When you look up at the sky, if it's not a clear blue, then today must be overcast.
...
If you were born under a sky that was always overcast, and had never seen a clear day, would this statement still be meaningless?
...
Perhaps not!
...
Ten years, a period of time that is neither long nor short.
I heard on the news that the south has had heavy rain this year, and there might be an epidemic in winter.
I don't know if it's true, but I watch news like this when I have nothing else to do.
...
If you ask me what I've done in these ten years?
What I can say is that Lao San is in the fourth grade this year, elementary division, and is the district chess runner-up, inheriting all my excellent genes. Of course, Lin Han doesn't agree, saying that genetic inheritance follows patterns.
If the female is intelligent, then the first child must be a son, because humans, being the dominant species, prioritize intelligence in reproduction.
So, before he was born, Lin Han always said, "Your son is so naughty, kicking me in the belly again."
...
At that time, I was very concerned about this matter and secretly gave money to the director. The director said that hospital regulations do not accept red envelopes, nor would they tell me the baby's gender. At the time, I thought the doctor was quite conscientious. Unexpectedly, when I was leaving, he told me there was a fortune teller under the city wall who was very accurate.
Out of curiosity, I went. Seeing the fortune teller with his round sunglasses, I couldn't help but laugh. The Schemer is everywhere, even the obstetrics director moonlighting as a fortune teller.
...
After that, I was indifferent to this matter!
With my impulsive nature, I couldn't even outsmart an obstetrics director. Having a son seemed like a scientifically prioritized choice.
...
Three years later, Lin Han gave birth to our second child, also starting school this year. A little girl, spirited and very robust. From kindergarten, she had the demeanor of a young master, often bullying classmates, and would always say her father was Tang Nan.
Who knows your father! Regardless, upon entering primary school, she acquired a nickname in the neighborhood: Tang Siye.
Impressive, right?
...
After having the second child, Lin Han decided not to have more, even though I comforted her by saying I quite liked the roll of flesh on her belly, finding it particularly comforting to touch. However, Lin Han's intelligence told her not to fall for it.
Alas, I am defeated, even The Schemer can't fool his own wife anymore.
...
Regardless, Lin Han recuperated for half a year, signed up for a yoga class and joined a long-distance running group, then happily returned to being a superwoman. I spent my days with the children, damaging my liver and breaking my heart.
These children, the eldest and the third are the most troublesome.
The eldest, Huang Huang!
Key elementary school, key junior high, and now key high school.
In the ordinary days, a familiar face suddenly appeared at home, someone I hadn't seen in a long time.
I looked at his stout figure and laughed, "Still not dead?"
"Get lost!"
I laughed heartily, embraced him, and loudly asked, "Guo Bao Rou, Sha Zhu Cai, how about it?"
"This is Xi'an."
Presumably, everyone knows who he is. The people I know, all the delicacies are like fleeting clouds, only this one, who can't move when he sees good food.
"Let's have a table of authentic Shaanxi cuisine then?"
"I'll arrange it!" Lao Gui said with a grin.
"Forget it, let me play the host. Although you're here for something, don't trouble you when it comes to food."
...
Ten years haven't changed Lao Gui's white hair, but his body is still strong, though his steps are a bit unsteady. It looks like his blood pressure and blood sugar are not good. Honestly, in these years, when there was a moment of quiet, I would still think of him.
Wondering how he was doing, living as a ghost or a person!
...
I never expected to see him alive again.
"Someone's looking for me!"
Lao Gui is no longer the Lao Gui of the past; he doesn't play games of feigned indifference anymore. He gets straight to the point.
"Then this person is quite capable."
Lao Gui has vanished, so anyone who can find him is truly formidable.
"Really, I think so too. But I can't serve him anymore."
"Why?"
Once the Gao family's control over wealth is discovered to be beyond imagination, it becomes a major headache for the leaders.
...
