dognovel Chapter 1384 Actors please take their places
Chapter 1384 Actors please take their places
Chapter 1384 Actors please take their places
"Hey Lao Yang, why are you still staying at home?"
Yang Shuxing's wife had just returned home. As soon as she entered the house, she saw her husband lounging on the sofa with a newspaper and a teacup in his hand.
"You've been back for so many days now, why don't you go to the factory for a visit? At the very least, you should go and see Director Li."
She put down the cloth bag in her hand and reminded him somewhat anxiously, "I don't know about others, but Director Li is the most concerned about his image."
Yang Shuxing's wife knew that Hongxing Factory was going to be upgraded to Hongxing Steel Group. But like many employees' families, she was used to using the original name and rarely said "group," always referring to the factory.
She didn't originally work at the Hongxing Factory; she was a finance officer at the supply and marketing company, so she was very knowledgeable about the ways of the workplace.
My spouse has worked in the steel city for many years and rarely has such a long holiday as this year. He started his holiday before the Lunar New Year and continued until the third or fourth day of the Lunar New Year.
No doubt about it. Although we've been married for a long time, as Lu Xun once said, absence makes the heart grow fonder.
For the first few days, she was overjoyed and wanted to pamper her lover every day, doting on him constantly. As soon as she got off work, she would bring back meat and fruit from the supply and marketing cooperative to give her lover some good food.
But as the initial excitement of the reunion cooled, she realized something was amiss. She had heard from Old Yang that the Steel City Metallurgical Plant and the Liaodong Industrial Management Group had new leaders this year.
For an average housewife, the thought of her husband going home for an extended vacation would make her ecstatic, and she'd be overjoyed every single day.
She was different. Having a deep understanding of the ways of the workplace, she couldn't figure out how her lover had gotten this vacation.
It's unreasonable for a new leader to be so considerate of his subordinates and arrange long holidays for everyone.
It would be more accurate to say that these subordinates care about their leaders, flatter their superiors, and proactively take on responsibilities, even letting the new leaders go home for vacation.
Furthermore, even when taking leave, they have to take turns; he can't take the entire Spring Festival holiday by himself.
Let alone him, even the group director Li Huaide didn't say he would take a vacation starting from the Lunar New Year and continue until the third or fourth day of the Lunar New Year.
No one in the entire group gets this kind of vacation. If Lao Yang takes this kind of leave, how are the other leaders at the Steel City Metallurgical Plant supposed to take theirs?
So it didn't make sense logically, so she wanted to ask for clarification. But Lao Yang didn't say anything, only that the leader had given her a vacation.
My partner is on vacation, but she has to go to work. I left this morning with doubts and worries, and even reminded her to check on her workplace before leaving, just in case something really went wrong.
This doesn't feel like a vacation; it feels more like being banished, sent home by the new boss. Maybe Old Yang got into a fight with his boss at work and was forced into this extended leave.
It's no wonder she thinks that way. After being together for so many years, how could she not know what kind of person her lover is and what his temper is like?
If it weren't for this problem, Lao Yang would have been out socializing long ago. When has this house ever been a place where he could stay?
When the child was little, he would miss his father and look for him, but he would ignore him. Now, he seems to miss home more than the child does.
Is he reflecting on his mistakes behind closed doors? Or is he too ashamed to face anyone? Could it be that Old Yang did something shameful in the steel city?
"Hey, I'm talking to you—"
I was so anxious and frustrated. I talked for so long after I came in, but my partner just wouldn't move.
If she hadn't seen him shake the newspaper and turn the page, she would have thought Old Yang was asleep and was just fooling her.
She stepped forward and snatched the newspaper from her lover's hand, frowning as she asked, "Old Yang, tell me the truth, how did you get this vacation? Did something happen or is there some other reason?"
“Get things done if you have something to say. What’s with you just staying home all the time?” She became more and more anxious as she spoke, her eyes widening as she asked, “You wouldn’t happen to be…”
"Tsk—" Yang Shuxing pulled the newspaper back from his lover's hand with displeasure, frowned and glared, and said, "What nonsense are you talking about!"
"I'm lying? Tell me the truth or not!"
"Truth? What truth!"
Yang Shuxing folded the newspaper, frowned and complained, "You called to urge me when I wasn't coming back, and you still urge me now that I'm back."
