou Zhigang to do this, so
This matter can only be done by Zhou Chen himself.
He wanted to get the house back for the sake of his parents. He felt that he wanted to provide for his parents in their old age, but he lived in the Hao family's villa and had no house at all.
He didn't have much money, so he had to rely on university subsidies and savings to survive. Now that Hao Dongmei was working, Hao Dongmei often gave him money.
How can you provide for your parents when you have no money or a house?
As for why his parents are not allowed to live in Zhou Chen's current house, that is simpler. As the eldest son, he provides for his parents in their old age, but ends up living in his younger brother's house. What is this?
He even has a deeper plan.
He now lives in the Hao family villa in the provincial compound, but this house does not belong to the Hao family. As long as the Hao family is gone, the house will be taken back.
Moreover, he felt that as a grown man, he couldn't always depend on others. He had to have his own place to live.
After much deliberation, the most reliable option is the old house with phototypes.
If his parents can return to Guangzipian, he can come back to Jichun to live with his parents on weekdays, instead of living in Hao's house every day.
Even if his parents don't return to live in Guangzipian, if he has a small dispute with the Hao family, or with his wife Hao Dongmei, he can still have a place to escape.
So no matter what, he still has to get this house back. It's not that he wants to possess it, he just wants to use it temporarily.
Zhou Bingyi comforted himself like this.
As for Zhou Chen's house, he had never thought about it. Even if he didn't have a conflict with Zhou Chen, he never thought about living in Zhou Chen's house. As an eldest brother, should he live in his younger brother's house?
He still has some backbone.
"besides……"
"Do you have anything else to do?"
Zhou Chen immediately became unhappy when he heard that Zhou Bingyi had something to say. He didn't like Zhou Bingyi's tone very much.
Please figure out what our situation is now. You always talk to me in this commanding tone. Who gave you the courage?
Zhou Bingyi didn't care about Zhou Chen's bad attitude and continued: "When I came out today, I met Uncle Ma. He heard that you were back and asked me to tell you to take the children to see them if you have time."
"Okay, I get it."
After the two of them finished talking, they returned to the private room.
In the private room, Zhou Rong chatted happily with her parents, while Zheng Juan made food for the three children. Only Hao Dongmei sat alone next to her, like an outsider.
Hao Dongmei breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Zhou Bingyi coming back. With Zhou Bingyi by her side, she no longer worried.
She has been married to Zhou Bingyi for ten years. She used to be very happy to have dinner with the Zhou family, and her parents-in-law were very enthusiastic towards her.
But this time, she found that although her parents-in-law were very polite to her, they were very different from the previous enthusiasm. Even her sister-in-law was lukewarm to her, and the same was true for her three children.
Zheng Juan was the only one who treated her the same as before, but she felt awkward because whenever she saw Zheng Juan, she would think of Zhou Chen and the harm Zhou Chen had done to her parents.
When the meal was about to end, Zhou Zhigang stood up with his face flushed from drinking.
"Although it has been many years since our family moved out of the Guangzi Film, the Guangzi Film is still the root of our family, so I decided that this time on New Year's Day, our family will go to the Guangzi Film together to give New Year blessings to the neighbors."
Zhou Rong was the first to respond: "Dad, I listen to you. Speaking of which, I haven't been to Guangzi Film in a long time, and I really miss it."
This was half true and half false. I did think about it, but I didn't think about it that much. I wanted to echo my father's suggestion more.
Zhou Chen followed up and said, "I don't have any objection either."
He knew why Zhou Zhigang wanted to go to Guangzi Pian to pay New Year's greetings. It was just to show off, but this was also human nature. Riches and honors do not return home, just like walking in brocade at night.
Not everyone can keep a low profile and not be in the limelight. Zhou Zhigang is such a face-conscious person and has three promising children. Of course he wants to return to his hometown to show off.
In fact, the last time he went home for the New Year, he wanted to go there, but due to various reasons, he couldn't go. This time he made up his mind to go back to Guangzi Dian and take the whole family back to pay New Year's greetings.
Zhou Zhigang didn't think anything of Zhou Chen and Zhou Rong's agreement, but just stared at his eldest son Zhou Bingyi.
Zhou Bingyi did not answer directly, but glanced at Hao Dongmei, and then replied: "Dad, I have no problem. Dongmei and I will go to the photo studio early tomorrow morning to pay New Year greetings to the neighbors, uncles and aunts with you.
