Chapter 191

Wu Juying and Han Chunmei made a big pot of scallion and egg noodles for Watching Watching Watching Jin Peng, Wang Jianqiang, and the others, and the three brothers ate happily in the room.

Watching Watching Watching Jin Peng took a sip of noodle soup and said to Li Ye, "Hao Jian called me the day before yesterday, saying he wouldn't be returning to Qingshui County for the New Year this year. It's inconvenient for him to contact you, so he asked me to tell you."

"Tell me what? Am I in charge of where he spends the New Year?" Li Ye said indifferently, "Besides, with his daughter's health, it's indeed more comfortable in Yangcheng than in Dongshan; settling in the south is the right choice."

Watching Watching Watching Jin Peng shook his head and said, "No, Hao Jian went back to his hometown in Ebei for the New Year this year; he called me to show off in advance."

"Show off? Show off what?"

"Show off his car," Wang Jianqiang put his empty bowl on the table and said with some resentment, "Hao Jian is lucky; he finally bought a car before the New Year. But he didn't bring it for you, Brother Xiao Ye, to ride in; instead, he drove it back to his hometown to show off."

In Wang Jianqiang's mind, since the Pengcheng Seventh Factory bought a car, it must be for Li Ye, the "Number One Brother," to ride in first, and everyone else had to queue up behind.

Li Ye smiled and said, "If you are wealthy and don't return to your hometown, it's like walking in embroidered clothes in the night. You guys aren't unaware of the wish Hao Jian made back then. As friends, we should help him and fulfill his wish, right?"

"If you are wealthy and don't return to your hometown, it's like walking in embroidered clothes in the night?" Watching Watching Watching Jin Peng and Wang Jianqiang both pondered for a moment and asked Li Ye, "What exactly does this mean?"

"This is a sentence from *Records of the Grand Historian: Annals of Xiang Yu*. The original words are 'If you are wealthy and don't return to your hometown, it's like walking in embroidered clothes in the night; who would know?'

It means that a small person who was originally poor and humble has succeeded through his own hard work and struggle. If he doesn't return to his hometown to show off, it's like walking in gorgeous clothes in the night; no one will know how glorious you are."

Li Ye transformed into a history scholar and explained the origin of this sentence to the two, but their reactions after hearing it were completely different.

Watching Watching Watching Jin Peng nodded repeatedly, feeling that Li Ye's words made sense.

Wang Jianqiang, however, lowered his head and remained silent for a long time.

In fact, the difference in their thoughts could be reflected in their attire today.

Watching Watching Watching Jin Peng was in an English-style suit and trench coat, custom-made by the Pengcheng Seventh Factory, crisp and fitting, as flashy as could be.

Over the past year, Watching Watching Watching Jin Peng had returned to Qingshui County several times to visit relatives; the name "Boss Jin" had become increasingly famous, and even his future wife, who had been considered a silly girl who "lost her eyes" for liking Watching Watching Watching Jin Peng, had become a "boss's wife" with a discerning eye.

Wang Jianqiang was at the other extreme, as low-key as could be, not returning home for a year; his family didn't care how he was doing or if he was dead.

These two ways of handling things actually had their own logic; decades later, the second one was even recognized by many.

It's just that it's 1982 now, and there are more people with styles like Hao Jian and Watching Watching Watching Jin Peng.

Wang Jianqiang didn't raise his head and asked Li Ye in a low voice, "Brother, do you think I should also change into some bright clothes?"

"That depends on you," Li Ye said with a smile. "Qiangzi, the reason we strive and struggle is to live freely, to be able to ignore other people's opinions, and to do whatever we want.

Now, if others laugh at you because you dress like this, would you care?"

"I certainly wouldn't!" Wang Jianqiang smiled honestly and said, "If others laugh at me, I'll just consider them to be 'a leaf blocking the eyes, not recognizing Mount Tai,' unable to see my worth."

"."

"Hahahahahaha~"

"Qiangzi, you're also using fancy words now; you're killing me with laughter."

Li Ye and Watching Watching Watching Jin Peng both laughed out loud, especially Watching Watching Watching Jin Peng, which made Wang Jianqiang feel a bit embarrassed.

However, Li Ye immediately encouraged him: "Qiangzi, don't mind them; just read more and study more in the future, and I guarantee you won't be worse than anyone else, at least much better than your Brother Peng."

