Chapter 8 chapter eight

When Huang Nina was putting on makeup in the mirror, she pressed the remote control indiscriminately in boredom, and at the same time glanced at Huang Nina. "Mom," Liao asked suddenly, "is that guy with six fingers really worthy of your elaborate grooming?" Huang Nina's face flushed red: "Okay, what nonsense are you talking about!" "Come on, Mom," said after turning off the TV with a snap, "Don't pretend I can't see it, you're in full swing right now." "It's over!" Huang Nina shouted. Liao smiled lightly and indifferently: "What's the matter? It's a woman, I can understand."

Huang Nina's face was purple, and she said angrily, "Okay, why are you so shameless? You are only sixteen years old, what right do you have to say such things?" "Okay, can't we just stop talking?" Liao said unhappily, "Actually, he cares about you. In my opinion, that guy with six fingers is not worthy of you at all, unless he is very rich. Hey, Mom," Liao suddenly turned his head and asked, "Does he have money?" Huang Nina looked at her silently. She looked very much like her. Although she was not yet fully developed, she looked like a beauty.There is still obvious childishness on Liao's face, but there is often some sophistication in the tone of speech that makes Huang Nina uneasy.Huang Nina didn't know how she became like this, and when she started talking to her in this tone.

Two lines of tears rolled down Huang Nina's cheeks unconsciously. After seeing this, I became a little flustered, and walked up to Huang Nina and said, "Mom, don't cry, I didn't say anything. I'm just afraid that you will be tricked. Some men don't have money to pay you back." Just want to eat free food, this kind of people can't let them take advantage. You..." "Get out!" Huang Nina's lips trembled, "Get out!" I was stunned for a moment, and said with a sneer, "Mom, you made me go." Huang Nina didn't say anything.

Liao said again: "Then I really left?" Huang Nina still didn't say anything. After turning around, he walked towards the door, and said as he walked, "But we have to agree in advance, don't just follow me around the world to find me." Liao put his hand on the doorknob when he heard Huang Nina call out weakly from behind: "Okay, don't... don't go..." After seeing it, she turned her head happily, made a playful face at Huang Nina and said, "Mom, you are such a silly cat. I don't even have a bag in my hand. Where can I go?" She snuggled up to Huang Nina and said, "Besides, I don't feel relieved when you look like this."

Huang Nina's tears came down again, and she said sadly: "It's over, mom only has you, you can't leave mom. Without you, mom has no hope at all." Having said that, the eye circles turned red, and she obediently arched into Huang Nina's arms. Huang Nina hugged her tightly, and gently stroked her long hair, feeling a surge of tenderness in her heart.At this moment, Huang Nina really hoped that she could become smaller and return to the little girl in her arms.At that time, Li Li was so cute, with a piercing pierced into the sky on his head, and his bright black eyes rolled flexibly on his chubby face, everyone loved him.At that time, Dad put the ball on his knee all day long, and he would "clack" happily when he bumped it. The family was so happy that there was a sweet milky smell in the air.

"Mom." Liao in his arms suddenly called out sweetly. "Huh?" Huang Nina looked down with a smile. "Give me some more money?" Liao said coquettishly, "I don't have any money on me." Huang Nina's smile suddenly froze on her face, and she stared blankly. "Mom." Liao twisted his body and called again. "That's it," Huang Nina said pleadingly, "Mom has no money, and besides, I gave you money twice this month, why do you want more money?" Liao Xing said with a cheeky face, "Mom, didn't you just get back the money?"

Huang Nina frantically covered her bag and said, "No, no more, it's useful for mom to withdraw money." "A little bit," Liao Liao stretched out his hand and said, "Isn't it okay to just a little bit?" "No!" Huang Nina said firmly. "It's boring." After a while, she broke free from Huang Nina's arms, and said bitterly, "It's really boring!" The doorbell rang suddenly. Liao jumped up suddenly: "Here comes the money!" After saying that, he gestured to Huang Nina to open the door with a beaming face.

Huang Nina glared at her in disgust, and sat there blankly without moving, until the doorbell rang for the third time, then she got up and went to open the door. When Huang Nina went to open the door, Liao quickly grabbed Huang Nina's bag, took out a few large tickets from it, and stuffed them into the butt pocket of her jeans. It is six fingers. Liuzhi stood outside the door, holding a women's windbreaker in his hand, looking at Huang Nina silently with gloomy eyes. Huang Nina sighed softly, made a gesture, and let Six Fingers into the room. I made an appointment for an interview today.

A few days ago, Liuzhi introduced a job to Huang Nina.During the interview, Huang Nina didn't listen to Liu Zhi's words, she just put on a suit and went there.As a result, he quietly said to Liuzhi, I asked you to find me a pretty sister, why did you bring the pretty sister and her mother here.Liuzhi said, don't you just want to look good?Where can I find this temperament and figure?People say that the appearance is not bad, but it is a bit too old.Besides, look at her dress, she looks like a retired veteran cadre. I don't have a party branch here, and I don't want to support a branch secretary.

After going out, Six Fingers looked Huang Nina up and down, and said in an unquestionable tone, you have to dress up and buy a decent set of clothes. Huang Nina was stunned for a long time before she realized that she didn't like her appearance! For others, it may not matter.But for Huang Nina, it is very difficult to accept this fact.Among all her own conditions, what Huang Nina is most proud of and most confident in is her appearance.She knows that she is naturally beautiful and never needs to be groomed to stand out from the crowd.When they were soldiers, the female soldiers wore fat military uniforms that looked like top pockets. They were all like carrots and potatoes.Unlike Huang Nina, that suit not only couldn't cover the lines of her whole body, but set her off gracefully.Back then, Zhou Chuanchuan often sighed and said that Huang Nina could still show her style even in a torn sack.Growing up so big, Huang Nina has never worried about her own image.So before the interview, she only thought of preparing to answer other people's questions, and never thought of dressing herself up.Unexpectedly, people dropped her "Pass" just because of her appearance!

