Rebirth: My dad is too obedient

Chapter 589 Honey Triple Cut (The End)

When the dumplings were served, Dong Huizhi was a little timid, but she still sat down next to Xu Zhiquan.

While eating dumplings, Old Xu inquired about some daily matters.

Dong Huizhi looked inevitably dejected, and her forced smile betrayed her embarrassment.

Xu Zhiquan sighed, took two thick envelopes out of his bag, and stuffed them into Dong Huizhi's hand.

"Second brother...I can't take it..."

If my third brother finds out, he'll scold me again!

Xu Zhiquan frowned: "This is for you and the child, what business is it of his of his!"

He sighed again: "My third brother is stubborn, he's always been like that since he was little."

These past years have caused my younger siblings so much suffering...

"Then you can keep this money hidden away, or save it for your child's education."

Dong Huizhi lowered her head, her fingers gripping the envelope, turning slightly white...

Seeing a guest enter, Xu Zhiquan smiled and said:

"Sister-in-law, go ahead and get busy, don't worry about me!"

Dong Huizhi wiped her eyes and said:

"Second brother, please sit down first, let me finish greeting the guests..."

Xu Zhiquan chuckled and picked up his chopsticks to eat dumplings again.

……

On the other side, Xie Cangming got up with a bowl of dumplings and walked to Xu Zhiquan's table:

"I'm sitting right in front of the air conditioner... Can we sit at the same table?"

Xu Zhiquan looked up and saw a dark-skinned man with a noticeable scar at the corner of his eye.

Old Xu, still eating a dumpling, pointed to his side:
"Please sit wherever you like!"

"Thank you!"

Xie Cangming didn't stand on ceremony; he picked up his bowl of dumplings and sat down opposite Xu Zhiquan.

At the small table, the two "old fathers" sat together for the first and perhaps the last time.

……

"Want a cigarette?" Xu Zhiquan took out a cigarette from his pocket.

"No." Xie Cangming smiled.

"However, I can have a little bit to drink," he added.

Xu Zhiquan was stunned for a moment, then chuckled.

He was about to ask his sister-in-law, Dong Huizhi, for some wine when the man opposite him pulled out an unopened box of "Touqu" (a type of Chinese liquor) from his bag.

Xie Cangming showed a hint of embarrassment:
"I enjoy a drink now and then. I bought this bottle of wine yesterday, but I haven't had a chance to drink it yet."

Xu Zhiquan laughed heartily:

"Then I'll take advantage of it!"

Xie Cangming opened the bottle while smiling and saying:
"Smoking and drinking go hand in hand."

Old Xu had already taken two empty wine glasses from the cabinet next to him.

Xu Zhiquan: "Judging from your accent, you're also from the North?"

Xie Cangming: "Oh, I work here."

Xu Zhiquan: "If you buy wine to drink by yourself, it must be because you've encountered a happy event!"

Xie Cangming: "It is indeed a joyous occasion worth celebrating..."

Xu Zhiquan laughed heartily, but did not ask any further questions.

As Xie Cangming poured the wine, he pondered for a moment and said:

"Drinking alone is like drinking in sorrow; drinking with someone is like drinking for a wedding."

"Come on! Let's have a drink!"

"Dry!"

What year?

"1962".

"Then I should call you 'brother'!"

"Another bowl, please!"

……

"Can I ask you something?"

"You tell me."

"What kind of dowry do you give when your daughter gets married in your area?"

"This is really a bit of a challenge for me..."

I have a son, so I really don't know how to arrange the dowry.

However, when I got married, my dowry consisted of a wedding quilt, a wedding basin, and three gold items...

Xu Zhiquan thought for a moment, then smiled and beckoned to Dong Huizhi:
"Sister-in-law, why don't you explain it to him?"

……

……

Early 2007, before the Chinese New Year.

In a village in Tiancheng, at the foot of Beishan Mountain.

Inside the kitchen, Zhai Fengshuang was cooking a pot of mushy noodles, while her husband, Liu Changpeng, sat beside her, smoking a pipe.

Liu Changpeng tapped his pipe on the ground and said:
"A house in the city center! It must be worth at least two or three hundred thousand, right?"
We can't let that girl get away with this so easily!

Zhai Fengshuang: "What else can we do?"
The village chief and district leaders have both said that if you keep thinking about it, they'll arrest us!

Liu Changpeng snorted coldly:
"I think it's just to scare us!"
We're not breaking the law!
"You're that girl's biological mother. The city allocated her an apartment, and since she's not married yet, that apartment is yours!"

Zhai Fengshuang remained silent, but was clearly annoyed, scooping haphazardly from the pot with a large ladle.

