Lou Cheng: Upstairs from the city

Lou Cheng: Upstairs from the city

Author: Li Keyong Cheng Jingsi

Copywriting

Thoughts after watching The Pretender.

Minglou and Mingcheng, Mr. Ming and Ming's assistant, the rich generation and the poor generation.

Guaranteed not to abuse, try to relax as much as possible.

The old fox who is not too old VS the little sheep who is not too young, who is planning whom?

Content tags: urban love, karma, encounter near water, past and present

Search keywords: Protagonist: Ming Lou, Ming Cheng┃Supporting roles: Ming Zheng, Yue Ting, Uncle Li, Wang Zhongqiu┃Others:

Chapter 1

At 2:[-] in the middle of the night, Minglou strode out of the country club, took a deep breath of the cool air, and then squeezed the space between his eyebrows, finally feeling better.

The assistant behind him, Guo Feng, loosened his tie: "Congratulations, boss, you have won a big order."

"Inside, everything is arranged." Minglou pinched an old-style lighter with two fingers, opened and closed it, closed it and opened it again, but it did not light.

"Don't worry, we are all professionals, and we guarantee to serve you at home!" Guo Feng gave an American military salute with a dignified appearance.

Ming Lou smiled: "It's so ugly", and walked towards his Mercedes-Benz.

Guo Feng hurriedly followed and opened the door: "Are you going back to the courtyard or..."

The cunning rabbit has three caves, not to mention a big boss like Ming Lou.

"Shuangjing".

In the city at midnight, the hustle and bustle has faded away, and it is rare and quiet.

The car drove towards Shuangjing quickly, unable to hold back the creature, Guo Feng endured it, and still yawned.

Ming Lou in the back seat was facing out of the window, and his reflection was on the car window, with a thin face and undisturbed hairstyle, just like the old-fashioned Shanghainese.

The Ming family made its fortune in Shanghai, and the great-grandfather was once an important figure in the secret anti-Japanese war.The current situation was turbulent, and the Ming family eventually moved from Shanghai to Beijing. However, many of the rules and manners still inherited the customs of Shanghai, which were quite different from the characteristics of the capital.

Ming Lou, who was born and grew up in the imperial capital, can't speak the Erhua sound of Beijing movies, and looks more like a son of a wealthy family.

November 11st, the season of falling leaves.

The car drove into the mansion.

Assistant Guo sent the boss to the door, and suddenly remembered: "Oh, Mr. Ming, the housekeeping company said that they have assigned you a gold-medal housekeeper, five stars, and said that you will be satisfied this time."

Ming Lou nodded slightly, "If it doesn't work, change to another one."

Boss Ming didn't expect that it would be so troublesome for a small housekeeper to find a suitable one.

The so-called "suitable" in his mouth refers to being quiet and pleasing to the eye, seeing that he is often absent a few days ago, he actually regarded the apartment as his own home; the last cooking was not to his liking; the last one was always a nympho like this; another one...

Assistant Guo, who was full of slander against the boss, hurried away, and Ming Lou walked into the apartment alone. It was 120 square meters, with a bedroom and a study.

He doesn't like big houses, anyway, he lives alone.

There are two photo frames next to the computer in the study room. The one on the left was taken in Beijing in the 80s: grandparents, parents, sister and him; the old black and white photo on the right was taken in Shanghai in the 30s. A woman dressed as a lady is sitting dignified , behind them are three handsome men in suits, with a few words written in pen on the back of the photo: mirror, building, sincerity, and platform.

After taking a shower, Ming Lou sat at the desk and looked at the two photos, which was his daily habit.

Pick up the phone and dial.

"Hey, big sister..."

"Brother," the elder sister Mingzheng said quickly, "Why are you calling at this time, it's already midnight in Beijing, and you still not sleeping?" The airport announcement came from the microphone, in French, Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport.

"Just finished work, eldest sister is going to New York?" Ming Lou reached out to touch the photo frame, that old black and white photo.

"Yes, I will return to Beijing after going to New York."

"How are Mom and Dad?"