Huang Nina ran home all the way with tears in her eyes, and couldn't wait to find the mirror, trying to see what was wrong with her.Glancing in the mirror, Huang Nina couldn't help but "thump" in her heart, and was secretly taken aback—in the mirror was an extremely tired pale yellow face, with blue eye circles, fine wrinkles around the corners of the eyes, and loose lower eyelids. It hangs down slightly.Huang Nina couldn't believe that this was her own face. She never thought that one day she would grow old, and her face would become so haggard.With trembling hands, she gently stroked the wrinkles on her cheeks, stroking the tears that flowed down involuntarily.At first, she just whimpered and sobbed.But gradually, the sobbing turned into a long howl, the kind of heart-piercing howl that only a woman who is extremely sad can make. When Liuzhi called again and said that he had contacted Huang Nina for another job and asked her to prepare for an interview, Huang Nina hesitated for a long time.After repeated persuasion by Liuzhi, Huang Nina accepted Liuzhi's suggestion and agreed to go to the street to buy a decent set of clothes before the interview. In fact, Huang Nina likes to go shopping.I like shopping when I am happy, and I like shopping more when I am unhappy. In the past, Huang Nina was the one who could spend the most money no matter where she was.She never saves money, never knows how to save, as long as it is something she likes, she will immediately pay for it without hesitation.At that time, Huang Nina was the darling of life, and she could buy almost anything she liked.She has the right to enter the special store that supplies items for senior cadres, and use special tickets to buy those in-demand items that are never seen in the market.She can go in and out of foreign supply stores at will, and use foreign exchange certificates to buy imported goods that are only available to foreigners.When most Chinese people don't know what coffee is, she has already developed the habit of drinking coffee; when most Chinese people don't know the difference between perfume and toilet water, she has learned to spray famous French brands on herself. Perfume... But all of this is irrevocably in the past.I don't know when, she gradually lost the good feeling of superiority and self-confidence that always naturally accompanied her when shopping.As the products on the market became more and more abundant, this market she was used to visiting began to make her feel more and more disappointed.There are no special offers anymore.The special supply store that has taken care of senior cadres for decades has been symbolically reduced to a special supply counter in the corner.The rare high-quality and low-cost special products on the market that were always attractive have also been simplified into a few cigarettes that even ordinary people do not like to see.In the future, even this symbol will be completely cancelled.In fact, there is no need for this kind of special supply that has continued from the period of material scarcity to continue to exist.Today's materials are too abundant, and there is no need to attach any conditions to buy any commodity, as long as there is one thing is enough-money. Only then did Huang Nina, who had never been short of money, realize how short she was.When she went shopping in the past, she just kept her eyes on the high-grade good things, and bought them when she saw them. She didn't remember the prices that frightened her, and she didn't remember the things she wanted but couldn't buy.But now it can't, she looks more and more apprehensively at those unfortunate price tags.For the cash-strapped she, those high-end trend-setting things are becoming more and more out of reach.Even Huang Nina didn't know when she became interested in those discounted products that she had always dismissed.Although until now, when she was among a group of market women, relishing the piles of bargains, she still occasionally felt a kind of embarrassing sadness.But after all, this sadness can't resist the comfort brought to her by the benefits, and she can bear it. What she couldn't stand was another situation: often, when she couldn't put it down for a long time to savor a set of high-end clothes that she knew she couldn't afford, a young lady came by her side.This tasteless young lady simply measured the clothes on her body a few times, and without hesitation took out a lot of tickets to buy them.Then, he casually stuffed the expensive clothes into the bag and walked away.It was as if she wasn't buying expensive high-end clothes, but just a pair of shorts, a vest or something.Whenever encountering such a situation, Huang Nina would not be able to relax for a long time.She didn't understand why those young girls spent money so calmly and generously. She didn't understand how she, who was once so superior, could be so poor and useless. In this more and more prosperous and bustling street market with more and more commodities, Huang Nina experienced more and more the loss of longing for possession