Four

The holidays came by quickly. sent away Pragmatic and Peng Kai, Zheng Wenshu is now going to send Xinrui to the first year of junior high school.

Cen Xinrui was admitted to Lichuan County No. 1 Middle School, which is ranked among the provincial key middle schools. Since Lichuan County and Qingjiang City have been divided and merged several times, Lichuan Middle School is not located in the county seat, but in the suburbs of Qingjiang City, 30 miles away. In this way, thirteen-year-old Cen Xinrui could not go to school and could only board. Since he was born, except for the experience of visiting relatives at his uncle's house in the provincial capital with his father, Cen Xinrui is very excited about this is the first time he has traveled to other cities. Sitting on the shuttle bus to Qingjiang City, he has been lying on the window, carefully observing the various scenes that come into view along the way, especially walking on the road in Qingjiang City after getting off the bus, his eyes are not enough: the shops are so foreign, the city is so neat, and even the pedestrians are so energetic. He looked around as far as he could see, and felt that everything was so new and so pleasant.

Looking at the excited appearance of Xinrui, Zheng Wenshu, who walked with him all the way, was also very happy. For this son, she often cherishes a kind of guilt: when she gave birth to him, she had suffered from another attack of cardioneurosis, not only was she flustered all day long, it was difficult to take care of him thoughtfully, but also there was not enough milk to feed him, so that he ate almost all rice cereal before he was a year old, and his nutrition could not keep up. She felt so distressed to see his little face, which was almost a circle thinner than other babies, and especially at his thin feet that looked like duck webs due to stunted growth. It is strange to say that she and Cen Huanian have always been worried that he will be frail and sick in the future, but he has never made them sad since he was born, not only has he not had any illness, but he is also very obedient, especially his academic performance, spontaneously, he has always been in the forefront of his classmates, and he has won them a lot of glory. Although the eldest son studied hard and had good grades, in the eyes of the couple, the younger son's study was more reassuring. Because he has a particularly strong desire for knowledge, his understanding and memory are also quite good, and this is undoubtedly the most important condition for learning knowledge and improving his ability in the eyes of Cen Huanian, who has been teaching for more than 20 years.

But what neither mother nor son expected was that when they walked into the well-known school of No. 1 Middle School with many new students and the parents who sent them to school, they encountered a big problem at the time of the physical examination of the new students: Cen Xinrui's eyes were short-sighted and did not meet the admission standards.

"This sister-in-law, your child's eyesight is not good," Seeing that Cen Xinrui could only point out the 0.5 character code on the eye chart with all his might, Yin Dada, the short school doctor in charge of the experience in the No. 1 Middle School Health Office, said to Zheng Wenshu, "If you continue to read and write, your eyesight will get worse and worse." ”

"So what should I do, I can't just skip the exam. Hearing this, Zheng Wenshu was a little anxious, "Besides, what can such a young child do without studying?" As she spoke, she subconsciously looked back at the new talent standing beside her.

Listening to the conversation between his mother and the school doctor, Cen Xinrui was a little nervous. Inadvertently, he found that Que Rendong and Shao Yishan, who were admitted to Lichuan No. 1 Middle School with him, all looked at the school doctor and were very concerned, only Ma Ping stood alone, with a look that had nothing to do with him.

"I didn't say that I wouldn't let him study," listening to Zheng Wenshu's words, the school doctor Yin Dada walked to the side of the desk and sat down, and wrote something, "But if you want to enroll, you have to correct your eyesight first." ”

"You mean glasses?" asked Jung.

"Yes, hurry up and do it," said the school doctor, looking up, still expressionless, but speaking much softer, "Remember, you have to be worth more than 1.00." ”

"Okay. Zheng Wenshu breathed a sigh of relief. Her son is nearsighted, she has long been aware of it, and has reminded him more than once to pay attention to eye hygiene when reading, but she didn't expect it to develop to the point where he can't go to school without glasses. Now that the school doctor has proposed it, let's do what the school asks, even though the money is out of budget.

"Mom, it's okay for me to study. Suddenly encountering a situation that he had never encountered before, and it was related to school, Cen Xinrui was a little worried. After coming out of the health room, he couldn't help but ask.