He glanced at his lover, then looked back at the newspaper and said calmly, "You always complain to me that I don't belong in this family. This time, I'll stay home and keep you company."
"Burning newspapers at a grave? You're trying to fool the ghosts!"
Yang Shuxing's wife was no fool; she was getting anxious too. She sat down on the sofa next to him and asked seriously, "Old Yang, you're not going to be wary of me too, are you?"
“What could it be? Tell me,” Yang Shuxing put down his newspaper and looked at his lover, asking, “What could it be?”
"If I had something to do, would I be sitting at home so calmly?" He spread his hands, speaking with a very firm tone, "Is it wrong for me to rest for a few more days and spend more time with you?"
"Who said you were wrong—" Yang Shuxing's wife looked him over. Her expression didn't seem fake, but she still cautiously asked, "Are you really alright?"
"Alright, go cook." Yang Shuxing impatiently unfolded the newspaper and started reading, muttering, "The green beans this morning were a bit bland."
“It’s because your taste is too strong.” His wife blinked, then stood up and said, “I’ve warned you before, don’t eat things that are too salty…”
Seeing that Old Yang's brows furrowed again, she dared not say any more.
But as she walked toward the kitchen, she remembered something and turned back to say, "Even on your day off, you still have to go out for social engagements."
“Even if I keep you at home with me, you still need to go out and about during the day.” She frowned and said, “Your Liaodong Industrial Park just got a new leader, don’t you have to pay your respects?”
“You can skip visiting others, but you should at least go and visit Director Li at his home.” She walked back to the sofa and earnestly reminded him, “This year is the final year of your group’s restructuring process. It’s crucial for Liaodong, for the metallurgical plant, and for you. You can’t afford to be careless.”
"Oh dear, do you need to teach me how to do things?"
Without looking up, Yang Shuxing said, "You're just being nosy. So many people are crowding around him at the end of the year. It would be too much of a fuss if I went there when I came back from my vacation."
"If I'm going, I'll have to go after the New Year. I'll visit his home on the second or third day of the Lunar New Year to give him a proper New Year's greeting."
"Why didn't you say so earlier if you had this plan?"
Yang Shuxing's wife glared at him, as if she had been worried and anxious for nothing.
As he walked toward the kitchen, he muttered to himself, "He always pretends to be profound and serious."
"Tsk—" Yang Shuxing was also dissatisfied with being scolded by his wife, but just as he was glaring at her, the phone rang.
He could only glare at his wife's retreating figure before reaching for the phone.
"Um, I'm Yang Shuxing... Oh, it's Leader Bu! Hello, hello, Happy New Year..."
He was talking on the phone with a smile on his face, but he was very puzzled. He didn't have any relationship with this deputy leader.
Seeing his wife come back again, he glared at her and scolded her for eavesdropping on his phone call.
But with the phone in his hand, he couldn't say anything to her. Just as he was about to speak, the content of the call made his expression change, and he forgot to wave his wife away from him.
"What? Oh... It's alright, there's no need for you to come all this way, no need, no need..."
His face suddenly turned pale, which startled his lover, who thought something was wrong and looked at him anxiously.
She recognized who was calling: Bu Qingfang, deputy leader of Hongxing Steel Group and former manager of the publicity department of Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill.
This person is also a former colleague of my spouse, but he is at a higher level and has more seniority.
She didn't suspect any connection between her lover and this Deputy Leader Bu; it was just that the latter's status was different.
Although Bu Qingfang was a deputy leader, after Li Xuewu went to work in Gangcheng, she had become the de facto head of the group's comprehensive management department and the group's chief steward.
For a deputy leader to personally call your spouse, it must be something very important, especially judging from the changes in your spouse's expression.
Judging from this... it doesn't seem like good news at all.
No matter how polite Yang Shuxing was, the tone of Bu Qingfang, the deputy leader of the group, on the other end of the phone was unquestionable.
"Comrade Shuxing, even without the leadership's arrangement, we've been comrades for many years."
Bu Qingfang said on the phone with a slightly reproachful tone, "Why didn't you tell us about such a big thing that happened in your family? Are we even comrades anymore?"
