Love and Desire in the Sea [Complete] - 11

Love and Desire (76)

Chapter Seventy-Four

After the morning exam, Ouyang Yiming and his younger brother greeted Ouyang Mei at the school gate with smiles and asked, "How did you feel?" Ouyang Mei smiled easily and said, "No problem, not difficult."

Ouyang Yiming asked, "Did you check it?" Ouyang Mei said, "I finished it in more than half the time, and checked it several times." Ouyang Yiming said, "Are you confident?" Ouyang Mei smiled and said, "Absolutely confident." Ouyang Yiming smiled and said, "To reward the great hero, I bought your favorite prawns." Ouyang Mei took the bag from her brother's hand and looked at it, excitedly saying, "Then I must thank you, brother." Ouyang Yiming said, "No need to thank me, as long as you did well on the exam." Ouyang Dongdong said: "Sister, were you nervous about the exam?" Ouyang Mei said, "I didn't feel nervous."

When she got home and saw her mother there, Ouyang Mei asked, "Oh, why are you back so early?" Mao Yuqin said, "I live closer to home than you. I came home as soon as the exam was over. How did it go?"

Ouyang Mei said, "Very easy." As she spoke, she stared at her mother's eyes and asked suspiciously, "Mom, what's wrong with your eyes?" Mao Yuqin knew that she must have noticed her mother's red and swollen eyes, so she said, "Don't look at my eyes, I think I have an eye infection." Ouyang Mei asked, "Did you buy eye drops?" Mao Yuqin said, "Yes. Go wash your face and rest for a while, don't turn the fan up too high." Ouyang Mei agreed and went out.

After Ouyang Mei left, Ouyang Yiming whispered to his mother, "How is Grandma?" Mao Yuqin replied, "Much better." Ouyang Yiming said, "Why are you crying so much?" Mao Yuqin said, "Your great-uncle went this morning, and he cried, so I cried too. Quickly wash the vegetables and cook, let your sister eat and rest for a while." Ouyang Yiming agreed, "I'll go see Grandma tonight."

Mao Yuqin said, "Don't go these next two days. I'm afraid your mood will affect your sister. Your task now is to take good care of your sister's exam; don't think about anything else." Ouyang Yiming said, "But I keep worrying..." Mao Yuqin interrupted him, saying, "Do you think worrying will make Grandma recover immediately? Your father and grandfather are worried that your sister will find out. After these next two days, all three of you siblings will go. You absolutely cannot go these next two days. You must not let your sister know." Ouyang Yiming said, "I understand. Don't worry."

In the afternoon, Chen Hong told Ouyang Anping and his wife that they could go in to see the old lady, but instructed them not to cry. So the old man, the uncle, and Ouyang Anping and his wife went into the special care room. The old lady had an oxygen tube in her nose and was on an IV drip, her legs wrapped in bandages in several places. Her face was pale, and her eyes were slightly closed. Everyone who saw her felt a pang of sadness. The uncle cried out, but the old man gently nudged him, and he immediately stopped crying. Mao Yuqin covered her mouth with her hand and wept, while Ouyang Anping's tears also flowed in large drops. Only the old man's eyes welled up with tears as he stared intently at his wife. Suddenly, the old lady opened her eyes and looked at her younger brother, saying, "Is that Gousheng?" The younger brother replied tearfully, "It's my sister." The old lady said, "I saw our mother. She missed me and wanted me to come." The younger brother hummed in agreement, but didn't know what to say. The old lady

said, "Our mother even made me some steamed buns." The younger brother hummed again.

Mao Yuqin felt a chill run down her spine at her mother-in-law's words and, not wanting to hear any more, called out, "Mom." The old lady's gaze shifted to her and said, "Meizi, have you finished your exams?" Mao Yuqin wept and didn't answer. The old lady said, "You'll definitely pass the exam. Grandma prayed for you." Mao Yuqin said in a trembling voice, "Mom, it's me, it's Yuqin." The old lady opened her eyes with difficulty and said, "It's Yuqin. Where's Meizi?" Mao Yuqin said, "Little Mei is taking her exam. Don't worry, with your prayers, she'll definitely pass the exam." The old lady hummed in agreement, a smile appearing on her face. She closed her eyes and muttered, "I prayed for her." Suddenly, she opened her eyes again and asked, "Where's Xiaoming? Where's Xiaohui? Why didn't they come?" Mao Yuqin said, "Xiaoming is accompanying his sister to the exam." The old lady said,

"What are you doing here?

Why aren't you accompanying Meizi to the exam?" Ouyang Anping said, "Mom, aren't you sick?" The old lady said, "I'm fine. I just went to your maternal grandmother's. She misses me." She glanced at the old man and said, "Old man, my mother is still upset that you didn't take me. She said you're always messing around with those birds. My mother scolded you." At this moment, a smug smile appeared on the old lady's face.

The old man didn't speak.

The old woman took a few breaths and said again, "Gousheng, why are you crying? I'm perfectly fine, aren't I? Don't cry, be good, or Mom will get angry." The younger brother replied with a "Yes," and turned his face away. The old woman's eyes darted left and right, and she suddenly asked Mao Yuqin, "Where's Xiaohui? I haven't seen her. Did Xiaohui go with Xiaoming to accompany Meizi to her exam?" Mao Yuqin hurriedly said,

"Yes, yes, she went with Xiaoming to accompany Meizi to her exam." The old woman said, "You all go. What are you doing here? Go, go, go quickly." Everyone fell silent. At this moment, Chen Hong walked in and whispered to Mao Yuqin, "The old lady shouldn't talk too much; she's still not quite lucid." Mao Yuqin nodded, then winked at her husband and said to her mother-in-law, "Mom, let's go accompany Xiaomei to her exam." The old woman said, "Go quickly, all of you go." Everyone left the ward.

After Mao Yuqin came out, she took a few steps and then leaned against the wall and cried. Ouyang Anping sat down with the two elderly people, tears streaming down his face. His uncle said, "My sister's mind is still unclear." The old man nodded and turned to his son, asking, "Do you think we should have Yiming call Xiaohui and ask her to come?" Ouyang Anping hesitated, saying, "Is this...is this appropriate?" His uncle leaned over and asked, "Who is Xiaohui?"

The old man said, "She's Xiaoming's girlfriend." The uncle then said to Ouyang Anping, "In my opinion, she should come." Ouyang Anping said, "She's in Suzhou. Xiaoming and she haven't made their relationship public yet." The old man thought for a moment and said, "Let's wait a couple of days until Meizi finishes her exams." Neither Ouyang Anping nor his uncle spoke. The old man said, "After Meizi finishes her exams in a couple of days, we still need to ask Xiaoming's opinion. We don't know if Xiaohui's parents are willing. Around here, unmarried women generally don't want their daughters to come." Ouyang Anping said, "If it were closer, it would be easier; they could just visit and leave. But it's so far away..." The old man said, "Let's not talk about that now. Go to your mother's factory and talk to the leaders." Ouyang Anping agreed and got up.

Three days passed like this. The old lady was sometimes lucid and sometimes confused. Ouyang Anping, along with his father, uncle, and wife, stayed with her in the ward during the day. His uncle would go home at night and come back early the next morning. The old man would go home to feed the birds before rushing over again. Ouyang Anping told him to rest at home, but the old man refused.

In just three days, Ouyang Anping looked much older. His beard grew long, and his face became thin. Every night, he would just wash himself under the tap water in the bathroom and change his clothes. The old man and Mao Yuqin had told him to go home, take a shower, and shave. But Ouyang Anping was afraid the children would see him, so he didn't go back. On the morning of the third day, Mao Yuqin brought her husband's razor, and Ouyang Anping finally shaved.

The old lady's factory manager also came to the hospital. Besides expressing their condolences, they said they would do their best to cover the old lady's hospital expenses, regardless of the factory's current financial situation. The factory manager was also a graduate of the No. 1 Middle School, and his own son was still in junior high school, so he should consider this.

On the afternoon of the third day, Ouyang Mei finished all her exams and walked out of the exam hall with a joyful expression. She met her waiting brother and said, "Brother, let's go shopping tonight! The exams are finally over!"

Ouyang Dongdong clapped his hands happily and said, "Great! Let's go get some lamb skewers!" Ouyang Yiming asked, "Overall, how do you feel about the exams?" Ouyang Mei said impatiently, "Ugh, you ask every day. Don't worry, I guarantee I'll get into Fudan University."

Ouyang Yiming breathed a sigh of relief, stopped his stroller by the roadside, and said, "I have to tell you two something."

Ouyang Mei and Ouyang Dongdong looked at their brother with surprise at his serious expression. Ouyang Yiming said, "Xiao Mei, I haven't dared to tell you about your exams these past few days..."

Ouyang Mei looked at him with wide eyes and asked, "Did something happen to Dad?" She hadn't seen her father for several days, so her first thought was that something had happened to him.

Ouyang Yiming said, "Dad is fine, it's Grandma..."

"Grandma? What happened to Grandma?" Ouyang Mei and Ouyang Dongdong asked almost simultaneously.

Ouyang Yiming burst into tears, saying, "Grandma fell off the mountain the afternoon before your exam, the afternoon we played at Panlong Lake. She went to tie the red ribbon to you on the mountain."

Ouyang Mei and Ouyang Dongdong stood there, mouths agape. After a moment, Ouyang Mei anxiously asked, "Then...how is Grandma now? Where is she?" Ouyang Yiming said, "Don't worry, you two. Mom won't let me go to the hospital these past few days; she wants me to stay with you for your exam. Mom says she's much better." Tears welled up in Ouyang Mei's eyes, and she suddenly squatted down, crying and calling out, "Grandma, Grandma..."

Ouyang Yiming felt a pang of sorrow. Looking at his crying siblings, he said, "Don't cry, we're on the street." Ouyang Yiming noticed many passersby watching them. As he pulled his sister up, he whispered, "So many people are watching. Get up quickly, let's go to the hospital."

Ouyang Mei and Ouyang Dongdong stopped crying, and the three siblings rode their bikes to the hospital.

Several elderly people stood up as they saw the three children hurrying towards them. When the old man saw his three grandchildren, a sudden wave of heartache washed over him, and tears welled up in his eyes. This strong old man had never cried in front of his wife, son, daughter-in-law, or brother-in-law, but seeing his grandchildren now, he felt an inexplicable surge of sorrow. His hands trembled as if he could

barely hold his pipe. Mao Yuqin went to greet her daughter and asked, "Have you finished your exams?" Ouyang Mei nodded and asked, "Where's Grandma?" Mao Yuqin's tears streamed down her face. "Child," she said, "please don't cry when you see Grandma." Ouyang Mei didn't speak, but turned blankly to her grandfather and asked again, "Grandpa, where's my grandma?" At this moment, the old man could no longer control himself. He hugged Ouyang Mei and Ouyang Dongdong tightly, large tears falling in unison as he sobbed.

A moment later, Ouyang Mei broke free, her eyes brimming with tears as she looked at her grandfather's face and asked, "Grandpa, say something, say something, don't cry! Where's my grandma?" Ouyang Anping pulled Ouyang Mei close, tears streaming down his face, and said, "Little Mei, don't get upset, your grandma's alright. Come on, I'll take you there." As he spoke, he took a step, and Ouyang Mei tightly gripped her father's hand. Ouyang Yiming and Ouyang Dongdong followed behind. Ouyang Anping stopped at the door of the special care room and said, "All three of you children must be good. None of you are allowed to cry when you see grandma, understand?" The three children nodded. Ouyang Anping gently pushed open the door.

When Ouyang Mei entered and saw her grandmother lying on the hospital bed, eyes closed, oxygen inhaled through her nose, and receiving an IV drip, she froze for a moment, then burst into tears. Ouyang Anping tugged at her, and Ouyang Mei instantly swallowed her sobs, carefully walking to her grandmother's bedside. Ouyang Anping softly called out, "Mom." The old woman hummed in response but didn't open her eyes. Ouyang Anping said, "Mom, the three children are here."

The old lady opened her eyes wide, smiling, and said, "My children, they're here?" Ouyang Mei could no longer control herself and threw herself onto the edge of the bed, crying, "Grandma, how could you be like this? Why didn't you let me know?" Ouyang Dongdong sobbed. Ouyang Yiming stood by the bed, crying and calling out for his grandma. The old lady said, "Silly child, you had exams these past few days.

Grandma is fine, she'll be alright in a few days. Why are you crying? Be a good girl." Ouyang Anping tugged at her daughter.

Ouyang Mei stopped crying and asked through tears, "Grandma, are you in pain?" The old lady said, "No, don't cry, child, Grandma is fine." Ouyang Mei said, "Grandma, how can you not be in pain, how can you not be in pain? Grandma..." and cried again. Ouyang Yiming tugged at his younger sister and said to his grandmother, "Grandma, Xiaomei has finished her exams, and she did well." The old lady smiled and said, "That's good, that's good. I knew our girl was promising." Hearing Ouyang Dongdong crying behind Ouyang Yiming, she said, "Dongdong, why are you crying? Grandma knows you both care about Grandma." Ouyang Yiming pulled Ouyang Dongdong aside, and the old lady raised a hand to wipe Dongdong's tears, saying, "Good children, Grandma hasn't spoiled you for nothing." As she spoke, she suddenly coughed, followed by a series of coughs.

Ouyang Anping hurriedly pulled Ouyang Mei aside, glanced at his mother, and said to Ouyang Yiming, "Go and call the doctor." Ouyang Yiming ran out the door. Ouyang Mei and Ouyang Dongdong trembled with fear and kept calling for their grandmother. Ouyang Anping tightly grasped his mother's hand, turned to Ouyang Mei and Ouyang Dongdong, and said, "You two go out." Ouyang Mei saw her father's changed face, pulled her younger brother, and left the room.

Chen Hong and the nurse arrived, and Ouyang Anping also came out of the ward. He stopped in front of the three children and scolded them in a low voice, "I told you not to cry, but you wouldn't listen." The old man came over, glanced at his son, and said, "Why blame the children? Aren't they just worried about their grandma?" Ouyang Anping sighed heavily, squatted down, buried his face in his hands, and burst into tears.

After a while, Chen Hong came out and said, "The old lady shouldn't get too emotional. She's alright now. If you want to see her later, you can go one by one. Don't cry in front of her." Ouyang Anping and Mao Yuqin nodded in agreement. Chen Hong walked over to Ouyang Mei, who was sobbing to the side, patted her on the shoulder, and said, "You must be Xiao Mei. Did you finish your exams?" Ouyang Mei turned to look at her and nodded. Suddenly, Ouyang Mei knelt at Chen Hong's feet, hugging Chen Hong's legs and crying, "Doctor, I beg you, please save my grandma, please save my grandma, I beg you!" Ouyang Mei's sudden action startled Chen Hong and everyone present. Chen Hong instantly burst into tears. Ouyang Yiming tightly hugged Ouyang Dongdong and wept uncontrollably. The old man, the old woman's brother, and Ouyang Anping and his wife all cried out.

Chen Hong bent down and pulled Ouyang Mei up, saying, "Good sister, I... I'll do my best..." Ouyang Mei looked at Chen Hong with pleading, tearful eyes and said, "Doctor, you can cure my grandma, you can cure my grandma. I beg you, you must cure my grandma." Chen Hong cried, "I promise, I promise," and hugged Ouyang Mei tightly. Ouyang Anping stopped crying and pulled his daughter aside, saying, "Xiao Mei, Dr. Chen has other matters to attend to." Ouyang Mei looked at Chen Hong and said, "Dr. Chen, you must..." Chen Hong hurriedly said, "I will..." She let go of Ouyang Mei's hand, turned around, covered her mouth, and ran away crying.

Mao Yuqin pulled Ouyang Mei aside and said, "Xiao Mei, don't cry. The doctor... the doctor will do their best." The old man beside her cried and said, "Good child, your grandmother... your grandmother didn't love you for nothing.

Don't cry, good child." Ouyang Mei cried out "Grandpa!" and threw herself into his arms, sobbing bitterly.

Many people came out of the doors of many rooms in the ward. Seeing this tragic scene, some couldn't help but shed tears, while others shook their heads and sighed inwardly. After a while, Ouyang Anping stopped crying and said, "Don't cry, let your grandma hear you." Everyone slowly stopped crying. Ouyang Mei helped her grandfather sit down on a bench, wiping his tears and saying, "Grandpa, don't cry, don't hurt yourself." The old man nodded and said, "Child, let's all stop crying." Ouyang Mei nodded tearfully.

For a long time afterward, no one spoke, each lost in thought.

"Grandma? What happened to Grandma?" Ouyang Mei and Ouyang Dongdong asked almost simultaneously.

Ouyang Yiming burst into tears and said, "Grandma fell off the mountain the afternoon before your exam, the afternoon we played at Panlong Lake. She went to tie the red ribbon to you on Panlong."

Ouyang Mei and Ouyang Dongdong stared, mouths agape. A moment later, Ouyang Mei asked anxiously, "Then, how is Grandma now? Where is she?" Ouyang Yiming said, "You two don't worry. These past few days, Mom hasn't let me go to the hospital. She wants me to accompany you to your exams. Mom says she's much better." Tears welled up in Ouyang Mei's eyes, and she suddenly squatted down, crying and calling out, "Grandma, Grandma..."

Ouyang Yiming felt a pang of sorrow. Looking at his crying siblings, he said, "Don't cry, we're on the street." Ouyang Yiming noticed that many passersby were watching them. When he reached out to pull his sister up, he whispered, "So many people are watching. Get up quickly, let's go to the hospital."

Ouyang Mei and Ouyang Dongdong stopped crying, and the three siblings rode their bikes to the hospital.

Several elderly people stood up as they saw the three children rushing towards them. When the old man saw his three grandchildren, he felt a sudden pang of sorrow, and tears welled up in his eyes. This strong old man had never cried in front of his wife, son, daughter-in-law, or brother-in-law, but seeing his grandchildren now, he felt an inexplicable surge of grief. His hands trembled as if he could no longer hold the pipe.

Mao Yuqin went to greet her daughter and asked, "Have you finished your exams?" Ouyang Mei nodded and asked, "Where's Grandma?" Mao Yuqin's tears streamed down her face. She said, "Child, please don't cry when you see Grandma." Ouyang Mei didn't speak, and turned blankly to ask her grandfather, "Grandpa, where's my grandma?" The old man could no longer control himself. He hugged Ouyang Mei and Ouyang Dongdong tightly, large tears falling in his eyes as he sobbed.

After a moment, Ouyang Mei pulled away, looking at her grandfather's face with teary eyes, and asked, "Grandpa, please say something, please say something, don't cry! Where is my grandma?" Ouyang Anping pulled Ouyang Mei aside, tears streaming down his face, and said, "Little Mei, don't get upset. Your grandma is alright. Come on, I'll take you there." As he spoke, Ouyang Mei tightly grasped her father's hand. Ouyang Yiming and Ouyang Dongdong followed. Ouyang Anping stopped at the door of the special care room and said, "All three of you children must be good. None of you are allowed to cry when you see Grandma, understand?" The three children nodded. Ouyang Anping gently pushed open the door.

