1994: Starting with unpaid leave

"laugh--"

As soon as a slice of mutton as thin as a cicada's wing is put into the pot, it curls up and changes color in the boiling broth.

With a flick of his chopsticks, Dong Jianguo transferred the mutton from the pot into the bowl full of dipping sauce in front of Zhou Xiuyun.

Sesame paste, chive blossoms, a little fermented bean curd sauce and chili oil, wrapped in mutton and stuffed into her mouth, Xiuyun ate with gusto.

"Two more plates of lamb for table number 8!"

Seeing that his wife enjoyed the food, Dong Jianguo turned around and called to the waiter.

After leaving their parents' house on empty stomachs, the two realized there was no food at home either, and it would be a hassle to cook something fresh when they got back.

Dong Jianguo simply found a mutton hot pot restaurant near Xijuzhai.

This stuff is so convenient; you can eat it as soon as the bottom of the pot boils.

"How is it? Is the sauce I made for you delicious?"

As Dong Jianguo spoke, he placed another piece of sweet potato noodles on Xiuyun's plate.

"Mmm, it's delicious! You should try some too."

Xiuyun's peach blossom eyes narrowed into two crescent moons. Without bothering to wipe the sauce from the corners of her mouth, she fed Dong Jianguo a bite of mutton.

The meat in Hecheng is truly exceptional.

Due to its advantageous location, the name Hecheng also means "natural pasture" in the Daur language.

The cattle and sheep here graze on natural pastures and drink slightly alkaline water, so the beef and mutton have less of a gamey smell and instead have a unique milky aroma and sweetness.

What's more, it was fed by my wife, so with the added filter, one bite and I was instantly captivated.

Much better than Haidilao...

They say there's nothing a barbecue can't solve, and the same goes for hot pot.

After swallowing a mouthful of lamb, Dong Jianguo felt the heat in his stomach subside considerably.

Seeing that Dong Jianguo was also enjoying his meal, Xiuyun finally breathed a sigh of relief.

To her, the man seemed like a completely different person during this period.

Whether it's for his career or for himself, he's impeccable.

His outburst at the dinner table just now reminded her of how he used to be...

It seems I was overthinking it.

After taking a few more bites, Xiuyun tentatively asked:

"Jianguo, why didn't Mom speak up for us this time like she did last time?"

Dong Jianguo exhaled a breath of hot air:

"I guess she also wants her brother to take things a step further."

Perhaps because a significant portion of Northeasterners migrated from Shandong, they generally have a deep-seated attachment to secure employment.

Dong Jianguo's parents are also from Shandong...

The eldest brother has already secured a stable job; if he could advance even further, the two elderly people would be laughing in their sleep.

As for myself... I'm only 24 years old.

Perhaps in my parents' eyes, I will have many more opportunities in the future.

Xiuyun was somewhat surprised.

She had been watching the whole thing, but she never expected her mother-in-law to have this side to her.

Human hearts are truly complex...

"Jianguo, what are your plans regarding the formula?"

Dong Jianguo thought for a moment:

"Let's let this cool down for now. After all, I'm not the older brother, and he doesn't represent me. The people in Harbin probably don't really expect me to hand over the formula so easily..."

"If you really push me too far, just say that the pickled chicken feet recipe is your family heirloom and you won't hand it over."

"By the way, tomorrow's supposed to be the day for the house transfer. Let's go together then, and while we're at it, let's sound out Director Wan's wife..."

"Hmm... So what about my older brother... He's really not going to help him?"

Hearing Xiuyun mention her elder brother, Dong Jianguo sighed.

I used to think that my eldest brother was somewhat capable, otherwise he wouldn't have a position in the railway.

But looking at it today, I feel that my brother's success in becoming a section leader was partly due to luck.

"This can't be rushed. Everyone wants to improve, but why should it be my older brother?"

Xiuyun was about to answer when Dong Jianguo waved his hands repeatedly:

"That's right, there are always people who are unworthy of their positions, no matter where they are. But they have put in unseen efforts to get the positions they deserve."

"It may be a transaction of power and money, or it may be the help of family background, but the fact that they were able to get them to that position shows that their family has the ability to bear the risks that come with that position."

"Otherwise, something bad will happen sooner or later, and the whole family will suffer."

Zhou Xiuyun had never heard of the principles that Jian Guo was talking about before, and she was completely absorbed in listening to him.

"As for my older brother, although he is not a bad person, he is obviously not good enough in both official and business matters, and he is also short-sighted. If we really try to help him get promoted... he will get into trouble sooner or later."

"Instead of this, it might be a good thing to let him stay in the position of section chief and gain more experience..."

Xiuyun kept those words in mind.

Although she only half understood what she heard, she wanted to be able to explain the reasons to Jianguo if her mother-in-law asked about it later.

A hot pot meal left the couple feeling warm and cozy inside.

After leaving the restaurant, we walked hand in hand on our way home.

Looking straight ahead, you see the lights of countless homes; looking up, you see a sky full of stars.

This feeling made Xiuyun feel exceptionally at ease.

"Splash!"

The sound of rummaging through a roadside trash can startled her.

At the dark green metal bins at the entrance of the residential compound, a hunched figure slowly got up and staggered as he prepared to leave.

He was lucky; he found a few empty wine bottles and plastic bottles, so he didn't leave empty-handed.

Startled, Xiuyun tugged at Dong Jianguo's arm, hid half her body behind him, and prepared to leave quickly.

The scavenger, with a scruffy beard, darted past under the streetlights, but Dong Jianguo paused for a moment.

"Zhao Ruidong?"

The man paused, turned his head, and glanced at it.

Upon seeing Dong Jianguo calling his name, his cloudy eyes visibly narrowed under the streetlight.

Clearly, he also recognized Dong Jianguo.

You've mistaken me for someone else.

The scavenger left a sentence, then desperately shuffled along his limping leg, disappearing quickly yet slowly around the street corner...

"That really does look like Zhao Ruidong!"

Watching that disheveled figure disappear into the distance, although it was hard to reconcile the image of Zhao Ruidong, who had always been arrogant and domineering in the factory, Xiuyun still recognized him from his profile.

"Why is he like this?"

Dong Jianguo shook his head. The last time he heard news about him was from Erzhuzi.

I heard he was shot in the leg.

How long has it been?

Is it a month?

How did you end up so destitute that you have to make a living by collecting scraps?

Life's ups and downs happen so quickly?

Dong Jianguo had an idea:

Was he on the list of those who were temporarily suspended from work after returning home last time?

"I don't know, I was only looking at myself at the time, I didn't pay attention to anyone else..."

"Never mind... it's none of our business anyway, let's go home."

"Um."

Xiuyun agreed, leaned against Dong Jianguo, and walked towards home.

My lover is right. What does it matter to me what others do?

As long as there are two people...

No, as long as the three of them live a prosperous and happy life, isn't that better than anything else?

Gently stroking her slightly protruding belly through her trench coat, Xiuyun smiled and rested her head on her lover's shoulder...

……