CHAPTER 57
“This is also a considerable amount of money.” Han Jun selected two power strip manufacturers for Li Xia to choose from, and Li Xia designated one of them.
“That’s it. Go sign the contract and assign the goods to the dealer.”
“Okay, got it.” Han Jun calculated and said, “We owe so many suppliers money. Will it affect our application to establish a company?”
“No. We have so many assets here; owing a few yuans is nothing.”
“That’s right. After a while, when the dealers get their money back, we can have another great year.”
To keep up with the development of the times, Li Xia asked her subordinates to submit applications for land to build an office building. Others just picked a name and put some money into setting up a company, but she didn’t apply until now, when she had so many businesses. With the establishment of the company, things like the public relations department and after-sales department also have to keep up. In the future, there will be more systematic management.
Things were going well, and in the evening, she invited people from related units to dinner because of the company’s application for land to build an office building. Needless to say, drinking was inevitable in such interpersonal social activities.
Shen Haiyang took her home and put her on the bed. He took off her clothes and poured water on her to wipe her face. Li Xia had taken a nap in the car. When Shen Haiyang wiped her face and poured water for her, she opened her eyes and woke up.
Outside, the old man came out to look at the stars and turned back to talk to his son. “Is your wife drunk?”
Shen Haiyang nodded with a smile and said, “Yes. She has been applying for a company recently and is also building an office building. So there’s a lot to do.”
“Xia has had a hard time these years; you have to treat her well.” Although he knew that his son and daughter-in-law had a good relationship, he wanted to say a few more words today for some reason. Seeing his son smile and agree, he continued.
“I’m not as lucky as you. I don’t have the same treatment as you for the same disease. Your wife has shouldered the heavy burden of the factory over the years. She has been very kind to you, me, and Huihui. As a wife, she works hard outside. Please be more considerate.”
After saying that, he looked at his son and suddenly laughed to himself: “Really, I was just talking nonsense.”
When his daughter-in-law has a social event at night, his son will definitely go to pick her up. He always coaxes his wife when she is drunk, and he fully supports her career. Over the years, Li Xia has treated Shen Hui like her own children, and he treats the two children like his own, and the reconstituted family is integrated from the inside out.
Shen Haiyang knew that his father wanted him to be happy, and he had developed feelings for him over the years. The two had similar personalities, and they smiled well-temperedly when they looked at each other. Shen Haiyang walked his father to the bedroom.
He helped him to sleep and was about to leave. He turned around and saw his eyes. Although the old man was old, his eyes were still clear and full of happiness and warmth when he looked at his son.
“How about I sleep here with you tonight?”
The old man smiled, his whole body showing joy. “No need.”
Coming out of the old man’s room, he closed the door behind him. Before leaving, he glanced at the east bedroom. Shen Hui and Yiyi now lived with Grandpa in the backyard. Yiyi heard the noise and came out, glancing towards the main room.
“Is Grandpa asleep?”
“Well, you should go to bed soon; don’t read too late.”
“Dad, is my mom drunk again?”
“Yes. Go to bed quickly.”
“okay.”
After chatting with his son for a few words, he also walked back to his room to sleep. Li Xia sat on the bed with her head tilted and looked up when she heard the noise. “Did you go to see Dad?”
“Yeah, I just came back from the backyard.”
“Why don’t you sleep with him in the backyard tonight?”
They are not as close as they were when they were young, but after living together for so many years, he has a good relationship with his father. The old man’s health is getting worse, so he won’t regret it if he gets closer to him.
“Then I’ll go.”
Li Xia nodded and waved for him to go. Shen Haiyang went to the door and then came back: “Can you do it yourself?”
Li Xia smiled and said, “It’s okay; I didn’t drink too much. Go, go, accompany the old man. ”
She was with his mother in her last days, and he is in poor health now, so he should accompany his dad more. Tomorrow, she will make his favorite chestnut cake and some other snacks. The father and son will play chess and drink tea on weekends, which is their favorite thing.
