Chapter 1389: Actors, Please Take Your Positions

"I say, Old Yang, why are you still staying at home?"

Yang Shuxing's wife had just returned from outside. As soon as she entered the house, she saw her lover holding a newspaper and a teacup, lazing on the sofa.

"You've been back for so many days; why don't you go to the plant to look around? At the very least, you should go see Director Li."

She put down the cloth bag in her hand and reminded him anxiously: "I don't know about others, but this Director Li is the one who cares most about face."

Yang Shuxing's wife knew that the Red Star Factory was going to be upgraded to the Red Star Steel Group. But like many workers' families, they were used to the original titles and rarely said "Group," always saying "the factory."

She didn't work at the Red Star Factory herself; she was a finance cadre at the Supply and Marketing Company, so she understood the ways of the workplace very well.

Her lover had worked in Steel City for many years and rarely had such a long vacation as this year; he had been on leave since before the Little New Year, and would be on leave until the third or fourth day of the New Year.

Needless to say, although they were an old married couple, didn't Lu Xun say, "A short separation is better than a new marriage"?

At first, she was happy and wished she could coax her lover every day, circling around him. As soon as she got off work, she wanted to bring meat and fruit back from the Supply and Marketing Cooperative to give her lover something good to supplement his health.

Only when the enthusiasm of the reunion cooled slightly did she realize something was wrong. She had heard from Old Yang that a new leader had been changed for the Steel City Metallurgical Plant and the Liaodong Industrial Management Group this year.

If it were an ordinary housewife, knowing her lover had returned home for a long vacation would make her happy to heaven, wishing she could be silly and happy every day.

She was different; being well-versed in workplace ways, she thought and thought but couldn't understand how her lover's vacation came about.

It couldn't be that the new leader was considerate of his subordinates and arranged long vacations for everyone; that made no sense at all.

If it were subordinates feeling sorry for the leader, flattering their superiors, and taking the initiative to shoulder responsibilities, letting the new leader go home for vacation would be the right thing to do.

Furthermore, even if it were a vacation, it had to be rotated; there was no way he could take the entire Spring Festival vacation alone.

Let alone him, even Group Director Li Huai De didn't say he would take a vacation from the Little New Year until the third or fourth day of the New Year.

There was no such vacation in the entire Group. If Old Yang took such a vacation, how would the other leaders of the Steel City Metallurgical Plant take theirs?

So it didn't make sense logically, so she had to ask clearly. As a result, Old Yang didn't say anything, only saying the leader gave him the vacation.

Her lover was on vacation, but she had to go to work. When she went out this morning, she reminded her lover to go to the unit to look around, lest something really go wrong.

This didn't look like a vacation at all; it looked like he had been "exiled," sent home by the new leader. Could it be that Old Yang had clashed with the leader at the unit and was passively put on long leave?

It's no wonder she thought this way; what kind of character and temper her lover had, having lived together for so many years, could she not know?

If something hadn't gone wrong, Old Yang should have gone out to socialize long ago; when had he ever been trapped at home?

"Closing the door to reflect on mistakes"? Or was he too ashamed to see people? Could it be that Old Yang had done something shameful in Steel City!

"Ai, I'm talking to you—"

She was anxious and angry, and after talking for so long after entering the door, she saw her lover just not moving.

If he hadn't shaken the newspaper to turn the page, she would have thought Old Yang had fallen asleep and was fooling her.

She walked up, snatched the newspaper from her lover's hand, and asked with a frown: "Old Yang, tell me the truth; how did this vacation of yours come about? Did something happen, or is there some other situation?"

She was getting more and more anxious, widened her eyes, and asked: "You wouldn't be..."

"Tsk—" Yang Shuxing looked dissatisfied, snatched back the newspaper from his lover's hand, frowned, and glared: "What nonsense are you talking about!"

"I'm talking nonsense? Tell me the truth!"

"Truth, what truth!"

Yang Shuxing folded the newspaper, frowned, and complained: "You called to urge me when I didn't come back, and you're still urging me now that I'm back."

He glanced at his lover, his gaze fell back on the newspaper, and he said calmly: "Didn't you always complain to me, saying I wasn't part of this family? This time I'm staying home properly to accompany you."

"Burning newspapers at a grave—who are you trying to fool!"

