Chapter 252: Rural Absurd Past Events Chapter 252: Have Money or Not, Go Home for the New Year

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Protagonist:

Li Xiulan

Although Wang Dashan had compromised with Du Xiaojuan, his dissatisfaction with her grew by one point.

Contradictions often brew from these trivial little matters, and affection is often worn away by these trivial little matters; once love has been worn thin enough, the contradiction may erupt, and it will be the kind that cannot be contained.

Thinking back to Li Xiulan and Wang Zhanggen, they both believed they deeply loved each other; Li Xiulan was even willing to bear three children for Wang Zhanggen, and even naively thought that after having three children, their lives would get better and better.

But as time passed, love was worn away in poverty, and eventually the two fell into a state of mutual hatred and mutual torment.

And now, Wang Dashan's attitude toward Du Xiaojuan seems to be entering a new cycle of reincarnation for his father's generation.

It was more like a curse, an abyss one cannot jump out of.

Because from childhood to adulthood, no one taught Wang Dashan how to handle contradictions, how to communicate, or how to learn tolerance and listening.

What he received was either beating, or scolding, or cold violence.

These all left marks in his growth experience, shaping his character, and thus accompanying him for a lifetime.

This is also what people usually call "fate," or "fortune," or "destiny."

Time turned to January 21st, the twenty-ninth day of the twelfth lunar month.

Wang Dashan packed his luggage and took a bus with his second younger brother Wang Erhai to Yuexiu South Bus Station.

"Big Brother, where is Eldest Sister-in-law?"

Wang Erhai, not seeing Du Xiaojuan, asked in surprise.

Because it had long been agreed that they would go back together.

These past few days Wang Dashan had not told him about the preceding situation, so he had always thought that today he would set off on the journey home with Du Xiaojuan.

"She has something temporary and will return to our home a little later."

Wang Dashan could only explain it this way.

Wang Erhai couldn't help but mutter a sentence:

"What matter could be more important than going home with Big Brother you?"

Wang Dashan gave a dry laugh:

"Business matters, no choice, after all one has to earn other people's money, so one has to listen to their arrangements."

But Wang Erhai was full of displeasure:

"I think she just doesn't take this matter to heart. Big Brother, you bought tickets with such difficulty, running to several bus stations before getting them, and now she isn't going back together—wasn't her ticket wasted?"

Wang Dashan hurriedly said:

"Don't blame your Eldest Sister-in-law; everyone has their own difficulties, one must be more tolerant."

After hearing these words, Wang Erhai said nothing more.

Although Wang Dashan said on the surface that one must be more tolerant, in his heart he had already secretly borne a grudge.

The two brothers were silent for a while, and Wang Erhai asked again:

"Then how do we explain to Mom and Dad? When they see only the two of us coming back, how do we explain it to them?"

This was truly the most headache-inducing thing.

Wang Erhai really didn't know how to explain to Mom and Dad anymore.

Mom and Dad came to the village entrance to meet them, only to find that Big Brother hadn't brought Eldest Sister-in-law back, and who knew what kind of reaction they would have.

Wang Dashan said:

"I will explain! You don't need to worry about this!"

Then he said again:

"Xiao Juan isn't not coming to our home; she's just a little late."

"When we get back to Shangou Village, it'll probably already be two or three in the afternoon; maybe Xiao Juan can arrive at five or six in the afternoon."

Wang Erhai laughed dryly:

"Anyway, you two not going back together always gives people a strange feeling; I don't care anymore. When the time comes, you explain it to Mom and Dad yourself. I'm going back to play basketball with my little brother!"

Wang Erhai held a brand-new basketball in his hand.

Ever since he went out to work, he hadn't touched a basketball much.

Now his hands were itching terribly, looking forward to hurrying back and having a match with his little brother Wang Xiaohua!

The bus stopped and went, and after more than an hour it arrived at Yuexiu South Bus Station.