"You don't know the two of them, Paris today and Milan tomorrow."His father, Ming Ce, taught French at a university before retiring. Later, he turned down the school and returned to the job. He simply moved back to France with his mother. Anyway, since the Ming family started with the great-grandfather, each generation has an inseparable relationship with France.Yu Ming's family in France can be regarded as his second home. "Hey, little brother, let me tell you, Tonton is three years old, he can't always be by his grandparents' side, you are his father, it's best to take him back next year, just in kindergarten, if he stays any longer, he can't even speak Chinese. meeting……"

It is the eldest sister's style to never stop worrying, and it is no wonder that her father and mother are masters who only understand Fengyue, and the huge family business is directly passed on from the grandfather to the eldest sister. Sturdy and yet unmarried.

Minglou thought, why did grandpa call the word "Zheng" for the elder sister? For girls, even the word "Zheng" is fine.

"Hey, are you listening to the eldest sister?"

"Yes, yes, yes", Ming Lou quickly recovered, the eldest sister was very angry, and the consequences would be very serious, "Don't worry, elder sister, I will bring Ton back next year, I have already thought about the kindergarten."

The French airport announced that passengers flying to New York can board the plane, and the eldest sister put down the phone.

Rubbing his ears, Minglou took a long breath.

His eyes fell back to the old photos. It was a strange feeling. His name was Ming Lou, which was chosen by his grandfather Ming Guo himself, in memory of his great-grandfather Ming Lou.In the photo, Minglou stands in the center behind the elder sister Mingjing. The one on the left is called Mingtai, the younger brother of the Ming family; the one on the right is called Mingcheng, the assistant of the grandfather and the housekeeper of the Ming family.

Really just servants?Minglou clearly remembered that his grandfather told him that his great-grandfather ordered him to call Mingcheng "Father".

At 8:30 in the morning, Minglou entered the office on time.Assistant Guo began to read the schedule for the day in his notebook. With a full schedule, it was another day with no free time.

"Is Crazy Wang hospitalized?" Ming Lou interrupted suddenly, the corners of his mouth raised.

Assistant Guo suppressed his laughter, pretending to be paralyzed and "hmm".

Crazy Wang, whose real name is Wang Changfeng, is about the age of Chang Minglou, has no background, and climbs up to the top position of the group boss step by step.

He and Ming Lou are not friends who don't get together.In Wang Changfeng's words, they can only be regarded as gamblers, spending half their lives betting on who can kill the other first.

Minglou turned his back and stood in the office on the 38th floor overlooking the high-rises of the CBD. His back looked like a retired veteran cadre, "The business is still in my hands. It is not easy for him to work for nothing. How about it, you represent me , to visit him. He has a bad temper, Assistant Guo, remember to be patient."

Guo Feng lost his face in an instant, that Crazy Wang was not only having a bad temper, but it couldn't be worse. "Then what, can I apply for mental damage compensation?" Assistant Guo was a little worried.

"What do you think?" General Manager Ming spread out the folder.

At 17 o'clock, Assistant Guo, who was scolded by Crazy Wang so much that he wanted to go back to his mother's womb to practice again, finally returned to the office alive. Compared with Crazy Wang, his boss is an angel.

Ming Lou didn't raise his head: "Call the mansion, I'll go back to eat at 7 o'clock, and I want something light."

Then Assistant Guo remembered, and took out an A4 paper from his briefcase, "Okay, why don't you take a look at the resume of this housekeeper? He's still a chef."To say that the current housekeeping companies are professional enough, especially those that serve high-end apartments, each home decorator has a detailed resume, and the photos are like those of celebrities.

Ming Lou was probably tired, he raised his head slightly, and a young face came into view, male?With a little curiosity, he took the A4 paper.

The man in the photo is wearing a white shirt, with thick eyebrows and big eyes, but he has no expression, and seems a little nervous.With a good skin, he can be called a handsome guy.

Name: Ming Cheng.

Mingcheng...

Mingcheng!

At 18:55, Ming Lou opened the door of the mansion, looking forward to it.

There is an aroma of clear porridge on the face, which tastes like home.

The cooker hood in the kitchen made a slight noise, as expected of being imported from Northern Europe, and the noise was very small.

Someone is cooking.

Ming Lou saw the back of a man, who was a little three or four centimeters shorter than himself, very thin.A white shirt, a gray woolen vest, an apron over the outside, and sleeves on the forearms, in an old-fashioned style.

The man quickly put the dishes on a bone china plate, and turned around, "Mr. Ming, isn't that right. The dishes have just been fried, you can eat now", with a smile at the end, it is so bright, the lights are too bright?Minglou dazzled a little.

Lean pork porridge with preserved eggs, scrambled eggs with tomatoes, shredded pork with celery.