The next day, when Qin Mu arrived, the courtyard was quiet and empty, with only the aunt cooking in the kitchen. She lifted the curtain and went in.
Put the rooster bought from the morning market in a basin and wash it.
“Why is there no movement today? Where is the old man? Is he out?”
Auntie replied, “No, he is doing Tai Chi with Mr. Shen in the backyard.”
“Oh. These two were so quiet. I didn’t hear anything at all.”
“What are you going to do with the chicken?”
“Chicken noodle soup.”
As she was talking, Li Xia also got up, washed up, and took out chestnut flour and other ingredients to make cakes. For breakfast, they had chicken noodle soup, steamed dumplings, and tofu pudding. In the morning, the father and son played chess in the room, and Li Xia brought tea, chestnut cakes, and rose cakes. The old man was immediately happy when he saw this.
“I really like it.”
Li Xia smiled and pointed to the drawer over there, and Shen Haiyang nodded silently. She reminded him to give the old man some digestive tablets, as eating too much of his favorite cakes would make it difficult to digest.
She went out, leaving the space for the father and son, just like every weekend. She went out to the west room of her daughter’s room and sat quietly watching her daughter draw.
At night, Li Xia continued to let her husband accompany her father-in-law. Shen Haiyang had been feeling uneasy for no reason these days, so he should accompany the old man at night. The old man used to say that he was used to being alone and would not let anyone accompany him in the house. Shen Haiyang was very happy to accompany him yesterday, and it seemed that he still liked his son.
“Then go to bed early.”
For several days in a row, Shen Haiyang stayed with his father in the backyard. One day, Li Xia got up and found that the two were silent, so she went to the backyard and knocked on the door.
Two soft clicks, no movement inside. Then three more rhythmic clicks, this time a little heavier than before. There is still no movement inside.
“Dong, Dong, Shen Haiyang, get up early and have breakfast.”
“Creaky,” the door was opened from the inside. Shen Haiyang looked at her with grief on his face without saying a word. He turned around and kneeled down again towards the bed.
The old man passed away peacefully, as if he were sleeping. According to the old man, he was a blessed man. He was born into a wealthy family and died in prosperous China. Although he was sick all his life, he did not suffer a single bit of pain when he passed away.
The son, whom he had never raised since childhood and had a rift with, now has a good relationship with him and accompanies him as if by telepathy before he leaves. His face on the bed has a smile on it and looks full of happiness.
Shen Hui and Yiyi came in and saw the adults kneeling in front of Grandpa, and they immediately kneeled down as well. Tears rolled down their eyes, and their eyes were somewhat unbelievable. Grandpa’s health had not been very good, but he had survived year after year, so how could he suddenly pass away?
He died in his sleep, and his body was already somewhat stiff. Li Xia quickly went to buy some old clothes and put them on him while he was still able to move.
The funeral was held five days later, and the body was kept at home for five days. All the people in the provincial capital knew about it. People came and went at home, and many dealers and suppliers from other places also came.
“Boss Li, you see, it’s difficult for us too. You have a big business, but we are a small business. If you have enough money, just pay me first. I need funds urgently.”
A former supplier wanted money as well, and he was busy with his work when he got in front of me. The old man was a shareholder in the factory, and even those who didn’t know the inside story thought he had the lion’s share. Now that the old man has passed away, it’s unknown how his estate will be distributed. It’s normal for someone to want to settle accounts if they’re afraid of any turmoil.
“Give me some time. Let’s finish our old man’s funeral first, and then we can talk.” Seeing that the two were still looking miserable, she said helplessly, “Our old man’s inheritance will be left to our family. The factory will not be divided because of this. There will be no disputes and no troubles.”
Really? The two rolled their eyes and didn’t insist. “Then why didn’t I see the lawyer?”
“The lawyer is on a business trip and won’t be back for a few days. Don’t worry, I can’t lie to you.”
