Chapter 34

On Sunday, Lu Zheng rarely had a lazy morning, while Du Xiaohu went out early on his three-wheeled motorcycle, heading to Nanying Police Station. It was probably the most arduous and tiring of the seven police stations under the Guangning Public Security Bureau, especially during the summer when there were many tourists and frequent public security disputes. Now that the peak of summer had passed, things had become a bit easier.

Du Xiaohu was actually very reluctant to take up the position as the chief of the station. Of course, it wasn't because he was afraid of hardship or fatigue, but because he didn't want to leave Lu Zheng's side. However, he naturally followed Lu Zheng's instructions without hesitation.

Lu Zheng hoped that Du Xiaohu would gain some experience at the grassroots level, believing that without experiencing the storms, one would never grow up.

At eight o'clock, Lu Zheng got up on time, went to the courtyard, and did a set of military exercises to the music from the loudspeakers of the Zhaozhuang radio station. He then went back to the house, reheated the porridge and fried eggs that Du Xiaohu had cooked, ate a quick meal, washed the dishes, and changed into a gray Zhongshan suit, preparing to go out for a walk.

Just as he stepped out of the courtyard and locked the iron gate, he turned around and saw a bicycle passing by him closely, followed by the sharp sound of the rubber brake. Aunt Cuihong jumped off the back seat of the bicycle.

"Ah, Aunt Cuihong, you're back!" Lu Zheng exclaimed. A while ago, Aunt Cuihong had a quarrel with Lu Guobin and ran to her eldest son in Qinglong. Lu Zheng had visited a few times, but Aunt Cuihong hadn't returned, and Lu Guobin had been extremely cold to him. Lu Zheng had left his address, and it had been more than half a month since he last visited. He had even thought about visiting again if he had time in the next few days.

Seeing Aunt Cuihong about to wipe her tears, Lu Zheng quickly smiled and said, "Aunt Cuihong, don't be sad, and don't argue with Uncle anymore. I'm doing well. I joined the army a few years ago, was transferred last year, and now I work at the county public security bureau. I'm a leader, at least in a small way."

Ma Cuihong was stunned and looked at Lu Zheng suspiciously, asking, "Is that true?"

Lu Zheng smiled and said, "For something this big, would I lie to you?"

Ma Cuihong looked up and down at Lu Zheng, her eyes reddening again. She lowered her head and gently wiped her tears, "If it's true, my poor sister can rest in peace. Aunt Cuihong isn't capable, and I haven't taken good care of you, but if you can make something of yourself, that's better than anything..."

Lu Zheng felt a slight pain in his heart, but he just smiled, gently patted Aunt Cuihong's shoulder, and comforted her softly.

Lu Xiaoping, who was riding the bicycle, sneered. Ma Cuihong had asked her to bring her to find Lu Zheng, and she was extremely unwilling. Now, hearing Lu Zheng "brag," she rolled her eyes even more. This child, who had once lived in her house, was just a "little beggar" in her eyes, and no matter how many years had passed, this label couldn't be removed. She couldn't believe that Lu Zheng could amount to anything.

Although the appointment of Lu Zheng by the city bureau and the county committee had been reported on the Guangning News, the news was only broadcast once a week for half an hour, mostly covering meetings of various systems and levels of leadership, which was extremely dull. Almost no one in Guangning watched it, and even if they did, they would just skim through it, who would pay attention to which leader was which?

"Aunt Cuihong, Xiaoping, let's go inside and sit down." Lu Zheng took out his key to open the door.

To his surprise, Ma Cuihong said, "Yes, I won't go back. Zhengzi, I'll live with you from now on."

Lu Zheng was taken aback and turned to smile, "Are you still angry with Uncle?"

Ma Cuihong huffed and didn't say anything.

Lu Zheng thought for a moment and said, "This is a house I share with someone else, and it's not very convenient to live in. How about I take you home first, and we can discuss it further?" Although Lu Guobin wasn't good to him and seemed to bully Aunt Cuihong, the two elderly people had lived together for most of their lives and had adapted to this lifestyle. If they had constant conflicts because of him, it wouldn't be what he wanted.

"Shared?" Ma Cuihong sighed in disappointment.

Lu Xiaoping interjected, "Do you think he could get his own house? Besides, Zhaozhuang is a rural area; there's no family compound here like in the city."

Ma Cuihong glared at her and said, "What are you talking about, you brat?"

Lu Zheng wouldn't argue with a little girl. He went back to the courtyard to get the bicycle, asked Aunt Cuihong to sit on the back seat, and, with Lu Xiaoping in front, they left Zhaozhuang.

Seeing that Lu Zheng's bicycle was a brand new 26-inch "Phoenix," Ma Cuihong smiled with relief, "Zhengzi, looking at your clothes, I'm reassured. The bike is yours, right?"

