Rebirth of Bloody Romance

In the afterglow of the setting sun, Zhong Yuemin led the lively and cute little Shihua and the clever and eccentric little Haichen for a stroll on the streets of Beijing.

The streets are lined with shops and are bustling with activity. In this warm and slightly noisy scene, a new thing quietly comes into view - a newly opened gas station.

"My daughter and son, look over there, let's go and take a look." Zhong Yuemin's eyes sparkled with childlike curiosity and excitement as he invited the two children.

Little Shihua blinked her big eyes and said innocently, "Dad, what is this for? It looks so special!" Her voice was clear and pleasant, like a stream in spring, which made people happy.

Little Haichen standing next to him was different. His little head was always filled with all kinds of weird ideas. At this moment, he asked directly, "Is this edible? Dad, can we try it?"

Zhong Yuemin almost staggered and fell to the ground when he heard that, then he laughed and scolded, "You kid, you are really a foodie! The gas in this gas station is used for cooking, it's not a gourmet restaurant." As he spoke, his eyes were full of pampering and helplessness, but they could not hide the pride and happiness as a father.

Xiao Haichen rolled his eyes, as if he had thought of something to say in response, but then he stopped. He knew that directly talking back might lead to a "love education".

So, Xiao Haichen changed his approach and said cunningly, "Mom said that I was exactly like you when you were little. When she said I was talking about you, she was actually talking about you. Moreover, I am much more obedient than you. At least she didn't ask you to apologize to others."

Zhong Yuemin wanted to give Xiao Haichen a big slap, but after thinking about it, he was his own son after all. So forget it. "Good boy, you have learned to use your mother as a shield. But you are right, Dad was indeed naughty before. But now, with you two around me, I feel that I am the happiest person in the world."

In that era, the city's fireworks were mixed with a bit of primitiveness and simplicity. Kerosene stoves, coal stoves, and wood stoves, these traditional cooking methods are still the protagonists in most family kitchens.

Whenever the sun sets, every household starts to prepare dinner. The smell of kerosene in the air becomes a unique mark of that era. While it chokes the nose, it also makes people feel a different kind of life atmosphere.

However, in this context, the appearance of Zhong Yuemin seems to bring a touch of unusual color to this ordinary daily life. The gas tank on his shoulder is particularly eye-catching in the afterglow of the setting sun, indicating that a more convenient and clean cooking method will soon enter this family, and also heralds a small change in urban life.

Zhong Yuemin carried the newly bought gas tank in one hand, his steps were steady and powerful, and his face was filled with a satisfied smile. He knew that this small change would bring a lot of convenience and comfort to the family's life. Xiao Shihua and Xiao Haichen followed their father, jumping and skipping, their excitement was beyond words.

"Dad, can this big thing really cook delicious meals?" Xiao Shihua looked up at the gas tank on her father's shoulder, her eyes gleaming with anticipation.

"Of course, my girl. With it, we won't have to endure the smoke and fire of the kerosene stove when cooking, and the food will be more delicious." Zhong Yuemin replied with a smile.

Xiao Haichen circled around the gas tank with curiosity, occasionally reaching out to touch the cold metal surface, as if he was exploring an unknown world.

"Well, does that mean we can have dinner earlier? My stomach is growling with hunger." He touched his stomach with an aggrieved look on his face, which made Zhong Yuemin and Xiao Shihua laugh.

"Okay, let's go home now and let your grandma prepare a sumptuous dinner for you." Zhong Yuemin said, quickening his pace and walking towards home.

Along the way, Xiao Shihua and Xiao Haichen excitedly discussed the various possibilities of cooking with gas cylinders in the future. Their laughter echoed in the night sky, adding a bit of warmth and happiness to this ordinary town. Zhong Yuemin, on the other hand, quietly enjoyed this rare parent-child time, his heart full of gratitude and satisfaction for his family.

In Liu Minghua's home, the warm atmosphere becomes more intense as night falls.

More than a month ago, he finally brought his wife and children back to his hometown, and he couldn't wait to share the joy of reunion with his friends.

So he invited Zhong Yuemin to his home to enjoy this rare time together.

Zhong Yuemin arrived as promised, holding two bottles of carefully selected wine in his hands, his face filled with anticipation and joy.

