Chapter 144: Binding the Childbearing System and Becoming a Winner in Life Chapter 145: Seventies Hutong Daily Life (43)

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Protagonist:

Shen Yao

1996, autumn, Fengshou Hutong

Early morning, dawn just breaking

These days there are plenty of snack stalls, and few households in the alley cook at home; everyone likes to go out a few steps to buy fried dough sticks and soy milk—relaxed and time-saving.

But today the Xie family was different; Tian Na and Xie Shangjin got up very early.

The two elderly people, whose combined ages were nearly two hundred, personally made a pot of tea leaf eggs, freshly fried dough sticks, and hand-made soft tofu pudding.

"Mom, why are you doing the work yourself?" She should have called her to help too.

Wu Zhaodi entered and took the slotted spoon from Tian Na's hand, ladling out the tofu pudding in a few quick scoops.

Tian Na's voice was loud as a great bell: "We'll be taking the car out soon.

Have the big shots gotten up yet? Old man, go call the servants.

What kind of lazy, timid behavior is this—do you even know what day it is today?"

Unlike before, Tian Na was especially serious this time, even personally making a travel guide.

Including the whole family hiring a car for the trip, stopping along the way to cook outdoors.

In short, this time they'd do it however stylish, not taking planes or trains.

Xie Shangjin grunted, took a stride out the door, craned his neck, and shouted directly in the courtyard.

Anyway, the whole big courtyard was Xie family property, so they weren't afraid of disturbing the neighbors.

When Xie Shangjin's voice fell, rustling sounds came from several rooms around.

Not long after, Shen Yao and the others came out yawning, wearing slippers to brush their teeth and wash up.

Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan had adapted well over the past few days since returning home, and even their complexions had recovered somewhat.

After splashing cold water on her face to wake up, Yuan Yuan shook her head, reached out and snatched Tuan Tuan's new towel to use on her own face.

Tuan Tuan:...

Tuan Tuan sighed helplessly, turned around and got himself another towel, not forgetting to take one for Meimei and Manman as well.

"Eldest Young Master, water"

"Eldest Young Master, toothpaste"

"Eldest Young Master, towel"

"..."

Tuan Tuan was speechless, thinking he hadn't been this busy even when he wasn't back.

"Hurry up, no dawdling; after eating we'll get in the car and wait.

This time our family is driving out, passing many places along the way.

You take the opportunity to look around and play," Shen Yao said, tidying herself up while patting lotion onto her face, reminding the four children they couldn't be late today.

"Mom, don't worry, I'm all ready," Yuan Yuan said, patting her own chest, not forgetting to mention she had bought a camera.

A treasure worth several thousand yuan, just to leave more photos as mementos.

This was not only the Xie family going out together, but also Grandpa and Grandma's eighty-eighth birthday.

Although they didn't choose to hold a grand celebration at a restaurant like others, driving out for a trip was also a novel experience.

Shen Yao pointed vaguely at the children, then turned and entered the Main House.

Freshly cooked breakfast was laid out by the table; Shen Yao picked up her bowl and chopsticks and ate a bit.

She still had to call the company people later to give instructions; although she wouldn't be in Jing Shi for a while, the business wouldn't be affected too much.

"... Yes yes yes, arrange it like this first; build everything that can be built in advance.

You handle running the errand for me; remember, no compromises on materials, safety first."

With a click, she hung up the phone in her hand; Shen Yao shook her head and continued pressing numbers to dial.

The appearance of the home telephone greatly facilitated Shen Yao's communication with places outside Jing Shi.

Hearing Xu Huixin's hearty laughter over the phone, Shen Yao felt that entrusting the responsibility for the entire Southwest Region to her had not been a mistake.

Looking at the results over the past year or so, it proved she hadn't misjudged the person.

"Rest assured, everything here is in my hands; what should be expanded has been expanded, what should be added has been negotiated. When will you come again? I guarantee you'll be amazed when you see it."

Through the phone, Shen Yao seemed to see again the confident and eye-catching Xu Huixin from her school days.

With a smile in her eyes, Shen Yao spoke cheerfully, "By the end of the year, I must go no matter what."

"Alright, I'll go pick you up then."

"..."

Xie Ci'an placed both hands on Shen Yao's shoulders, kneading as he said they were about to leave.

Shen Yao unconsciously put her hands on Xie Ci'an's arm, looked up and smiled brightly, "What are you waiting for?"

Finally able to go out and play openly and aboveboard, Shen Yao didn't want to be disturbed by work.

The two came out of the room, each carrying a leather bag filled with daily necessities.

"Mom"

Tuan Tuan pointed outside the door, "The car is waiting at the alley entrance outside."

Shen Yao nodded, and told Tuan Tuan to go to the Main Courtyard to see if Tian Na's side needed help.

