The Red Era: Living in Seclusion in a Siheyuan as a Boss

Chapter 539: Hao Shun Returns (Happy New Year, fellow readers)!!!

If someone asked people in the early 1980s what was the happiest and most anticipated thing every year?
People are undoubtedly looking forward to celebrating the New Year, wearing new clothes, new shoes, eating dumplings, white flour buns and meat dishes.

However, for children from well-off families like Hao Jixiang,

It's interesting to say that wanting to eat something good is a bit interesting, but wearing new clothes is not a big deal.

But the thing that makes them happiest, most obsessed and most anticipated is going to the village fair when the New Year is approaching.

You can buy firecrackers at the firecracker market at the big market. There is nothing more lively and interesting than this!
These days, people still celebrate the New Year with great festive atmosphere.

As soon as the twelfth lunar month begins, every family starts to get anxious about the New Year and starts preparing for it early.

Grinding flour, slaughtering pigs, making vermicelli, grinding tofu, steaming rice cakes, and making pancakes, they are busy and never idle for a moment.

The entire Liujiazhuang area is very lively and the atmosphere of the New Year is very strong.

With the arrival of several big markets before the end of the year, the children are eagerly looking forward to going to the firecracker market to buy firecrackers, complaining that time goes by too slowly.

The big market in Liujiazhuang area is held on the third and eighth days, especially on the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month, which is the last market of the year.

Everyone has to buy all the New Year's goods they want on this day, and merchants also have to sell their stocks on this day, and then everyone can celebrate the New Year in peace.

Therefore, the fair on this day is the most lively, popular and festive fair of the year.

This big fair often lasts until dusk, and people can only go home satisfied!
From early morning, people from the street office went out to the market.

The country roads and highways were filled with a constant stream of people and cars, young girls and wives, old men, old ladies and young boys; almost all of them had gathered at the fair.

People were shoulder to shoulder and noisy on those streets. Some places were so jammed that you couldn't walk far in half a day!

When kids like Hao Jixiang go to the market, their main task is to buy firecrackers at the firecracker market. They don't care about anything else, as that is the adults' business.

They all move around freely and don't keep company with adults at home.

The cannon market of this market was always set up in a big pit to the east of the street office.

In order to prevent accidents from happening, the location was changed this year to a large open space to the north of the street office.

Following the crowded crowd on the street and walking northwards, across a road, not far away is the long-desired Cannon Market.

Before Hao Jixiang arrived, he heard the high and low sounds of the cannons used to test the artillery to attract business, a series of fast and slow sounds that merged into one.

When we got to the market, we saw that the firecracker market was full of people, and the stalls selling firecrackers were lined up in a long row, with no end in sight.

There were sounds of cannon fire, billowing smoke and flying dust. People were calling each other brothers and bargaining in such a noisy atmosphere that one couldn't even hear what they were saying.

No one would go to the firecracker market and buy firecrackers right away and leave.
Generally, you would look around and see whose firecrackers are the loudest, best, and cheapest.

At this time, the owner of the firecrackers saw that more and more people were coming up, and he started to get excited.

There were many people leaning on bamboo poles and continuously setting off firecrackers, which made crackling sounds!
In particular, on some cars, there were strong men in their forties standing on the roof.
In the cold weather, he bare his arms, showing his dark back and big belly, and shouted loudly:

"Hi! Come and see, come and see, the cannon from the mouth of the Xinji King!

True gold is not afraid of fire, and good cannons are not afraid of testing. Come and see our cannons!"

Then, a long string of firecrackers was picked up with a bamboo pole and set off non-stop with a "bang, bang" sound!

At this time, when the people around heard that this firecracker was good, they rushed over and paid money to buy it.

Just finished here.

A seller on a cart over there saw that the business here was being snatched up, so he also swung his arms, carrying a large string of firecrackers and started shouting:
"Hey! From Nanjing to Beijing, people buy cannons to listen to the sound. Come and listen to our cannons!"

Then a big hang was put up.

When people heard this, they thought it was a good idea and ran over again.

So the sellers on both sides started competing with each other and started a competition.

They were hung one after another, it was so lively!

Going further inside, you will see more open areas where people are selling firecrackers.

There were also people selling "sizzling" fireworks. When the big fireworks were placed on the ground, the fireworks that popped out were like a big fountain, spraying as high as a room.