Liu Changpeng:
"Let's think of another way! If our son could have a house in the city when he gets married, things would be much easier!"
"Maybe it'll help our son find a wife from the city!"

He looked at the woman beside him:

"Say something! That's your own daughter. You should have a way to get the house!"

Zhai Fengshuang:
"What can I do? I don't even know where this girl is!"
She still has the surname Xie, but not Zhai or Liu...

I don't even have her phone number!

……

After a pot of noodles was cooked, Liu Changpeng and Zhai Fengshuang each carried a large bowl and ate as they walked back to the north room.

Liu Changpeng walked to the square table and was about to sit down when he suddenly froze.

Zhai Fengshuang was stunned for a moment, then turned to look at the table, and was so frightened that she almost dropped the bowl on the ground.

On that dirty wooden square table, a gleaming short knife was stuck in the ground.

A tall figure emerged from the darkness in the corner...

Xie Cangming sat down at the table without saying a word and picked up the knife on the table.

"Your son's name is Liu Ruigen, right? He's in first grade at the village primary school..."

Liu Changpeng gasped, his legs trembling with fear.

He already knew, of course, who the man in front of him was.

The bowl of noodles that Zhai Feng was holding in her hands seemed to be getting heavier and heavier, as if it would push her whole body to the ground.

Xie Cangming:
"Don't even think about my daughter's house."

Don't even think about owning anything belonging to my daughter.

Otherwise, I'll start to miss you all...

Old debts and new grievances, I don't mind settling them all together.

……

……

It was summer in 2008.

Around 10 p.m., at "Guiqin Qiangguo Noodle Restaurant".

Liu Guiqin tidied up the shop and walked to the door to lower the roller shutter.

She heard some noise, turned her head and almost screamed in fright.

"Thank... thank you, brother?"

She looked closely and realized it was "Brother Xie," whom she hadn't seen for almost a year and a half.

Xie Cangming slumped against the wall, a canvas satchel beside him.

He looked up and saw:

"Boss lady, is there any food left?"

Liu Guiqin paused for a moment, then said, "Yes...yes!"

She turned to go back, but found Xie Cangming sitting on the ground without getting up.

"Brother Xie, what's wrong with you?"

Xie Cangming: "It's nothing, just a bump..."

"Boss lady, could you help me up?"

Liu Guiqin stood there stunned for a moment, a sense of unease and even fear rising in her heart.

But she hesitated only slightly before helping Xie Cangming to his feet.

After all, he was a tall, 1.8-meter-tall northern man. Liu Guiqin dragged him up as if she were pulling a mountain up.

In the store.

Liu Guiqin placed "Brother Xie" on the table, only to see him clutching his right stomach, his face deathly pale.

"Brother Xie, are you alright?"
Should I take you to the hospital?

Xie Cangming smiled and straightened his back.

He took off his canvas bag and casually placed it on the stool next to him:
"It's okay, just cook me a bowl of noodles."

"Boss lady, I love your stir-fried noodles; they taste just like the ones from my hometown."

Liu Guiqin: "Okay... Thank you, Brother Xie, please wait a moment!"

Xie Cangming coughed and said, "Boss lady, could you add a fried egg for me?"

Liu Guiqin paused, turned her head, and responded.

……

A large bowl of hot stir-fried noodles was quickly served, along with a nice fried egg and several large pieces of braised pork belly.

Liu Guiqin wiped her hands on her apron and said somewhat embarrassedly:

"There are a few pieces of meat left; they'll have to be thrown away anyway, even if we don't eat them today..."

"I won't charge you."

Xie Cangming paused for a moment, said "thank you," and then began to eat in silence.

The shop wasn't big, but with only two people there, it still felt empty.

Liu Guiqin stood still for a moment, then suddenly felt that she was neither able to stand nor sit properly.

She felt a little embarrassed, but luckily, "Brother Xie" across from her was engrossed in eating his noodles and didn't notice her expression or thoughts.

Liu Guiqin turned around and went to the cabinet, picked up the remote control from the table, and turned on the TV.

"Reporters have learned that the opening ceremony of the 2008 Olympic Games has completed its third rehearsal."

Director Zhang Yimou gave an interview…

Liu Guiqin had no interest in watching TV and would occasionally glance at Xie Cangming, who was engrossed in eating his noodles.

She naturally had all sorts of questions in her mind, wondering where this "Brother Xie" had been for over a year and why he had suddenly reappeared.

And what about his "injury"?

Judging from this, it's hard to tell if it's really serious.

However, Brother Xie's physique is indeed that of a mountain-like man...

She then noticed the scar at the corner of Xie Cangming's right eye, and a sense of apprehension arose within her.

