Chapter 4

She looked up at her cousin, who was smiling as if discussing someone else's trivial matters: "As far as I know, when my brother was still alive a few years ago, my parents often quarreled and even fought, arguing over my brother and my father's chaotic affairs outside. When my brother suddenly passed away two years ago, they stopped causing a scene. My mother spends all her time at the mahjong table, while my father rarely comes home. The place where we live now was developed early, and many of the women living here are quite similar to my mother. What can these wealthy yet empty housewives do when they gather together? Do you know how much my father gives my mother every month?" Fang Wenxiu held up one hand to demonstrate: "Five hundred thousand. Do you know how much my father gives my mother every month?" Fang Wenxiu held up one hand to demonstrate: "Five hundred thousand. Just look at my mother's current mental state; how long do you think the assets my father left her will last? If I don't support the Fang family's reputation, how much will my teaching salary cover my mother's expenses in the future?"

So who can you blame? You despise her for being a girl, and from the moment she was born, you threw her into the countryside

Cousin looked downstairs and said, "The book must still be finished."

As the two women were about to go off-topic, Yan Xuguang tapped his pipe and decisively redirected the conversation: "Let me tell you, don't bother trying to earn money at that company in the distant mountains. Even if you manage to earn some, I doubt you can hold onto it. Just take good care of Xiuer; she is a capable child who can stand on her own. If you live well with her, your future will be bright."

Fang Wenxiu saw confusion in her eyes, but she quickly responded to her: "I do not want my life to be perpetually so awkward, I do not want to live in a 50-square-meter apartment while paying a monthly loan of 3,000 yuan, living on a budget of 800 yuan, only able to buy clothes at the wholesale market. I do not want to be like my mother, who has been entangled with my aunt over a gift of 200 yuan for half her life." Liu Wei urgently grasped Fang Wenxiu's hand and said: "Wenxiu, I want a lot."

In the year 2004, nineteen-year-old Fang Wenxiu sat in a BMW, lost in thought, exuding a calm demeanor, with a face that still bore traces of youthful innocence. The silver-gray body of the car shimmered with smooth lines in the morning light, gradually merging into the flow of traffic, embarking on a journey into the business world that would span many years

Wei Lvqinqing patted her hand to comfort her: "Fate is unpredictable. At that time, Sister Caihuan may have said that to comfort you. If there is no such fate, do not force it. I heard that there is a son outside the distant mountains. I will have Wei Bin keep an eye on him. Sleep now, do not think about it anymore"

Fang Wenxiu was unsure whether Liu Wei could be considered a friend, and when she spoke, she hesitated slightly: "How old are you? You still have two years until graduation." After saying this, she felt that her words sounded somewhat old-fashioned and had a didactic tone, and she estimated that Liu Wei would not be able to take it in.

Fang Wenxiu looked up at her and asked, "Have you eaten? If not, I can get you something to eat"

He has gone. Wei Heng replied casually while picking through the plate.

The sky outside is still bright, so I went to the mall to buy myself a few outfits. When I returned home in the evening, Yan Lihua had not yet come back, so I casually had something to eat and went upstairs to browse the internet while waiting for Yan Lihua

"You can let it go." Fang Wenxiu replied casually while looking out the window

Are you my father's former driver

Indeed, Liu Wei said: "Wen Xiu, is two years a long time? There is still one year left for the internship, and by then I might not even be able to find a suitable organization."

Fang Wenxiu turned around, and her older cousin stood there like a pine tree, upright. Because of the words he said to her today, Fang Wenxiu would forever hold him in her heart for a lifetime

In the middle of the night, Wei's mother sent off her eldest son and his family who had come back for the weekend, and also drove away Wei Heng. Once the elderly couple lay down in bed, she could no longer help but murmur to her husband: "Is there really no one left in the Fang family?"

Fang Wenxiu took Yan Lihua's car home. As soon as Yan Lihua entered the door, she was called away by a phone call, without even saying hello. She is always like this; it seems she is unwilling to get close to Fang Wenxiu, but in fact, she is somewhat avoiding her.

My surname is Feng, and my full name is Feng Kun. Miss Fang can call me whatever she likes.