Yang Shuxing's lover wasn't a stupid woman; she was also anxious now, sat on the sofa beside him, and asked seriously: "Old Yang, don't tell me you're even guarding against me?"

"What could happen? You tell me." Yang Shuxing put down the newspaper, looked at his lover, and asked: "You tell me what could happen."

"If something happened to me, could I still sit at home so calmly?" He spread his hands, his attitude very firm: "Could it be that I'm wrong to take a few more days off to accompany you properly?"

"Who said you were wrong—" Yang Shuxing's lover sized him up; her lover's expression didn't look like he was pretending, but she still asked cautiously: "Really nothing happened?"

"Ai ya, alright, go cook." Yang Shuxing complained impatiently, opened the newspaper to read, and added with dissatisfaction: "The green beans this morning were a bit bland."

"It's your taste that's heavy." His lover blinked, then stood up and said: "I reminded you long ago not to eat things with high salt concentration..."

When she got to this point, seeing Old Yang's brow furrow again, she didn't dare to continue.

Just on the way to the kitchen, she remembered something, so she turned around and said: "You should go socialize even if you're on vacation."

"Even if I want to stay home and accompany you, you still have to go out and look around during the day." She frowned again and said: "Your Liaodong industry just got a new leader; don't you need to 'pay your respects'?"

"You should at least go sit at Director Li's house, even if you don't go anywhere else." She walked back to the side of the sofa and reminded him seriously: "This year is the last year of your Group's group-ization process; it's vital for Liaodong, for the Metallurgical Plant, and for you. You can't be negligent."

"Ai ya, do you need to teach me how to do things?"

Yang Shuxing didn't even lift his head and said: "If I say you're 'eating salty radishes and worrying about the saltiness,' you won't be convinced. So many people are crowding around him at the end of the year; how eye-catching would it be if I came back from vacation and went over?"

"If you had this arrangement, why didn't you say so earlier."

Yang Shuxing's wife glared at him, as if she had truly been nervous and worried for nothing.

She walked to the kitchen, muttering to herself: "Just know how to act deep and pretend to be serious."

"Tsk—" Yang Shuxing was scolded by his wife like this and also felt dissatisfied, just about to glare when the phone rang.

He could only glare at his wife's back and reach for the phone.

"Hmm, I am Yang Shuxing... oh oh, it's Secretary-General Bu! Hello, hello, Happy New Year..."

He was chatting happily on the phone, but he was very suspicious in his heart; he had no friendship with this Deputy Secretary-General.

Seeing his wife come back again, he glared, blaming her for coming to eavesdrop on his phone call.

He just didn't have the heart to say anything to her while holding the phone. Just as he wanted to say something, the content on the phone made his face change, and he didn't care about waving his hand to let his wife stay away from him.

"What? Oh oh... it doesn't matter, why would I trouble you to come personally? No need, no need..."

His face suddenly turned pale, which gave his lover a fright; she really thought something had gone wrong and looked at him nervously.

Who was the phone call from? She, who was very concerned about her lover's unit, had already heard it; it was the Deputy Secretary-General of the Red Star Steel Group, Bu Qingfang, the former Director of the Propaganda Department of the Red Star Metallurgical Plant.

This person could be considered an old colleague of her lover, only with a higher rank and deeper seniority than her lover.

She didn't suspect any affair between her lover and this Deputy Secretary-General Bu, but the identity of that person was different after all.

Although Bu Qingfang was a Deputy Secretary-General, after Secretary-General Li Xuewu went to Steel City to work, she had become the actual helmsman of the Group's Comprehensive Management Department, the Group's chief housekeeper.

Being able to let the Deputy Secretary-General personally call her lover must mean something very important, especially the change in her lover's expression.

Just looking at this appearance... it doesn't look like good news either—

No matter how polite Yang Shuxing was, the tone of the Group's Deputy Secretary-General Bu Qingfang on the other end of the phone was unquestionable.

"Comrade Shuxing, even without the Secretary-General's arrangement, we are comrades of many years."

Some people did understand the situation in this regard, but they weren't in the position, so they didn't meddle in other people's business.

"Secretary-General Bu... this... this isn't a big deal." Yang Shuxing's face turned into the color of a pig's liver, and he stammered: "Actually, it's just a small ailment; stay in the hospital for a few days and it will be fine."

