Chapter 212: Ten years later

Ten years later.

Lin Shengli's home.

Lin Shengli and Zheng Juan's family were having a meal.

What a big family!

Four children, plus the two of them, and Yi Zhonghai and his wife—almost enough to fill a table.

Zheng Juan bore him four children, two boys and two girls.

The eldest is a son, already ten years old.

The youngest is a daughter, just over three.

Qin Jingru gave him two daughters.

Chen Xueru also bore him two children, a boy and a girl.

Ding Qiunan gave him a son.

Lou Xiao'e is still in Gangdao.

However, over these ten years he has been to Gangdao many times.

During these ten years, Lou Xiao'e also bore him two sons.

Of course.

Besides Zheng Juan's four children, those borne by Qin Jingru and the others are, strictly speaking, illegitimate.

Because he never gave them any status.

Zheng Juan also didn't know how many women he had outside, nor how many children he had fathered.

Yi Zhonghai asked, "Shengli, how's the factory been lately?"

Lin Shengli: "Production is gradually resuming; in about a month I'll probably be busy then."

Zheng Juan: "Then take this month to rest properly."

Lin Shengli: "Hmm, Xiaorizi has called a few times urging me—the machine broke, so I need to go check it out."

Zheng Juan: "When are you going?"

Lin Shengli: "No rush, let them urge a few more times."

Meanwhile.

Shazhu returned to the Siheyuan with a pack on his back.

Seeing him, Xiao Dang, who had been waiting at the gate, hurried over, grabbed him, and flipped open the pack he was carrying.

Shazhu grinned and said:

"How old are you, still rummaging through my pack? Aren't you afraid your brother will see?"

Xiao Dang took out a lunchbox from the pack, opening it as he spoke:

"I'm not scared of him."

"Hmph, who do you think my brother's temper is like?"

"Is it like Dad?"

Shazhu: "What son doesn't take after his father?"

Xiao Dang picked up a piece of meat from the lunchbox, put it in his mouth, and while chewing, said:

"I'm not like that; I'm just like you."

Hearing that, Shazhu let out a long sigh and said:

"If I had a daughter as grown as you, I'd wake up laughing in my dreams."

Shazhu was in a foul mood.

Over these ten years he's gone on a few blind dates, but each time Qin Huairu ruined it.

Qin Huairu each time said to let him wait a bit longer.

But she's waited ten years already, and Qin Huairu still isn't willing to marry him.

Later, pressed to the limit, Qin Huairu used Bang Geng as a shield, saying Bang Geng wouldn't consent to their marriage.

To get married, they'd have to convince Bang Geng.

He too had tried to convince Bang Geng, but Bang Geng simply wouldn't listen.

Moreover, for some reason, Bang Geng suddenly came to hate him.

Just thinking about it made Shazhu want to tear up.

Xiao Dang nodded and said, "Then I'm your daughter, after all—I'm just like you."

Shazhu shook his head and said, "You, you're not like me."

Xiao Dang asked, "Then who do I take after?"

Shazhu thought for a moment and said, "Who do you resemble? Anyway, Huaihua takes after your mother."

"Your brother, though, is still like your father."

"Who do you take after? This carefree sort."

Xiao Dang: "You, of course—my mom's said it, I'm just like you."

"Right, Shaba?"

Nonsense!

I don't have that kind of relationship with Qin Huairu—how could you possibly be like me?

Although he thought that, Shazhu still grinned and said:

"If I had a daughter like you, I'd be bumping heads with her every day."

Xiao Dang pretended to be unhappy and said, "How can you be so lackadaisical?"

One bite each, you call me stupid dad—why won't you give me face?

Shazhu pointed at the lunchbox in Xiao Dang's hand and said:

"Isn't this enough? Isn't this like a real daughter?"

"What else do you want, I'm saying."

Xiao Dang: "That's fine then."

Shazhu thought for a moment and asked:

"I'm asking you, has your brother found a job?"

Xiao Dang shook his head and said:

"No, work isn't that easy to find."

"Those who returned from the countryside, the street only has three spots total."

"It's not his turn."

"This Lin Shengli, hum, holding such a big office, doesn't even know to help a bit."

"Ah, you say it's infuriating or not, my mom went to ask him, he said he couldn't arrange it and just refused outright."

Shazhu let out a long sigh and said:

"Ah, this person should consider the neighbors; after all these years living in the same courtyard, able to help but unwilling."

"I don't even know what he's thinking."

Xiao Dang echoed: "Exactly, so infuriating!"

"Ah, my brother's fine in every way, just too stubborn."

"Otherwise you'd have been together with my mom long ago."

Shazhu: "Don't say that about him, he's also unhappy inside."

"Besides, when we were kids, he was the best to you and Huaihua."

"He'd steal things from my place, and each time he knew to share them with you to eat."

Xiao Dang snorted and said: "That also won't do, I have to say that too."

"He won't let my mom marry you, so I'm unhappy."

Upon hearing, Shazhu happily said: "Ah, I love hearing that, it's just what my daughter would say."

At that moment, Bang Geng walked out expressionlessly.

Upon seeing Shazhu, his face grew even darker.

Xiao Dang quickly handed over the lunchbox and said:

"Brother, it's delicious, come have a bite."

Bang Geng glanced at Xiao Dang, gave a cold snort, and left.

Shazhu let out a long sigh, looking displeased, and said:

"You little brat, I don't even know where I offended him."

"Suddenly he treats me like this."

"After all these years, he doesn't say a word to me; seeing me is like seeing an enemy."

Shazhu certainly didn't expect this—it was Qin Huairu who had Bang Geng treat him this way.

Of course.

Bang Geng also didn't want Qin Huairu to remarry, didn't want her to marry Shazhu.

That's why he's been like that for all these years.

Xiao Dang: "Uncle Shu, don't blame her either."

"My brother really is a good person; he's not heartless, it's just—well, boys don't want their mom to remarry, right?"

"Maybe his knot hasn't been undone yet."

"You should have a bit more patience with him."

Shazhu didn't speak.

Xiao Dang asked: "You won't hate him, will you?"

Shazhu hastily said: "How could I?"

"Adults can't be like kids, right?"

"Besides, Uncle Shu's breadth is like the sea."

Xiao Dang picked up the lunchbox and said:

"Alright, I'm not telling you anymore; I'm taking the rest home."

Shazhu laughed: "Then you ought to call it something nice."

Xiao Dang shouted: "Silly dad!"

Shazhu happily said: "Ah, well behaved, let's go."

Walking into the courtyard, Shazhu suddenly stopped and asked:

"What sound?"

Xiao Dang: "You don't even know? San Da Ye's family bought a TV."

Shazhu was very surprised: "Really?"

"I'll go take a look."

After saying that, he walked toward Yan Bu Gui's home.

Yan Bu Gui and San Da Ma were watching TV at home when the door was suddenly pushed open, and Shazhu walked in.

"San Da Ye, San Da Ma, not bad—now that the kids are married, the old couple really enjoys their blessings."