but not being able to get it, and more and more deeply felt the inferiority and self-pity of being shy. It is also impossible to find the special feeling of being independent from all living beings in the past.She didn't know why life became like this, she didn't know when and when the change started, let alone how and how it all changed. But Huang Nina still likes to go shopping as always.She gradually learned to just shop and not buy.Fortunately, the shelves are now open, and you can touch all the products and try on every piece of clothing you like. This provides Huang Nina with the best place to get psychological satisfaction without spending money. Shopping for clothes with Huang Nina almost exhausted Liuzhi to death.Liuzhi has never been interested in shopping, nor has he ever gone shopping with a woman.But this time he was the one who tricked people to buy clothes, and he didn't think it would be meaningful not to accompany him, so he followed.After shopping for a while, Six Fingers got bored. He really didn't understand why this woman was so motivated to go shopping. Didn't she just buy a set of clothes? Why would she just enter a clothing store?At first, he wanted to help Huang Nina pick and choose, at least to give some suggestions, but he soon found that Huang Nina's aesthetics was very good, and she would never listen to him in this regard, so he stepped aside tactfully and didn't worry about it. . After following Huang Nina for most of the street in boredom, Liu Zhi gradually became interested in shopping.He found that Huang Nina's shopping was very interesting. As soon as she walked into the clothing store, she immediately felt like a different person, and her spirits immediately became excited.I saw her gracefully shuttling among all kinds of beautiful clothes like a queen, looking at this for a while, trying on that for a while, making the salesperson girl circle around her like a bee.Huang Nina obviously has a good eye. All she tried on were those clothes with elegant colors and styles, and high-grade clothes.And her figure is very good, almost any clothes can be worn by her.So every time she comes out of the fitting room, she can win praise from the surroundings.Every time she tries on a set of clothes, she will immediately attract many customers to try on and buy.But after shopping for most of the street, she didn't buy a set herself.Liuzhi discovered that Huang Nina always finds faults in the clothes at the last moment when people think she is about to pay for them, expresses regret, and then reluctantly decides to give up. Huang Nina lingered for a long time in front of a beige silk trench coat.She tried it over and over several times, turning up the collar for a while, turning down the collar for a while, tightening the belt for a while, and opening her arms for a while.That windbreaker really suits her very well. No matter how she wears it, it exudes a free and easy, elegant and noble temperament from the inside out.Even Liuzhi thought that she was definitely going to buy it this time.Liuzhi could tell at a glance that this Italian brand-name clothing was genuine, and it was difficult to find fault with this kind of clothing.But Huang Nina is obviously not only proficient in this way, but also has enough patience.She turned the clothes over and over again and fiddled with them for a long time, and finally found the problem.So, again, she frowned slightly in disappointment and pointed out the fault to the saleswoman.Then, with a sigh of regret, he reluctantly returned the clothes to the young lady. The saleswoman who was dizzy from the toss patiently explained to her that it was not a problem, and said that even if it was a problem, it would not be a problem if the thread jumping was hidden under the armpit.The salesperson said politely, if you think the price is too expensive, we can discuss it again... Huang Nina smiled slightly, and interrupted the lady arrogantly, saying that the price is not a problem, but she just can't tolerate even the slightest defect in the clothes.She reluctantly admitted to the salesperson that she was too picky, but she couldn't help herself. Who made her get used to it? Just when she turned around and was about to leave, the salesperson said something that surprised everyone present.The salesperson said: "If I remember correctly, this is the third time you have come to try on this dress, lady. Our store is full of high-end clothes, and there is only one piece of each style, and the price is very expensive. If you are not sincere , please don’t come here to try on casually in the future.” Although the young lady still had a professional smile on her face, her tone was stern and aggressive. All eyes were on Huang Nina.Huang Nina's face turned red, but immediately returned to normal.She turned around in an extraordinary manner, and asked unhappily, "Miss, what do you mean by that?" The salesperson met her gaze, and politely replied, "I just want to remind you that you should check the style and price before trying it on." "It's a joke." Huang Nina