"It's okay, Xinrui. Looking at his son's uncarefree eyes, Zheng Wenshu comforted him, "Didn't the school doctor say just now, it's no problem with eyes." To be honest, for the opening words of the school doctor, she also thought that the child would not be able to go to school, and thought that if she really wanted that, she would miss the child's life. It must be known that Xinrui not only loves to read, but also has a high talent, even Ju Banxian said that his future will be better than his brother. Although you can't believe all of them, you can't disbelieve them all.

"I don't want to wear glasses. Cen Xinrui held back for a while and burst out with such a sentence.

"Why?" Zheng Wenshu was puzzled.

"Everyone doesn't wear it, and I'm the only one, and I'm sure I'll be laughed at by my classmates. Cen Xinrui voiced his concerns.

"There are more people wearing glasses in the world, what's the best joke?" Zheng Wenshu disagreed with her son's idea, "If you are afraid of other people's jokes and don't do what you should do, then it really makes people laugh." ”

"That-" Cen Xinrui still seemed unwilling.

"What else?" Zheng Wenshu was really a little suspicious this time.

"Glasses will cost a lot of money, right?" After a moment of silence, Cen Xinrui expressed his worries.

Hearing such a question, Zheng Wenshu suddenly felt a little uncomfortable. At first, she was just worried about her son's health, but now she is sad about her son's sensibility. Although she and Cen Huanian have never lamented financial difficulties in front of their families, the children still see their family background in their eyes. Thinking that he was usually poorer than many of his children of the same age, and that he was now uneasy about spending an extra sum of money, she felt guilty that she and her husband were not able to make the children live better. She thought that if the family had a little more money, her son would not be so precocious, and he was under unbearable pressure at a young age. Thinking of this, she said softly to Xinrui: "Xinrui, don't worry, Mom and Dad can still afford a pair of glasses, no matter how expensive it is, it can't let your eyesight continue to be damaged." ”

"Then deserve it. Hearing his mother say this, Cen Xinrui seemed to be a little relieved. But at this time, he thought of another question: "It takes a long time to get glasses, so how can you rush back today?"

"Don't worry about it, Mom will arrange it. Seeing her son thinking about herself, Zheng Wenshu's heart was very warm. It was at this moment that she heard a call—

"Mama Zheng!"

Are you calling me? Zheng Wenshu was a little confused. Just as she answered cautiously while looking around for the caller, Xinrui's sleeve was pulled by Xinrui: "Mom, over there, Sister Shanshan." ”

Zheng Wenshu thought to herself, could it be You Shanshan?

Sure enough, it was You Shanshan, the handsome girl she liked very much, and when she was still looking around, she had already walked briskly in front of her and Xinrui.

"I should have come to pick you up and the newcomer earlier, but there was something temporary in the grade, so it was delayed. You Shanshan was a little embarrassed. Just now I walked and ran, and at this moment, my plump chest is still rising and falling.

"Don't say that," Zheng Wenshu was very happy looking at You Shanshan, who was handsome and handsome, "I'm in my second year of high school, and time is precious." ”

"It's all done. You Shanshan caressed Xinrui's shoulders and asked Zheng Wenshu about going to school.

"The school doctor said that the new eyes are short-sighted, and they need to be equipped with eyes to enter the school. Zheng Wenshu told her truthfully, "Xinrui is afraid of classmates' jokes and is not very willing." ”

"It's nothing, and one of my classmates in the dormitory also has glasses. When You Shanshan heard this, she hurriedly comforted Xinrui, and said: "However, if you match it, you have to wear it, and take it when you wear it, it will deepen the degree of myopia." ”

"If you hear it, just do what Sister Shanshan said. Zheng Wenshu looked back at her son beside her.

Cen Xinrui looked back at You Shanshan and nodded a little shyly. He thinks she's so good-looking, and it's nice to have such a sister.

"Then you and Xinrui now—" You Shanshan looked at Zheng Wenshu.

"When I went to get glasses, I just didn't know if there was an optical store nearby. Zheng Wenshushang asked her.