Yiyi saw someone asking his mother for a debt. He thought the financial crisis had been resolved, but it turned out that it had not been completely suppressed. He was silently worried about his mother, but he didn’t dare ask her for fear of upsetting her.
Wearing mourning clothes, he went out to walk around the gate. Fang Zhongcheng heard the news and came to pay his respects. He was seen at the gate with his head down and in a low mood. There was a dead branch under his feet, which he rolled over and over again.
“hmm,”
Hearing the sound, he looked up and saw him. Shen Ruyi then lowered his head and used his foot to pull the dead branch.
This father turned a blind eye. Fang Zhongcheng sighed helplessly, thinking of his son. Seeing his son, the regret in his heart surged up. Such an excellent child; why did he give up in the first place?
“How is your mother doing lately?”
“Good.”
“Your mother’s factory was sued by the users, and your grandfather passed away at this critical time. If the dealers return the products, the products produced will not be sold, and the suppliers will demand payment; the factory may go bankrupt.”
“You’re talking nonsense. My mother is fine. You don’t need to worry about her.”
“Yiyi , you are a grown-up boy now; don’t act on impulse.”
Fang Zhongcheng was trying to persuade his son earnestly. Shen Ruyi thought about the supplier who came to ask for money before; the factory’s lawsuit had not yet been resolved, and his grandfather had passed away at this critical moment. All the pressure was on his mother’s shoulders. He was his mother’s son, and he had grown up and had to share his mother’s worries.
At night, the family burned paper for the old man, and Li Xia noticed that Yiyi was in a bad mood. “What’s wrong? What happened?”
He hesitated and said, “Mom, are you facing a financial crisis and in urgent need of money?”
Li Xia nodded. “Yes, I’ve been a little short of money recently. What do you want to say? Can you get money for my mother?”
She just said this casually. The economic problem only occurred to the two timid ones, and the others were not affected much. Once the old man’s will was announced, everyone would naturally feel relieved. The factory belonged to her and Shen Haiyang. As long as the couple did not divorce, it would be as stable as a rock.
“Fang Zhongcheng came to see me today and said that if I go with him, he will give me money. With this, you can…”
Li Xia raised her hand and beat him without saying a word, and the bad boy got up and ran away.
“Mom, mom, I didn’t agree. I didn’t agree. I mean, weren’t we attacked for poor product quality this time? I’m going to study mechanical and electronic engineering at the university, and I’ll organize a research and development department for you in the future. Didn’t you say you wanted to develop a mobile phone? I’ll lead people to develop it for you. It doesn’t matter if you can’t get through the current difficulties. When I develop a mobile phone for you, as long as our factory’s foundation is still there, we’ll be able to make a comeback in less than two years.”
The whole family was stunned, and Li Xia was also stunned. She thought the brat was thinking that since he was about to go to college, he could just treat him as if he were living on campus, and he would exchange one million for him.
It turned out that he had planned how to help her. He would learn the technology she needed most in college and take charge of the R&D department. Mom, you don’t have to be so tired and stressed. I’m here. I will develop new products for you. Even if we fail, we can still make a comeback. Don’t be afraid.
She stood there with tears in her eyes, and her emotions were surging like a huge wave. Even if her son chose to disagree with her again, he once again thought that as long as he could get money to help her, he would recognize Fang Zhongcheng. She would just beat him up out of anger and would not say words of breaking up like in her previous life.
But he didn’t. He didn’t know what his grandfather’s will was, nor did he know the current situation of the factory. Thinking that his mother was facing a huge crisis, he didn’t make a deal with Fang Zhongcheng. He chose to study the major that his mother needed most and let his mother wait for him to return after graduation to help her make a comeback.
“How much did he say he would give you?”
“one million.”
“He underestimates me too much. He wants to buy my son for one million. Humph!” Li Xia sneered and turned to look at the brat. “How much does he give you to trade with him?”
