Chapter 5 A Dinner Party Went Awry
A fierce tiger lies in its chest, as it looks back, the past has receded far away; looking ahead, the road stretches wide like the sky.
"Hmm." Father Lin nodded in satisfaction
At midnight, Lin Jun walked alone in the rain, his head lowered, his eyes unable to open due to the icy rainwater washing over them, and the anguish within him had no one to confide in
Dad, look, my brother-in-law knows more than you do. Think about what you want to hear. He really has a way with conversation, I give him a thumbs up!" Lin Wei said, giving a thumbs up to Li Quan.
"Hehe, barbecue stall." Li Quan smiled upon hearing this.
Father Lin slammed his fist on the table, suddenly stood up and shouted: "You little brat, are you speaking human language?"
"Mad dog, lunatic!" Lin Jia gritted her teeth in anger
"You should take a break; I find you to be even more naive than I am." Lin Wei gave his sister a speechless glance.
"Hey, brother, what happened to your hand?" Lin Jia asked, pointing at the back of Lin Jun's right hand.
"How old is Xiao Jun now? What are you fighting about? Hurry up and eat, or the dishes will get cold soon," Lin's mother called out.
"Get lost!" Lin Jia scolded irritably, then turned to Lin Jun, asking while eating chicken wings, "Brother, what have you been busy with since you came back?"
It's nothing, I just really admire my brother-in-law for being able to buy Yunnan specialties even in Hainan. Lin Wei didn't stop talking after he sat down
"Well, take your time." Lin Jun did not argue, he simply nodded in agreement
"Xiao Jun, your temper..." Lin Jia quickly intervened
"Let him go, the farther the better!" Father Lin staggered back a few steps in anger, and Li Quan hurriedly supported him, then comforted, "Dad, Xiao Jun is just being immature, please don't be like him. Seeing you like this makes my heart ache..."
The heavy rain pours down from the horizon, the rainwater is cold, and one person stands alone
Bang
I haven't been busy with much, just running a barbecue stall for now Lin Jun has been sitting at the dining table, his posture and expression have been somewhat unnatural, as he keeps his head down and vigorously digs into the rice in his bowl, while his stepmother continuously serves him dishes.
"I haven't fought with anyone." Lin Jun set down his bowl.
"Xiao Quan, I inquired about your matter, but you will have to wait a bit longer. In the past year or two, the judicial sector has been reducing staff and cutting back, making it difficult to find suitable positions. Just wait for an opportunity!" Lin's father said, taking a bite of the fish eye, his voice calm and unremarkable.
"I’m sorry, you didn’t raise me for twenty years. From the day I could earn my own living, I have not asked you for a meal!" Lin Jun replied decisively, and then continued excitedly, "You have me, and it’s the same without me. When you grow old, brother-in-law, Xiao Wei will take care of you!"
"Steady." Lin Wei nodded, went back to the house to get his clothes, and then strode away to find a place to have fun
"What do you know? I'm only saying this because you're family! What does it have to do with me if a stranger is begging on the street?" Lin Jia frowned and replied, then looked at Lin Jun and continued, "Brother, Dad says this is for your own good. You really should find something proper to do. You know our family is considered a prominent one in this neighborhood, not too big, not too small. If you keep wandering around outside like this, and those rumors reach Dad's ears, won't he be upset?"
Bang
Standing at the misty Taiping Bridge, Lin Jun continuously wiped the rainwater streaming down his face, his eyes vacant as if gazing into the distance, resembling a sculpture
"Follow your father well, and you might become the mayor next year!" Lin Jun said with a pale face, throwing down the words before turning and leaving.
"You are talking nonsense. If my son were worth anything, would I seek comfort in my son-in-law?" Father Lin, with his white hair flying, shouted as he overturned the table, scattering the food all over the ground
"It's nothing, just a bump." Lin Jun frowned upon hearing this, instinctively retracting his hand. He had changed into long sleeves when he arrived, intending to conceal the bruises and wounds on his body, but the bruises on his hand were unavoidable.
Mom, you shouldn't indulge Xiao Jun too much; Dad should have a word with him.
Lin's mother slapped him and then scolded, "This child has such a filthy mouth. We're eating, use your brain when you speak"
At the family banquet, Father Lin was tight-lipped and wore a stern expression. Only when he heard Lin Jia mention that Li Quan had been recognized as an outstanding individual in the unit ahead of schedule did a hint of a smile flicker across his face
"Dad, how much should I pour?" Brother-in-law Li Quan, holding a bottle of liquor branded with the Moutai Group logo, leaned in and asked Lin's father with great consideration.
How about this, your brother-in-law's company is currently hiring small vehicle drivers. I will ask him to inquire for you. If you can go, you could earn around three to four thousand a month
Li Quan felt extremely embarrassed upon hearing this. He stood in place in silence for a moment, then scolded Lin Jun, saying: "Xiao Jun, how can you speak to your father like that..."
What else can he do if he doesn't do this? Father Lin took a large sip of white liquor with a blank expression
The implication in your words is that you blame me for not taking care of you, right? If I didn't take care of you, how did you come back? You stabbed someone and ran away for four years; who compensated for you?