Ouyang Mei entered and froze upon seeing her grandmother lying on the hospital bed, eyes closed, oxygen in her nose, and receiving an IV drip. She then burst into tears. Ouyang Anping tugged at her, and Ouyang Mei immediately swallowed her sobs, carefully walking to her grandmother's bedside. Ouyang Anping softly called, "Mom." The old woman hummed in response but didn't open her eyes. Ouyang Anping said, "Mom, your three children are here."

The old woman opened her eyes abruptly, smiling, and said, "My children, you've come?" Ouyang Mei could no longer control herself and threw herself onto the bedside, crying, "Grandma, how could you be like this? Why didn't you let me know?" Ouyang Dongdong sobbed. Ouyang Yiming stood by the bed, crying and calling out to his grandmother. The old woman said, "Silly child, you had exams these past few days. Grandma is

fine, she'll be alright in a few days. Why are you crying? Be a good girl." Ouyang Anping tugged at her daughter's arm.

Ouyang Mei stopped crying and asked through tears, "Grandma, does it hurt?" The old lady said, "No, it doesn't hurt, don't cry, child, Grandma is fine." Ouyang Mei said, "Grandma, how can you not hurt, how can you not hurt? Grandma..." and started crying again. Ouyang Yiming tugged at his sister and said to his grandmother, "Grandma, Mei has finished her exams, and she did well." The old lady smiled and said, "That's good, that's good. I knew our girl was promising." Hearing Ouyang Dongdong crying behind Ouyang Yiming, she said, "Dongdong, why are you crying? Grandma knows you both feel sorry for Grandma." Ouyang Yiming pulled Ouyang Dongdong over, and the old lady raised a hand to wipe Dongdong's tears, saying, "Good children, Grandma hasn't spoiled you for nothing." As she spoke, she suddenly coughed, followed by a series of coughs.

Ouyang Anping hurriedly pulled Ouyang Mei over, glanced at his mother, and said to Ouyang Yiming, "Go and call the doctor." Ouyang Yiming ran out the door. Ouyang Mei and Ouyang Dongdong trembled with fear and kept calling for their grandmother. Ouyang Anping gripped his mother's hand tightly, then turned to Ouyang Mei and Ouyang Dongdong, saying, "You two go out." Ouyang Mei, seeing her father's changed expression, pulled her younger brother out of the room.

Chen Hong and the nurse arrived, and Ouyang Anping also came out of the ward, stopping in front of the three children and scolding them in a low voice, "I told you not to cry, but you wouldn't listen." The old man came over, glanced at his son, and said, "Why blame the children? Aren't they just worried about their grandmother?" Ouyang Anping sighed heavily, squatted down, buried his face in his hands, and burst into tears.

After a while, Chen Hong came out and said, "The old lady shouldn't get too emotional. She's alright now. If you want to see her later, go one by one. Don't cry in front of her." Ouyang Anping and Mao Yuqin nodded in agreement. Chen Hong walked over to Ouyang Mei, who was sobbing, patted her on the shoulder, and said, "You must be Xiao Mei. Did you finish your exams?" Ouyang Mei turned to look at her and nodded. Suddenly, Ouyang Mei knelt at Chen Hong's feet, hugging Chen Hong's legs and crying, "Doctor, I beg you, please save my grandma, please save my grandma, I beg you!" Ouyang Mei's sudden action startled Chen Hong and everyone present. Chen Hong instantly burst into tears. Ouyang Yiming tightly hugged Ouyang Dongdong and wept uncontrollably. The old man, the old woman's brother, and Ouyang Anping and his wife all cried out.

Chen Hong bent down and pulled Ouyang Mei up, saying, "Good sister, I... I'll do my best..." Ouyang Mei looked at Chen Hong with pleading, tearful eyes and said, "Doctor, you can cure my grandma, you can cure my grandma. I beg you, you must cure my grandma." Chen Hong cried, "I promise, I promise," and hugged Ouyang Mei tightly. Ouyang Anping stopped crying and pulled his daughter aside, saying, "Xiao Mei, Dr. Chen has other matters to attend to." Ouyang Mei looked at Chen Hong and said, "Dr. Chen, you must..." Chen Hong hurriedly said, "I will..." She let go of Ouyang Mei's hand, turned around, covered her mouth, and ran away crying.

Mao Yuqin pulled Ouyang Mei aside and said, "Xiao Mei, don't cry. The doctor... the doctor will do their best." The old man beside her cried and said, "Good child, your grandmother... your grandmother didn't love you for nothing.

Don't cry, good child." Ouyang Mei cried out "Grandpa!" and threw herself into his arms, sobbing bitterly.

Many people came out of the doors of many rooms in the ward. Seeing this tragic scene, some couldn't help but shed tears, while others shook their heads and sighed inwardly. After a while, Ouyang Anping stopped crying and said, "Don't cry, let your grandma hear you." Everyone slowly stopped crying. Ouyang Mei helped her grandfather sit down on a bench, wiping his tears and saying, "Grandpa, don't cry, don't hurt yourself." The old man nodded and said, "Child, let's all stop crying." Ouyang Mei nodded tearfully.

For a long time afterward, no one spoke, everyone silently thinking.

Ouyang Yiming walked to his mother and whispered, "Mom, didn't you say Grandma was much better? What's her condition now?" Mao Yuqin sighed and took two steps to the side, saying, "These past two days your sister has been taking exams, how could I dare tell you the truth? I was afraid you'd show your emotions to your sister. To tell you the truth, your grandma... your grandma isn't going to make it." Ouyang Yiming's mind went blank. Mao Yuqin said softly, "You must calm down now, you can't let your grandpa and your sister cry anymore." Ouyang Yiming nodded blankly.

Mao Yuqin then explained her mother-in-law's condition and the elders' decision to her son in detail. Ouyang Yiming asked tearfully, "Isn't there any hope?" Mao Yuqin shook her head and said, "We have to face reality. If there were any hope, none of us in the family would give up. But right now, there's nothing we can do!" Ouyang Yiming shook his head painfully, tears streaming down his face, calling out "Grandma" as if he was about to cry again. Mao Yuqin said, "You're the eldest, you can't be like this, you have to control yourself. Can your grandfather and great-uncle bear it if you keep crying like this?" Ouyang Yiming nodded, looking at his mother and saying, "Then let's just watch Grandma like this..." Mao Yuqin said, "What else can we do? As long as we can reduce her suffering a little, that's enough."

Just then, a nurse rushed out of the ward, saying, "The old lady is shouting that she wants to go home." She then quickly ran towards the doctor's office. Ouyang Anping quickly pushed open the door and entered the room, where he saw the old lady sitting up in bed, being pulled by a nurse. Seeing her son enter, she said, "Anping, let's go home." At this moment, all the family members at the door entered the ward. Seeing that Ouyang Anping didn't speak, the old lady said, "Did you hear me? Let's go home!" Ouyang Anping hurriedly said, "Mom, we're not better yet..." The old lady said, "What illness aren't better? I'm not sick. Quick, get me home." The old man said, "Anping's mom, aren't we getting treatment right now?" The old lady glanced at him and said, "I won't listen to you, you old fool. Let's go home!" Ouyang Anping held his mother down. The old lady said, "Anping, you're not listening to me now either. You don't listen to a word I say." At this moment, Chen Hong and the nurse came in. Chen Hong walked to the bedside and said, "Grandma, you have to be good. How can you leave the hospital before you're better?" The old lady said, "I'm better. Doctor, I have to go home. The children all love my mutton soup. My granddaughter got into university, and I have to go back and make mutton soup for her." Chen Hong said, "Grandma, I know you're happy that your granddaughter got into university, but you're sick and still here for treatment." The old lady glared and said, "I'm sick? What's wrong with me?

Can't you let people go home in this hospital?" Chen Hong turned to the nurse and whispered, "Give me a sedative injection." Turning back to the old lady, she said, "Grandma, how can we not let you go home? How about this, I'll give you an injection and then you can go home, okay?" The old lady nodded and said, "Okay, go ahead and give it to me. I have to hurry home; it's almost noon." Chen Hong said, "Okay, okay, go home after the injection. Lie down."

The old lady lay down, and the nurse gave her an injection. She gradually calmed down. Chen Hong said, "Let's all go outside." Everyone followed Chen Hong out. The old man stood in the corridor for a while, then walked to the door of Chen Hong's office and beckoned her out, asking, "Dr. Chen, do you think it's okay if we go home?" Chen Hong said, "Going home is definitely not as safe as staying here. Here, we can handle any situation that arises." The old man said, "This is what I'm thinking. Here, we're just waiting for that moment. I think, even if she dies, she should die at home." Chen Hong said, "But if she goes home, who knows when she might..." The old man said, "I know that. But if she insists on going home after she wakes up, it's not good to keep making a fuss like this. My point is that even if she's old, she should stay at home." Chen Hong frowned and said, "But going home..." The old man said, "Right now, she's just waiting to die here, and there's no hope of recovery. I just want her to leave home so I can feel more at ease." Chen Hong thought for a moment and said, "These..." "Have you spoken to Teacher Ouyang and Teacher Mao?" the old man asked. "I haven't spoken to them. I'm just asking you first," Chen Hong said. "You should still discuss it with them. I don't think they'll agree,"

the old man said. "That's what I was thinking.

But I still want her to stay at home." Chen Hong pondered for a moment and said, "How about this, let's observe a bit more. Director Zhang went out on business, but he'll be back soon. I'll discuss it with Director Zhang and then decide, okay?" The old man nodded and said, "Okay, thank you for your trouble." While his father and Chen Hong were talking, Ouyang Anping noticed that it was getting dark and said to his wife, "Why don't you take the children home?" Ouyang Yiming said to his father, "Dad, you should go home. You haven't rested at all these past few days. I'll stay here." Ouyang Mei and Ouyang Dongdong also said they would stay. Mao Yuqin said to her husband, "Then you should go home and rest. You can't take this." Ouyang Anping said, "How can I go back? What if something happens? Who will make decisions?" Ouyang Yiming said, "There's a doctor here, everything will be fine. Xiao Mei and I can stay here. You all go back." Ouyang Anping

shook his head and said, "Don't say that. It'll just be Yiming and me here tonight." Then he looked at Mao Yuqin and said, "When we get back, try to persuade Dad to go home and not come again. I'm worried about his health." Mao Yuqin agreed. Ouyang Anping went to his uncle and said, "Uncle, you should go home." His uncle nodded and said, "I'll talk to your father when he comes over and then go back."

A little while later, the old man came over. After sitting down, he said to Mao Yuqin, "The two children should go home." Ouyang Yiming said, "Dad and I will stay here. You all go home." Ouyang Mei also insisted on not going back.

The old man said, "What are so many people doing here? Meizi, go home and rest after taking the exams for so many days." Ouyang Mei was about to say something when the old man said, "Listen to me, come back tomorrow. What's the use of staying here all the time?" Mao Yuqin said to her daughter, "Listen to Grandpa, you and Dongdong come home with me." Ouyang Mei said with tears in her eyes, "But I'm worried..." Ouyang Anping said, "What can you do here? Don't make your grandpa angry." Mao Yuqin said to the old man, "Dad, there's Yiming and Anping here tonight, you should go home and rest for the night. You're so old, why are you always working like this..."

The old man said, "Don't worry about me, take the children and go." Mao Yuqin looked at the old man's expression and knew that she couldn't persuade her father-in-law, so she said to Ouyang Mei, "Let's go." She turned to her uncle and said, "Uncle, you should go home early too." Her uncle agreed.

Chapter

75

After Mao Yuqin left with Ouyang Mei and Ouyang Dongdong, the old man glanced at everyone and said, "I want to discuss something with you." Everyone looked at him. After taking two deep puffs of his pipe, the old man said, "Anping's mother is like this now. My thought is that she can't stay in this hospital forever; she needs to be able to leave home." Ouyang Yiming asked his grandfather in surprise:

"You mean to let Grandma go home?" The old man nodded and said, "That's what I mean." Ouyang Yiming frowned and said hurriedly, "How can that be? There's nothing there. Grandma..."

The old man said, "I know all this. You all need to understand. Staying here is just passing the time; it won't cure her. I can't bear to let her stay here any longer. If she has to leave, she should leave through our old house." The brother-in-law looked at the old man nodding, then turned to Ouyang Yiming and said, "Your grandfather is right. According to our elders, she shouldn't stay outside all the time. Otherwise, even if your grandmother wants to go home, she won't be able to find her way.

That's how your grandmother is now. I agree with your grandfather's opinion." Ouyang Anping looked at the old man and said, "If she goes home, who knows when she'll..." The old man sighed and said, "Stay here and who knows when she'll be able to go?! I think if your mother goes home, her mood might improve, and she might live a few more days." The brother-in-law nodded in agreement.

Ouyang Anping stared at the old man and asked, "You were just talking to Chen Hong about this?" The old man nodded and said, "Yes." Ouyang Yiming said with tears in his eyes, "But doing this is really unacceptable." Ouyang Anping sighed and said, "It's a reality we have to accept now. Your grandmother, she... she's here too..." He choked up as he spoke. The old man said, "Dr. Chen said she'll discuss it with Director Zhang later. I'm thinking of getting some medicine from home and having the small clinic at the corner store give her an IV drip. Isn't it the same as getting an IV drip here?" Ouyang Anping's uncle said,

"That's a good idea."

After Director Zhang returned, Chen Hong discussed the old lady's situation with him. Director Zhang said that since the patient's family had this request, they should respect it, but they needed to explain the consequences clearly.

Chen Hong agreed. So she told Ouyang Anping their opinion. After discussing it with his father, uncle, and son, Ouyang Anping decided to handle the discharge procedures the next morning.

That very night, the old lady woke up and started insisting on going home, refusing to wait until dawn no matter what anyone said. Ouyang Anping, at his wits' end, consulted with Chen Hong. Chen Hong said, "How about this, I'll call the hospital ambulance to take you home. You can come and handle the discharge procedures tomorrow; I'll vouch for you."

So Chen Hong contacted the hospital ambulance, and the old lady was taken home that very night. Strangely, when the ambulance stopped at the old house, the old lady got up and walked in without any help, walking briskly through the gate. She stood in the yard for a while, looking around, and then asked the old man if he had bought any mutton, saying she wanted to make mutton soup. The old man said, "Where can we buy it at this hour? We'll definitely buy it first thing tomorrow morning." The old lady scolded him, saying, "We said we'd go home at noon, but you wouldn't listen" (actually, it was almost dark). She angrily went back inside and went to bed.

Ouyang Anping went to a nearby clinic to call a doctor, who administered the medication Chen Hong had prescribed from the hospital to his mother via IV drip. He then returned home to tell his wife that his mother had been discharged and returned to the old house.

Mao Yuqin said that the two children hadn't eaten dinner and had cried for a long time before finally falling asleep. Ouyang Anping sighed and said, "Go to the old house after you've eaten breakfast tomorrow morning." He quickly showered, changed his clothes, grabbed a folding bed, and rode his bicycle back to the old house, letting his father sleep on the folding bed. After checking on his mother for a while and removing the IV drip, he and his son slept for a short while on the edge of the bed.

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, Ouyang Yiming woke up after a short nap. Ouyang Anping then sent him to his great-uncle's house to tell them about his discharge. A little while later, the old lady woke up and got out of bed by herself, and Ouyang Anping hurriedly helped her. The old lady then said she wanted to go to the yard. Ouyang Anping and his father helped her into the courtyard. The old lady looked around expressionlessly, then said to the pomegranate tree in front of the east wing, "Mother, I can't leave now. I have to tell Xiaoming's wife something."

This startled Ouyang Anping and his father, sending chills down their spines and raising goosebumps all over their bodies. The old man composed himself and said to the old lady, "Anping's mother, go back inside."

The old lady said, "Look, my mother isn't leaving yet." She then said to the old man, "Go tell my mother that I'll leave after I've finished what I need to do. It's almost dawn, and you're still not leaving. I haven't done my job properly." The old man looked at the old lady, then knelt down in front of the pomegranate tree and said, "Auntie, you go first. Yaya (the old lady's nickname) will go with you after she's finished what she needs to do."

As soon as she finished speaking, the old lady said, "She's so stubborn, she even makes her son-in-law kneel down and beg you." She chuckled twice and added, "Get up, old man, my mother's gone, she's concerned about her reputation." The old man got up and went to the old lady, saying, "Let's go back inside." The old lady glared at him and asked, "What are you still doing at home? Aren't you going to buy some mutton?!" The old man said, "I'll help you back inside." The old lady said, "No, I want to sit in the yard for a while." The old man agreed and went back inside to get his folding recliner for relaxing in the shade, placing it in the yard. The two of them helped the old lady lie down on the chair. Ouyang Anping went back inside to get a towel blanket to cover his mother. The old lady urged the old man to go buy mutton again. Ouyang Anping said to the old man, "I'll go."

The old lady said, "Let your father go, he knows what kind to buy. Old man, get some fatty meat." The old man agreed and went out.

After watching her husband leave, the old lady lay back in her chair with her eyes closed for a while. Ouyang Anping went back into the house, got a stool, and sat down beside his mother. A moment later, the old lady opened her eyes and asked her son, "Why hasn't Xiaoming come yet?" Ouyang Anping replied, "He went to my uncle's house; he should be back soon." The old lady sighed and said, "Your maternal grandmother is angry with your uncle. She said he doesn't take good care of her house; several places are leaking. Go and fix her house when you have time, and give her some money."

Ouyang Anping agreed, but a sense of unease crept into his heart, and goosebumps rose all over his body. He thought his mother's words sounded so real, but he didn't know if they were true or not.

He hoped his mother wouldn't say such things after the children arrived, but he didn't want to remind her now.

The old lady closed her eyes to rest for a while, then opened them and asked, "Anping, didn't you say Xiaohui was coming yesterday? Why haven't I seen her?" Ouyang Anping was startled and said, "I just told Xu Hui yesterday, when did you say she was coming? You misheard. Xu Hui's home is so far away, how could she just come whenever she wanted?" The old lady hummed in agreement, "That's true. I have something to tell Xiaohui."

Ouyang Anping said, "When Yiming comes back, I'll have him pick her up." As he spoke, he was troubled, unsure how to handle the situation. His mother was on her deathbed, and how could he let a girl he wasn't even married to, or even in a committed relationship with, come? But since the old lady had mentioned it, and had been talking about it since yesterday, how could she close her eyes in peace if she didn't tell Xu Hui? He thought he should tell his son about it when he came back and see what Ouyang Yiming's attitude was.