laughed exaggeratedly and said, "How can I know if it's good if I don't try it on?" The saleswoman said: "I mean, at least you have to decide whether you can accept our price..." Huang Nina proudly interrupted the saleswoman and said, "Why do you decide that I can't accept this price? What are these few dollars? I have worn more high-end clothes than you have ever seen! Tell you, I can't accept your price." Such an attitude! Please call the manager." Unexpectedly, the saleswoman was not intimidated at all, and replied neither humble nor overbearing: "I'm sorry, our manager is not here." Huang Nina insisted: "Please call the manager, I want to talk to him." The saleswoman replied in an unassuming manner: "I'm sorry, our manager has something to go out. If you don't mind, you can wait for him here, he will definitely come today." Liuzhi had long seen that this young lady did this at the behest of the manager, and he had done this kind of thing a lot.Clothing sellers often meet such people who are so addicted, and it's really impossible not to take some measures.Seeing Huang Nina being left hanging there in a dilemma, Liuzhi stepped forward and said, "Forget it, let's go, where can't I buy clothes?" Huang Nina didn't know how to get out of the store, and when she saw Liuzhi coming to meet her, she just went down the donkey and followed Liuzhi out.After walking a few steps, I heard the saleswoman muttering from behind: "Why are you pretending to be rich, she doesn't look like someone who buys famous brands." Liuzhi glanced at Huang Nina, she had obviously heard the words, her face became very ugly, and her steps became flustered. "Hey, this is your wallet." They were almost at the door, and the saleswoman asked calmly from behind. Huang Nina hurriedly fumbled in her pocket, but the wallet was indeed gone. The salesperson held Huang Nina's wallet in her hand, and said loudly on purpose: "You have a total of one hundred and twenty-four yuan and sixty cents in it, right? Please take it, and don't delay your shopping for famous fashion." The onlookers started giggling.Although the voice was small, it cut Huang Nina's face like a knife.Huang Nina stood there at a loss, looking at the saleswoman with an embarrassed expression, her lips trembling as if she wanted to defend herself, but she didn't say a word. The saleswoman became more and more proud as if she had caught the thief on the spot. Finally, Huang Nina couldn't bear it any longer. She helplessly avoided the eyes from all around, and suddenly separated from the onlookers desperately, and ran to the door desperately. Six fingers blocked Huang Nina. Holding Huang Nina with six fingers, she said to the saleswoman in a low but irresistible voice: "Call your boss out!" The salesperson's face froze with pride, but she didn't move. Liuzhi suddenly yelled in shock: "Pizi, come out!" The boss, who had been hiding behind and pretending not to know, showed up.When he saw Liuzhi, he couldn't help being stunned, and immediately changed his smiling face to meet him and said, "Oh, Brother Liu is here! Why don't you say hello? Come and have a seat." Liuzhi didn't answer, stared at him gloomyly and said, "Pizi, your business has grown, and you're peeing." "Wow, Brother Six, it's not up to you to take care of me..." "You still recognize me?" "Brother Six is ​​just joking, who doesn't recognize Brother Six on this street?" "As long as you recognize it." Liuzhi said, "I'll buy your windbreaker, and you set a price." "Brother Six is ​​an outsider, you can take whatever you like, how can I ask for your money?" Six Fingers swished out a stack of money from his bosom, and slammed it in front of the leather with a "snap", and sneered, "Don't follow me, let's make an offer!" Pizi's face suddenly became ashen, and he turned to Huang Nina to plead for mercy: "Sister, please tell Sixth Brother. It's all my Pizi's fault today." Then he hurriedly pointed to the saleswoman who was standing aside and said, " I will fire her immediately, calm down and take this dress away. I beg you, please, big sister." Huang Nina was confused by this sudden change.She looked at Liuzhi, but there was no expression on Liuzhi's gloomy face.She looked at Pi Zi, who was looking at her with a mournful face, as if she could decide his fate with just one word.She looked at the saleswoman again. The pride on her face just now turned into tears streaming down her face, she looked pitiful. Huang Nina gently tugged at her six fingers and said, "Don't...you don't..." Six Fingers said nothing. Huang Nina said, "Forget it... let's go..." Liuzhi glanced at Huang Nina, but remained silent. Huang Nina became a little anxious and said, "Liuzhi, this is my business, and I didn't let you take care of it. What are you doing!" Liuzhi raised his eyes impatiently and asked, "Then what do you want to do?" "I won't buy it, let's go back." Huang Nina was about to burst into tears. Only then did Liuzhi slow down, counted out a thousand from the pile of money, threw it to Pizi and said, "I'll give you a fraction, and I'll