"
Zhou Zhigang suddenly laughed happily: "Okay, then it's settled. Tomorrow morning, um, before eight o'clock, Bingyi, will you go to our place and come with us, or will you?"
Zhou Bingyi immediately rushed to answer: "Dongmei and I should go directly to the optical film. This will also save us a lot of walking."
Zhou Zhigang was a little disappointed. He still thought that his eldest son and his wife would have breakfast with him, but then he thought about it. The eldest son didn't even want to have New Year's Eve dinner at the younger son's house. How could the first-year breakfast be printed out?
So he said helplessly: "Okay, then we will wait for you at Guangzi Film early tomorrow morning, so dress energetically."
"I got it, Dad."
After Zhou Bingyi and Hao Dongmei finished eating, they said hello to their parents and sister and left.
Zhou Zhigang looked at the direction in which his eldest son and eldest daughter-in-law were leaving, and sighed heavily, feeling very uncomfortable in his heart.
Obviously he is the father, but now he seems to be the father-in-law. His son lives in the father-in-law's house all day long. He finally came back to celebrate the New Year, but he can't even see his son a few times, which makes him feel very sad.
Frustrated.
At this moment, he really regretted that he let his eldest son find a wife from such a family. He also regretted that he did not recognize the true nature of his in-laws earlier, so that his eldest son was caught in the middle.
The arrival of New Year's Eve means that the year has come to an end. Zhou Chen took the children to set off firecrackers and played until the three children were tired before washing them and going to bed.
This night, father and son Zhou Chen and Zhou Zhigang sat together to celebrate the new year.
Zhou Zhigang pulled Zhou Chen and said a lot of things, all of which were from the bottom of his heart. Some were about his experience in dealing with people, some were about his experience as the head of a family, and...
Today, the eldest son suddenly raised the issue of the elderly couple's pension, which made him think about it all afternoon. He felt that it was time to seriously consider this issue.
But there is one thing he has not thought about changing, that is, he will not live with his eldest son. He prefers to live with his younger son.
Although he did have the idea of taking his wife back to the photogram, after serious consideration, he felt that it was still unrealistic.
It doesn't matter to him. He has been used to it all these years and can survive in any environment.
But his wife Li Suhua couldn't do it. By the time he retired, Li Suhua was already over sixty.
Over the years, she has become accustomed to running water, flush toilets, electric lights, washing machines and other automated appliances. If she were to go back to the optical system, fetching water and pouring swill every day, burning firewood to cook in large pots, and using weak kerosene lamps, he felt that his wife would definitely not be able to
adapt.
Zhou Zhigang wants to save face and is vain, but he really feels sorry for and loves his wife who has been married to him for decades. He doesn't want to let his wife suffer when he gets old.
Therefore, the house in Guangzipi is indeed very important to him and has extraordinary meaning, but what is more important is his family, his wife, son and grandson.
Zhou Bingyi proposed to let him return the photograms. He neither agreed nor objected, but in fact he already had the answer in his heart.
This was also the first time Zhou Chen had a long talk with Zhou Zhigang. Looking at his old father, who had turned white at the temples and had a kind tone, he deeply felt the helplessness in the old father's heart, which greatly changed his view of Zhou Zhigang.
.
Before dawn the next day, Zhou Zhigang and Li Suhua had already gotten up. They both put on new clothes, which Zhou Chen bought for them in Yanjing.
At first the old couple were reluctant to wear them, but Zhou Chen convinced them with a few words. When they returned to the photo to say New Year greetings, of course they had to dress up brightly.
The old couple made a lot of noise, and soon woke up Zhou Chen and the others, so the adults also got up one after another, and then the cooks cooked and the others called the children.
New year, new day, new weather...
After breakfast, the Zhou family, led by Zhou Zhigang, headed to Guangzipi without even riding a bicycle.
When they arrived at the Guangzi Film area, they saw Zhou Bingyi and Hao Dongmei standing next to their bicycles, waiting for them.
"Bingyi, Dongmei, when did you come? Have you been waiting for a long time?"
"No, Dad, we just arrived."
Zhou Bingyi and Hao Dongmei both waved their hands and said with smiles, today is the first day of the Lunar New Year, and everyone is in an extremely happy mood.
