“Old Feng, why are you lugging your luggage? Where are you going?”
“To Beijing to watch CCTV Spring Festival Gala night!” Feng Xingtai replied with his head up high.
“Huh? Going to Beijing to watch the Gala night? As a live audience?
Feng Xingtai saw the other party’s unbelievable eyes and got even prouder: “Of course. Why would I be going to Beijing to watch it on TV? My son is working with the producers of this program. He said he can even let me meet Mao Amin face to face!”
“Oh! Xiao Yu is really capable. Old Feng, you are so lucky. You are so rich, and your son is so capable. Look at XX district’s Wang Baiwan. His son got into a fight and was arrested two days ago. Your son is so much better than him. Beijing University’s student. Does this mean Xiao Feng will be working at CCTV in the future?
“Who knows? That kid has his own plans. Alright. I got to go.” Although Feng Xingtai was trying to be humble, he got a proud look on his face.
“Hurry up and start the car. Stop bullshitting with others. You had wasted 30 minutes chatting with others!” Zhang Muhua scolded.
“I caused the delay? Who is the one who chatted with Sister Li downstairs?” Feng Xingtai grumbled and started to drive towards Bing City.
……
“Hi, Chixing, call grandpa.”
“What grandpa? Call grandma and grandma will buy you snacks.”
“Dad, Mum, go and rest first.” Li Shiqiang took the luggage from his parents-in-law.
Feng Xingtai ignored Li Shiqiang and carried Li Chixing above his head, making him laugh.
“Is Chixing obedient?” Zhang Muhua played with her grandson’s hands and asked.
“Him? Obedient? He is too mischievous. I brought him downstairs, and he ran off once I took my eyes off him.” Li Shiqiang said.
“What? You let Chixing run off by himself? What if he falls or got into any accidents? What kind of dad are you?” Zhang Muhua scolded.
“We are just downstairs within the front yard. There are no cars and people around.”
“Even so, you should not let him run about by himself. This building is so tall and what if someone threw something down? Listen to me, after Lunar New Year, let Chixiang follow us back to the district. The air is better, and there are lesser people and cars. Chixing can run around freely.” Zhang Muhua said.
“Mum…… I am taking care of Chixing. Furthermore, my mother-in-law will be retiring this year, and she can help me. Children should not leave the parents when they are young. Chixing, don’t put your fingers in your mouth!” Feng Danying slapped her son’s hand lightly.
“Why are you hitting him? Which kid does not put their fingers in their mouths?” Zhang Muhua scolded.
“Mum, he kept putting his fingers into his mouth after touching everything. He will get sick. If we do not discipline him when he is young, he will get into trouble when he gets older. You remember that Zhang San? His parents did not care about him when he was young, and he killed someone after he grew up. He was sentenced to life imprisonment. He will have to spend his remaining life in prison.”
“What are you saying? Our Chixing is so obedient. Oh, the both of you are not going to Beijing for the Gala night?”
“We are not going. Chixing is too young. My in-laws will be going with you. I will stay here with Shiqiang. There are still lots of things in the hospital waiting for us. We cannot leave.
Feng Xingtai was unhappy when he heard the hospital: “Shiqiang, your son is still so young and how can you let Danying go and work at the hospital? Why can’t you just hire someone to run the hospital?”
“Dad, Danying will get bored staying at home alone. Furthermore, I am sending and fetching her from the hospital. At the Machinery Company, Chixing will stay at the childcare center. The teachers there will help to look after him. The childcare center and kindergarten elsewhere do not look after such young children.” Li Shiqiang explained.
Li Shiqiang noticed that Feng Danying’s mood got better when she started work at the Machinery Company’s hospital. She no longer pulls a long face when she was staying at home.
“What did you say? Chixing is still so young, and the both of you put him in childcare?” Feng Xingtai was furious. What if Chixing got bully by other kids at the childcare?
“Dad, you all might not know that Chixing is very strong. We are glad that he did not bully others. Dad, you stay here with Mum. I will help Danying in the kitchen.” Li Shiqiang ran into the kitchen.
“In-laws, this is the first time in my life traveling on a plane, and also my first time going to Beijing.” Li Shiqiang’s father said.
“That’s right. I am scared of heights.” Li Shiqiang’s mother sat nervously in her seat. The plane had not even taken off yet.
Li Shiqiang’s parents were also very excited to travel to Beijing to watch the Gala night. They had boasted to their colleagues for a few days.
But Li’s father’s leader at his unit was not happy. Since you can get the tickets to Gala night, why didn’t you get two tickets for me? Don’t you have any respect for me?
Li’s father’s leader had hinted to him that even if you can’t get extra tickets, you can give me your tickets this year. You can go next year. Think about how I had treated you. You should give me the tickets as an appreciation of what I had done for you.
Although the leader had made things so obvious, Li’s father did not agree. This might be his only chance in life to watch the Gala night as the live audience. How can he give up his tickets?
Also, these tickets were not given to him by his son. It was Feng Yu who had given him the tickets. He could be so shameless to ask for extra tickets for his leader. There were only 1,000 tickets to the Gala night, and many officials in the country could not even get the tickets. It should not be easy for Feng Yu to get these tickets.
Furthermore, he was already a deputy chief. If he did not make any mistakes, the most he would just be transferred out. The leader could not do anything to him. Li Shiqiang’s business was doing well, and even if he lost this job, it was fine.
Li Shiqiang’s father does not have the intention to be promoted. His position now was already good enough. He knew his own capabilities. If it wasn’t for Mayor Zhang attending his son’s wedding, he might not even be promoted.
Of course, this was all because of the Feng family. His daughter-in-law was also a fine lady. She treated them well. Their only wish now was for his grandson to grow up healthy and well.
The flight landed safely, and Li Shiqiang’s parents saw Feng Yu holding up a sign waiting for them at the arrival hall.
“Mr. and Mrs. Li, let me help with your luggage. Dad, Mum, the car is over there. I will bring you to the hotel first. Later in the afternoon, I will bring all of you around Beijing, and after dinner, we will go and watch the Gala night.”
“Will we be visiting Tiananmen Square?” Li’s father asked. His greatest wish was to visit Tiananmen Square.
“No problem! Xiao Yu, let’s go to Tiananmen Square!” Feng Xingtai instructed proudly. He had visited Tiananmen Square many times.
Translator’s notes: Mao Amin was one of China’s most popular singer in the 1990s.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mao_Amin
Tiananmen Square is one of the places of interest in Beijing. One of the most famous incidents that happened at Tiananmen Square was the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1989_Tiananmen_Square_protests
