The 1970s: Married First, Fell in Love Later-Chapter 161 - 160: You Have to Let Go When the Time Comes
At the mention of work, He Ze lowered his eyes in shame. Back when he had just been fired, Gu Yuwei had also run off. He had to look for Gu Yuwei while also taking care of the children, and every day was a complete mess. On top of that, whenever he went out to work in the fields, he would always hear people gossiping about him behind his back. He Ze felt like he couldn’t even hold his head up.
He had been a worker for several years and suddenly felt as if he no longer knew how to work the fields. It was like he was wearing Kong Yiji’s long gown and couldn’t take it off. But he still had children at home to raise, mouths waiting to be fed every day, so he had no choice but to go to work. This led to his current predicament: his heart wasn’t in his work, but he couldn’t afford not to do it. He was caught in a dilemma.
For some reason, He Ze just didn’t want to go find He Lang by himself. He Lang was doing better than him now, and it left a strange taste in his mouth. He felt that He Lang would surely laugh at him for ending up like this. Since his parents wouldn’t agree, he had no choice but to slip away in disgrace.
That night, many people’s minds were troubled.
Gao Cuiyun didn’t sleep a wink all night. The next morning, she got up bright and early to make breakfast for the children.
Mrs. He came out and saw her. Noticing her red, swollen eyes, she went over to offer a few words of comfort.
"Little Chen is already eighteen this year. He’s a young man now. The third brother is capable, and he just wants to help the boys out a bit. What future is there for them if you keep all the children by your side? In a few years, they’ll grow up and need to get married. What will you give them to find wives? Once kids are grown, you have to let them go out and make their own way in the world. Even if they don’t earn much money, just seeing the world is a good thing. What progress can they make hiding away in this poor place of ours, toiling in the fields day in and day out? You have to let go when the time comes. Little Chen and the others are all good, filial sons. They won’t abandon you."
Gao Cuiyun listened to Mrs. He and nodded. In truth, she had been thinking about it all night. ’Maybe it’s because I lost my husband that I’ve come to treat my children as my entire life,’ she thought. ’Little Chen is the eldest and has practically become the pillar of our family, which is why I feel so insecure without him.’
Mrs. He looked at her. "That’s the right way to think. Even with Little Chen gone, you still have Xiao Yang and Ziming. Besides, you have us. The whole family will always be here to help you."
Gao Cuiyun nodded, her eyes red. "I know."
"Alright now, go put a cold compress on your eyes. They’re so red and swollen. If the children see you like this, how can they leave with peace of mind?"
Gao Cuiyun touched her dry eyes, then hurried off to wash her face and put a compress on them.
When He Lang got up in the morning, he locked his door and came over to the old family house for breakfast.
Before breakfast was even over, Shitou and his mother arrived.
Shitou was carrying his luggage on his back.
Mrs. He stood up. "Shitou’s mother, have you two eaten yet? If not, why don’t you sit down and have a bite with us?"
Shitou’s mother smiled and waved her hand. "We already ate before coming. Shitou came home yesterday and told me your third son was back and wanted to take him to Beijing City to do business. I was so happy to hear it. So we ate bright and early this morning and I brought him over."
Mrs. He had already heard about it from Mr. He. She smiled and nodded. "Our third son told us all about it yesterday. He’s started a small business in Beijing City, and see, the first person he thought of was your Shitou. After all, they share the bond of growing up together. Of course he had to give him a hand."
Shitou’s mother nodded. "Yes, your third son is a good kid. My Shitou is always talking about his ’Third Brother,’ insisting that he wants to go work with him. I trust him completely, so I’m letting him go."
Shitou scratched his head.
He Lang glanced at the luggage on his back and said, "You don’t need to bring so much stuff. Just one change of clothes is enough. I’ll buy you whatever else you need when we get to Beijing City."
As soon as Shitou heard He Lang, he didn’t even ask why. He immediately untied his bundle, took out one set of clothes, and gave the rest to his mother.
Shitou’s mother didn’t ask any questions either and just took the bundle.
Hearing this, Gao Cuiyun thought about the two large bags of luggage she had packed for Little Chen that morning.
"Third Brother, what about Little Chen’s things?"
He Lang replied in the same vein, "Little Chen only needs to bring one change of clothes, too. We’re not going to Beijing City today. We have to make a trip to Yangcheng first to pick up inventory. Carrying too much stuff will just be a hassle. Once we get to Beijing City, I’ll buy them whatever they need."
After hearing that, Gao Cuiyun also hurried inside, opened the luggage, and picked out a set of clothes for Little Chen.
After breakfast, it was time for He Lang and the others to leave.
Shitou’s mother instructed Shitou, "When you get to Beijing City, you ask your Third Brother before you do anything. Don’t be reckless and just charge ahead. Be sharp and don’t cause any trouble for him."
Shitou nodded. "I know, Mom. Don’t worry. You take care of yourself at home. Just you wait, I’ll come back and bring you to Beijing City to live a good life."
Shitou’s mother smiled, nodded, and stroked Shitou’s face. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎
"Alright, go on now."
Over on Little Chen’s side, he was instructing Xiao Yang and the others. "While I’m gone, you all work hard and don’t give Mom any reason to worry. Otherwise, I’ll deal with you when I get back."
Xiao Yang stuck his tongue out at him. "We know, Big Brother. You should get going."
Gao Cuiyun looked at Little Chen. "Be safe, listen to your Third Uncle, and don’t worry about us. Go on."
He Lang smiled at them, then said, "We’re off."
Watching the three of them ride away on the ox cart, Gao Cuiyun couldn’t help but wipe her tears again. Shitou’s mother, however, was all smiles. She said to Gao Cuiyun, "It’s alright. It’s a good thing for the kids to get out and see the world. Don’t worry so much. You can’t look after them forever. The children will all have their own paths to follow in the future."
Mrs. He chimed in approvingly, "Exactly. With the children gone, we have to live our lives even better so they don’t have to worry."
Gao Cuiyun gave herself a mental boost and dried her tears.
When He Ze found out that Little Chen had also left with He Lang, he came to the old house looking for Gao Cuiyun, only to be chased out by Mr. He with a broom.
"The boy is grown now and can make his own choices. What are you doing here, pretending to be a good father?"
He Ze shot back, "What about me? Wasn’t I giving you money every month before?"
Mr. He glared at him sideways. "And you think giving money makes you so great? Besides, that was before. What about this year’s money? Have you given any?"
He Ze faltered, replying guiltily, "Dad, you know my situation right now. Where would I get any money?"
Mr. He snorted coldly. "If you can’t provide any money, then what are you doing here trying to play the part of a father? Get the hell out."
"Dad—"
Seeing his father’s unyielding attitude and the looks the rest of the He family were giving him, He Ze felt like a complete failure.
’I lost everything I ever gained,’ he thought. ’Now I’ve accomplished nothing. Even He Nan and He Lang, the two I looked down on the most, have made something of themselves—one became a worker, and the other went to Beijing City. I’m the only one who’s ended up right back where I started.’
But he could only think these things to himself. If he actually said them out loud, who wouldn’t just laugh and say, "You brought it on yourself"?
Gao Cuiyun, of course, had heard He Ze’s shouting in the courtyard. She didn’t even open her door. She had nothing to say to He Ze, and even less desire to explain anything.