No matter how ordinary home-cooked dishes are, looking at the knife skills, it can be seen that they are professional.

After washing his hands, Mingcheng went to the laundry room to iron his employer's clothes.From time to time, he glanced at the living room from the corner of his eye, waiting for Ming Lou to put down his chopsticks before coming in to clean up.

After washing the dishes, Mingcheng took off his apron.As soon as he came out of the kitchen, he saw his employer standing in front of the window, holding a blue and white porcelain teacup in his hand. His posture was a bit like a veteran cadre, the kind above the provincial and ministerial level.

Ming Lou turned sideways at the right time: "Your name is Ming Cheng?"

"Yes".

"Ming is a rare surname, among hundreds of surnames..."

"Lonely surname".

"Where are you from?"

"Yanqing".Yanqing County, the northernmost part of the capital.

"You cook well. I heard that you have a chef certificate?"

"Yes, I became a chef after graduating from high school. Later, I changed my career to become a housekeeper. If Mr. Ming wants to eat anything in the future, he can notify me three hours in advance for general dishes."

"Okay", Ming Lou turned around and drank tea.

"Mr. Ming, you can call me Ah Cheng."

"……good".A string in my mind bounced and broke.

In front of him was another scene: two glasses of red wine on a large oak conference table.The two men in front of the window, the older one held a wine glass and said to each other, "I was injured just now, dare to drink?" The younger one took the wine glass without any hesitation, and clinked glasses!

Chapter 2

A week later, the boss of Mingda informed the assistant that there was no need to change the housekeeper.

Guo Feng breathed a sigh of relief, and secretly praised Comrade Ming Cheng, whom he had never met before, for making his boss impeccable, he must be a genius.

Mingcheng is the company's star housekeeper, and his face alone has captivated countless employers. Of course, this only refers to female employers, and male employers who are out of shape are often disdainful.

After the probationary period, Mingcheng was notified by the company that he would only work for the Ming family and be paid the same salary, on condition that he moved into the... nanny's room in the mansion.

Naturally, the nanny's room is in the worst condition, facing north, with a size of more than 10 square meters and a small bathroom.For a room in this place, the market price of a nanny house is no less than 60.Mingcheng opened his passbook, not knowing what it was like. He had worked for 10 years and had less than 30 deposits.

The heating came on early in the mansion, and the room facing north was also warm.

The work and rest time of the Ming mansion is unusually regular. Ming’s housekeeper wakes up at 5:30 to cook porridge and prepare breakfast; Mr. Ming wakes up at 6:7, drinks a cup of honey and lemonade, goes to the gym for a run, takes a shower, eats breakfast and reads the morning paper at 15:8; 10 : At [-] minutes, Assistant Guo came to report, and Mr. Ming went out.

If Mr. Ming returns to the mansion for dinner, he will ask his assistant to inform the housekeeper of the menu after lunch.

Enter at 18:50 and dine at 19:[-].

Although there are two big men living there, most of the time the mansion is quiet.Mr. Ming doesn't like to talk too much, and the Ming family administrator is also a seldom talker. Mr. Ming is a little curious because he doesn't talk too much. Isn't he bored?

Mr. Ming likes to drink tea after meals, Xinyang Maojian.The customary blue and white teacup was identified by an expert as imitating Yongzheng in the Republic of China, with the painting of Su Wu herding sheep on the body of the cup.

Minglou heard a story told by his grandfather Mingguo. His grandpa Minglou was accustomed to learning both Chinese and Western cultures. He was also a well-known fan of Peking Opera in Shanghai. Ming Cheng who is always on the left and right, and Ming Tai, the young master of the Ming family, is doing the acting.

Han Suwu was trapped in the sea of ​​bitterness in the desert.The king and the subject are waiting to be separated...

This play has another special meaning to the Ming family. After Ming Ce graduated, he stayed at the school to teach. That year, he got a ticket for the play. The first performer in the New Year's Cantata of the Peking Opera was an unknown young actor.Ming Ce fell in love at first sight with Da Tsing Yi, who sang old dramas on the stage. Half a year later, the two got married. Professor Ming's wife is Cheng Suyun, who sang "Su Wu Shepherd" on stage.

"Ah Cheng, are you listening to an opera?" Ming Lou was rarely interested in chatting.

After tidying up the kitchen, Mingcheng, who was about to go back to the nanny's room, stopped: "I heard it with grandma before."