"It's a suburb, there's no optician, and you have to go to the city. Seeing this, You Shanshan said, "Once you turn around, it is estimated that you may not be able to go back to Lichuan today." ”

"Then we'll stay in Qingjiang for one night. Jung Wen-sook decided.

"That's fine," You Shanshan agreed, "you will go to the city to get new glasses fitted, and come over early tomorrow, I'll be waiting for you in this place." As he spoke, he remembered something, "The bunks for the new students were arranged in advance by the school's general affairs office, and I found the new bunk in the morning and wanted to clean it, but I don't know who has already cleaned it." I don't think it's convenient for you to carry his luggage, so let me take it to my bedroom and bring it to his bedroom tomorrow to be laid. ”

"I'm going to bother you. Hearing You Shanshan say this, Zheng Wenshu was very grateful. Although she is a person who is used to doing things, and her health is fine, she and Xinrui carried the mattress and small boxes from the bus station to No. 1 Middle School, which is a long way, and it is tiring enough.

You Shanshan stretched out her hand towards the small box that Cen Xinrui put on the ground, but before she could pick it up, a big hand took it from the oblique thorn: "It's better for me to come." ”

"Brother Qingjun!" Cen Xinrui saw the person coming and shouted happily.

Sure enough, it was a pragmatic friend Huang Qingjun, who stood in front of him at some point.

"Auntie!" Huang Qingjun called out to Zheng Wenshu very affectionately, "I came here in the morning, but I didn't see you and Xinrui, so I concluded that I would definitely be able to meet." ”

"It's up to you and Sansan. Seeing Xinrui going to school, with big brothers and sisters coming to pick them up, and they were all good friends of the eldest son, Zheng Wenshu was happy, and she was busy thanking her.

"Don't say that, we should do that. Huang Qingjun said, "I know the situation, I think that's it, you and the new brother go to get glasses, the luggage will be put in my bedroom first, and I will take it to his bedroom tomorrow." Then he said to You Shanshan: "It's more convenient for me to go to the boys' dormitory than you." ”

"That's fine. You Shanshan agreed. As soon as Huang Qingjun appeared, she guessed that he cleaned the cutting-edge bed.

"Then you two are busy, let's come tomorrow. Zheng Wenshu said goodbye to the two, turned around and patted Xinrui's shoulder, "Let's go." ”

Cen Xinrui said "um" and followed towards the city. When he looked back after taking a few steps, he found Huang Qingjun and You Shanshan still standing there, looking at him and his mother.

Looking at this scene, Cen Xinrui suddenly felt a little excitement in his heart: when he came to study in a strange place, someone actually came to pick him up, and they were all classmates of his brother when he was studying, which was really happy for him.

"What do you want?" Seeing that he didn't squeak for a long time, Zheng Wenshu thought that he was still struggling with glasses.

"Where are we staying tonight?" Cen Xinrui suddenly threw out such a question.

"Go to Uncle Shangguan's house. Zheng Wenshu replied, and then explained: "The first time you go to someone else's house as a guest, you should pay attention to politeness." ”

"Yes. Cen Xinrui looked up at his mother and agreed seriously. Although he had never met this Shangguan Uncle before, he had long known from his parents' previous conversations that he and his wife Ge's mother had been friends with his parents for many years.

Walking slowly, after more than half an hour, Zheng Wenshu and Cen Xinrui found an optical store in the city. After another hour, Fang went to Shangguan Zheng's house with matching eyes.

Shangguan Zheng's family lives in a quiet old house in the city. Seeing that their friend's wife suddenly brought their son to stay overnight, the couple who had not been off work for a short time were very happy. The beautiful and gentle hostess Ge Chuanxin not only immediately took her two eldest daughters to cook, but also beckoned her two younger daughters to play with Cen Xinrui one after another, for fear of neglecting the little guests.

