Chapter 4, the charm of the bowl of mushroom stewed chicken

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Mother has become eleven years younger. Although her figure shows some signs of weight gain, her elegance still remains. There is also a hint of shrewdness about her. Later, when she encountered unemployment, she opened a small shop, and her business managed to get by, but that is a story for another time

Now that I think about it, he indeed understands that money is, at any time, a source for an individual and even for a happy family life. Especially in a future society with a developed economy, money to some extent represents status and the values of success

Su Can recalled a report he had seen online in 2006: "Tang Wu is the director of the New Projects Division at Morning Star International. This remarkable woman, who stands out in the industry, is a well-known and fashionable investment broker, regarded by everyone as the epitome of independence and style. She is the focal point surrounded by countless halos in the eyes of all. Anyone who sees Tang Wu for the first time would surely think it a pity that this girl is not a star... This outstanding beauty, who has manipulated over a hundred million in the securities market, ultimately failed to manage her own love life. The romantic relationship that began in her student days could not withstand the test of time or the temptations of the world. In the end, Tang Wu fell for a diamond-level client with whom she developed feelings during work, and the escalating arguments with her boyfriend over trivial matters led her to seek solace elsewhere. This also triggered her boyfriend's inability to accept the reality, resulting in a tragic outcome... Regardless of the circumstances, the once charming figure ultimately faded away. No matter how beautiful, strong, independent, or excellent a person may be, if they cannot carefully cultivate their own love, it will inevitably lead to tragedy. Does this serve as a warning to our increasingly fast-paced society?"

This set of commercial housing has drained the income that employees had earned over a lifetime in ordinary institutions. I recall that in 1998, Su Can failed the high school entrance examination, missing the admission to the third high school by just a few points. To enter the first high school, a provincial key institution, with Su Can's scores at that time, there was at least an eighty-point gap. At that time, it felt like trying to break through a barrier that could not be breached even with tens of thousands of yuan.

Success ... ... Hmm ... ... That's right !

Su Can wanted to hold back, but ultimately could not, as tears fell in large drops into the slightly salty chicken soup

Perhaps this is life, seemingly ordinary, yet in reality, it is tumultuous and full of waves, for no one can predict or measure what will happen in the future from this very moment

Mom secretly pinched Dad's side, and his expression changed. "I say, this is just how you are! At this critical moment, you don't even encourage our son. What do you expect him to do? Not work hard and end up in a terrible school? What's the point of studying then?"

Suddenly recalling such memories made Su Can break out in a cold sweat. Looking again at Tang Wu, who had taken out ten yuan to help pay the bill, the boss was in the process of giving her change.

Father sighed, "Ah, since kindergarten, your parents have been paying a high price for your education. This time for the high school entrance examination, it all depends on you, my son. Ah, but with your current grades, I find it quite frustrating..."

"Mom... I'm back." In the kitchen, there was a stove specifically used for stewing, burning honeycomb coal. Such a stove, placed in a tiled kitchen, indeed seemed out of place, but it was chosen for its energy efficiency, even though it had been removed later. Su Can watched his busy parents in the kitchen, chopping vegetables, as the aroma of mushroom chicken stew filled the air, and his eyes became moist once again.

In the end, Tang Wu paid for the printing herself, and Su Can was naturally quite grateful. It seemed that his class monitor was not as cold and intimidating as he had initially thought. At least from her feigned indifferent gaze, he could discern her kind-heartedness and character.

Just prepare to move your chair and enjoy the tragic life he faces after the brutal reshuffling of the high school entrance examination

Looking at the square face before him, the handsome features faintly resembled those of his father, who once bore the valiant spirit of a soldier. Su Can nodded vigorously, also making a strong effort to hold back his tears. Eleven years later, his father’s face was lined with wrinkles, and his once-straight posture had become somewhat hunched. He also suffered from cervical spondylosis, often unable to sleep at night, enduring it until dawn.

Su Can suddenly realized what important matter he had previously thought about regarding Tang Wu

Savoring the warm and fragrant mushroom chicken stew that fills the room with a delightful aroma

Indifference may merely be a guise to protect oneself, and it could also be a necessary factor for her future success

The class leader Tang Wu, who stands before me, is destined to be an outstanding woman in the future. However, she ultimately falls victim to a crime of passion. Throughout the ordeal, Tang Wu's boyfriend, unable to bear the reality of their breakup and his shattered self-esteem, prepares himself with a cool head and brings a knife. He tells Tang Wu, who has already moved into a wealthy businessman’s villa, that he wants to meet one last time. Tang Wu's heart softens, and she agrees to the meeting. Ultimately, she rejects his request to reconcile, but unexpectedly, in a fit of rage, her boyfriend stabs her in the heart, resulting in her immediate death.