A while later, Mao Yuqin, Ouyang Mei, and Ouyang Dongdong entered the room. The old lady opened her eyes and looked at them with a smile. Mao Yuqin was surprised to see her mother-in-law like this and quickly got out of the car to go over, saying, "Mom, you look unusually well today." The old lady looked at her without saying anything, then turned her eyes to Ouyang Mei and said, "Meizi, Dongdong, come to Grandma's side." Ouyang Mei and Ouyang Dongdong squatted down on either side of their grandmother. Ouyang Mei asked, "Grandma, are you hungry?" The old lady said, "I want to drink some porridge." Mao Yuqin was overjoyed to hear this and immediately said, "Mom, I'll make it for you right now." She turned and went into the kitchen, with Ouyang Anping following her in. As Mao Yuqin scooped rice, she asked, "Where did Xiaoming and Dad go?" After Ouyang Anping answered, Mao Yuqin said, "I think Mom looks quite well today." Ouyang Anping then told his wife some of the things the old lady had said that morning. Mao Yuqin felt a chill run down her spine and, after a moment of stunned silence, said, "Could it all be true?" Ouyang Anping shook his head and said, "Who knows?" Mao Yuqin washed the rice, put it in the pot, turned on the gas stove, and then stared blankly into thought.

Ouyang Anping sighed, looking troubled. "Mom keeps asking when Xu Hui is coming. What should we do?" Mao Yuqin looked up and asked, "Did she say that again?" Ouyang Anping nodded. "Yes, she did. She asked why Xu Hui hasn't arrived yet. She said she has something to tell her." Mao Yuqin frowned and thought for a moment. "This is really difficult. If we don't tell Xu Hui, it won't be right for the old lady. But if we tell Xu Hui, she and Yiming haven't officially started dating yet. I think Xu Hui will definitely come if she finds out. But what will her family think? After all, they're not officially married yet. We haven't even met her parents yet, so why are we questioning the relationship between the two children?" "Ming. If we send Xu Hui like this, won't her parents say we don't understand reason?" Ouyang Anping said, "That's exactly right. Look, Mom's in good spirits today; I think it's related to psychological factors. She just said she hadn't finished some things. Did she not see Xu Hui? Otherwise, with the whole family here, what could she possibly need to do?" Mao Yuqin nodded thoughtfully and said, "Yes, let's wait for Yiming to come back and see what he thinks."

Ouyang Mei and Ouyang Dongdong exchanged a few words with their grandmother. Both children were very happy, seeing that their grandmother looked much better than yesterday, and assumed that her illness was improving.

The old lady said, "Your grandfather went to buy mutton. I'll make mutton soup for you later." Ouyang Mei said, "I'll make it later; just tell me how." The old lady agreed and told Ouyang Mei how to make mutton soup. Before leaving, the old lady said, "Your sister Hui is coming today. She also likes Grandma's mutton soup." Ouyang Mei said excitedly, "Yes, Sister Hui likes it. Did Sister Hui say she's coming today?" The old lady said, "I had your mother tell Hui yesterday that your brother will pick her up when he comes back from your great-uncle's house. I have something to say to your sister Hui." Ouyang Mei asked, "What is it?" The old lady smiled and said, "I won't tell you. This is a matter for our Ouyang family, I can't tell you." Ouyang Mei said, "I'm also a member of the Ouyang family." The old lady shook her head and said, "You aren't. Once you're married, you belong to someone else's family." Ouyang Mei pouted deliberately and said, "Grandma is just biased." The old lady said:

“It’s not that Grandma is biased, it’s just the way it is. Your sister Xiaohui is the one who truly belongs to our family. But I still love you, our little girl.” Ouyang Dongdong said, “Grandma, does that mean I’m part of the Ouyang family?” The old lady said, “Silly child, if you’re not, who is?

You and your brother are the real Ouyang family.” Ouyang Dongdong looked smug after hearing this. After

a while, Mao Yuqin came out of the kitchen and said to Ouyang Mei, “Let your grandma rest for a while.” Ouyang Mei agreed and said to her grandma, “Grandma, close your eyes and rest for a while.” The old lady was obviously a little tired and closed her eyes in response.

Seeing that her grandmother was asleep, Ouyang Mei waved to her younger brother. The two siblings went to their mother and whispered, "Grandma said Sister Hui is coming today?" Mao Yuqin pulled her into the kitchen and said, "How could I have told Xu Hui? Your grandmother mentioned Xu Hui yesterday, and I just mentioned it casually. Who knew your grandmother really wanted your Sister Hui to come?" Ouyang Mei said, "Then hurry up and have your brother call!"

Mao Yuqin sighed and said, "Let's wait until your brother comes back." Just then, she heard the door open. Mao Yuqin rushed out of the room and saw Ouyang Yiming, the old lady's brother, and the whole family had arrived. Mao Yuqin didn't say anything but waved to them, pointing to her mother-in-law sleeping on the recliner. Everyone understood and tiptoed into the main room. They placed the food they had brought on the eight-immortal table, and everyone sat down. Mao Yuqin and Ouyang Mei poured tea for everyone. Ouyang Anping took cigarettes and handed them to the men.

The old lady's nephew looked at Ouyang Anping and said, "Brother, my aunt looks pretty good." Ouyang Anping said, "Yes, she looks alright." His cousin frowned and said, "But why did you let my aunt leave the hospital like that? She's at home..." Ouyang Anping's uncle glanced at his son and interjected, "You don't know, she looked nothing like this yesterday! I think it's better to bring her home; she looks completely different today." His cousin asked, "How can she be treated at home?" Ouyang Anping said, "The little hospital at the street corner will send someone to give her an IV drip soon." Ouyang Anping's uncle took a puff of his cigarette and said, "I think your mother is just having a final burst of energy before death." Ouyang Anping was startled but didn't say anything. The group continued their idle chatter.

Mao Yuqin pulled Ouyang Yiming into her in-laws' room and said, "Yiming, there's something I need to discuss with you. Your grandmother keeps talking about Xu Hui. Do you think we should invite her over?" Ouyang Yiming was startled and said, "Mom, how can we do that? Xu Hui and I have nothing right now. What's the point of having her come?" Mao Yuqin said, "I've thought about that too, but your grandmother considers Xu Hui your daughter-in-law." Ouyang Yiming's heart skipped a beat, and he thought of Liu Yan. He said, "Xu Hui and I don't even know what will happen in the future. How can I bring her over now?" Mao Yuqin looked at him and said, "Your father just told me that your grandmother has been talking about Xu Hui since this morning. You probably understand what your great-uncle meant by 'a final burst of energy before death,' it's a state of mind that the elderly experience before they pass away.

We can't let your grandmother die with her eyes open, can we?" Tears streamed down her face as she spoke. Ouyang Yiming felt a pang of sadness.

Mao Yuqin recounted to Ouyang Yiming the incomprehensible words and actions her mother-in-law had made in front of her husband and father-in-law that morning. Ouyang Yiming felt a chill run down his spine and said,

"The old lady closed her eyes to rest for a while, then opened them and asked, 'Anping, didn't you say Xiaohui was coming yesterday? Why haven't I seen her?' Ouyang Anping was startled and said, 'I just told Xu Hui yesterday, when did you say she was coming? You misheard. Xu Hui's home is so far away, how could she just come whenever she wanted?' The old lady hummed in agreement, saying, 'That's true. I did have something to say to Xiaohui.'

Ouyang Anping said, 'When Yiming comes back, I'll have him pick her up.' He was troubled, unsure how to handle the situation. His mother was on her deathbed, and how could he let a girl he wasn't even married into, or even in a committed relationship with, come? But since the old lady had mentioned it, and had been talking about it since yesterday, how could she close her eyes in peace if she didn't tell Xu Hui? He thought he should tell his son about it when he returned and see what Ouyang Yiming's attitude was."

A moment later, Mao Yuqin, Ouyang Mei, and Ouyang Dongdong entered the room. The old lady opened her eyes and looked at them with a smile. Mao Yuqin was surprised to see her mother-in-law like this and quickly got out of her car to say, "Mom, you look especially good today." The old lady looked at her without saying anything, then turned her eyes to Ouyang Mei and said, "Meizi, Dongdong, come to Grandma's side." Ouyang Mei and Ouyang Dongdong squatted down on either side of their grandmother. Ouyang Mei asked, "Grandma, are you hungry?" The old lady said, "I want to drink some porridge." Mao Yuqin was overjoyed to hear this and immediately said, "Mom, I'll make it for you right now." She turned and went into the kitchen, and Ouyang Anping followed her in. While scooping rice, Mao Yuqin asked, "Where did Xiaoming and Dad go?" After Ouyang Anping answered, Mao Yuqin said, "I think Mom looks quite well today." Ouyang Anping then told his wife some of the things the old lady had said that morning. Mao Yuqin felt a chill run down her spine. After a moment of stunned silence, she said, "Could it all be true?" Ouyang Anping shook his head and said, "Who knows?" Mao Yuqin washed the rice, put it in the pot, turned on the gas stove, and then stared blankly into thought.

Ouyang Anping sighed, looking troubled, and said, "Mom keeps asking when Xu Hui is coming. What should we do?" Mao Yuqin looked up and asked him, "Did she say that again just now?" Ouyang Anping nodded and said, "She said it again. She asked why Xu Hui hasn't arrived yet. She said she has something to tell her." Mao Yuqin frowned and thought for a moment, then said, "This is really difficult. If we don't tell Xu Hui, it won't be right for the old lady. But if we tell Xu Hui, she and Yiming haven't officially started dating yet. I think Xu Hui will definitely come if she finds out. But what will her family think? After all, they're not married yet. We haven't even met her parents yet, so why are we questioning the relationship between the two children?" "Ming. If we send Xu Hui like this, won't her parents say we don't understand reason?" Ouyang Anping said, "That's exactly right. Look, Mom's in good spirits today; I think it's related to psychological factors. She just said she hadn't finished some things. Did she not see Xu Hui? Otherwise, with the whole family here, what could she possibly need to do?" Mao Yuqin nodded thoughtfully and said, "Yes, let's wait for Yiming to come back and see what he thinks."

Ouyang Mei and Ouyang Dongdong exchanged a few words with their grandmother. Both children were very happy, seeing that their grandmother looked much better than yesterday, and assumed that her illness was improving.

The old lady said, "Your grandfather went to buy mutton. I'll make mutton soup for you later." Ouyang Mei said, "I'll make it later; just tell me how." The old lady agreed and told Ouyang Mei how to make mutton soup. Before leaving, the old lady said, "Your sister Hui is coming today. She also likes Grandma's mutton soup." Ouyang Mei said excitedly, "Yes, Sister Hui likes it. Did Sister Hui say she's coming today?" The old lady said, "I had your mother tell Hui yesterday that your brother will pick her up when he comes back from your great-uncle's house. I have something to say to your sister Hui." Ouyang Mei asked, "What is it?" The old lady smiled and said, "I won't tell you. This is a matter for our Ouyang family, I can't tell you." Ouyang Mei said, "I'm also a member of the Ouyang family." The old lady shook her head and said, "You aren't. Once you're married, you belong to someone else's family." Ouyang Mei pouted deliberately and said, "Grandma is just biased." The old lady said:

“It’s not that Grandma is biased, it’s just the way it is. Your sister Xiaohui is the one who truly belongs to our family. But I still love you, our little girl.” Ouyang Dongdong said, “Grandma, does that mean I’m part of the Ouyang family?” The old lady said, “Silly child, if you’re not, who is?

You and your brother are the real Ouyang family.” Ouyang Dongdong looked smug after hearing this. After

a while, Mao Yuqin came out of the kitchen and said to Ouyang Mei, “Let your grandma rest for a while.” Ouyang Mei agreed and said to her grandma, “Grandma, close your eyes and rest for a while.” The old lady was obviously a little tired and closed her eyes in response.

Seeing that her grandmother was asleep, Ouyang Mei waved to her younger brother. The two siblings went to their mother and whispered, "Grandma said Sister Hui is coming today?" Mao Yuqin pulled her into the kitchen and said, "How could I have told Xu Hui? Your grandmother mentioned Xu Hui yesterday, and I just mentioned it casually. Who knew your grandmother really wanted your Sister Hui to come?" Ouyang Mei said, "Then hurry up and have your brother call!"

Mao Yuqin sighed and said, "Let's wait until your brother comes back." Just then, she heard the door open. Mao Yuqin rushed out of the room and saw Ouyang Yiming, the old lady's brother, and the whole family had arrived. Mao Yuqin didn't say anything but waved to them, pointing to her mother-in-law sleeping on the recliner. Everyone understood and tiptoed into the main room. They placed the food they had brought on the eight-immortal table, and everyone sat down. Mao Yuqin and Ouyang Mei poured tea for everyone. Ouyang Anping took cigarettes and handed them to the men.

The old lady's nephew looked at Ouyang Anping and said, "Brother, my aunt looks pretty good." Ouyang Anping said, "Yes, she looks alright." His cousin frowned and said, "But why did you let my aunt leave the hospital like that? She's at home..." Ouyang Anping's uncle glanced at his son and interjected, "You don't know, she looked nothing like this yesterday! I think it's better to bring her home; she looks completely different today." His cousin asked, "How can she be treated at home?" Ouyang Anping said, "The little hospital at the street corner will send someone to give her an IV drip soon." Ouyang Anping's uncle took a puff of his cigarette and said, "I think your mother is just having a final burst of energy before death." Ouyang Anping was startled but didn't say anything. The group continued their idle chatter.

Mao Yuqin pulled Ouyang Yiming into her in-laws' room and said, "Yiming, there's something I need to discuss with you. Your grandmother keeps talking about Xu Hui. Do you think we should invite her over?" Ouyang Yiming was startled and said, "Mom, how can we do that? Xu Hui and I have nothing right now. What's the point of having her come?" Mao Yuqin said, "I've thought about that too, but your grandmother considers Xu Hui your daughter-in-law." Ouyang Yiming's heart skipped a beat, and he thought of Liu Yan. He said, "Xu Hui and I don't even know what will happen in the future. How can I bring her over now?" Mao Yuqin looked at him and said, "Your father just told me that your grandmother has been talking about Xu Hui since this morning. You probably understand what your great-uncle meant by 'final moments of lucidity,' it's a state of mind that the elderly have before they pass away.

We can't let your grandmother die with her eyes open, can we?" Tears streamed down her face as she spoke. Ouyang Yiming felt a pang of sadness.

Mao Yuqin then recounted to Ouyang Yiming some of the incomprehensible words and actions her mother-in-law had said and done in front of her husband and father-in-law that morning. Ouyang Yiming felt a chill run down his spine and said,

"Is that really true?" Mao Yuqin said, "Whether it's true or not, your grandmother was indeed like that this morning. Your father, your grandfather, you, and I are all Party members, so we can't say anything outside." Ouyang Yiming nodded, then, thinking of Xu Hui, looked at his mother with difficulty and said, "But I really..." Mao Yuqin said, "I understand. But if your grandmother insists on Xu Hui coming, you must fulfill your filial duty to her in this final act, no matter how difficult it is. Otherwise, people outside will curse you to death behind your back. Besides, we don't want your grandmother to be unable to fulfill this wish before she passes away.

She just wants to see Xu Hui. If Xu Hui doesn't come during winter vacation, how will your grandmother remember her?" Ouyang Yiming felt panicked and agitated, thinking to himself with difficulty, "What am I supposed to do by letting Xu Hui come? We're not going to get married, so how can I let her come? Knowing that we won't be husband and wife in the future, what is the point of letting her come?"

He secretly resented Xu Huihan for showing up uninvited during the holiday, which had now created a mess!

Just then, Ouyang Anping hurriedly went out, followed by a group of people. Ouyang Yiming followed his mother out and saw that his grandmother had already woken up. The old lady's brother's family surrounded her, greeting her and talking. After a while, the old man returned, greeted the old lady's brother's family, and then started to take the groceries he had bought into the kitchen. The old lady looked at the old man and said, "Put it there first, I'll take care of it later." Mao Yuqin said, "Let me do it." The old lady said, "You're not good at it. The children all like my cooking." As she spoke, she called for Xiaoming. Ouyang Yiming hurriedly went forward, and the old lady asked, "Why isn't Xiaohui here yet? Why don't you go pick her up?" Ouyang Yiming didn't know how to answer for a moment, and Mao Yuqin hurriedly said, "Mom, Xiaohui can't come yet, she'll have to wait a while." At this moment, the old lady's sister-in-law (whom Ouyang Yiming should call aunt) asked, "Who is Xiaohui?" The old lady said, "Xiaoming's wife, she's very pretty."

Ouyang Yiming's face turned bright red, and aunt said to Ouyang Yiming, "Then why don't you hurry up and pick her up?" Mao Yuqin took over and said, "Xiaohui is in Suzhou, she won't be able to come for a while.

I've already called her." After saying that, she pulled Ouyang Yiming aside, winked at Ouyang Anping, and went into the kitchen. Then the old man followed her in. Mao Yuqin looked at Ouyang Yiming, who was looking down, and said, "Xiaoming, it seems you have to inform Xu Hui. Your grandmother can forget everything except Xu Hui." Ouyang Anping said, "Yes, your grandmother keeps saying she has something to say to Xu Hui. I think she just wants to see Xu Hui before she passes away. She doesn't want to leave disappointed." The old man said, "Xiaoming, this is quite difficult for you. After all, Xu Hui isn't married into the family yet. Your grandmother loves you both; isn't that how old people are?" Ouyang Yiming felt flustered and remained silent for a moment. Faced with the anxious eyes of these elderly people, he didn't know what to do. Now he was forced into a corner. He was extremely unwilling to let Xu Hui come; that would make his relationship with Xu Hui even more difficult in the future. If he didn't let Xu Hui come, his grandmother was about to pass away; did he want her to leave with regrets? Besides, if he really didn't let Xu Hui come, he wouldn't be able to face these elderly people and neighbors afterward. Even if they didn't criticize him to his face, they would criticize him behind his back.

What would they think of him later? He thought for a moment, "Sigh, just treat her like my sister. After all, Grandma met her. Perhaps they are destined to be together." He would handle things between him and Xu Hui himself. No matter how difficult, he couldn't let his departing grandmother have any regrets. But he still hesitated, unable to immediately suggest that Xu Hui come.

Seeing that Ouyang Yiming remained silent, the old man sighed and said to his daughter-in-law, "Forget it, don't make things difficult for the child." Ouyang Yiming looked up and saw tears welling up in his grandfather's eyes, looking at him with almost pleading eyes. In that instant, Ouyang Yiming felt a sharp pain in his heart, as if stabbed by a knife. In that instant, he made up his mind. Ouyang Yiming said, "Let Xiaomei call Xu Hui's mother or father." The three elderly people immediately looked delighted. Mao Yuqin said, "That's a good idea. Let Xiaomei make the call. Don't say anything else, just say that your grandmother is dying and wants to see Xu Hui."

The old man and Ouyang Anping nodded. The old man said, "Let's call Xu Hui's parents. If they really have some concerns about Xu Hui not coming, we can't blame them."

Ouyang Yiming said softly, "Xu Hui will definitely come as long as we get through on the phone." Mao Yuqin said, "If she's not there when we call, let's send a telegram." Ouyang Yiming said, "No need. Her father is the deputy factory director. If we can't get through to her mother, we'll call her father." He paused and said, "Let's call her father. Her family lives in the factory dormitory. Xu Hui said her father only walks a few minutes to his office." After thinking for a moment, he said, "I'll go with Xiaomei." Mao Yuqin said, "That's fine. There's a public phone at the main intersection ahead. You can make long-distance calls."

