Chapter 0004: A Fiancée Falls from the Sky

I do not know when it started, but the communication between my parents and me has become increasingly sparse. When I left home, my parents shed tears. Upon returning home, I suddenly realized that my parents had aged; the wrinkles on their faces had multiplied, like a candle that burns itself to illuminate its surroundings. Until one day, one of them departs. Soon after, the other one also leaves.

People have come to realize the importance of material wealth and gradually understand that fate is best controlled in one's own hands

Ah?

Little did she know, Zhao Fusheng's current mood was not much better than hers

Fifty thousand yuan, haha, unless one chooses to sell oneself.

It is often said that a single coin can defeat even the greatest of heroes. Although money is not omnipotent, without it, one is certainly at a complete disadvantage. For a working-class family, 50,000 yuan is undoubtedly a substantial sum. Fan Baobao is well aware that even if she were to become an actress now, she would not be able to earn that much money.

If it can be said that the people of the early 1990s still retained the last vestiges of innocence, then ten years later, individuals gradually began to become more mundane. This is the best of times, and it is the worst of times

As he watched his parents prepare dinner, Zhao Fusheng let out a helpless sigh. Well, it is what it is; let them be happy. Later, he would find an opportunity to talk with Fan Baobao. He certainly could not truly marry that madwoman.

Zhao Fusheng's face was flushed, yet he could not explain himself, so he could only grunt in frustration

This is the truth. Ever since my father lost his job, he seems to have become a different person, engaging in excessive drinking and gambling. Almost everything of value in the house has been sold off by him, and this time he has gone even further, nearly losing himself in the process

In a weary life, there are no heroes or dreams, thus people need a refuge

I will go buy a fish

She received the news unexpectedly and rushed back from school. By the time she arrived home, the messy house had already been tidied up, and her younger sister was asleep.

"Silly boy, you and the baby are still young. Just date for now, and we will arrange the wedding in a few years," Zhao's father said, patting his son's shoulder. Unknowingly, the little one who used to follow him around, crying out, has now grown taller than him.

The reason is quite simple; a young girl who is just starting out can at most play roles such as maids or attendants, and earning a fee of around 3,000 to 5,000 is considered quite good

Such behavior, in the eyes of parents, is naturally seen as a manifestation of their son's shyness

This is truly a sad story

Fan Baobao's eyes were already red, tears streaming down her cheeks. Although she found it absurd, she knew that what her mother said was the truth. All along, she had been well protected by her mother, but she was aware that the family had long been drained by her father. Even her school tuition was borrowed by her mother from various places.

He even hoped that this was a dream, a dream from which he could awaken quickly

Even so, it may not be possible to obtain that much money

Marriage is the most immediate makeup remover, stripping away the last remnants of disguise from countless men. Once upon a time, Li Yuan was also happy, but as her husband began to indulge in gambling, the word happiness started to drift away from her.

Unable to lift yet unable to let go, the slightly ajar door, the tiptoed stance, the grapes just out of reach, the plums that have never quenched thirst, all transform into a kind of sentiment

Just when he thought he had the upper hand, Zhao's father calmly glanced at his son and said, "The factory intends to buy out my years of service, which amounts to exactly 50,000 yuan. Initially, I had no intention of agreeing, but since it concerns you and the baby, I will agree to it later."

Fan Baobao revealed a bittersweet smile and said, "With my father like this, it holds no significance for you to continue with him."

What is sentiment?

It is not fifty, nor five hundred, but a full fifty thousand yuan

In that moment, Zhao Fusheng experienced bleak thoughts about his own life

... ...

As a sensible daughter, Fan Baobao understands that she cannot cause her mother any more sorrow. There is no greater grief than a heart that has died. A husband has ruined her mother's first half of life, and if she were to continue being thoughtless, her mother might truly be unable to carry on with life.

... ...

The truth cannot be described; all the bitter fruits can only be crushed and swallowed by oneself

Moreover, regarding the buyout of his father's years of service, Zhao Fusheng vaguely remembers that there seemed to be another incident that occurred

"Let's cook, as it happens that Fusheng is at home. In the evening, let's invite Li Yuan and Baby Beibei over, so our family can have a good meal together." As the head of the family, Dad Zhao issued the directive

Her health has been poor ever since she gave birth to Fan Beibei. For the past two years, she has constantly been receiving injections and taking medication, and she even fears going to the hospital for examinations, as she is afraid of being diagnosed with an illness and incurring medical expenses.

After much consideration, this is the only possibility.

But he also understands that his parents are doing this for his own good

Unexpectedly arranged by his parents to have a fiancée, Zhao Fusheng found himself unable to argue against it, as it was he who had spoken up to take on the enormous debt of 50,000 yuan for the Fan family.

