The fall of the Kong family is like a beautiful mound that suddenly encounters a rushing torrent. In an instant, it crumbled into a terrible mud.

Old Man Kong was in poor health, but when he heard the news that his son was thrown into prison as a counter-revolutionary of the Red Gang, his beard puffed and fell, and he never recovered.

The younger brother Kong Qingwu is dedicated to studying medicine, and usually does not ask about the family's business. As soon as the old man fell, all the burdens inside and outside fell on Kong Qingwen's wife.

A woman's family, the door is not out on weekdays, and the second door is not used to stepping. Now that things are pressing on my head, I have to run around with my head in front of me, and I want to socialize.

After a hundred days, Old Man Kong saw the notice that shot Kong Qingwen.

The shock and grief of a thunderbolt on a sunny day did not have time to subside, and the day after Kong Qingwen was sent away, the government came to count and seal down the entire Confucian Mansion and all the shops. Only one of Dongguan Street was left, and the empty shop in the front and back yard was used for the living of several mothers.

During these days, Mrs. Kong was only busy with shop business and asking people to rescue her husband, and she never thought that anyone would confiscate the Kong family's property. In a sudden attack, Mrs. Kong did not leave anything of value or belongings except for the jewelry on her body.

Fortunately, Mr. Kong is kind on weekdays, and everyone in the neighborhood is willing to help.

Now I can't bear to see my mother and son fall into this step. The owner sent a few pieces of furniture, and the west family sent a few pots and bowls. Scraping together, although she has the appearance of a home, her mother's livelihood in the future is still unsettled.

Since the hasty burial of Kong Qingwen, the mother and the children have curled up on the kang all day and cried, the kind neighbors, he sent a few steamed buns, I sent some food, and the mother and child were barely maintained.

Mrs. Kong felt that there was darkness in front of her, and several times she had short-sightedness. However, looking back at the three poor children, he secretly put away the rope he had prepared.

Xiangzi heard about the situation of the sister-in-law of the Kong family from Secretary Wang. didn't bother to take a look at Shuzhen, so he hurried to Dongguan Street.

The door of the store was open with two panels, and the dark front room was empty with a dilapidated dining table. The back room was as quiet as late at night without a sound, and the broken paper door was half-hidden.

Xiangzi listened attentively, and when he saw that there was no movement, he called out tentatively: "Sister-in-law, sister-in-law, is there anyone in the house?" ”

With a slight sound, Madame Kong slowly revealed half of her body. Seeing the much older sister-in-law, Xiangzi couldn't help but feel unbearable sourness in his heart.

At this time, Mrs. Kong seemed unusually calm. She smiled miserably at Xiangzi and muttered, "Big brother is coming? ”

The voice, as if it was floating out of the chest, had no strength. Xiangzi's nose was sour, and tears couldn't help but fall.

He reached out to support Mrs. Kong, who was so weak that she seemed to be stepping on ice, and slowly sat back on the edge of the kang. The small window emitted a dim yellow light, barely illuminating the walls of the room clearly, and the objects were distinct. At the corner of the kang, the three children pulled a thin quilt and fell asleep as if no one was around.

Xiangzi glanced at the furnishings in the house, and said in a choked voice: "Sister-in-law, I'm sorry, I came back late, and I couldn't save my eldest brother." ”

Mrs. Kong sighed lightly and said, "This is all fate, I don't blame you, I have done my best." I can't think of your eldest brother's affairs, and they will involve you, they don't embarrass you too much, right? ”

Shoko sighed lightly and said, "It's okay, they won't do anything to me yet." ”

After a pause, Xiangzi asked tentatively, "Does sister-in-law have any plans for the future?" ”

Mrs. Kong sighed lightly, shook her head, and muttered weakly: "Penniless, what else can I do?" ”

Xiangzi hurriedly took the money bag from his waist, stuffed it into Mrs. Kong's hand, and said, "This is what I have left over from the road, you can buy some food for the doll first." I still have some money there, so I will open the shop and solve the problem of eating and drinking for the family first. The rest of the matter, let's take one step at a time, do we have to let people have a way to live? ”

Mrs. Kong, who didn't know where to squeeze out some strength, hurriedly waved her hand and said, "No, no." I can't drag you down any longer, and it's not easy for you right now. ”

Xiangzi stood up with a "sigh", and said in a sincere and resolute voice: "It's all my own family, what do you say is not a drag." It just so happens that I'm idle these days, so let's pick up the shop first. ”

The sound of talking woke up the sleeping child, and when the three little heads of the kang corner confirmed that it was Xiangzi, the room suddenly filled the room with a sad and weak cry.