After Ouyang Yiming left with his sister... Mao Yuqin looked at the porridge she had cooked, turned off the gas, served her mother-in-law a bowl, and then said to her husband, "Go and see why the clinic hasn't sent anyone yet. It's not good to have so many people gathered around Mom. I think we should send them home." The old man said, "I'll go and talk to your uncle." Ouyang Anping said to Mao Yuqin, "Then I'll go to the small hospital and urge them."

Mao Yuqin was in the kitchen, using a spoon to cool the porridge. The old man went out to invite everyone inside to talk. He then pulled his wife's younger brother aside and said, "You should send them all home. It's not good for your sister to talk to them like this; she doesn't have the energy. You can stay here by yourself." The brother nodded and went inside to tell his wife and children. The group then said goodbye to the old man. Mao Yuqin also came out of the kitchen to see them off. Everyone said goodbye to the old lady, who kept her eyes closed and remained silent. The old man and Mao Yuqin then saw everyone out.

The courtyard became much quieter. Ouyang Dongdong sat down in front of her grandmother and said, "I was so annoyed by all those people surrounding you just now, Grandma, weren't you annoyed?" The old lady said, "Annoyed, so annoyed."

Mao Yuqin came over from the kitchen with a bowl and said, "The porridge is ready, have some." As she spoke, she sat on the stool that Ouyang Dongdong had moved aside, and was about to feed her grandmother with a spoon, but the old lady said, "I don't need you to feed me." She took the bowl and finished half a bowl of thin porridge in a few mouthfuls. Mao Yuqin asked, "Want some more?" The old lady said, "No, I'll drink some later. My head hurts." After saying that, she lay down on the chair. Mao Yuqin took the bowl back to the kitchen, and Ouyang Dongdong sat down in front of her grandmother again.

Ouyang Yiming and Ouyang Mei dialed Xu Zhenming's office number from the public phone at the street corner. Xu Zhenming answered the phone and asked what it was about, then said he would pass on the message. Ouyang Mei then asked him to call Xu Hui over to talk in person. Xu Zhenming then told Ouyang Mei to hang up the phone, saying he would call back in twenty minutes.

Ouyang Yiming told his sister, "When Xu Hui answers the phone later, don't make Grandma's condition sound too serious. Just say that Grandma is sick and keeps talking about her. Don't let her worry too much on the way."

Ouyang Mei agreed. After thinking for a moment, tears welled up in her eyes again, and she asked, "Brother, how much longer do you think Grandma can hold on?" Ouyang Yiming felt a pang of sadness and said, "How can I say?" Ouyang Mei said, "Grandma looks much better today than yesterday; maybe she can get better." Ouyang Yiming knew in his heart that Grandma wouldn't last much longer, but he didn't want to say anything at that moment.

“Is that really true?” Mao Yuqin said. “Whether it’s true or not, your grandma was indeed like this early this morning. Your dad, your grandpa, you, and I are all Party members, so we can’t say anything outside.” Ouyang Yiming nodded, then, thinking about Xu Hui, he looked at his mother with difficulty and said, “But I really…” Mao Yuqin said, “I understand. But if your grandma insists on Xu Hui coming, you must fulfill your filial duty to her in this final moment, no matter how difficult it is. Otherwise, people outside will curse you to death behind your back. Besides, we don’t want your grandma to be unable to fulfill this wish before she passes away.

She just wants to see Xu Hui. If Xu Hui doesn’t come during winter break, how will your grandma think about Xu Hui?” Ouyang Yiming felt flustered and agitated, thinking to himself with difficulty, “What am I doing letting Xu Hui come? We’re not going to get married, so how can I let her come? Knowing that we won’t be husband and wife in the future, what’s the point of letting her come?” He

also secretly blamed Xu Hui for coming uninvited during winter break, which had now created a mess!

Just then, Ouyang Anping hurriedly went out, followed by a group of people. Ouyang Yiming followed his mother out and saw that his grandmother had already woken up. The old lady's brother's family surrounded her, greeting her and talking. After a while, the old man returned, greeted the old lady's brother's family, and then started to take the groceries he had bought into the kitchen. The old lady looked at the old man and said, "Put it there first, I'll take care of it later." Mao Yuqin said, "Let me do it." The old lady said, "You're not good at it. The children all like my cooking." As she spoke, she called for Xiaoming. Ouyang Yiming hurriedly went forward, and the old lady asked, "Why isn't Xiaohui here yet? Why aren't you going to pick her up?" Ouyang Yiming didn't know how to answer for a moment, and Mao Yuqin hurriedly said, "Mom, Xiaohui can't come yet, she'll have to wait a while." At this moment, the old lady's sister-in-law (whom Ouyang Yiming should call Aunt) asked, "Who is Xiaohui?" The old lady said, "Xiaoming's wife, she's very pretty."

Ouyang Yiming's face turned bright red, and Aunt said to Ouyang Yiming, "Then why don't you hurry up and pick her up?" Mao Yuqin chimed in, "Xiaohui is in Suzhou, she won't be able to get here anytime soon."

"I've already called her." After saying this, she pulled Ouyang Yiming aside, winked at Ouyang Anping, and went into the kitchen. The old man followed. Mao Yuqin looked at the downcast Ouyang Yiming and said, "Xiaoming, it seems you have to inform Xu Hui. Your grandmother can forget everything except Xu Hui." Ouyang Anping said, "Yes, your grandmother keeps saying she has something to say to Xu Hui. I think she just wants to see Xu Hui before she leaves. She doesn't want to disappoint her." The old man said, "Xiaoming, this is quite difficult for you. After all, Xu Hui isn't married yet. Your grandmother loves you both; isn't that how old people are?" Ouyang Yiming was flustered and speechless for a moment. Faced with the anxious eyes of the elderly people, he didn't know what to do. He was now forced into a corner. He was extremely unwilling to let Xu Hui come, as it would make his relationship with her even more difficult in the future. If he didn't let Xu Hui come, his grandmother was about to pass away. Did he want her to leave with regrets? Besides, if he really didn't let Xu Hui come, he wouldn't be able to face these elderly people and relatives in the future. Even if they didn't criticize him to his face, they would criticize him behind his back.

What would they think of him in the future? He thought for a moment, "Sigh, just treat her like my sister. After all, my grandmother has met her. Perhaps they are destined to be together. I will handle things between me and Xu Hui myself. No matter how difficult it is, I can't let my grandmother leave with regrets." But he still hesitated and couldn't bring himself to immediately suggest that Xu Hui come.

Seeing that Ouyang Yiming was silent, the old man sighed and said to his daughter-in-law, "Forget it, don't make things difficult for the child." Ouyang Yiming looked up and saw tears welling in his grandfather's eyes, looking at him with an almost pleading gaze. In that instant, Ouyang Yiming felt a sharp pain in his heart, as if stabbed with a knife. In that instant, he made up his mind. Ouyang Yiming said, "Let Xiaomei call Xu Hui's mother or father." The three elderly people immediately beamed with joy. Mao Yuqin said, "That's a good idea. Let Xiaomei make the call. Don't say anything else, just say your grandmother is dying and wants to see Xu Hui."

The old man and Ouyang Anping nodded. The old man said, "If we call Xu Hui's parents and they really have some reservations about not letting Xu Hui come, we can't blame them."

Ouyang Yiming said softly, "As long as the call goes through, Xu Hui will definitely come." Mao Yuqin said, "If she's not there when we call, send a telegram." "Ouyang Yiming said, 'No need. Her father is the deputy factory director. If we can't get through to her mother, we'll call her father.' He paused and said, 'Just call her father. Her family lives in the factory dormitory. Xu Hui said her father only walks a few minutes to his office.' After thinking for a moment, he said, 'I'll go with Xiaomei.' Mao Yuqin said, 'That's fine. There's a public phone at the main intersection ahead. You can make long-distance calls.'

After Ouyang Yiming left with his sister, Mao Yuqin looked at the porridge she had cooked, turned off the gas, served her mother-in-law a bowl, and then said to her husband, 'You should also go and see why the clinic hasn't sent anyone yet. It's not good to have so many people gathered around Mom. I think we should send them back.' The old man said, 'I'll go and tell your uncle.' Ouyang Anping said to Mao Yuqin, 'Then I'll go to the small hospital and urge them.'" Mao

Yuqin was in the kitchen, cooling the porridge with a spoon. The old man went out to invite everyone inside to talk. He then pulled his brother-in-law aside and said, "Tell them all to go back. It's not good for your sister to talk to them like this; she doesn't have the energy. You can stay here by yourself." The brother-in-law nodded and went inside to tell his wife and children. The group then said goodbye to the old man. Mao Yuqin also came out of the kitchen to see them off. Everyone said goodbye to the old lady, who kept her eyes closed and remained silent. So the old man and Mao Yuqin saw everyone out.

The courtyard became much quieter. Ouyang Dongdong sat down in front of his grandmother and said, "I was so annoyed by all these people surrounding you. Grandma, weren't you annoyed?" The old lady said, "Annoyed, so annoyed."

Mao Yuqin came over from the kitchen with a bowl and said, "The porridge is ready. Have some." As she spoke, she sat on the stool that Ouyang Dongdong had moved aside and took a spoon to feed her mother-in-law. The old lady said, "I don't need you to feed me." She reached out and took the bowl, finishing half a bowl of thin porridge in a few gulps. Mao Yuqin asked, "Want some more?" The old lady said, "No, I'll drink some later. My head hurts." She then lay down on the chair. Mao Yuqin took the bowl back to the kitchen, and Ouyang Dongdong sat down next to his grandmother again.

Ouyang Yiming and Ouyang Mei dialed Xu Zhenming's office from a public phone at the street corner. Xu Zhenming answered and asked what was wrong, saying he would relay the message. Ouyang Mei then asked him to call Xu Hui over to discuss it in person. Xu Zhenming told Ouyang Mei to hang up, saying he would call back in twenty minutes.

Ouyang Yiming said to his sister, "When Xu Hui answers the phone, don't make Grandma's condition sound too serious. Just say Grandma is sick and keeps talking about her. Don't let her worry too much on the way."

Ouyang Mei agreed. After thinking for a moment, tears welled up in her eyes again, and she asked, "Brother, how much longer do you think Grandma can hold on?" Ouyang Yiming felt a pang of sadness and said, "How can we say?" "Grandma looks much better today than yesterday," Ouyang Mei said. "Maybe she'll recover." Ouyang Yiming knew in his heart that Grandma wouldn't last much longer, but he didn't want to say anything at the moment.

Seeing her brother's sorrowful face, Ouyang Mei didn't ask any more questions. After a while, she grabbed her brother's wrist, looked at her watch, and said, "It's almost time." Ouyang Yiming glanced at it and nodded. Ouyang Mei dialed the phone. When she heard Xu Hui's voice, Ouyang Mei felt an overwhelming sense of grievance, and tears streamed down her face. She said into the receiver, "Sister, sister, it's me, Meizi." Xu Hui on the other end of the phone also became agitated instantly, saying, "What? It's Meizi? Meizi, how could it be you? How could you..." Meizi burst into tears, sobbing, "Sister, it's me, it's Meizi..."

In the midst of her agitation, Xu Hui heard Ouyang Mei's sorrowful cries and froze as if her whole body was frozen. She asked in alarm, "Meizi, what's wrong? What's wrong? Is it... is it your brother...? Say something!" Ouyang Yiming tugged at his younger sister, Ouyang Mei, who stopped crying and said, "Sister, Grandma is sick. Grandma misses you..." Xu Hui hurriedly asked, "What's wrong with Grandma? How is she?"

Ouyang Mei said, "No, not very serious. She fell down the mountain. She misses you right now. Sister, can you come?" Xu Hui said, "Meizi, I can. I'll go buy a ticket right away." Ouyang Mei

then heard Xu Hui's father's voice on the other end of the line: "What's wrong, Xu Hui?"

Xu Hui's voice: "Dad, what time are the trains to the north?"

Xu Zhenming's voice: "Let me ask."

Xu Hui's voice: "Dad, can you send someone to buy me a ticket right away?"

Xu Zhenming's voice: "What's going on?" Xu Hui

's voice: "Oh dear, I don't have time to tell you now. Quickly send someone to buy the earliest one, to Pancheng."

Xu Zhenming's voice: "Pancheng? Is that where Ouyang Yiming is?"

Xu Hui's voice: "Yes, that's where he is." "Grandma Ouyang is sick, I'll tell you later."

Xu Zhenming's voice: "Oh, I'll go for a bit and have someone buy you a ticket."

Xu Hui's voice came through the receiver again: "Meizi, my dad will send someone to buy me a train ticket right away, but we don't know what time the train is yet. I'll be as fast as I can." Ouyang Mei said: "Sister, I know. Sister, don't worry, Grandma just misses you, please don't worry." Xu Hui knew in her heart that the more Ouyang Mei said this, the more serious it was, and she couldn't help but feel anxious. But she still said:

"Meizi, I'm not worried, and you shouldn't worry either. Listen to me, Meizi, don't cry." Ouyang Mei said: "Sister, I'm not crying, I miss you too." Xu Hui said: "Sister misses you too, and misses Grandma." She paused and asked: "Meizi, is your brother in the hospital?" Ouyang Mei turned to look at her brother, Ouyang Yiming, who quickly waved his hand. Ouyang Mei said: "Grandma is at home, and my brother is at home too."

Xu Hui said: "Go back and tell your brother that I will get there as soon as possible." "I understand," Ouyang Mei said. At that moment, Ouyang Mei heard Xu Hui's father's voice through the receiver: "I've sent someone; there's a direct express train from Shanghai to Beijing at 2 PM."

Then Xu Hui's voice came through the receiver: "Meizi, I'm leaving here at 2 PM. It's a direct express from Shanghai to Beijing, and it won't arrive until evening. If your brother doesn't have time, don't come to pick me up; I'll go home by myself." Ouyang Mei said, "My brother and I will come to pick you up." Xu Hui said, "Okay, that's settled then. Tell Grandma I'll be there soon." Ouyang Mei agreed, and the two hung up the phone.

Love and Desire (78)

Chapter Seventy-Six

After the brother and sister returned home, the old lady had already gone back to her room to get an IV drip. Mao Yuqin asked her son, "Did it go through?" Ouyang Mei replied, "The train leaves at 2 pm, and it will arrive here around 10 pm." Mao Yuqin breathed a sigh of relief and said, "It's good that it's here. Just now, your grandmother was talking about Xu Hui again. I think your grandmother won't be able to leave peacefully if she doesn't see Xu Hui."

Ouyang Mei said, "I just told Sister Hui, and she said she'd come right away." Ouyang Yiming stood silently to the side, feeling very heavy-hearted.

During the day, the old lady was awake and asleep, and would ask every now and then if Xu Hui had arrived. When she heard that she hadn't arrived yet, she would complain about how slow it was. She would always say some irrelevant things.

She would also get up several times to cook mutton soup, saying that she would drink it when Xu Hui arrived. Mao Yuqin said that she would make it. The old lady said, "You can't make it as well as I can." Mao Yuqin said, "Then tell me how to make it." So the old lady told her how to make it. Mao Yuqin went to the kitchen and cooked mutton soup.

A while after dinner, the old lady briefly lost consciousness, repeatedly calling out for Xu Hui. The family panicked. Ouyang Mei cried in her grandmother's ear, "Grandma, Xu Hui is on the train, she'll be here soon." Amidst the family's weeping and desperate calls, the old lady opened her eyes again, sighed, and said, "Annoying, so annoying." The others were puzzled but didn't dare ask. The old lady turned to her younger brother and said, "Isn't it annoying?" Her brother nodded in agreement, "Annoying." The old lady said, "Look at our mother, she's always rushing me." Everyone's hearts skipped a beat upon hearing this.

Mao Yuqin hurriedly pulled Ouyang Mei and Ouyang Dongdong out of the house.

The old lady's younger brother chuckled dryly and said, "Sister, you, you mustn't frighten the child." The old lady said, "No, Mother loves these children. Right, Mother?" The old lady's younger brother said, "Sister, don't say that, Mother isn't here." The old lady said, "She is, of course she is, isn't she right beside you? Didn't you see her?" This almost made the old lady's younger brother faint. He turned his head and looked, trembling all over, his lips quivering as he said, "No, no." The old lady said, "Mother, if you don't leave now, I won't go with you. Look at you, always here, looking at how scared Gousheng is."

The old lady's younger brother said, "Mother, is she really here?" The old lady said, "No, I told her I'd leave. Isn't it annoying? She keeps coming to urge us. It's all because of Father. Sigh, Mother doesn't let me tell you, but if I don't tell you, I feel so suffocated." She stopped talking and looked at Ouyang Yiming, saying, "You all go out, I'll tell your great-uncle about things at home."

Ouyang Yiming looked up at his father, and Ouyang Anping nodded. So everyone except the old lady's younger brother went out. The old woman sighed and said, "It's shameful to tell anyone. Our father was so old, and now he's just abandoned our mother and run off with that shameless vixen. That vixen's husband is still alive, he hasn't gone, so she's all alone over there. That shameless woman keeps trying to seduce our father, and now look what's happened, she's been lured away. Our mother can't find our father either, that's why she keeps urging me to leave. What kind of mess is this! Sigh, it's all our father's fault. How could he bear to abandon our mother? I didn't want to ask, but look at my whole family, and our mother cries all day long. What am I supposed to do?" The old woman blew two breaths into the air, closed her eyes, and began to breathe heavily.

The old woman's younger brother listened, his scalp tingling, his face turning pale, his body chilling, his heart trembling, his lips quivering, unable to speak. He paused, thinking, "My sister's story sounds so real, could it really be true?" His deceased father was a handsome man, a universally acknowledged heartthrob in the surrounding area. His mother, however, was short and thin, with an ordinary appearance. His parents' marriage was arranged by his grandparents; they didn't meet until after the wedding ceremony. That night, his father lifted his mother's veil, glanced at her, and then left. His mother cried all night in the bridal chamber. The next day, his grandfather brought his father back. He made his father kneel before the ancestral tablets for an afternoon, and then that evening, he was called into his grandparents' room to kneel. His grandmother told his father, "Don't underestimate your wife just because she's not pretty. She'll probably give us many children. She's also a good housekeeper. Once she's married into the family, she's your wife. You have to accept it whether you like it or not."

It turned out his grandfather could read divination charts and believed that the wife he married to his son would bear many children. But his grandfather's predictions were inaccurate. After his mother gave birth to his older sister, and then two older brothers who died young, she gave birth to him in her eleventh year, and then she never had any more children. My older sister was beautiful because of our father, while I was less attractive because of our mother.

Our father never truly loved our mother and was a womanizer when he was alive. So it's understandable that my sister would say our father had left with another woman. But hearing her talk about the underworld like this sends a chill down my spine.