At this moment, her eyes were red, looking at her mother who was crying in front of her: "Mom, you and Dad should get a divorce."

"What do you mean by him helping me pay it back? It's not like I owe anything. I..." Fan Baobao huffed in annoyance, just about to say something when her expression suddenly changed slightly, her voice trembling a little: "Mom, you didn't agree to any conditions from that bastard Zhao Fusheng, did you?"

Zhao Fusheng felt a darkness envelop him, sensing that he was in a state of complete disarray.

Fan Baobao also understands this point. It is often said that children from poor families mature early. Moreover, since she is studying at a film academy and is exposed to more related matters, she naturally realizes that in today's world, lacking money truly makes it extremely difficult to make any progress

The girl is in her early twenties, with distinctly visible under-eye bags, commonly referred to in folk terms as "puffy cheeks." However, she does not possess a sweet, delicate face. Her unadorned complexion is youthful yet exudes a certain spirit, making her appearance quite pleasant. Such a visage truly has the effect of delighting the hearts of men.

What is even more sorrowful is that Zhao's father, the only one who could prevent this matter, after listening to Zhao's mother's words, thought for ten seconds and surprisingly responded with a sound of agreement, nodding his head: "This is indeed a solution."

However, if Zhao Fusheng's ears did not deceive him just now, it seems that perhaps, maybe, his mother and Aunt Li Yuan have actually arranged a marriage for him and Fan Baobao

Fan Baobao gasped in shock; she never expected that her father would lose so much in one go. No wonder he had to take the train and flee in the middle of the night

This is akin to everyone thinking that Jun Ji-hyun's portrayal of the "My Sassy Girl" is beautiful, but who actually enjoys having a girlfriend who, for no reason at all, acts like a fool and slaps herself in the process

Once again, Zhao Fusheng may not care about his current location, but he cannot ignore the couple before him

If it were not for his mother agreeing to some conditions with Zhao Fusheng, how could he possibly have the kindness to help himself repay this 50,000 yuan

"Mother, I promise I will do it." Fan Baobao nodded to her mother as if she were a martyr bravely sacrificing herself. In her view, for the sake of her mother, even if her entire life were to be ruined by that scoundrel Zhao Fusheng, she would accept it.

Fortunately, Zhao Fusheng cleverly thought of something and tentatively looked at his parents: "Dad, Mom. It seems that our family doesn't have that much savings, does it?"

"Fifty thousand," Li Yuan replied with a bitter smile

Li Yuan recounted the entire sequence of events, and finally, she cautiously glanced at her eldest daughter and murmured, "Aunt Zhao said that since this money is to be repaid by Fu Sheng, both she and Uncle Zhao have agreed, after all, we are not outsiders."

In the past, Zhao Fusheng would occasionally see the glamorous Fan Baobao on television, and it would remind him of how naive they were when they were both children. However, that does not mean he would desire such a fiancée

Suddenly, she and the librarian wore expressions of utter absurdity: "How is that possible? Where did he get the money from?"

"By the way, how much money did my dad lose this time?" Fan Baobao asked with a furrowed brow

Just when Fan Baobao was at a loss, Li Yuan whispered, "Well, that child Fusheng said he would pay back this money for our family."

So many!

Those who are loved are separated by mountains and seas, and the mountains and seas cannot be leveled.

There is no such thing as a peaceful passage of time; rather, there are those who bear the burdens for us as we move forward.

At this moment, there is another person on the sofa opposite the Zhao family who shares the same thoughts.

"Alright, let's stew the old hen that Dad brought last time." Zhao Ma replied

Li Yuan was taken aback, raising her head to look at her daughter. She never expected that her eldest daughter would say such a thing

Fan Baobao was taken aback, and then his face was filled with astonishment: "Zhao Fusheng?"

Standing up, Zhao Fusheng gently embraced his father and said softly, "Dad, I will listen to you."

The Zhao family is merely a working-class household, and supporting one college student is already quite a strain; where would they find the means to come up with 50,000 yuan

We share a fondness for a certain musical instrument, yet we have not persevered to a professional level, and are reluctant to give it up, which has transformed into a sentiment. We cherish our hometown, but are compelled to leave it, which has also become a sentiment. We have affection for someone, but cannot fully embrace them, thus it too has evolved into a sentiment

"Well, your Uncle Zhao and his wife have always liked you very much. Although Fu Sheng doesn't say it, he has always taken good care of you. I am not in good health, and your father seems to have disappeared somewhere. Your younger sister is still small. I was thinking, if there comes a day when I am no longer here, at least you and Bei Bei will have someone to take care of you." As Li Yuan spoke, tears began to flow down her cheeks.