Five years of marriage, always separated [1970s]

Geng Zhiqin stood up and poured the porridge into an enamel pot, took a fried dough stick and threw it into the pot, then took a bun and said, "It's too hot in the room, I'm going out to eat." After saying that, he walked out.

Ye Fan said leisurely: "You can hide today, but you can't hide tomorrow."

Geng Zhiqin paused and pretended not to hear.

Ye Fan looked at Geng Zhiye: "Did you see that? You can't say a word. You also asked me to care more about her. She kept nagging about this yesterday. Even if the mother-in-law is not at home, a war of the century can still happen."

Geng Zhiye instantly remembered what he had said before - the battle of the century between mother-in-law, daughter-in-law and sister-in-law.

"The fundamental reason is that she doesn't like Sun Laifu, and you still ask her to look everywhere." Geng Zhiye said.

Ye Fan: "I didn't like you at first."

Geng Zhiye sneered: "Although you have a first love, I also believe that you felt very good about me when we first met."

"You know all about this, yet you still take the opportunity to inquire about it? Geng Zhiye, Dabao is already in college. Is it interesting or not?" Ye Fan was confused.

Geng Zhiye: "Tell me who that person is. It will be meaningless if I mention it again. It will be interesting if you don't tell me."

Ye Fan: "Go ahead and look for it. I think you can find it!"

Geng Zhiye took a bite of the tea egg and tasted a little tea. He was very surprised: "This tea is good."

Ye Fan subconsciously asked: "What kind of tea?"

"I mean the tea leaves used to cook tea eggs." Geng Zhiye said, "No wonder his breakfast shop was praised by many people not long after it opened."

Ye Fan saw some tea in the eggshell and took a sip: "Black tea?"

Geng Zhiye nodded: "Does he have relatives in the south? Otherwise, he wouldn't make much money from buying boiled tea eggs at the store."

Ye Fan: "I remember that some people from our class went to Yunnan, and he should be one of them."

"What about the children when they are so far away?"

Ye Fan said, "Maybe he's at his parents' house. He lives with his brother's children. The couple had no place to live so they rented a house."

Zhang Xiaoming lived in the house rented by Dong Ying in the first year of his marriage. Geng Zhiye said, "It's possible. But what about the children's education?"

Ye Fan: "I'm here to study. I'll go back to take the college entrance exam before the exam."

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhang Xiaoming's car stopped at the door.

Geng Zhiye was amused: "I can't help but keep talking about it."

Ye Fan went to the yard to wash his hands and opened the south door to let Zhang Xiaoming take the goods himself. Zhang Xiaoming had a store, and he wanted to make more money, so he asked Dong Ying to watch the store while he set up a stall. This was equivalent to having two stores, and they needed a lot of goods, so Zhang Xiaoming took five bags.

As soon as Zhang Xiaoming left, his sister came over and got two different packs and went home to mix them herself.

After Zhang Xiaozhi left, the neighbors came over. In the past, they would pay after the goods were sold, but now they came to Ye Fan for wholesale, and they would pay and receive the goods at the same time.

Ye Fan's classmate noticed that people were leaving one after another, and couldn't help asking the guests: "What are these people doing?"

The old man who bought tea eggs for his granddaughter said, "Go out and set up a stall to sell clothes."

“Is there anyone doing wholesale business in the alley?”

The old man nodded: "It's your classmate Ye Fan." Speaking of Ye Fan, the old man couldn't help but praise, "Your classmate is really amazing. He used to sell vegetables and popsicles. When he had capital, he took a few people to the south to trade clothes. Last year, he made a lot of money and started wholesale. Now he has two stores, and it seems that he has also co-founded a company with someone. The capital does not allow private companies to be opened, so he went to Tianjin. It's close, so it's convenient to go there if anything happens." At this point, he couldn't help but sigh: "Really smart."

The lady who came to buy tofu pudding with a basin said, "How can you get into Peking University without being smart?"

The male classmate was not surprised to hear "Shangjing University": "Ye Fan is a good student. But isn't her family nice? Does she still need to set up a stall?"

Uncle: "It has nothing to do with family conditions. Even though he studied at Peking University, he doesn't have the aloofness of some intellectuals. He often says that it's not shameful to make money honestly without stealing or robbing."

The aunt nodded: "This awareness is beyond the reach of most people. I didn't care about other people's opinions until I was in my forties or fifties."