In order to attract business, those who sell firecrackers have people constantly taking these firecrackers to the side to try setting them off.

The sound of cannons throughout the artillery market was heard one after another, ping-pong ...

Then, when people saw which one was better, they all gathered around and rushed to buy it.

In the eyes of his friends this year, Hao Jixiang is a real rich man. He buys whatever good things he sees without blinking an eye. He is really generous.

His friends were so envious that their eyes turned red. They asked, "Jixiang, how much money did your father give you to buy firecrackers this year?"

"It's only been a short while, and you've already spent thirty or forty yuan on firecrackers. Did you steal your dad's money?" someone questioned.

The other friends followed suit and said, “That’s right, Jixiang, don’t turn around and get beaten up!”

Hao Jixiang grinned smugly and said, "Tsk! What do you know? I have money, why would I steal from my father?"

"You have money? Where does it come from?"

"My grandfather gave it to me, isn't it okay?"

"Ah? Your grandfather? I've never heard that you have a grandfather."

"Hey! What are you talking about? I don't have a grandfather, so how could my father pop out from a crack in the stone?"

"No, no, I mean, I've known you for such a long time, but I've never met your grandfather."

Hao Jixiang blinked and said, "This is my first time meeting my grandfather too. He just came back from Hong Kong. He is a wealthy man and bought me a lot of foreign stuff..."

"Wow! Is this true? You have an overseas Chinese grandfather!"

"Hey! Jixiang, we are good friends, take me to your house to see those foreign things!"

"Okay, go shopping with me first, and I'll go back after I'm done!"

"Ouch! You want to buy more?"

"That's just the beginning." Hao Jixiang pouted and took out a handful of bills to show off.

After Hao Jixiang and his friends returned from the market, everyone was satisfied and excited.

The adults also bought their favorite New Year’s goods. Every family was happy and the festive atmosphere was getting stronger and stronger.

As it was getting dark, some families could not wait to take out the firecrackers they had bought and start setting them off.

When Hao Jixiang saw people starting to set off firecrackers, he was attracted and could no longer hold back, so he started to set off firecrackers without even having dinner.

Then the sound of cannons exploded from far and near, high and low.

When people listened to the sound of cannons, it seemed as if all their worries disappeared. They felt very excited and happy, and were preparing to welcome the arrival of the new year.

Even the deep twilight at dusk is filled with joy, peace and warmth, making people feel that future life will be so happy and beautiful!

Hao Jixiang was having a lot of fun setting off firecrackers, and he was so excited that he didn't want to stop.

At this time, his mother Feng Jing came out from the yard and shouted, "Jixiang, stop playing and go home for dinner!"

"I'll play for a while, you guys eat first, don't worry about me!" Hao Jixiang responded, with no intention of stopping at all.

Feng Jing got furious when she heard this. She stepped out of the courtyard, grabbed Hao Jixiang's ear and scolded him, "You little bastard, you're getting angry with me, aren't you? You wasted all the red envelope your grandfather gave you!"

"Oh, Mom, please show mercy!" Hao Jixiang shouted.

"This is the money my grandfather gave me. He told me to spend it as I like. What has it got to do with you?" Hao Jixiang said righteously.

"Hey! You deserve a beating, don't you?" Feng Jing said, putting more strength in his hands.

"Oh, Mom! It hurts so much!" Hao Jixiang cried out in pain.

When Hao Shun in the room heard the screams of his precious grandson, his deep affection for his grandson suddenly arose and he hurried out of the room.

"Hey, Jixiang's mother, why can't you just talk it out calmly? Let go, let go, don't strangle the child during New Year's Day!"

Seeing the old man show up, Feng Jing had no choice but to spare the brat.

"Go wash your hands quickly, wash them clean!"

"Understood, sir!" Seeing that he had someone to back him up, Hao Jixiang smiled triumphantly and ran to wash his paws!
Feng Jing had only known her father-in-law Hao Shun for a short time. She had never expected that after being married to Hao Haibo for more than ten years, her father-in-law was still alive.

Before this, Feng Jing had no idea about this and even thought that Hao Haibo was an orphan until that day.

Feng Jing is an old employee of Liujiazhuang Pharmaceutical Factory. She has been working here since the factory was first established.

Hao Haibo is an officer of the factory security department. He is from Tianjin and came to work in Liujiazhuang in 1966.

