eurekapd Chapter 393 It's not regret, it's fear.
Chapter 393 It's not regret, it's fear.
Speaking of this, Lao Wu recalled the scene when Deputy Factory Director Liu came to see him last time.
When Deputy Factory Director Liu asked him to help make a sofa, he specifically asked Shanshan how many years she had left to graduate and whether she planned to return to Suzhou after graduation.
Afterwards, Deputy Factory Director Liu mentioned his youngest son, Liu Jian, with a slightly embarrassed expression.
After all, Shanshan is a top student from a prestigious university, Fudan University, which has a very prestigious reputation.
If his son really marries Old Wu's daughter, it will be a source of pride for them, and their children will surely be intelligent. Neither of their two sons has achieved much academically, so he's hoping that one of his grandchildren will become a college student.
“Old Wu, you’re one of the factory’s most experienced maintenance technicians. You’ve met my second son, Liu Jian. He works at the Grain Bureau now. He’s always had a good impression of your Shanshan. If Shanshan comes back, why don’t you let the two of them try to get to know each other? If they really do get together, the deputy workshop director of the factory’s first workshop is about to retire, and we need someone to fill in.”
Old Wu remembers clearly what Deputy Factory Director Liu said back then.
He worked in the cotton mill his whole life, always as an ordinary worker. Even Huang Ling has now become a clerk in the office, but he is still stuck in the same place.
After hearing what Deputy Factory Director Liu said, Old Wu's mind started to stir.
He had met Liu Jian before; the young man was handsome and had a refined appearance.
Before Shanshan went to university, Liu Jian would often come to the alley to play with her during holidays when he was a child. It seems that this kid has had feelings for Shanshan since he was a child.
Although Lao Wu had his own ulterior motives, he was an experienced man and could see that Liu Jian genuinely liked Shanshan.
After hesitating for a moment, Lao Wu decided to bring it up in front of Shan Shan.
If it really works out, I might become the workshop director, or even just a deputy director, which would still be an improvement in my status and position.
"Shanshan, what do you think of Liu Jian, the second son in their family? You two grew up together. What's he like as a person?"
Upon hearing this, Wu Shanshan stared straight at her father, her gaze seemingly able to see through everything and understand his innermost thoughts.
"It's fine as it is, what's wrong?"
Old Wu felt a little uncomfortable under his daughter's gaze, and his eyes unconsciously glanced at Shanshan, trying to hide his guilty conscience.
“Deputy Factory Director Liu has a very good impression of you. You were the first female college student from our factory to be admitted to Fudan University. Do you remember that the factory even gave you a bonus back then? Liu Jian from his family also always mentions you.”
Wu Shanshan instantly understood the meaning behind her father's words, and felt a bitter taste in her mouth.
Sure enough, home was no longer home for her.
"Dad, what exactly do you mean?"
She looked straight at him, waiting for an answer.
Old Wu chuckled. "It's nothing. I just think Liu Jian is a good kid. It would be nice for you young people to get to know him. If you don't want to bring it up, then I won't."
After saying that, Old Wu quickly ladled himself a bowl of porridge, picked up the bowl, and drank a few mouthfuls with some embarrassment.
While drinking, he would occasionally glance up and steal a few eyes at Shanshan.
Shanshan is just like her mother; they both like to be appeased. If they just give in, the matter will most likely be resolved.
“Xiaojun’s schooling costs money, and you will get married in the future. While your father still has the strength, save up more money and take on more jobs.”
After finishing the watermelon in her hand, Wu Shanshan had a faint smile on her face as she quietly looked at her father, who seemed honest and incompetent but was actually selfish to the core.
She knew in her heart that these words were just an excuse for her behavior.
“Dad, it’s good for you to save some money, after all, Xiaojun’s surname is Wu.” She emphasized the words “surname Wu”.
"I'm going to buy some pastries," she said, standing up.
Seeing this, Old Wu quickly got up and hurriedly pulled out money from his pants pocket.
He counted out five bills and handed them to Shanshan. "Take this money and buy some pastries for your Aunt Huang and Aunt Song. After all, Aunt Song helped you a lot when you were little, so you should thank her. Dad may not say it, but he sees it all."
"Dad, it's a favor that Aunt Huang and Aunt Song helped us, and it's their right not to help us. We should remember their kindness."
Wu Shanshan looked at the money handed to her. Back then, if it weren't for Teacher Zhuang's monthly subsidy of five yuan, she wouldn't have been able to afford high school tuition. Now that her father was only thinking of giving her money at this time, she felt that it all came far too late.
When a person begins to repent, it is often not because they have truly reflected on their past mistakes, but because they realize they are getting old, are starting to feel afraid, and need to pave the way for their future.
Seeing her hesitate, Old Wu grew anxious and shoved the money into Shanshan's hand. "Take it, and be a good girl."
Since you've been given the opportunity, why not take it?
Wu Shanshan stopped refusing, put the money away, and turned to go out to buy pastries.
Old Wu watched Shanshan's departing figure and breathed a long sigh of relief. In a daze, he saw his daughter-in-law who had died young again.
My wife used to be like that too, she was decisive and managed all the affairs of the house very well, and she also controlled her own every move.
Now, Shanshan really looks more and more like her mother, both in appearance and personality.
. . . . . . . . .
Wu Shanshan queued for a long time outside the pastry shop before finally buying the pastries. She timed it perfectly and deliberately headed towards the alley where Aunt Huang lived right after get off work.
She placed the two boxes of pastries on the steps, sat down on the sun-baked hot stone, glanced at the time—it was 4:30—and thought that Aunt Huang and Aunt Song should be back soon.
Less than ten minutes later, we saw Aunt Huang and Aunt Song riding their bicycles at the entrance of the alley.
She quickly stood up and subconsciously straightened her slightly wrinkled skirt.
She was very grateful to the two aunties; after all, they were just neighbors, and she remembered everything that had happened between them since childhood. She greeted them warmly, "Aunt Song, Aunt Huang!"
The two men got off their bicycles and pushed them toward her.
Song Ying walked a few quick steps with light steps, then looked back at Huang Ling, signaling her to slow down.
She walked up to Shanshan in a few steps, pulled the car over to the side of the road, took Shanshan's hand, and looked her up and down carefully. "Shanshan, you're back! You look thinner. Studying away from home must have been very hard."
Huang Ling slowly walked over, a kind smile on her face. "Shanshan, it's very hot outside. Let's go inside and talk slowly."
Song Ying pushed the car into the yard and then went into Huang Ling's house.
Huang Ling looked at the pastries. "These are things that require queuing for a long time to buy. Why are you being so formal and polite with Shanshan, your Aunt Song, and me?"
Shanshan gently shook her head, her eyes sincere. "I've always remembered how kind Aunt Huang and Aunt Song were to me. And Teacher Zhuang tutored Xiaojun for so long, I definitely had to come and thank him properly. Xiaojun should have no problem getting into vocational school now, all thanks to Teacher Zhuang."
"Xiaoting and Dongzhe should have finished their exams by now, didn't they come back together?" Shanshan asked curiously.
Huang Ling smiled. "Xiao Ting and Dong Zhe are waiting for Tu Nan to come back together. Xiao Jun has been studying very hard lately and has become much more sensible. Your Uncle Zhuang said that with his current grades, he should have no problem getting into a vocational school."