The gray cat huddled in the cat's nest in the corner, lying there listlessly squinting its eyes, but it kept looking at the people in the living room.
Ou Xiuhua was still wearing her work clothes when she came back from get off work, but her face was full of exhaustion and there was always a little sadness in her eyes.
When entering the door, Ou Xiuhua saw Sun Keke coming out of the kitchen. She was stunned for a moment, then forced a smile: "Keke, you're here."
When Sun Keke saw Ou Xiuhua, her eyes turned red: "Auntie, I..."
Ou Xiuhua saw that the kitchen at home was clean, and there were even sheets and quilts hanging to dry on the balcony.
At first glance, it seemed that they had been packed away from Chen Nuo's room.
"There is still no news about Chen Nuo. You...actually don't have to come every day." Ou Xiuhua sighed.
She is a mother, and she has her own personal experience that Chen Nuo's father also disappeared after leaving home. She has experienced the torture of this kind of life, and she can naturally understand Sun Keke's pain at this time.
She sighed, walked over, took Sun Keke's hand, and pulled the girl to sit on the sofa. She did not let go of her hand, but held it gently, and whispered: "I know you are a good child. You also really like Chen Nuo.
It’s just...under the current situation, I really don’t know what to say to you.”
Sun Keke pursed his lips: "Chen Nuo...he will definitely be fine, he will be fine, he will be back."
"Well, I also believe he will come back." Ou Xiuhua sighed. After staring at Sun Keke for a few times, she felt helpless.
This girl is Chen Nuo's real girlfriend who he admitted in front of her. There is no doubt that Ou Xiuhua likes Sun Keke very much.
She is young, beautiful, has a gentle and kind personality, and has a good family background. What is commendable is that this girl has a very good character. She is not at all impetuous and realistic like some young girls in today's society. Her thoughts are also very simple, and she is not sensitive to feelings. All sincere.
Which elder wouldn't like such a girl?
Chen Nuo said that he was going out to do something, but he never came back. Although Ou Xiuhua was anxious in the first few days, she could barely keep calm. But as time went by, she didn't worry that she couldn't contact her son. Even Lei Lei Brother, Zhang Linsheng, and the business partners around these sons can't contact Chen Nuo either.
Ou Xiuhua was really panicked.
I also called the police, but to no avail.
Because after investigation, it was discovered that Chen Nuo had no record of leaving Jinling, and had never purchased train tickets or airplane tickets.
Nothing could be found from this. The police could only temporarily speculate that it might be a case of young people rebellious and running away from home.
Because after investigation, it was found that Chen Nuo was a student on the surface, his social relations were not complicated, and he had no enemies.
In fact, Brother Lei, Zhang Linsheng, and Sun Keke knew some of Chen Nuo's "special secrets".
But the problem is, telling Ou Xiuhua these things is useless. It will not help except make the mother more worried and think more.
These days, if I think about it carefully, it was Sun Keke who took the initiative to comfort Ou Xiuhua in the beginning.
But as Chen Nuo disappeared for longer and longer, Sun Keke became increasingly unsettled. Although Chen Nuo was a capable person, if he had been missing for so long, he must have met him outside. Trouble!
No one can guarantee whether something will happen or not.
"Although Chen Nuo has been away for a long time this time... there is actually nothing difficult at home." Ou Xiuhua saw Sun Keke stunned, thinking that Sun Keke was worried about things at home, and comforted: "He left a lot of money, and the family is not lacking.
Money, Xiao Zizi goes to kindergarten, and I have to work, so I can only change her to full care and live in school...
As for Ye Zi, I could only coax the child. In the first two weeks when she came back on weekends, I lied to her that her brother was on a business trip.
Later, I couldn’t deceive her anymore, so I had to tell her that my brother went to work in other places and would not be back until the Chinese New Year..."
In fact, Ou Xiuhua said these words not to explain anything, nor to comfort Sun Keke, but more like to comfort herself.
Sun Keke thought for a moment and said in a low voice: "Auntie, if the family is not short of money, why not take Ye Zi back to live in it. It may not be very good for the children if they are all taken care of and live in school."
Ou Xiuhua looked at Sun Keke, sighed softly, didn't say anything, just shook her head.
Unlike young girls like Sun Keke, Ou Xiuhua is a woman who has experienced things. She has also experienced family changes twice in her life.
Naturally, I think longer term.
Chen Nuo disappeared. Although he tried hard not to let himself collapse, he tried hard to comfort himself and believe that his son could be found safely.
but……
After all, she is an adult over forty years old and has had rich life experiences. She has experienced family breakdown, family breakdown, and the disappearance of her husband...