Originally, Dong Qingyun intended to teach Su Can a good lesson, but upon reconsideration, he decided against it. After all, graduation was imminent, and both he and Tang Wu had their sights set on the provincial key school, the First Middle School of the City. In contrast, a person like Su Can would likely remain in the Second Middle School, a second-tier institution, for his entire life. Coupled with his academic performance, it was destined that he would become a member of the lower social strata, leading a bleak existence.

At home, Su Can, who can no longer afford the construction funds due to the fundraising, finds himself in an even more difficult situation after failing the high school entrance examination. The high tuition fee of 5,000 yuan is indeed not a significant amount at this moment, as Su Can could manage to scrape it together by tightening his belt for two months. However, at that time, it was undoubtedly a heavy blow to a family that had already exhausted its savings

Returning to 1998, my family had only moved into the new house for less than a year. This house was built through a collective investment by my parents' workplace and was considered a groundbreaking example of commercial housing at the time. Naturally, it was prioritized for internal employees and prohibited from being sold to outsiders.

He worked at a construction company, which later went bankrupt and underwent restructuring. His excessive loyalty and straightforwardness, lacking the cunning often seen in higher-ups, ultimately reduced him to a mere security officer, facing the constant predicament of unpaid wages.

Su Can wandered back to the residential community where his home was located, following a familiar route. The sights along the way were reminiscent of the old urban landscape from years past. At that time, Xia Hai had not yet applied for the status of a national-level tourist city, and there had not been the rapid changes brought about by investments of several billion. Even a central square in the city took three to four years to construct. The urban area was developing at a snail's pace, the city's economy was not thriving, and the industrial sector was even less developed. Su Can's home was situated to the south of the city center, yet the surroundings were still filled with buildings and environments characteristic of the 1980s.

The beautiful girl, with perfect proportions and slender fingers, along with her captivating blinking eyes, already seems to embody the enchanting form of a future beauty. Su Can etched this moment into his memory, yet suddenly felt a pang of heartache.

In the end, Su Can held the photocopied exercises in his hand, somewhat lost in thought as he watched the departure of the twin pairs, Tang Wu and Cheng Yun, Cheng Lan.

As he coincided with the beautiful figure of Tang Wu, who was just beginning to reveal her charm, Su Can did not expect that the serene and gentle scene before him, bathed in sunlight, could evoke such a profound impact on him

The building before Su Can made him slightly excited, and if it weren't for the sight of the brand-new paint and the familiar greetings exchanged with the elders who had aged about ten years since he last saw them in the community courtyard, Su Can would have momentarily believed he had not arrived eleven years later, and that he was still in 2009

Today, Tang Wu actually took out her own money to pay the bill for Su Can. Even more outrageous was that this fellow stared at Tang Wu without any hint of shyness, his expression as if he were mesmerized by her beauty, truly too brazen!

My family moved into a new house in 1997, which was the first time I had moved in over a decade, and also the only time I have moved. Even during that time in 2009, my parents were still living in the same house as when we first moved in.

Father realized his mistake and nodded repeatedly, "Yes, yes, that's right, we are relying on you this time!"

Compared to the widespread availability of typing and copying shops eleven years later, as well as the development of the price index and per capita purchasing power, the generally prevailing copying price of 0.20 yuan per page, along with the possibility of discounts for bundled copying, indeed illustrates the profound changes brought about by the development of the market economy under the reform and opening-up policy, which has yielded substantial results

Of course, Dong Qingyun follows Tang Wu, and accompanying her for a while is also a good thing

However, a dollar and fifty cents is indeed a dollar and fifty cents. For someone like Su Can, who is strictly constrained in personal finances in this era, he realized that his pockets were completely empty, not even a dime.

Su Can had forgotten that in 1998, the printing cost at the typing and copying shop for A4 paper was exorbitant, at 1.5 yuan per sheet. For some students, if they lost their books and had to reprint one, it would be almost a fortune. Even within the school, there might only be a precious one or two photocopiers available. To save on paper costs, some exam papers were printed using ink, such as the internal exercises distributed by Dong Qingyun.

What left a deep impression on Su Can was the scene when his relatives at home were also in urgent need of money. His mother secretly wiped away her tears over this financial burden, while his resolute father furrowed his brows into a "川" shape. As a result, for a long time afterward, Su Can deliberately chose to ignore this painful memory

The two elders turned around, and my mother was already beaming with joy. "Why did you come back a bit later than usual today? The meal will be ready soon. I have stewed chicken for you. My son is about to take the high school entrance examination, so I thought it would be good for you to nourish your brain. Your mother is also hoping you will return with good results!"