"Leader Bu... this... this is nothing serious." Yang Shuxing's face turned a deep purplish-red as he stammered, "It's just a minor ailment, I'll be fine after a few days in the hospital."
"Who's in the hospital?" His wife asked anxiously, her expression changing slightly as she sensed something was wrong with his words.
Yang Shuxing was in a mess when he saw his lover making things worse. He glared at her and told her to shut up and not say anything.
The more he acted this way, the more his lover felt that he was hiding something, that he was deliberately concealing it from her, after all, her behavior in the past few days had been far too abnormal.
What could possibly make your loved one so anxious that they would take a long leave of absence to be with you?
While Yang Shuxing was still on the phone, his wife panicked and collapsed onto the sofa, completely disoriented.
"Alright, Comrade Shuxing, don't hold back at a time like this," Bu Qingfang emphasized on the other end of the phone. "The leaders have made all the arrangements. He can't get away, but if he could, he would definitely come to visit your father-in-law in person."
At this point, the telephone receiver volume was comparable to that of a radio. Yang Shuxing tried to cover it up, but Bu Qingfang had already made her point clear. Yang Shuxing's wife's face turned unusually pale.
Yang Shuxing was in a hurry. He held the phone and wanted to refuse again, but Bu Qingfang didn't care. She just said that she would bring people to visit him after she got to work the next morning and then hung up the phone.
“Old Yang—” His wife was already in tears, her voice hoarse as she asked, “My dad… my dad…”
She wanted to ask her father what was wrong, but she was too scared to ask.
She sensed something was wrong when Yang Shuxing made the phone call, and thinking about Lao Yang's unusual behavior, she panicked.
She dared not think the worst, but when Bu Qingfang mentioned her father-in-law on the phone, she could no longer hold on.
Yang Shuxing panicked, unsure how to explain. If he told the truth, his wife would definitely scratch him; if he didn't, his mother-in-law would definitely scratch him. He was truly in a dilemma.
Seeing her lover in such a predicament, Yang Shuxing's wife completely broke down and burst into tears.
What else could be the reason that Lao Yang took a long leave to come back and spend time with him, and didn't even go out for social events?
Thinking about it again, if something really happened to his father, Old Yang didn't go...go...which means his father is already...
She was heartbroken, her body went limp, and she slid off the sofa and lay down on the floor.
Old Yang knew she wasn't in good health and was afraid she would be too upset, so he stayed home to take care of her and didn't want anything to happen to her.
She couldn't bear the thought of her own father raising her with such care and hardship, only to find herself without even the chance to see him one last time. Her mind went blank.
"Yaqin! Yaqin!" Yang Shuxing panicked the moment he saw his wife lying on the ground.
He scrambled off the sofa and rushed to his wife, pinching her philtrum and slapping her cheeks. When she didn't react, he grabbed some tea from the coffee table and poured it on her forehead.
After struggling for a while, he finally saw his wife catch her breath again, and then he burst into tears. His wife's health was indeed not good, so he dared not lie to her any longer and quickly told her the truth.
"Don't lie to me—waaaah—" His wife hugged him tightly, crying loudly, "Old Yang, my dad—how could he just leave like this—I haven't even—"
"Yaqin!" Yang Shuxing struggled to help his beloved up, his face full of guilt as he said, "I really lied, really—"
He couldn't bring himself to slap himself hard, so he lightly slapped himself twice and looked at his wife, saying, "I just wanted to annoy the new boss, so I deliberately quit, that's why I used this excuse..."
"Really? Really?" His wife wasn't very angry at the moment, but rather hoped that what he said was true, after all, he was her own father.
Seeing Yang Shuxing nod earnestly and guiltily, she was overcome with grief and fiercely raised her hand to slap Yang Shuxing.
"You bastard, you son of a bitch!"
She was exhausted and had no strength left, even breathing was difficult, but the slap still made a crisp sound.
Yang Shuxing wanted to avoid it, but he was afraid he wouldn't be able to explain it to his father-in-law and mother-in-law, so he just had to endure it.
Hmm, it doesn't hurt, it just feels spicy.
This spiciness isn't from being hit, but from guilt, from unexpected sadness and panic—how am I going to explain this to my father-in-law?
Dear Dad, it's almost Chinese New Year, and I don't have much to give you as a filial gift. I'll send you to the United Hospital for a few days. I wish you good health and a long life!
