Go back to the prosperous days and become a layman

Chapter 950 949 Life is like wiping your butt

There are great scholars among whom to talk and laugh, and no unlearned people among whom to associate.

This is a humble abode, but my virtue makes it fragrant.

It's unclear when exactly, but among the people who associate with Tang Zhitong, those who hold some official position in their respective organizations have gradually become the majority.

Zhang Xinping arrived last, just as the dishes were almost ready.

The people in the east wing are all from different departments. Although Wu Aijun and Ma Wei are of lower rank, their clothes, demeanor, and knowledge are not at all like children from ordinary families.

In comparison, Meng Qingfeng felt that he was not up to the task of being the manager of the chemical raw materials company.

Meng Qingfeng did not participate in the revolution. He came from a poor family and worked in the retail industry before liberation. He had suffered hardships, toil, beatings, and tribulations. But he had one particularly good quality—he was very studious.

He secretly studied and learned on his own despite adversity, and gritted his teeth to save money to buy a dictionary.

They learn while eating and defecating, and they learn while others are playing.

This hard work paid off. Once he learned to read, he could read newspapers and learn from others' ideas, laying a solid foundation for his future.

After liberation, everything changed, but many things remained the same.

Many businesses disappeared, but supply and marketing cooperatives emerged. Meng Qingfeng got a job thanks to his quick wit, and later, his eloquence and hard work earned him the appreciation of his superiors, which helped him rise to where he is today.

If it weren't for his professional interactions with Tang Zhitong a couple of years ago, Meng Qingfeng probably would have considered Haidian Supply and Marketing Cooperative as his career ceiling.

Today, he had the opportunity to meet Tang Zhitong's friends from all walks of life, which was something he had been longing for.

Meng Qingfeng adopted a very humble attitude, completely different from his demeanor when they first met. Tang Zhitong could roughly guess what he was thinking.

To be honest, Tang Zhitong was satisfied with Meng Qingfeng, both in the past two years of cooperation and in the recent house exchange. After all, he hadn't suffered any losses. So, after offering three toasts, Tang Zhitong toasted Meng Qingfeng separately, while also acknowledging their connection to everyone present: "Brother Meng, you are my benefactor. Without your support on the Yuquanshan project, I wouldn't be where I am today. I toast you!"

"Mutual support and mutual success. Enough said, it's all in the wine." When you're out in the world, your identity is given by yourself, but it's also given by your friends. Faced with Tang Zhitong's kind words, Meng Qingfeng was very straightforward and downed his wine in one gulp.

Everyone here knows what Yuquan Mountain is. Although this project is not as famous as the other ten major projects of the same period, it is definitely one of the key projects.

Because of its inherent prestige, people are not very familiar with the Yuquanshan project and are inevitably curious about it.

So Tang Zhitong and Meng Qingfeng took turns describing the bustling project from back then, only mentioning the parts related to supply and omitting any details about the internal layout, as they still needed to maintain a sense of secrecy.

In fact, Tang Zhitong knew that there was a follow-up underground project, but he simply didn't let Wu Haiyang and his group continue working on it.

"Oh dear, those days were really... pulling all-nighters, writing reports, never finishing work, and not being able to sleep. My beard grew longer and longer, and my hair fell out in clumps. I didn't have much hair to begin with, and it fell out especially badly during that time. I was thinking that it would grow back, but I never imagined that my hair would be gone forever, leaving only a light bulb behind."

Looking back on those glorious years, Meng Qingfeng jokingly pointed to his receding hairline.

Tang Zhitong represented the supply and marketing cooperative at the time, and the items they requested were numerous. Meng Qingfeng had to balance the supply from the Haidian Supply and Marketing Cooperative with the supply for the Yuquanshan project, which really took a lot of brainpower.

"Brother Meng is witty, Brother Meng is so witty!"

As soon as Meng Qingfeng said this, everyone burst into laughter. Yan Zhiyuan didn't understand, but that didn't stop him from being influenced by the atmosphere and grinning and laughing along.

At the dinner table, what's most likely to win people's favor isn't complaining about this or criticizing that, but rather making fun of oneself.

People who are good at self-deprecation are mostly cheerful, positive and optimistic. Using self-deprecation to interpret a certain aspect usually leaves people with the impression of being confident, open-minded, approachable and strong-willed.

The wine was good, and the cigarettes were good too. Among the men present, only Tang Zhitong had quit smoking. The others smoked one cigarette after another, and in no time, the east wing was filled with smoke.

Several women finished their meal early and went to the west wing to drink tea and chat, while the men continued their lively discussions.

Men can drink without snacks, but they can't drink without cigarettes, and they certainly can't drink without women and international affairs.

The international situation is not peaceful. Newspapers are full of people expressing support for this and protesting against that every day, but none of them are as worrying as our own country's problems.