In fact, Liu Guiqin knew almost nothing about "Brother Xie's" past.

Two years ago, he saw several men who looked like bad guys come looking for him, and they kept calling him "Brother Cang"...

Liu Guiqin frowned, sighed inwardly, and composed herself.

Xie Cangming finished the entire bowl of noodles, leaving not a drop of soup.

His face, which had been pale, gradually regained its color.

Liu Guiqin got up:

"If that's not enough, I'll cook another bowl."

Xie Cangming paused slightly:

"Madam, could I borrow some money from you?"

Liu Guiqin was stunned for a moment, and then a feeling of extreme unease rose in her heart.

In the dead of night, in these streets and alleys.

There were only two people in the shop again...

She panicked for a moment and instinctively reached for something, but ended up grabbing the TV remote.

As luck would have it, my thumb landed right on the volume button. The TV volume instantly increased.

"According to head coach Sun Mouping, Xie Bingran is undoubtedly the most likely to win a medal among the track and field team competing in the Olympics..."

She shuddered, then quickly picked up the remote and turned the volume down.

Xie Cangming stood up without saying a word, took out ten yuan from his pocket and put it on the table.

He said "thank you" again and turned to leave.

Liu Guiqin paused for a moment, then quickly took two steps to catch up:

"Brother Xie... how much money do you need to borrow?"

Xie Cangming: "Oh, no need, I'll think of another way."

Liu Guiqin suddenly felt a sense of urgency:

"How much do you want? I'll lend it to you."

Xie Cangming paused for a moment:
"Next month, I need to go to the capital, but I happen to be short of money..."

He thought for a while:

"I reckon it'll still cost two or three thousand yuan."

I'll pay you back when I get back...

If I can't pay it back, I'll work for you for six months.

I saw a sign outside your door saying you're looking for helpers..."

Liu Guiqin hesitated for a moment before speaking:

"Then Brother Xie, please come over tomorrow morning. I'll prepare three thousand yuan for you."

Xie Cangming stood there in silence for a moment, then bowed his head and said, "Thank you."

Liu Guiqin, on the contrary, relaxed and joked:

"I've never been to the capital city!"

"What are you doing, Brother Xie? Are you going to watch the Olympics?"

Xie Cangming did not answer.

He stood there silently for a moment, then reached into his canvas satchel, pulled out a package, and placed it on the table:
"Snacks I brought from my hometown."

He said no more, turned and left.

Liu Guiqin stood there stunned for a long time before walking to the table.

She picked up the package of pastries wrapped in oil paper, looked at it, opened the packaging, and found it was "Honey Three-Cut Pastries".

She picked up a piece and popped it into her mouth.

He chuckled as he chewed.

……

……

August 2008, Beijing, Bird's Nest.

Xie Cangming held the "Ranbing Sports" T-shirt in his hand and looked back at the tall, fair-skinned boy.

"It's alright..."

He speaks politely and acts with integrity.

"His looks are alright..."

He couldn't help but smile.

……

Cheers and clamor could already be heard inside the Bird's Nest.

Xie Cangming glanced at the blue ticket in his hand again and strode towards the "South District".

At the security checkpoint of "Entrance H", Xie Cangming was in a long queue.

The surrounding area was full of young people, many of whom were holding banners of various sizes to cheer on Xie Bingran.

They were excitedly discussing it non-stop. Xie Cangming secretly listened in and couldn't help but smile happily.

His tall and imposing figure, along with his demeanor, made him stand out from the group of young people around him. Being all alone, he was truly conspicuous.

Fortunately, I passed through security without incident.

A group of young people rushed toward the entrance, and Xie Cangming followed slowly behind.

At this time.

A security guard in uniform walked over:
"Hello comrade, please show me your ticket."

Xie Cangming stopped and looked up at the "security personnel." From his physique, demeanor, and expression, he knew that this was no ordinary "security guard."

Xie Cangming took out the ticket in his hand and handed it over:

"It has already been checked."

"We'll be doing spot checks," the security guard said in a low voice as he looked at the tickets.

Xie Cangming remained silent and could only cooperate quietly.

"It's all for the Olympics. Thank you for your understanding, comrades."

"I understand, I understand..."

"Do you have your ID card?" The security guard handed the ticket back.

Xie Cangming frowned, but still obediently took out his wallet from his pocket, pulled out his ID card, and handed it over.

The security guard looked at it carefully:
"Comrade, please wait here for a moment."

As he spoke, he took two steps back, looking at the ID card in his hand while picking up the walkie-talkie on his chest and speaking into it...

Xie Cangming's expression darkened, and he stood quietly in place.

Beside me, spectators who came to watch the game kept walking quickly toward the entrance.

"Hurry up! It's about to start!"