Wei Lvqing was taken aback: "Do you still remember? How many years has it been?"

The interior of the car was very clean, with a faint scent of leather mingled with a hint of smoke. After getting in, Fang Wenxiu remained silent. Feng Kun glanced at her in the rearview mirror. The original Fang Yuanshan always sat squarely in the middle of the back seat, but Fang Wenxiu chose to sit by the window, gazing outside the car, lost in thought. Feng Kun asked her, "Would you like to listen to some music?" The original Fang Yuanshan was usually not very energetic at this time in the morning and liked to have some music to perk him up. Fang Wenxiu, however, continued to sit by the window, staring outside, seemingly deep in thought. Feng Kun asked her again, "Would you like to listen to some music?" The original Fang Yuanshan was usually not very energetic at this time in the morning and liked to have some music to perk him up.

Fang Wenxiu was quite surprised: "What brings you here at this time?" They live in the suburbs, and it takes quite a bit of time to cross the entire city from the school.

On Monday morning, the weather was very nice. Fang Wenxiu got up at 6 o'clock and ran a lap around the community. When she returned, a car was parked outside the yard, and the driver opened the car door and got out: "Miss Fang."

On this night, the Fang family was in a different scene. Fang Wenxiu hurried back to have dinner, took a shower in her room, and when she came out, she ran into her cousin. Her cousin was standing by the stair railing with an ashtray, smoking. Fang Wenxiu walked over, while downstairs, Yan Lihua was talking to her brother and sister-in-law. The two of them stood above, eavesdropping.

Wei's mother turned her head to look at him, her tone filled with疑惑: "Back when we left Longxigou, Sister Caihuan told me that the Fang family owes our family a daughter-in-law."

Later, my elder cousin said: "If it doesn't go well, come back. I will take care of you, and I will handle all your matters."

Fang Wenxiu nodded and said, "Feng Kun, I will trouble you in the future."

Soon, I heard my aunt say again: "You should be more considerate; Xiuer is still quite young, and you need to think more for her."

Fang Wenxiu leaned on the staircase railing and smiled at her older cousin, saying, "Let's take it one step at a time"

Wei's mother asked again, "The talent has only been gone for a few days, and the funeral has been arranged so quickly. Who was in charge of overseeing it?"

Feng Kun turned on the radio, and an unknown morning program was playing. After a segment of smooth and soothing light music, a gentle and clear female voice said: "Good morning, dear listeners. Today is September 18, 2004. The highest outdoor temperature today is 37 degrees Celsius. During the morning rush hour in City B, there is congestion within the second ring road..."

Indeed, I have been driving for General Fang for five years. Feng Kun engaged in a question-and-answer exchange, appearing not to be a particularly talkative person. Fang Wenxiu glanced up at the driver's seat ahead and said, "Let's listen to something else."

Downstairs, Yan Xuguang is asking Yan Lihua: "What are your plans for the future?"

Oh, it's already fifteen, the old lady has raised a young lady, if it were you, would you be willing to take her in

Fang Wenxiu withdrew her hand from Liu Wei and said, "Are we sleeping here tonight? There are no guest rooms left, so why don't you sleep with me?" It is this kind of attitude and tone that makes her appear to have a gentle temperament, seemingly able to get along with anyone. However, in reality, she does not resonate much with anyone, being aloof and indifferent. Thus, like the powerful Liu Wei, she also has very few friends.

Fang Wenxiu smiled without responding. Fang Yuanshan had a wide circle of friends, and with the red envelopes totaling over two hundred thousand yuan from his colleagues, in the evening, he gave all of it to her mother. Fang Wenxiu casually flipped through the account book, noting that this still needed to be kept properly, as in the future, the weddings and funerals of these families would need to be reciprocated.

Yes. Feng Kun replied in front.

Cousin Da frowned and said, "That cannot be allowed to continue like this."

Yan Lihua remained silent, and Yan Xuguang continued, "No matter how much money you earn in this lifetime, how much can you actually use? A woman should be modest and proper, and it is more important to live a good life with Xiuer."