It's not like she hasn't thought about quitting her job first and taking good care of her little daughter Chen Xiaoye at home.
but……
What if Chen Nuo can't be found?
Although Chen Nuo left a lot of money to his family, he had a deposit of hundreds of thousands. Speaking of which, there was also a car dealership that made electric vehicles.
But...she doesn't understand business matters, and she doesn't feel safe. In business, when you make money, you make money, and when you don't, you don't make money.
As for the family's savings, it's several hundred thousand, which seems to be a lot. If the mother and daughter eat, drink, and have sex, it will be enough for several years.
Can……
What if Chen Nuo really can't be found?
What should I do if I have such a small amount of money and have nothing to offer?
Ye Zi is still in kindergarten, and will go to elementary school, middle school, and university in the future. There are many places to spend money.
If I quit my job... if Chen Nuo really can't come back from now on, I will eat up all my family's wealth.
Who supports the family??
Whether it's Brother Lei or Zhang Linsheng, they are all very good people when I come into contact with them, and they are also Chen Nuo's brothers...
Although Chen Nuo is a partner in the business with them, it stands to reason that the money earned from the business will still belong to the family even if Chen Nuo is gone.
But...he is an outsider after all.
It’s not that I don’t believe in their character. It’s that the most unreliable thing in this world is the human heart!
Ou Xiuhua's thoughts were simple: if something big happened to Chen Nuo, she couldn't rely on the kindness of outsiders for her family's livelihood.
You still have to support your woman by yourself.
Therefore, you can never quit your job.
As a released prisoner, I finally found a stable job. Although the income is not high, it is at least a way out for my family.
If he resigns, it will be even more difficult for a person who has been released from prison to find a job than to find a job in the future.
Sun Keke saw Ou Xiuhua shaking her head, but misunderstood what she meant, and immediately said: "Auntie, if you are too busy, I can pick up Xiao Zizi every day, and I can also come over every day to help take care of Xiao Zizi."
"No!"
Ou Xiuhua immediately shook her head, squeezed Sun Keke's hand, and said softly: "Keke, I know you are a good person.
But... there are some things that I can't nod my head at, I can't stand them.
You are still a student. You are now in your third year of high school and are about to take the college entrance examination! This is the most critical year in your life. If things in our family distract you at this time and affect your future,
That really means that our family is completely sorry for your Sun family!
And...if Chen Nuo can't come back...we've delayed you, which we won't be able to afford in our lifetime."
When she said "I can't come back", Ou Xiuhua's voice was choked with sobs.
The two women, one large and one small, sat and talked for a while, but the more they talked, the more uncomfortable they became. They couldn't help but hold hands gently and wiped away tears.
At this time, there were several knocks on the door.
Ou Xiuhua immediately stood up, wiped the corners of her eyes and opened the door.
The person coming is Brother Lei.
Brother Lei walked in with a bald head, but he was carrying large and small bags of things.
"Brother Lei, why are you... Oh, I have said it many times, there is really no need to come... There is nothing missing at home." Ou Xiuhua seemed a little at a loss.
Brother Lei shook his head and said in a very solemn tone: "Don't tell me whether you are in need or not. Lord Nuo is my benefactor when I eat with you. No matter what, I will always do my best to deal with the family affairs."
With that said, Brother Lei nodded and said hello to Sun Keke and started working.
Brother Lei brought a lot of things.
A bag of rice filled the rice jar, and then some fresh meat and vegetables commonly used at home bought from the vegetable market filled the refrigerator.
Obviously this is not the first time Brother Lei has come here. The refrigerator at home can hold as many things as possible, and the things he bought are just enough to hold them, and they are full.
Sun Keke knew that Brother Lei came every week, and every time he came he would fill up the refrigerator at home before leaving.
But this time, there was another thing.
After finishing the work, Brother Lei took out an envelope from his bag. Inside was a bank card and placed it on the table.
"I went to the bank to apply for this card yesterday. The password is Mr. Nuo's birthday."
Ou Xiuhua looked at Brother Lei in surprise.
Brother Lei said slowly: "I have discussed it with Lin Sheng.
As for Mr. Nuo, we must wait for him to come back, no matter how long we wait!
In this card, every month, we will set aside a portion of the store's profit, including Nuoye's share, and deposit it into it.
Mr. Nuo is not at home, and you are a woman still living with Xiao Yezi, so just take the money and spend it!"
Ou Xiuhua's face was shocked.