Yan Xiongfei lit a cigarette with a match and said in a low voice something that wasn't in the newspaper: "I heard that the Russians were going to withdraw their experts yesterday. I don't know if there will be a war in the future."

"War is unlikely. It's true that the economy will be tough afterward. After all, the other side has not only recalled its experts, but it's estimated that subsequent aid will also be cut off. Moreover, we still owe military aid loans from the Korean War." Wu Aijun had clearly heard about this and gave his prediction without much hesitation.

"Yesterday was July 16th?" Tang Zhitong asked subconsciously.

Due to disagreements at the Bucharest meeting, Russia unilaterally notified my country that it would recall all aid experts within the next month, and the hope of sending more than 900 experts according to the agreement was even slimmer.

"Yes, July 16th." Yan Xiongfei replied to Tang Zhitong subconsciously, but just thought he was being silly and didn't think much of it.

"These are truly turbulent times!" Tang Zhitong shook his head, trying to conceal his rashness.

However, life becomes difficult for international students there, but at least they stay, and the acceptance of them is not completely cut off. At least the opportunity to cultivate talent remains.

"These are turbulent times, that's really a fitting description." Zhang Xinping cursed after hearing this, then shook his head and sighed, "I was planning to come earlier today, but I was notified yesterday that there would be a meeting this morning. The city requires us to conduct another population survey, and I guess we're not far from reducing the resident quota."

"Let's live for today, for tomorrow we may die. I'm a pretty good fisherman. If we ever get hungry, I'll take everyone fishing with me." Tang Zhitong raised his glass, neither making any definitive statements nor giving any absolute guarantees.

Famine was imminent in Beijing. Hunger could distort people beyond recognition, but it could also create opportunities.

In the next two to three years, a handful of grain will be a life.

Tang Zhitong has an external advantage. If he treats grains, fish, and shrimp as spider silk to weave a web, wouldn't he create an impenetrable network of interpersonal relationships?

Admittedly, human nature is hard to fathom, and we can't expect everyone to have a grateful heart. But if we spread our relationships around, surely there are a few people with a conscience?
Furthermore, everyone is striving for advancement within the system. If someone is found to be ungrateful, their future prospects will likely be ruined.

The atmosphere had been somewhat somber. After the group put down their glasses, Meng Qingfeng triggered his passive skill, managing to drive his bicycle at train speed.

The pressure from the insufficient supply was too great, but being within the system, they couldn't openly complain. So this pressure, like finding a breakthrough, pushed the steam locomotive forward relentlessly, creating a high-speed train-like experience.

Tang Zhitong felt that these guys had completely let loose, not only locking the accelerator but also not using the brakes at all. At this rate, Tang Zhitong estimated that even if they tried to brake, they'd still end up swerving and crashing into oncoming traffic.

"Brother Zhang, a while ago someone from our unit went into the grove of trees in the park. Is this happening a lot these days?" After the children finished eating, they were laughing and playing in the yard. Tang Zhitong started to act as a brake, consciously changing the subject. If the younger siblings heard this, it would set a bad example for the children.

"Based on the information we have now, almost every park with a grove of trees has them." Zhang Xinping did not give a specific number, but the implication was clear.

“There has indeed been a recent trend of spread. My wife works at the hospital and recently encountered a case where a young child contracted a sexually transmitted disease. Upon further inquiry, we learned that the child had been infected by a family member.”

"Those peaches were rotten like the mouths of stinky fish, it's disgusting to even think about them. How could those people do such a thing?" Yan Xiongfei chimed in from the side.

“Some people are still too full.” Although Wu Aijun has a privileged family background, he is still a passionate young man who once proposed to crack down on this ugly phenomenon, but the bureau did not do so.

"Sigh, it's only been a few years since it was banned?" Meng Qingfeng sighed upon hearing this.

"There is a shortage of jobs right now, and there are always some people who have no source of income."

Some people have money but nowhere to spend it, while others lack the money to support their families; there's nothing that can be done about it.

We can't be too strict and cut off their livelihood." Meng Qingfeng's words sounded to Zhang Xinping like, "Aren't you going to do anything about it?" This kind of thing can be managed, but what if they get arrested? Where to send them? Where isn't there a shortage of food?
He did want to redistribute land and wealth, but the circumstances didn't allow it!

Given these numerous contradictions, maintaining a certain level of crackdown has become the best option at present.

"It's all because of the food shortage. This is still considered good; the real fear is that people will try to get something for nothing in the future."

A gambling father, a sick mother, a young brother, a sensible girl, an abusive husband, and a broken home.

They make up little stories, trying every possible way to justify themselves, because making money in this line of work is too easy and too fast.

Zhang Xinping, being in the Municipal Public Security Bureau, was reluctant to elaborate, but Tang Zhitong had no such reservations.