A clichéd heroic rescue led to the encounter between Hao Haibo and the factory beauty Feng Jing.

The two fell in love at first sight.

Soon, they were talking about marriage. Feng Jing's family was well-off and lived in a village close to Liujiazhuang.

Her parents did not despise Hao Haibo because he was alone. Instead, they thought that he was down-to-earth and reliable, and readily agreed to the marriage.

After marriage, Hao Haibo settled down in Feng Jing's village, and now they have two sons. Over the years, Feng Jing has asked about Hao Haibo's hometown.

However, how could Hao Haibo dare to tell the truth at that time? Should he say that he had a father who ran away... wouldn't that bring trouble to himself and the Feng family?
He could only say that he had no parents since he was young, and that his grandfather had raised him, but his grandfather had died early...

Feng Jing believed him without a doubt, and more than ten years passed like this. Until one day, Hao Shun went to Uncle Liu's house.

After returning, Feng Jing keenly noticed that Hao Haibo was worried.

"Haibo, are you worried?"

"Ah! You figured it all out?" Hao Haibo said in surprise.

"Do I need to look at this? It's written all over your face!" Feng Jing glanced at him and said, "Tell me what problem you encountered!"

"No! No difficulty!" Hao Haibo said in surprise.

Feng Jing got angry and said, "You keep talking nonsense. Come on, tell me now. Are you really trying to piss me off?"

"I... Hey, wife, if, I mean if I have ever lied to you, can you forgive me?" Hao Haibo asked cautiously.

"Hehehe," Feng Jing narrowed her eyes, showing her coldness, "What do you think?" "Well, Hao Haibo, do you have someone else outside?" Feng Jing asked.

"No, don't guess. I'll tell you the truth!" Hao Haibo hurriedly explained.

"But you have to keep it a secret! This must not be known to outsiders!" Hao Haibo solemnly warned her.

Feng Jing's heart sank when she heard Hao Haibo speak so seriously, "Haibo, have you done something wrong?"

Hao Haibo was speechless and said, "Am I that kind of person? Stop imagining it. The thing is, I actually have a father..." Then, he told Feng Jing about the separation of father and son more than ten years ago.

However, Hao Haibo did not mention the transaction between him and Liu Zhiye, but only said that he was a friend of his father Hao Shun.

After hearing this, Feng Jing murmured, "I was wondering why you came to Liujiazhuang to work alone. I wonder if you already knew that family!"

Hao Haibo responded with emotion: "Before my father died, he was worried that no one would take care of me, so he asked Uncle Liu to take care of me."

Feng Jing nodded, and suddenly thought of something else: "So when you went to Uncle Liu's place, did you learn about our father's news?"

After Feng Jing nodded, she suddenly thought of something and asked hurriedly, "So you went to see Uncle Liu. Did you get any news about our father?" Hao Haibo replied, "Yes, the environment has changed now. My father wants to come back. He contacted Uncle Liu through a businessman from Hong Kong."

Feng Jing is not an ordinary housewife. She has worked in a pharmaceutical company for many years and has acquired some skills. She then asked, "What does Uncle Liu say?"

"Uncle Liu wasn't at home, so Aunt Gan received me. She said it was okay and told my dad to come back without worry." Hao Shun said happily, and then added, "I just don't know how to tell you. As for my father-in-law and mother-in-law, I haven't told the truth for so many years..."

Feng Jing said sympathetically: "It's fine on my end. I also hope that he can come back soon to enjoy the happiness of family. Don't worry about my parents. They will definitely understand you. After all, what happened back then..."

Hao Haibo was quite moved and took Feng Jing into his arms: "Wife, you are so kind! It is a blessing for me to marry you!"

Feng Jing said shyly: "Oh, what are you doing? It's so corny!"

In Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, there is a seafood store that does quite a booming business.

In this area, other stores might be forced to pay "management fees" by the dwarf mule, but no one dares to bother this store.

This is because the shop owner and those brave and hardworking shop assistants are not locals. They are from Tianjin Port and were once fishermen who risked their lives in the wind and waves.

"Boss Hao, do you really want to go back?" a burly man with white temples asked in a low voice.

Hao Shun smiled and nodded: "Yes, I am old now, it is time to return to my roots."

Another clerk said sullenly: "I really don't understand, it's so good to stay here, I can earn money and have a woman to accompany me..."