As soon as he entered the room, Zhong Yuemin saw Lin Shufang whom he had not seen for a long time. Time seemed to be particularly gentle to her, and her gentleness and intelligence were still the same. However, looking around, there seemed to be no other guests except the three of them.

"Is it just me and my elder sister? No one else?" Zhong Yuemin asked Liu Minghua curiously, with a hint of confusion and expectation in his words.

Liu Minghua sighed softly and explained, "Some of our classmates have gone abroad to pursue a broader world, while others did not stay in Beijing for various reasons. And those who stayed in Beijing were mostly busy with work and could not get away."

There was both helplessness and understanding in Liu Minghua's tone. After all, everyone has their own choices and responsibilities on the road of life.

Hearing this, Zhong Yuemin couldn't help but joked, "Fuck, from what you said, I'm the only one who has nothing to do!" His hearty and sincere laughter instantly broke the silence in the room.

"I didn't say that, you said it yourself." Liu Minghua responded with a smile. The tacit understanding and friendship between the two were fully revealed at this moment.

Everyone in the room couldn't help laughing when they heard their conversation. In their laughter, there was both nostalgia for the past and cherishment of the present life.

Liu Minghua's eldest son is already a tall and straight-limbed young man, about fourteen years old, with a touch of youthfulness and maturity;

The 12-year-old daughter has grown into a beautiful young lady. The two children have gradually adapted to the new environment, and the timidity they felt when they first arrived has long since disappeared. They get along very well with Zhong Yuemin, and laughter can be heard from the house from time to time.

Zhong Yuemin looked at the harmonious scene of the family of four and couldn't help teasing Liu Minghua. "You have a wife and children, a warm bed, and you are very comfortable!"

The words were full of envy and blessings. Liu Minghua just shook his head and smiled bitterly, as if he had some unknown troubles.

At this time, Liu Minghua's daughter-in-law, a smart and capable woman, walked out of the kitchen with freshly picked celery leaves in her hand.

When she saw Liu Minghua, she frowned slightly, obviously dissatisfied with some of her husband's behavior. "I've told you so many times not to throw away celery leaves, but you just don't listen. You spend the little money you earn, how can you live like a normal person! During the famine, we couldn't even eat tree bark. It's a great blessing for our ancestors to have such good celery leaves! Now that life is better, don't forget to be frugal."

After hearing what Liu Minghua's wife said, Lin Shufang smiled brightly, as beautiful as a flower in full bloom in spring. She took Liu Minghua's wife's hand affectionately and walked into the kitchen together, as if they had established a deep friendship.

"Sister, you are so right! I thought it was such a pity to see the fishmongers throwing away the fish entrails, so I took them back to make soup, and it was really delicious!"

Lin Shufang's words were full of resonance and joy, as if she had found a long-lost soulmate. Her eyes sparkled with excitement, as if she was recalling the delicious fish soup.

The kitchen was filled with aromas. The two women were busy preparing dinner while talking about their life experiences and ways to save money. They shared tips on how to create value from discarded items and exchanged ways to save money. Every topic aroused the other's interest, making them more and more interested.

Sometimes they looked at each other and smiled, and their laughter echoed in the kitchen, full of joy and warmth; sometimes they nodded in agreement, acknowledging each other's points of view, showing a tacit understanding and understanding.

Meanwhile, in the living room, Liu Minghua and Zhong Yuemin were enjoying their rare leisure time. The two children had already gone out to play, leaving the two good friends to chat in the quiet atmosphere. Their topics ranged from family trivia to social changes, from personal ideals to future plans.

"Yuemin, what do you think is the most valuable thing for our generation?" Liu Minghua suddenly asked, his eyes revealing some deep thought.

Zhong Yuemin heard this and replied after a moment's silence. "I think the most precious thing is the love and persistence for life. No matter how the times change, we can keep our original aspirations, cherish the people around us, and live every day well."

Liu Minghua sighed softly, and then changed the topic to interesting things at home. "These two children are managed very strictly by their mother. Although my wife has not read many books, she can talk about principles one after another, and even I can't argue with her."

Liu Minghua's tone was full of helplessness and doting. It was obvious that he both agreed with his wife's educational methods and felt a little "pressured".