"Cut it out, I haven't even mentioned you yet, you are also a clingy one," Lin Wei replied with a sidelong glance
"Oh, enough already, why are you always picking on Xiaojun! I’ve noticed that whenever you drink a little, you start looking for trouble. He is your son; isn’t it right for you to spend some money on him? All these years, Xiaojun hasn’t gone to university, and you haven’t helped him find a job. Just because of that little incident four years ago, why do you keep bringing it up?" Lin's mother put down her bowl and responded to Lin's father with an irritated tone. All these years, Xiaojun hasn’t gone to university, and you haven’t helped him find a job. Just because of that little incident four years ago, why do you keep bringing it up?" Lin's mother put down her bowl and responded to Lin's father with an irritated tone.
"Everyone stop making a fuss, let's eat. You start fighting as soon as you return!" Lin's mother scolded again
"Oh dear, how come there is a cut on the neck as well?" Lin Jia was once again taken aback
He is not allowed to go even if the position is not filled; he cannot handle that. If he goes, he will cause trouble for you, and that will be a hassle for you as well. Lin's father, feeling frustrated, took a large gulp of white liquor.
Then where the gap is, that is where it should be filled! And I must remind myself, it is raining, I will not be drenched here!
A sudden downpour swept through the city.
"You get out of here too..." Lin's father cursed through gritted teeth
"It's nothing, just a scratch from helping someone unload their goods," Lin Jun said ambiguously
"You all eat, I have something to attend to, so I will leave first." After a long silence, Lin Jun directly pushed aside the bench and stood up.
Look at you, what are you doing? A good meal has been turned into this. No matter how wrong he is, he is still just a child!" Lin's mother trembled with anger
"You, my younger brother, it's not that I'm criticizing you, but you are already in your twenties. When will you start doing something serious? This year you are doing this, and tomorrow you are doing that, without any stable profession. How will you find a partner in the future?" Lin Jiawan said with a look of concern.
It is human to err. Four years ago, I caused some trouble, but the public security, prosecution, and judiciary have all forgiven me. What is your father lacking? Just because I stabbed someone, do you want to sentence me to death? Because of this incident, you incurred losses, right? Fine, tell me the amount, I will sell everything I have to repay you!
... ...
This is not a form of indifference from a familial perspective, but rather a change brought about by social transformation. The way relatives perceive you is not necessarily malicious; it may also be an unconscious form of self-aggrandizement on their part
If one is a coward, enduring this scolding may only evoke feelings of familial warmth or lead to tears of despair. However, if one is a man, upon receiving this scolding, one must stand tall and ask oneself why recognition has not been attained
After the pleasantries, the stepmother and Lin Jia set up the dining table in the living room, placing eight hard dishes, four cold and four hot, on the table, and then invited everyone to take their seats
Father, my desire for a personal position is not strong. Primarily, I still want to be in a suitable position to do some practical work for the country. Therefore, if there is a suitable position, I will take it; if not, I will focus on doing my job well
Dad, you were lucky not to go to the bathroom, otherwise brother-in-law wouldn't be able to eat this meal, and he would probably have to rush to the bathroom to ask you how much you did!" Lin Wei rolled his eyes and added with a cheeky tone.
Lin Jun lowered his head and remained silent. His relationship with his sister was neither too distant nor too close, as Lin Jia had married at a young age, and Lin Jun had been venturing out since he was around 14 or 15 years old, resulting in few opportunities for them to meet.
The driver for our unit's small vehicle has been fully recruited" Li Quan interjected without hesitation
Oh dear, who have I offended? Cucumber shreds are being thrown at my head, and I really don't know how to handle this...! Lin Wei brushed the vegetable soup off his head and immediately said to Lin's father: "You are just being idle; if you are so impressive, then don't bother with him, and I will consider you superior."
"Who has gotten into a fight again?" Lin's father asked with a grim expression and a cold voice
Lin Jia's words are certainly not directed at Lin Jun, but rather unconsciously conveying to Lin Jun, "Brother, look at how well I am living my life. What’s wrong with me saying a few words to you? You are not doing well right now, while I am doing well, so what I say must be right, it is indeed the truth.
The dinner gathering began in a relatively harmonious atmosphere, with Lin Jun sitting between his stepmother and Weiwei, not saying much. Meanwhile, his brother-in-law Li Quan poured a glass of wine for Lin's father and another for himself, but throughout the entire time, he never asked, "Jun, would you like a drink?"
Hehe, I have been out for so many years. Although I haven't achieved anything, I have never asked you for money to spend!" Lin Jun replied with a flushed face and a smile
You have been taking your time for over twenty years, how much longer do you intend to take it slow? You have been away for four years, and now that you have just returned home, I can't find you. You only come back twice a week. I just want to ask you, Brother Lin, what are you so busy with?
"Can you eat?" Lin Jia raised her eyebrows and glared at her brother, reprimanding him.
Rest assured, even if I die out there one day, I will not inform you, so as to spare you the trouble. Lin Jun gritted his teeth and threw down a hard remark.
You damn well owe me back; I have supported you for twenty years, what do you have to repay me with
After a heavy rain, Lin Jun caught a cold for two days. Two days later, Lin Jun was still the same Lin Jun.
Let him go, let him mix in society, let him do as he pleases, sooner or later he will meet his end out there. Father Lin coldly waved his hand
It is unclear when this began, but in modern urban society, others' judgments of you are entirely dependent on the industry you are engaged in and whether you are sufficiently successful. Moreover, this judgment may not necessarily come from strangers; it could very well come from those closest to you, as only they are compelled to pay attention to you, while strangers do not.