His mother-in-law could tear him apart like shearing beef jerky.
"I've really done something terrible to you, treating you like a king, and you're cursing my father to die young during the New Year!"
-
It was lively, extremely lively.
But the real excitement is yet to come.
Leaving aside how Yang Shuxing coaxed his wife and how, in order to avoid being exposed, he went with her to his father-in-law's house to apologize.
The purpose wasn't to apologize, but to earnestly ask his father-in-law and mother-in-law to cooperate in this charade.
What's the name of this show again? How about "Actors, Please Take Your Seats"?
No one knows how Yang Shuxing managed to persuade his father-in-law and mother-in-law to come to the hospital to accompany him on this day before the New Year. All that is known is that he spent the whole morning at the hospital bedside acting as a dutiful son, his eyes bloodshot from lack of sleep.
What a filial son!
Even the nurses in the hospital couldn't help but give him a thumbs up, saying that this leader of the metallurgical plant was a role model for the times.
The old man was clearly fine, just old and frail, but they treated him like he had a terrible illness. Deputy Director Yang, who was just his son-in-law, stayed by his bedside day and night, bringing him tea and feeding him. How kind of him!
The old man was just a bit tactless; why did he treat such a good son-in-law with such disdain?
Bu Qingfang was determined to complete the tasks assigned by Li Xuewu, and she had to go and see Yang Shuxing's father-in-law personally, regardless of whether he was sick or not.
If he is truly ill, then all is well; if he is not ill, then it is Yang Shuxing who is ill.
If leaders were so easily fooled, there wouldn't be so many wandering ghosts in the west of the city.
"After you go inside, you can leave the gift and then go out." Bu Qingfang led Wang Lu into the gate of the Group's Joint Hospital, and whispered, "Go and ask the attending physician what illness Deputy Director Yang's father-in-law from the metallurgical plant has."
She's a deputy leader in the group, and she has the phone number of the hospital's leaders, so why didn't she call and ask?
Of course, she couldn't make that call. Li Xuewu's instructions were to visit the patient first, not to alert the enemy.
When she called the hospital leadership, they said they didn't know whether to tell the truth or not, because some people just don't want to offend anyone.
Especially doctors, they never give a straight answer. But if you ask the attending physician in person, the doctor has to reply according to the patient's actual situation, and there is no room for error.
This is the difference between face-to-face communication and telephone communication.
It wasn't appropriate to ask others for information, and she didn't trust either Li Xuewu, so she brought Wang Lu along for this very reason.
If Yang Shuxing's father-in-law really is ill, wouldn't their elaborate investigation be falling into his trap?
In the leader's words, this is a situation we can't take.
Therefore, she couldn't inquire about it herself; it was most suitable for a female comrade like Wang Lu, who had no pressure to advance, to do it.
Even if Yang Shuxing's father-in-law was really sick, even if he knew that Wang Lu had inquired about it, what could he say about Wang Lu?
It's all an open conspiracy—
Wang Lu also learned bad habits from her second brother, Li Xuewu. He had an improper side and led his subordinates astray.
Li Xuewu went to Gangcheng, and she couldn't go with him, so she was effectively laid off from her secretarial job.
Her second brother asked her if she wanted to go to the union. The union job was both easy and respectable, but she couldn't bear to give up the liveliness of the office, so she became Bu Qingfang's confidante and favorite.
Among the young people who hang out with Li Xuewu, there are a few good-natured ones, each one clever and sensible. Even if Wang Lu is a half-finished product, her status as a female comrade is enough to make her quite dangerous.
Bu Qingfang found her very useful; if she weren't unqualified to use a secretary, she would have recognized her long ago.
However, Wang Lu's current job is no different from that of a secretary; the tasks she does have hardly changed.
She was carrying a bag of apples in her left hand and a box of pastries, a new product from the group's food factory, in her right hand as she walked behind Bu Qingfang, saying, "Don't worry, I guarantee I'll complete the task."
The two went upstairs and asked the front desk about the ward for Yang Shuxing's family members. They then headed to the third floor of the inpatient department.
Yang Shuxing had been waiting for a long time; if these two didn't arrive soon, he wouldn't be able to hold on any longer.