Before Lu Zheng could speak, Lu Xiaoping chuckled, "Mom, what are you asking? Which man rides a 26-inch bike? It must be borrowed from some female colleague, maybe they don't even know."

Indeed, men usually rode 28-inch bikes, but Lu Zheng liked the 26-inch for its convenience, even though it was more feminine. From his perspective, it didn't matter.

Lu Zheng didn't say anything, and Ma Cuihong frowned and scolded Lu Xiaoping, "You brat, don't talk nonsense!" The implication in Lu Xiaoping's words was that Lu Zheng's bicycle might be stolen.

Passing by the roast chicken shop next to the department store, Lu Zheng bought a roast chicken. Ma Cuihong repeatedly told him not to spend money, but Lu Zheng also bought two bottles of wine and two cans of canned food.

Arriving at the fertilizer factory's family compound No. 3, Lu Zheng couldn't help but think of Tong Susu. He wondered how the casting for "Dream of the Red Chamber" was going. In the 1987 version of "Dream of the Red Chamber," Tong Susu didn't appear, so he had, in a way, changed her fate.

Lu Guobin was still indifferent to Lu Zheng. When Ma Cuihong started to prepare lunch, Lu Guobin said, "We'll eat out for lunch."

Ma Cuihong was delighted, thinking that Lu Guobin had changed his attitude toward Zhengzi. However, she still said, "We're all family, why go out to eat? The child has bought a lot of things, we can just add a few more dishes. Don't go to a restaurant for the child, it would make us seem distant."

Lu Guobin was taken aback and frowned, "What are you thinking? Today I have an important guest. We're going to build a canning factory in Sanhe Township, and I know the factory manager. After several requests, he finally agreed to have this meal. Our daughter Xiaoping's job depends on him. I hope she will do well, unlike when she was fired from the flour mill."

Ma Cuihong was slightly disappointed but quickly turned her thoughts to finding a job for her daughter. She asked, "Will there be a chance for a permanent position?"

Lu Guobin frowned again, "You old woman, are you always so greedy? Let's see if she can get the job first!"

Lu Guobin had two sons and four daughters. His eldest son worked in Qinglong, his second son was in college, his eldest and second daughters were workers in collective enterprises, and his third daughter could take over his position when he retired. Only his youngest daughter, Lu Xiaoping, had no job, which was a constant worry.

While Ma Cuihong and Lu Guobin were discussing inside, Lu Zheng wandered around the courtyard, asking, "Has Old Mr. Xia moved away?" Lu Xiaoping, sitting on a stool under the locust tree, was annoyed by his aimless wandering and said, "Why do you care so much about others?"

Outside the courtyard, the clear sound of a bicycle bell rang out. Lu Xiaoping's face lit up, and she rushed out like the wind. A short while later, she came in holding the hand of a young man. He was in his early twenties, slightly thin, with small, droopy eyes, and looked somewhat sleazy. His Lenin suit was loose and oversized, making him look even more ridiculous.

Judging by the intimate manner between Lu Xiaoping and the young man, they were already a couple, and it seemed they were close to getting married.

Although Lu Xiaoping wasn't particularly beautiful, she was quite pretty and had always been picky. It was unclear why she had chosen this young man.

"Dad, Mom, Xiaoliang is here!" Lu Xiaoping called out to the house and then led the young man inside, ignoring Lu Zheng. The young man, however, glanced at Lu Zheng a few times.

Hearing the warm conversation and occasional laughter from the four of them inside, Lu Zheng smiled and slowly sat down under the locust tree, enjoying the fresh scent of the green leaves. He was somewhat lost in thought.

The scene before him made Lu Zheng feel as if he had returned to many years ago. Although Aunt Cuihong cared for him, he was not her biological child, and he was often excluded from the family's happiness. He was indeed an outsider.

The person who cared for him the most in the world, besides his adoptive mother who had passed away, was his mother in Beijing. Although she was stern and rarely showed her emotions, she had been quietly watching over him for many years.

Lu Zheng lit a cigarette and smoked silently, seeing Aunt Cuihong poke her head out to call him inside. He just smiled and shook his head at her.

After a while, the four of them came out of the house, laughing and chatting. Lu Guobin looked very happy, patting the young man's shoulder affectionately.

Ma Cuihong came to Lu Zheng and said, "Come, let's go to a restaurant, Dongmifang. The food there is quite expensive." To convince the old man to let Lu Zheng join them, Ma Cuihong had to do a lot of talking, and finally, Lu Guobin agreed, putting her mind at ease.

Ma Cuihong then instructed Lu Zheng, "Just eat the meat and don't worry about anything else." This was actually what Lu Guobin had told her, but he had been more direct, saying, "When we go to the restaurant, tell that glutton to keep quiet and just eat and drink to satisfy his hunger!"

Lu Zheng, being who he was, knew many things even if he didn't say them. He smiled and said, "Okay." It had been a few months since he last saw Aunt Cuihong, and he didn't want to part ways just yet. They should have a meal together.