“You talk like a tailor shop makes a series of clothes. These days, most people are going back to their old ways; I haven’t seen any newcomers,” Zhang Xinping laughed.

"It's hard to say what will happen in the future." Tang Zhitong smiled and said that the reason he hadn't appeared was probably because the supply could still be maintained.

During the painful period of reform, many people lost their source of income. They had elderly parents who needed medicine, and children whose tuition, fees, and textbooks needed to be paid. Couples couldn't find any money, so the husband went downstairs to keep watch, and the wife...

Then there's the movie "1942," where young women were willing to go to Southeast Asia just to have enough to eat. What else is unacceptable?

"Comrade Tang, your idea is very dangerous," Zhang Xinping joked.

"Hehe, because I understand human nature." Tang Zhitong chuckled and added:
"Life is actually pretty much like wiping your butt."

When wiping your bottom, you usually fold the toilet paper in front of you, partly to keep an eye on it and avoid getting it on your hands, and partly to make sure you've wiped clean.

Have you ever noticed that when wiping your butt, you always wipe a little more, making sure the toilet paper is completely clean before pulling up your pants?

Actually, the final touch didn't completely clean it up; it just made the color lighter, light enough for the person involved to accept.

Life is the same. As long as you get by with your life roughly, that's fine. If you delve too deeply into it, life becomes unbearable.

Tang Zhitong's words silenced everyone.

After about five seconds, Yan Xiongfei broke the silence with a laugh: "Goodness, you've turned wiping someone's astray as a philosophical question. Looks like we haven't had enough to drink yet. Come on, let's have a toast."

The man was meeting new friends. The food and drinks were good, and Meng Qingfeng kept inviting everyone to drink more.

Besides the tiger bone wine, Tang Zhitong also finished off the other two bottles.

As the host, Tang Zhitong could not use his poor alcohol tolerance as an excuse to avoid drinking. He could only send the wine into his space when he felt he was about to drink. Even so, he was still a little dizzy because the nerve cells under the tongue are densely packed, and the absorption rate of alcohol is incredibly fast.

Before the drinking progress bar reached 100%, Yan Xiongfei called a stop: "I am very happy to have this opportunity to get to know everyone today. I have to take my child home later, so I can't drink too much. Let me toast everyone with this glass and wish you all a harmonious family and smooth work!"

"Thank you, Brother Yan. I suggest we drink some more. Aijun and I have to go back to the Municipal Bureau this afternoon." Zhang Xinping glanced at his watch, also deciding he didn't want to drink anymore.

"Alright, then let's drink to the glass. Drinking any more will only make us look foolish. If you ever need my help in the future, please don't hesitate to ask." Meng Qingfeng raised his glass.

Since no one wanted to drink anymore, Tang Zhitong didn't insist. Alcohol is best enjoyed when you're slightly tipsy; too much can not only harm your health but also make you prone to saying the wrong thing…

After finishing his meal and drinking some tea, Zhang Xinping took out half a jin of grain coupons and prepared to leave.

With him taking the lead, the others also started taking things out of their pockets.

"Brother Zhang, I'm not taking anyone's food coupons today. If I come to your place in the future, will you have the nerve to ask me for my food coupons?" Tang Zhitong grabbed the food coupons and stuffed them back into his hand, both to show Zhang Xinping and to the others.

After a struggle, Tang Zhitong ended up not keeping a single grain coupon.

After seeing the others off, Tang Zhitong lay on the bed in a daze, wanting nothing more than to get some sleep.

Jingmin nudged Tang Zhitong: "Brother-in-law, when are you going to wake up? We agreed to go fishing today."

"Go away, can't you see your brother-in-law is drunk? Didn't he take you fishing last night?" Xiao Wang's classmate was afraid her husband would vomit, so she took a washbasin and placed it by the bed, and pushed her younger brother away.

"How can that be the same?" Jingmin pouted, looking unwilling.

Xiao Wang ignored her younger brother, tossed the towel around, wrung it out halfway, and sat on the edge of the bed to wipe her husband's face.

Tang Zhitong closed his eyes, pulled Xiao Wang's hand, and mumbled, "Give me some water...give me some water...give me some water to drink."

By the time Xiao Wang heard the first two sentences, she was already about to stuff the towel into her husband's mouth. What kind of time is this to be thinking about that? Her younger brother is right there; what if he starts learning that?

When she heard the last sentence, she was both angry and amused. She pinched her husband's waist and said, "I told you to drink so much and that you'd be out of breath when you talk!"
"Mouth, mouth, drool, stuttering, you broke your promise, you didn't take me fishing." Jingmin was very resentful and muttered to himself. He felt that whether it was the Tongzi River or Shichahai, the fish in them must be waiting for him. If he didn't go fishing, how disappointed they would be.

(End of this chapter)