"Sit", Ming Lou sat down first, the leather sofa, the sitting posture, a bit like a retired veteran cadre, "You have been here for a long time, and you have never chatted a few words."

After hesitating for a moment, Mingcheng sat on the sofa on the other side, with his legs together and his hands clasped around his knees. That sitting posture was more disciplined than that of a student.

Just, what are we talking about.

"Have you ever been to Shanghai?" The old house of the Ming family is now a historical and cultural relic protection unit.

"No", Ming Cheng bowed his head, his eyes fell on the blue and white teacup, Su Wu shepherds the sheep, and the painting is exquisite: "I have never been to the south."

"In winter, the north is more comfortable. Winter in Shanghai is very cold."

The north outside the window roared past, but the mansion was extremely warm.

Mingcheng remembered that in order to save money that year, the rented house did not have heating.Throughout the winter, he slept wearing two woolen trousers and two quilts. "I have been to few places, Mr. Ming, don't be offended."

Minglou leaned on the sofa, lowered his head, and saw Ah Cheng's hands on his knees. He had a pair of pianist's hands, with slender fingers, but he was with pots and pans every day. How could such a handsome man? ... "Where would you like to go if given the chance?"

"Suzhou", Mingcheng did not hesitate, "grandma's hometown".

Suzhou is also the hometown of the Ming family.

"Next time I go to Suzhou, I will take you with me", that's all a polite remark.

"Thank you," he replied equally politely.

"By the way, what do you usually do?"

Mingcheng pursed his lips: "Oh, I'll go back to my room when I'm done. Mr. Ming, don't worry, I won't..."

"I think too much, I'm just curious, I usually see you rarely talk."

"When you are not busy recently, practice big characters."

"Oh?" To Ming Lou's surprise, "Can I appreciate it?"

"This..." Ming became difficult, "My handwriting is ugly, I have improved, and I will show you, okay?"

"...Okay", Ming Lou was inexplicably looking forward to it.

Ming Lou was dreaming again. Since the year he went to France to study at university, he would dream of fragments from time to time. In the dream, he was like a witness, witnessing every detail of the two men.

One slumped on the sofa, pinching his temple with one hand, and the other worriedly said, "Brother, is your head hurting again?" He hurriedly got up to fetch a water glass and medicine. He had slender hands, comparable to those of a pianist.

Ming Lou woke up from a dream, it was still pitch black outside the window, it was 5:30 in the morning.

Can't sleep, just get up.

There was movement in the living room, Minglou opened a corner of the door, and there was a busy figure in the kitchen, washing rice and cooking porridge, still wearing the standard attire of white shirt, woolen vest, sleeves, and apron.

Assistant Guo had already checked Mingcheng's background: he grew up in an orphanage, was adopted at the age of 5, and was sent back to the orphanage at the age of 10 because he was abused by his adoptive mother for many years.He was so weak that he could only resign from his job as a cook, and then became a housekeeper.Probably the shadow of childhood, Mingcheng seems to be a little afraid of contacting women, and has no love history.

Ming is an orphan, and Ah Cheng has no relatives in this world.

Ming Lou stood behind the door, rubbing his temples, what happened recently, he seemed to pay special attention to this housekeeper, was it just because of the familiar name?

Mingcheng, or Mingcheng?

Turning around, there is another old black and white photo on the bedside table. Ming Jing is sitting, and Minglou and Mingtai are standing behind him. There is no Mingcheng. In name, he is only the housekeeper of the Ming family. After death, the tablet cannot enter the Ming family's ancestral hall.

In 1978, Minglou, whose reputation was restored, went to live in Beijing, and Mingcheng, who had been with him for 60 years, was still by his side.

Two people, from childhood to old age, have never been separated.

Three years later, Mingcheng passed away.

Grandpa recalled that after his Mingcheng father left, great-grandpa was just trying to survive.The family was mentally prepared and went to Yanqing to choose a place with beautiful mountains and rivers.Grandpa saw it himself and was very happy.

On the winter solstice of the same year, Minglou passed away.

Chapter 3

At 8:10, the almighty assistant Guo Feng rang the doorbell of the mansion on time.

Mingcheng opened the door, "Mr. Guo".

"Morning Ah Cheng!" Assistant Guo seemed to be pumped with blood, and he was full of energy every morning.

Young is good, Mr. Ming thought to himself, but he forgot that he is only 34 years old, and a man has 41 flowers, and he is still a flower bone.