In the morning, Fang Wenxiu took out a set of her own clothes for Liu Wei to change into before going back, as she feared that the clothes Liu Wei wore yesterday would smell of sweat in the hot weather. However, Liu Wei did not accept them and chose to wear her own clothes instead. Fang Wenxiu never forced anyone and did not insist. Although Liu Wei was somewhat self-serving, she never took advantage of others, which was a commendable trait.

She is not close to me. Yan Lihua finally spoke up, filled with complaints

Today, Uncle's family is leaving. My older cousin works as a director at the forest farm back home and is quite busy. Naturally, he will take his parents with him. Fang Wenxiu and her daughter are seeing them off at the airport. The emotions of parting are somewhat diluted by the bustling crowd at the airport. Auntie holds onto Yan Lihua and gives her a few words of advice. Yan Lihua, with a hint of sadness in her eyes, listens quietly without saying much. Yan Xuguang and his son are not very talkative either. When the time comes, the two of them carry their luggage inside. As my older cousin enters, he turns back to glance at Fang Wenxiu, a look filled with concern. Fang Wenxiu smiles and nods at him. He smiles back, finally turning to hold his mother's hand as they go in.

In the darkness, Liu Wei held onto Fang Wenxiu's arm without letting go or saying a word. When Fang Wenxiu began to feel drowsy in her hazy state, she suddenly heard Liu Wei's clear voice: "Wenxiu, I am not afraid of you harming me; I am only afraid that I will never have a chance in my entire life."

In the afternoon, with nothing to do, Fang Wenxiu went to the hotel to see Fang Hengxin. He was still at the crawling stage, and she spent the entire afternoon sitting on the floor playing with him. Later, when he got tired from playing, she had the nanny carry him to sleep before leaving the hotel

In the darkness, Fang Wenxiu lay on the bed and calmly said to her: "You only see the splendor and wealth of another class, but have you ever considered where their wealth comes from? It is the result of a generation's half a lifetime of hardships, sacrifices, and bloodshed, exhausting their youth to uphold a belief. Then, after enduring over a decade of political turmoil, it culminates in the prosperity you see in this generation. People of that class share the same foundation and interests, but the key lies in their unequal values, which cannot tolerate the casual entry of commoners. Even a family like ours is merely a guest in their eyes. Liu Wei, wake up; if I help you, it would be to your detriment. " Liu Wei, wake up; if I help you, it would be to your detriment.

Fang Wenxiu sighed inwardly, realizing that her words not only failed to intimidate her but instead ignited an even greater ambition within her. Perhaps this is akin to a moth flying into the flame. She turned over and said: "Go to sleep." After that, she remained silent.

Wei Lvqinq pulled his wife to bed, casually turned off the light, and the room was plunged into darkness, thus spending the night in silence

Lying in bed at night, Liu Wei cautiously held Fang Wenxiu's arm and pleaded with her: "Wenxiu, please help me?"

Fang Wenxiu turned around and leaned on the railing, sighing: "This kind of issue stems from psychological problems, and no one else can intervene; it is only through one's own courage that one can stand up. I cannot ignore her."

Liu Wei sat cross-legged back on the bed and said, "I have eaten." Fang Wenxiu lowered her head and did not pay her any further attention

Cousin Da is the smartest person in the Yan family. He possesses Yan Xuguang's straightforwardness but is more perceptive than him; he can see through everything clearly. Fang Wenxiu said to him: "Do you think I don't want to finish my studies? I am majoring in history, and if I complete my degree, I can strive to stay at the university for graduate studies. If I can't get in, going back home to teach is also quite good; that was my original plan. But do you know what our family's situation is like now?"

At twelve o'clock, Yan Lihua still hasn't returned; she has taken a shower and gone to bed.

The classmates all say that Liu Wei is very ambitious, and Fang Wenxiu also feels that she seems to have a clear plan, as everything she does has a definite purpose. Therefore, she pulled a chair in front of Liu Wei and asked her earnestly: "So, can you tell me what your goals are? Or what your life aspirations are?"

