Old Deng is reborn in the 1980s, and he starts by severing his father-son relationship!

Chapter 100 Wang Xiuying's Family Affairs! A Late-Night Visit!

By the time Chen Deshun returned to his alleyway after a long drive, it was already dark. As he pushed his bicycle into the yard, the aroma of food wafted out of the house.

Steaming white steamed buns were stacked in a bamboo steamer, along with a plate of stir-fried cabbage with vinegar, a plate of shredded potatoes, and egg drop soup.

Although simple, it was already a decent meal for an ordinary family.

The family sat around the wooden table, eating dinner in silence, occasionally hearing the crisp sound of chopsticks hitting the bowls and plates.

Chen Jianshe ate very slowly today, his eyes darting around, as if he had something on his mind.

Suddenly, as if making up his mind, he gently put down his chopsticks on the table and said to Chen Deshun, "Dad, can I talk to you about something?"

"Speak," Chen Deshun replied casually, putting a piece of cabbage into his mouth.

"Someone in our factory bought a Shanghai brand watch, black dial, leather strap, it's so impressive," Chen Jianshe said, his voice filled with envy.

"Hmm." Chen Deshun remained indifferent: "Let them buy it. They have the right to decide, and the money is in their pocket. What can you do to stop them?"

Chen Jianshe seemed to choke for a moment, paused, and then said softly, "Dad, I want one too."

Upon hearing this, Chen Lihua, Grandma Shen, and Grandpa Shen all paused slightly in their eating.

Grandma Shen raised her eyelids and looked at the good-for-nothing third son: "How much money can you earn as a temporary worker?"

Watches are luxury items; who buys one if they're living frugally?

Chen Deshun said indifferently, "If you want it, just buy it. You don't need to discuss it with me."

A smile spread across Chen Jianshe's face as he chuckled, "Dad, other parents are giving me subsidies, so I don't need much. Just give me forty yuan."

"puff."

Grandma Shen almost spat out the mouthful of soup she had just taken a sip of, and couldn't help but let out a soft groan.

What a big face! He asks forty yuan the moment he opens his mouth!

However, she didn't say anything more. This was a conversation between father and son, and it would be too inappropriate for her, as a grandmother, to interfere in everything.

Moreover, she also wanted to see how Chen Deshun would respond. If he continued to indulge the third son in everything as before, then she would intervene.

Chen Lihua, who was engrossed in eating, had a slight change in expression, a glint of shrewdness flashing in her eyes. She gently stirred the egg flowers in her bowl with her chopsticks, but her ears perked up.

If her third brother manages to get the money this time, will she also have a chance to ask for it? She hasn't bought any new clothes in ages.

Chen Deshun didn't refuse immediately. He raised an eyebrow and looked at him with interest: "You'd buy it for forty?"

If his memory serves him correctly, a Shanghai brand watch would cost around 125 yuan in a state-run store, and you'd need industrial coupons—40 yuan in total? You couldn't even afford the watch face.

Seeing that Chen Deshun seemed to be relenting, Chen Jianshe said mysteriously, "I have a friend who has connections with manufacturers and can get goods directly, so they're much cheaper and don't need invoices."

Upon hearing this, Chen Deshun understood.

What kind of friends are these? They're all ignorant and incompetent; what reliable friends can they possibly have?

He was certain that the goods Chen Jianshe was talking about were smuggled.

However, smuggled goods are mostly genuine products, and although no coupons are required, they are priced significantly higher than those sold in state-run stores.

But the third brother said it was cheaper than state-run stores, so there's only one possibility.

Fake!

Chen Deshun, being well-informed, saw through this low-level scam at a glance, but the old man, Granny Shen, and Chen Lihua were clueless. The three of them looked surprised, with a hint of suspicion in their eyes.

"You think you'd get such a good deal? You must be kidding me!" the old man couldn't help but say.

"How could that be! My friend has connections everywhere! Lots of people get their goods from him, and they're all genuine. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!"

Chen Jianshe was not discouraged by the old man's words at all, and felt extremely proud to know such an amazing friend, so he straightened his back.

Just as he was about to boast a few more words, Chen Deshun suddenly spoke up: "I have no money."

These two words were like a bucket of cold water, instantly extinguishing Chen Jianshe's enthusiasm.