After fetching the coat on the hanger, Mr. Ming stepped out of the door and turned around again: "Ah Cheng, I will be late at night, about 10 o'clock, let's cook some noodles."

"Understood", Mingcheng watched them leave.

I wipe!Assistant Guo seemed to have discovered something serious. His big boss actually took the initiative to report to the housekeeper. His tone sounded like a husband who went to work in a TV series!

Could it be that the boss, who never watched TV dramas, finally kept up with the times!

There is a disease called road mania.

Assistant Guo felt that he must have this disease. There was a lot of traffic in front of him, but he didn't move.

Mr. Ming in the back seat was closing his eyes and meditating: "Xiao Guo, did you buy the bracelet?"

"I bought it, I bought it", Assistant Guo "peeped" at his boss in the rearview mirror, the old god was there, like a fox, "The tailor shop will deliver the modified dress before noon, what's wrong with it Yes, there is still time to change it in the afternoon.”

"Ok".

Most of Mr. Ming's clothes are custom-made.Tailors in old Shanghai were good at making suits. Some of them came to Hong Kong back then, and now a few have returned to the mainland. Mr. Ming found such a shop, hidden deep in the alley: Yongzheng Tailor.Back then, it was one of the best tailor shops in Shanghai, and the ancestors of the Ming family all wore their clothes.

The rich and powerful always pay special attention to food and clothing, and the family background can be seen only from the details inside.

"Oh, the housekeeping company is doing a questionnaire survey. They will evaluate star employees every month. I want to ask you if you are satisfied with Mingcheng?"

"very nice".

Assistant Guo suddenly felt chills. Mr. Ming is thankful for not being sarcastic. Such a compliment makes people panic for no reason. "Boss, it's rare that you are so satisfied with your employees," a bit teasing.

"Am I picky?" Mr. Ming opened his eyes.

It's not just picky... Assistant Guo once again slandered the boss, but he didn't dare to say it even if he had a hundred guts, so he had to change his words: "You are a perfectionist."

Ming Lou looked out the car window.My father said that when you meet the right person, that person's flaws cease to be flaws.Just like mortise and tenon, cathode and anode, they attract each other, and nothing else matters.

He envied his father and met his mother.

Being in love with each other sounds romantic.

Ming Lou graduated from high school, picked up his bag, and went to France like his parents.

One day, the teacher who taught geopolitics suddenly got interested and asked foreign students about their impressions of France, most of them couldn't do without the word "romantic", and Minglou answered in the same way.The increasingly bloated female teacher said, "Actually, Chinese people are the most romantic."Seeing that everyone was puzzled, he explained, "Because the Chinese still believe in oneness and death."

At that time, the young and frivolous Ming Lou did not agree with the teacher's point of view. After many years, he realized that in this world, if someone can accompany him until he grows old, he would be so happy.

The end of the year is sad, and one banquet after another is overwhelming.

At 7 o'clock in the evening, Ming Lou participated in the year-end event of the financial magazine. The Cartier bracelet that Assistant Guo bought yesterday finally had its place.

"In Zhongqiu, you are so charming, even more so than before." Ming Lou held each other's slender hands like a gentleman, and kissed them.

Miss Wang's family, Wang Zhongqiu raised the corners of her mouth: "Brother, long time no see." She always loved flaming red lips, and her makeup was as strong as ever.

"Why, I'm finally willing to come back", Minglou joked, the two sat next to each other, and a charity sale was being held on the stage, and all the auctioned money was used for charity.

Wang Zhongqiu wore a white evening dress, the dress of a famous Shanghai lady in the old days, "Falling leaves return to their roots, you still have to come back, don't you?"

The two families were considered family friends, but later they turned against each other. Ming Zheng, the eldest sister of the Ming family, once ordered that "the Ming family should not form marriages, alliances, or old friends with the Wang family within three generations."The indistinct relationship between Ming Lou and Wang Yuqiu ended without a problem.

Assistant Guo appeared at the right time and presented the bracelet.

Miss Wang was naturally happy: "Why is senior brother spending so much money?"

"Congratulations on your return to China." Turning his eyes to the stage, the host yelled vigorously. The auction is a blue and white Sancai bowl from the late Qing Dynasty and the early Republic of China.

It's a bit interesting, "Empty City Strategies" is often performed on the stage of Peking Opera. If it is not the whole Taiwan play, "Zhan Ma Su" after the solo performance is rarely performed. Ming Lou suddenly became interested and picked up the number plate on the table.