This outing was said to be a family trip, but more than that it was accompanying the elderly.

Tuan Tuan let out a sound and walked along, smiling as she called out to Grandpa and Grandma.

As Tian Na's most favored younger generation, Tuan Tuan had been the one receiving preferential treatment and partiality from childhood to adulthood.

No helping it, which parent doesn't like smart, clever, cute and obedient children.

The four children Shen Yao gave birth to are the typical "other people's children."

At home they receive elders' doting, at school they receive teachers' affection, and after entering society they are even more valued by leaders.

"Good, good, good, you must work hard in the future and make more contributions to the country."

"Strive to get on television, your Grandma watches every day, just hoping to see you."

At this time televisions were mainly black-and-white screens; color TVs existed but were relatively expensive and not easy to buy.

Tian Na did business on a large scale, and relying on connections in the South, the Xie Family installed several television sets early on.

Now Tian Na's greatest pleasure is lying on the kang-head in the evening watching television.

Never mind what was broadcast inside, as long as there was content and picture she liked it.

Tuan Tuan scratched her head and spoke boastfully, "Rest assured, I guarantee Grandma will see me on television."

Although the difficulty is not small, who is Tuan Tuan? A genius boy from childhood to adulthood, with confidence in his IQ that exceeds ordinary people.

Although during university, Tuan Tuan suffered setbacks for various reasons.

But more often, he still relied on his own efforts to overcome the various obstacles blocking the road ahead, achieving one accomplishment after another worthy of being recorded in books.

Laughing heartily, Tuan Tuan put her arms around Tian Na and Xie Shangjin, urging the two elders to hurry out the door.

"The car has been waiting, this time we must go out and have a good time."

Such a rare opportunity, Tuan Tuan felt she could use up all the vacation days she had saved over so many years.

Otherwise who knows how long until the next time she goes out; the missions the country entrusts to her are very important, even influencing the development of the whole country.

There are many people who have always been silently contributing behind the scenes; Tuan Tuan is fortunate to be able to contribute a little more, and this is what she is most proud of.

"Grandpa, Grandma, come quickly."

Yuan Yuan stood at the Flower Gate in simple plain clothes, waving her hand anxiously.

Tian Na couldn't help but speed up, "What are you waiting at the door for? Get in the car and sit."

Yuan Yuan grinned, "Isn't it because I missed you? Haven't seen you in years, Grandpa and Grandma are getting more and more stylish, I wouldn't dare recognize you if you went out."

Simply too fashionable, wearing wide-leg pants and a butterfly blouse, frog-mirror sunglasses on her eyes, a woven straw hat on her head, plus a pair of shiny beautiful leather shoes... tsk, Yuan Yuan instantly felt she was rustic to the extreme.

Tian Na hmphed, the little old lady swung her arms and walked with swift strides.

"What are you three dawdling for? Hurry up and follow, today we must leave the capital."

"Coming, coming, Grandma wait for me."

"Me too, me too, I want to walk with Grandma."

Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan cooperated with Tian Na's play-acting, scrambling to crowd close to Tian Na.

Xie Shangjin walked at the back and also had a bit of a temper; the four grandparents and grandchildren went all the way bickering and frolicking, causing Shen Yao, who had gotten in the car early, to cover her mouth and snicker.

Even though appearances have matured and bodies grown, inside they are still carefree little children.

"These two, really know how to amuse themselves," guessing they can also find their own fun to relax outside of work.

Shen Yao looked at the lively and cheerful Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan, and her heart relaxed a breath.

Not to say she's completely at ease, only that these two children are doing better than she imagined.

Beside her sat Xie Ci'an; inside their car there were several simple bunks, all modified in advance for this trip to Inner Mongolia.

After all, going out with a whole large family, every possible aspect had to be considered.

"Going to the grassland will take several days, you didn't sleep well last night, rest a bit first."

Xie Ci'an put his arm around Shen Yao's shoulder, leaning close to her ear and speaking softly.

"Mm, I'll nap a bit, call me promptly if anything comes up."

Shen Yao stretched out a hand and yawned, turning her head to lean on Xie Ci'an's shoulder.

Her beautiful brows and eyes slowly closed, and Shen Yao's breathing became light and shallow.

This sleep lasted until she opened her eyes again, and the time had already reached high noon with the sun at its fullest.

Departing at dawn, they had traveled for several hours.

Moving her somewhat stiff neck, Shen Yao lowered her eyes to glance out the window.

They had already left the city; outside were stretches of mountain forests and fields of grain not yet harvested.

"When will we stop?"

Shen Yao asked Xie Ci'an in a low voice; this person still claims to love work, look at him holding a brick of a book — Shen Yao felt inferior by comparison.