"Who is in the hospital?" His lover was anxious now; hearing the content of his words, her face also changed.

Yang Shuxing was in a mess and didn't know how to explain. If he told the truth, his wife would definitely scratch him; if he didn't tell the truth, his mother-in-law would definitely scratch him. Now it was truly a dilemma.

The more he was like this, the more his lover felt he was hiding something, hiding it from her on purpose; after all, her lover's behavior had been too abnormal these past few days.

What could make her lover so nervous that he didn't even go out to socialize?

She was panicked, losing her head, and slumped on the sofa.

"Alright, Comrade Shuxing, don't drag it out anymore." Bu Qingfang emphasized on the phone: "The Secretary-General has already arranged it. He can't get away; if he could, he would definitely come to visit your father-in-law personally."

At this time, the volume of the phone receiver could be compared to a radio. Yang Shuxing was covering it, but Bu Qingfang had already brought up the words "father-in-law." Yang Shuxing's lover's face turned pale in an unusual way.

Yang Shuxing was anxious, holding the phone and wanting to decline again, but Bu Qingfang didn't care, only saying she would bring people to visit after work tomorrow morning, and then hung up.

"Old Yang—" his lover was already in tears, her voice hoarse as she asked: "My dad... my dad he..."

She wanted to ask what happened to her father, but she was afraid in her heart and didn't dare to ask the question.

Just when Yang Shuxing was on the phone, she had already heard that something was wrong, and thinking about Old Yang's abnormality, she was already panicked.

She didn't dare to think about the worst, but Bu Qingfang had pointed out the words "father-in-law" on the phone, and she couldn't hold on anymore.

Yang Shuxing was also panicked and didn't know how to explain. Telling the truth, his wife would definitely scratch him; not telling the truth, his mother-in-law would definitely scratch him. Now it was truly a dilemma.

Seeing his lover like this, Yang Shuxing's wife completely collapsed and burst into tears.

What else could be the reason? Old Yang specifically took long leave to come back to accompany her, not even going out to socialize.

Thinking about it, her own father really had an accident, and Old Yang didn't go... didn't go... which meant her father had already...

She was heartbroken, her body went soft, and she slid down the sofa, lying directly on the floor.

Old Yang knew her health wasn't good, and fearing she would be overly sad, he was guarding her at home, not wanting her to have an accident.

It was just that her own father had worked hard to raise her, and in the end, she didn't even have a chance to see him for the last time. Thinking of this, she couldn't take it anymore, and her head buzzed and floated up.

"Yaqin! Yaqin!" Yang Shuxing was instantly panicked when he saw his wife lying on the floor.

He crawled from the sofa to his wife's side, pinching her philtrum and patting her cheeks. Seeing no reaction, he took tea from the coffee table and poured it on his wife's forehead.

After tossing and turning for a long time, he saw his lover breathing again and bursting into loud tears. His wife's health was indeed poor, and he didn't dare to continue lying to her, so he quickly told the truth.

"Don't lie to me—woo woo—" his lover hugged him tightly, crying and shouting: "Old Yang, my dad—why did he leave just like that—I haven't—"

"Yaqin!" Yang Shuxing struggled to help his lover up, his face full of guilt: "I really lied, really—"

He didn't spare his strength, gently slapped his own face twice, looked at his wife, and said: "I just wanted to add trouble for the new leader, so I deliberately threw in the towel and used this excuse..."

"Re—really?" His lover wasn't very angry now; she hoped what he said was true, after all, that was her own father.

Just seeing Yang Shuxing nod seriously and guiltily, she felt sad again and fiercely raised her hand to slap Yang Shuxing.

"You bastard, you son of a bitch!"

She didn't have any strength left from tossing and turning, and even breathing was difficult, but the slap she sent over was still crisp.

Yang Shuxing wanted to dodge, but was afraid he wouldn't be able to explain it to his father-in-law and mother-in-law, so he took it raw.

Hmm, it didn't hurt; it was just stinging.

This sting wasn't from the hit, but from guilt, from the unexpected sadness and panic; how was he going to explain to his father-in-law in a while?

Father, it's the New Year; I don't have anything good to honor you with, so I'll send you to the United Hospital for a few days; I wish you health and longevity!

His mother-in-law could tear him apart like beef jerky.

"I really served up a disaster; I treated you like a grandfather, and on the New Year, you curse my father to die early!"

