Chapter 388 Backing
Si Ningning set up the steaming tray in the back pot, moved the vegetables in to heat it, and freed up the front pot to heat rice.
Just halfway through the work, there was a conversation in the front room.
Si Ningning turned around, clasping his hands slightly awkwardly.
Holang walked into the kitchen, took her hand and squeezed it in his broad palm.
“Any dependence and fear will only make you the child who only runs away because of fear. Books can’t give you the answer, and others can’t solve it for you.”
He encouraged her slowly:
“Aning, only you can make yourself calm.”
"I will always regard you as a treasure and always take care of you, but I know that you don't want to be treated like a child by me and others forever."
During the heavy snowfall two years ago, Huo Lang really felt Si Ningning's fragility.
He doesn’t want it to happen again, but there are some things that cannot be solved by being cautious all the time. Instead, we have to start from the root.
“An egg can only be food when opened from the outside, but it can be opened from the inside and it can be reborn.”
“Don’t be afraid to face it...I will always be with you.”
In the main room, Si Zhennan, who was wearing an elegant Chinese tunic suit and carrying a briefcase, seemed a little uneasy.
Originally, there was a kind smile on his face. After meeting Si Ningning's eyes, he restrained his smile and was too cautious to smile, let alone say a word.
It looked like Si Ningning was a father and mother, and Si Zhennan was a son and daughter.
Si Ningning looked at him in silence for a long time, then finally relaxed, turned around and rubbed the corners of his eyes quietly, and was busy serving dishes and rice:
“Invite him to sit down.”
"I'm coming, I'm coming. You take off your clothes and wash your hands. You just ate some food on the table and nothing else. I'll serve you some rice."
Huo Lang pushed Si Ningning aside and was busy in front of the stove.
Seeing this scene from a distance, the slightest worry in Si Zhennan's heart was gradually relieved.
Inadvertently, a happy smile appeared on the dry lips, and it was this brief moment that was captured by Si Ningning again.
Si Ningning looked at Si Zhennan as if he were a stranger, but Si Zhennan became as reserved as before.
While he was busy, Huo Lang took some time to look towards the main room. Seeing that the atmosphere was not good, he put the rice into a tray and brought it to the table in the main room along with the other two dishes.
"Come all the way, you haven't eaten yet, right? These are all made by Ning Ning herself. Sit down and have something to eat."
Compared to Si Ningning, who has cannibalistic eyes, Huo Lang, who has a handsome and kind face, is not easy to talk to.
Si Zhennan didn't hold it either, just like a clerk in front of his boss, he politely sat down on the table while pushing back.
There were still a few dishes in the pot that had not been taken out. Huo Lang turned around with the tray in hand, looked at Si Ningning during the break and said:
“An Ning, what are you doing standing there stupidly? Get a glass of water quickly.”
Si Ningning reluctantly went to pour water.
Huo Lang smiled at Si Zhennan and then went to the kitchen.
Si Zhennan is familiar with La Jia Chang:
“What a big girl…”
Si Ningning sneered and interrupted Si Zhennan’s words:
"I only let you come here to protect my own reputation. Don't think that this means I forgive you."
Si Zhennan held the enamel jar and rubbed it around:
“I’m very happy if you are willing to let me come.”
Si Zhennan still remembers what happened when Si Ningning returned to the city to visit relatives last year.
He knows that he is not a competent father, so now he is not welcomed by his daughter. He has no way to defend himself, let alone anything to say.
But when it comes to marriage, parents should be present...
Si Zhennan had always remembered what Si Ningning had said about his romantic partner. He wanted to come, but he was afraid that Si Ningning would still blame him and hold him grudge.
So much so that when I received the letter later, I still hesitated whether it was true...
The stalemate did not improve until Holang came to the table.
Si Zhennan did not dare to discipline Si Ningning as a father, but in front of Huo Lang, he naturally asked about Huo Lang's situation and family life as his father-in-law.
Such as how many people are in the family, what is your current job status, what diplomas do you have, and how much income you have.
What are your plans for the future, etc.?
Huo Lang took a chopstick dish to Si Ningning who was immersed in eating, and then answered truthfully.
Three generations of his family have joined the army, and the conditions are actually quite comfortable.
Any situation that can be stated openly will make Si Zhennan nod with satisfaction.
Just one thing, Si Zhennan expressed a little bit of reluctance about the future development of Huo Lang and others in coastal cities, but before he could say anything, Si Ningning said something back:
"This is Holang's work arrangement. You don't think you are qualified to intervene in this matter, do you?"
Si Zhennan was instantly embarrassed and stopped speaking, while Huo Lang disapproved and shouted "Ning Ning".
That "Ningning" sound was a little serious, but in an instant, when facing Si Zhennan, Huo Lang's attitude became gentle again:
"I heard that Ning Ning said that you are a railway engineer? Now that the country is reforming, all provinces are actively preparing to expand railway facilities. In the future, transportation will be convenient, and it doesn't matter whether the distance is far or not. If you want to see Ning Ning, you can visit her at any time. We I can also come and see you.”
To be honest, Si Ningning didn't want to face Si Zhennan for a moment, but Huo Lang was right. There were some things that she might need to be calm about.