Xie Ci'an moved his throat, unconsciously closing the book in his hand, "About half an hour more."

Shen Yao hummed in acknowledgment and nodded, raising her head to scan the situation in the car; basically everyone was either sleeping or talking quietly.

Not seeing several children, "Are they with Dad and Mom in the car behind?"

Xie Ci'an unscrewed a water cup and handed it over, "No, they're with Shi Tou and the others in the last car, inside are all kinds of snacks they bought; greedy and fond of liveliness, the four children we gave birth to all love staying where there are many people."

Shen Yao took a sip of water to moisten her throat, the corners of her brows and eyes impossibly gentle.

"Before you still said they're the same as when they were little," even Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan still haven't changed much.

Taking the empty water cup and screwing on the lid, Xie Ci'an wore a peaceful expression, "Is that not good?"

Shen Yao tilted her head, "Very good, just that my heart unconsciously worries."

This is an emotion common to mothers; Shen Yao likewise cannot escape convention.

"They've grown up; even if they don't understand now, they will understand in the future."

Bodies grow, thoughts mature, establish families, raise children.

Xie Ci'an reached out and took Shen Yao's wrist, their two hands interlocking with each other.

"I hope that in the time to come, Comrade Shen can direct more of her gaze toward us."

Xie Ci'an spoke seriously; thinking of his wife's concern for their children, he wanted even more to replace her completely himself.

This may be the selfishness people cannot avoid; compared to sharing without reservation, he was more willing to monopolize.

The corner of Shen Yao's mouth curved slightly, her tone light. "Wouldn't that be a bit excessive?" After all, they were all her own flesh and blood.

Xie Ci'an shook his head, his Adam's apple bobbing slightly. "No. We are husband and wife."

The meaning of husband and wife is that two people support each other mutually, becoming one body.

"They will have their own families, while you and I are the ones who will accompany each other the longest."

Xie Ci'an embraced Shen Yao, holding her tightly imprisoned in his arms.

"Yao Yao, I can hardly wait," a lifetime is still too short.

"Not afraid, I am here," until this lifetime ends.

……

This trip to Inner Mongolia, the Xie family played for nearly a month.

Regardless of what the adults thought in their hearts, the children indeed played wildly enough.

Whether big children or small children, whether married or single, what cycled most in their heads was still the Inner Mongolian grassland scenery and the tongue-numbingly delicious specialty barbecue.

"Next time we must come again."

"But we can change to a different place."

"……"

Chattering incessantly, the people sitting in the car discussed the gains of this outing with lingering relish.

Shen Yao turned her head to lean on Xie Ci'an's shoulder, the two speaking of their household's pool of matters in peaceful years.

Xie Ci'an went to work at the Research Institute; Shen Yao needed to inspect several herb planting bases.

"Wait a couple of years, when time is ample, we can rest well."

"Good, then just the two of us will go out."

"Where do you want to go? Going abroad is not too convenient; anywhere domestic is fine."

"Mm, wait for Harbor City and Aoshi to return, then let's go over and take a look."

"……"

The car drove all the way back to Jing Shi; the family originally gathered together each scattered due to their own affairs.

Some busy with work, some busy with studies, some busy with family.

Shen Yao managed to run through all herb planting grounds outside Jing Shi before the New Year festival.

Just like the content once said in that phone call, the Southwest Region in Xu Huixin's hands had undergone earth-shaking changes.

The New Year passed joyously and lively; for the Xie Family, it was an unconventional reunion year.

Time fast-forwards to 1997. July 1st, Hong Kong returns.

December 20th, 1999, Macau returns.

Amid the jubilation of the whole country's people, time arrives at 2000.

Like a person crossing mountains and rivers stepping over a threshold blocking the way ahead. From then on, what greets him will be a broad open road.

Shen Yao seized the opportunity, spreading outward the stall she had long stored up energy for.

The Harbor City and Aoshi once spoken of in the car also got the chance to be seen for real.

December 2001, Hua Guo joins the WTO, producing enormous influence on the whole country's economic development.

Not only advantageous for domestic investment attraction, but also pulling domestic demand to a greater extent, solving employment and many other problems, and also able to push domestic people to stride outward.

Shen Yao was precisely the earliest batch of people to go out and do business; relying on the numerous patented prescriptions accumulated in her hands, she smoothly opened Chinese medicine clinics one by one overseas.

Although people's appearances may be divided into different skin colors, people's inner core does not change.

Facing related disease conditions largely similar, Shen Yao relied on her invincible health preservation and the rumored long-standing Traditional Chinese Medicine culture to conquer all patients who came.

'Pain on other people's bodies can be spoken of with cold words; pain on one's own body makes one feel empathy.'

Whether her Chinese medicine clinics are good or not, looking at those crowds flocking to them, the answer is naturally self-evident.