So I went to pick her up later, didn't I? Her grandmother did allow it

Thus, Fang Wenxiu realized that what she truly desired was not much, merely the two words: fame and fortune. She understood that Liu Wei came from a humble background; her mother worked as a cleaner in a property management company, and her father was a worker at a steel mill in the suburbs. They were an ordinary couple who had given birth to a beautiful daughter, and as a result, her looks made her restless. Unlike the girls at school who were whisked away by various luxury cars every weekend, she was somewhat fortunate. She was merely a child blinded by vanity and deceived by fame and fortune. In truth, she did not know that sometimes, being content with a modest life is also a blessing. Yet, in this era, who still understands the benefits of being content with a modest life.

Fang Wenxiu sat in the chair with her legs crossed, flipping through the account book, while Liu Wei got up to pour herself a glass of water, as she was quite familiar with the Fang family due to her frequent visits.

Was this car originally used by my father?" Fang Wenxiu asked Feng Kun

Both individuals remained silent. The elder cousin thought that Fang Wenxiu was overthinking and worrying too much about the future. As life goes on, who can truly predict what the circumstances will be like? However, he also considered that those who do not plan for the future are bound to face immediate troubles. Therefore, Fang Wenxiu's way of thinking was not entirely wrong, yet he ultimately chose not to voice his thoughts.

Fang Wenxiu estimated that her mother’s mind was still in a state of confusion, and that her current line of thought was certainly not on the same wavelength as her uncle's. Indeed, she had not heard Yan Lihua speak at all.

Yan Lihua remained silent, while Yan Xuguang sighed and said earnestly, "Just listen to me." Fang Wenxiu heard her mother crying.

Liu Wei quietly took something out of her bag and pushed it in front of Fang Wenxiu: "Wenxiu, you have to help me."

The driver, in his thirties, was neither old nor young, with an ordinary appearance. Fang Wenxiu slowed her pace as she approached him. Once she reached him, she raised her hand to wipe the sweat from her forehead before asking, "What is your name?"

Liu Wei is very beautiful, with long hair that falls past her shoulders, well-defined and full facial features, and fair skin. She is not short and is very slender; any clothing looks good on her, indeed possessing the capital to astonish at first glance

Fang Wenxiu turned and entered the courtyard, leaving a slightly unnatural expression on Feng Kun's face. In the end, he shook his head and smiled, then got into the car

Fang Wenxiu nodded slightly, and her cousin did not say anything further, taking the ashtray back to his room

After returning home, she took a shower and had breakfast. Dressed in a professional suit, she left the house promptly at 7:30. Feng Kun opened the car door for her, and she slid into the seat.

On this evening during dinner time, in a certain family compound located in the city, at the dining table of the Wei family, Wei's mother asked Wei Heng, who was shoveling food into his mouth, "Did you attend the Fang family's funeral today"

Wei Lvqing glanced at his old partner and said, "In recent years, the distant mountains have lived through such unbearable times, bringing about this kind of disaster, and there is nothing much to say about it."

Fang Wenxiu sighed and turned around, her cousin asked her: "What are your plans for the future?"

The conversation downstairs continued, but Fang Wenxiu chose not to listen any longer. Shortly after returning to her room, she heard the doorbell ring from downstairs, and before long, Liu Wei directly pushed the door open and entered.

Liu Wei threw the bag onto the bed and said, "I have brought you the account book."

Wei Heng stuffed his mouth with several large bites, looking as if he were starving, and replied without changing his expression: "Who else could it be? It's his wife. Oh, I also saw a few people who seemed to be from the countryside; they are probably her relatives."

Feng Kun turned on the player in front, and moments later, a violent surge of heavy metal music suddenly filled the compartment. Fang Wenxiu frowned slightly, enduring the song until it finished, amidst a man repeatedly screaming that he had nothing. Finally, she said, "Turn it off." She lowered her head and rubbed her brow, not difficult to imagine that this was Fang Yuanshan's taste.

Fang Wenxiu pinched the business card with two fingers, on which was the name Wei Heng. She examined it back and forth, then placed it on the table and stood up to put the account book on the bookshelf. When she returned, Liu Wei was looking up at her with eager eyes.

Wei's mother smiled and said: "I never thought I would remember, but I have never forgotten. Sister Caihuan has not only shown me kindness."

Wei's mother thus ceased to inquire further