Lively, quite lively.

But, the liveliness is still to come.

Not to mention how Yang Shuxing coaxed his wife, and in order not to be exposed, went with his wife to his father-in-law's house to "carry a thorn and ask for punishment."

Asking for punishment wasn't the goal; the goal was to beg his father-in-law and mother-in-law to cooperate with him in acting out this scene.

What was this program called? Maybe call it "Actors, Please Take Your Positions."

No one knew how Yang Shuxing moved his father-in-law and mother-in-law to come to the hospital on this day before the New Year to accompany him in acting; they only knew he was a filial son in front of the hospital bed early in the morning, his eyes red from staying up all night.

Truly a filial son—

Even the nurses in the hospital couldn't help but give a thumbs up; this leader of the Metallurgical Plant was a model of the era.

Clearly, the old man didn't have any major problems, just old and weak, but he had to be treated as if he had a heaven-sent illness. Deputy Director Yang was only a son-in-law, yet he stayed by the bed without taking off his clothes, serving tea and food—how good.

It was just that the old man was a bit unappreciative; why was his nose not a nose and his eyes not eyes toward such a good son-in-law?

Bu Qingfang was determined to complete the work Li Xuewu had entrusted to her; whether Yang Shuxing's father-in-law was ill or not, she had to go see him personally.

If he were truly ill, then everyone would be happy; if he weren't ill, then the one who should be ill was Yang Shuxing.

If the Secretary-General were so easy to fool, there wouldn't be so many "lonely ghosts" in the West City.

"After entering the room, you can put down the gifts and go out." Bu Qingfang took Wang Lu into the gate of the Group's United Hospital and whispered: "Go to the attending physician and ask what kind of illness the father-in-law of Deputy Director Yang of the Metallurgical Plant actually has."

She was the Group's Deputy Secretary-General, not without the phone numbers of the United Hospital's leaders; why didn't she just make a phone call to ask?

This phone call naturally couldn't be made; Li Xuewu's instruction was first to visit the patient, but he didn't say to let her "beat the grass and startle the snake."

Whether the hospital leader would tell the truth if she called, she didn't know, because some people just didn't want to offend others.

Especially these doctors, who didn't say a single word of truth. But if you asked the attending physician face-to-face, the doctor would have to reply according to the patient's actual situation, and couldn't tolerate any mistakes.

This is the difference between face-to-face communication and phone communication.

It wasn't appropriate to let others ask, and she didn't trust them, nor did Li Xuewu trust them; the only reason she brought Wang Lu along was for this reason.

If Yang Shuxing's father-in-law were truly ill, and they made a big fuss about investigating, wouldn't they fall into someone's trap?

To use the Secretary-General's words, this trap couldn't be fallen into.

So she couldn't go ask; letting Wang Lu, a female comrade without the pressure of promotion, go was the most appropriate.

Even if Yang Shuxing's father-in-law were truly ill, and even if he knew Wang Lu went to ask, what could he say to Wang Lu?

It's all an "open plot"—

Wang Lu had also learned to be "bad" from her Second Brother Li Xuewu; he had an unserious side, and he had spoiled everyone below him.

Li Xuewu went to Steel City, and she couldn't follow, so this secretarial work was completely laid off.

Second Brother asked her if she wanted to go to the Union at that time; the Union work was both leisurely and decent, but she couldn't bear to part with the liveliness of the office, so she became Bu Qingfang's trusted aide.

There are few "good-natured" young people who mix with Li Xuewu; they are all clever and sensible. Even if Wang Lu was a "semi-finished product," being a female comrade was enough to have lethality.

Bu Qingfang used her very smoothly; if she hadn't been qualified to have a secretary, she would have given her a name long ago.

It was just that Wang Lu's work now was no different from a secretary's, and the things she did hadn't changed much.

At this moment, she was carrying a bag of apples in her left hand and a box of pastry gift boxes newly launched by the Group's food factory this year in her right hand, walking behind Bu Qingfang, and replied: "Don't worry, I guarantee to complete the mission."

The two of them went upstairs like this, asked about the ward of Yang Shuxing's family from the front desk, and came to the third floor of the inpatient department.

Yang Shuxing had long been waiting; if these two didn't come again, he wouldn't be able to hold on.