The old man pointed at the alley and said, "Most of the families in this alley are not doing well. Since she came here, several families have no worries about food and drink this year." Seeing Uncle Zhang coming over with a cane, "Especially his family. No one introduced a partner to his eldest son before. Now he has a house and two stores. I heard that he can pay off the store loans this year. Old Zhang, is that right?"

In the first half of his life, Grandpa Zhang had hoped that his eldest son would take care of him in his old age. Now Zhang Xiaoming went to Ye Fan's house to get the goods but didn't even come to see him, so Grandpa Zhang felt uncomfortable: "Don't ask me! I don't know!"

The uncle who asked him had never offended him before. Seeing his attitude, he said unhappily: "Who cares to ask you!"

Ye Fan's classmate quickly tried to smooth things over: "I was the one who said too much."

The aunt handed the basin over and said, "It's not your fault. Old Zhang used to come to our house to buy a three-wheeled vehicle with Ye Fan to sell vegetables. His eldest son started a business with Ye Fan and is busier than before, so he blamed his son for only caring about money and not his father. Old Zhang is just not satisfied. Dabao and Erbao don't complain that their mother is too busy with work to take care of them."

Uncle Zhang asked, "What do you mean?"

The old lady gave me the money and left: "Don't ask me! I don't know!"

Uncle Zhang was so angry that he threw his crutches.

Zhang was reading a book at the bottom of the hallway at the gate of his house. He heard his father's bad tone and ran out. He saw this scene: "What are you doing? Do you want to live?"

"I don't want you to care!" Uncle Zhang yelled at his youngest son.

Zhang Xiaodi deliberately said: "Do you miss my mom? I'll send you to my second brother's house to stay for a few days? And help mom take care of your eldest grandson?"

Zhang Xiaozhi, who lives in her mother's home, and Dong Ying, who lives nearby, are trying to get pregnant this year and plan to have a baby before the beginning of summer next year. Zhang Xiaofen's son does not have the surname Zhang. In Grandpa Zhang's view, there is only one grandson among four children. Grandpa Zhang is annoyed with his second daughter-in-law but cannot help but care about his only grandson.

Uncle Zhang asked awkwardly: "Where will you live when you get there?"

Zhang Xiaojun's child was 100 days old. It happened that Zhang Xiaojun was on vacation at home. He was dragged by his father to his second brother's house. He knew his mother's bed was wide: "I share a bedroom with my mother. But we need to go up and down the stairs."

Uncle Zhang leaned on his cane and said, "Your father is not so old that he can't move."

"Then I'll go back and pack your clothes?"

Uncle Zhang went back with his son.

The neighbor who was drinking tofu pudding looked at the Zhang family father and son walking away, shook his head and said, "I just think his father lives too long."

The neighbor sitting opposite him reminded him to keep his voice down. Someone who lived in the back and didn't know the inside story asked, "The youngest son seems quite sensible."

"That kid is mean." The neighbor wiped his mouth with a handkerchief and went to pay: "His father must have done something recently. As a son, he can't blame him, so he uses this method to make trouble for his old man." After saying that, he pushed the cart and left.

Ye Fan's classmates were most afraid of this kind of people, and asked the neighbors: "How bad is it?"

The neighbor who lived behind Zhang's house said, "He's talking nonsense. Zhang is a military student and he still has a year to graduate. He doesn't dare to cause trouble."

Zhang Xiaodi not only seemed to be afraid, but also very considerate. He first called his second brother to ask if he wanted his father to go over. Zhang Xiaojun agreed, and Zhang Xiaodi sent his father to the machinery factory's staff quarters. He watched his father go into the house and see his mother before Zhang Xiaodi went back.

Zhang Xiaodi was sending his father to the bus when he was seen by Ye Fan and Geng Zhiye who were going to the store. Ye Fan shook his head and said, "This little brother. I don't know what his father has done again."

Geng Zhiye: "Maybe Uncle Zhang wants to go himself."

Ye Fan: "Uncle Zhang doesn't like his second daughter-in-law, so he won't take the initiative to go to his second son's house. Just wait."

Three days later, Uncle Zhang came back carrying his bag.

Early in the morning, Ye Fan's classmate and his wife had just taken the folding stool from the tricycle. Seeing him staggering over, Ye Fan's classmate kindly went over and said, "Uncle, are you okay? Do you want me to take you there?"