"If you really want to buy it, save up the money yourself," Chen Deshun added.

Once the third brother has saved enough money, that swindler who sold counterfeit goods might be arrested.

Chen Jianshe's smile froze. His father clearly had money; otherwise, where would Grandpa's new shoes and Grandma's new clothes come from? He suddenly became anxious: "Dad! What can I do with my meager salary? It's already low, and I still have to give you living expenses every month. If you had given me your job earlier, would I be begging you?"

Resentment, those familiar complaints again. It's only been a few days since things calmed down? Is it itching for a fight again?

Chen Deshun slowly put down his chopsticks, raised his eyes, stared at Chen Jianshe, and said in a deep voice, "What did you say? I didn't hear you clearly. Say it again."

"I—I said—"

Chen Jianshe clearly sensed that the atmosphere at the dinner table had become somewhat subtle. When he met Chen Deshun's cold eyes, he felt a chill rise from the bottom of his heart and couldn't help but shiver. The words he was about to say got stuck in his throat and he swallowed them back.

Chen Deshun took a deep breath. In the days since his rebirth, he had reflected on his education of his children. Every time he had this thought, his brats would always manage to step on his landmines.

If you don't educate yourself for a day, you'll forget who you are!

He pulled three ten-yuan bills from his pocket and slammed them on the table: "Tigers have to leave home at two years old to hunt and survive on their own. You're an adult now, not a child anymore. I'll return this thirty yuan for living expenses to you. Pack your things and move out tomorrow!"

Chen Deshun's words struck Chen Jianshe like a bolt from the blue. His hand, which had reached for the money, froze in mid-air. "Dad—what did you say?"

"I'm telling you, you can move out tomorrow, and then you can eat whatever you want and buy whatever you want," Chen Deshun said.

"Dad! I'm not a tiger! I'm not married yet, where am I supposed to live? You can't just abandon me!" Chen Jianshe finally realized what was happening and said in a panic.

All his confidence is built on the foundation that this home can shelter him from the wind and rain.

Let him move out by himself? Are you kidding me! He doesn't even know where he'll eat his next meal!

The old man wanted to say a few words of advice, but Old Mrs. Shen tugged at him, signaling him to be quiet.

"Dad, I was wrong, I was really wrong—take the money back—"

As Chen Jianshe was apologizing in a flustered manner, a fierce argument suddenly broke out in the neighboring courtyard.

Immediately afterwards, there was a series of loud crashes and bangs, as if someone was smashing things inside the house.

Chen Deshun and his family were stunned for a moment.

Chen Jianshe jumped off the dining table with a start, clinging to the wall like a gecko, his ears practically reaching through the wall to investigate what was going on next door.

Chen Deshun rolled his eyes at him. He couldn't muster any enthusiasm for serious matters, but he was more eager than anyone else to eavesdrop on other people's conversations.

The old man found it strange, put down his chopsticks, and said with some puzzlement, "Everything was fine when I came over yesterday? It didn't seem like there was any discord in the family."

Grandma Shen clicked her tongue in amazement and sighed, "Every family has its own troubles."

The old couple's words made Chen Deshun frown slightly and fall into deep thought.

In his memory, Wang Xiuying was a bit gossipy and loved to talk about other people's business, but she was not a bad person at heart. Her relationship with her husband was always harmonious, and she managed the household very well.

Her husband, Wu Guoqing, worked in the same factory as her, though in a different workshop and at a lower level. He was a well-known honest man, almost as honest as Wu Guoqing in his previous life. He was incredibly devoted to his wife, and Wang Xiuying made the decisions in most household matters. It is said that the two had never argued or quarreled since they met, making them a model couple in the family compound.

How could a couple like this argue so fiercely and even smash things?

Chen Deshun closed his eyes slightly and tapped the table gently, piecing together fragments of memory in his mind.

The couple may not argue, but what about their son? That's another story.

Wang Xiuying and Wu Guoqing have two sons and a daughter. Their younger son and daughter are still in school and dare not cause trouble. However, their eldest son, Wu Lei, who has already started working, is the most worry-free. He is impetuous, arrogant, and likes to take shortcuts to make big money.

In his past life, he couldn't remember the exact year, but the residential area had already been demolished. Chen Deshun and Wu Guoqing drank together in silence.