Then, Liu Minghua shared a recent story: "A few days ago, someone tried to send me a gift through improper means, hoping to get special treatment. But unexpectedly, my powerful wife threw the gift away and said something that made people laugh: 'Isn't this forcing my husband to make a mistake?'" At this point, Liu Minghua couldn't help laughing, with an expression of happiness and helplessness on his face.

After hearing this story, Zhong Yuemin also began to tease: "Not bad, you are doing quite well now. Some people even ask you for a backdoor." There was a hint of joking in his words, but at the same time he also revealed his recognition of Liu Minghua's current situation.

Liu Minghua shook his head, took a sip of tea, and explained, "How can they use my backdoor? I'm not following that. They want to use me to get the backdoor of the big boss. You are having a good life now, living in such a big house, and having an easy job. It couldn't be better."

Zhong Yuemin responded with a smile. "Isn't the house you bought pretty good? Why envy me? I envy you for your bright future."

Liu Minghua bought a small house last year at the instigation of Zhong Yuemin. He was extremely happy when he mentioned his wife's arrival and cleaned the whole house spotlessly. His love and dedication to his home were touching.

"Don't give me that crap. You just don't have the ambition to make progress." Liu Minghua said half-jokingly and half-seriously, but then he changed the subject. "Everyone has their own ambitions. I won't force you."

Liu Minghua's wife, whose full name is Li Hongxia, looks young at first glance, but upon closer inspection, crow's feet at the corners of her eyes have quietly appeared, which are the gentle traces left by the years. Her eyebrows and eyes are always filled with a festive atmosphere, and the corners of her mouth are hung with a cheerful smile, which makes people feel a sense of intimacy and warmth.

When Zhong Yuemin saw Li Hongxia coming out of the busy kitchen, he quickly stood up to greet her and said with a smile, "Sister Li, don't bother. Just two dishes will be enough. Lao Liu and I can get by with a plate of peanuts."

Hearing this, Li Hongxia smiled even more brightly. She wiped the water stains on her hands with her apron and said, "Xiao Zhong, please wait a moment. My husband Liu has been saying that he wants to thank you. Today I finally have the opportunity, and I must show my best." Li Hongxia's tone was full of determination and enthusiasm, as if she had been waiting for a long time to prepare this meal.

Seeing this, Zhong Yuemin waved his hand and tried to dissuade her. "Sister Li, please don't be so troublesome. If you act like this, I won't dare to come next time."

"No trouble, no trouble." Li Hongxia shook her head repeatedly, and the smile on her face became even warmer. She knew that Zhong Yuemin was really kind to them, and she would naturally repay this friendship in the best way.

Soon, a table full of sumptuous dishes was laid out. The braised pork was attractive in color and fragrant; the spare ribs were crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, full of flavor; chicken, duck, fish and meat were all available, and each dish embodied Li Hongxia's hard work and gratitude.

Liu Minghua picked up the bottle and skillfully poured wine for Zhong Yuemin and himself, then gently put the bottle down, seemingly forgetting that there were two ladies present. Seeing this, Lin Shufang immediately spoke unhappily: "Liu Minghua, what about me and Sister Li's? You can't be so partial!"

Liu Minghua was embarrassed when he heard this. He smiled and said in defense, "What kind of wine are you two women drinking? This wine is very strong and not suitable for you."

Lin Shufang didn't buy it. She retorted with a smile: "Liu Minghua, I find that you are even more stingy than Zhong Laoer. It's okay if you don't drink other wines, but the wine that Zhong Laoer brought here is a good thing that you can't drink anywhere else!" There was a bit of ridicule and expectation in her words, and it was obvious that she had a strong interest in this wine.

After Lin Shufang finished speaking, without waiting for Liu Minghua's response, she picked up the bottle and poured a large glass of wine for herself and Li Hongxia. Her movements were quick and decisive, as if she was declaring her sovereignty.

Seeing this, Zhong Yuemin cried out in a helpless tone, "Big sister, please be responsible for what you say! I was shot even when I was lying down!"

Lin Shufang ignored Zhong Yuemin's complaints. She raised her glass, her eyes sparkling with anticipation and joy, and said to Li Hongxia, "Come on, Sister Li, let's have a drink! For this rare good wine, and for our friendship!"

"Okay, let's drink!"