take your face. Leave!" After finishing speaking, he threw the windbreaker to Huang Nina, Lift your feet and go out. Xiang followed to the street and walked for a long distance in silence, neither of them speaking. Liuzhi stopped suddenly, and looked back at Huang Nina with a strange look. Huang Nina's face turned pale, her eyes dodged, and she tried not to look at Six Fingers. Six Fingers jerked the corners of his mouth a few times, and even grinned. It was the first time for Huang Nina to see Liuzhixiao. She found that Liuzhi laughed very hideously. For an ugly person like him, it would be better if he didn't smile. Six Fingers looked at Huang Nina, and said with admiration: "You really have a big ticket in your waist, and you can walk down the whole street! How dare you compare Wan Baqian's clothes with you!" Huang Nina, who had been tense all the time, immediately heard Liuzhi's words as a mockery.She raised her head abruptly, stared at Liuzhitou fiercely, and couldn't help but pour out all her resentment on Liuzhitou.She screamed meanly: "What right do you have to laugh at me! What are you? When I was rich, you didn't know where to dig out the trash can?! You bastards! No matter how rich you are, you are the worst! " Liu Zhi froze for a moment, not only did not get angry, but became more interested.He found that Huang Nina looked better when she was angry, with her long eyebrows furrowed, her almond eyes filled with resentment, her cherry lips trembling slightly... Six Fingers grinned again involuntarily. This time it broke, Huang Nina thought that Liuzhi was still laughing at her, so she slammed the windbreaker in her hand on Liuzhi, turned around and ran away. Six fingers were left hanging in the street. When walking back, Liuzhi was in a very happy mood, whistling wildly and out of tune, and even the extra extra finger was shaking excitedly in time. Liuzhi said on the phone, I will send you that windbreaker. Huang Nina said no, I don't want it... Six Fingers interrupted her unquestionably, saying that she should wear it for the interview! Huang Nina hesitated for a moment, and said that I have to return the money to you. Liuzhi said impatiently, you can give it if you want, anyway, you have to wear it today. Huang Nina quickly took out 1,000 yuan from her passbook, and planned to return it to Liuzhi as soon as she entered the door, but when she took it out, it was a total of 400 yuan short! "It's over!" Huang Nina shouted. "What are you doing?" Liao replied lazily, hiding in his room and not coming out. "Did you take money from my bag? Give me the money!" "Who took the money? Don't rely on me." "I just withdrew the money, and it was still there just now. It's just you and me at home, who else but you!" "That's not necessarily true." Liao walked out, leaned against the door, stared at Liuzhi provocatively and said, "Isn't there still someone here?" "It's over! You child is too much!" Huang Nina scolded. Liuzhi sat down on the sofa indifferently, took out his bulging wallet, spat on his hand, took out four hundred-yuan bills one by one, and pushed the money over there. In the past, without looking up, he said: "Take these, and return your mother's money to her!" Liao smiled slightly, and said shamelessly, "Why bother? You can just give it to my mother..." "One yard is one yard!" Liu Zhi whispered: "You still don't pay it back? If you don't pay it back, I will take it back!" "Hey, don't!" Liao said anxiously, "I'll just pay her back." As he spoke, he took out the money from behind his buttocks, and threw it in front of Huang Nina unhappily, and immediately reached out to get the four hundred dollars. yuan money. Liufinger held down the money, and ordered bluntly: "Put the money away for your mother! Put it back as you took it!" When it was over, he had to pick up the money and put it in Huang Nina's bag.Only then did Liuzhi let her take the money. Today is an interview with Media Asia.One of Liuzhi's buddies drove the boss of Media Asia, saying that their boss just went to the United States for a trip. After returning, he wanted to expand the company's foreign trade business and planned to recruit several salesmen who were familiar with foreign trade work.Huang Nina attaches great importance to this interview, after all, it is not easy to find a job that matches her business. Huang Nina walked into a spacious and bright office anxiously. The boss was looking for things in the drawer with his head down. When he looked up, both of them were stunned. "Huang Nina." "Zhou Heping." "why you?" "Oh it's you?" Only then did Huang Nina realize that she had gone to Zhou Heping's company to apply for a job. From kindergarten to "August 1" primary school, Huang Nina and Zhou Heping have been in the same class.When she was a child, Huang Nina never paid attention to Zhou Heping.At that time, Zhou Heping was too inconspicuous. He was withdrawn, introverted, and out of gregarious. He was pale all day long and gnawed on his fingernails endlessly.The teacher often uses Zhou Heping as a negative teaching