Wu Sifu was stunned, and his mother-in-law, Mrs. Zhang, who was over seventy years old, sat in the dam.

When Wu Sifu saw his mother-in-law coming, he hurriedly opened the door and let his mother-in-law into the house.

Since his wife Zhang Pingping left home to work and has not been heard from, Wu Sifu has never been to his mother-in-law's house.

Wu Sifu once went to his mother-in-law's house once and asked Zhang Pingping if she had called her and if something had happened outside.

At that time, his mother-in-law's faint expression, he still remembers it very clearly, "What will happen to such a big living person?" ”

Seeing that his mother-in-law didn't want to see him, Wu Sifu said a few words and left quietly. Since then, I have never visited my mother-in-law.

Goodbye to my mother-in-law, the wrinkles on my face seem to be deeper, and my hair is much whiter. Now that I think about it, I really shouldn't compete with my mother-in-law, after all, she is an old man who has lived in frost for many years.

blamed himself for putting his energy and time into the illness and care of his parents. After all, the old mother-in-law is the mother of his wife, and it is not easy to live alone, so he should take time to visit her.

Mrs. Zhang looked at Wu Sifu's home, which was clean and bright, and her clothes were washed and hung on bamboo poles. She didn't know that this home was still dirty and unbearable to see two days ago.

Mrs. Zhang thought that it was not easy for Wu Sifu, and her daughter would not come back as soon as she went out

Let Sifu apologize and admit his mistake. Husband and wife who have lived for more than ten years, why are they so competitive? Even his son Xiaotian doesn't care, it's too much.

The in-laws are sick, Sifu, as a son, should do his best to heal and take care of him, and it is not terrible to owe debts, why run out and not come back?

When Zhang Pingping called her, Mrs. Zhang always had to persuade her. always told her that a good life is not something you can enjoy if you want to enjoy it, but it depends on whether you have that life. One day husband and wife for 100 days, now Wu Sifu is in a difficult period, he can't leave his family alone, and this family can't be scattered like this.

After Mrs. Zhang persuaded Zhang Pingping several times, Zhang Pingping asked her mother to find a pen to write down the phone number, and then give it to Wu Sifu when she saw an acquaintance at the scene. Mrs. Zhang thought about rushing to the market to find someone to bring, so it was better to go there herself.

Wu Sifu immediately lit a fire to cook. Fortunately, I bought meat today, otherwise, there really wouldn't be any dishes to entertain my mother-in-law.

Mrs. Zhang saw that Sifu was not angry or annoyed, and she didn't have half a word of blame and resentment against Zhang Pingping, and greeted herself warmly, so she helped Wu Sifu cook. The two quickly cooked the meal and served it to the table. However, just a shredded radish and fried lean meat, plus a cabbage egg soup.

Mrs. Zhang was eating, and tears quietly flowed down.

"Sifu, our family Pingping is sorry for you, you shouldn't have left you two. The last time Xiaotian came to ask for a fucking call, it wasn't that I didn't give it, it was that I couldn't remember. This time Pingping called back, and I used the notes. Give her a call. ”

Mrs. Zhang said, handing a piece of paper with a phone number written on it to Wu Sifu.

Wu Sifu saw his mother-in-law crying, and his heart was sad. Hurriedly put eggs in her bowl for her mother-in-law, and said, "Mother, let's eat." I'll call Pingping in the evening. Xiaotian will have a monthly holiday tomorrow, and when he comes back, I will let him go to see you. ”

Wu Sifu took the phone number given by his mother-in-law, glanced at it, and put it in his close-fitting pocket.

After lunch, Mrs. Zhang got up to go home. Wu Sifu kept his mother-in-law for one night, saying that Xiaotian would come back tomorrow.