This half-month of living in luxury had long lost his drive and energy for work, plus he hadn't slept all night...

Don't ask, don't ask why he didn't sleep all night, because his wife said, if he tortured her father, she would torture him.

Yang Shuxing didn't dare to provoke his wife; his wife was also ruthless, and if he dared to say "no," his wife would dare to torture his father.

Hmm, his father, his own father was also alive. This was also the most annoying thing for his wife—having a father of his own not to torture, but choosing to torture his father-in-law; wasn't this losing his conscience?

"Ai-yo! Comrade Shuxing—"

Just as she was about to knock on the ward door, she saw Yang Shuxing with his red, lantern-like eyes about to leave the room. Bu Qingfang stood at the door and was startled, thinking she had seen a rabbit spirit.

She asked in surprise: "How are you—how many nights haven't you slept? Is the old man..."

"Cough cough—"

Yang Shuxing's father-in-law in the room couldn't help but cough; if he didn't make a sound, the leader outside might think he had already passed away given his son-in-law's acting state.

"Deputy Secretary-General, please come in."

Yang Shuxing's face suddenly had a bit of unnaturalness, and he made way to explain: "No... just stayed up these few days."

"Cough cough cough—" The old father-in-law was very dissatisfied.

Yang Shuxing lowered his head, not daring to have any other thoughts, and quickly invited Bu Qingfang and Wang Lu into the room; he was truly afraid his father-in-law would throw in the towel.

"Old comrade, hello—" Bu Qingfang went straight to the hospital bed after entering the room, smiled, held the other party's hand, and asked with concern: "How is your health? Are you feeling better?"

"Hmm, good, much better—"

The old father-in-law glared fiercely at his son-in-law, but seeing his son-in-law looking humble and submissive, he couldn't bear to tear down his stage.

It was truly annoying, but his son-in-law was already nearly forty years old, and his grandson was already in middle school, so he could only endure it himself.

Besides, even if his daughter was fierce, he understood her status in the family, and didn't want the couple to make a scene.

Sick is sick; who let his son-in-law have no other way.

Hmm, yes, the son-in-law and daughter came to visit last night and explained that the situation in Steel City was very complicated.

How complicated? After the new leader took office, he was quite dissatisfied with them and wanted to replace them with his own people.

Isn't that right? His son-in-law was dutiful, didn't show off, and didn't want to flatter or suck up to people, so he was made difficult by the leader.

Sticking to the principle of "if you can't afford to provoke, hide," his son-in-law swallowed his anger and suffered grievances, using his illness as an excuse to take long leave, which was considered avoiding the leader's anger and the wind.

Just say, the son-in-law was made difficult to this extent; what else could he say?

He looked at the leader of his son-in-law's unit, wanting to help his son-in-law complain, but didn't know where to start.

Bu Qingfang patted his hand and expressed her sympathy, and also introduced the care and condolences of the Group's leaders.

Wang Lu put the things in her hand on the cabinet beside the hospital bed and nodded to Yang Shuxing before going out.

Yang Shuxing didn't recognize her, thinking she was just an office staff member Bu Qingfang brought along, so he didn't pay much attention.

Seeing the other party go out, he thought she was very sensible. At this moment, his mind was on his old father-in-law and Bu Qingfang.

Afraid his father-in-law would rebel, and afraid Bu Qingfang would talk too much. Starting with one lie, he had to cover it with 100,000 lies.

He truly regretted drawing a circle to trap himself; not only did he give Li Xuewu a chance to clean him up, but he also trapped himself.

This feeling of being unable to stretch his fists and feet was truly too uncomfortable; he wanted to slap himself twice, but couldn't bear to take action.

"Sorry to trouble you; I'm quite well."

The old father-in-law sighed; he had never lied in his life, and he felt ashamed for himself, especially facing Bu Qingfang's enthusiasm and sincerity.

Look at how she spoke, representing not only herself but also the Group leaders' greetings. It could be seen that the Group leaders were very concerned about his son-in-law; otherwise, why would they arrange for someone to visit him?

At this moment, he felt even more ashamed than his son-in-law, and even began to doubt if his son-in-law had lied.

The Group leaders valued and cared about him so much; could they watch him be bullied in Steel City and do nothing? Impossible—

"Old comrade, Comrade Shuxing took long leave from the Secretary-General in Steel City to come back to accompany you; the Secretary-General is very worried and concerned."