"Let's go."
Zhou Zhigang didn't say much, he just waved his hand, and then took the lead into the optical film.
As soon as they entered the Guangzi Pian area, someone recognized the Zhou family and their group.
"Oh, isn't this Zhou Zhigang, brother Zhou? You guys are back for the New Year this year?"
When Zhou Zhigang saw an acquaintance, he also laughed happily: "It's you, Wang Laosan, we haven't seen each other for several years, you have aged a lot."
"That is, the last time we met was a few years ago. It has been several years. Brother Zhou, how about the Chinese New Year."
"Happy New Year, happy New Year."
"These are your children and grandchildren. After so many years, I can only recognize one, Bingkun. You are Zhou Bingkun."
"Haha, your eyes are so good. This is indeed the naughty one in my family."
"Where are you? Brother Zhou, look at what you said. Bingkun is the pride of our phototype. He is a college student. He must have graduated. Where do you work?"
"Graduated, graduated. This guy studied medicine. He is now assigned to the First Affiliated Hospital of Yanjing Medical College. What is his position? Yes, yes, he is an attending physician."
"Oh, hey, the doctor at Yanjing Hospital is really amazing. Brother Zhou, congratulations to you. Bingkun is so promising. If that brat of mine was half as successful as Bingkun, I would laugh out loud in my dreams.
"
"Where, not worth mentioning, not worth mentioning."
Zhou Zhigang was talking to Wang Laosan. In fact, he was quite surprised. He thought that when he met acquaintances when he came to Guangzi Film, the eldest son and daughter would be the first to be praised. After all, in those days, Zhou Bingyi and Zhou Rong's
His reputation is much better than that of Zhou Bingkun.
Along the way, I greeted everyone I met and wished them New Year. Most of them were polite, but there were also some neighbors with whom I had a good relationship who took out red envelopes after seeing the three children.
Zhou Zhigang was a person who wanted to meet others. When others gave him red envelopes, he would reciprocate them as a courtesy and handed out the red envelopes he had prepared long ago.
Listening to familiar neighbors praising his children, the smile on Zhou Zhigang's face never stopped. He smiled more today than he had in several years.
As they walked, they came to the house of Lao Zhou's family. Xiao Guoqing, who was cleaning the yard, shouted excitedly when he saw someone from Lao Zhou's family coming.
"Uncle, aunt, Kun'er, brother Bingyi, why are you here?"
His greeting immediately alerted Wu Qian and others in the room, and many people walked out of the room, including Xiao Guoqing's parents.
Xiao Guoqing's parents are older than Zhou Zhigang and his wife, and they started to greet each other after meeting, with all kinds of compliments and words of gratitude coming out casually.
He praised the three children of the Zhou family for being admitted to college, and also expressed his gratitude to Zhou Chen, saying that if Zhou Chen had not lent his house to their family for the National Day, their family would not be able to survive, etc.
Zhou Zhigang enjoyed the praise and flattery very much, and even went inside to look at his house. He was relieved to see that the house was well organized.
This was his house, and it was so well organized and protected that he no longer minded renting it out.
After leaving here, I went to someone else's house. Finally, after walking, I came to Lao Qiao's house.
Because Li Suhua and Chunyan's mother are old sisters and have a very good relationship, the two families are relatively close. They did not go to other people's houses to sit there, but when they came to Qiao's house, they went to Qiao's house to rest.
In the room, Father Qiao was saying this to Zhou Zhigang, while the others were eating melon seeds and chatting.
Father Qiao gave a thumbs up and praised repeatedly: "Zhigang, our family has three children, but the three children of my family, compared with the three children of your family, that is heaven and earth, your three children
They have all been admitted to universities in the capital, and they are all famous universities. The three in my family, well, let’s not mention them.”
"Zhigang, it's you again. You have a good way to teach your children. You have a good way to teach your children."
Zhou Zhigang laughed and said, "What's the matter? My mother and I don't understand anything. It's all the children's own struggle."
"Oh, it's different. Zhigang, your children are promising. Why don't the three of us have this ability?"
Father Qiao had a look of regret on his face. This was true. Not only him, but also all the old people in the Guangzi film, how many of them didn't envy Zhou Zhigang?