After two weeks of pampered living, I've lost all my energy and enthusiasm for work, and on top of that, I haven't slept all night...
Don't ask why he didn't sleep all night, because his wife said that he was making her father suffer, so she was making him suffer in return.
Yang Shuxing dared not provoke his wife, who was also determined to make things difficult for him if he dared to say no.
Yes, his father, his biological father, is still alive. This is what infuriates his wife the most—why make trouble for his father-in-law when he has his own father? Isn't that heartless?
"Oh dear! Comrade Shuxing—"
Just as she was about to knock on the ward door, she saw Yang Shuxing staring with bright red, lantern-like eyes, about to leave. Bu Qingfang, standing at the door, was startled, thinking she had seen a rabbit come to life.
She asked in surprise, "What's wrong with you—how many nights have you not slept? Old man, what's wrong...?"
"Cough-cough-"
Yang Shuxing's father-in-law couldn't help but cough once inside the house. If he hadn't made a sound, given his son-in-law's acting, the leader outside the door would have thought he had already died.
"Please come in."
Yang Shuxing's face suddenly looked a little awkward. He stepped aside and explained, "No... I just stayed up these past few days."
"Cough cough cough—" The old father-in-law was very dissatisfied.
Yang Shuxing lowered his head, not daring to have any other thoughts, and hurriedly invited Bu Qingfang and Wang Lu into the house, because he was really afraid that his father-in-law would give up.
"Hello, comrade!" Bu Qingfang went straight to the bedside after entering the room, smiled and shook the other person's hand, asking with concern, "How are you feeling? Are you feeling better?"
"Hmm, better, much better—"
The father-in-law glared at his son-in-law, but seeing that the son-in-law was now meek and submissive, he couldn't bear to expose him.
It was infuriating, but the son-in-law was almost forty years old, and his grandson was already in middle school, so he could only bear it.
Besides, even if his daughter is capable, he still knows her status at home and doesn't want the couple to fight.
Well, she's sick, but what can her son-in-law do when he's helpless?
Yes, that's right. Last night, my son-in-law and his wife came to visit and explained to him that the situation in Steel City was very complicated.
How complicated is it? After the new leader took office, he distrusted and was dissatisfied with these people and wanted to replace them with his own people.
Well, the son-in-law is honest and unassuming, and he doesn't want to flatter or fawn over anyone, which is why he's being put in a difficult position by his superiors.
Adhering to the principle of "if you can't afford to offend someone, then avoid them," the son-in-law swallowed his anger and endured all the grievances, using his illness as an excuse to take a long leave of absence, thus avoiding the leader's anger and the limelight.
You tell me, with the son-in-law in such a difficult situation, what else can he say? Besides, we've seen his behavior since he was hospitalized last night, and he simply doesn't have the heart to be cruel.
He looked at his son-in-law's boss, wanting to say a few words to defend his son-in-law, but not knowing where to begin.
Bu Qingfang patted his hand and offered a few kind words of comfort, also introducing the care and concern shown by the group's leaders.
Wang Lu placed the things she was carrying on the cabinet next to the hospital bed, nodded to Yang Shuxing, and then left.
Yang Shuxing didn't recognize her and assumed she was just an office worker that Bu Qingfang had brought along, so he didn't pay much attention to her.
Seeing that the other party had left, he thought they were being very sensible. At this moment, his mind was entirely on his father-in-law and Bu Qingfang.
On one hand, he feared his father-in-law would turn against him, and on the other hand, he feared Bu Qingfang would talk too much. If he started with one lie, he would have to cover it up with a hundred thousand more.
He truly regretted confining himself to a self-imposed prison, not only giving Li Xuewu the opportunity to deal with him, but also trapping himself in a cage.
The feeling of not being able to use his fists and feet was so unbearable that he wanted to slap himself, but he couldn't bring himself to do it.
"Thank you for your concern, I'm fine."
The father-in-law sighed. He, who had never lied or lied in his life, was ashamed of himself, especially in the face of Bu Qingfang's enthusiasm and sincerity.
Look at what they said; it represented both themselves and the group's leadership's greetings. It's clear the group's leadership cares a lot about their son-in-law; otherwise, why would they arrange for someone to visit him?
At this moment, he felt even more ashamed than his son-in-law, and even began to doubt whether his son-in-law was lying.