Uncle Zhang was stunned for a moment before he reacted: "You? I'm fine. You can go to the stall." After saying that, he staggered inside.

Aunt Li got up early and heard someone talking so she wanted to come out and chat with them. When she saw that Uncle Zhang looked a little strange, she walked towards the intersection and asked the couple who were preparing to fry dough sticks, "Did Uncle Zhang just come back?"

Ye Fan's classmate nodded: "There is no early bus at this time. How did he get back?"

Aunt Li: "It must have been sent by Zhang Xiaojun. Tell him to walk back at the intersection. Old Zhang deserves it. His son-in-law is filial. Xiaozhi cooks meals for him every day, but he is not satisfied and still wants the eldest son to be filial to him. He has been quiet for three days at the second son's house." Ye Fan's classmates finally understood why the neighbors said that Zhang Xiaodi disliked his father for living too long: "Is the second son unfilial?"

"The second son is henpecked, and his daughter-in-law is unfilial." Aunt Li glanced at the Zhang family, "Let's see if he dares to complain about this or that in the future."

The uncles and aunts chatted for a while while buying breakfast. Ye Fan's classmate couldn't help but be moved after listening to them for a long time. Seeing that Aunt Li was very talkative and reasonable, he took the opportunity to ask, "I heard that his little daughter also came to Ye Fan to buy goods?"

When Aunt Li is not into qigong, she is very sharp: "You want to sell it too?"

The classmate was embarrassed: "Is it so obvious?"

Aunt Li said, "If you want to sell, just say so. It's not shameful. Xiaozhi used to be a temporary worker in the factory. She was paid too little but didn't dare to quit. So she took a bag of goods to crowded places on weekends and tried. You can try it, too."

"Does it fit?"

Aunt Li: "Nothing is inappropriate. Oh, I remember, because your classmate is Dabao Ma? You are embarrassed. Dabao Ma does business in a proper way. Her sister-in-law asks her to buy goods, so she has to earn some hard work fee."

On weekends, after closing his stall at around nine o'clock, he would go to Ye Fan to get a package of goods. After resting for half an hour at home, he would ride his tricycle to the park.

Ye Fan's classmate saw someone selling clothes under a tree in the park and asked him if he could sell across the street. The clothing seller thought his goods were good and generously said it was up to him.

The classmate put the things out, and the person opposite him was not calm: "Did you ask Ye Fan to get the goods?"

"What's wrong?" His classmates didn't understand why he was so shocked.

The person opposite him moved his stall away without saying a word, because he used to sell things with Ye Fan because he didn't believe in it. As a result, his things were made to look rustic and tacky, and he didn't dare to argue with Ye Fan's people.

Ye Fan's classmates had just arrived and didn't dare to get into conflict with others, so they just stayed where they were.

Each package of clothing comes with a suggested retail price, so students don’t have to worry about it. Without much shouting, most of the items will be sold out by the evening.

When I got home and counted the money, I made a net profit of five or six dollars after deducting the cost, and at least twenty dollars after selling all the items.

Ye Fan’s classmates introduced this good thing to his brothers, sisters and neighbors.

In late August, the last weekend of the month, Ye Fan's classmates brought their brothers, sisters, and neighbors to pick up eight bags of clothing, and Ye Fan suggested that they go in pairs.

After the person who came to pick up the goods left, Ye Fan checked the front and back warehouses and found that it was time to stock up on autumn and winter clothes.

Geng Zhiye accompanied her to check the goods, and asked, "I still have a few days off, can I go with you?"

Ye Fan shook his head slightly and refused: "I don't need to ask for leave from school now. I can go anytime I want. I will go when most of the goods are sold. If they are out of stock, tell them to contact Chang Guangrong. Chang Guangrong hasn't contacted me these few days, so I should still have a lot of stock."

Geng Zhiye: "Is it time for Dabao and Erbao to come back?"

Ye Fan calculated the time for school to start: "If nothing goes wrong, it's time to get on the train."

"Where's Dabao's notice? Keep it."

Ye Fan was not surprised that his son was admitted. He was not excited but rather felt emotional when he received his son's admission letter. In the blink of an eye, the kid was going to college.

The kid was thinking about his admission letter and couldn't bear to stay at his aunt's house for a few days. After being patient for a few more days, Yang Mengxia saw that he was like being in prison, so she discussed with her mother-in-law to go back early.