"Don't refuse, let alone thank me. I can't say thank you at all.
This was originally Mr. Nuo's money. Mr. Nuo led me and Lin Sheng to do the business, and he originally accounted for the majority of it.
The monthly profit dividends are also the money that Mr. Nuo should take. Now that he is not at home, of course he will leave it to you for safekeeping. "
After a pause, Brother Lei took a deep breath, looked at Ou Xiuhua's face, and said slowly again.
"Sister, we are no longer children.
Have hope in your heart, but be prepared for the worst.
I mean...if Mr. Nuo really...
Well, wait for a while... maybe next year, if Mr. Nuo can't come back yet, Lin Sheng and I plan to make industrial and commercial changes to the company."
When Ou Xiuhua said this, he was heartbroken, obviously he had misunderstood something.
But what Brother Lei said next shocked Ou Xiuhua completely.
"Industrial and commercial changes, I would like to trouble you to follow me for a run when the time comes.
Because, after discussing with Lin Sheng, we originally wanted to change the shares belonging to Mr. Nuo in the company to Xiao Yezi's name.
But Ye Ye is still young and can't do many things, and the company usually requires the boss's signature for many things.
So, after much deliberation, I still have to trouble you.
When the time comes, let’s change the shares to your name.”
Ou Xiuhua was moved!
This is not small money.
She knew that her son had invested millions in the businesses he had done with Brother Lei and Zhang Linsheng outside.
This is an industry worth millions!
In 2001, a few million dollars was still a huge windfall for ordinary people.
Anyone with a few million in his or her family is considered to be a "rich person".
In this kind of partnership business, it is often heard that if something happens to one partner, he will be swallowed up by the other partners.
It is rare to hear someone take the initiative to give up property and return it to the original owner.
·
In fact, the impact on the store’s business is quite large.
Especially in the first month after Chen Nuo disappeared. After Lei Ge and Zhang Linsheng learned that Chen Nuo was missing, they almost abandoned the business in the store.
The two of them were busy looking for it for a full month.
In Jinling, I even went to other places.
Brother Lei went to the Shanghai Stock Exchange, and Zhang Linsheng went to the Northwest Guo Family to try his luck.
The two people wandered around the world, thinking of all the ways they could think of.
Brother Lei even asked friends in the police to inquire about the internal procedures.
The business has been closed for more than a month.
Later, after finding nothing, he was busy taking care of and settling Chen Nuo's mother and sister at home.
If I say it from the bottom of my heart, it is 100% true.
Zhang Linsheng originally wanted to continue searching, but the young man was stubborn and refused to give up.
But Brother Lei finally figured something out.
One day he took Zhang Linsheng for a talk.
Brother Lei's meaning is very simple: Mr. Nuo is so capable, and if something happens, if he can't come back on his own, then he and Zhang Linsheng may not be able to find anyone.
Moreover, Brother Lei has been in society for many years, and he always wants to leave a way out when doing things...
"If we continue searching like this and no one is taking care of the business in the store, it will be ruined if we continue like this!
It doesn't matter to either of us if the business goes down.
In the worst case, I will go back to Tangzi Street to ride on the black car from now on.
Brother Haonan, you are quite capable and you are young. You will always find a place to make a living in the future.
But...what will happen to Mr. Nuo's mother and sister in the future?
Ye Zi is only five years old!
Mr. Nuo's mother is a very nice person, but she has a person who has been released from prison on her file. It will be difficult to find a decent and good job in this life!!
Now this business is left behind by Mr. Nuo.
If something serious happens to Mr. Nuo and he cannot come back...
This business will be the source of food for Master Nuo's mother and Xiao Zizi for half of their lives!
We can't let the mother-daughter eating pot turn yellow!
We have to keep doing business!"
In the end, Brother Lei convinced Zhang Linsheng.
In other words, if you compare people with others, you will die, and if you compare goods, you will throw them away.
Look at what Brother Lei and Zhang Linsheng did.
Think about how Li Qingshan helped the other party to aid Korea...
·
Zhang Linsheng did not go to Chen Nuo's house with Brother Lei today.
He had just been there last week. It just so happened that a batch of new cars arrived at the store today. Zhang Linsheng had to stay and settle the accounts with the supplier, and he really couldn't leave.
After finishing the work and sending away the suppliers, Zhang Linsheng had time to call Brother Lei and found out that Brother Lei had already been to Chen Nuo's house.
"When I went there, Keke was there...well... Mr. Nuo's mother took the card, and Keke was there to help with some persuasion..."
On the other end of the phone, Brother Lei finished explaining the matter and hung up.