Seeing her blow two breaths into the air only intensifies my anxiety. There's a saying that when a dying person blows air into the air, it's like they're blowing through the gates of heaven, and they'll soon be gone. I think my sister might not make it through the night. Seeing her sister close her eyes and remain silent, she got up, intending to go out and talk to her brother-in-law and nephew. Before she could even take a step, her sister said, "Where are you going? I haven't finished talking yet." Startled, she quickly sat back down by the bed and said, "Sister, go ahead and tell me." The old lady sighed and said, "Our mother has suffered too. Since our father passed away, she's been all alone. He took all the money with him, and we've been struggling to make ends meet. The house leaks and no one fixes it. Our mother blames you, saying you're unfilial. And you, when you sent money to our mother during Qingming Festival, why didn't you properly repair our house? You just let your son scramble to put some dirt on it; what kind of excuse is that?" "When I went there, Mom said she'd come with me, and that she'd be fine with me, but I had to fix her house first. It's always leaking, and people are laughing at her. Plus, Dad doesn't care about her anymore, and the neighbors are gossiping. How can Mom hold her head up there? She's been urging me to go quickly." The brother, though he couldn't quite believe his sister's words, felt a pang of guilt and blushed. He thought, "It's just as my sister said. In that old forest, our parents' graves are the smallest. Every year during Qingming Festival, I just do a token visit. This time, I can't be careless." He said to his sister, "Sister, I'll go and fix our graves properly tomorrow, and send some money over." His sister replied, "That's right. Remember to send Mom more money in the future; she's had a hard life." The brother agreed.

After a while, the old lady fell silent, and her brother didn't dare get up. He sat there watching his sister, not daring to utter a sound. At this moment, Ouyang Anping came in, looked at his mother, and whispered to his uncle,

"Is Mom asleep?" His uncle bowed slightly, glanced at her, and got up to leave. He sat down opposite the old man at the eight-immortal table, lit a cigarette, took a couple of puffs, and said, "Brother- in-law, it seems my sister won't make it

through tonight. She's already had two 'Heavenly Gates' (a type of folk performance)." The old man shuddered, nodded, and didn't speak for a while. He silently smoked two pipes, got up, and went out into the courtyard. He stopped in front of his daughter-in-law and the three Ouyang siblings and asked, "Is Xiaohui sure she can come tonight?" Ouyang Mei said, "Yes, my brother and I will pick her up at the station around nine." The old man nodded and said, "That's good. Your grandmother is probably waiting for Xiaohui."

Mao Yuqin asked, "How is my mother now?" The old man said, "She's already had two 'Heavenly Gates' (another type of folk performance). Your mother probably won't make it through tonight." Hearing this, everyone's hearts sank again, and Ouyang Mei couldn't help but cry again. Ouyang Yiming asked, "What is 'blowing open the Heavenly Gate'?" The old man said, "It means the person leaving blows open the Heavenly Gate. If it can't be blown open, they can't leave; if it's blown three times, they should be able to leave." Ouyang Yiming was speechless. Mao Yuqin said, "Should we have the doctor come and take a look again?" The old man said, "Forget it, why bother them now?" Ouyang Mei burst into tears. Mao Yuqin tugged at her daughter and said, "Don't cry, don't let your grandma hear. The neighbors will hear and not know what's going on." The old man said, "Yes, don't cry." So the group silently shed tears.

After that, the old lady woke up several more times, each time asking if Xu Hui had arrived. Her mind seemed to be getting clearer. First, she called her son and daughter-in-law and said, "Anping, Yuqin, once I'm gone, your father will be in your care. He can't cook, so you two should let him eat with you. Make sure he's not too hot or too cold. He can't take care of himself. Wash his clothes often too."

"If he gets a headache or fever, you have to take him to the doctor right away. Your father is a good man in every way, but he just doesn't like going to the hospital. He'll tough it out if he's not feeling well. You two have to keep an eye on him." Mao Yuqin said with tears in her eyes, "Don't worry, Mom, I'll bring Dad to our house in a few days." The old lady asked, "What about the old house?" Mao Yuqin said, "Then I'll move here to the old house." The old lady said, "Moving here would be too far for you and Anping to get to work. I think it's better if your father eats at your house and comes back here to watch over the old house in the evenings." Mao Yuqin said with tears in her eyes, "Mom, I'll listen to you. I'll do whatever you say." The old lady then called Ouyang Yiming and his two siblings over and said, "Grandma loves you three the most. She doesn't love you as much as your parents do. Our Ouyang family has always valued filial piety. You must remember to be filial to your grandfather, father, and mother." The three children nodded in agreement. The old lady sighed and said, "I just can't watch the three of you get married. I won't be able to wait until that day. Xiaoming, remember, Xiaohui is a good girl, and we must treat her well." Ouyang Yiming nodded with tears in his eyes. The old lady then said to Ouyang Mei, "Xiaomei, of the three of you, I love you the most." Ouyang Mei grabbed her grandmother's hand and cried, "Grandma, I know." The old lady said, "You are a girl. Our Ouyang family has only had one girl in four generations. You must remember this: girls can't be like boys. You must be a proper woman, and everything must be done properly. For generations, no one in our Ouyang family has ever spoken ill of us. When you get married, you will also be from our Ouyang family, so you can't let anyone say a single bad word about you. What we women value most is our reputation, and we can't let others say anything. You are a good girl, Grandma has seen that since you were little. But Grandma still has to tell you this." Ouyang Mei cried and said, "Grandma, I will remember everything you say." The old lady nodded and gave Ouyang Dongdong a few more instructions.

Then she spoke a few words to her younger brother and closed her eyes to rest.

At nine o'clock in the evening, Ouyang Yiming and Ouyang Mei rode their bicycles to the train station. After waiting for nearly an hour, the train that Xu Hui was supposed to take finally arrived. As soon as Xu Hui came out of the ticket gate, Ouyang Mei rushed up and hugged her, sobbing. Xu Hui asked Ouyang Yiming in a panic, "How is Grandma?" Ouyang Yiming said, "Not seriously. Let's go home and talk about it." He called out to Ouyang Mei, "Don't cry, look, so many people are watching." He then took the bag full of food and a small suitcase from Xu Hui's hands and said, "Why did you buy so much stuff again?"

Xu Hui said, "Mom bought it all for Grandma." "As she spoke, she took Ouyang Mei's hand and walked towards the square.

She knocked on the door of the old house, and Ouyang Anping opened it. Everyone except the old lady, who was lying in bed, half-asleep, came to greet her at the gate. Xu Hui greeted everyone one by one, and the old man introduced his brother-in-law to Xu Hui, telling her to call him her great-uncle. Xu Hui called out, and Mao Yuqin grabbed Xu Hui's hand, saying, 'Xu Hui, your grandmother misses you.' Xu Hui anxiously asked,

'How is Grandma?' Mao Yuqin stammered, 'Not very well.' Xu Hui's heart skipped a beat, and she asked, 'Didn't Yiming say it wasn't very serious?' She then headed towards the main room. Mao Yuqin stopped her, saying, 'Xu Hui, let me tell you about your grandmother's condition.'" Xu Hui nodded. Ouyang Anping, the old man, and her uncle went inside first.

Mao Yuqin then told Xu Hui about the old lady's actual situation. Xu Hui was already sobbing as she listened. After hearing Mao Yuqin's words, she cried and said, "How could this happen? How could this happen!" Mao Yuqin said with tears in her eyes, "Xu Hui, we have no choice. We can't give up even if there's a glimmer of hope. This is the reality now, and we can't ignore it. When you see Grandma later, you must control yourself." Xu Hui nodded while crying. Mao Yuqin said, "Then go see your grandma. You haven't eaten yet, have you? I'll go get you some food." Xu Hui said between tears,

"No need, I ate on the train." After speaking, she took a handkerchief and wiped her tears, then followed Ouyang Yiming, Ouyang Mei, and the others towards the main room.

As soon as Xu Hui entered, she looked towards the old lady's room and saw her lying on the bed, eyes open, staring at the ceiling. Before Xu Hui could even speak, the old lady saw her, and a rare smile spread across her face. She called out, "Xiao Hui, my child, you've finally come!" Tears streamed down Xu Hui's face as she called out, "Grandma!" The old lady struggled to sit up, but Xu Hui quickly grabbed her hand, saying, "Grandma, don't get up. I'll just sit here and talk to you." The old lady glanced at Ouyang Yiming and said, "Help me up." Ouyang Yiming said, "Grandma, you can just sleep there." The old lady said, "No, help me up." So Ouyang Yiming helped his grandmother sit up, and Xu Hui hurriedly placed a pillow behind the old lady's back.

The old lady sat against the headboard, and Xu Hui sat down on a chair in front of the bed. The old lady looked at Xu Hui and said, "Xiao Hui, Grandma can't leave without seeing you." Xu Hui grabbed the old lady's hand, unable to hold back her tears, saying, "Grandma, how could you be like this? Last time I came..." She couldn't finish her sentence. The old lady said, "Good child, don't cry. Grandma just feels so bad that I won't see you enter the Ouyang family. Grandma has to go sooner or later anyway." Xu Hui immediately burst into tears, saying, "Grandma, I won't let you go, I won't let you go! I even said I'd take you to live with me tomorrow." Two lines of tears streamed down the old lady's face as she stroked Xu Hui's head, saying, "Child, Grandma can't stay. I also thought about taking care of your children tomorrow. But Grandma can't take care of them anymore." Xu Hui said sadly, "Grandma, you can, you can, you can..." Ouyang Yiming and Ouyang Mei sobbed, while the others wept. The old lady said, "Silly child, Grandma knows herself, Grandma can't take care of them anymore. Don't cry, child, Grandma has something to tell you. Grandma hasn't left these past two days because she's waiting for you to come." Mao Yuqin quietly tugged at Xu Hui, who understood and stopped crying, saying, "Grandma, go ahead and tell me."

The old lady turned to the old man and said, "Old man, open that cabinet, there's a small box inside for me." The old man agreed, turned around and went to open the cabinet. The old lady said, "Hui, Grandma wants to give you something. I can't leave until I give it to you." Xu Hui looked at the old lady with teary eyes and asked, "Grandma, what is it?" The old lady said, "It's something that our Ouyang family has passed down from generation to generation. It can't be lost, it can't be sold. It will be passed down to you when you get old. This is a rule passed down from your scholar grandmother."

Mao Yumei's heart skipped a beat, and she instantly understood what her mother-in-law was going to give to Xu Hui. She thought to herself, "No wonder my mother-in-law keeps mentioning that Xu Hui should come; she wants to personally hand this thing over to Xu Hui." The

old lady took the box wrapped in red silk from the old man. Unwrapping the red silk, she saw an exquisitely carved nanmu wood box. The old lady said, "This was made by your scholar's grandmother. Our Ouyang family doesn't have many connections, so your scholar's grandmother had two gold bracelets made by a goldsmith back then. Your scholar's grandfather set a rule that these two bracelets would be passed down through generations. The one I have here will be passed to my eldest grandson's wife, and the one your mother has here was passed down to her by my mother-in-law. Later, your mother will pass it on to your eldest son." As she spoke, she opened the box, revealing two round objects wrapped in red silk. The old woman opened them, and everyone saw a pair of large, gleaming gold bracelets with intricate carvings and inscriptions. She took them and handed them to Xu Hui, saying, "Now that I'm giving these to you, I can leave in peace." Xu Hui hesitated for a moment, stammering, "Grandma, this, this..." The old woman said, "You must keep them safe." Xu Hui turned to look at Ouyang Yiming, seeing no expression on his face, then turned to look at Mao Yuqin. Mao Yuqin said, "Xu Hui, take these. Remember your grandmother's words, keep them safe." Xu Hui turned back, tears welling in her eyes, and took the bracelets, saying,

"Grandma, don't worry, I will keep them safe." The old woman nodded, handed the box to Xu Hui, and said, "I'm tired, help me lie down." Ouyang Yiming hurriedly helped his grandmother lie down. After lying down, the old woman sighed with relief and said, "Now I can leave in peace." Looking at Xu Hui, she said, "Pack them up and put them away." Xu

Hui nodded, looked at the pair of gold bracelets, and saw that they were engraved with a Qilin delivering a child, along with the inscription: "Ouyang family tradition, many sons and grandsons," and the year 28 of the Republic of China. They were exquisitely crafted. She carefully wrapped them and placed them in a box, then wrapped the box with the red silk cloth, turning to look at Mao Yuqin as she handed them to her with both hands. The old lady said, "Keep it safe yourself, why are you giving it to your mother?" Mao Yuqin looked at Xu Hui and said, "I can't give it to you, your grandmother gave it to you, so keep it safe. Put it in your suitcase." Ouyang Mei hurriedly went to get Xu Hui's suitcase, and Xu Hui hesitated for a moment before opening it and putting the box containing the gold bracelets inside. Mao Yuqin said to her father-in-law, "Dad, lock this suitcase in the cabinet first, and take it out when Xu Hui leaves." Xu Hui then handed the suitcase to her father-in-law.

Ouyang Yiming was at a loss for words. He never imagined that his grandmother's urgency in bringing Xu Hui was for this very reason. This was the first time he'd ever heard of such a family heirloom gold bracelet. He realized that regardless, this bracelet was passed down from their ancestors to the Ouyang family descendants. His grandmother's decision to pass it on to Xu Hui meant that she had already accepted Xu Hui as a member of the Ouyang family, the wife of the eldest grandson, and therefore deserved to keep it. In his grandmother's eyes, Xu Hui was the eldest grandson's wife in this generation. This wasn't about the bracelet's material value, but rather the profound meaning behind its association with the Ouyang family's prosperity and continuity. Although Ouyang Yiming was a university graduate with several years of higher education, he didn't entirely believe in the significance of such a family heirloom. However, it represented the hopes and aspirations of generations of elders for the prosperity of the Ouyang family. Now that it had been passed down to Xu Hui at the moment of his grandmother's passing, the bracelet would no longer be passed down to the Ouyang family descendants after his marriage to Liu Yan. How could he face his ancestors? He didn't know how to think about it. Ever since Xu Hui visited his family, everyone had treated her as his fiancée, and deep down, he considered her family too. He knew he and Xu Hui would never be husband and wife, but he still cherished her as his dearest relative. He regretted not telling his mother about Liu Yan when she asked about his relationship with Xu Hui. Now, the fait accompli left him at a loss. How could he face Xu Hui in the future? Xu Hui also considered him a member of this family. After

a moment of helplessness and painful contemplation, Ouyang Yiming had to accept the reality before him. Looking at his grandmother lying on the bed, he felt a pang of helplessness and resentment for her and for him.

The old lady rested with her eyes closed for a while. During this time, the only sounds in the room were the old lady's heavy breathing and the tense breathing of everyone else. Everyone's eyes were fixed on the old lady's face. The old lady opened her eyes, and suddenly a tear rolled down her cheek. Xu Hui took a handkerchief and wiped it away for her, asking, "Grandma, would you like some water?" The old lady didn't answer, but said, "Xiao Hui, Grandma is entrusting Xiao Ming to you. This child will treat you well. You two should live a good life together from now on. Grandma will be watching over you from the other side." Xu Hui nodded, choking back tears, and said,

"Grandma, don't worry, we'll be fine." The old lady said, "Xiao Ming, remember this, no matter what, you must be good to Xiao Hui, and you must never hit her or lose your temper.

Xiao Hui is a good child. It's a great joy for our Ouyang family that she's come into our family; it's something the Ouyang family has been eagerly awaiting. You must cherish her. Promise me." Ouyang Yiming sobbed, nodding and saying "Mmm."

The old woman closed her eyes again, her breathing becoming increasingly labored. She remained silent for a long while. When she opened her eyes again, she stared intently at the ceiling, exhaling three long, heavy breaths into the air before muttering to herself, "Gone, gone, gone..." Everyone's hearts were in their throats, their eyes fixed on the old woman. Suddenly, they heard the old woman chuckle softly twice, then slowly close her eyes. For a moment, no one spoke, no one moved.

After a while, Ouyang Anping seemed to realize something. He reached out and took his mother's wrist, pressing two fingers to her pulse. Feeling no pulse, two streams of tears flowed down his face. He turned to Mao Yuqin beside him and said in a trembling voice, "Mom...Mom's gone." Mao Yuqin was stunned for a moment, then rushed to the bedside, grabbed her mother-in-law's wrist, and checked her pulse. Confirming there was truly no pulse, she burst into tears. The entire room erupted in wailing after Mao Yuqin's cry.

The uncle stopped crying and hurriedly called to Ouyang Anping, saying, "Anping, quickly call back your mother's soul." Ouyang Anping, tears streaming down his face, followed his uncle out the door. Standing on the steps, he followed his uncle's instructions, facing southwest, and shouted three times, "My mother is walking southwest on the main road!" (Note: This was meant to send the deceased's soul to the Western Paradise. It was also a way to inform the villagers of the old woman's passing.) Xu Hui grabbed the old woman's arm with both hands, pushing her away, crying, "Grandma, don't go, don't go, Grandma!" Ouyang Mei, behind Xu Hui, stamped her feet and cried, "Grandma, don't go, I won't let you go. Grandma, don't you love Meizi anymore? Why don't you love me anymore?" Everyone else stood up and sobbed. This tragic scene moved heaven and earth.

For a long while, everyone cried, no one trying to comfort anyone else. It was Ouyang Anping who slowly stopped crying and tugged at Mao Yuqin, saying, "You...you try to comfort Xu Hui." Mao Yuqin then realized that Xu Hui was crying her heart out and quickly stopped crying herself, pulling Xu Hui aside, saying, "Good child, don't cry anymore. Your grandma...your grandma is gone, and you can't bring her back."

Xu Hui ignored Mao Yuqin, continuing to sob, saying, "Grandma, how could you leave like this? You...didn't you say you'd live with us from now on? Why...why did you leave us? I even said I'd take you in, how could you leave like this?" Mao Yuqin cried, saying, "Xu Hui, good child, Grandma knows, knows your heart. Don't cry, child, you'll hurt yourself crying like this." Xu Hui cried, turned around and hugged Mao Yuqin, unconsciously calling out, "Mommy, Grandma doesn't want us anymore." Mao Yuqin heard this "Mommy" clearly and instantly could no longer hold back her emotions, bursting into tears. The mother and daughter hugged each other tightly and cried...

Love and Desire (79)

Chapter Seventy-Seven

Ouyang Anping looked at the mother and daughter crying and shook his head. He walked to Ouyang Mei, who was holding her younger brother and crying, and said, "Meizi, go and persuade your mother and Xu Hui to stop. They will get sick from crying like this." After Ouyang Anping finished speaking, he walked out of the door and looked at his father, who had already come out of the house and was sitting on a chair next to the Eight Immortals Table, smoking heavily with tears in his eyes. He sat down on the other side of the Eight Immortals Table without saying a word, took out a cigarette with trembling hands, lit it and took a few puffs. Then he heard the old man say, "Anping, let Yuqin come out and rest for a while. We need to change your mother's clothes later." Ouyang Anping responded and got up.