Bu Qingfang expressed her care and condolences, and also had to point out the purpose of her trip. At this moment, she took an envelope out of her pocket and placed it beside the pillow of Yang Shuxing's father-in-law.

"This—what is this for!"

The old father-in-law was already suspicious and guilty; hearing Bu Qingfang say this, he knew she was bringing a message from his son-in-law's leader in Steel City.

Entrusting a comrade to visit was already a great gesture; how could she still... how much money was in this bag?

"This is the Secretary-General's heart." Bu Qingfang said with a smile: "He specifically instructed me to send it."

Perhaps seeing the surprise and doubt in the old father-in-law's eyes, Bu Qingfang knew in her heart that there was a problem with this grandfather and grandson.

But the more this was the case, the more she had to act out this scene well, otherwise how could she be worthy of the Secretary-General's "heart."

Even if it wasn't for those two gift boxes, she had to work hard for the 20 yuan in the envelope.

Still have to say it's the Secretary-General; he's really willing to spend the money.

Don't underestimate the energy regeneration industry; this business can be "rich enough to rival a nation" if done well.

Of course, if you say you haven't seen a renewable energy company rich enough to rival a nation, that's normal, because this business can't be done big.

"Uncle, do you like drinking coffee?"

Fu Zhidong leaned on the tea cabinet and watched for a long time before turning his head to ask the uncle on the sofa.

Li Xuewu raised his head to look at him, then smiled and looked at Zhou Ya coming down from the second floor.

Zhou Ya's face turned slightly red, and she went to the kitchen with her head down; she felt more and more that Li Xuewu was bad.

"Cough cough, Uncle doesn't like drinking coffee." Li Xuewu picked up the teacup and said seriously: "Uncle likes drinking tea."

"Then why did you bring a coffee machine back?" Fu Zhidong ran over from the tea cabinet and threw himself on the sofa beside his uncle, asking curiously.

"Because someone in our family likes to drink it." Li Xuewu looked at the kitchen with a proud smile, and just then, the kitchen door closed.

It's truly that he can't see him being proud; Zhou Ya in the kitchen also stole a laugh, only feeling that he was too petty.

The little tricks of the two, Li Xuewu insisted on using this method to stimulate her; men have a childish side no matter when.

"Let's go, let's go stick the spring couplets."

Li Xuewu saw her like this and didn't tease her anymore; after all, it was in front of the child.

He put down the teacup and newspaper in his hand and took Fu Zhidong to the study, where there were the spring couplets he and Zhou Ya had written together last night.

Yes, today is New Year's Eve.

To prepare for this day of New Year's Eve, the two fought hard in the study for a long time last night, and even ruined a few sheets of red paper.

It wasn't that Li Xuewu had too much strength, but that Zhou Ya wasn't cooperating well and was a bit shy.

Just writing a big "Fu" character, what was there to be nervous about? She couldn't even hold the brush steady, and wrote like a ghost's talisman.

In the end, she kept shouting that she was tired and couldn't take it anymore; it was Li Xuewu who finished writing the spring couplets.

Li Xuewu's brush calligraphy was actually just average, just that he was forced by his father to learn it for several years since he was a child.

This thing is okay to fool those who don't know the trade, but if you really meet an expert, it can't be shown.

It's just not a coincidence; there are truly many people in this era who write good brush calligraphy, especially since copying calligraphy masters is a pleasure, or rather a cultural habit.

In later generations, it's very hard to find someone who writes good brush calligraphy, just because the times are different.

Li Xuewu took Fu Zhidong

On the fourth-floor corridor, many people were sitting on the benches outside the ward.

Some were family members of patients in the ward, some were relatives visiting, their voices suppressed and noisy.

At the door of one ward, this situation was particularly obvious.

Bu Qingfang adjusted her expression and walked toward the man sitting with his head down on the bench with a slightly heavy heart.

Wang Lu followed behind her, trying hard to identify him, but still couldn't recognize who the man was; could he really be a relative of the Deputy Secretary-General?

Until the two started talking, she recognized that the man with a bearded face and a heavy expression was the other Deputy Director Yang of the Metallurgical Plant, Yang Zongfang.

Was this also an actor?

Looking at him, he didn't look like one; this acting was too good, and looking inside the ward, this atmosphere was truly... too much!