16, when Ming Lou raised his card for the third time, there was no one to contend for.

"Congratulations, brother, the thing you want is finally yours," Miss Wang said with a smile.

Ming Lou put down the number plate, "It's not that you don't know, it's rare for me to indulge once, and I will be scolded by the eldest sister again someday."

Mentioning the eldest sister of the Ming family, Wang Zhongqiu felt resentful. There was nothing she hated more than Ming Zheng in her life, which made her have no chance to become Mrs. Ming in this life! "Senior brother is not young, and he still needs to be disciplined by Chairman Ming. I'm not worth it for you."

Ming Lou's eyes were still on the stage, as if he didn't care, "I've gotten used to it after so many years. My parents don't care about mundane affairs, and my eldest sister brought me up. I always listen to what she says."

"Miss Wang really has a deep affection for the boss." After closing the car door, Assistant Guo said to Ming Lou with a little teasing.He has been an assistant for many years, and he has seen a lot of games between rich people.Generally, when the word "money" is involved, it is not so simple to talk about feelings.

"Just laugh." Mr. Ming rubbed his brows. He is also used to hypocrisy, but recently he dislikes such occasions more and more. "The shopping mall is like a battlefield. Although the Wang family is not as good as before, the location of those lands is too good to allow them to fall into the hands of others."

Wang Zhongqiu's uncle, Wang Fuqu, was in charge of the Wang family. In the past few years, he had frequently won land titles. Recently, funds were tight, and he must find a partner in the next year. Otherwise, the land would be taken back by the government if there was no construction.Ming Lou Zao has chosen two of the prime locations, and he is bound to win them.

It's just that Crazy Wang will definitely grab whatever he likes.

In fact, Minglou never minded marrying a woman from an aristocratic family in exchange for greater benefits, but the elder sister Mingzheng had spoken beforehand, and the Ming family forbade any political marriage. The Wang family is deeply rooted, and if the elder sister finds out about cooperating with the Wang family, she might kneel down in the ancestral hall.Up to now, it's a bit difficult to ride a tiger.

Assistant Guo secretly admired that the boss is worthy of being the boss, but he is more cunning than others.Mr. Ming is a fox.

Chapter 4

At 21:56, Mr. Ming entered the door.

A few minutes ago, Assistant Guo received a kind call from Mingjia's administrator, asking about the road conditions.

Noodles, if soaked in the soup for a long time, the taste will be much worse.

Ming's clerk poked his head out of the kitchen: "Sir, dinner will be served in 10 minutes."

10 minutes, just enough time for Ming Lou to wash his hands and catch his breath.

Putting on light home clothes and stepping out of the cloakroom, there was a steaming bowl of noodles on the table.

Fragrant, really fragrant.

The soup is hanging chicken soup, the noodles are hand-rolled noodles, and there are fungus, green vegetables and a fried egg of orange and orange.

Sure enough, people are more angry than people. Mr. Ming remembered that his assistant had cooked noodles in green soup once. He put down his chopsticks after tasting two mouthfuls, and said in disgust, "This noodle is really unpalatable."

Without eating or sleeping, Mr. Ming started quickly. After 10 minutes, it was dried, and there was not even a drop of soup left.

Ming Cheng came out to clean up the bowls and chopsticks, he was a little bit surprised, the porcelain bowl was so clean, inexplicably reminded me of my childhood, I always had to lick it after eating...

As usual, Mr. Ming stood in front of the window with a teacup in his hand, as usual, instructing the veteran cadres in Jiangshan how to behave.It is his habit to drink some tea no matter how late he eats.

"Ah Cheng, have you had dinner yet?"

Ah Cheng wiped the table: "I've eaten, rice." He had an inexplicable insistence that he would never touch what he prepared for his employer.

A little embarrassed, Mr. Ming bowed his head to drink tea. "I'm going on a business trip in a while, so you can take a few days off and treat it as a vacation."

"What do you need to bring, I will prepare first."

In fact, I don’t need anything, I’m going to Shanghai, it’s almost like going home.When the words came to my lips, for some reason, it was changed to "rice, you made it, can you take it away?"

...? !

On the first day in Shanghai, Ming Lou regretted it.

Ah Cheng should really be brought along.

At 21:[-], when we returned to the apartment, Mr. Ming told Assistant Guo: cook the noodles.