Fortunately, Wang Dashan and Wang Erhai had set out early; when they arrived at Yuexiu South Bus Station, it was only eight o'clock, and there was still half an hour until the eight-thirty departure time.

Now going in to line up for ticket checking and boarding, the timing was just right.

The two dragged their heavy luggage bags and walked into the bus station.

After passing the security check, they found it wasn't yet boarding time for their class, so they stood waiting.

Why not sit and wait?

Because inside the waiting hall, it was already packed with people, all seats were taken, and even wall corners where one could squat were all occupied.

The Spring Festival travel rush at that time was truly mighty and magnificent!

"Have money or not, go home for the New Year!"

Wang Baoqiang's song echoed above the waiting hall.

This song also reflected the psychological state of most people away from home.

At that time, everyone's affection for their hometown was still very strong; no matter what, one definitely had to go home for the New Year.

The long-distance bus industry could be said to have reached its peak back then.

Unlike now, with the emergence of internet carpooling, long-distance buses gradually declined, and many bus stations in small county towns could not even stay in business, with closures and shutdowns appearing one after another.

As expected, the long-distance bus was delayed.

The broadcast announced a delay of half an hour.

Wang Dashan and Wang Erhai waited patiently without anxiety.

Because delays were normal.

After all, it was the Spring Festival Travel Rush; not being delayed would have been abnormal.

Now Wang Dashan and Wang Erhai only hoped that the bus they were taking would arrive sooner, and additionally, on the way back, they absolutely must not encounter a traffic jam, for fear of being stuck on the road for half a day, which would be torture.

By the time it was nearly nine thirty, that long-distance bus finally arrived!

As the broadcast sounded, countless passengers surged toward the ticket gate, lining up to board.

Wang Dashan and Wang Erhai dragged their luggage and followed the crowd to the ticket gate.

Arriving at the long-distance bus, they first placed the suitcases in the luggage compartment at the bottom of the bus, then boarded.

They found their seat numbers and took their seats.

"Fasten your seatbelts, everyone fasten your seatbelts, no departure without seatbelts!"

The driver shouted at the top of his lungs to the fifty-two passengers behind him.

Passengers took their seats one after another, fastened their seatbelts, stowed their backpacks or shoulder bags and other small luggage, and the sound of conversation rose from the bustling crowd.

After Wang Dashan and Wang Erhai took their seats, Wang Erhai took out a pack of preserved plums.

Opening the preserved plums, he handed one to Wang Dashan:

"Brother, want one?"

Inside the long-distance bus there was an indescribable smell; Wang Erhai smelled this kind of smell and felt nauseated, so before boarding the long-distance bus he had bought a pack of preserved plums, having heard that holding a preserved plum in one's mouth while riding could alleviate the feeling of nausea.

Wang Dashan took one and put it in his mouth.

Wang Erhai suddenly asked Wang Dashan:

"Big Brother, what do you think of Xiao Mei?"

Wang Dashan was stunned, looking puzzled:

"Which Xiao Mei?"

Wang Erhai grinned:

"The new female salesperson at Hao Ge's computer store!"

Wang Dashan was stunned:

"You wouldn't have taken a liking to her, would you?"

Wang Erhai nodded somewhat embarrassedly:

"I think she's a nice person, but she seems not too interested in me. Big Brother, you really know your stuff when it comes to chasing girls—you won over Eldest Sister-in-law so quickly. Can you give me some advice?"

Wang Dashan was a bit bewildered; to be honest, he didn't have much skill.

He didn't even know how to say sweet nothings.

Yet it was just so miraculous that not only was Du Xiaojuan quickly won over by him, but even Cheng Cheng, that rich woman, actively showed him affection.

One can only say that handsome people don't need any skill in love and have a natural advantage.

And the reason Xiao Mei wasn't too interested in Wang Erhai came down to the fact that she looked down on Wang Erhai's ordinary appearance.

Although he wasn't very ugly in looks, compared to his big brother, he was far behind.