Given how much the group's leadership values and cares about him, could they really just stand by and watch him be bullied in the steel city? Surely not—
“Old comrade, Comrade Shuxing asked the leaders for a long leave in the steel city to come back and accompany you. The leaders are very worried and concerned.”
Bu Qingfang expressed her concern and condolences, and also pointed out the purpose of her trip. At this moment, she took out an envelope from her pocket and placed it next to Yang Shuxing's father-in-law's pillow.
"What—what is this?!"
The father-in-law was already suspicious and guilty, and when he heard Bu Qingfang say this, he knew that she was relaying a message to her son-in-law's leader in the steel city.
It's already a great gesture to have someone come to visit, so why is this...? How much money is in this bag?
“This is a token of the leader’s goodwill,” Bu Qingfang said with a smile. “He specifically instructed me to make sure to send it over.”
Perhaps sensing the surprise and doubt in her father-in-law's eyes, Bu Qingfang knew perfectly well that there was something going on between the father and son.
But the more things are like this, the more she needs to perform this act well, otherwise she would be letting down her leader's "good intentions".
Even if it's not for those two gifts, I should at least try to earn the 20 yuan in the envelope.
I have to say, the leaders are really willing to spend a fortune.
Regardless of what kind of person Yang Shuxing's father-in-law was, the gifts and personal condolence money sent over were enough to put Yang Shuxing on a pedestal.
If Yang Shuxing goes back to Gangcheng and dares to throw a tantrum, his reputation in the group will be ruined, and so will his father-in-law's.
Because of his shamelessness, his father-in-law, who acted alongside him, also failed to raise his son properly, turning him into a shameless person.
Just ask him if he dares to bear the consequences.
If he behaves well, no one will question his antics and hypocrisy; if he doesn't, then don't blame Wang Lu for being immature.
Look at Wang Lu, how ignorant she is! She actually got a diagnosis certificate from the attending physician of Yang, the deputy director of the metallurgical plant's father-in-law.
This thing... well... anyway, the attending physician wouldn't dare risk his future to cooperate with Deputy Director Yang.
That's why Bu Qingfang said that none of the young people around Li Xuewu were good people.
"Take it, take it." Bu Qingfang stepped back from the bedside, waving her hands repeatedly to the old comrade and Yang Shuxing who insisted on not accepting the condolence money, saying, "Today I am not only representing the group, but also the leadership."
She pushed away Yang Shuxing's hand holding the envelope and said earnestly, "Comrade Shuxing, I can send this gift, but if you want to return it, you'll have to come in person."
With everything explained so clearly, Yang Shuxing dared not refuse and could only accept it with an embarrassed expression.
After seeing Bu Qingfang out, he turned back into the ward, only to find his father-in-law already sitting up, staring at him with wide eyes.
"Explain yourself clearly, what exactly happened!"
-
"whee--"
"Naughty--"
Upon seeing the diagnosis certificate handed over by Wang Lu, Bu Qingfang couldn't help but scold her, "Why are you being so stubborn?"
She could tell from the hospital room that Yang Shuxing had lost his will to live, and dealing with him was as easy as playing with a leader.
That's why I'm using this overt tactic to maintain job stability and avoid any unnecessary complications. If I really push my boss too far, well…
"Let's go to the next ward."
"Who else?" Wang Lu asked in surprise, "Are you really here to visit someone in the hospital today?"
"Don't forget, Deputy Director Yang isn't the only one who's taken leave," Bu Qingfang said calmly. "We can't show favoritism."
"Then what about the gifts—" Wang Lu panicked and said, spreading out her empty palm, "All those gifts have already been given out."
"It's alright, there's no need to bring a gift."
Bu Qingfang sighed softly, and without asking the front desk, led Wang Lu upstairs.
***
On the fourth floor corridor, many people were sitting on the benches outside the wards.
Some were family members of patients in the ward, and some were relatives who came to visit. The sounds were suppressed and noisy.
This was particularly noticeable at the entrance of a hospital ward.
Bu Qingfang composed herself and walked with a slightly somber expression toward the man sitting on the bench with his head down.
Wang Lu followed behind her, trying hard to make out who it was, but still couldn't recognize the person. Could it really be a relative of the deputy leader?