Fortunately, the Lao K group has gone all out against this Gao family, as if their founding of the Lao K group would be meaningless if they didn't destroy the Gao family. However, the Lao K group is also not having an easy time.
There are a group of people in the leadership circles who are righteous and even resort to unscrupulous means to punish the Lao K group.
...
The situation from ten years ago is now spoken of as a secret. However, I still put on an act of being overwhelmed and said to this leader, "If that's the case, aren't those righteous people in the leadership circles invincible?"
This cadre said with great seriousness, "How is that possible? The Gao family is not to be trifled with. They have been committed to infiltrating this leadership circle, which is why we have been prepared to suppress this leadership circle. But we have never found the core figures within this circle. Therefore, we can only let these three forces develop freely under mutual checks and balances."
I was dumbfounded, "If you say so, then aren't these three forces developing very powerfully?"
...
Hearing me say that, the cadre said solemnly, "Exactly. It has reached a point where we must be vigilant!"
"Your saying so makes me understand. Three Immortals Offering a Tripod. At this moment, asking the three immortals to take out their precious tripods, they would absolutely refuse. So, we need to find someone to weaken the three parties, thus giving us an opportunity to eliminate these organizations."
After I finished speaking, the leader immediately clapped his hands, "As expected of someone introduced by Old Cao, you understand at first mention."
Hearing the leader say that, I put on a wry smile and rubbed my hands, saying, "According to the current pace, I should actually recommend myself. I'll go find someone to balance the three forces. But I can't do it!"
"Why?"
"Back then, when I left Beijing, I don't know who it was, or which high-ranking leader, but I received a message that I was forbidden from going to Beijing for the rest of my life. Thinking about it, I still have old friends in Beijing, but I haven't seen them in ten years."
The leader was stunned, "Perhaps this is a clue. The person who issued the ban back then was very likely a core figure in that circle."
"It should be, but I'm not sure. Can I go to Beijing now?"
Hearing me say that, the leader became anxious and said loudly, "You are a legal citizen. You have the right to step foot on any piece of land in our country. Even if some people have some power, what right do they have to issue a ban? Who gave them the right to issue a ban? You go with confidence, go boldly. If anything happens, I'll back you up."
Hearing the leader say that, I happily raised a glass of wine, handed it to him, and smiled, "If the country needs me, I will not fail the mission."
...
That day, the leader was very happy and drank too much. I had the driver take him back first. Then, I chatted with Lao Gui for a while. Lao Gui can't eat as much as before, so I decided to go for a walk with him.
In the evening, we strolled under the city wall.
"Lao Gui, thank you for always appearing when I need you."
Hearing me say that, Lao Gui raised his eyebrows, "You admit it?"
"Admit what? I don't know what you're talking about."
I laughed heartily. How could I be so detailed when talking to Lao Gui? My meaning was that since you know, why say so much.
"When you go back to Beijing, help me see her."
Lao Gui said with a solemn expression.
"Who?"
"Your senior martial aunt, Wang Ren."
"Okay, no problem. Back then, she found someone to issue a ban on me going to Beijing. On this point alone, I must thank her properly."
Cao Shi chang sighed, "Your senior martial aunt is almost seventy years old. She can't die in a mental hospital, can she? Go talk to the leaders and negotiate to let her out."
"As you command."
"Back when you left Beijing and returned to Xi'an, I wrote you a letter. Do you still remember what it said?"
"I remember: When you look up at the sky, if it's not a clear blue, then today must be overcast."
"Tang Nan, you are indeed the most outstanding Schemer among the three generations of Schemers."
I smiled, looking at Lao Gui's serious face, "The waves behind push the waves forward, and each wave is stronger than the last. But there's no need for the front wave to flatter the back wave."
Lao Gui laughed heartily, "After this matter is over, will we be able to see each other often?"
I looked at Lao Gui seriously and sighed, "Alas, it seems you really don't get to eat much usually."