In the 1980s, unlike now, there were many unmarried pregnancies and it was relatively normal. In this era, if you got pregnant out of wedlock, you would have to carry a huge ideological and moral burden.
According to the second uncle's later recollection, it was the second uncle's mother who decided to do this. Only by doing this could they truly be together. It must be said that the second uncle's mother was a courageous woman, and she had to envy her second uncle for being able to do so.
To marry such a good woman.
There are four brothers in Ma Xiaoquan's father's generation, and the ones with the best relationship between husband and wife are his second uncle and his second wife.
Seeing his second uncle leaning over to help his mother wash the vegetables, Ma Xiaoquan suddenly thought of his parents.
His father, Ma Liehuo, and his mother, Yuan Lan, may seem like a loving couple to outsiders, but in the eyes of Ma Xiaoquan, a son, they seem to have something that they have not fully confessed to each other.
Therefore, whenever parents quarrel, you can always hear what they often say: "You must be hiding something from me."
No matter what, my parents have managed to survive half of their stumbling life, and they have a son like Ma Xiaoquan. According to my mother’s original words, I don’t want my son to be successful, but the most important thing is to be healthy and happy.
How pitiful the hearts of parents in the world are.
...
After the meal, Ma Shulin fully demonstrated his eloquence, especially his understanding of the book "Dream of Red Mansions", which impressed several researchers who had read the book.
Although Zhang Yue'e said that Ma Shulin was all made up, she was actually very happy in her heart. She just became particularly worried when she thought about her father disapproving of her being with Shulin.
Ma Shulin also knew that Zhang Yue'e's father did not agree with the two of them being together, and he had been working hard. Whether it was helping his family with housework or pulling cabbage and coal, he was willing to do whatever he could, but he had to do it every time.
When he accepted it, there were many times when Ma Shulin wanted to give up, but every time he closed his eyes, Zhang Yue'e's image kept spinning in his mind, and he couldn't help but not come to her or see her.
Researchers are human beings too, and they also have a habit of gossiping about other people's love lives. Everyone knows about Ma Shulin and Zhang Yue'e, so they often help them with ideas, but these ideas don't work well with Zhang Yue'e's father.
Just when everyone was busy giving advice to the two of them, Ma Xiaoquan suddenly said: "Isn't it enough to have a child? Let's see what the old man can do to you?"
The scene fell silent for an instant. Ma Xiaoquan gasped, realizing that he had said the wrong thing, and quickly lowered his head, not daring to look at the people present.
"It seems...it's not impossible..." the female researcher murmured, "My brother and my sister-in-law seem to be like this."
"That won't work!" Another researcher shook his head and said, "How many people will be scolded by this? How will Yue'e and Shulin look up to see people in the future?"
Ma Xiaoquan couldn't hold it back and said again: "In the worst case, we'll all be transferred out together... If we are transferred away, people outside won't know this."
The scene became quiet again, and it was the female researcher who spoke first: "It seems, okay."
With a "crash", Zhang Yue'e suddenly stood up. He grabbed Ma Shulin and said, "Come out with me. I have something to tell you."
Ma Shulin said "oh" and followed Zhang Yuee out of the hut.
I don't know what the two said outside the courtyard. No one dared to go out to see, and no one dared to come forward and eavesdrop. About ten minutes later, Zhang Yue'e came in alone. Her face was full of tears, as if she had been wronged in some way.
No one dared to ask, so they could only go about their business in silence.
Although Ma Xiaoquan didn't know what they said, he could tell from Zhang Yuee's behavior that Ma Shulin was probably cowardly.
"No, I have to find my second uncle..." Ma Xiaoquan murmured.
...
Early the next morning, Ma Xiaoquan went to the Arms Department to look for someone. Since he was in the military control area, he was interrogated many times. After clarifying his identity, he finally met Ma Shulin.
Ma Shulin also looked gloomy. He was surprised that Ma Xiaoquan came to him, because in his opinion, he was not familiar with the young man in front of him who was several years younger than him.
"I apologize to you for my gaffe yesterday!" Ma Xiaoquan touched his nose, "But I think Sister Yue'e is really good, you can't miss her."
Ma Shulin sighed: "I know it too. It's my fourth year since I left Phoenix City to serve in the army. The old man also said that if he can't find a partner again, he will help me find a matchmaker. I know he will do it."
Who am I talking about? I don’t like that girl, she is so thin and looks like a bamboo pole... Hey, I like Zhang Yue’e, but I can’t get over his father’s situation.”
"Then let's get a breakthrough from her mother?" Ma Xiaoquan suggested.
Ma Shulin wondered: "Yue'e's mother is the vice-captain of the art team. For some reason, every time I see her mother, I get really scared."
"If people don't eat you, why are you upset? Well, I heard that the art troupe is currently doing a chorus, with no restrictions on male and female members. You go and sign up to participate, and get familiar with his mother first."
"Is that okay?" Ma Shulin murmured.
"Why not? You mean you can't sing?" Ma Xiaoquan provoked Ma Shulin.
"Who said I can't sing? I can sing really well."
"Then go."
"But......"
"But what, your Yue'e is married to someone else."