"Hurry up! The race only lasts a dozen seconds. If you're even a couple of steps late, you'll miss it..."

"Are they starting to introduce the team members? Let's go!"

……

Xie Cangming turned to look at the "security guard," who was standing a few steps away, looking at his ID card while communicating into a walkie-talkie.

Xie Cangming looked up at the entrance and frowned...

The "security personnel" was still listening to the confirmation message on the walkie-talkie.

He looked up and found that "Xie Cangming" had already left the original spot and was now at the entrance.

"Don't run! Don't move!"

……

……

Inside the Bird's Nest, there was a great deal of noise.

Xie Cangming gripped the iron railing tightly with both hands, while the two "security personnel" behind him tried to pull his arms over, but they couldn't budge them.

"She won! Xie Bingran won!"

"12.30 seconds! A new Olympic record!"

"This is the history of Chinese athletics! This is the history of the yellow race! This is the history of the Olympic Games!"

Xie Bingran has black hair and yellow skin!

She made history!

Xie Cangming looked down at the field and couldn't help but burst into laughter.

His laughter was loud and arrogant.

But it was submerged.

Amidst a sea of ​​cheers.

……

……

……

The Qingming Festival holiday in 2009.

Nanhe Village, Xie Family Old House.

Before dawn, Xu Chen woke up to an enticing aroma.

When I went into the main room, I saw Xie Bingran cooking noodles on the stove.

"smell good!"

Xu Chen went over to take a look and, sure enough, it was the "stir-fried noodles" that he had eaten several times before.

The pot was bubbling and steaming, with two poached eggs lying on top.

Bing Ge isn't exactly a good cook, but the stir-fried noodles he made were really to Xu Chen's liking.

Xu Chen recalled the first time he ate it, when the two of them were at the "Huayin" guesthouse by the Erhai Lake in Cangshan.

As for how Bingge can cook this bowl of noodles, it's naturally because his grandmother taught him when he was a child.

……

Today is Qingming Festival. This morning, we first paid our respects to Grandma Xie Bingran here, and then Xu Chen drove back to his hometown to pay respects to his mother with his father, Xu Zhiquan.

Last night, the two of them slept in the Xie family's old house.

At the end of last year, Xu Chen discussed with Xie Bingran and found someone to renovate and refurbish the old house.

Now, when I come back occasionally, I can stay for a while anytime.

……

Xu Chen sat obediently at the table, already holding chopsticks in his hand.

Xie Bingran placed a large bowl of noodles in front of her: "Be careful, it's hot."

Xu Chen responded and picked up his chopsticks to start eating.

Hearty.

……

……

After finishing our meal, we cleaned up the table together.

Before dawn, the two prepared some offerings for the memorial service and went out.

So early, also to avoid the troublesome neighbors in the village.

With a creak, the wooden door was pushed open, and the sounds of roosters crowing and dogs barking echoed from afar in the village.

Xu Chen carefully closed the door again and then locked it.

Xie Bingran looked down at the corner of the wall, but frowned slightly.

"What's wrong?" Xu Chen asked.

Xie Bingran squatted down and reached out to touch a brick in the corner of the wall:
"Someone has moved things here."

Xu Chen: "Huh?"

He crouched down and looked around; this was the very place where Xie Bingran had hidden the key to the front door.

However, the key is no longer kept here.

The spare key is with Fang Tao, who lives in the same village. Every now and then, Fang Tao would come over to help clean the house and check the water and electricity.

"Does anyone else know about this place?" Xu Chen asked.

Xie Bingran didn't speak, but simply shook her head gently.

……

A cemetery beside a river.

Xu Chen accompanied Xie Bingran to her grandmother's grave.

"Has someone already offered sacrifices?"
They're even earlier than us...

In front of Grandma's grave, there was burnt yellow paper and a small porcelain bowl with a few small pastries inside.

Xu Chen bent down and took a closer look, and found that they were three pieces of "honey-glazed three-cut cake".

Grandma still has some relatives, and they still come to pay their respects every year.

But it wasn't fully light yet, which was really too early.

Xie Bingran squatted down, looked at the small porcelain bowl and the honey-glazed pastry inside, and remained silent.

……

……

Before leaving, Xie Bingran suddenly said she needed to "go back for a while" and asked Xu Chen to wait for her in the car.

Although Xu Chen was confused about the situation, she obediently got into the car by herself.

……

Xie Bingran quickly walked through the alley and arrived at the front of the Xie family's old house.

She crouched down, removed the loose brick from the corner of the wall, and stared at it silently for a while.

She touched her breast pocket again, took out a key, and slipped it into the corner of the wall.

……

……

【Complete book】

(End of this chapter)