In the evening, the whole family came back, and it took Ye Fan and Geng Zhiye a while to come back to their senses.

Geng Zhiye was speechless: "You guys really can't help but nag!"

"Lao Geng!" Dabao ran over and jumped into his father's arms.

Geng Zhiye instinctively reached out his hand, staggered back a few times, put him down, and slapped him on the back: "How old are you? Can I hold you? By the way, what did you call me?"

"Dad." Dabao looked innocent, "Are you hard of hearing?"

Geng Zhiye grabbed his ear and asked, "I'm hard of hearing?"

"No, no, no, Dad, I have something good to give you. Erbao, bring it here quickly."

Erbao handed his brother's bag over. Dabao said as if offering a treasure: "What a mountain delicacy! Mom, you've never seen it before, right?"

Ye Fan took a look and said calmly, "Dried bamboo fungus and morels?"

The smile on Dabao's face froze: "How do you know everything? This makes me so disappointed."

Ye Fan didn't know whether to laugh or cry: "Thank you, my dear."

The big baby's face turned red.

Ye Fan was speechless but wanted to laugh: "Give me the things. Go take a shower. You're all smelly."

Dabao was not in a hurry: "Dad, you don't know, we went to the mountains this time and ate a lot of mushrooms. Grandma also saw Grandpa."

What's going on? Geng Zhiye didn't understand: "Which grandfather?"

"I only have one grandfather." Dabao said, "He is a grandfather who is not from the same world as us. I told you before that my grandfather is still alive in heaven but you didn't believe me."

Geng Zhiye was panicked, no way.

Ye Fan calmly took out Dabao's admission letter and said, "Son, you are a future scientist."

"The end of science is metaphysics!" Dabao blurted out.

Ye Fan was so choked that he couldn't speak.

Yu Wentao clarified: "He is talking nonsense, I didn't see your father-in-law."

Dabao: "I'm talking nonsense. Then why didn't you dare to touch mushrooms later? And you didn't allow me to bring morels and bamboo fungi?"

Ye Fan understood: "Poisoned?"

Geng Zhiye also understood: "Hallucination? I really thought my father was still alive." He breathed a sigh of relief and slapped his son: "What nonsense is this, Jian Tian."

"Erbao, you say."

Erbao nodded: "I see a bunch of little people. Dad, when will you take a vacation next year? Let's go to Uncle's house together. Uncle misses you, so you can take this opportunity to try the mushrooms yourself."

"You think your father is too old?" Geng Zhiye glared at her and turned to his nephew: "Benben, pack your luggage tonight. You should report to school."

Geng Benben nodded: "I know, I'll leave tomorrow afternoon. I originally thought I wouldn't be able to come back early, so I went directly to school from my aunt's house and asked my younger brother to bring my thick clothes over for me."

Uncle Yu was in good health, and two families in Yujia Village bought a three-wheeled motorcycle, so he went to the city with them to sell vegetables. The next morning, Ye Fan came to him to buy a large piece of meat.

After breakfast, the whole family ate bread and dumplings in the main room.

After having dumplings for lunch, they steamed a few dumplings for Geng Benben and kept two for him to eat in the evening and at night. Geng Zhiye then sent his nephew to the station.

After returning from this station, Geng Zhiye looked at the hospital's shift schedule and confirmed that Sun Laifu would rest during the day and work the night shift. After dinner, Geng Zhiye asked Geng Zhiqin to cook dumplings.

Geng Zhiqin muttered as he cooked: "Since the blind date, he has only come to me once. I am obviously useless to him. What's the point? Maybe it's like throwing meat buns at a dog - it's a one-way trip."

Geng Zhiye: "Why don't you say break up?"

"I said, you won't blame me. His brother-in-law will also come to me to ask why. If anyone wants to say anything, it should be him!" Geng Zhiqin scalded the lunch box with boiling water and muttered, "He's still using my lunch box. I'll give this lunch box to him in the future."

Geng Zhiye was tired of hearing this: "Then don't go. I'll go tell him that Xiaoqin dislikes you being a doctor and is afraid that you'll dream of performing surgery on her in the middle of the night."

Geng Zhiqin quickly said, "No! If I really need surgery in the future and I schedule my surgery for him, he will take the opportunity to torture me. I will go!"

(End of this chapter)