Chunyan's mother was a little dissatisfied with her husband's belittling of her daughter, and said in a joking tone: "Hey, our Chunyan is now the deputy director of the District Women's Federation, so it's not that bad."
Qiao Chunyan stared blankly at the side. She was proud to be the deputy director, but as her horizons broadened, she knew that there was still a big gap between her, the deputy director, and the three famous college students from the Zhou family.
Father Qiao: "Come on, come on, let's not talk about these things that we already know. What are we trying to show off?"
Zhou Zhigang stopped him with a smile: "Old Qiao, Chunyan is pretty good."
"It's not bad. Compared with Bingkun and the others, it's far behind. By the way, I heard our Chunyan say that Bingkun is now working, and he's still in a big hospital in the capital. It's amazing. What about Bingyi and Xiaorong?
They have graduated too, where are they assigned?"
Zhou Zhigang explained with a smile: "Bingkun graduated and became a doctor, but Bingyi and Xiaorong are not working yet. They were admitted to graduate school after graduation and are now studying for graduate school."
Qiao's father and Chunyan's mother both looked confused: "Graduate student? What is that? Research or something?"
Qiao Chunyan explained at the side: "Dad, Mom, graduate students are not studying anything, but they are better than college students. After graduation, they will become state cadres."
In fact, she didn't know much about graduate students, but she couldn't show her timidity at this time.
When Qiao's father heard this, he was immediately surprised and praised again: "It's amazing, Zhigang. Bingyi and Xiaorong will definitely be more promising in the future, especially Bingyi. It's just that he has the ability, and he also has a high-ranking father-in-law."
Man, he will definitely become a high official in the future."
The smile on Zhou Zhigang's face faded and became a little gloomy. He laughed dryly and said: "Where, where? Who can say for sure about this kind of thing? It depends on his own ability. After sitting here for so long, it's time for us to leave."
"No, Zhigang, now that you're gone, I don't know when we will see each other next time. Let's talk, let's talk."
"No, no."
…………
After leaving Qiao Chunyan's house, Zhou Zhigang took his family to several houses to pay New Year's greetings. It wasn't until Feng Yueming was too tired and his legs hurt that he stopped showing off and prepared to take the children home.
Looking at Zhou Zhigang walking with his hands behind his back, walking like a dragon and a tiger with a smile on his face, Zhou Chen secretly laughed. This little old man has quite a strong sense of vanity.
But at noon, Zhou Zhigang's good mood was half gone, because after coming out of the photo album, Zhou Bingyi said something and took Hao Dongmei away, with no intention of going to Zhou Chen's place to have dinner with his family.
Although Zhou Zhigang didn't say anything, there was a thorn in his heart. If this continues, how much relationship will the eldest son have with them?
In other words, once the old couple leaves, the two brothers will really stop communicating with each other.
Such a situation is something Zhou Zhigang does not want to see.
After lunch, Zheng Juan said to Zhou Chen: "Bingkun, when we were at Chunyan's house in the morning, she pulled me and said, let's get together again on the third day of the junior high school."
Zhou Chen did not answer, but asked: "Then what do you think?"
Zheng Juan said: "I listen to you."
"Then don't step on her. You saw it last time. We are living well now, and it is harder to sit with them and chat calmly. Things are different now."
But on the third day of junior high school, Qiao Chunyan didn't come to the door, but Xiao Guoqing and Sun Qianchao did.
"National Day, catch up, why are you here, have you eaten?"
Zhou Chen was very surprised when he saw Xiao Guoqing and Sun Qianchao coming over early in the morning, and he had some guesses in his heart.
Sure enough, what Sun Qianchao said next fulfilled his suspicion.
"Kun'er, isn't it the third day of junior high school today? We haven't gotten together in three years, so why should we get together today? We are here to invite you."
Zhou Chen didn't get together, but just said, "How about you bring your wife and children to my house for a get-together?"
Xiao Guoqing waved his hand and said: "No, Kun'er, I'm not here with you anymore. You'd better go to my place. I've already asked Wu Qian to start preparations."
Sun Qianchao also echoed: "Yes, Kun'er, I also asked Yu Hong to help. Don't think about it. Call Zheng Juan and let's go."
Facing the two enthusiastic young people, Zhou Chen couldn't refuse, so he could only nod in agreement, tell his parents, and then ride a bicycle to take Zheng Juan and Xiao Guoqing to the optical film.