After a few rounds of drinks, this honest and unassuming man, with red eyes, revealed the pain buried deep in his heart.

Many years ago, Wu Lei, the eldest son, suddenly became obsessed with something and quit his temporary job. He insisted on going to the south with his friends to buy a batch of watches.

Watches are one of the four essential wedding accessories and have always been in high demand. The market supply cannot meet the demand, and the profit margin is high. As long as you can bring them back, there is no worry about selling them.

At the time, such behavior was considered speculation and was strictly prohibited.

When Wang Xiuying and Wu Guoqing found out, they tried their best to stop it.

Firstly, the family simply couldn't afford the capital to purchase the goods; secondly, the risk was too great—if caught, they might be sentenced to prison.

If their son goes to jail, how will their family survive?

But Wu Lei seemed to be blinded by greed. When hard tactics failed, he resorted to soft ones, playing the family card by kneeling and kowtowing, promising the elderly couple that once he made a fortune, he would take good care of them and build them a big house. He said a whole bunch of nice things.

Wang Xiuying is stubborn but soft-hearted. In addition, she usually dotes on her eldest son the most. Wu Lei repeatedly assured her that the friends he knew were absolutely reliable and had a stable network. Moreover, he would only do this one job, and they would get married after making money. He assured her that nothing would go wrong. The old couple took a chance and finally relented.

I took out all my savings from over the years, got an advance on my wages from the factory, and humbly borrowed money from all my relatives and friends before I finally managed to scrape together enough to pay for the goods.

After giving the money to Wu Lei, he packed his bags and headed south with his friends.

The next time I heard from him was a month later.

Police officers came to their home and told Wang Xiuying and her husband about Wu Lei.

When Wu Lei was picking up goods in the south, he encountered a double-cross.

The other party took the money but did not deliver the goods.

Wu Lei, young and hot-blooded, was unwilling to suffer a loss. Coupled with the imperfect security environment at the time, a violent conflict broke out between the two groups on the spot.

In the chaos, Wu Lei was stabbed multiple times and died on the spot.

Because of the chaotic scene, the murderer was never caught.

After that, Wang Xiuying was depressed all the time, and later she also developed mental problems.

Wu Guoqing's hair turned white overnight, and his health deteriorated rapidly.

The family could have lived a good life, but this incident has turned everything into a mess.

Chen Deshun took a deep breath, suppressing his surging thoughts, a hint of melancholy and solemnity flashing in his eyes.

Thinking back, I did hear arguments coming from Wang Xiuying's house for a period of time in my past life, it seems to have been recently. Judging from this, it is very likely that the argument in Wang Xiuying's house was because of Wu Lei.

Having been neighbors with Wang Xiuying and Wu Guoqing for so many years, I know that although Wang Xiuying is a gossip, loves to chatter, and has a big mouth, she is not a bad person at heart.

Needless to say, Old Wu is an absolute warm-hearted person. If anyone needs help, just give a shout and he'll be there immediately.

What a wonderful family! Chen Deshun didn't want to see them repeat the same mistakes.

However, since they're having a heated argument right now, it would be inappropriate to go over there. Besides, these kinds of things can only be discussed in private.

Chen Deshun suppressed his thoughts, glared at his third brother who was still eavesdropping in the corner, and said irritably, "Have you heard enough?"

The meal ended abruptly amidst the arguing next door.

After finishing his meal, Chen Deshun went out for a walk to aid digestion.

After strolling back, I washed up and went back to my room to sleep.

After a busy day, I'm exhausted.

I took off my coat and lay down to sleep, but before the blankets were even warm, there was a loud banging on the door outside the yard, as if they were going to demolish the house.

"Who is it?! Calling me a ghost in the middle of the night!"

Chen Deshun got up cursing and swearing, put his clothes back on, and strode towards the courtyard gate.

The rest of the family were still awake and were startled out of the house by the commotion outside the gate.

Grandma Shen and Grandpa Shen put on their clothes and went out the door. The third son and Chen Lihua peeked out through a crack in the door, their eyes full of curiosity.

"Dad! Grandpa, Grandma, open the door! It's me, Chen Jianguo!"

The knocking on the door started again, accompanied by a hurried shout.

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