This was also too realistic; Yang Deputy Director's father-in-law's acting was much better than the other Deputy Director Yang's father-in-law.

No! Even if this old comrade was acting, the family members didn't look like they were acting; they were ready to... cry?

The old comrade was clearly not doing well, and the family members and relatives were all looking at him for the last time, full of deep pain.

Just now downstairs, Yang Shuxing's father-in-law was clearly very healthy, speaking with a full voice, which couldn't compare to this one.

Even without family members, only Yang Shuxing was taking care of him, and he dared to say he was seriously ill—that was too fake.

Wang Lu cautiously didn't speak; there must be a reason why the Deputy Secretary-General didn't let her go to the attending physician to explore the old comrade's illness.

"Comrade Zongfang, set your heart at ease."

Bu Qingfang sighed slightly, held his hand, and said: "Everyone has a day like this; it's better to let the old man be at ease; that's the only way for children to fulfill their filial piety."

"Thank you, Deputy Secretary-General." Yang Zongfang stood there, nodded, and said: "Sorry to trouble you; I'm truly grateful."

"We are all comrades; I should have come early." Bu Qingfang let go of his hand and said softly: "It was the Secretary-General who called and instructed me to come and see, so I came late."

She looked at Yang Zongfang's expression and explained softly: "He was afraid you would misunderstand, and didn't want you to bear this hardship outside of pain too early."

"Hmm, I know." Yang Zongfang nodded again and said: "After I finish here, I will go back and express my gratitude to him."

"Director Li and Deputy Director Gu will come over tonight." Bu Qingfang said: "If there is anything you need my help with, don't be polite; we are all comrades, and it would be distant not to speak up."

"My father-in-law has long instructed that we are not allowed to add trouble to the organization, but I still have to thank you." Yang Zongfang mentioned his father-in-law, his eyes filled with more firmness, "He had this one requirement, and we as children can only follow it."

"The old gentleman is benevolent and will definitely leave a legacy for his descendants." Bu Qingfang stood at the ward door and glanced, not going inside to disturb those relatives; this pain was truly not suitable for guests.

She turned to Yang Zongfang and said: "I won't disturb you; we will come over tonight."

Saying this, she took an envelope out of her bag and handed it to Yang Zongfang, explaining: "This is the Secretary-General's heart."

Seeing Yang Zongfang look up at her blankly, Bu Qingfang pursed her lips and said: "I must bring this heart."

"Good, thank you, Secretary-General."

Yang Zongfang was quite straightforward this time, and had no heart to argue with Bu Qingfang at the door, accepting this generous gift calmly.

Different from the condolence money sent to Yang Shuxing's father-in-law just now, this envelope was slightly thinner; although it wasn't a white envelope, it was polite enough.

In Beijing, there is a saying that funeral gifts shouldn't be heavy; that's not a good friend, but someone coming to watch a joke.

Li Xuewu could use money to humiliate and coerce Yang Shuxing, but he couldn't use money to insult Yang Zongfang; one must be kind in being a person.

He had no intention of making enemies with anyone, just like his opposite attitudes toward the two Yangs. Different people, different matters.

Yang Zongfang took the initiative to send Bu Qingfang downstairs; although Bu Qingfang repeatedly emphasized that he didn't need to be polite, he still sent them off.

Bu Qingfang understood his mood very well; this wasn't sending them off, but sending off Li Xuewu's friendship.

Just in the lobby on the first floor, she pressed Yang Zongfang's arm and urged him to go upstairs quickly, saying there was no need to be polite anymore.

Yang Zongfang could only stop his footsteps and watch the two go out before turning back to the stairs.

It was also a coincidence; Yang Shuxing had just been poked by his father-in-law in the ward, and then met his mother-in-law and lover who came to deliver food.

How uncomfortable this "three-hall trial" was, I believe those who have encountered it will understand very well. He truly couldn't bear his old father-in-law's white eyes and cold snorts, as well as his old mother-in-law's cursing and his wife's coldness, so he turned and came out of the ward to get some air.

This New Year cannot be passed.

What's more coincidental is that he walked along the corridor unconsciously, but bumped into Yang Zongfang coming up from downstairs.

This evil spirit came up and couldn't be contained. If it weren't for the other party learning his own reason to take leave, could Li Xuewu have come up with this?