"Chuanxin, I haven't seen you for two years, and your daughters have grown a lot taller, and they all fall like flowers. Looking at the four slim daughters of the Shangguan family, Zheng Wenshu felt like she had walked into the Grand View Garden. She admired from the bottom of her heart: "What is this called—oh, by the way, the beauty is delicious, and the beauty that Lao Cen often says is delicious." ”

"Wen Shu, you are exalting them too much. Hearing this, Ge Chuanxin was humble in his mouth, but he was really a little proud in his heart. Although she and Shangguan have no sons, their four daughters are all beautiful, and they are really loved by everyone. It's just that this pride is just a matter of an instant, and it will soon disappear. Because until Zheng Wenshu walked into the house, she and her husband were saddened by the failure of their second daughter Shangguan Xiangcai. For the Xiangcai college entrance examination, the couple should say that they are still a little mentally prepared: this girl's reading results are unsatisfactory, no matter how much she sprints before the exam, there will be no miracles, just wish to be admitted to the school, but I didn't expect the results to come out, not only can I not go to the undergraduate, but I don't even have to study the junior college. Fortunately, the eldest daughter Shangguan Xianghua, who has been working for many years, has a good relationship with the Chinese, and got a job as a laboratory technician for her sister in the city's monosodium glutamate factory, otherwise I really don't know how to be good.

"Your family is pragmatic for this college entrance examination-" Shangguan Zheng didn't want to ask, but after weighing it a few times, he finally couldn't help it, after all, he and Cen Huanian have been friends for nearly 20 years, so they have to care about it.

"Oh, I was admitted to Fudan and went to school two days ago. When it comes to the eldest son, Zheng Wenshu is happy.

"Congratulations, congratulations. When Shangguan Zheng heard this, he hurriedly congratulated. Ge Chuanxin, who was busy in the kitchen, heard it, and also poked her head out and gave Zheng Wenshu a thumbs up.

"Thank you, thank you. Zheng Wenshu agreed repeatedly. She wanted to ask Xiang Cai about the situation, but at this moment, she remembered Xiang Cai's depressed appearance when she entered the door, so she swallowed the question into her throat. She guessed that this girl might not have been admitted, otherwise, she would not have stayed at home when the universities had already started.

Shangguan and his wife are such shrewd people, and they immediately read the following words that Zheng Wenshu did not make a sound. They are very grateful for the compassion of their friends, and they feel that Cen Hua is very blessed to marry a wife who is not highly educated but understanding. In order not to embarrass both parties, Shangguan Zheng led the topic to the youngest son of the Cen family-

"Wen Shu, it's good to be pragmatic, but I think the new talent is only afraid that it will be better. Look at his eyes, they have such aura. ”

"yes, let me take a closer look. Hearing his father say this, Xiang Xiu, the most lively third child in the Shangguan family, didn't wait for Zheng Wenshu to answer, turned around the new talent who was talking to the fourth Xiang Li, and looked at it carefully. The Shangguan family is all female, except for his father, and now a thirteen-year-old boy suddenly came, and the girls were very excited, especially looking at Cen Xinrui's eyebrows and beautiful eyes, and his speech was even more interesting.

To say that in normal times, Cen Xinrui has not been in contact with young people of the opposite sex, not to mention that the eldest sister Huimin who cares about him at home all the time, and the little sister Limin who chatters all day long, that is, Jia Ling and Chu Lan of Jiang Pian's family, and Lin Hongying, a primary school classmate who lives in the opposite compound, can't stop dealing with each other. can be observed by a strange sister by pressing her shoulders face to face, and it is the first time for him to grow so big. At that moment, a strange feeling came to his mind, especially when he saw the other party's white neck and plump breasts so closely, and felt even more embarrassed to feel her soft hair and fragrant breath, and the little face turned red all of a sudden.

"Little man, I know how to be shy!" Looking at his embarrassed appearance, Shangguan Xiangxiu, a sixteen-year-old girl in the flower season, felt very interesting. She shaved the bridge of his nose and grinned.

"Who is like you, faceless and skinless. This one was just seen by Ge Chuanxin, who came out of the kitchen, and couldn't help but look at Xiang Xiu with amusement and anger.

Hearing her say this, the whole family laughed.

While laughing, Xiang Hua, the eldest who had been helping his mother in the stove, walked out and smiled to signal that his father's meal was ready.

