While Shao Guangrong wanted to listen longer, Zhou Cheng had no interest in testing human nature. Without waiting for Aunt Stone’s response, he knocked on the door.
“Aunt Stone, are you home? It’s Zhou Cheng. I’m back in Beijing and came to see you!”
Through the door, Wei Juanhong nearly jumped up.
She hadn’t expected Zhou Cheng to arrive so suddenly – had he heard what she just said?
Wei Juanhong didn’t know whether she hoped Zhou Cheng had heard or not. Unlike her anxious daughter-in-law, Aunt Stone put down her shoe insole and went to open the door.
Zhou Cheng and Shao Guangrong stood at the entrance.
“Aunt Stone, this is my friend who drove me here.”
“Ah, come in, both of you come in! It’s cold outside!”
By late November, everyone was wearing heavy coats. The cigarette factory was doing well, and the unit housing had heating. When the door opened, warm air rushed out. Shao Guangrong hadn’t felt cold before, but now he noticed the temperature difference.
The living room was small but not shabby – just like an ordinary family’s home. There was even a black and white television on the cabinet.
Shao Guangrong couldn’t help looking twice. Their life didn’t seem too bad; he had thought they were much worse off.
His gaze met Wei Juanhong’s, and she quickly lowered her head.
Aunt Stone seemed oblivious to the undercurrent, warmly inviting them to sit down and asking Wei Juanhong to boil water for tea. Zhou Cheng said plain hot water would be fine since tea would keep him awake at night. Aunt Stone then commented on all the things he brought:
“You shouldn’t have, just coming to visit is enough. Aunt hasn’t seen you in so long! We don’t lack anything here. See that television? Your mother brought it last month and said your family didn’t need it anymore. She was worried I’d be bored alone at home, so she moved it here!”
So the television was from Guan Hue’e.
Though Zhou Cheng didn’t often go home, he knew their black and white television had been replaced years ago. How could they have a spare one?
His mother must have lied about it being a hand-me-down to spare Aunt Stone’s feelings about accepting gifts. While Xia Xiaolan had stepped back from the Stone family’s affairs, and Guan Hue’e claimed to do the same, she still worried on her son’s behalf.
Zhou Cheng didn’t expose his mother’s lie. “It’s good to have something to watch, but you need to mind your eyes. Why are you making shoe insoles in such dim light?”
Mentioning shoe insoles reminded Aunt Stone. She had an unfinished pair in her hands and several completed pairs stored away, which she brought out for Zhou Cheng:
“Try these, see if they fit.”
So Aunt Stone had been making the insoles for Zhou Cheng. She didn’t know how else to repay the care that Zhou Cheng and his family had shown the Stone family. Thinking that Zhou Cheng probably didn’t lack anything, making shoe insoles was her way of expressing gratitude.
The insoles weren’t valuable, but the sentiment was precious.
Zhou Cheng didn’t stand at the ceremony. He immediately tried on a pair and walked around the room, saying sincerely: “They fit perfectly, very comfortable to walk in. My feet don’t slide around in the shoes!”
Aunt Stone beamed with joy, happy to be of even small help.
She seemed to have emerged from the grief of losing her son and didn’t avoid mentioning Stone Kai. She mentioned that Stone Kai’s feet were one size smaller than Zhou Cheng’s, and she had wanted to make insoles for him but couldn’t because of her poor eyesight.
“What’s past is past. Listen to Aunt, you need to find peace too. Come visit Aunt when you can. We all understand you can’t always control when you can come home from work. Don’t dwell too much on Stone Kai’s matters. If Stone Kai could see how we’re living now, he would be so happy!”
Shao Guangrong felt a profound respect for Aunt Stone.
Regardless of whether she truly was no longer grieved, being able to say such reassuring words to Zhou Cheng showed her kindness and generosity.
Zhou Cheng understood this too.
He didn’t dare show too much grief in front of Aunt Stone. Originally, he had no connection to the Stone family, but Stone Kai’s sacrifice had created a bond between them. Sometimes they needed to encourage each other to move past the pain.
How could they get on with life if they remained mired in sadness?
“Aunt, I understand. You need to take good care of yourself too. The good days are ahead, and you should enjoy them for many years to come!”
Aunt Stone nodded, “Yes, I need to raise Big Treasure and Little Treasure. There are many years ahead.”
While Aunt Stone and Zhou Cheng talked, Wei Juanhong couldn’t find a chance to speak, making her anxious. Had Zhou Cheng really not heard what she said earlier? She wondered if he had received the letters she wrote to him.
Now that Zhou Cheng had finally visited, Wei Juanhong didn’t want to miss the opportunity.
When Zhou Cheng and Shao Guangrong said they needed to leave, Wei Juanhong quickly put on her leather shoes. “Mother, there’s frost outside and it’s very cold. Please watch the children, I’ll go downstairs to see Captain Zhou off.”
Before Aunt Stone could object, Wei Juanhong was already standing outside.
Shao Guangrong lowered his head to hide his mocking smile, while Zhou Cheng’s expression remained unchanged.
Aunt Stone stood supporting herself against the table. “Don’t talk too much with Zhou Cheng, it’s so cold outside. Don’t delay his return home.”
Aunt Stone’s words seemed to carry hidden meaning, making Wei Juanhong feel flustered.
“Aunt, I’m leaving now. I’ll visit again next time.”
Zhou Cheng and Shao Guangrong walked ahead down the stairs, with Wei Juanhong’s leather shoes click-clacking behind them. When they reached the parked car, Wei Juanhong could delay no longer:
“Captain Zhou, did my letters bother you? I didn’t mean anything by them. We don’t know many people in Beijing, and when things happen, I don’t know who to talk to—”
Zhou Cheng suddenly interrupted her, “Sister-in-law Wei, are you saying you’re not used to life in Beijing? Do you want to return to your hometown? Though it’s troublesome, I can try to arrange it.”
Wei Juanhong was stunned.
She had no desire to return to her hometown.
After experiencing Beijing’s prosperity, what appeal did their poor county town hold?
She had only wanted to confide in Zhou Cheng about changing positions, but he immediately suggested sending her back home.
Yes, he hadn’t said sending the Stone family back – just her!
Wei Juanhong was terrified, but Zhou Cheng was already opening the car door. “Sister-in-law Wei, hurry back upstairs, it’s cold outside. And please stop writing to me. If you have anything to say, you can pass it on to my mother. I’m not always in one place at the unit, so your letters might not reach me.”
Wei Juanhong’s face turned bright red.
In the darkness, she thought she heard Shao Guangrong laughing, and she ran back upstairs as if her feet were on fire.
As Shao Guangrong started the car, he couldn’t help laughing, “Brother Cheng, I apologize. I don’t mean to disrespect a martyr’s family, but I find this person quite amusing. Why didn’t you agree to her request for a position change? I glanced at the documents on her table – not only was her handwriting ugly, but it was full of spelling mistakes.”
“Even if I gave her a hundred different positions if she doesn’t work hard and study, she won’t last long anywhere.”
From Wei Juanhong’s words, Zhou Cheng knew she still hadn’t settled down.
Even university graduates assigned jobs by the state had to work wherever they were placed. Future opportunities for promotion or transfers to other units depended on their efforts.
Wei Juanhong kept being picky about work, not realizing how many people would love to have her position but couldn’t get it.
Zhou Cheng worried about everything like a mother hen, but Wei Juanhong showed no gratitude and only complained. If he truly wanted what was best for the Stone family, he had to refuse Wei Juanhong’s requests!