"I don't mind, Brother," Wang Jianqiang said seriously. "I can tell the difference between real laughter and fake laughter. Actually, Brother Peng has also been reading and studying; he's not bad either."

"Heh~"

Li Ye smiled and didn't say anything more.

Watching Watching Watching Jin Peng was indeed studying and recharging, but he was forced to do so by Li Ye and Wang Jianqiang, while the seemingly stupid Wang Jianqiang was a "clumsy bird flying first," working even harder than when he was in school.

In the past, this poor kid with a big appetite was even disliked for eating, so how could he have the heart to read?

But now, after solving his material difficulties, Wang Jianqiang had burst out with a persistent and resilient nature.

In Li Ye's view, Wang Jianqiang was a strengthened version of "Guo Jing," with a stubborn streak.

After eating, Watching Watching Watching Jin Peng and Wang Jianqiang stayed at Li Ye's house for a while before each went home to find their own mothers.

Both had been busy outside for a year; Watching Watching Watching Jin Peng occasionally returned to be intimate with his wife, while Wang Jianqiang hadn't returned even once.

It's just that Watching Watching Watching Jin Peng was in a hurry and impatient, while Wang Jianqiang dragged his feet, looking at his home with fear.

Everyone has to walk their own path; outsiders can't help.

After Wang Jianqiang, Watching Watching Watching Jin Peng, and the others left, before noon, people came to Li Ye's house again.

Han Xia and her mother and father, bringing her two younger sisters, drove a tractor to Li Ye's doorstep and moved down many more New Year goods.

Especially the dozen or so huge carp and grass carp, which made Li Ye gasp in admiration.

The water quality and environment in these years are truly good! Draining a pond can yield so many wild carp and grass carp over half a meter long.

If this were decades later, unless it were in the southern river regions, it would be hard to get wild fish this big; in places like Dongshan, one couldn't even dream of it, only being able to eat farmed goods full of feed.

However, the Han Xia family didn't come just to deliver New Year goods to the Li family; they also came to pay respects to Old Huaiye.

Ever since Li Ye "received a dream from Old Huaiye" and ranked first in the entire province in the exam, Old Huaiye's incense had become many times more prosperous.

Now everyone secretly agreed that Li Ye's grandmother, Wu Juying, had the strongest blessings; otherwise, why would he have been the only one chosen?

Han Xia's two younger sisters were both in middle school and could benefit a little if they could.

By the early morning of the first day of the New Year, Little Aunt Li Mingxiang brought cousin Zhao Meiwen, and Hu Man brought her younger brother and mother, all gathering at Li Ye's house.

The reluctant Li Ye was also dragged over by Wu Juying, but he only stayed at the old locust tree for a few minutes before returning.

Because this time, just as Li Ye bent his knees and hadn't yet knelt to kowtow, thunder faintly rumbled in the pitch-black sky above.

It was unknown whether it was sternly scolding—"You monster, out to be an eyesore again?"

Or whispering advice—"Troublemaker, leave quickly, leave quickly."

Anyway, Li Ye, who had already experienced similar situations twice, decided never to worship Old Huaiye again.

On the first day of the New Year, after breakfast, neighbors and friends began to visit each other to pay New Year calls.

Except for Wen Leyu, everyone in the eight-person small group arrived at Li Ye's house; even Chen Jinhua, who was still hospitalized, was helped over by Jiang Xiaoyan to pay New Year calls.

Li Zhongfa hurriedly greeted Wu Juying, telling the old woman to quickly let Chen Jinhua into the inner room; the heating stove was roaring, and he was afraid that Chen Jinhua would catch a chill and cause her condition to worsen.

This action made Chen Jinhua restless, and she hurriedly said, "Old Auntie, no need for such trouble; I'm not that delicate, I'm not that delicate. I've actually recovered well; if it weren't for my daughter stopping me, I would have been discharged already."

"Talking nonsense," Wu Juying said with feigned anger. "If you don't cherish yourself, you'll be the one suffering when you're old.

I heard from my grandson about your illness; it was purely caused by delay. If you don't pay attention again, you won't be able to do any heavy work in the future; you'll be out of breath as soon as you do any."

"Hi hi, it's not that serious, not that serious."

Chen Jinhua smiled sheepishly, but felt very warm and comfortable inside.

She had been very nervous when she came, hearing that Li Zhongfa was a bureau director, whose status was even higher than the township cadres, and that he was separated from ordinary people like her by a hundred thousand miles; she didn't know how "majestic" he would be!