"Eat, eat, eat, and then make trouble after eating. The tall, dignified-looking Shangguan was standing up from his chair and leading the guests to the table. Without a son, it has always been a pity in Shangguanzheng, but looking at Cen Xinrui at the moment, the feelings are even more complicated. In the early years, he half-jokingly and half-seriously said to Cen Huanian that he wanted to be pragmatic to Xiang Caixu, but now it seems that it can only be a joke. Originally, people who went to Fudan University in Shanghai would return to a small county town to start a family? Not to mention that the two children had not had any intersection in recent years. The newcomer in front of him, although he is not very old, but judging from that smart and calm energy, he is afraid that his output will surpass that of Brother Nai, and he can't help but say that Cen Hua is a good fortune. Look at my daughters again, although they all look good, but they can't read and don't open their minds, so they are really helpless.

Because they are friends, Zheng Wenshu is not too polite. Seeing that the parents were happy, the girls were even more lively. After a while, everyone finished their dinner.

Taking advantage of Xiang Hua and Xiang Cai's time to clean up the tableware in the stove, the guest of honor returned to the living room to chat. They talked about their past life and work, talked about the recent situation of Shen Jiayan, who was very good friends with Cen Huanian and Shangguan Zheng, and finally somehow talked about the "Four Cleansing" movement that was about to be fully rolled out.

"Has Lao Cen's unit joined the task force?" Shangguan Zheng asked.

"I didn't hear him say it, I guess it wasn't yet. Although Zheng Wenshu had heard about the new round of movement in the neighborhood committee, she did not know much about the specific situation, and her husband rarely told her about work.

"We've been in our unit for a week, and we're talking to the employees one by one. Shangguan Zheng told her.

"What are you talking about?" Zheng Wenshu is not a person who likes to inquire, but because sports are related to her husband, she still asked.

"I want everyone to raise their consciousness and take the initiative to explain the 'four unclear' problems," Shangguan Zheng replied to her, his voice deepened as he looked at it, "Oh, and also, it is necessary to report and expose the problems of others, especially the problems of the establishment." ”

"The establishment refers to the leader, right?" asked Zheng Wenshu.

Of course, it is a literal interpretation, but no one can say who it refers to. Shangguan Zheng said hesitantly, "Like your old Cen family, if you don't do it well, you will be classified as the establishment." ”

"He's a teacher, and he's also a member of the establishment?" Zheng Wenshu was a little surprised.

"He's a headmaster anyway. Shangguan Zheng reminded Zheng Wenshu not to take it lightly, "You must know that the 'Four Cleanups' carried out in the countryside last year have reached the level of the production captain. ”

Zheng Wenshu was speechless.

"Go, take my brother outside to play. The two were silent, and Ge Chuanxin, who had finished cleaning up, came out of the stove, served Zheng Wenshu the freshly brewed tea, and watched Xiang Xiu and Xiang Li listen to the conversation of the adults attentively on the side, as if they didn't understand, so they kicked them out.

"Then, you shouldn't be okay this time, right?" Zheng Wenshufang asked again.

"If only that were the case. Hearing this, Shangguan Zheng smiled bitterly, "The task force said that everyone should wash their faces and take a shower, and besides, you know my situation." ”

Hearing him say this, Zheng Wenshu was speechless again. Like Cen Huanian, Shangguan Zheng is also an "old athlete", and he has to be tossed a few times every time he exercises, although these two old friends have always been law-abiding and conscientious in their work. The reason for this is that, in addition to their poor backgrounds, Cen Huanian had an uncle who was a military doctor who went to Taiwan with the Kuomintang troops to which he belonged, and Shangguan joined the Kuomintang en masse when he was serving in the old bank.

"My situation is more serious than your Lao Cen family!" Shangguan Zheng sighed, "Your Lao Cen is also from a bad background, and he is still clean, but I, according to the organization department, is a person with a historical stain, and I have not raised my head since liberation." ”

"Hey, you can only blame yourself for being too honest," Hearing him say this, Ge Chuanxin couldn't help it, "If you don't confess and register when you are liberated, who knows about joining the Kuomintang, that is, where to check?"

is also said, listening to Ge Chuanxin's words, Zheng Wenshu feels that what she said is not unreasonable. In Shangguan Zheng's past, she had heard Cen Huanian say that in order to keep the job he earned in the old bank, he was told by an accounting chief named He Qing to join the Kuomintang. According to his own words, he also verbally promised He Qing at that time, and neither fulfilled any formalities nor participated in any activities. I thought it would be okay to explain it to the organization, but who knew that it was classified into a separate book since then, not only in normal times to be a man with his tail between his legs, but also when there is any movement, he can't escape the fate of being rectified, and he has to be impacted if he has anything to do.