At this moment, the uncle came out of the house crying, saying, "Quickly call Yuqin and Yiming's boyfriend out. Xiaomei and Yiming can't persuade her either. Don't let her cry herself sick." Ouyang Anping responded and went into the house. He went to his wife and said, "Yuqin, you can't let Xu Hui cry like this anymore." He turned to Ouyang Yiming and said, "Yiming, help Xu Hui out of the house and let her sit on the sofa for a while." Ouyang Yiming responded and pulled Xu Hui and his mother apart. He said to his crying sister, "Help Mom." Ouyang Mei and Ouyang Dongdong then helped their mother, while Ouyang Yiming helped Xu Hui out the door.

Ouyang Anping's cries for the soul alerted the neighbors. First, Grandma Liu from the east courtyard and her son and daughter-in-law rushed over and cried in front of the old lady for a while. Then many other villagers came. Ouyang Anping then invited the old master (the person in charge of the funeral) to come over, and then he and Ouyang Anping and his son began to discuss the specific details of the funeral.

Under the old man's direction, Grandma Liu, her daughter-in-law Mao Yuqin, and several other women began to dress the old lady in the burial clothes that Mao Yuqin had bought two days earlier; two people were sent to the forest to cut willow branches for mourning; and people were sent to purchase a funeral basin, oil lamp, urn, and white paper (shops selling funeral goods were open day and night). All the items in the main room were moved outside, and a folding bed that Ouyang Anping had brought from his own home was laid out. The old lady was placed on the bed with her head facing the door. The funeral basin, oil lamp, and urn, which had been purchased quickly, were placed in front of the bed. Strips of white paper were pasted on the willow branches for mourning and placed in front of the bed.

Rectangular pieces of white paper were pasted on the main gate and the doors of the main room and side rooms... Everything was arranged in an orderly manner.

Around 3 a.m., Mao Yuqin tidied up the west room and said to Ouyang Mei and Xu Hui, who were silently weeping by the old lady's bedside, "You two go to the west room and sleep for a while. You can't keep going like this." Xu Hui said with teary eyes, "I'm not sleepy, how can I sleep?" Mao Yuqin said, "Listen to me, go and rest for a while. Tomorrow will be even busier. You've been on the bus for so long, and now you're here..." As she spoke, tears streamed down her face again. She said to Ouyang Mei, "Meizi, help your sister to rest for a while." Ouyang Mei helped Xu Hui into the west room.

That night, Ouyang Anping, Mao Yuqin, his father, and Ouyang Yiming did not rest. Mao Yuqin, Grandma Liu, and some female guests began making mourning clothes. Ouyang Anping, his father, the old man, and some male guests discussed the details of sending off the old lady. The Ouyang family's ancestral graves were located on Maotou Mountain, about ten miles east of the city. It was an old mausoleum built there when Ouyang Xiucai's father passed away.

Funerals back then were very grand. From Ouyang Xiucai's father's generation onwards, the finest coffins were carried all the way to the cemetery. Now, with urban development, most city dwellers who have burial plots on Maotou Mountain, which are quite far away, no longer use coffins for funerals. They cremate the elderly and bury them with only the urn containing their ashes. This saves many funeral details and the hardship of carrying the coffin for over ten miles.

Ouyang Anping's mother's burial was, of course, the same as funerals today.

When asked about hiring musicians (trumpet players and opera troupes), the old man said, "I've already considered this. Four members of our family across three generations are Party members; this wouldn't be good for the image, so we can't use them."

The old man agreed. The old man said, "Anping, you should refer to the practices of teachers from your school who have attended funerals. We won't make exceptions. Anping, you'd better talk to your school leaders first thing tomorrow morning." Ouyang Anping agreed, then suddenly remembered how Xu Hui wore mourning clothes and asked the officiant. The old man said, "If Yiming and his girlfriend are engaged, it's acceptable for him to wear heavy mourning clothes." Ouyang Yiming was startled and frowned, saying, "We're both still in school, so..." The old man immediately interjected, "It's inappropriate for Xu Hui to wear heavy mourning clothes. They're both still students. Besides, if we dress Xu Hui in heavy mourning clothes here, her family will be upset. I think it's fine for Xu Hui to wear a black armband as a friend. We old folks can't be confused about this."

The old man nodded in approval. The old man said to the old man, "We can't ignore some old customs. We should refer to what others do, but we shouldn't go overboard." Then, regarding the funeral banquet, the old man said that since their old house had a large courtyard, they could hire a chef to cook at home, which would be much more lavish for the same price than a restaurant banquet. Ouyang Anping and Ouyang Yiming strongly agreed with the old man's views.

The next morning, Ouyang Anping, accompanied by someone, went to his uncle's house to announce the death. According to local custom, the second son should be the one to announce the death, but since Ouyang Anping had no siblings, he had to go himself. Upon arriving at his uncle's house, he reported the arrangements his father and the funeral officiant had made the previous night to his uncle, aunt, and cousin. Ouyang Anping then asked his uncle if it was appropriate. His uncle, being a reasonable man, said that everything would be handled according to the arrangements made by Ouyang Anping and his father, and that it was best if his sister could be laid to rest smoothly.

The Ouyang family didn't have many relatives in Pancheng, and the announcement of the death was completed by mid-morning. When he returned home, the mourning tent and offering table were already set up at the main house entrance. The hired cooks had begun setting up the tent and stove.

Ouyang Anping intended to inform the school. Several school leaders, already aware of the situation, came to offer their condolences shortly after Ouyang Anping returned home. Ouyang Anping then reported the funeral details he had discussed with his father the previous night to the school leaders. The school leaders were quite satisfied with this. Ouyang Anping and Mao Yuqin then mentioned the mourning attire to the leaders again. The principal said, "Since the funeral is being held at your old house, not at the school, just follow the local customs. The school won't interfere, just don't go overboard." Mao Yuqin said, "We won't go overboard. Just like the neighbors." The principal whispered to Ouyang Anping, "The school will pretend it doesn't know about your rituals at the old house. We won't say much." Ouyang Anping understood and thanked the leaders.

Just after lunch, Fan Xurui's mother entered crying. Mao Yuqin accompanied her, kowtowing at the old lady's bedside and burning paper money. She then looked at the old lady's remains, wiping away tears, and left. Ouyang Yiming went over and asked, "Where's Xurui?" Fan Xurui's mother said, "He just went to his grandfather's house in Taiyuan with his father the day before yesterday. His grandfather hasn't been feeling well lately. Xurui's second uncle called a few days ago to say the old man missed us. I was planning to go too. But the weather's been so hot these days, and your uncle was worried I'd have a relapse, so he didn't let me go. Who knew Auntie would leave so suddenly? Otherwise, Xurui wouldn't have left.

Maybe I should send a telegram to ask them to come back." Mao Yuqin quickly said, "No, they've only just arrived. How can we ask them to come back! Even if they did, what difference would it make? It's so hot, and he's being cremated tomorrow." "They won't see her when they come back," said Fan Xurui's mother. "Auntie never treated Xurui like an outsider; she doted on him since he was little. I don't know how heartbroken Xurui will be if Auntie leaves. If I don't tell him, won't he blame me when he comes back?"

Ouyang Yiming said, "It's not easy for her to come back from such a long journey; it's better not to tell my uncle and Xurui." Mao Yuqin said, "Yes, it's too hot for them to keep going on the bus." Fan Xurui's mother didn't insist anymore and said, "I don't know how it all happened. How could Auntie have left so suddenly? How could she have fallen down the mountain!" She then cried again. Ouyang Yiming felt a pang of sadness and walked away. Mao Yuqin stayed with her and shed tears for a while.

The funeral for the old woman took three days to complete. Funerals in Pancheng are quite elaborate. The details of "dian tang" (also called sending travel expenses or huo tang), "diao xiao" (mourning), and "chu fu" (funeral procession) are quite complicated. "Preparing food" signifies ensuring the deceased's soul has enough provisions for their long journey to the Western Paradise, and also serves as a bribe to wandering spirits and evil ghosts along the way. Before the deceased is buried, every noon and afternoon, an elder leads a procession. Children and grandchildren lead the way, followed by those carrying buckets filled with water. With each step, a spoonful is scooped up and splashed on the ground, continuing until the main road crossroads. At this time, the children should kneel down, wait for the elder to burn paper money, then kowtow and return home, but they cannot turn back; they must take a detour. After the messengers leave, onlookers can scramble for small sweet dumplings in the bowls; there's a saying in Pancheng that children who eat them won't have toothaches. The mourning ceremony, where relatives and friends pay respects to the deceased, has a rather elaborate procedure. Those offering mourning should stop a short distance from the bereaved family home, waiting for the bereaved son and musicians to arrive to guide the offerings—this is called "receiving the offerings." The bereaved son, supported by two people, kowtows before the arrival of the mourners, then steps back to guide the offerings until they reach the gate.

The mourning ceremony is arranged by the stewards. The mourning begins with distant relatives; if the deceased is female, her maternal relatives must be first. With three drumbeats and a long horn, the music begins, and male mourners enter the mourning hall in order of seniority. (The Ouyang family did not hire musicians, so no music was performed.) If there are several different generations, they form several rows. In each row, the older person is on the right, and the younger person on the left; this must not be confused. All mourners must perform three bows and nine kowtows. The deceased's sons-in-law must perform twenty-four kowtows. If there are many sons-in-law, the eldest son-in-law leads the line, and upon hearing the elder shout, "Honored guests have come to offer condolences and burn paper money!" followed by three drumbeats and the start of music, he leads his brothers-in-law into the mourning hall to perform the twenty-four kowtows. (The Ouyang family matriarch had no daughters, so these procedures were not followed.) After the ceremony, they weep loudly, leave the mourning hall, receive kowtows from those who have offered thanks, and then go to drink tea and wait for their meal. Those who are elders of the deceased do not need to perform the bows or kowtows. Among those of the same generation, regardless of whether they are brothers, all kowtow and perform the kneeling ceremony. This is because "the deceased is the greatest" and "the departed are respected." After the mourning period, a feast is held for the guests. After the meal and the mourning period, the funeral procession begins.

The funeral customs of Pancheng are quite elaborate, which will be briefly mentioned here. The preparations for the funeral procession begin under the direction of the elder. First, the coffin frame is tied together, and then the coffin is brought out and placed on the frame. Then, the sixteen pallbearers test-lift it, and once everything is in order, the funeral procession officially begins. First, the deceased's children kneel in front of the coffin and carry the offering table from the mourning tent to the front of the coffin to perform the roadside ceremony. Afterward, the elder directs the sixteen pallbearers to lift the coffin. At this time, someone shouts, "Front and back, understand!" Upon hearing the shout, the filial sons kneeling in front of the coffin raise the sacrificial basin above their heads. When the shout "Front, back, rise!" is given again, the filial sons smash the sacrificial basin and then carry the coffin on its way. On the way to the cemetery, the eldest son and grandson should lead the way, carrying a banner before the coffin. Daughters, daughters-in-law, nieces-in-law, and other relatives follow closely behind.

The bereaved family weeps in unison to the sound of trumpets. The procedures for burial vary in complexity. For older burial sites, it's relatively simple: the coffin is placed in the pit and repositioned according to its original orientation. Newer burial sites are different. Beforehand, a feng shui master must be consulted to determine the orientation, whether southeast or northwest.

Then, three wooden pegs are driven into the front of the coffin, marking its direction. These pegs must be placed away from the front and back, with four small red flags inscribed with "White Horse," "Azure Dragon," "Sword," and "Incense." Then, some paper money is burned, symbolizing that the spirits of the four directions are neighbors.

After the coffin is placed in the pit, it must be positioned correctly and its orientation adjusted. Then, the maternal uncle is invited to inspect it, and adjustments are made if there are any dissatisfactions. The bereaved sons then inspect and approve it. Only then can the head of the household place a reed mat on the coffin, and weigh it down with bows and arrows and tiles. The maternal uncle breaks ground for the first shovelful of earth, while the children and grandchildren grab soil by hand, circle the pit three times, and kneel at the head of the coffin, weeping loudly. No new soil is allowed to be dug for burying the coffin. If it is a newly built burial site, women cannot enter; they can only wait by the roadside (the old lady of the Ouyang family did not use a coffin; this is merely an introduction to the funeral rituals of the older generation). After returning from the burial site, the grave is completed three days later, five-seven paper offerings are burned on the thirty-fifth day, and one-hundred-day paper offerings are burned on the one-hundredth day. Afterward, the children can remove their mourning clothes. During these few days after the funeral, the most discussed person among relatives and neighbors is Xu Hui. When Xu Hui put on mourning clothes on the second day, she thought she would be like Ouyang Mei, but Mao Yuqin told her that because she had not yet married into the family, she could not wear heavy mourning clothes, otherwise her parents would blame her. Although disappointed, Xu Hui understood. Despite not wearing mourning clothes, Xu Hui and her two siblings, Ouyang Yiming and his sister, stayed by the old lady's coffin, their grief and weeping mirroring that of the Ouyang siblings. This drew much praise from onlookers, but all the sorrow came from Xu Hui's heart, without any pretense. This genuine grief was something even Xu Hui herself couldn't explain—how could such sorrow arise in such a short time together? On the third day, during the final burial ceremony, Xu Hui and Ouyang Mei knelt before the grave, their mournful cries moving everyone in the Ouyang family and their relatives. They all remarked that Ouyang Yiming had found such a beautiful and filial fiancée.

Two days later, Xu Hui said she wanted to go back. The night before, Xu Hui came to Mao Yuqin's room, sat down, and said, "Auntie, I want to go back tomorrow. Originally, it wasn't about Grandma that I wanted to go to my uncle's house in Shanghai with my mother. I just wanted to talk to my uncle about my and Yiming's future work arrangements. Yiming wants to work in some research institutions, and I told my mother to ask my uncle to help me contact Yiming. Dad said that if it needs to be done, we should spend some money, as long as it gets done." Mao Yuqin said, "I'll get you some money tomorrow." Xu Hui blushed and said, "Auntie, don't misunderstand. How can I take money from you now? Dad was just saying that." Mao Yuqin said, "Some things can't be done without spending some money." Xu Hui said, "Even if it needs money, I can't take it from you now. My parents originally said they wouldn't tell you yet, in case things don't go well. I'm just telling you." "Don't tell Yiming now, wait until things are clearer." Mao Yuqin nodded and said, "It will cost money no matter what, I'll go get it tomorrow..." Xu Hui said, "Even if you get it, I won't take it. I'll tell you if I really need it. My parents won't be happy if I take money from you now."

Mao Yuqin thought for a moment and said, "But it's not good to let your parents take the money." Xu Hui said, "They only have me as their daughter, and they're doing this for me and Yiming, isn't it all for my sake?

Besides, we don't know what the situation is yet. We'll talk about it later. There's something else I want to tell you, the pair of gold bracelets that Grandma gave me. I didn't expect Grandma to give them to me at this time. I've been thinking about it for the past two days, I can't keep them, it's better if you keep them." Mao Yuqin quickly said, "That won't do. I have no right to keep the bracelets your grandma gave you." Xu Hui said:

“But I always feel it’s inappropriate to keep them with me, after all, I’m not a member of the Ouyang family yet,” Mao Yuqin said. “If you truly like Yiming and truly want to become a daughter-in-law of the Ouyang family, then don’t say these things to me.

Of course, if you don’t want to be a member of our family…” Xu Hui blushed and said, “Auntie, that’s not what I meant. I just think I haven’t officially joined the family yet…” Mao Yuqin said, “That has nothing to do with whether you’re officially joined or not. As long as you’re willing to enter our family in your heart, that’s enough. You can keep these gold bracelets with you; you’ll be in charge of them sooner or later. Don’t say anything more; I won’t let you keep them.

Besides, you’ve already called me Mom, so you’re already a member of the Ouyang family in your heart, aren’t you?” Xu Hui blushed again, looking at Mao Yuqin with confusion, and said shyly, “I, when did I…” Mao Yuqin smiled and said, I listened carefully the night your grandmother passed away, which means you've already accepted me as your mother. Alright, leave the gold bracelet with you and don't mention it again. Regarding your and Yiming's job, since you've brought it up, I won't insist anymore. However, you must tell me how much it cost. You'll be part of the Ouyang family from now on, and you can't let your parents say anything about the Ouyang family. Understand?" Xu Hui said, "I understand. Auntie, I'll say it again: just you know first, don't tell anyone else, mainly because I don't know if it can be handled well." Mao Yuqin said, "Okay, I won't tell, it's our secret."

Xu Hui smiled shyly and said, "Thank you, Auntie." Mao Yuqin said, "Why thank me? I should thank you and your family on behalf of Yiming and our whole family. You two should..." "You've been so worried about Yiming. When you get back, please convey my gratitude to your parents." Xu Hui nodded and said, "I will pass on your words to them. But then again, aren't they all doing this for me?" Mao Yuqin said, "You should be grateful no matter what. Even putting that aside, just the fact that your parents were willing to entrust such a good daughter to our Ouyang family is something to be thanked for." Xu Hui blushed and said, "What's so good about me? Yiming is much more outstanding." Mao Yuqin said, "Our whole family likes you from the bottom of our hearts. Look at Ouyang Mei, she treats you like a real sister, especially your grandmother, who treats you like her granddaughter-in-law. Her feelings for you are even stronger than for Yiming and his siblings."

Xu Hui nodded, feeling a pang of sadness in her heart. Her eyes instantly reddened, and she said sadly, "I... I never imagined I'd come to send Grandma off. Xiao Mei called me and didn't say it was too serious, so I thought she might be a little badly injured, but I never expected this..." Mao Yuqin also became sad and sighed, "No one could have imagined it. Your grandma has always been in good health; we thought she would live longer than your grandpa. Your grandma did all this for Xiao Mei..." Tears streamed down her face as she spoke, "You can never repay your grandma's kindness. In the future, we can only visit her grave more often."

Xu Hui sobbed, "No matter where Yiming and I work in the future, we will always come to see Grandma." Mao Yuqin nodded, wiped away her tears, and said, "Xu Hui, don't be sad. We'll keep your grandma in our hearts." Xu Hui nodded. Mao Yuqin asked, "Will Yiming take you back to Suzhou tomorrow?" Xu Hui thought for a moment and said, "I'll go back by myself. I was thinking of having Yiming, Meizi, and Dongdong go to Suzhou for a few days after my mother and I came back from Shanghai, but with Grandma like this, who's in the mood to play? Let's talk about it later." Mao Yuqin said, "That's fine, but you must be careful on the way."
Xu Hui said, "I know. Last time Yiming took me to the station, he kept reminding me, afraid that I would get lost. He's very thoughtful." Mao Yuqin said, "Isn't it because he cares about you?"

Xu Hui blushed again.

Love and Desire (80)

Chapter Seventy-Eight

Wu Min stopped worrying about whether she could enter the training team this year after having sex with Zhang Lei. She believed that this thing, which seemed difficult to others, would be a piece of cake for Zhang Lei. Of course, deep down she was still satisfied with her performance. As a squad leader, she had been an excellent squad leader for two years. As a soldier, she had earned a third-class merit and three commendations in the nearly five years she had served in the army. According to regulations, outstanding class leaders, top trainees, and key personnel were eligible to be recruited as prospective cadre trainees in the training team. She met all the requirements.