Likes and dislikes are not important at all. This life is neither very long nor very short. She will not have much time to face Si Zhennan. Si Ningning began to eat quietly. For a while, the conversation between Huo Lang and Si Zhennan could only be heard occasionally at the dinner table.
Si Zhennan works in a public institution, and because of his special occupation, there are not many opportunities to take vacations, and the chance of success in applying for leave is also low.
He was prepared to be kicked out when he came to Province H, so he did not plan to stay long, but in fact, he was not kicked out.
Not only was he not kicked out, on the contrary, Holang also mentioned that the climate between the north and the south is different. If he is not busy at work, he can stay for two more days to experience the experience.
Si Zhennan spends at least eight months of the year traveling all over the world to survey the terrain.
What is the latitude of which place?
What the climate is like.
He knows exactly what wind blows in what season and what the normal humidity is.
However, he obviously couldn't spare any time to stay. When he saw his daughter's indifferent face, he paused.
Set away the previous embarrassment, Si Zhennan smiled relaxedly and kindly:
“Excuse me, I also want to see what the place where Ning Ning has lived in the past two years is like.”
In the past, when daughters were not married, they did not have many opportunities around them. Now that they are married, there will be even less opportunities in the future.
Whether it’s acting coquettishly or getting angry and making a red face, when I think about how we will be far apart in the future, it will be difficult to go home for a reunion during the New Year.
Si Zhennan felt extremely sore in his heart, and his smile became increasingly bitter and forced.
Horang saw that this situation would not only fail to achieve the effect he wanted, but might also push the conflict between father and daughter deeper, so he suggested:
"You must be tired from the journey here, right? Ning Ning packed up the guest room yesterday, why don't you take a rest first?"
“Oh, good.”
Si Zhennan nodded quickly.
Took Si Zhennan to the room on the left side of the first floor. Huo Lang turned back and frowned at his boss Ningning.
He smiled helplessly, helped Si Ningning clear away the mess on the table, and said in a low voice:
“He could choose not to come, but he came. Do you know why?”
Because you still have concern for this blood-related daughter, or is it love?
Yes, perhaps there is no parent in the world who does not love their children, but there are many levels of love. For example, the palms of the hands and the backs of the hands are all flesh, but the flesh of the palms is always thicker than the back of the hands.
Si Ningning understood this, but she still showed a stubborn side:
"I'm not interested in this issue. Also, next time, don't say that I prepared something. I didn't do that. Don't deliberately create a considerate and filial side of me in front of him."
“I don’t need it, and he doesn’t need it either.”
“Are you angry? Because I asked him to come over.”
"No. I just... forget it, it's nothing."
Si Ningning shook her head and denied it, but did not continue.
This aspect is indeed her weakness, and she doesn’t know how to handle it better.
“Only by completing the necessary journey can we live an ideal life.”
Si Ningning deliberately avoided it, but Huo Lang didn't give her the chance:
“There will always be some bad experiences and sudden bitterness in life, which is inevitable, but at the same time there will also be many just-right sweetness... If you are dissatisfied with something or unwilling to accept anything, you can ask frankly.”
“The answer you get may not be satisfactory, but at least it is truthful and will let you know that it was not your fault.”
"In the end, whether you hate it or forgive it, you can be happy. You know, you are my family, and I will always be your backing."
Horang held her hand and said seriously:
“I love you, Sanae loves you, Hegu loves you, every comrade in the educated youth spot likes you, you have never been unimportant, there is no doubt about it.”
Si Ningning was stunned for a moment, and the next moment, his eyes felt sore and hot for no reason.
Horang's words, and the angle from which he started, were something she had never imagined.
Two lifetimes of unfair treatment and two lifetimes of hurt were not because she was not good enough, nor was it her fault.
It’s just that people are biased.
Gently wiping away the tears from the corners of Si Ningning's eyes, Huo Lang took the dishes from her hands, wetted the towel and wiped her oily hands clean, then took her hand and led her straight to the attic.
The attic is Sanmiao and Hegu's room, but obviously it would be better to briefly separate Si Ningning and Si Zhennan at this time.
Horang placed Si Ningning down on a small bed with hidden decorations, and softly comforted:
“You are tired after getting up early today. You should rest first and have a good sleep. You can think about this matter slowly in the past two days. No matter what decision you make in the end and what the consequences are, I will support you, respect you, and protect you.”
Huo Lang wanted to say that he would always be Si Ningning's backing, but because of his previous mission, he knew that he owed Si Ningning a lot. He didn't want to say more nice words. He wanted to leave the slightest chance for Si Ningning to live in the future. Look at his actions.
Si Ningning frowned and nodded silently.
Holang half-closed the curtains on the small window, turned around and leaned over the bed and kissed Si Ningning on the head. After coaxing him a few words in a low voice, he closed the small wooden door of the attic and went downstairs.
Si Ningning sniffed. There were clumps of bamboos outside the window, and the shadows of the bamboo leaves on the curtains were intertwined in an unorganized manner, just like her chaotic thoughts at this time.
Si Ningning lowered her eyelids, hugged the pillow and took a deep breath.
She more or less understands Huo Lang’s intentions, so she will think about it carefully...
(End of this chapter)