But looking at Li Zhongfa, who was busy tidying up the stove, and Wu Juying, who was serving tea and water, Chen Jinhua couldn't help but sigh in her heart: "These are the true public servants of the people!"

At this time, the mothers of Hu Man, Han Xia, Li Dayong, and others also came in to join the fun, and soon they were all chatting warmly, which also made Chen Jinhua relax.

As they talked, someone looked out the window and said, "Our children! They've all benefited from Li Ye. Look at them now; are they the same as last year?"

"That's certainly different. Last year when he was repeating, my son didn't say a word all day; it made my heart ache. But now he can actually tell jokes; he made me laugh yesterday..."

"Exactly, exactly. In just half a year, my son has also changed completely..."

Several women gathered by the window, looking at the college students laughing and playing in the courtyard, the "satisfaction" in their eyes almost overflowing.

In the past, when Jiang Xiaoyan, Yan Jinbu, and others were repeating, they were all wrapped in that kind of oppressive gloom, making people feel, "Why is this child so depressed?"

But now, Jiang Xiaoyan and the others were confident, shining as brilliantly as the sun breaking through dark clouds, not only changing themselves but also quietly warming others.

Wu Juying also looked at Li Ye through the window, and seeing her grandson faintly occupying the center of everyone, she couldn't help but agree with her husband Li Zhongfa's wisdom back then.

A fence needs three stakes, a hero needs three helpers; don't look at these children as small saplings who can't help much now, but years later, who knows who will be helping whom!

However, just as Wu Juying was looking at Li Ye with pride, several "relatives" entered the courtyard.

Wang Jianqiang's mother, Fan Chunhua, brought Wang Jianqiang and his second brother Wang Yonggan to pay New Year calls.

Wang Jianqiang's mother was not tall, but her voice was loud; as soon as she entered, she said, "Uncle, Auntie, we've come to pay you New Year calls."

Li Ye, who was laughing and talking with his classmates, turned his head and saw Wang Jianqiang's bitter, forced smile.

"Hey, Xiao Ye, you've invited all your classmates over? That's perfect; Auntie Six will have to talk to you all in a moment."

"Auntie Six, we're just about to go pay New Year calls to our school teachers! You can just tell my grandfather and grandmother if you have anything."

"No, no, this matter might just have to be told to you; don't go yet! Otherwise, Auntie Six won't let you."

"."

After Fan Chunhua led her two sons into the main room, Li Ye hurriedly said to several classmates: "Remember this! If Auntie Six asks you about Qiangzi later, just say you don't know, don't know anything, understand?"

Hu Man and the others didn't know why, but they all nodded secretly.

Li Dayong knew the inside story and couldn't help but pull Li Ye aside, whispering, "Has Qiangzi been exposed?"

Li Ye shook his head slowly and said, "I don't know either, but expecting Qiangzi to make up lies to fool his mother is really too difficult for him."

"That's true!"

Li Dayong agreed deeply; they were all brothers who grew up playing together, Wang Jianqiang's honesty was famous, and his mother Fan Chunhua's shrewdness was known to everyone. A mother knows her son best; it would be very difficult for Wang Jianqiang to hide his private money in front of Chen Jinhua.

However, Li Ye and Li Dayong both underestimated Wang Jianqiang.

Five minutes later, the sound of Wang Jianqiang's mother, Fan Chunhua, crying faintly came from the main room, and then Li Ye was called into the main room.

Li Ye took a look inside; there weren't many tears in Fan Chunhua's eyes—it was just thunder on a dry day.

But Grandfather Li Zhongfa's face was as black as the bottom of a pot, and Grandmother Wu Juying kept winking at him.

"Grandfather, you elders are talking; what do you want with me?"

"It's about you juniors."

Li Zhongfa said in a muffled voice, "Your Auntie Six wants the second son to take over Qiangzi's job, but Watching Watching Watching Jin Peng blocked it. Aren't you acquainted with that Hao Jian? Your Auntie Six wants you to go talk to him."

I'll say your mother.

Li Ye first looked at Auntie Six, Fan Chunhua, who was wiping her tears, and then looked at Wang Jianqiang, who was sitting on a small stool with his head down.

The stool was a bit small, and the sturdy Wang Jianqiang looked somewhat ridiculous sitting on it.

Li Ye met his eyes, and both brothers felt the same helplessness.

【Brother, how did you get targeted even after becoming this shabby?】

(End of chapter)