activa-t Chapter 527 Reminiscing!
Chapter 527 Reminiscing!
Zhou Changli smiled helplessly; he knew he wouldn't be able to sleep. He got up, dressed, and put on his shoes, casually asking:
"Xiaoyu, have you ever thought about... coming to Hong Kong Island with me?"
“Hong Kong Island?” Zhou Xiaoyu shook her head. “Brother, I grew up in Beijing and I’m used to everything here. Besides, if you’re going to stay in Hong Kong Island, someone at home will have to take care of Mom and Dad. I… I think I’d better not go.”
Upon hearing this, Zhou Changli didn't offer any further advice and simply nodded.
"It's up to you. Just think it over. I'll give you some more money later."
"No need, no need," Zhou Xiaoyu waved her hands repeatedly.
“Brother, you’ve been so good to me these past few years. I’ve put it all in the bank and just live off the interest. It’s enough for me to live on for several lifetimes. I’m not short of money.”
Zhou Changli couldn't help but smile. After washing up, he didn't stay home long. While his family was still trying to find him a partner, he quietly slipped out.
About an hour later, carrying large and small bags of gifts, he turned into an alley and arrived at Li Kuiyong's house.
In the courtyard, Li Kuiyong happened to be off work today. He sat on a bamboo chair under the eaves, with a small square table in front of him, tea brewing in a purple clay teapot, and a newspaper in his hand, reading leisurely.
In the courtyard, a boy and a girl, both teenagers, were chasing and playing with a ball. Their cheerful laughter filled the small courtyard, creating a warm and peaceful scene.
“Brother Yong, you’re living the good life…” Zhou Changli stood at the courtyard gate, watching this scene, and couldn’t help but sigh, “This is the life you’re living…”
Hearing the voice, Li Kuiyong looked up, and upon seeing who it was, a delighted smile instantly spread across his face. He quickly put down his newspaper, stood up, and hurried over to greet them.
"Xiao Jiu?! When did you get back?!"
The two men embraced tightly in the courtyard, patting each other's backs forcefully. A thousand words were stuck in their chests, and they didn't know where to begin.
This parting has now lasted for more than a decade.
After a while, the two finally let go of each other, and Zhou Changli said, "I just got back yesterday."
"Come on in, come on in! Come on in..."
“Don’t go inside,” Zhou Changli pointed to the eaves. “Stay here, it’s cool, and you can keep an eye on the kids.”
The two then returned to the eaves and sat down, where Li Kuiyong poured him another cup of hot tea.
Zhou Changli took a sip of tea and pointed at the two rosy-cheeked children in the yard: "These...are your kids?"
Li Kuiyong nodded, his face full of fatherly pride, and beckoned to his children: "Xiaojun, Xiaowen, come here! Greet them!"
The two children weren't shy at all; they ran over, looked up at each other with their little faces, and called out in their clear, cheerful voices:
"Uncle Zhou!"
"Uncle Zhou!"
"Hey! Good boy!" Zhou Changli smiled broadly, grabbed two large handfuls of beautifully packaged chocolates from the gift bag he had brought, and stuffed them into the hands of the two children.
"Thank you, Uncle Zhou!" The two children were overjoyed and ran off to play again.
"Brother Yong, you really live a peaceful life." Zhou Changli looked around the clean and tidy courtyard.
"I remember your house used to be in the courtyard next door, right? This courtyard... isn't the old house, is it?"
"Yes, my old house is next door, you know, it's too small," Li Kuiyong said with a satisfied smile.
“When we were little, my siblings and I squeezed into bunk beds, and it was hard to even turn over. We bought this courtyard from our neighbors later. My family lives here, and my mother still lives in the old house.”
He pointed to a small doorway carved into the side of the eaves:
“Look, we’ve opened a door, making it convenient for people to come and go, and also allowing us to keep an eye on things at any time. The younger siblings downstairs have all gotten married and moved out. If they want to come back to visit in the future, there are plenty of houses here, so they won’t have trouble finding a place to stay.”
"It's very nice, very nice." Zhou Changli nodded repeatedly. "This courtyard is secluded, with flowers and grass, quiet amidst the hustle and bustle, it's very soothing to look at. Where's your sister-in-law?"
"She...she runs a clothing store on the main street outside the alley ahead. She sells clothes. You'll see her when she comes back around lunchtime," Li Kuiyong said, then, remembering something, asked, "By the way, Xiao Jiu, what about you? You should be married by now, right? Did your sister-in-law come back with you this time?"
"Me?" Zhou Changli scratched his head, a rare hint of embarrassment on his face. "Not yet. I'm not hungry for anyone else, so there's no rush."
"Aren't you in a hurry?"
Li Kuiyong glared at him.
"In a few years, we'll all be approaching forty! Is this how all you rich people are? Or... did you learn to 'spend money' from those big bosses back in Hong Kong?"
"What kind of rich person am I?" Zhou Changli waved his hand, his tone sincere.
"That little bit of money is nothing compared to Brother Chung and the real big shots in Hong Kong."
He wasn't being modest. Having spent so long immersed in the extravagant and hierarchical upper class of Hong Kong Island, he had witnessed the true super-rich and powerful, and his perspective and mindset were no longer what they used to be.
"Xiao Jiu, you're being too modest," Li Kuiyong said, refilling his tea.
"In recent years, the newspapers have reported on the various donations you've made to Beijing. I estimate it's at least tens of millions, or even US dollars! With your net worth, you must be worth hundreds of millions. If you're not rich, then what are us taxi drivers and small shop owners?"
"Brother Yong, I might be able to brag and boast about myself to others, but I wouldn't dare to do that in front of you."
Zhou Changli's expression turned serious.
“You know my background best. If it weren’t for Brother Zhong’s help back then, taking me to Hong Kong Island, I, Zhou Changli, would probably be dead somewhere in the dark.”
"Isn't the reason Brother Zhong is willing to lend a hand because of our friendship?"
Zhou Changli sighed,
“If you really want to start your own business, just say hello to Brother Zhong, and he'll definitely help you out. You'll be much more successful than I am now. You know Zhu Long, right? That guy is even more successful than me now.”
Li Kuiyong listened with deep emotion. He knew that he and Xiao Jiu were able to live a peaceful life today thanks to Yuemin, their loyal and devoted brother.
"I'm not cut out for business. I know my own limitations best."
Li Kuiyong smiled and shook his head, his tone calm and content.
"Now that I drive a taxi, I don't have to work as hard as I used to. I only drive for seven or eight hours a day and rest when it's time. The clothing store business is also doing well, and my family has enough to eat and wear. I am really content with the life I have now."
As he spoke, he looked at the children playing in the yard, his gaze distant:
"Ten years ago, I was still on the loess slopes of northern Shaanxi, sleeping on a drafty, dusty earthen bed in a cave dwelling... Back then, I never dreamed I would have such a good life today. I thought I would spend the rest of my life there."