"Yes, yes, my hometown is so poor, everyone in my family is trying to find a way out, but you are trying to find a way to go back! Alas!"

"We have finally managed to gain a foothold here. I won't go back!"

"Yeah, what's going on?"

Hao Shun whispered, "I miss my son!"

When others heard this, they didn't know how to persuade him.

Hao Shun looked at the silent brothers, smiled slightly, and said: "Thinking back to the beginning, for all of you, we took the risk to come out and make our own way. Fortunately, God has blessed us, and all of you have been safe and sound over the years, and we have lived a pretty good life."

"Hehehe..." Everyone laughed.

Hao Shun continued, "Let's part ways in peace. Those who are willing to go back with me, let's go together. I promise you that nothing will happen. Those who don't want to go back, just stay and continue to run our fish stall!"

"I'll go with you!"

"And I……"

"I'm not leaving. There aren't many people in my hometown anymore. This place is great!"

"Me too……"

Hao Shun nodded: "Okay, if you want to go back, come back and find me. I will handle the formalities for you."

Hao Shun nodded and said, "Okay, if you want to go back, come to me later and I will handle the formalities for you."

At this time, someone asked: "Boss, how do we get back?"

Hao Shun responded: "Now that my hometown is carrying out reform and opening up, I will go back under the pretext of investing in building a factory..."

Over the years, Hao Shun and his men have not been vegetarians. When they first came out, they brought a lot of real gold and silver.

Moreover, the assets such as several properties and stocks purchased according to Liu Zhiye's suggestions have already increased hundreds of times.

Conservatively speaking, their net worth is several hundred million Hong Kong dollars.

Just like that, everything is ready except for the east wind.

After receiving the news from Liu Zhiye, Hao Shun and others joined the local investment inspection team organized by Hong Kong businessmen to visit the mainland again, and returned to their long-cherished hometown with the team.

After arriving in the mainland, Hao Shun went straight to Liujiazhuang.

Liu Zhiye attaches great importance to the return of his old friend whom he had not seen for many years.

He took time out of his busy schedule to go back home just to see this old friend in person.

Liu Zhiye looked at Lao Hao and couldn't help but sigh: "Lao Hao, I haven't seen you for many years. Your hair has turned white."

Hao Shun's eyes were red, and he said, "I never thought that I could still see you alive. It feels so good."

"But you haven't changed much, except for being more mature. You're still as handsome as ever! Haha..." Liu Zhiye also laughed after hearing this.

In his heart, these were the few friends he could treat sincerely. Others were somewhat restrained due to his status.

"Are you not going to leave this time when you come back?"

"I'm not leaving!" Hao Shun said firmly.

Liu Zhiye nodded and said, "It's a good thing to come back! Now that reform and opening up are deepening, there are opportunities everywhere!"

Hao Shun said solemnly, "I believe you. If it weren't for your foresight over the years, I wouldn't be where I am today!"

Liu Zhiye patted his shoulder and said, "Don't worry, you haven't seen your son yet, right?"

Liu Zhiye patted his shoulder and said, "Don't worry, you haven't seen your son yet, right?"

Hao Shun shook his head: "I came to you first. I don't know what's going on with Haibo!"

Liu Zhiye smiled and said, "Haibo is now successful. He is the security director of Yeshan Wine Group. His wife Feng Jing is the financial manager of the pharmaceutical group. They have two children, both sons."

Hao Shun didn't care about anything else. When he heard that he had two grandsons, he was immediately overjoyed: "This kid is better than me!"

……

After chatting for a long time, Liu Zhiye wanted to welcome Hao Shun.

However, ever since Hao Shun learned that he had two grandsons, he became as anxious as a cat being scratched.

Liu Zhiye looked at his impatient look, and while he found it funny, he also felt a lot of emotion in his heart.

It was not easy for this father and son, as they were separated from each other for more than ten years.

Afterwards, Liu Zhiye let him go.

After leaving Liu's house, Hao Shun asked the driver to drive to his son Hao Haibo's home.

"Boom!"

"coming……"

Feng Jing opened the door and saw a strange old man.

The old man was dressed like a big boss, and there was a Mercedes-Benz behind him.

Feng Jing thought this man looked familiar and thought to herself, "Could he be..."

"Hello, are you..."

"You must be Xiao Feng! I am Hao Haibo's father, Hao Shun!"

(End of this chapter)