It wasn't until the two started talking that she recognized the unshaven, somber-faced man in front of her as Yang Zongfang, another deputy director of the metallurgical plant.
Is she also an actor?
It doesn't look quite right. The acting is too good. And look at the atmosphere in the ward... it's really too much!
This is so realistic! Deputy Director Yang's father-in-law's acting skills are far superior to those of the other Deputy Director Yang's father-in-law.
No, that's not right! Even if the old man was acting, the family members didn't seem to be acting either. Were they preparing to... cry?
The old man was clearly not well; his family and relatives came to see him one last time, their faces filled with grief.
Just now downstairs, Yang Shuxing's father-in-law was clearly in good health, and his voice was full of energy, unlike this man.
There are no family members, only Yang Shuxing taking care of him, yet he dares to say he is seriously ill, that's too fake.
Wang Lu remained cautiously silent. There must be a reason why the deputy leader didn't let her go to the attending physician to inquire about the old comrade's condition.
"Comrade Zongfang, don't worry."
Bu Qingfang sighed softly, squeezed his hand and said, "Everyone has to live like this someday. It's best to put the elderly at ease. That's how children can truly fulfill their filial duties."
"Thank you, Deputy Leader." Yang Zongfang nodded and said, "I am truly grateful for your concern."
“We’re all comrades, I should have come sooner.” Bu Qingfang released his hand and said softly, “It was the leader who called and told me to come and see, so I’m late.”
She glanced at Yang Zongfang's expression and explained softly, "He was afraid you would misunderstand, and he didn't want you to suffer any hardship beyond this pain too early."
"Yes, I know." Yang Zongfang nodded again and said, "I'll thank him when I get back after I'm done here."
"Director Li and Deputy Director Gu will come over tonight," Bu Qingfang said. "If there's anything I can help you with, please don't hesitate. We're all comrades, it would be impolite not to speak up."
“My father-in-law had instructed us long ago not to cause any trouble for the organization, so I still want to thank you.” Yang Zongfang’s eyes hardened as he mentioned his father-in-law. “He only had that one request, and we, as his children, could only comply.”
"The old man is kind and righteous; his legacy will surely benefit future generations." Bu Qingfang glanced at the ward from the doorway, not wanting to disturb the relatives inside. This grief was not suitable for entertaining guests.
She turned to Yang Zongfang and said, "I won't bother you any longer. We'll come back tonight."
As she said this, she took out an envelope from her bag and handed it to Yang Zongfang, explaining, "This is a token of the leader's appreciation."
Seeing Yang Zongfang look up at her blankly, Bu Qingfang pursed her lips and said, "I will definitely convey your sentiments."
"Okay, thank you, boss."
Yang Zongfang was quite decisive at this point, and had no intention of arguing with Bu Qingfang at the door. He readily accepted the generous gift.
Unlike the condolence money that was just sent to Yang Shuxing's father-in-law, this envelope was a little thinner. Although it wasn't a blank envelope, it was still quite polite.
The old saying in Beijing goes: if a funeral gift isn't generous, the person isn't a good friend; they're just there to laugh at you.
Li Xuewu could use money to humiliate and coerce Yang Shuxing, but he could not use money to humiliate Yang Zongfang; one should be kind and honest.
He had no intention of making enemies, just as his attitude towards the two Yangs was completely different now. It varies from person to person and from situation to situation.
Yang Zongfang offered to see Bu Qingfang downstairs. Although Bu Qingfang repeatedly emphasized that he didn't need to be so polite, he still saw them off.
Bu Qingfang understood his feelings; this wasn't a gift to them, but a gift to express Li Xuewu's friendship.
In the lobby on the first floor, she pressed Yang Zongfang's arm and told him to hurry upstairs, saying there was no need to be so polite.
Yang Zongfang could only stop and watch the two leave before turning back and going up the stairs.
It was quite a coincidence that Yang Shuxing had just been scolded by his father-in-law in the hospital room when he ran into his mother-in-law and wife who came to deliver food.
Those who have experienced such a three-way interrogation can certainly understand how unbearable it is. He couldn't stand his father-in-law's disdain and cold snorts, his mother-in-law's grumbling, and his wife's indifference, so he turned around and left the ward to get some fresh air.
We're not going to be able to celebrate the New Year this year.