material. In front of the whole class, he pulls his hands out of his mouth and shows them to everyone, so as to educate everyone not to develop such bad habits.Huang Nina had seen Zhou Heping's fingers wrinkled with saliva and gnawed bare by teeth more than once.That weird finger is really disgusting, so although they have been together since childhood, Huang Nina has never had any dealings with Zhou Heping.Unexpectedly, today she came to Zhou Heping to apply for a job by herself!Thinking of this, Huang Nina immediately felt uncomfortable all over. "Sit, sit." Zhou Heping grinned slightly, which was regarded as a smile.It can be seen that this is also a person who can't laugh. Huang Nina blushed and sat on the sofa opposite Zhou Heping. Zhou Heping got up, ironed the cup for Huang Nina, and poured a cup of tea. Huang Nina peeked at Zhou Heping, and she was surprised to find that Zhou Heping looked more and more like Zhou Dongjin.In the past, she always thought that the two of them were completely different in appearance and personality. She always thought that Zhou Heping had nothing to compare with Zhou Dongjin, but after seeing each other for many years, Zhou Heping had become another Zhou Dongjin.If Zhou Heping's shoulders were wider and his body stronger, Huang Nina would most likely mistake him for Zhou Dongjin's. "Why did you have the time to come to my place today?" Zhou Heping asked. "I..." Huang Nina faltered for a while with a blushing face, and suddenly had an idea and said, "I can't come to see you? Why, you are not welcome?" "Where, of course you are welcome." Zhou Heping sat back behind the desk, gently turned the boss chair and said, "You were the famous Snow White back then, and I am honored that you can come to see me before it is too late." He looked up and down Looking at Huang Nina, she said, "You haven't changed at all." "Wow," Huang Nina said without confidence, "I'm getting old." "No." Zhou Heping said, "You are still so young and beautiful, but it seems to be..." Zhou Heping deliberately only said half a sentence. Huang Nina raised her head immediately, her eyes followed Zhou Heping back and forth nervously, as if she was afraid of any bad comments coming from Zhou Heping's mouth. After seeing that it was almost done, Zhou Heping said the second half of the sentence: "It seems that the temperament is more elegant." Huang Nina breathed a sigh of relief, with a grateful smile on her face. By now, Huang Nina had completely relaxed.She looked around and said to Zhou Heping: "Heping, you have done a good job, the company is doing quite well." "No matter how grand it is, it can't compare to your provincial foreign trade company. Taking the bus, eating public meals, paying public food, even defecating, farting and belching all smell like 'cows' fed by the public." Huang Nina couldn't help giggling, and said, "Heping, you have learned to be snarky. I remember that you were the least talkative when you were young." Then she said, "Actually, the province's foreign trade losses are in a mess now, and there is only one The name of the state-owned company is empty, what else is there to be proud of?" "Are you still doing foreign trade?" "Me?..." Huang Nina hesitated and said, "I'm still here. However, I also want to find a suitable place, so I just come down and do it." She said and looked at Zhou Heping inquiringly. Zhou Heping didn't seem to understand Huang Nina's voice, and said expressionlessly: "Listen to my advice, don't think of turning around and doing it, it's not fun, and you can't play it either." Glancing at Huang Nina, she suddenly changed the subject and said, "Look, I haven't seen you for so many years, I should have treated you to a meal, but I just came back from the United States, and a lot of messy things in the company have not been dealt with. The old man is sick again. I have to go to the hospital." "Uncle Zhou is sick?" Huang Nina asked in surprise, "What's wrong? It doesn't matter, right?" "Cerebral hemorrhage, I have been rescued. I was in the United States when he got sick, and I was too busy to go to the hospital after I came back. I don't know the specific situation. I heard that I haven't woken up after the operation. I see, if it doesn't work out, the old man will be disabled and become a vegetable." Zhou Heping said indifferently. On the contrary, Huang Nina's eyes were red, and she urged Zhou Heping eagerly, "Then why are you dawdling here, why don't you go to the hospital quickly?" Zhou Heping raised his wrist and looked at his watch, and said indifferently, "Brother asked me to meet at the hospital at ten o'clock. It's still early. I'll leave later. Don't worry." "What are you waiting for? Go to the hospital and see Uncle Zhou first!" Zhou Heping said lazily: "It doesn't matter if you don't see it or not, you are a living dead, why worry?" He lit a cigar and smoked it leisurely. Huang Nina stared blankly at Zhou Heping.She found that this face, which looked more and more like Zhou Dongjin, was still completely different from Zhou Dongjin as before.It's