Chapter 342: 342 methods
The first month of 1966 was the happiest time for Kong Demin. The message from above was that he could be promoted after the New Year.
A man's expression of happiness involves fine wine and beautiful women.
Since Zheng Xiuxiang was pregnant, he still cared a bit, so it was only Meng Xiufen.
"Demin, are you going home tomorrow? Tomorrow is already the fourth day of the first lunar month, and you haven't gone back yet," Meng Xiufen asked him afterwards.
"Then I'll go back tomorrow. What's up at home?"
"Bring five pounds of meat, and some snacks I prepared earlier, some white wine, and take a pack of cigarettes that someone gave you back home."
"Haha, all right, you are quite a filial daughter-in-law, not much younger than my parents."
Meng Xiufen gave him a pat. "Right, Xiuxiang's belly isn't that obvious now. Shouldn't she go home for a visit? It's the New Year, after all. She should see her parents, shouldn't she?"
"Why all the fuss? Just have Wang Dajiang send some things back, can't he?"
"That's not how it is. The more words are passed on, the more things get lost. I'm just worried Xiao Xiang misses home."
"In this freezing weather, she's pregnant. What if something happens?"
Meng Xiufen didn't say anything, in fact, it was Xiao Xiang who came to her, wanting to visit home.
Since Kong Demin refused, there was nothing to be done.
The next day, Kong Demin took the prepared gifts and rode back home. He thought about how he could drive in the future, rather than always ride a bicycle.
When he got home, Kong Zhongyou and his wife were happy, but Kong Menglin was a bit scared. She was stubborn, and if the second brother really found out, she would definitely be confined at home.
So she stayed close to Tian Shulan, fearing she would tell her second brother.
Only after Kong Demin left did she finally feel at ease.
Pan Xiulan had a rather pleasant New Year. Her daughter was already over six months old, with big, bright eyes that were particularly endearing.
The Shen family all really liked her, especially Father Shen, who wouldn't let go as long as he was at home.
"Xiulan, look at how your father is. He never behaved this way when your younger sister was little, but with his granddaughter, he can't bear to leave her."
"It's that grandparent love, Mom. Look at how much Jian Guo loves children too?"
The relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law was quite good. They got along almost like mother and daughter.
Song Qingqing, however, was not too happy. Because she came from a well-off family, she wasn't quite accustomed to Mrs. Zhou's lifestyle habits, but she held her tongue. The Zhou family was indifferent to the granddaughter, but they weren't bad either.
"Qingqing, don't be unhappy."
"I'm not. I'm just a bit depressed. It's nothing, Zhou Zhaodong, I won't make things difficult for you."
Mrs. Song especially advised her not to make things difficult for her husband, as it wouldn't benefit her. Make him cherish you, and only such a wife will fare well.
"Qingqing, you're truly wonderful. I'm so lucky to have married you."
On the sixth, everyone returned to work. Song Qingqing still sent her daughter to her mother-in-law, intending to send her to kindergarten when she turned two.
There was no choice now but to let the mother-in-law take care of her.
This year, Qian Jun spent the New Year at the factory. He felt especially lonely this year but was unwilling to settle. Over the years, he only had eyes for Jiang Xinyu, but she wasn't pure anymore, and that was what mattered to him most.
"Happy New Year, Mr. Qian."
"Happy New Year, Secretary Song," Qian Jun smiled slightly. He looked very much the part of someone in a superior position now. Thirty-two years old, truly a charismatic age for a man, many young women in the factory admired him.
Yao Shimin returned. After the meeting, he found Qian Jun.
"Mr. Qian, I'm married. I want my wife to come over next month, and at that time, I'll need to move out."
"Congratulations. Have you found a place yet?"
"Not yet, I'm just about to go look for one."
"You can ask Sister Meng from the union. She lives nearby and knows the area well."
"Okay, I'll go find Sister Meng right away.
Mr. Qian, you should also start a family. You're three years older than me, and I've already settled down."
"Haha, just haven't found the right one yet."
"Your standards are too high. By the way, Director Jiang has five months left until graduation, right?"
"Yes, she'll be back soon."
After Yao Shimin left, Qian Jun kept thinking about Jiang Xinyu, realizing he still had feelings for her, maybe he should wait until she returned.
Kong Menglin returned to work and went to find Cheng Changsheng at noon.
"I have something to talk to you about. Meet me at my place."
"I don't have time."
"If you don't have time, then I'll say it here."
Cheng Changsheng really regretted it. How did he get involved with someone like this?
"Fine, you go on ahead, I'll be there soon."
Kong Menglin hurried home after lunch.
Their actions were all observed by Wang Dajiang. Kong Demin mentioned he was about to be promoted, and Wang Dajiang didn't want to make a move now. But if Cheng Changsheng made a mistake, could he then become the captain of the inspection team?
The more Wang Dajiang thought about it, the more excited he became. He secretly followed behind Kong Menglin.
"Wang Dajiang, why are you following me?"
"Menglin, I know you look down on me, being with me might be a disgrace for you. I know you're with Cheng Changsheng now. I know his family and his wife, she's like a tigress, so you better not make a mistake."
After Wang Dajiang spoke, he turned and left.
Kong Menglin kept Wang Dajiang's words in mind. She frowned and returned home without locking the door, waiting for Cheng Changsheng.
About half an hour later, Cheng Changsheng came in. "Why did you want to see me?"
"What? Now you want to abandon me? Cheng Changsheng, it's not that easy. I'm telling you, you must divorce and marry me."
"Marry you? You're just a broken shoe, how dare you frame me?"
"Cheng Changsheng, no matter what I am, you are with me too. If I can't marry you, I'll report you and claim you forced me."
"Suit yourself," he said and turned to leave.
Kong Menglin sat there watching Cheng Changsheng leave, crying loudly. How did it come to this? Why could Kong Mengjie receive Huang Hongwei's love, yet she encountered such a man?
"No, it absolutely can't be like this." Kong Menglin suddenly stood up and wiped away her tears.
She hurried back to the office and found Wang Dajiang.
"I need to know Cheng Changsheng's address."
"Menglin?"
"Hurry and tell me, or take me there."
"Menglin, let me take you there. Do you want to go now?"
"Yes, right now."
Wang Dajiang led her to the door of Cheng Changsheng's house.
"This is his house. I'll go in with you."
"No need, you can go back. I can handle it myself." In fact, Kong Menglin didn't want outsiders to know and feared it would be bad for Cheng Changsheng, as she still wanted to marry him after all.