Even more coincidentally, as he was walking unconsciously down the corridor, he bumped into Yang Zongfang, who was coming up from downstairs.
Once this evil aura started, it was unstoppable. If the other party hadn't used his own excuse to ask for leave, would Li Xuewu have pulled this stunt?
Yang Zongfang did this on purpose, deliberately trying to make fun of himself and Li Xuewu because he didn't like him.
They're all leading cadres; even if they get angry, so what? They can't be rude, can they? But he couldn't help but grumble a bit.
"Deputy Director Yang, how is your father-in-law?"
If his tone were more concerned and his attitude more friendly, you wouldn't notice anything amiss; but his sarcastic tone made it clear to everyone what he meant.
Yang Zongfang's expression changed immediately, but because there were many people in the corridor and a nurse was looking over, she gritted her teeth and ignored him, turning around and continuing up the stairs.
This behavior infuriated Yang Shuxing even more. "You're trying to do something like me, and you're giving me this attitude!"
Damn it, you're a much better actor than me!
Look at you, all unkempt and disheveled. What did I do to offend you that you're putting on such an acting show for me? You're just bored!
"Deputy Director Yang, I wish your father-in-law good health and a long life—"
"Watch your mouth—" Yang Zongfang stopped and turned around to look down at him, saying, "If you have anything to say, just say it to me. Don't spout this nonsense."
"If you're not satisfied, we can do it again when we get back to Steel City after the New Year. I don't have time for you right now."
After saying that, he ignored the doctors and nurses in the corridor below looking at each other and went up to the fourth floor.
Downstairs, Uncle Yang was red-faced and almost started cursing after being ignored and lectured like that. However, the doubt and disdain in the eyes of those around him were impossible to hide.
This made him a little more sober, and he frowned slightly as he walked to the nurses' station to inquire about the situation of Yang Zongfang's relatives upstairs.
The nurse had just witnessed the argument and conflict between the two, and when he came to ask her about it, she gave him a strange look in response.
When the nurse explained the actual situation of Yang Zongfang's father-in-law, Yang Shuxing's face turned red and then white.
Who copied whom, who is real and who is fake—at this moment, Yang Shuxing can neither deceive others nor himself.
Compared to those upstairs who had already prepared for the worst, his act of dragging his wife to the hospital to send his father-in-law along seemed more like that of a clown, completely unaware of his own predicament.
No wonder Bu Qingfang, representing Li Xuewu, brought both gifts and money, unlike when she went upstairs empty-handed.
He realized that while he thought he had deceived the other party, the other party was simply watching him perform a monkey show from a high vantage point. At this moment, Yang Shuxing was truly defeated.
He recalled what his father-in-law had just told him in the hospital room: conspiracies and schemes can never withstand the light of day and will never amount to anything.
Having reflected on this, a man nearing forty could no longer remain confused or unsettled. He silently turned and walked back.
At the door of the ward, his lover stood there watching him, still worried about him, but her gaze couldn't hide her disappointment and coldness.
"Let's go home."
"Not acting anymore?" His lover glared at him and asked, "Didn't you say that acting should be done in its entirety? How can it seem real if you don't spend the New Year in the hospital?"
"Yaqin, alas—" Yang Shuxing couldn't bring himself to admit his mistake, and only let out a long sigh before entering the ward.
His father-in-law didn't want to look at him, so he turned his head away, closed his eyes, and pretended to be asleep, while his mother-in-law sat on the edge of the bed, sulking.
The two elderly people were angry that he had deceived the organization, and even more angry that he had deceived them and hurt their family's feelings.
The daughter is caught in the middle, and the two elders are suffering in silence.
Yang Shuxing walked to the bedside and knelt down before his father-in-law. He took his father-in-law's hand and smeared it on his face. He could only do this because there were some things he was too ashamed to say.
His father-in-law was an honest man, and seeing him like this, and seeing the estrangement between his daughter and her husband, he felt a tightness in his chest and couldn't help but shed tears.
Everyone says that a son-in-law is like half a son, but a biological son can be beaten and scolded, but a son-in-law can't be beaten or scolded.
He wished he were sick right now so that his son-in-law would learn his lesson and stop causing trouble.
Yes, stop making things worse.
(End of this chapter)