However, after submitting her application last year, she waited confidently for the cadre department to retrieve her file for the training team, only to be told by Director Meng that it hadn't been approved. At that moment, she was utterly disappointed. She didn't understand why it hadn't been approved, and when she asked Director Meng with tears of disappointment, he simply shook his head helplessly and said, "It's also my fault. I was too confident in your case and didn't contact the relevant people earlier." The astute Wu Min immediately understood that she had been replaced by someone else. She didn't ask Director Meng anything further; she knew it wouldn't make a difference. The person who replaced her must have considerable backing. Then, Director Meng said something that gave her some hope from her extreme disappointment. Director Meng said, "Wait another year. Don't let this affect your work. Don't have any negative emotions. I'll contact Zhang Lei earlier next year."

Wu Min knew Zhang Lei was the son of a high-ranking official and often visited the club with Director Meng to obtain movie tickets from her. She knew that as long as Zhang Lei intervened, things would be easily arranged. Therefore, even after being replaced last year, Wu Min remained confident about joining the training team this year and didn't slack off at work.

Since Liu Yan was transferred here, she had originally wanted to use Liu Yan to establish a relationship with Zhang Lei. She believed that as long as Liu Yan spoke on her behalf to Zhang Lei, things would be done.

However, she never expected to have such a relationship with Zhang Lei. This was something she never dreamed of; she felt nothing but awe towards Zhang Lei. This awe made her feel a sense of trepidation every time she saw him. Even after having a relationship with Zhang Lei, this genuine awe and trepidation couldn't disappear from her heart.

She couldn't disobey Zhang Lei's demands; besides satisfying herself, she did her best to please him. She did as Zhang Lei instructed; she performed oral sex on him as he preferred; she took birth control pills as he said, because he didn't want to use condoms but wanted to ejaculate inside her. Although she sometimes felt unwilling, she always acted as if she were very willing.

She knew in her heart that she was just Zhang Lei's plaything. Zhang Lei might like her, but it would be the kind of liking a master has for a very obedient pet, not the kind of liking that would involve genuine romantic feelings. She didn't care about that; she had no desire to possess this man and enter that prestigious family. She understood that her fate was now in Zhang Lei's hands, and she only wanted to use this trump card to get everything she needed. She felt no regret for losing her virginity to Zhang Lei, nor for the shame she felt afterwards; instead, she considered herself very lucky.

She was now very confident about joining the training team. But such a shrewd girl would never show it in public. Unlike some women who become arrogant and conceited after believing they have powerful backers, she knew in her heart that she was insignificant and that things were unpredictable. Even though Zhang Lei had promised to take care of things for her, she still had to be cautious. She knew that even with this relationship, if Zhang Lei didn't help her, she would be powerless.

She also knew that her affair with Zhang Lei must never reach Liu Yan's ears. She believed that Zhang Lei and Liu Yan would eventually get together. So, if Liu Yan found out about her affair with Zhang Lei, she would be utterly destroyed by Liu Yan, the daughter of a high-ranking official. For a girl from the countryside who had joined the army without any connections, Zhang Lei and Liu Yan could easily change her fate, and could crush her like an ant. Therefore, she was always on tenterhooks when she went to Zhang Lei's place for pleasure. She couldn't disobey Zhang Lei's demands, but she was also afraid that some rumors would reach Liu Yan's ears. In this contradiction and torment, she desperately longed for the day she would enter the training unit.

In this anxious yet cautious wait, she finally awaited the day when her application to join the training team would be submitted this year. During a date with Zhang Lei, he told her he had already smoothed things over with all the necessary connections, and her entry into the training team was a sure thing. However, she still wanted to show some concern to Liu Yan, and several times deliberately asked Liu Yan to inquire with Zhang Lei about it.

Liu Yan was completely unaware of Wu Min's relationship with Zhang Lei, and she couldn't believe they had such a connection. So, she repeatedly brought it up with Zhang Lei when he came to her office. Zhang Lei assured her there would be no problem. Liu Yan was also happy for Wu Min and told her the same thing; they were just waiting for the routine review by the cadre department to complete the formalities before they retrieved her file.

Wu Min thanked Liu Yan profusely. Liu Yan said, "You should thank Assistant Zhang for this. I just put in a good word for you. I don't have the ability to actually handle this." Wu Min said, "Without you, Director Liu, speaking up for Assistant Zhang, and without your help, how would Assistant Zhang even know who I am? In his eyes, I'm just a nobody he'll forget as soon as he sees me." Liu Yan then joked, "Zhang Lei really admires you. He's said several times that he wants to recruit you to his side. I think he's interested in you. Maybe he even wants to marry you." Wu Min knew Liu Yan was teasing her, so she said, "Director Liu, you're just joking. Assistant Zhang wouldn't even look at a country bumpkin like me. All the women who pursue him are respectable and beautiful. I'm just a roadside weed in his eyes. He wouldn't even look down on me. How could I be worthy of high-ranking officials' children like you? I wouldn't even dare to dream of entering a family like yours." Liu Yan laughed, thinking to herself, "Zhang Lei would never even be interested in Wu Min." The reason Zhang Lei went to such lengths to help Wu Min was simply because of her. Now, seeing the way Zhang Lei looked at her and vaguely sensing his intentions, Wu Min felt a chill run down her spine.

That day, following Zhang Lei's instructions, Wu Min took a car to his residence. With the video playing, Wu Min performed oral sex on Zhang Lei, then imitated the actions in the video for a while. Afterwards, they both embraced naked, satisfied. The sex in the video continued. After their breathing calmed, Wu Min looked at the video and said, "A video like this, no one could resist." Zhang Lei thought for a moment and suddenly asked, "Then what do you think Liu Yan would do if she saw it?" Wu Min was startled, understanding Zhang Lei's meaning. He casually remarked, "She definitely wouldn't be able to handle it either. We're all women, after all." Zhang Lei was somewhat surprised, then added after a moment, "I really did think about giving her a chance to watch it too, but I'm afraid she'll be disgusted by me." Wu Min looked at him and asked, "You wouldn't want to watch this movie like you did with her and me, would you?" Zhang Lei said, "I'm not that stupid. She might not even be happy if I brought her here alone, let alone watch this video with him. I wanted you to bring her to watch it with me."

Wu Min became frightened upon hearing this, and said in a startled voice, "I wouldn't dare." Zhang Lei said, "Of course, I can't say it outright." "We need to plan this carefully. We need to make sure she has no suspicions, which requires a very meticulous plan." Wu Min thought for a moment and said, "I don't think this is a good idea. Given Director Liu's personality, she might be very disgusted after watching the video, and it could backfire. Since you like her so much, why don't you just propose to her directly?" Zhang Lei said with a pained expression, "I want to, but she doesn't give me any chance. I think she doesn't seem to have any feelings for me."

Wu Min then remembered what Liu Yan had said to her—that she only saw Zhang Lei as a brother and that a relationship with him was impossible. She had never said these things to Zhang Lei, fearing that hearing them would cause him to lose faith in Liu Yan and hinder his entry into the training team. Wu Min said, "I can't figure out what Director Liu is thinking either. I think she treats you quite well." Zhang Lei smiled bitterly and said, "Only I know the truth. You see her laughing and joking with me all the time, but I know she seems to be avoiding me, or maybe she looks down on me. Over the years, I don't know why I've been so concerned about a woman like her. I won't lie to you, none of the women I've met have ever wanted to leave me without wanting to marry me, except for her." Wu Min said, "Maybe it's because she's also the daughter of a high-ranking official." Zhang Lei shook his head and said, "I've met women whose families are of similar status to hers, but that's not what I'm considering. After all, her family's status is still lower than mine.

I just wonder if she already has a boyfriend. But after observing her for so long, I haven't found anything." "Did you find anything?" Wu Min said confidently, "Absolutely not. I see it every day I'm with her, and besides, if she had a boyfriend, she wouldn't need to keep it a secret. Maybe she doesn't want to think about it right now." Zhang Lei thought for a moment and said, "That's possible too. She just transferred back not long ago and wants to settle down for a couple of years before considering personal matters, after all, she's only twenty-three. But I'm almost twenty-eight. After all these years, I've finally found someone I like, do I have to wait several more years to get married?" Wu Min nodded and said, "That's true.

But you can't force these things." Zhang Lei pondered for a while and said, "Let me think about it some more." After a moment, he said very firmly, "What I want, I must get. I don't believe I can't handle this." Wu Min felt a little flustered after hearing this and didn't know what to say. On a whim, Zhang Lei pulled Wu Min onto his body again, and the two went wild again. But at this moment, Zhang Lei's mind was on Wu Min as Liu Yan.

On Saturday afternoon, someone from the personnel department quietly told Zhang Lei that they would be picking up Wu Min's file the following week. Zhang Lei called Director Meng's office. Since Director Meng had been frequently going back to his hometown to lobby for his transfer to civilian work, Wu Min had been working in his office. She was unusually excited to answer Zhang Lei's call, first offering a few words of thanks. Zhang Lei said, "Why are you saying all this to me?" Then Wu Min flattered him, saying she missed him. Zhang Lei understood what she meant and asked her to come to his place after dinner. Since their first time together, to avoid suspicion, Wu Min had always taken the bus.

The two sat on Zhang Lei's bed and engaged in their usual sexual activity. After resting together for a while, Wu Min said, "My period is coming these next couple of days, so I'm afraid I won't be able to do it with you before I leave." Zhang Lei said, "Really? Then let's do it a few more times today." Wu Min said, "Whatever you say." Zhang Lei smiled and said, "Take a break, I can't get hard right now." Wu Min chuckled and reached out to grab Zhang Lei's limp penis, thinking to herself, "This man's thing is really interesting. It was as hard as a wooden stick a moment ago, and now it's as soft as a noodle.

" Just then, Zhang Lei asked, "Soon you'll be a four-pocket cadre. Have you told your family the good news?" Wu Min said, "Yes, I did. I specifically mentioned you in the letter, saying it was all thanks to your help. My parents both say you're a benefactor to our whole family, and they want to thank you properly." Actually, Wu Min had mentioned her upcoming entry into the training corps in her letter to her parents, but she hadn't mentioned Zhang Lei at all. She had said that her performance had satisfied the leaders at all levels, and that her entry into the training corps for training and promotion this year was a foregone conclusion.

Zhang Lei laughed and said, "Thank me? You've been thanking me for a long time now." As he spoke, one hand touched one of Wu Min's breasts, and the other hand touched her crotch. Wu Min blushed and said shyly, "Oh dear, look at you, my parents meant to mail you some local specialties from home." Zhang Lei smiled and said, "No need for that. Just tell your family I don't need any of those things. Don't send them." Wu Min deliberately said, "My parents have already prepared them." Zhang Lei said, "I said no, and that's final." Wu Min looked at him and didn't say anything more. Zhang Lei thought for a moment and said, "The real matter is that on the day you receive the notice, you should treat Liu Yan and me to a meal. Not for me, but just for Liu Yan." Wu Min said, "I've thought about that for a while now." of.

Zhang Lei smiled and said, "Liu Yanke always thought that she did this for you because she spoke for you in front of me." Wu Min said: "I understand." So I kept thanking her in front of her.

Zhang Lei said: "Actually, Liu Yan is really concerned about you. She always mentions it every time I go there." Even if I don't have this kind of relationship with you, I will handle it for you with all my heart, just for Liu Yan. It's just that I'm really reluctant to let you go. To be honest, I don't feel as comfortable having sex with others as I do with you. "

Wu Min thought to himself, I don't always do what you want. But he said: "Women are not all the same. Zhang Lei said: "It's different." He laughed twice and said, "No matter how reluctant I am, I have to send you away." Can I delay the important event of your life? "Wu Min said: "I don't want to let you go either. I'll come to you when I'm free. Zhang Lei said: "When you get there, it's nothing like being in a government agency. You'll be very nervous." Let’s talk about it when we have a chance. "Wu Min hugged him tightly and buried his head on his chest.

For a while, the two of them didn't speak. Wu Min was contemplating going to the training team. Zhang Lei, however, found himself thinking of Liu Yan again. He had considered many ways to get her; he had thought of using genuine affection, but he felt that this approach was unlikely to succeed. He had even considered using force to take her, hoping that once the deed was done, she might agree. The thought of forcibly taking her filled him with excitement, but he quickly dismissed the idea. Liu Yan was different from Wu Min; disregarding her personality, the relationship between their families and Liu Yan's family status alone made him hesitant. He wouldn't give up, but he couldn't think of a safe solution. This caused him some distress, and he sighed softly.

Wu Min looked up at him and asked, "What's wrong?" Zhang Lei said with a worried expression, "I feel like I have no way to deal with Liu Yan. Do you think I can just give up on her like this?" Wu Min said:

“Just ask her for love once and see what happens. Maybe she’ll agree,” Zhang Lei said. “I have absolutely no confidence. I’ve thought about it, but it’s pointless. I can tell she doesn’t like me. If I confess my feelings and she rejects me outright, I’ll have no chance. I really like her; I can’t control myself when I think of her.” Wu Min sighed and said, “This is really difficult. I can’t figure out what she means. It’s certain she hasn’t been in a relationship. But why is she so indifferent to men? I haven’t noticed her having any unusual contact with any men.” Zhang Lei said, “I don’t believe any woman would be uninterested in men, unless she’s a lesbian.” Wu Min smiled and said, “Liu Yan definitely wouldn’t.” Zhang Lei

thought for a moment and said, “Wu Min, I really can’t wait any longer. How about this?” Wu Min's heart skipped a beat, and she asked, "What do you think?" Zhang Lei said, "Let's just go all in, I'll do it first, who knows, it might work."

Wu Min sat up abruptly, panicking, "This...this might not work, she's..." Zhang Lei smiled and pulled her into his arms, saying, "Of course, we need a strategy.

I've thought about it for a long time but haven't dared to do it. Now, let's treat it as a do-or-die situation." Wu Min asked, "So what do you plan to do?" Zhang Lei said, "The same idea as before, let her watch this video.

If she reacts to it, I'll have an easier time. If she's disgusted, then it won't work. I'll need your help with this." Wu Min's heart pounded with fear, and she hurriedly said, "Assistant Zhang, please spare me, I really can't." Zhang Lei hugged her tightly and said, "Don't be nervous." Zhang Lei told Wu Min he wasn't nervous, but his own heart was pounding wildly. With a determined look, he continued, "I've thought this through repeatedly, and I'm determined not to let her suspect you. Besides, you're leaving soon; if you don't do it now, you'll miss your chance."

Wu Min looked at him frantically, her voice trembling, "Then...then tell me." Zhang Lei then explained his plan to Wu Min in detail. After listening, Wu Min said, "Your plan is very meticulous.

But I'm still a little worried." Zhang Lei said, "It's a do-or-die situation; this is the only way. Just do as I say." Wu Min looked at him timidly, feeling extremely alarmed, but she nodded in agreement to Zhang Lei.

On Monday afternoon, Zhang Lei came to Liu Yan's office, sat down, and said, "Wu Min's review has passed; she'll be picking up her file in the next couple of days." Liu Yan was very excited and said, "Really?

Then I have to thank you on Wu Min's behalf." Zhang Lei said, "It's all because of you that I'm so concerned. Let me tell you, the competition for this year's pre-promotion cadres is fierce; many people pull strings. I dare say, if I hadn't been running around so diligently this year, Wu Min definitely wouldn't have had a chance." Liu Yan smiled and said, "Yes, with you, Brother Lei, there's nothing that can't be done." Zhang Lei laughed and said, "That's a bit much. But I like hearing it." Liu Yan said, "That's true, don't be modest. Hey, this is a big event in Wu Min's life; she should really ask her to come properly." Zhang Lei deliberately waved his hand and said, "Forget it, a country boy like her doesn't have any money." Liu Yan said, "That won't do." "Whether they have money or not, they don't care about this meal. Wu Min told me that a long time ago." Zhang Lei said, "If that's the case, then I'll respectfully accept your offer. But since neither of you drinks, it's really no fun eating with you." Liu Yan said, "We only talked about eating, not drinking. But this time, Wu Min has to drink a lot with you." Zhang Lei said, "Then you just eat the food, and Wu Min and I will drink." Liu Yan chuckled and said, "You said it yourself." As she spoke, she stood up and said, "I'll go call Wu Min." Zhang Lei said, "You're so troublesome, making your boss go in person? You can just look at the phone and make a call."

Liu Yan laughed and said, "I'll be there right away, why do I have to make a call? That's too bureaucratic." Zhang Lei stood up and said, "Hey, that's what a leader is."

As he spoke, he picked up the phone and asked the switchboard to transfer him to Director Meng's office at the club. After the call connected, he handed it to Liu Yan, who smiled and asked Wu Min to come over. After sitting down, she was still covering her mouth and laughing, saying, "You're really something." Zhang Lei said, "That's how you use a telephone when installing one for a leader. Learn from this in the future."

Wu Min called out "Report!" at the door, and Zhang Lei said, "Come in." After entering the room, Wu Min first nodded to Zhang Lei and respectfully greeted him, "Assistant Zhang, you've arrived?" She smiled, but her heart was filled with anxiety.

She had already seen Zhang Lei's car and knew why he had come today. At this moment, she dared not meet Liu Yan's gaze, a sudden fear gripping her.

Liu Yan looked at Wu Min and said, "Tonight, let's treat Assistant Zhang to dinner." Wu Min's heart skipped a beat, but she still smiled sweetly and said, "Okay." Liu Yan asked, "Do you know why we're treating Assistant Zhang to dinner?" Wu Min knew perfectly well, but feigned a joyful expression and said, "Is it because...is it because of the investigation..." Liu Yan laughed and said, "Just wait until you're wearing that four-pocket cadre uniform." Wu Min's face instantly lit up, her expression one of extreme excitement, and she said, "I really don't know what to say. Thank you, Assistant Zhang, thank you, Director Liu." Wu Min

and Zhang Lei exchanged glances, feeling uneasy, but she forced a smile and said, "Assistant Zhang, it's my treat, where do you want to go?" Zhang Lei was quite satisfied with Wu Min's performance at this moment and smiled, saying, "Don't get too excited." "Sit down." Wu Min looked at Liu Yan and smiled, saying, "I... I'm just so grateful to you all right now." She sat down on the sofa, then quickly stood up again, saying, "Let me pour you some tea." Zhang Lei said, "No need. Sit down. I'm telling you, your application has been approved, and they'll be picking up your file in the next couple of days. But the official notification hasn't been issued yet, so don't tell anyone."

Wu Min said, "Don't worry, Assistant Zhang, I won't say a word." Liu Yan said, "You really have to thank Assistant Zhang this time. Many of the candidates for promotion this year in our organization pulled strings. If it weren't for Assistant Zhang keeping an eye on things for you, it might have been the same as last year. Only Assistant Zhang has that kind of ability; I wouldn't even know who to contact." Wu Min said,

"I... my whole family and I are endlessly grateful for your kindness. I can only repay you slowly."