"Forget it, let's not talk about this, Wen Shu, you better rest early with Xinrui. Shangguan Zheng stood up and instructed Ge Chuanxin to clean up the bed for Zheng Wenshu. But at this moment, he suddenly remembered something: "Is the deputy county magistrate of your county Gong still in office?"

"You mean Gong Heping?" Zheng Wenshu asked rhetorically.

"Yes, that's him. Shangguan Zheng said with certainty.

"Oh, I was transferred the year before last. ”

"Transferred?Where are you going?"

"I went to Guizhou, saying that it was to support the old and young in the poor areas. ”

"I see. Hearing this, Shangguan Zheng was silent.

How could he have remembered to ask County Magistrate Gong? Zheng Wenshu was a little puzzled. But at this moment, Shangguan Zheng suddenly said again: "Your old Cen is the same as me, it's too duty!"

This time it was Zheng Wenshu's turn to be speechless, because at this moment she knew what Shangguan was talking about. I think that back then, when Gong Heping was concurrently serving as the director of the county education bureau, he was very important to Cen Huanian, not only maintaining his position as principal, but also encouraging him to move closer to the party organization. It's just that Cen Huanian doesn't know how sincere he is, and he feels that he is not qualified enough, and he is afraid that if he can't do it, he will make people laugh, so he is a little hesitant, plus Gong Heping was later transferred to Guizhou, but Yao Xianxian, secretary of the party branch of the school, has always been at odds with Cen Huanian, so he will not mention this matter again, so that until now, he is the only non-party principal in all the primary schools in the county.

This is also fate, Zheng Wenshu thought. However, in her opinion, it doesn't matter whether she joins the party or not, as long as the family is safe.

"Mom, come and wash your face and feet, and give Sister Xiu some water. There was a new greeting from the stove.

"It's coming. Zheng Wenshu answered and walked towards the stove.

Soon, she and Xinrui were washed up, and finally lay down on the bed that the hostess had cleaned up.

"Go to sleep, I'm going to check in tomorrow. Feeling that the son sleeping at the other end had not closed his eyes, Zheng Wenshu gently patted his calf in the quilt.

"Got it. Xinrui replied quietly.

Jung Moon-sook pulled down the light switch and closed her eyes. She was a person who could sleep well, but she couldn't sleep that night, and a lot of past events came out of her head, from her father-in-law Cen Shilei who gave up business to run a school, to her husband's obedience to his father's orders, and took charge of the school founded by his father for decades, and then to getting acquainted with him and starting a family, and finally giving birth to three children for him, intermittently, one after another.

Gradually, Zheng Wenshu felt that her eyelids were a little astringent. A wave of sleepiness hit, and she fell asleep. It's just that at the moment when she fell asleep, she was thinking about her husband's difficulty. She thinks he is a good person no matter what he says, but for some reason Yao Xianxian and those people always have to get along with him.

The room was quiet at this time, except for the faint snort that sounded from time to time.

But Zheng Wenshu didn't expect that although his son Xinrui had closed his eyes a long time ago, he hadn't fallen asleep for a long time. For this fledgling teenager, the experience of this day was too novel: not only did he take a car that he rarely took before, but he also arrived in Qingjiang City, which is much more foreign and lively than Lichuan County; he not only knew that his parents had a good friend surnamed Shangguan in Qingjiang City, but also knew that his family had four good-looking sisters who treated him very warmly. When he thinks about it, he finds it very interesting, very different from what he feels at home. However, there is one thing that also causes him a little distress, and that is that wearing glasses can make him very unaccustomed, especially for fear that his friends will laugh at him for it. However, he finally decided that wearing glasses was still acceptable, after all, reading books would not be so strenuous in the future. Even if some people make fun of it, as long as you can get in, you can still afford it. Is there anything happier in this world than reading?