The mother-in-law said, "There are still chickens, ducks, and pigs at home!" They must be retrieved at night, lest they run around and be snatched up by wild animals in the mountains. ”

Wu Sifu sent his old mother-in-law to the opposite mountain beam before returning. was thinking about going to the bamboo forest behind the house to cut two bamboo baskets of 100 bamboo weaving, at this time, Xiao Chen from the Credit Department of the Rural Commercial Bank came with a young man.

Wu Sifu felt a moment in his heart. He knew what Xiao Chen was here for.

He hurriedly let Xiao Chen and the young man into the house, handed them cigarettes respectively, and said curtly, "I was about to go to the bank to find you." ”

Xiao Chen didn't answer and asked, "I heard that Uncle Wu is gone?" Wasn't the surgery a success? Why did you leave? ”

"Alas. At that time, the operation was quite successful, and the blood clot in the skull was removed. I don't know how I did it again, but after I got it to the hospital, the doctor said that I couldn't open my craniomy again. Wu Sifu explained simply.

"Uncle Wu is old, and he can't stand the toss. However, you have done your best, and there is nothing to regret. Xiao Chen comforted.

"Yes, yes, yes." Wu Sifu replied.

Next, Wu Sifu didn't know what to say; Xiao Chen also found it difficult to recover the loan. Looking at his current appearance, it is estimated that he can't take it out. But the end of the year is approaching, the loan term has arrived, and you have to give an explanation for everything!

The atmosphere was a little stiff for a while.

After a while, Xiao Chen had no choice but to say, "Brother Ang, we came today to ask about your loan. ”

"I know. The loan is almost due, but I really can't pay it yet. Wu Sifu said worriedly.

The young man who came with Xiao Chen whispered to Xiao Chen: "It's better to ask him to settle the interest first, and then renew the loan." ”

Xiao Chen thought about it, and this may be the only way to do it at present. After thinking about it, he said to Wu Sifu: "Brother Ang, it's the end of the year soon, and we have to pay the account." If you can't pay it back for the time being, you will settle the interest first, and then renew the loan. What do you think? ”

When Wu Sifu heard this, he knew that Xiao Chen's method was a compromise. But at present, I don't have the money to repay the interest. The money from the sale of the bud valley can't be moved, that's Xiaotian's living expenses.

What to do?

Wu Sifu took a cigarette in his mouth, smoked one after another fiercely, and did not speak for a long time. Xiao Chen looked at his colleague and was embarrassed.

At this time, the big yellow dog barked again.

Wu Sifu hurriedly stood up and poked his head out to see that Tang Xiaohong was coming. He thought to himself, what day is today? Didn't you send it away here, and there was another one, did you want to make me lose face?

Xiao Chen saw that it was Brother Tang from the Transportation Bureau, and hurriedly stepped forward to greet him enthusiastically. Tang Xiaohong looked at it and knew in her heart that the bank must have come to urge the loan.

Looking at Wu Sifu's sad face, it is estimated that he is in a stalemate. So, he smiled heartily and said loudly: "Xiao Chen, are you here to send money to Angkor?" You are truly the God of Wealth! ”

Wu Sifu hurriedly took over the conversation: "I took a loan from their bank. It's time to pay it back this year. ”

"How much did you borrow?" Tang Xiaohong put away the joke and asked.

"Not much, 50,000 yuan." Xiao Chen hurriedly said.

"Since Xiao Chen said that 50,000 is not much, it is not much. Or do you want to borrow more? Tang Xiaohong said narrowly to Xiao Chen.

"Yes, yes. Brother Tang spoke, of course he could. That's what I thought, too. Therefore, today is to ask Angkor to settle this year's interest first, and then renew the loan. It's almost the end of the year, and we're going to settle the bill. Xiao Chen said embarrassedly.

"How much is the interest?" Tang Xiaohong asked again.

"More than 4,000." Wu Sifu hurriedly said.