Wu Min spoke from the bottom of her heart, and her eyes involuntarily reddened. Zhang Lei laughed a few times and said, "Don't mention repaying me. But I'm definitely going to drink at your wedding tonight." Liu Yan chuckled and said, "That's a good word. It's a wedding, so you'll have to drink a lot." Zhang Lei said, "You too, congratulations to me." Wu Min blushed and said,

"You two leaders are so kind to me. Assistant Zhang, please book where we eat." Liu Yan smiled and said, "Yes, we sisters always listen to our leaders." Zhang Lei said, "Okay, I'll book then. We don't have any outsiders here, so it wouldn't be right to waste money. It wouldn't be right for Wu Min not to treat us. I already thought about it when I came. I ate at my classmate's restaurant with a few people yesterday, so I felt embarrassed to go again today. How about this, a few days ago at the Municipal Party Committee dormitory, which is where I live..." Liu Yan asked, "You live in the Municipal Party Committee dormitory?" Zhang Lei said, "Didn't my mother get an apartment there? I'm looking at apartments there." Liu Yan nodded.

Wu Min's heart tightened. Zhang Lei continued, “A few days ago, I had a get-together with some friends at a newly opened Beijing-style restaurant. The food was quite delicious, and I heard the head chef had won some award. The prices were also very reasonable. You see…” He looked at Liu Yan as he spoke. Liu Yan smiled and said, “If you say it’s good, then it must be good. What are you asking us to look at?” Zhang Lei said, “Okay, it’s settled then.” Zhang Lei’s heart was pounding. Although he was trying his best to control his emotions, he was also feeling flustered. He stood up and said, “I have something to do. You two wait for me here after work, and I will come to pick you up.” Chapter 79 of

Love and Desire (81) Zhang Lei drove the two of them to the newly opened restaurant. Liu Yan and Wu Min saw that the restaurant’s facade was decorated in an antique style. A blue plaque with gold characters hung high above the door, with the words “Yuyuan Restaurant” in gold lettering. The walls surrounding and to the sides of the gold plaque were decorated with flickering fluorescent red lights; beneath the signboard was a brown-red wooden door with carved window lattices; several flower baskets were symmetrically placed on either side of the main entrance; and a young and beautiful woman in a cheongsam stood on either side of the entrance to the purplish-red wooden door. After Zhang Lei parked the car, the three entered. Various palace lanterns hung high in the lobby, exuding an antique charm yet full of vitality. A painting of the Qingming Scroll, large enough to fill the entire hall, added to the rustic elegance. The walls on both sides of the hall were covered with calligraphy and paintings depicting old Beijing street scenes, teahouses, and local delicacies—a veritable feast of old Beijing folk art. After asking their number, the guide led the three to a room with the sign "Ziyuan" above the door. The room was indeed tastefully decorated, complete with sofas, coffee tables, a television, and air conditioning; several framed portraits of ancient ladies hung on the walls. Antique-style high-backed chairs surrounded the round table. On the small round table in the center sat an antique-style white porcelain vase containing a bunch of purple plastic flowers. Clusters of purple flowers also hung from the ceiling and in several corners of the room. The three sat down, and the waiter brought the menu to Zhang Lei. Zhang Lei looked at Liu Yan and said, "I'll decide." Liu Yan nodded. So Zhang Lei ordered two cold dishes, then "roast duck," a "duck treasure platter," "Sichuan-style stir-fried beef tripe," "shredded pork with sweet bean sauce," "lamb intestines," a stir-fried vegetable dish, and three bowls of noodles with soybean paste. After the waiter left, Liu Yan said, "Opening a restaurant like this requires a lot of capital." Zhang Lei said, "I don't know. I heard it's run by the daughter of some provincial department head, but I don't know her." Liu Yan glanced at him and said, "Are there people among these people you don't recognize?" Zhang Lei shook his head and said, "I really don't. Last time some friends ate here, they said that the department head's daughter lives in Beijing and owns two restaurants like this there, otherwise why would it be called 'Imperial Garden Restaurant'? The dishes here are mostly Beijing-style." Turning to Wu Min, he said, "The food and drinks only cost a hundred or so yuan, don't worry about it." Wu Min laughed and said, "Oh, look at you, as long as you two are happy." But in her heart, she thought, how can you compare people? How many loads of rice would it take to exchange for a hundred or so yuan, and how many days of hard work would it take to harvest that rice? The three of them would only eat it in an hour or two, and some families back home didn't even spend that much in a year. She couldn't help but feel a little heartache. Liu Yan looked at Zhang Lei and asked, "These days, everyone who does business is making a fortune. Brother Lei, haven't you considered starting a business with someone?" Wu Min chimed in, "Yes, with Assistant Zhang's abilities, a tavern like this would definitely be a huge success." Zhang Lei quickly waved his hand and said, "I don't have that kind of ability." Wu Min said, "Running a business doesn't require your management skills. With your social connections, who wouldn't be happy to partner with you?" Zhang Lei smiled and said, "You think doing business is that simple. To be honest, I'm not interested either. A few people have mentioned it to me, but after considering it..." "Things are better now, I don't have the energy to worry about such things!" Turning to Liu Yan, he asked, "Are you interested in this? If you're interested in doing it, I'd be happy to cooperate with you." Liu Yan giggled and said, "I've never had that kind of talent. I'd be content to live my whole life in this military uniform, feeling at peace. I've never thought about getting rich, I don't have that kind of fate, and I certainly don't have that kind of ability." Wu Min said, "It's true you're not interested, but either of you could do it very well. The owner of this restaurant is a woman!" Liu Yan said, "That's because she has that kind of talent. Brother Lei can definitely do it, but I definitely can't. Don't you know yourself?" Zhang Lei laughed and said, "The two of you, with four hands supporting me, I feel like I'm riding on a cloud. Don't let go and throw me to the ground, burning me to pieces." The three of them laughed. Wu Min said, "I'm speaking from the heart, there's not a hint of flattery in it." Liu Yan said, "Me too, just telling the truth." Zhang Lei laughed heartily, waved his hand, and said, "Alright, stop talking, or I'll forget who I am." Two cold dishes were served, and the three sat down. Wu Min sat between Zhang Lei and Liu Yan, picked up the wine bottle, opened the cap, and poured wine. Zhang Lei glanced at Liu Yan and said, "You two should drink more today. After this meal, Wu Min won't have another chance to eat with us. As her direct supervisor, you'd better be a little tipsy." Liu Yan said, "That's not a nice thing to say. What do you mean 'no more chances'? Wu Min is just going to study for a while. Aren't you still hoping to recruit her after she graduates? It just means there will be more opportunities in the future." Zhang Lei smiled and said, "That's true." He paused, glanced at Liu Yan, and said, "Wu Min's matter is a happy occasion. You two can't just drink a little bit like last time." Liu Yan said, "The capable should do more. I'm keeping this joy in my heart." Zhang Lei shook his head and said, "I can never win an argument with you." Liu Yan said, "You're letting me have my way. You're the older brother, so drink like an older brother."

Zhang Lei smiled, raised his glass, and said, "Let's drink." Liu Yan and Wu Min raised their glasses. Zhang Lei said, "Wu Min, this trip to the training team can be considered a new chapter in your life. Director Liu and I hope you cherish it and that your future will be bright." Liu Yan said, "Assistant Zhang is right. You still have to walk your own path from now on. Assistant Zhang has given you a boost; now it's up to you to make the most of it." Wu Min was clearly very excited and said, "I sincerely thank you two leaders. I will remember your words. I will not let you down, no matter where I am." Liu Yan and Zhang Lei both nodded. Zhang Lei said, "Let's not talk about that anymore. Let's toast to Wu Min's bright future." He then looked at Liu Yan and said, "This drink must be finished." Liu Yan smiled.

The three of them toasted.

After a few rounds of drinks, "roast duck" and "shredded pork with sweet bean sauce" were served. Wu Min didn't know how to eat either. She watched as Zhang Lei picked up a round bean curd sheet, added a slice of duck meat dipped in sauce, placed it on the bean curd sheet, added a few scallion shreds, rolled it up, and put it in his mouth. Then, while eating, he looked at them and asked, "Why aren't you eating?" Wu Min couldn't help but blush. Liu Yan said, "I really wouldn't know how to eat like this if I didn't see you. Come on, Wu Min, learn from Assistant Zhang." Wu Min responded and asked, "Director Liu, you've never eaten this before either?" Liu Yan said, "I joined the army when I was fifteen, and I haven't really had many drinking occasions like this. I've never been to Beijing, how would I know how to eat like this?" Zhang Lei said, "Come out with me more often in the future. I'm not bragging, but there aren't many things I haven't eaten." Liu Yan smiled but didn't say anything. Wu Min said, "I've never even heard of the food you ate."

Zhang Lei was preoccupied, constantly calculating when to get to the point. His heart pounded with anxiety as he said, "Liu Yan, with Wu Min gone, you're missing a key asset. Do you have any plans to improve the club?" Liu Yan replied, "Fortunately, Wu Min had the foresight to cultivate Wang Jingjing for me; otherwise, I'd really be at a loss. As for how to improve the club, we don't have any plans yet. I think maintaining the current state is fine. We'll see how things develop in the future."

Zhang Lei took a bite of food and said, "I do have a suggestion." Liu Yan said, "Tell me about it." Wu Min's heart tightened instantly. Zhang Lei said, "Your club could set up a video room.

Ever since 'Shaolin Temple' was released, martial arts films like this have become very popular. There aren't many of these films in China, but there are plenty from Hong Kong and Taiwan. I think if you set up this video room in your club, it would definitely be welcomed by the officers and soldiers of our organization."

Liu Yan immediately became interested and said, "That's indeed a good idea. I've only heard of video recorders; I've never actually seen one." Zhang Lei said, "I have one. This video recorder can not only play videos, but also record what's on TV. I was thinking that if you see any important news or exciting films on TV, you could record them and replay them for those who didn't have time to watch. That would definitely be very popular." Liu Yan looked at him with wide eyes and said, "Really? That's really great. You have one?"

Zhang Lei said, "I have one from the Provincial Party Committee..." "Young Master brought this from Japan. Shall we go take a look after dinner?" Liu Yan said, "That's great! I'd really like to see it." She thought for a moment and asked, "How much does this VCR cost?

Will it get approved?" Zhang Lei said, "A VCR and a TV together only cost a little over ten thousand yuan. If you really want to do it, I'll put in a good word with the approval department; I don't think there will be any problems. It's all for enriching the cultural life of the officers and soldiers." Liu Yan said excitedly, "Okay, after dinner, Wu Min and I will go to your place. We'll also visit Brother Lei's mansion. It's not far, is it?" Zhang Lei smiled and said, "What mansion? It's just the officers' dormitory.

It's just to the east, only a ten-minute walk." Liu Yan tugged at Wu Min and said, "How about it? Let's go see it later?" Wu Min said, "I've only heard of it, never seen it. I really want to see what it looks like. I heard it's very valuable." Zhang Lei said, "Mainly because our country doesn't have them; they're all imported from Japan now." Liu Yan asked, "Are they easy to buy?" Zhang Lei said:

“They might be available in large shopping malls now. Don’t worry, even if they’re hard to find, it won’t stop me,” Liu Yan laughed. “That’s true, I’d completely forgotten about Brother Lei’s influence.”

Wu Min’s heart was pounding. She knew that the play Zhang Lei was orchestrating would soon officially begin. She didn’t know what she was feeling. She felt guilty towards Liu Yan, yet she was also terrified of what Zhang Lei was about to do to her. Ever since Zhang Lei revealed his plan the night before last and asked her to cooperate, she had felt immense guilt towards Liu Yan.

She couldn’t deny that Liu Yan had been good to her, but she dared not disobey Zhang Lei. She had thought many times about persuading Zhang Lei to abandon his plan against Liu Yan, and several times she picked up the phone to speak to him but didn’t dare utter a word.

She feared Zhang Lei, but she also feared Liu Yan. She couldn’t afford to offend either of these high-ranking officials’ children. But now Zhang Lei wanted her involved in this game between the two children of high-ranking officials, and she couldn’t escape. A sense of dread filled her heart. Now, her only hope was that Liu Yan wouldn't suspect she had played a role in this scheme. Regardless of whether Liu Yan could accept Zhang Lei afterward, she didn't want Liu Yan to know she had participated in Zhang Lei's actions. She hoped Liu Yan would accept Zhang Lei and wouldn't do anything unusual.

Liu Yan had drunk quite a bit today; though not drunk, she felt hot all over and her face was flushed. She couldn't resist Zhang Lei and Wu Min's persuasion, and she was also happy for Wu Min's situation. She also saw Wu Min's flushed face and knew that Wu Min had drunk more than her, and that Wu Min was excited about her own affair. She never imagined she would fall into this shameful, and ultimately fatal, trap orchestrated by Zhang Lei and Wu Min.

After the meal, the three of them paid the bill at the bar. Liu Yan quietly asked the waiter for directions to the restroom, and then went to the restroom with Wu Min. Wu Min deliberately showed the toilet paper she had placed under her while urinating. Liu Yan asked, "Are you feeling hot?" Wu Min nodded and said, "I just got hot this morning, not much." Liu Yan said strangely, "Why did you drink so much when you're feeling hot?" Wu Min said,

"I'm just happy."

Liu Yan said, "I was also very happy today and drank quite a bit, so now I feel a little flustered." Seeing Wu Min fold the tissues and put them down, she asked, "Didn't you bring any tissues?" Wu Min said, "Not much, I'll get some when I get back." Liu Yan didn't say anything more.

After leaving the restaurant, Zhang Lei felt even more excited looking at the two women who were already drunk. He had also drunk quite a bit today, but his mind was just as clear as Liu Yan's and Wu Min's.

Zhang Lei said, "Let's go see my humble abode." Liu Yan said, "Okay. I mainly want to see your high-end video recorder." Wu Min felt unusually flustered.

Zhang Lei started the car, and a few minutes later they arrived at his residence. He parked the car at the entrance of the alley, led them a few dozen steps, opened the courtyard gate, and led Liu Yan and Wu Min inside. Wu Min deliberately looked around, saying, "Your house is really big. You live in such a luxurious place all by yourself?" Zhang Lei replied, "No one else lives here. I had no choice but to come and see this house. Actually, I don't want to live here alone; it's quite lonely at night. I always come back very late. Luckily, I have a video recorder, otherwise I don't know how to pass the time." Liu Yan laughed, "This is also a perfect place for you and your girlfriend to meet." Zhang Lei and Wu Min were stunned. Zhang Lei quickly recovered and laughed, "I don't even know where my girlfriend is. Who would want me?"

Liu Yan didn't speak, secretly regretting her words, but she knew perfectly well that Zhang Lei had done those things with some women here. She suddenly thought of what she and Ouyang Yiming had done, thinking that she and Ouyang Yiming never had such a place. Even if Ouyang Yiming graduated and worked here, if they didn't get married, they would only ever meet in the wild.

Wu Min picked up where Zhang Lei left off, saying, "That's because you don't want to. If you were good enough, would you be lacking girlfriends?" Zhang Lei smiled and said, "Look at me, so busy all day long. I don't even know what I'm busy with."

He gestured for Liu Yan and Wu Min to sit on the sofa, then turned to open the refrigerator, took out three cans of drinks, and handed one to each of them, saying, "My dad keeps trying to get my mom to give up this house. My mom disagrees, saying it's for my future marriage. Actually, I don't really care; my workplace will definitely allocate me a house after I get married." Wu Min said, "Even if they do, you won't get a house this big. This is a residence only high-ranking officials can enjoy." Zhang Lei said, "That's true. I'm actually a little reluctant to give it up."

Liu Yan smiled, thinking to herself, "It's not that she's reluctant to lose such a place for pleasure." Liu Yan opened her drink, took a sip, and asked, "Where's your VCR?" Zhang Lei replied, "It's in my room upstairs. I'll go get it." Liu Yan asked, "Is the TV in your room too?" Zhang Lei said, "I didn't want to be alone in the living room, so I moved everything to my room. It's convenient to watch it from bed." Liu Yan said, "Forget it, it's too much trouble to move things around like this. We'll just go to your room to take a look." Zhang Lei said, "My room is a mess."

Liu Yan smiled and said, "Nobody wants to see your room, they just want to see the VCR." Zhang Lei said, "Okay, but let's be clear, don't laugh at me." Liu Yan said, "Laugh at what? You can't even imagine a man's room." With that, she stood up, pulled Wu Min along, and went upstairs with Zhang Lei.

Entering Zhang Lei's bedroom, Liu Yan saw that it was very clean and said, "Your room is very tidy." Zhang Lei said, "It's much messier than your girls' rooms." Zhang

Lei had carefully tidied up the room when he got up early that morning. Liu Yan looked around and said, "It's alright." Zhang Lei said, "You two can sit on the bed; I don't have any chairs in this room." Liu Yan smiled, saw the VCR under the TV, and went over to ask, "Is this a VCR?" Zhang Lei said, "Yes." Wu Min said, "It's so small; I thought it would be as big as the projectors we have back home." Zhang Lei said, "These Japanese things are really high-tech." He then showed them the buttons for turning it on, off, feeding, and ejecting the tape, saying, "It's very convenient." As he spoke, he picked up a tape and put it into the machine, saying, "It will start playing right away; this is much more convenient than showing movies to you." A moment later, a Hong Kong martial arts drama appeared on the TV.

Liu Yan hadn't watched many of these kinds of films, so she found it novel and sat down on the edge of the bed with Wu Min. Zhang Lei said, "What do you think? If your club shows films like this, it will definitely cause a stir among the officers and soldiers." Liu Yan nodded and said, "Yes, 'Shaolin Temple' sparked a martial arts craze after its release, but very few people have seen these kinds of films from Hong Kong and Taiwan." Zhang Lei said, "Novelty attracts people!" Wu Min said, "I dare say that if we set up a video room like this in the club, it will definitely cause a sensation." Liu Yan said excitedly, "Yes." Turning to Zhang Lei, she asked, "I just don't know if the higher-ups will allow us to show these kinds of films to the officers and soldiers." Zhang Lei said, "There aren't many martial arts dramas being made in China right now, I think it should be fine. But we'll definitely need to ask permission before deciding to set up this video room." Liu Yan nodded. "These films are easy to get, right?" Zhang Lei asked. "With me here, what's difficult? Video stores probably sell them now."

After watching for a while, Zhang Lei and Wu Min exchanged a furtive glance, then Zhang Lei stood up and said, "I almost forgot something. I need to go to my brother's place." Liu Yan said, "Then let's go back." Zhang Lei said, "You two can watch here for a bit. It's still early. My brother called me this afternoon and asked me to come over, I don't know why. I'll take you back when I get back. It'll be quick; I'll be back before you finish watching this one." Wu Min said to Liu Yan, "Director Liu, just for a little while. I've never seen anything this exciting before." Liu Yan smiled and said to Zhang Lei, "You'd better come back quickly, don't leave us here." Zhang Lei said, "I'll be right back."

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