It's already time to get off work, and Zhang Linsheng didn't go out for dinner with Xia Xia today...
The two young people are actually living together, and usually live in a house in the community behind the store.
But Zhang Linsheng doesn't plan to go back today. He wants to go back to his home and meet his parents.
After coming out of the store, he told the clerk to lock the door, and Zhang Linsheng left on his bicycle.
When I got home, Zhang Tiejun and Zhang Linsheng's mothers were waiting for their sons to eat because they had called in advance.
When Zhang Linsheng came back, his face was very serious, and the old couple also realized that their son came back because of something.
At the dinner table, they didn't talk much at first. Zhang Linsheng ate his food in big gulps and finished it quickly.
Waiting quietly for Zhang Tiejun and his wife to finish eating and put down their chopsticks, Zhang Linsheng stopped his mother who was about to clear away the dishes.
"Mom, please sit down first.
Well, Dad, Mom, I have something to tell you."
Zhang Tiejun looked at his son, then lit a cigarette, took a puff, and looked at his son quietly.
Now Zhang Tiejun is very satisfied with his son and understands that his son has really changed his personality.
If this scene had happened in the past, I would probably have suspected that my son had gotten into trouble again.
"The thing is like this... Chen Nuo, the classmate I work with in business, you have met, right...
Something happened to Chen Nuo recently..."
Zhang Linsheng quickly told the story of the Chen family in short words. Regarding Chen Nuo's disappearance, Zhang Linsheng only said that Chen Nuo was out for business or traveling, but that someone was missing anyway.
He left behind a mother and a five-year-old sister at home.
"...Brother Lei and I discussed it, if something happens to Chen Nuo and he cannot come back...
We cannot occupy their shares in this business.
Therefore, we plan to allocate the shares of the business to Ou Xiuhua or Chen Xiaoye. Who to give it to depends on their own wishes.
But this industry belongs to others and we cannot take it away.
What's more, Chen Nuo is very kind to me. It's all because of his guidance that I am what I am today. Without him, I'd probably still be a bastard who couldn't get into college and fights in society all day long.
.”
After listening to her son's words, Zhang's mother said nothing and glanced at Zhang Tiejun.
Zhang Tiejun took a long puff of cigarette and put out the half-smoked cigarette in the ashtray.
Looking at his son whose shoulders were getting stronger and stronger, Zhang Tiejun said three words in a serious tone:
"It should!"
Zhang Linsheng didn't look relaxed at all.
He whispered: "Dad, Mom, I originally told you about this business, that is, to tell you my plan.
However, there is one more thing that I want to ask for your permission for."
Zhang's mother looked at her son: "Is there anything else?"
Zhang Linsheng whispered: "Chen Nuo is also my good brother.
If, I mean if.
If something happens to him and he can't come back...
His mother and Xiao Yezi had no one to rely on...
So, I want to help take care of it!
From now on, I want to recognize Aunt Ou Xiuhua as my godmother and Xiao Zizi as my sister.
You...don't object, right?"
Zhang Tiejun's serious face revealed a complex smile bit by bit, which seemed to be a bit emotional and a bit vicissitudes of life.
"Lin Sheng, in the past six months, although your business has been doing well, you have managed to make a name for yourself. I am just happy for you.
But tonight, these words are directed at you and us two old people...
From now on, you are truly a man in the eyes of me and you!"
·
Antarctica.
red circle.
It has been three months since the incident happened.
The octopus monster's troops have already evacuated here.
More than ten survey points that were originally excavated have also been abandoned.
Only around the red circle, a few remaining monitoring instruments are still transmitting monitoring data back regularly.
In the wind and snow, visibility was extremely low.
The explosion more than three months ago, the subsidence, and even the traces of subsequent excavations, underground surveys, etc., have been completely covered up into nothingness after more than three months of extremely bad weather and long snowstorms.
The deer landed softly and thinly in the center of the red circle.
The Queen's whereabouts were not captured at all by the monitoring instruments left around her.
The deer slowly releases his spiritual power, penetrating into all directions and underground infinitely...
She almost used overdraft, unreservedly releasing all the energy of a top controller in a squeezing way.
This is already the third time in five days that she has come to Antarctica, the site of the incident!
An hour later, Xianxi, who still hadn't found any deer, sat down on the snow in disappointment.
"Chen Nuo...where have you been? Even if you die, you must leave some traces!!
asshole!!!!"
·
[Notice:
I'm on a business trip tomorrow, so I'll be off for a day. Updates will resume the day after tomorrow.