Ma Shulin grabbed Ma Xiaoquan's hand and said, "Xiaohu, do me a favor and pay attention. Whenever a man approaches Yue'e, you must tell me."
Ma Xiaoquan smiled and patted Ma Shulin's hand: "I know, second uncle..."
"Huh? What did you call me?"
"Oh, I said you are a bit similar to my second uncle..."
...
In the next two days, Ma Xiaoquan really stared at Zhang Yue'e. Of course, in order not to let Zhang Yue'e see it, he always said some innocuous words and did some innocuous things.
Zhang Yue'e thought Ma Xiaoquan was bored, so she suggested that they go climb the Great Wall together on the weekend. Ma Xiaoquan took the opportunity to suggest that Ma Shulin be invited too, but Zhang Yue'e refused.
Later I found out that she climbed the Great Wall because Zhang Yue'e's father introduced her to a son of a high-ranking cadre who was from the capital. He had a good family and was very motivated. It was said that he looked very talented.
Ma Xiaoquan knew this person. His second uncle mentioned it when he recalled the incident between him and his second wife, but it was a bit anticlimactic.
The second uncle once said that the high-ranking disciple who was competing with him for the second uncle's mother was called Wan Bo, and he was better than him in every aspect. Originally, the second uncle always felt that Wan Bo's intervention would mean that he and the second uncle's mother would be in trouble.
, who would have thought that Wanbo suddenly and inexplicably disappeared in the end.
Yes, Wanbo just disappeared. Neither Wanbo’s family nor anyone who knew Wanbo mentioned him again. Later, his second uncle secretly inquired about Wanbo’s whereabouts, but he was warned only after half of the inquiry.
, As for who warned him, the second uncle did not continue.
When Ma Xiaoquan and Zhang Yue'e arrived at the entrance of the Great Wall, Wanbo had already arrived. He did not expect that Zhang Yue'e would bring another man, and he seemed to be several years younger than Zhang Yue'e.
Wan Bo was a gentleman. He shook hands with Ma Xiaoquan and introduced himself.
Ma Xiaoquan also introduced himself.
After hearing that Ma Xiaoquan was from Phoenix City and worked in a riveting factory, Wanbo's eyes flashed slightly, and the corner of his mouth raised a hint of unnoticeable pride.
Ma Xiaoquan knew that Wanbo did not regard him as a competitor in his heart. After all, in terms of family background and status, Wanbo crushed him, so that would make climbing the Great Wall today not embarrassing, at least Wanbo would not treat him badly.
There is too much hostility.
What they didn't expect was that just when they were about to enter the gate, Ma Shulin suddenly appeared.
It's not close to the entrance of the Great Wall from the city. Ma Xiaoquanneng and Zhang Yue'e came thanks to Zhang Yue'e's father's chauffeur. It took several hours.
Zhang Yue'e was stunned by the appearance of Ma Shulin. She looked at Ma Shulin's pants with a hole in them and the bruises and scars on her arms with some distress. She pursed her lips and turned around.
In fact, Ma Shulin knew that Zhang Yuee and Ma Xiaoquan were going to the Great Wall three hours before they set off.
It was not Ma Xiaoquan who told Ma Shulin the news, but a researcher who called Ma Shulin's unit after hearing it and found him and told him.
For this reason, Ma Shulin took a day off and stayed up all night. Calculating that the time was almost up, he rode his work bike and ran all the way to the Great Wall.
On the way, Ma Shulin fell down several times because he was riding too hard. His pants also had holes in them and his arms were bruised. But for Zhang Yue'e, he never looked back.
Wanbo sneered and looked at Ma Shulin. He knew that Zhang Yue'e and Ma Shulin had a good relationship. He also knew that Zhang Yue'e liked Ma Shulin. They were in love with each other, but he insisted on breaking them up because he wanted to see others suffer.
As for Zhang Yue'e, Wanbo doesn't mind. After all, he has been playing with different women for as long as he can remember. Anyway, if something goes wrong, his family will always make things right for him.
Besides, Zhang Yue'e's father was just the deputy chief of staff. In terms of status, he was not worth mentioning in front of his family. Even if he played tricks on Zhang Yue'e one day, his father would probably not dare to make a mistake.
"You are Ma Shulin, hello. My name is Wanbo, and I am the person that Uncle Zhang introduced to Yue'e." Wanbo stretched out his hand to Ma Shulin.
Ma Shulin was stunned for a moment, and Zhang Yue'e quickly stepped forward and explained: "Wanbo, don't talk nonsense. I didn't agree to find a partner with you."
Wanbo chuckled: "It's okay, it will be over soon."
The atmosphere was not right, so Ma Xiaoquan quickly stepped forward to smooth things over: "Okay, let's not talk anymore, let's go in."
Ma Shulin is a soldier and can enter for free with his certificate. Zhang Yue'e naturally doesn't need a ticket because Wanbo is here and Wanbo has special privileges. Ma Xiaoquan, on the other hand, has to buy a ticket himself.
Seeing them go in through the privileged passage first, Ma Xiaoquan still had to queue up. He curled his lips and thought, why am I joining in the fun? It's really...