Sure enough, Mr. Ming stared at the noodles in front of him: the soup is a veritable clear soup, the noodles are machine-rolled hand-rolled noodles, just a few vegetable leaves, and the eggs are obviously overcooked...

"This side is really unpalatable!"

Assistant Guo thought that the boss would say "don't eat" next, and the painting style changed suddenly. The boss reached out to open the food box, "Fortunately, there are fried noodles", so he happily ate fried noodles.

Chef Ming's diced pork fried sauce.

Fragrant, really fragrant.

Assistant Guo, who was still hungry, boldly asked, "Boss, can you give me some?"

Perhaps it was a short circuit in the brain, Mr. Ming nodded.

Assistant Guo ran into the kitchen to serve noodles.He sat down to the other side of the dining table with lightning speed and took a spoon to fill the fried sauce.

Mr. Ming raised his head and frowned slightly: "Why do you eat so much!"

"Then what, I'm hungry." Regardless of what the boss said, Assistant Guo picked up the bowl and hid in the kitchen, sucking on the noodles.Next time, I will definitely not be able to eat such a fragrant fried sauce.

Woo... Assistant Guo mourns for himself for a second.

The purpose of coming to Shanghai is to inspect the branch office. In addition, the Ming family's old house is here, and I can't let go of my affection.

The old house is located on Huaihai Road, and is now a historical and cultural protection unit. Although it is open to the outside world, there are very few tourists who come to visit it.

As a descendant of the Ming family, the privilege Ming Lou can enjoy is free visits.

This is a two-story western-style building built in the early years of the Republic of China.As soon as you enter the door, you will find the living room, dining room and kitchen. There is also a suite for the grandfather Minglou. On the second floor are the bedrooms of Mingjing, Mingcheng and Mingtai, as well as the small ancestral hall of the Ming family.

The house survived for a hundred years, but the interior furniture was burned as firewood during the catastrophe.The cultural relics protection unit restored the furnishings on the first floor based on several old photos.After all, it is a restoration product, not as exquisite as the original.

The Chinese, who have been proud for 3000 years, fell from heaven to hell in the last 150 years.In those turbulent years, I don't know how many people lost their lives at a young age in search of a way to save the country.

Like Minglou and Mingcheng, those who survived by chance still have to face the injustice in the world.They pretended to work for the Japanese and puppet government, and were called traitors and national thieves.After liberation, after going through several campaigns, the two men whose reputations were restored were both in their dying years.Minglou didn't want to go back to Shanghai because it was a sad place. His elder sister Mingjing died here, and his younger brother Mingtai was tortured here, and he almost met the King of Hades.

Going up to the second floor, Ming Lou pushed open the small ancestral hall, the room was cold and empty, and there was no memorial tablet.

"Sister, I'm in the old house."

Ming Zheng on the other end of the phone paused, "Is it in a bad mood?"

"No, I'm here on a business trip, just take a look."

"You, always can't let go."Perhaps the ancestors had suffered too much. The two generations of Ming Ce and Ming Lou had very good luck, and their careers and business were always unfavorable, but Ming Lou always felt sad when he came to the old house.

The old house is like an indelible testimony, always reminding Ming Lou that his ancestors fought for the new China despite the infamy of "traitors and national thieves". The only one who knows all this is Ming Cheng.

Mingcheng said, "Who is the elder brother doing for, it has nothing to do with me, I only know that I am doing for him."

"According to the weather forecast, it's snowing again in New York. Sister, keep warm." Minglou walked to the window and looked down at the grass below, the old badminton court.

"Okay, I'm an old man. I'm going back to Beijing next week."

"I'll go to the airport to pick up the chairman."

"General Manager Ming, it's 11:38pm Eastern Time, can I sleep?"

Puchi, Ming Lou laughed and said, "Chairman Ming, good night!"

Mingzheng and Minglou are two years old, and he has the demeanor of an elder sister since he was a child.His father was a nerd, and Ming Zheng studied with his grandfather Ming Guo since he was sensible. At the age of 21, his grandfather passed away, and Wang Fuqu tried to annex the Ming family. The eldest sister immediately gave up her studies, but insisted that her younger brother finish his studies in France.

In the past two years, Minglou has gained a firm foothold, and Mingzheng has gradually faded out. She knows very well that this family always needs a man to support the family.It's just that being a strong woman for a long time has finally delayed the marriage.

Hey, a long sigh in my heart.Ming Lou walked out of the old house.

