National Tide 1980

Kang Shude did not refuse Ning Weimin's kindness and resigned from the jade factory.

It also happened that a dozen old workers in the factory were about to retire.

There happened to be a master who was in a very difficult family, and he was pestering the head of the administrative department every day to negotiate terms.

He said that his wife has a "medicine pot". After retirement, her salary has been reduced by 20%, and life is really difficult.

If the factory can't give him a part-time job, he won't quit and will work for a few more years.

In this way, the old man's resignation was equivalent to unintentionally resolving a headache for the factory and also helping a family in need.

So, without even a transition period, the old man retired directly after two or three days.

Moreover, the administrative section chief was quite particular. He gave the old man a full month's salary that month, which was equivalent to taking thirty yuan from the factory in vain.

The old man is not alone in his boredom either.

I borrowed flowers to offer to the Buddha, and used the money to invite the administrative section chief and a few other people who got along well in the factory to have a meal together in a small restaurant.

This is called losing face and living in favor.

So even if others leave, what they leave behind in the factory will always be word-of-mouth praise.

People don't say that the old man is serious and responsible in his work.

Hot water and newspapers were delivered on time, and letters and phone calls were delivered promptly.

That is to say, the old man is kind and righteous, not stingy, but also warm and kind.

Especially those who worked with the old man to make stone sculptures for Ning Weimin, they regretted the old man leaving the most.

Because after Kang Shude left, although they still had work to do for extra money, the work they produced could no longer be kept in the reception room like in the past, waiting for someone to come and collect it.

They have to send it to the handicraft workshop on Meishi Street by themselves.

Not only do you have to run errands, but you also have to deal with strangers, and it's not as easy as it used to be to look at your appearance.

The jade factory is like this, and the neighbors in No. 2 Courtyard of Shan'er Hutong are even more interested in Kang Shude.

As soon as she learned about Kang Shude's resignation, Aunt Bian took the lead in starting a series of connections.

Several neighbors in Courtyard No. 2 are now rich because of Ning Weimin, so they collectively contributed 120 yuan.

At the Henan Restaurant in Dashilan, Qianmen, which was also the old time-honored "Houdefu", we reserved three tables for Kang Shude's wine.

On that day, except for Mi Xiaoran who was far away across the ocean, all the neighbors in Courtyard No. 2 of Shan'er Hutong gathered together.

Even the eldest daughters of the Bian family and the Luo family and their sons-in-law came, and they were all well-dressed.

Everyone dressed up very carefully and put on the good clothes packed in the box.

In particular, Ning Weimin specially brought two bottles of French champagne to add to the fun.

This made the restaurant manager misunderstand.

I thought Kang Shude was some kind of big shot with a special background, and everyone was celebrating his birthday.

So the manager personally took action and suggested that the banquet should be served with birthday noodles.

Later I found out that it was not such a thing at all and it was actually a joke.

Needless to say, during the banquet, Kang Shude was radiant and extremely happy as he watched the lively scene of people drinking wine and toasting each other with neighbors.

He never expected that an ordinary person like him, who went home to retire, could actually cause such a big fuss.

These days, in fact, when most cadres retire, they are left in a state of disgrace.

I can clearly feel the loss of not having the right to use it and having expired it.

After such a comparison, Kang Shude was of course even more relieved and flattered.

So much so that after the banquet broke up, he couldn't sleep that night and kept talking to Ning Weimin in private.

"Hey, Wei Min. What are you talking about? Everyone is too polite, and they take me too seriously when they mobilize forces like this. I can't bear it. I owe you a lot of this favor..."

Unexpectedly, Ning Weimin burst into laughter, having already had his thoughts in mind.

"Old man, how wonderful this is. This is called being as close as one family, and we are all neighbors. As for this favor, I am not afraid of it no matter how big it is. It will be over if we can't pay it back. Life is slow. If you go slowly, there will be plenty of opportunities.”

"Don't forget, we have to go to Jinmen in two days. We should bring some souvenirs for everyone when we come back. And this summer, I'm thinking about where to take you. It’s to escape the heat.”

"Well... how about this? Don't all those leading cadres insist on going to Beidaihe for recuperation? I might as well rent a bigger car and bring all the people in our hospital to Beidaihe for a few days. The uncle here and the aunt here , Master Luo, and Aunt Luo can definitely go. As for the others, it depends on how they work shifts. What do you think?"