I don't know when, Shuzhen's figure has quietly stood in front of the hidden door. Hearing the sound of heart-rending crying inside, my heart was as uncomfortable as a knife. She slowed down her steps, but slowly entered the house.

Seeing Shuzhen coming in with a bucket of sesame oil and half a bag of noodles, Xiangzi first paused for a moment, then smiled miserably, and said in a low voice: "Why are you here?" I just came out of Secretary Wang. ”

Shuzhen muttered with a sad face: "I just met the secretary Xiao Wang on the street, he said that Da Sou lives here, you come to see her." I thought about bringing something to eat. ”

Although the two women are not very familiar, their sad and unbearable appearance is almost the same. The tears that poured down had drowned out the superfluous words, and the two pairs of hands with a slight temperature difference were clasped tightly together, and their eyes met with their own comfort.

Shuzhen glanced sadly at the furnishings and utensils in the house, and then glanced at the baby who was still on the corner of the kang with compassion, and a sour feeling came to her heart again. She nodded silently to Xiangzi, and then turned around and walked out the door.

Looking at the sweet baby, Shuzhen's heart was sour, and she saw that her sister-in-law was barely supporting her thin body, and she looked at the baby eating with tears in her eyes. The faint smile on the corner of his mouth and the sad shadow on his face did not merge harmoniously. Shuzhen couldn't help but secretly grit her teeth.

I heard that the Kong family was going to open a store, and it was Xiangzi who personally handled the goods. Those large wholesalers have taken the initiative to contact them, and they are willing to supply at cost price. With the help of Shoko and Shuzhen, the small shop opened quickly, and it did a decent job.

Xiangzi recounted the hardships and twists and turns of searching for a teacher along the way, and lamented the impermanence and unsatisfactory nature of the world. In the words, there is a hint of self-blame and regret.

Shuzhen looked at Xiangzi weakly, and said in a soft voice: "Things are already like this, you don't have to blame yourself too much, everything is arranged by the Lord." In the future, the Kong family will be indispensable for us to take care of. ”

Seeing that the expression on Xiangzi's face was a little more lively, Shuzhen smiled gently and said, "These days are outside, and your stomach is bad, right?" I make spicy pork noodles. ”

Looking at Shuzhen's gentle and well-behaved appearance, Xiangzi inexplicably felt a warm feeling in her heart. He silently reached out to hold Shuzhen's hand and put it in his arms, and said with a slightly relaxed expression: "These days, the two babies haven't caused you trouble, right?" ”

Shuzhen smiled happily and said, "Huzi is sensible, not only obedient but also helps me work." It's an orchid trick-or-treating, and when you are young, you don't dare to give your head and feet. Not only is he lazy, but he also thinks of ways to bully Huzi. ”

Seeing that Xiangzi's face was peaceful, he smiled but did not speak. Shuzhen smiled secretly: "It's strange to say, no matter what the orchid is about, I have never seen Huzi blacken his face." also changed his way to coax the orchid to be happy. ”

Xiangzi smiled and said: "This is called brine and tofu, one thing drops one thing." ”

Shuzhen smiled mysteriously, leaned in towards Xiangzi, and whispered: "I see that the two babies have a play, will it ......?"

Xiangzi yawned sleepily and said, "The baby is still young, this is called two little guesses." ”

Then he muttered as if he suddenly remembered something: "Sister-in-law, you can run more, if you have anything to help, don't let the two babies go around." I can't see through things now, don't make a mess of the baby again. ”

Shuzhen responded with a sigh in her mouth, and turned around and walked towards the kitchen.