The moon is cloudy and sunny, and everything can't always go well.

Fortunately, it is a peaceful and prosperous age, people always have a choice, and people in that turbulent age can't control everything by themselves.

Chapter 5

Minglou "visited" his old house in Shanghai, and Mingcheng from Beijing was invited into the housekeeping company to accept the boss's praise.

This "Wulong Housekeeping Service Company" specializes in high-end property services, and the employers are either rich or expensive, and they can't afford to mess with any of them.To say that among today's housekeepers, it is really hard to find someone like Mingcheng who is first-class in technology, conduct, and appearance.Based on the principle that those who can do more work, the boss will naturally not let Mingcheng be idle, so Mingcheng has another job, teaching other housekeepers.

Looking at the group of fat and thin female compatriots under the stage, Ming Cheng was afraid, the shadow of his childhood was too deep, he just wanted to stay away from these people, far away.

This class taught Sichuan cuisine. After the class, several young girls rushed forward, calling it an extra-curricular exchange.Mingcheng picked up his down jacket and ran away.He felt at ease when he ran out of the company and went to a place where no one knew him.He knew he was sick and had seen a psychiatrist, but he couldn't be cured.For this reason, he even gave up the idea of ​​getting married and having children, why not just live alone.

In the rare warm sun in winter, Mingcheng put on a down jacket and woolen gloves. After a while, his hands were finally no longer cold.

He is not very particular about his clothes, just tidy.The blue down jacket was bought five years ago; a few shirts have been worn for no less than three years; the fur vest was woven by "grandmother" when she was still alive.

Opening the door of the mansion, the heating blows in, Ming Cheng's favorite temperature.

After graduating from high school, he worked N jobs, such as chef, driver, courier, cashier, and cleaner. He once lost consciousness in the winter for only 20 yuan.

In contrast, the job of the Ming family is extremely cost-effective.

The cleaning staff from the mansion area came in the morning, and the room was exceptionally clean.

Mingcheng made himself a cup of tea, 50 pounds of jasmine tea, and stood on the balcony with the cup in his hand. The afternoon sun shone on his body. It was warm and nice.

Mingcheng's dream is to buy a house.Life has long made him bow his head to reality, and continuing to study is probably just an extravagant wish. 30, just enough for the down payment, he probably cannot get a loan for a job like this.The housing prices in the capital make people more and more out of reach. When will I be able to own my own home...

The sudden ringing of the phone, Mingcheng dug out the Nokia number from his down jacket, 138, an unknown number.

"Hello, hello..."

"Ah Cheng".

"Mr. Ming, you..."

"I'll go back tomorrow and prepare for dinner."

"Okay, you..."

"You look ready."

"Understood, you..."

"Also, my eldest sister will return to Beijing next week. She has a stomach upset. Please go to the courtyard and teach Axiang. That girl is always rough."

"This……"

"That's it, I will give you a red envelope during the Chinese New Year."

Beep...the phone hangs up.

This Mr. Ming is a little strange.

Mr. Ming, who had just finished the meeting, was admiring the scenery of the Huangpu River. There was still 15 minutes before the next meeting. For some reason, he made such a phone call.

The moment Assistant Guo opened the door and walked in, what Mr. Ming thought was, how much should the red envelope be given?

At noon, the few male compatriots from the housekeeping company had dinner together, Ah Cheng, it's hard not to go.

They are all family members, and it is not easy to get together in one place.The topic is always inseparable from tickets, children, houses and cars. Ah Cheng is the youngest and can't get in the conversation, so he just keeps talking.He has a slight obsession with cleanliness, and he doesn't like to be messy. Every time he has a dinner, he eats the least amount of food, and he is busier than anyone else.

Back to the mansion, it was already 3 o'clock in the afternoon.After washing off the peculiar smell on his body, he began to prepare Mr. Ming's dinner.

The northerners say get rid of the noodles with dumplings, so Mingcheng decided to make ramen.

There are many kinds of Chinese food, but in the years when he was cooking, Sichuan cuisine was still the most fried dish.Pasta, not proficient.Later, when he worked as a housekeeper, his first employer was a ramen chef from Lanzhou. He regarded him as half of his apprentice, and he almost kowtowed to his teacher.

At 18:30, Mr. Ming entered the door early.Assistant Guo came in after smelling the aroma, "Then what, I haven't eaten dinner yet."

Assistant Guo's guts