just that the difference now is not in appearance, but in spiritual temperament.Zhou Dongjin's face is very bright, as hot as the sun, open and full of vitality; while Zhou Heping's face is very dark, as flat and pale as the moon, cold and surly. Huang Nina thought that Dongjin would not be like this.Although Uncle Zhou is the most demanding on Dongjin, and even though Uncle Zhou and Dongjin would conflict when they get together, there is no such thing as heartless and unjust words in Dongjinkou! Huang Nina really wanted to ask if Heping Dongjin had come back, but she couldn't open her mouth in the end.She thought, she had to find a suitable opportunity to see Uncle Zhou.Although Uncle Zhou was at odds with his father and had strongly opposed her and Dong Jin's affairs, after his father passed away, Uncle Zhou had always taken good care of his mother and her.Before my mother died, she told her more than once that your Uncle Zhou is a rare and kind person. If you encounter difficulties in the future, go to him, and he will definitely try his best to help you.But after her mother passed away, she never went to find Zhou Han.She was embarrassed, because the matter with Dong Jin made her feel that she had no right to go in and out of Zhou's house, and she had no right to ask for help from Zhou's house. When walking outside with Zhou Heping, talking and laughing, Huang Nina saw that Liuzhi was still waiting for her outside.Huang Nina hesitated for a moment, and only said hello to Liuzhi from a distance: "You go back first, I have something to do." After speaking, she got into Zhou Heping's car without waiting for Liuzhi to speak. Zhou Heping seemed to ask casually, "Who is that?" Huang Nina replied vaguely, "The driver." The car drove past Liuzhi with a whimper, making Liuzhi wonder: This is considered a formal admission or a probation, why did he start working so soon? It was only later that Liuzhi figured out that Huang Nina hadn't told Zhou Heping that she was here for an interview at all. After running in to recognize her old classmates, she just sat there with her butt stretched out to talk about the past with her old classmates! Six Fingers is angry, saying that since you are an old classmate with him, you should just tell him the current situation and ask him to help you? Huang Nina said with all reason, didn't I just keep my mouth shut?Let people know that I am in this state now, how embarrassing it is!You don't know, in the past I... Liuzhi sneered and interrupted Huang Nina, saying, are you alive or face-saving?I've never seen such a fool like you, you want to save face and suffer!Face counts as fart, can it be eaten or drunk? Huang Nina was shocked and angry, you?How dare you scold me?You mind my business!Who do you think you are?Let me tell you, from now on you don't need to worry about my affairs! It was only then that Liuzhi realized that after a long time of trouble, the most stupid person was actually himself.Helping others with their own busy work and that, in the end, not only delayed the business, but also helped out a lot, making them point their noses to the left and right again and again: what kind of thing are you! Yes, what am I?Six fingers thought. "Fuck!" Six Fingers spat hard and said, "I'm fucking full!" Zhou Nanzheng arrived at the hospital on time at ten o'clock, but Zhou Heping was late.To this younger brother, Zhou Nanzheng always felt very helpless. 和平是这个家里的异类，从小就不像他和东进那样喜欢舞枪弄棒。当年大家一起闹当兵时，他和东进包括川川都兴奋得要死，就和平没事人似的整天躲开老远。问和平想不想当兵，和平把脑袋摇得拨浪鼓似的。爸爸就发脾气了，说你他妈的到底长没长鸡巴？roll!马上给我当兵去，长不出鸡巴你就别回来见我！ 和平就耷拉着脑袋当兵去了。结果还没到两年，部队就把和平送回来了。原来，和平嫌连队训练太苦，整天想方设法泡病号，赖在床上压床板。连队干部批评他，他就绝食。说反正高粱米饭他也咽不下去，索性就不吃了。连里怕把他饿坏了，试着给他做点面条劝劝他。他倒不客气，见了面条立刻就不绝食了，呼噜呼噜一下子能吃一大盆。吃完一抹嘴，该咋样还咋样。其实，连队也不是没办法整治他。要是换了普通的工农子弟，连里早就下猛药把这根歪歪刺掰过来了。一百多人的连队，容着他一个人这么胡闹下去，别的兵还怎么管？但他是周汉副司令员的儿子，不能下猛药不说，连一般的药下到他那都得减量，不仅得去去苦味，有时候还得往里加点糖。和平的毛病就这样惯成了。不高兴了三天两头就闹一回绝食，高兴了一顿吃一大盆，这样饿两天撑一顿的，最后真就把胃折腾出毛病了。被医院确诊为胃溃疡那天，和平差点没乐疯了。他从此如愿以偿，成了师医院里最有名的老病号。 在师医院住院的那些日子，是和平整个当兵生涯中最难忘的一段经历。就是在这期间，从小缺乏自信的他发现了自己在对付女孩子方面的超人能力。他游刃有余地周旋在师医院的那帮小护士中间，弄得小护士们一个个整日围着他团团转。有的帮他洗衣服，有的给他买水果送巧克力，有的为他斗嘴吵架，甚至还有的为他服安眠药闹自杀。他一口气在师医院住了半年多，把个好端端的师医院搅了个天翻地覆。医院几次想打发他出院，可他的病不知为什么那么顽固，怎么用药都丝毫不见好转。医生哪里知道，和平从来不吃那些药，发给他的药都被他一把一把地扔进厕所里去了。他巴不得一辈子治不好病，一辈子住在这里开心呢！后来，和平的胃溃疡越来越重，终于发展到胃出血的程度。不得已，医院只好为他做了胃切除手术。牺牲了大半个胃，才使和平、部队、医院都得到了一个圆满的结局——部队给和平办理了因病提前复员的手续，把他送回了家。和平从此免除了服役之忧，部队和医院也从此卸掉一个难缠的大包袱。三方皆大欢喜。 那时，南征和东进都对和平的行为很不理解。他们俩一直都在部队里埋头苦干，一步步地争取入党，争取提干。在他们看来，没入党、没提干就被部队处理复员是一件十分丢人的事。他们的观点跟爸爸一致：连兵都当不下来的人能算是个男人？连干部都提不了的兵能算是个好兵？ 但和平不这样认为。和平对爸爸和两个哥哥的鄙薄毫不在意，他从自己的生活经验中得出的结论是：男人可不一定非得从枪炮中摔打出来，但男人必须得从女人中摔打出来。他就是在女人身上找到自己做男人的自信心的！ 闲赋在家养了几年病，和平的机会终于来了。 按规定，北方部队像周汉这一级干部每年冬季都可以带家属去南方休养一个月，习惯上称做“冬休”。周汉很少“冬休”，一是不习惯那种无所事事的日子；二来跟于恩华一起出去也觉得没大意思。这一年，广州军区的几个老战友几次三番盛邀周汉去，说他们几个老家伙都快下台了，趁现在还在位应该好好聚一聚。周汉就决定去了。和平反正在家没事，也就跟去了。当时，深圳特区正搞得如火如荼，南方和北方在经济和意识方面的差距已经迅速拉大。在广州、深圳转了一圈，和平这下可是大开眼界了。他没想到南边搞得这么好，每天都有新鲜的带有刺激性的信息扑面而来，每天都有诱人的机会在等着你，每天都有大把的票子好赚！他们住在广州军区珠江宾馆专门安排兵团级以上干部“冬休”小楼里，按过去的标准可以说是绝对高级了。但到深圳玩时，被安排在国贸大厦住了一回，和平才知道什么叫高级了。与星级宾馆相比，珠江宾馆的小楼充其量只能算是个条件不错的招待所。和平审时度势，立即调整自己的战略部署，在短短一个月的时间里，发挥特长，以迅雷不及掩耳之势迅速与周汉一位老战友的女儿建立了牢不可破的友谊。