This Yang Zongfang was doing it on purpose, deliberately looking at him with displeasure and making a fool of him and Li Xuewu.

Both are leading cadres; even if they are anxious, what can they do? They can't be "without class." But he couldn't help but want to criticize him a few times.

"Deputy Director Yang, is your father-in-law okay?"

If this tone were a bit more concerned and the attitude a bit kinder, nothing could be heard, but it was sarcastic—who couldn't hear what he meant?

Yang Zongfang's face changed instantly, but hindered by the many people in the corridor, plus the nurses looking over, he gritted his teeth and didn't pay attention to him, turning to continue up the stairs.

This performance made Yang Shuxing even more annoyed; you learned from me to cause trouble, and you still show me this face!

Damn it, your acting is much higher than mine!

Look, bearded, disheveled—where did I offend you, and you're still showing off your acting in front of me; you're bored!

"Deputy Director Yang, I wish your father-in-law good health and a long life—"

"Keep some virtue on your tongue—" Yang Zongfang stopped his footsteps, turned his head back, looked down at him, and said: "If you have anything to say, just come at me; don't pull these useless things."

"If you feel it's not enough, we'll settle it when we go back to Steel City after the New Year; I don't have time to bother with you now."

After saying this, regardless of the doctors and nurses in the corridor below the stairs looking at each other, he turned and went to the fourth floor.

Downstairs, Yang Shuxing's face was red and his ears were red; being ignored and taught a lesson like this, he almost started cursing. It was just that the look of doubt and contempt in the eyes of the people around him couldn't be hidden.

This made him sober up a bit, and he frowned slightly as he walked to the nurse station to ask about the situation of Yang Zongfang's relatives upstairs.

The nurse had also seen the conflict between the two just now, and when she saw him take the initiative to ask, she answered with a strange look.

When she heard the nurse introduce the actual situation of Yang Zongfang's father-in-law, Yang Shuxing's face turned red instantly, and then turned pale.

Who learned from whom, and who is real and who is fake—at this moment, Yang Shuxing couldn't fool others, nor could he fool himself.

Compared to the fact that the upstairs was already preparing for the funeral, his taking his wife to send his father-in-law to the hospital to act out a scene was more like a "clown jumping on the beam," still unaware of it.

No wonder Bu Qingfang represented Li Xuewu in sending gifts and money; compared to going upstairs empty-handed, it was different.

He felt he had fooled the other party, but the other party was standing high and watching him play the monkey. At this moment, Yang Shuxing was truly defeated.

He remembered what his father-in-law said to him in the ward just now: "Conspiracies and tricks cannot see the sun, and cannot accomplish great things."

Reflecting on this, a man nearly forty years old—how could he not understand, not be relieved? He turned and walked back in silence.

At the ward door, his lover was standing there looking at him, ultimately not at ease with him, but her gaze couldn't hide her disappointment and coldness.

"Let's go, let's go home."

"Not acting anymore?" his lover glared at him and asked: "Didn't you say acting must be the whole set, and that it wouldn't look real if we didn't spend the New Year in the hospital?"

"Yaqin, sigh—" Yang Shuxing couldn't say the words of apology, and with a long sigh, he entered the ward.

His father-in-law didn't want to look at him, turned his head away, and closed his eyes to pretend to sleep, while his mother-in-law sat by the bed and sulked.

Both old people were angry that he shouldn't have deceived the organization, and even more angry that he deceived them, hurting the feelings of his relatives.

The daughter was caught in the middle and found it hard to do; the two old people had bitterness they couldn't speak of.

Yang Shuxing walked to the bedside and knelt down to his father-in-law, holding his father-in-law's hand and putting it to his own face; he could only do this, because there were some words he was too ashamed to say.

His father-in-law was a principled person; seeing him like this, and seeing the estrangement between the couple, his heart also felt blocked and uncomfortable, and he couldn't help but burst into tears.

They say a son-in-law is half a son, but a real son can be beaten and scolded, but how can a son-in-law be beaten or scolded?

He wished he were sick now, so his son-in-law would remember the lesson and stop tossing around.

Yes, stop tossing around. ===== CHAPTER 1390 =====

He wished he were sick right now, just so his son-in-law would learn a lesson and stop causing such a stir.

That's right, stop causing such a stir.