eurekapd Chapter 138 Human relationships also have value
Chapter 138 Human relationships also have value
After boarding the train, everyone found their seats.
The train slowly started moving, heading towards Shanghai.
My maternal grandparents sat by the window, carrying their luggage. After seeing Tu Nan off, they went straight back to Changcheng.
Everyone had mixed feelings along the way.
Mr. Huang originally planned to stay in Suzhou for a few more days to spend more time with Xiaoting and Aling, but his mother's words convinced him.
Huang's mother leaned close to Huang's father's ear and said, "Old man, it's almost the end of the month, we need to go back and collect our pensions."
Although I felt a little reluctant, my husband was right.
After arriving in Shanghai, the family accompanied Tu Nan to the school.
The three children stood at the exit of the station. It was their first time in Shanghai. They looked up at the surrounding skyscrapers with their mouths wide open, filled with wonder.
Huang Ling looked at the three curious children and said, "You should all study hard so that you can also get into universities in Shanghai in the future."
Huang Ling was carrying her mother on one arm and her son on the other.
The enrollment procedures have been completed.
Zhuang Chaoying brought a camera and took many photos of the four little ones!
Grandparents, children, him and Ah Ling, and a classmate helped take a group photo!
When they arrived at the dormitory, Huang Ling greeted the other parents and students warmly: "Hello, hello, I'm Zhuang Tunan's mother!"
The other person responded in a friendly manner, with a smile on their face. "Hello, I'm Yu Tao's father."
Huang Ling and her mother quickly helped make the bed.
Zhuang Chaoying went outside and bought a washbasin, a few bars of soap, and some other daily necessities.
After everything was ready, they stood at the school gate.
Zhuang Chaoying looked at Tu Nan: "Son, this time your mother, grandpa, grandma, and I really saw you off. Study hard at school and take good care of yourself. We're going back now, don't worry about home."
Huang Ling watched as Tu Nan walked into the university gate, helped him make his bed, and tidied everything up. Finally, she felt relieved, and the emptiness she had felt before disappeared.
She knew that her son had grown up and that it was time for his parents to let go.
As she walked, Huang's mother kept looking back. "Why isn't this child going home yet?"
Huang Ling, arm in arm with her mother, gently comforted her, "Mom, we'll go back after we leave Tu Nan. He just doesn't want to leave us and wants to see our backs a little longer."
Zhuang Tunan stood at the school gate, waving his hand high, his eyes fixed on his family members' figures, watching them grow further and further away until they disappeared into the crowd.
After seeing Huang's parents off on the train back to Changcheng, Zhuang Chaoying suddenly remembered that she hadn't yet collected her subsidy from the Writers' Association.
He turned to Huang Ling and said, "Ling, I'm going to get the Writers' Association subsidy. Come with me; I don't feel comfortable leaving you here."
The five people boarded two three-wheeled tortoise-shell vehicles and headed straight for the Shanghai Writers Association.
Along the way, the three children excitedly looked out at the tall buildings and chattered excitedly.
After getting out of the car, Huang Ling pulled her three children along. "Chaoying, the children and I will wait at the entrance; we won't go in. There are many people here, so we won't wander off. You can go ahead without worry."
Zhuang Chaoying nodded: "Yes, I'll be out soon."
After saying that, he turned and strode into the Writers' Association.
Zhuang Chaoying, carrying her briefcase, purchased a carton of Huangguoshu cigarettes from the system's online store.
As the saying goes, "First Yunnan, second Guizhou, third Zhonghua, and then Asima under Huangguoshu Waterfall," Guizhou cigarettes are quite famous locally.
In the blink of an eye, he skillfully transferred the cigarette with the filter tip into his briefcase.
Holding my work ID, I walked straight into the Writers' Association building.
Knowing the way well, he walked straight to Wang Yougui's office.
Wang Yougui is a completely different person now. After the old president retired, he took over the position of president based on his qualifications and abilities, and he is now the undisputed leader in the Writers Association.
