latelenovela Chapter 390 The Soft Landing of the Cage
Chapter 390 The Soft Landing of the Cage
Not far behind, Zhuang Chaoying and Lin Wufeng, two men, were also chatting quietly.
Lin Wufeng's face showed admiration. "Teacher Zhuang, sometimes I really admire your courage. I really didn't expect you and Sister Ling to be in such good health, to be able to have a child at this age. I admire you so much."
Zhuang Chaoying waved her hand slightly. "What's there to admire? Luckily, Ah Ling is alright, otherwise I would have regretted it to death. By the way, is the pill I gave you still working?"
Lin Wufeng was slightly taken aback when he heard this. He didn't answer directly, but just smiled and nodded, and patted Teacher Zhuang on the shoulder.
"Let's hurry up, or we won't be able to catch up with them."
After saying that, he quickened his pace and walked towards Huang Ling and Song Ying, trying to hide his embarrassment.
Seeing Lin Wufeng's reaction, Zhuang Chaoying smiled and quickly followed after him.
. . . . . . . . . . . .
At Tongji University's Design Institute, Zhuang Tunan and his fellow students are engaged in discussions about their first postgraduate project—hospital design.
The office was piled high with blueprints. Wanshu was in another group, and everyone was being closely chased by the busy work pace.
For the past week, Zhuang Tunan and Wan Shu have been like two spinning tops.
Aside from having a short meal together at noon and in the evening, we never really have time to have a proper chat.
The life of a "drawing dog" is truly one where, apart from drawing, being able to steal a moment to rest, even if it's just to eat an apple, brings immense joy.
Fortunately, after a week of working day and night, the hospital's design drawings were finally completed.
Zhuang Tunan straightened up and stretched. His two senior brothers couldn't stay awake any longer and went back to catch up on sleep. Naturally, the task of delivering the blueprints to Professor Zhou fell to Zhuang Tunan.
Wan Shu, who was sitting behind him, also stood up and stretched her stiff shoulders. "Tu Nan, where are you going? I've finished drawing the picture I'm working on, I can finally breathe a sigh of relief."
Zhuang Tunan answered while tidying up the blueprints, looking at him with gentle eyes.
"I'm going to deliver the blueprints to Professor Zhou. It shouldn't take too long. Wait for me downstairs."
Tu Nan walked out of the office carrying the blueprints, and Wan Shu followed him to the bottom of the tenement building, waving at him. "I'll be waiting for you."
Zhuang Tunan arrived at Professor Zhou's house; this was his first time stepping into the house.
Pushing open the door reveals a small space, probably only ten square meters.
There was a bunk bed at the far end, and a single bed at the entrance. Opposite the entrance was a dining table and a desk. The whole room was even smaller than the tenement building where they used to live.
Professor Zhou was sitting in a chair, chatting enthusiastically with two young people.
Zhuang Tunan looked closely and realized that one of them was Li Jia.
Professor Zhou waved warmly when he saw Tu Nan arrive. "Tu Nan, come in and sit on the bed. It's a small room, so please don't laugh. These two are from our city's planning bureau. They've come to discuss this plan with us. Wang Shangwen and Li Jia were also from our school. If I remember correctly, you two were in the same year, right?"
"Yes, Zhuang Tunan and I are classmates."
"Li Jia, it's been a long time, old classmate."
Zhuang Tunan smiled and nodded to the two of them, then took out the blueprints and handed them to Professor Zhou.
Then, he began to answer several questions the teacher had asked about the project.
Zhuang Tunan spoke clearly and methodically about his preparations: "Before I started, I researched a lot of hospital design materials. I carefully considered the layout of the various functional areas of the hospital before I started drawing." As he spoke, his eyes were focused and confident, and he exuded a professional charm.
Looking at Zhuang Tunan, who was speaking eloquently, Li Jia couldn't help but feel a sense of desolation.
If I had been braver back then and boldly pursued my feelings, would I be like this now...?