临走时，和平突然向周汉提出自己要留下，说他经过认真考虑，决定留在南方发展。 谁也没想到，几年后，和平竟携百万巨款杀回来了。随他一起回来的当然不是爸爸那位老战友的女儿，而是一位普通话说得普通人都听不懂的秘书小姐。从此，和平的生意越做越大，身边的女人越换越频，与家人的关系也越来越疏远了。 这次爸爸发病时，和平人在美国，回来后又没立刻来医院看爸爸，南征心里本来就不高兴。今天约他到医院来，他又迟迟不露面，南征的脸上就有点挂不住了。其实，对和平自私冷血的性情南征心里比谁都清楚，他并不指望和平能怎么样，只是今天自己要出差离开一段时间，有些事情想向他交待一下。川川虽然照顾爸爸尽心尽力，但毕竟是个女人，遇到事情恐怕就拿不定主意了。小京再怎么样也只是个儿媳妇，她能做到什么程度南征心里有数。吴根柱倒是最能让人放心的一个，但有儿子在还让女婿挑这个头实在是有点说不过去。掂量来掂量去，爸爸这边的事也只能暂时托付给和平了。 南征的决定很突然，起因是几天前与王耀文通的一个电话。 那天下午，南征在办公室给东进拨电话，一来是想通报一下爸爸的病情，二来也是想问问黑山口的事怎么样了。他很担心，想了解一下这件事到底会对东进的提职带来多大影响。 电话是王耀文接的，王耀文很客气，说周团长到下面营里去了，问周部长有什么事需要他转达。 南征说没什么事，你就告诉他说爸爸现在病情还算稳定，让他安心处理部队的事情吧，这边有事我会及时通知他的。 说完，正准备放电话，王耀文却突然说，周部长，有件事我想向您汇报一下，您看可以吗？ 南征心里有些奇怪，但嘴上还是客气地说，你说，你说。 王耀文就说，经过初步了解，这次在黑山口哨所牺牲的班长朱志强的事迹很感人。团党委一致认为，这是个很有挖掘潜力、很具典型意义的英雄人物。现在我们已经把基本情况向分区做了汇报，建议进一步挖掘朱志强的英雄事迹，树立起一个安心戍边、无私奉献的士兵典型。但由于分区方面对这件事到底应该认定为事故还是事迹，在认识上存在分歧，所以至今没有个明确的说法。我想……，说到这里，王耀文犹豫了一下才继续道，周部长您不是外人，我也就实话实说了，能不能树起这个典型，对我们团的发展包括对周团长本人的发展都是十分重要的。分区那边，我很担心魏司令与周团长的关系会影响这件事向有利的方向发展。一旦我们的建议被分区否决了，事情就不好往回扭了。我想，树典型最终还是要经过军区组织部门的认可，如果军区组织部能主动介入，亲自下来抓这个典型，事情恐怕就好办得多了。 王耀文讲这番话的时候，南征一直没插话，直到听他把话说完了，南征才沉吟着问道，是东进让你找我的吗？ 不，王耀文说，直接向您汇报这件事我没与周团长商量，这只是我个人的想法。 南征说，既然这样，你必须实事求是地告诉我，就你现在掌握的情况来看，朱志强的事迹是否经得起推敲？ 我…… 南征打断王耀文说，你先不要急着表态，想几分钟再回答我。王政委，你应该清楚，抓典型是件上下惊动很大的事。即便军区机关插手，也要事迹本身过得硬。否则，我们调查后也会否决的。 周部长，请你放心，这一点我王耀文绝对可以保证。王耀文毫不犹豫地回答。 那好，南征说，你以团党委的名义把朱志强的情况尽快汇报上来，直接报给组织部。说完就把电话放了。 放下电话，南征随手点燃了一支烟。深深地吸进，缓缓地吐出，人立刻裹入渺渺的烟雾中陷入了沉思。 这个王耀文南征倒是见过一两面，但没太深印象，记忆中好像是挺不起眼儿的一个人。如果不是因为他与东进搭班子，南征脑子里恐怕连这点印象也不会有的。但王耀文这个电话却给南征留下了极深的印象。这家伙似乎很有些心机，在上级机关议而不决的关键情况下，竟能想到越级汇报。而且话说得也很到位，既不显得太直白浅露，又把该点的都点到了。 说老实话，南征确实动心了。南征发现自己的心中似乎涌动起一种东西，有点兴奋，有点期待。这种感觉南征已经很久没有体验到了，南征很清楚这是什么。当部长几年来，南征抓工作一直是小心谨慎、按部就班，虽说部里的工作也安排得井然有序，但却缺乏让人称道的亮点。前些日子，刘希文把吕副主任对他的评价告诉了他，说他虽然沉稳干练，工作无可挑剔，但缺乏业绩。也就是说，他虽然把机关常规性工作处理得很好，但没有抓出引人注目的成果，没能显出他自己的开拓能力。当时刘希文就说，南征，你得抓紧呀，在军区常委会研究人选之前，你得想办法弄出点让人听得见的响动来。别太求稳了，求稳往往容易放弃机会。此刻，他隐隐约约地感觉到一个可遇不可求的机会来到了。他应该抓住这个机会，亲自去边防二团了解情况，即便不能一下子抓出一个全军典型，只是个军区典型，他周南征也成了！ 这个兵叫什么来着？好像是姓……南征想了想但没想起来。不管姓什么吧，这个兵很可能是一把万能钥匙。right!这就是一把有可能同时打开二团、东进和他自己这三把锁的万能钥匙。想到这里，南征禁不住兴奋地起身来回踱起步来。南征有些迫不及待地想，他必须尽快进入情况。毕竟，能不能顺利打开这几把锁，最终还得取决于他周南征打造钥匙的功力如何。 几天后，王耀文接到分区方面的通知：军区、省军区两级工作组在军区组织部周部长的亲自带领下，明日启程到二团调查朱志强的事迹，请做好准备。 放下电话，王耀文立刻小炮弹似的弹了起来，冲出门去。他浑身燥热，体内涌动着一种按捺不住的激情，恨不能一步冲进家门，立刻把三毛子按倒在随便什么地方。 和平终于来了。 他看了眼南征的脸色，只随便解释了一句“路上堵车”就拉倒了。南征也懒得与他计较，一句话没说，先把他带到爸爸的床前。和平有一搭没一搭地往床上扫了几眼，一共也没呆上几分钟，就从病房里出来了。 两人在走廊里站定。 南征盯着和平说：“我今天出差，爸爸这边的事就先交给你了。” “大哥，我恐怕倒不出时间。”和平的表情很漠然。 “和平，你也该抽出点时间顾顾家里的事了。爸爸发病的这段日子你不在，家里人个个都折腾得够呛。现在你回来了，也该抻把手帮帮忙了。” “我这次去美国与MG公司谈了一笔大买卖。他们很快就要派人来考察了，我得抓紧时间做准备，烂事多着呢。” 南征道：“谁不是顶着一头的烂事？谁有多少空闲时间？咱们做子女的在这个时候就得尽义务！” “东进怎么不回来尽义务？” “他刚到家团里就出事了，急急忙忙又返回去了。” “哼，”和平冷笑道，“他那个团能出什么大不了的事？我买卖上要是出了事，一笔就不止损失几十万！” “和平，你不要以为只有赚钱才是最重要的。”南征看了看表说，“我现在没时间跟你掰这些道理，你痛快说，我不在的这段时间，你能不能把爸爸这边的事担起来？” “我的确没时间。”和平摊开两手说。说完，自己也觉得有点理亏，就又补充了一句，“我可以出钱。” 南征终于忍耐不住了，他突然很想在和平那张苍白的脸上狠狠地闷上一拳。很久没有这种冲动了，小时候，他没少让两个弟弟品尝自己拳头的滋味，那时他信奉拳头的力量，认为凭拳头可以征服一切。后来，当他学会用心力与人较量之后，他才发现拳头其实并不是最有力量的。 南征开始出拳了。南征说：“和平，你给我听好了，你少拿那几个破钱在家里摆！你以为这些钱都是凭你自己本事挣来的吗？你想过没有，如果没有这个家，没有老头子那些老部下，没有刘希文在上边罩着你，你能谈下来这么多生意？能做成这么大的买卖吗？对，你现在是有钱了，也学会拿钱跟人对话了，可你给我记着，就是再有钱，你也没资格拿钱跟家里人说话！你别忘了，人家帮你冲的是什么？冲的是这个家，冲的是老头儿的面子！冲的是爸爸在上面的关系！我告诉你，这些，可不是用钱能买得到的！你记住我的话，除了家人，谁也不会真心帮你。老头子在一天，人家就认你一天，帮你一天。一旦爸爸不在了，人家立刻就可以不认你、不帮你，包括刘希文都一样！” 和平用惊奇的目光看着南征，他很少看到大哥激动，很少听到大哥用这么直白的话语表述自己的深层想法。他不能不承认大哥说得对。在这之前，他确实把一切都归功于自己的能力了。他对这个家从没有太深的感情依恋，他一直鄙视这个家，鄙视爸爸的老朽霸道，鄙视大哥南征对官场的看重和对仕途的向往，鄙视二哥东进对军事的痴迷和对部队的钟情，就连对他百般呵护的母亲，他内心里也充满了鄙视。他认为母亲是个十分愚蠢的女人，丝毫不懂得男人的心理，只会用生硬的抵触与男人对抗，对抗的结果只能使男人疏远，被男人所不容。他鄙视姐姐川川的软弱，鄙视姐夫吴根柱的农民习气，鄙视嫂子李小京的酸俗……家里所有的人，惟一让他看了不心烦的就是妹妹毛毛，而毛毛又绝不是个省油的灯，她没事从来不找你，只要找你肯定就是为了琢磨你兜里的钱。她能变幻出无数的小花样明目张胆地来骗你，虽然每次都能被和平识破，但也每次都能如愿以偿。和平喜欢听毛毛撒谎，不知为什么，和平觉得听毛毛撒谎是一种享受。毛毛撒谎从来不用打草稿，总是张口就来，把谎撒得惊世骇俗，且总能花样翻新。川川曾经说过，听毛毛讲话得用笊篱捞，没几句是干的。毛毛撒谎撒惯了，常常连她自己也分不清哪句是真哪句是假，难免有前后对不上茬子的时候。有时候，和平就故意揭露一两个逗逗她，想看看她的窘态。但毛毛从不尴尬，总是一脸惊讶地瞪大眼睛说，是吗是吗我上次是这么说的吗？我怎么会这么说呢？这也太奇怪了？ !或者干脆就愉快地哈哈大笑起来，说，哎呀对了，我想起来了，这话是我说的！你看，我简直就是个天才，编得多像那么回事呀！和平想，自己之所以能接受毛毛，大概是因为毛毛与他有相似之处——他俩都很注重自身的实际利益，而且都有一种敢于把自己恬不知耻的真实面目示人的勇气。和平有一种很奇怪的感觉，他总觉得最爱撒谎的毛毛其实是最能接近事物本质，最能说出实话的一个。 从前，和平总以为在这个军人家庭里，自己做的事离部队最远，与家里的瓜葛最少。总以为自己是这个家里惟一靠自己的能力独立于家庭之外的人。他从未意识到，他所谓的能力其实大多体现在对家庭关系的利用上。细想起来，经商这些年几乎很少有需要他现去建立关系的时候。他的关系都是现成的，无论做什么都能找到现成的人。爸爸的那些上下级、老战友们的触角几乎是无处不在。只是这些关系原本就是他生活的一部分，他从小生活在这些关系之中，因而见怪不怪没有感觉罢了。经南征这么狠狠地一点，和平突然想到，病床上那个曾经被他看做是可有可无的生命，对他来说其实还是很重要的。比如眼下正在进行的与美国MG公司的这笔生意，没有军方的支持，没有刘希文的运作就不行。他已经听出了南征藏在话里的警告，他知道这些年南征与刘希文走得很近，也相信只要南征在刘希文面前说句反对的话，刘希文那边立刻就会偃旗息鼓、鸣金收兵。 想到这儿，和平那冰冷的脸上立刻有了几抹暖色。“大哥，”和平用一种极少使用的亲近口气说，“我不是那个意思，我的意思是说，爸爸的抢救治疗不是还需要一些自费药吗？有什么好药尽管用就是了，钱我出。” 南征知道自己的话起作用了，他注意到和平虽一直面无表情地听着，但却几次下意识地把拇指送到嘴边咬。他相信和平这次是真的往心里去了。既然已经出重拳把和平击倒了，南征也就不想再继续纠缠下去了，他缓和下来口气说：“和平，我这趟差很重要，如果工作开展得顺利，我就得在部队多蹲上一阵子。爸爸这边其实也用不着你成天盯着，护理上有川川和小京，杂事有陆秘书和那几个公勤人员。我只是想让你多照看着点，万一有什么事川川他们处理不了，还得你来拿主意。”想了想南征又说：“爸爸现在的情况还算稳定，虽然手术后一直没苏醒过来，但只要不再出现脑溢血，至少命算保住了。即便以后真成了植物人，只要老头儿这口气还在，就什么事情都好办。”说着，南征看了看表说：“我没时间了，得走了，你也先回去吧。” 两人往外走着，和平突然问了一句：“哎，老头儿那些枪放哪儿了？” “还在那个铁皮箱里吧？你怎么想起这事了？” “我想看看枪。钥匙在谁手里？” “钥匙从来都在老头儿自己手里把着。”南征警觉地看了和平一眼说，“我可告诉你啊，别打那些枪的主意，那可是老头儿的命根子。” “什么命根子不命根子的，人都到这份儿上了，还能顾得上那玩意儿。我看呀，反正那些枪放那也没用，不如……” 南征停下脚步，扭头望着和平，一字一顿地说：“和平，你给我听好了，不经老头儿允许，谁也不能动那些枪！” “要是老头儿再也醒不过来了呢？要是老头儿从此变成植物人了呢？” 南征恶狠狠地瞪着和平说：“只要爸爸这口气还在，就不许动他的东西，尤其是那些枪！” 和平仰着脸，面无表情地回望着南征，似乎根本就没听见南征的话，只是脸上的肌肉微微抽动了几下。