The brat was stunned for a moment, then shook his head like a rattle. “I don’t like it at all. He told me to change my last name to Fang.” He shuddered all over.
“No, no, I don’t want any money, no matter how much it costs. If I need money, I’ll go earn it myself. It’s not like I can’t make money. Our family is down for now, but I’ll help it get back up again in the future. What’s there to be afraid of?”
Li Xia suddenly choked up and couldn’t speak. She reached out and hugged her son. She was ready to accept his realism, but he told her that he would never recognize that man no matter how much money he was offered.
With the changes in his living environment and education, he is no longer as proud and superficial as he was in his previous life. He no longer feels inferior and resentful, and he no longer argues about fairness or unfairness.
Instead, he was as tough and unyielding as a man at a young age. When she encountered misfortunes and crises, he told his mother heroically, “Don’t be afraid; wait for me to come back. I will help you make a comeback.”
“Don’t cry, Mom.” The older boy patted his mother’s back to comfort her. “We are all grown up.
We are grown up now, and we are there for you no matter what happens. And Dad, as long as we are together as a family, even if the factory collapses, we can help it get back up again together. ”
Li Xia couldn’t stop crying, and Shen Hui came over to comfort her. The two tall boys protected their mother and patted her to comfort her.
“Don’t cry, mom. Yiyi is right; you don’t have to be afraid. I also studied mechanical and electronic engineering in college, and you know I’ve always been good at physics. With the two of us here, we can develop high-end products and make a comeback in no time.”
Li Xia burst into laughter, but she couldn’t stop crying. Huihua wiped her tears with a handkerchief. “Okay, stop crying. Although I’m not good at learning skills, I cook for mom, massage her back, draw for her, play the piano, and sing for her.”
Li Xia looked at her husband and finally stopped crying. “You two bastards. The factory crisis is over. You were fooled. Fang Zhongcheng is a bastard. He wants nothing but bad things to happen to me. You want to take advantage of my misfortune and snatch my son away. No way.”
Shen Hui was confused: “Isn’t it that we were sued, our order was cancelled, and the creditor wants money?”
Yiyi was also confused: “Yes.”
“I was sued because I didn’t want them to use more despicable tactics. Mom already has a trick up her sleeve to deal with them. The orders weren’t cancelled, but there were too many. The debts were from suppliers, and we’ve agreed to a three-month grace period. After three months, the dealers’ payments will come back, and the funding problem will be solved. After Grandpa’s will is announced, the suppliers will naturally stop asking for money.”
The brothers breathed a sigh of relief: “So that’s how it is.”
“So, are you going to study mechanical and electronic engineering in the future?”
The two brothers nodded in unison and said, “Yes.”
Yiyi sniffed: “Then recruit more talents in college.”
Shen Hui nodded. “Yes. Talent reserve is very important.”
The family had dinner and stayed vigil for the old man at night. Shen Haiyang asked the three children to go to bed, but they all shook their heads. Grandpa was gone, and this was the last time I would accompany him.
“Grandpa used to watch TV every day. Why don’t we turn on the TV?” Yiyi suggested.
“Okay.” Shen Haiyang moved the TV to a new location, plugged it in, and turned it on.
At 11 o’clock, the provincial TV station started broadcasting Hong Kong movies. Everyone sat down to watch the TV series. Shen Haiyang made tea and poured a cup for his father, as if he were still there, and the family was still watching TV together.
After a sleepless night, he kept vigil until dawn. With the help of relatives and friends, the old man was cremated and buried side by side with Shen Haiyang’s mother in the cemetery.
At first, the old man proposed to bury them together, but later he asked a Feng Shui master to tell his fortune, and he said it was normal. He neither disagreed nor agreed, which is a bit intriguing. Finally, after much consideration, he decided not to bury them together but to live next to each other.
“I feel sorry for her. I will atone for my sins toward her when I go down.”
