Chapter 882: Having a Meal with Zhengzheng

After Shi Yong left, my heart felt empty and hollow, I couldn't muster any spirit for anything.

Shi Yong left too hastily. I was so rushed that I didn't even properly keep him company.

Shi Yong, why did you leave so hastily?

I was murmuring to myself.

Xiao Feng looked at me,

She said from the side: "Jianqiang, you can't go on like this; you haven't eaten anything for three days. Shi Yong has left. That's his fate. You can't torment yourself like this."

At that moment I took a puff of cigarette,

"Xiao Feng, life has no meaning at all; in the end, it's just a pile of yellow earth."

"Think about what we're busy for."

"Enough, you're thinking too much. We live for food and clothing, for our own happy life." Xiao Feng said, looking at me and smiling.

"Since Shi Yong left, I feel life has no meaning at all."

"Smoking has no flavor, I can't swallow food."

"Did Shi Yong take my soul away?" I said, looking at Xiao Feng.

"Mr. He, I've already performed a soul-soothing ritual for you; you're just overthinking and too sentimental."

"Jianqiang, we still have many things to attend to."

"How can you go on not eating or drinking like this?"

"Ding Li hasn't returned from Xianggang, and there's no word at all."

"I'm worried sick." Xiao Feng murmured.

"Don't worry, Xiao Feng, Tian Shi and the others are here." I said, then blankly looked out the window.

"You, how can you be like this? Shi Yong is your brother, Ding Li is not your brother."

"If you keep this up, I'll get angry."

"By the way, Li Jia said the port matter has been settled."

"When the time comes, you'll need to go check it out." Xiao Feng said, a bit angry.

"What's there to look at? Just let Li Jia handle it." I said, lacking spirit.

"By the way, Zhengzheng came today; he wants to discuss something important with you."

"Are you willing to talk with him?" Xiao Feng asked.

"Zhengzheng, there's an important matter."

"This kid voluntarily shouted a path for Shi Yong; he's a good kid—I had misjudged him before."

"Then I'll talk with him." I said.

Xiao Feng said: "Let's go, Zhengzheng, we're waiting for you at the hotel restaurant. Let's go downstairs."

So, I followed Xiao Feng downstairs from upstairs,

These past three days, this is the first time I've gone downstairs.

We soon arrived at the restaurant,

In the restaurant sat Zhengzheng alone, still wearing a suit.

Upon seeing us enter, he immediately stood up and bowed to both me and Xiao Feng at the same time,

"Dad, Aunt Feng, you've worked hard."

"Enough, Zhengzheng, this is Zaocheng, not where you studied abroad; don't do that—I find it uncomfortable to watch." Xiao Feng said.

"Yeah, Zhengzheng, these two years you've been outside,

you've learned all their dregs, appearing modest on the surface but actually having a complicated heart." I said.

"Dad, that's not right. You don't understand the Woguo people; actually they're under great pressure and they work hard too." Zhengzheng immediately defended.

I waved my hand,

"You came to me for something—what important matter?"

Zhengzheng looked at me,

"Dad, I heard you haven't gone downstairs for three days and haven't eaten.

I'd like to invite you to eat together; as a father, if you can't eat, it's our responsibility as children."

"It has nothing to do with you; mainly I miss my godfather too much. Our feelings are too deep.

I'm remembering him in my own way. You don't understand." I took out a cigarette.

"Dad, even if I don't understand, I know feelings aren't more important than life; although my godfather has passed, he wouldn't want to see you like this.

Why wouldn't he let you cry,

that's because he wanted to leave lightly, without any burden.

If you think this way, what would my godfather think underground?

He would think he's guilty.

Then if he's guilty underground, he can't enjoy heaven; he'd go to hell and suffer." Zhengzheng said, looking at me seriously.

"What Zhengzheng said is right, Jianqiang; treating yourself like this is tormenting Shi Yong underground.

You can't let Shi Yong suffer underground again." Xiao Feng immediately urged.

I looked at Zhengzheng, feeling this kid has grown up and matured.

His words make sense.

I thought about it carefully,

looking at Zhengzheng,

and smiled, saying: "What you say sounds reasonable; if I eat, your godfather underground won't suffer."

Zhengzheng said: "Dad, you don't understand? As long as you are happy living above, then my godfather underground will not suffer."

So you shouldn't torment yourself now.

You must eat when it's time to eat.

My godfather has passed away; he cannot come back to life.

We who are alive must continue our lives.

You're right, aren't you, Aunt Feng?

Yes, Zhengzheng is absolutely right. It seems this country hasn't produced 【someone】 in vain.

You've grasped the big picture, to say such philosophical words. Xiao Feng praised Zhengzheng.

Zhengzheng smiled and looked at me.

"Zhengzheng, hearing you say that, I feel much better."

"I'll listen to you, I'll eat." I said.

"That's right, you've been hungry for a long time; I'll first give you a bowl of porridge." Xiao Feng said and brought me a bowl of millet porridge.

I drank it slowly.

Suddenly I felt the aroma of food,

It was the hunger pangs coming over me.

These past three days, I had no hunger and no interest in any food,

Looking at any food made it hard to swallow, my mind full of Shi Yong's figure.

His sudden departure, I could not accept.

Many people came to urge me to eat, but I found everyone annoying.

There was no way Xiao Feng came from Qi He Kuang specially to accompany me.

Today I can finally eat,

and know the aroma of rice,

I drank, and tears came again.

I don't know why I'm crying,

Is it for Shi Yong?

No,

or for myself? No either.

Anyway, I just want to cry.

Those tears flowed like broken beads, nonstop.

Zhengzheng wanted to comfort me, Xiao Feng signaled Zhengzheng not to speak.

Let me cry alone,

One can only feel relieved after a good cry alone.

Because I didn't shed a single tear at Shi Yong's funeral,

Later I wanted to cry but couldn't.

Now I can cry,

I feel much better inside.

Crying is one of the best ways for me to vent my emotions.

I cried while finishing the millet porridge.

Xiao Feng then gave me another bowl.

Since I now have food in my stomach,

then a person's spirit is different,

I feel Zhao Jianqiang has returned.

I started drinking in big gulps.

When I wanted to drink a third bowl, Xiao Feng refused,

"Jianqiang, you can't drink anymore; having been hungry too long, you can't eat too much."

"After a while, you can eat again. Zhengzheng, you aren't supposed to discuss important matters with your dad?"

"Dad, you'll eat later; I want to talk about important matters." Zhengzheng said.

"Go ahead, Dad is listening." I put down my bowl.

"I want to work at Qi He Kuang." Zhengzheng said.

"Working at Qi He Kuang means you're not studying abroad." I looked at Zhengzheng and asked.

"I don't want to drift outside; I want to come back." Zhengzheng looked at me, took a sip of juice.

"Why choose Qi He Kuang to come back to?" I thought about taking out a cigarette.

At that moment Xiao Feng directly took my cigarette case away,

"Jianqiang, you've just recovered your strength; don't smoke."

I smiled and said nothing.

Zhengzheng then replied: "Dad, there's no reason."

"I want to understand more about the family's business."

"Also, I want to learn more knowledge from Aunt Feng,"

"so I can help you in the future."

Looking at Zhengzheng's sincere appearance, I also didn't say much more.

It's good that this child can proactively help me.