Wu Sifu saw that the cadres in the county and town were talking about their own loans, and he couldn't hold his face. Hurriedly said: "This interest should indeed be settled, I was thinking about this for the first two days. In this way, Xiao Chen, I will find a way to raise this money in the next two days, and I will definitely send it to your bank when the time comes. Rest assured, I will not be unrequited. ”

Tang Xiaohong saw Wu Sifu's embarrassed appearance, and hurriedly came forward: "That's it, Xiao Chen." Since the principal of Angkor is going to be renewed, you can renew the loan with this interest. We'll do it again next year. What do you think? ”

Tang Xiaohong said so, and Xiao Chen couldn't say anything more. It's really hard for him to think that his father has just died and he came to ask for a loan.

Moreover, Wu Sifu has a high degree of integrity and an excellent reputation among his neighbors, so he can only do this this time. Go back to the bank and intercede with the director, and you can help with the calculation.

After thinking about this, Xiao Chen snorted and said, "Brother Tang speaks, and the younger brother does it." ”

Xiao Chen saw that Tang Xiaohong had something to do with Wu Sifu, so he got up to say goodbye and left with the young man who came with him.

With the last chat, Wu Sifu unconsciously regarded Tang Xiaohong as a trustworthy brother. After sending Xiao Chen away, Wu Sifu turned around and went back to the house by himself, leaving Tang Xiaohong aside.

Tang Xiaohong didn't mind, and found a bamboo chair to sit down.

The atmosphere was a little dreary for a while.

"Angkor, get a cigarette." In order to break the dullness, Tang Xiaohong took the lead in speaking.

"I'm a bad smoker, are you used to it?" Wu Sifu asked with a smile.

"That's what we two said. When I was a soldier, I became addicted to smoking in the middle of the night, so I picked up the leftover cigarette butts from the day, got a piece of tobacco, wrapped it in white paper and smoked it. Tang Xiaohong said casually.

"You've done the same? I thought we were the only ones who had ever done anything like that. Wu Sifu replied.

Winter has passed, and the weather is getting colder. Wu Sifu saw that Tang Xiaohong had no intention of leaving, so he went to the eaves to find a few dry wooden sticks and made a fire in the brazier in the middle of the hall. The two of them were around the brazier, and for a moment they had nothing to say.

"The woman surnamed Shen in your third uncle's yard is spicy enough. Yesterday, he came to the village office and found me and said that he was an orphan and a widow and wanted to apply for a subsistence allowance. Tang Xiaohong brought up the topic, and the purpose of his coming today was also to talk to Wu Sifu about the subsistence allowance.

"You said Shen San's wife? It's very neat. However, without a man, her life is quite difficult. Wu Sifu said sincerely.

"Life is difficult without men? Hahaha, find her a man? Tang Xiaohong didn't know where she thought of it again, but she actually laughed to herself.

"I mean, she doesn't have a man to make money, she has a hard time making money as a woman, so life is sad." Wu Sifu explained.

"Yes. Men have to support their families, their wives and children, and they are under a lot of pressure! Without men, women can't live! Hahaha. ”

Tang Xiaohong laughed to herself again.

"Yes, a man has to support his family and earn money." Wu Sifu added.

"Therefore, people fight for a breath, and trees fight for a skin. Angkor, don't you say? Tang Xiaohong looked at Wu Sifu's eyes and asked.

After a while, Wu Sifu replied: "Yes." ”

"We are soldiers, and the temperament of a soldier cannot be lost. Angkor, don't you say? Tang Xiaohong followed up again.

"Yes." Wu Sifu replied immediately.

The two chatted for a while, and Tang Xiaohong wanted to get up and say goodbye. Wu Sifu couldn't help asking: "You came today, are you looking for me?" ”

"It's okay, I'll just come and see you and talk to you. We're comrades-in-arms! After Tang Xiaohong finished speaking, she stood up and left.

Wu Sifu was stunned for a while, no longer thinking about Tang Xiaohong's purpose of coming home. However, Tang Xiaohong remembered the sentence "People fight for a breath, and trees fight for a skin".

He picked up a knife and walked towards the bamboo forest behind the house.