So what other opinions did Kang Shude have? This was such a good idea, and it made him feel much more at ease.

This apprentice is really worthy of his teachings, he is sensible and capable.

Even if his own son is still alive, I'm afraid things may not be so to his liking.

If nothing else, let's just say that he just expressed his desire to return to his hometown. In addition to paying homage to his ancestors' graves, he also wanted to visit the graves of his wife and children.

Unexpectedly, Ning Weimin actually kept his word.

As promised in the first few days, this boy said nothing and put aside all other things.

Not only did he have to drive him back to Jinmen in person, but he also prepared many gifts for him to give to his close friends and neighbors.

What is this called?

Accompany him to return to his hometown!

As the saying goes, if wealth does not return to its hometown, it is like walking in brocade at night.

You know, twenty years ago, he was deported from the capital to his hometown, and everything he owned was in vain.

The neighbors in his hometown had only seen how down and out he was, but they had never seen him in high spirits.

Now that he returns to Jinghai, he really wants to show everyone that the capital is his treasure, and that he, the grasshopper after autumn, is alive again.

Even if he is alone, he is not a desolate old man who will have a miserable old age and no one to rely on.

Without a son, he could still live a good life with the good apprentice he found in Beijing.

Just like that, on May 12th, Ning Weimin drove his American jeep and took Kang Shude from Shan'er Hutong courtyard to Jinghai, Jinmen.

The weather was amazing that day, the sun was shining brightly and there was a gentle breeze.

The temperature is hot or not, cold or not, it's just right.

Uncle Bian, Master Luo, Aunt Luo, and Master Mi, who works the night shift, had nothing to do during the day, so they went out to see her off together.

Even they were envious as they watched Ning Weimin and Kang Shude drive away in the jeep.

"Hey, Lao Kang has survived and has such a good apprentice. He is no worse than his son."

"No, what a blessing it is for Lao Kang to ride an American car to Tianjin."

"Hey, this must be said to be fate. Have you forgotten how the old and the young were pinched in the first place? It seems that everything is arranged by God."

That's right, this kind of "guard of honor" is equivalent to the treatment of a director.

Perhaps people today may find it a bit pretentious and not very interesting.

But for Kang Shude's life, it was a landmark move and a very important line.

He looked out the window, watching the shops on both sides of Qianmen Street passing by behind him, feeling quite happy.

I couldn't help but praise my apprentice.

"Not to mention, your car drives quite smoothly. I didn't expect you to have such a future, to be able to drive a car all over the city every day, and even I have benefited from you. Okay, let's keep it like this. , we can come back from Tianjin in two days."

Unexpectedly, Ning Weimin said, "Why are you in such a hurry to come back? No need. Old man, I finally went out with you to visit Wudaodao, Quanyechang and Tanggu. Qishilin and Dengying Lou and Goubuli also want to try it. The key is to have fun, your happiness comes first."

Kang Shude was heartbroken after hearing this, but the more he did this, the more he shook his head.

"No, don't, don't delay your business for me."

Ning Weimin said. "What's the business? It's my business after I've taken care of you. For example, it's like the other side of the strait. They've been tense with us for so many years. No, the other side has also announced that it has given up the confrontation. It has begun to talk to us about peace. . I found that the more serious the matter is, the less important it is to be in a hurry and do it slowly. Only when you are not in a hurry can you do it well. Don't you think so?"

However, these words suddenly shocked Kang Shude, "What? What did you say? Is there any new news on the other side of the strait?"

"Hey, you don't know, shouldn't you? You are so anxious to inquire about Mr. Song's whereabouts. Aren't you the most concerned about this news? Yesterday's newspapers and radio were all there! "Xinwen Lianbo" also performed it, saying Cross-Strait relations have recently entered a new era..."

"Hey, I'm just packing my things to leave today, and I didn't bother to read yesterday's newspaper... This is really delaying things..."

"Don't worry, old man. I have a radio in my car. I'll turn it on for you to listen. Maybe the news program will be broadcast, okay?"

"Hey, your car also has speakers, so you can listen to the radio..."

"That's an American car. Let me open it for you..."