Zhuang Chaoying arrived at the office door and gently knocked. "Knock, knock, knock!"
"Come in!"
Zhuang Chaoying pushed open the door and went in. "Chairman Wang!"
Wang Yougui put down the documents in his hand, looked up, and saw Zhuang Chaoying. A smile spread across his face. "Xiao Zhuang, please sit down!"
As he spoke, he stood up, picked up the thermos, and poured Zhuang Chaoying a glass of water. "Xiao Zhuang, come and collect your subsidy."
Zhuang Chaoying stepped forward and took the water cup with both hands: "I was taking my son to school and happened to be passing by, so I stopped by."
He gently blew on the steam rising from the water and took a small sip.
"Oh? Which university did your son apply to?"
In his view, Xiao Zhuang was a down-to-earth and capable person, and he figured his son would be no less so.
"Tongji University's Department of Architecture!"
Wang Yougui's eyes lit up. "Wow! Not bad at all! Your son is doing really well in his studies. Architecture is Tongji University's top-ranked program, Xiao Zhuang!"
He sat back down in his chair, leaning slightly forward, and looked at Zhuang Chaoying's son with even greater admiration.
Wang Yougui didn't exchange many pleasantries. He opened a drawer, took out a wad of cash, and carefully counted it: "Xiao Zhuang, starting this year, the subsidy has increased to forty-eight yuan. Come over and sign here."
He picked up a pen and handed it to Zhuang Chaoying.
Zhuang Chaoying took the pen, walked to the desk, and signed her name on the subsidy receipt form.
After signing, I took the money, counted it, and put it directly into my pocket.
Then, Zhuang Chaoying took out the pack of expensive cigarettes from her briefcase and placed it on the table: "My sister is an educated youth from Guizhou Province. This cigarette is a specialty of Guizhou Province. I don't smoke either, so Chairman Wang, you can keep it."
Wang Yougui's gaze fell on the unfamiliar cigarette.
In those days, cigarettes were not widely available in various regions, and he usually smoked only the common Daqianmen brand.
The cigarettes in front of me are beautifully packaged and have filters; you can tell at a glance they are high-end cigarettes, definitely top-grade.
Xiao Zhuang is such a thoughtful kid.
With this in mind, he already had a plan: when the Writers Association ranks its members next year, he would definitely promote Xiao Zhuang to a higher level so that he could better utilize his abilities and make greater contributions to the Writers Association.
Wang Yougui picked up the pack of cigarettes, his face beaming with a smile: "Xiao Zhuang, why are you being so polite with Uncle Wang? We're old acquaintances. Don't do this again next time!"
Zhuang Chaoying followed his words: "Uncle Wang, you said you are my Uncle Wang, it's nothing for a junior to give you a cigarette."
Even social skills have value; a pack of cigarettes can mean one more Uncle Wang!
Wang Yougui casually stuffed the cigarettes into the drawer, then stood up: "Xiao Zhuang, did you come alone this time? Do you want to have some food before you leave?"
Zhuang Chaoying quickly waved his hand and declined, saying, "My wife and children are waiting at the door, Uncle Wang. I'll be going now, I'll come again at the end of the year!"
Wang Yougui nodded: "Okay, then be careful on the road."
As he spoke, he accompanied Zhuang Chaoying out of the office, escorting him all the way to the building entrance, and waving goodbye.
Huang Ling and the children were patiently waiting at the door.
Zhuang Chaoying walked up to them and said, "Are you hungry? Come on, let's go eat."
The five people headed straight for the state-run restaurant.
They found an empty seat and Zhuang Chaoying ordered four dishes, all of which were the children's favorites.
Zhuang Chaoying brought the food to the table. Everyone was starving, so they picked up their chopsticks and started eating. For a moment, only the sound of chewing could be heard on the table.
After dinner, we went to the Shanghai Department Store.
The department store is filled with a wide variety of goods, offering everything imaginable.
Huang Ling led the children to pick out clothes in the clothing section, and bought a long-sleeved sailor shirt for each of the three children.
,,,,,,,