However, she rejected the idea as soon as it arose.
My family situation didn't allow it, but my younger brother, Awen, was admitted to a vocational school in Shanghai this year, which lightened my burden a bit.
She works at the planning bureau, and through her work, she has a clear understanding of the future development trends of Shanghai.
She planned that once the housing development in Pudong was completed, she would definitely buy a house, a house that truly belonged to her.
When they came down from the tenement building, Li Jia saw Wan Shu sitting in a chair.
She stepped forward and waved. "Wanshu, long time no see."
Wan Shu stood up and replied with a smile, "Li Jia, long time no see. How are you doing at the planning bureau?"
Li Jia smiled and spoke in a relaxed tone. "It's fine. You and Tu Nan are doing well too?"
"We're doing fine. Aren't you going to think about your personal life?"
Li Jia smiled and shook her head, then looked at Wang Shangwen waiting to the side and patted Wan Shu's arm. "The Planning Bureau is waiting for us to go back. Let's get together again sometime."
Looking at the happy Zhuang Tunan and Wanshu, Li Jia felt a sudden sense of loneliness that she herself could hardly perceive as she turned to leave.
She began to reflect on what she was doing working so hard for.
Is it so that my parents can return to Shanghai in the future, and so that Awen can gain a foothold in Shanghai?
Upon closer reflection, it's not entirely true.
She was actually healing herself, trying to break free from the "soft landing cage" that her parents had imposed on her and woven around her, a cage that seemed fair but was actually binding her for life. She wanted to live for herself and pursue a life that truly belonged to her.
. . . . . . .
A Sunday in early June.
This day marks another day when the "plastic bag army" is out in force.
Huang Ling and Song Ying have been busy these past few days. They are worried about the children's life in Shanghai, and are concerned that they are not eating or sleeping well.
The last time Xiaoting and Dongzhe went home, Tu Nan couldn't come back with them because he was drawing blueprints day and night. Dongzhe's description made Huang Ling feel very sorry for him.
They made some food at home that was easy to store and sent it to the children.
Beef jerky, dried small fish, pickled mustard greens and pickled radish.
After they finished cooking, they packed up the food and prepared to mail it to Xiaoting in Shanghai, and to share it with Dongzhe, Tunan, Wanshu, and Pengfei.
In a graduate student dormitory in Shanghai, Lin Dongzhe and Xiaoting stood at the gate, diligently registering their belongings, each carrying a heavy net bag. The gatekeeper, an elderly man, looked at the two young people and chuckled, "Bringing your brother something delicious again?"
Xiaoting winked mischievously and said, "Yes, grandpa!"
After registering, the two quickly walked into the dormitory building.
Lin Dongzhe said excitedly as he walked, "Brother, look what delicious food I brought you! Aren't you surprised?"
As he spoke, he and Xiaoting shook the net bags in their hands.
Zhuang Tunan was deep in thought, staring at blueprints in his dormitory, when he heard the sound. He looked up and saw his younger sister and Dong Zhe. He quickly put down his pencil and went to greet them.
He looked at the nets. "So many!"
Lin Dongzhe put down his schoolbag and opened one of the bags. "There's more here. Mom said this is for you, your sister-in-law, and Pengfei. I've already put mine and Xiaoting's in. This pickled vegetable shreds is my mom's specialty. Tu Nan, do you remember when you went to Yunyao Ancient City, my mom brought you a bottle?"
When Zhuang Tunan heard the words "our mom," his heart tightened, and he hurriedly turned around to look at his three roommates who were curiously peering out and eagerly waiting for him.
"Our mom? What do you mean, our mom? It's my mom. My mom makes such delicious dried fish. Your eyes are practically popping out of your heads. Anyone who wants some should go buy some steamed buns."
Xiaoting couldn't help but laugh when she saw her brother's expression. "Brother, Aunt Song and Mom made it together."
Zhuang Tunan pointed at her, pretending to be angry. "Can't you speak up for your brother?"
. . . . .