Chapter 99 Return Home

  In order to enable more ambitious young people to obtain a precious job opportunity, and also to alleviate the country's increasingly tense employment pressure, an ambitious young man with dreams, after facing countless struggles and repression, resolutely chose to give up his comfortable working environment and threw himself into the reserve army supporting the country's four modernizations. Thus, among the large number of laid-off workers, there was one more new recruit named Kang Jian...

  I hastily walked out of this landmark building that marked the beginning and brief end of my career, without any reluctance or nostalgia. I even felt a few more points of relaxation from the moment I stepped out of the gate. Under this relaxed mood, I got into a taxi parked at the entrance and told the driver the location of Qin Ke's father's company.

  After entering the company of Qin Ke Yi's father, when the receptionist found out that I didn't have an appointment, her expression immediately changed from a warm and enthusiastic smile to a deep and solemn one, telling me that without an appointment, it was impossible to see President Qin.

  "Kang Jian! How did you get here?" Li Jia suddenly appeared behind me, asking in surprise, and also made me feel that things had taken a turn for the better, and I secretly thanked her for her timely appearance.

  "I've come to find Ke Yi's father."

  "Are you looking for him?"

  "Yes! It's very important!" I replied firmly, making it hard for Li Jia to refuse.

  "Alright! You and I will go!" Li Jia said after finishing, turned around and walked into their company, while I followed Li Jia into the company with a smile of protest to the receptionist.

  Li Jia brought me to a door with a sign that read "Chairman" and knocked on it, after which I heard the words "come in" from inside, so Li Jia pushed open the door.

  "Kang Jian! How did you come?" Qin Ke Yi's father was lowering his head to look at something, and when he saw me coming in, he asked me in surprise.

  "I think this should be given to you..." I took out the resignation letter that I had just written and handed it to Qin Ke Yi's father, who was looking at me with a puzzled expression. I don't know if as someone who has seen many resignation letters in his life, he would identify with the one I wrote without much experience.

  "You still know?" Qin Ke's father glanced at me roughly, thought for a moment, and said with a smile.

  "Yes! So this time I came mainly to thank you."

  "You don't have to thank me... if you want to thank someone, thank Ke Yi instead. She was the one who came running to ask for my help... from this point alone, you can see how good she is to you, so good that it makes me, as her father, a little jealous... but I also want to thank you, because without you, Ke Yi might not have come looking for me, and our relationship might still be strained. Now it's better, somewhat eased." Qin Ke Yi's father's words once again confirmed my guess.

  "You two are father and daughter, reconciliation is just a matter of time... You don't have to thank me."

  "What are you planning to do next?" Qin Ke's father sighed, slowly got up from his seat, walked to the window, and asked me while looking outside.

  "No specific plans... continue looking for work..."

  "Kang Jian... I don't want to discuss anything childish or mature with you, you're already so old, you should understand the reasoning... You like my daughter, then you must give her happiness... So sometimes you need to consider things more comprehensively... I also need to remind you, our previous agreement is still in effect..." Qin Ke's father said solemnly with his back to me.

  "I understand, but I still have to thank..."

  "I understand, I can only wish you good luck now......" Qin Ke's father slowly turned around and smiled at me, saying "Actually, you don't have to be like this, your company's boss still appreciates your creativity..."

  "Thanks, but I think even if I did better, they would still think I'm only good because of your brilliance shining on me. Besides, they basically treat me like a useless piece of trash... Alright, I won't bother you anymore, goodbye."

  Like a ghost, I walked on the main street, and Qin Ke's father's words kept echoing in my ears. Maybe I've been hiding somewhere, tucking my tail between my legs, but one day I'll be able to make a name for myself like a dog. However, living a life that feels like an eternity, struggling to survive under the discriminatory gaze of others is something I don't hope for and can't bear.

  Suddenly I feel so tired, tired to the point of being out of breath... I really want to find a quiet place to stay for two days, I really miss my mom's handmade noodles... Thinking about this, I suddenly made an impulsive decision to go home, and hastily rushed to the train station, hastily bought a ticket back home...

  The broadcast in the waiting hall began to inform people on my train to prepare for ticket checking. As people moved towards the ticket gate one after another, I stood in a corner and took out my phone to call Qin Ke.

  "Hello......" Qin Ke's voice came from the phone, very soft and cautious.

  "Are you in class?"

  "Yes! You should be at work now! Don't make random calls during work hours! Even if you miss me, just bear with it until after work!" Qin Ke said with a smile, continuing in a very soft voice.

  "I quit!" I suddenly said to Qin Ke Yi without any warning, which made her scream in surprise at a volume several dozen times louder than before. The next thing that came through the phone was Teacher's questioning and Qin Ke Yi's apology, followed by Qin Ke Yi asking Teacher for leave, saying she had something to attend to.

  "Hey! Say it again!" Qin Ke seemed to have already walked into the corridor, speaking loudly to me over the phone.

  "I've resigned." I said to her in a calm tone that was in stark contrast with Qin Ke's, even I myself couldn't believe how calm I was right now.

  "Why?!" Qin Ke asked anxiously over the phone.

  "No reason... I just want to go home for two days and come back in a few days, then start checking tickets. I won't say anything..." I hung up the phone in a hurry and turned it off... Although Qin Ke Yi's trick made me seem like an incompetent pretty boy, I didn't have any intention of blaming her, but instead felt grateful for what she did for me. So I didn't expose her trap. At this moment, I suddenly had a feeling of letting her down, but unfortunately, I still couldn't bear to silently endure the lifestyle I didn't like...

  After more than two hours of bumpy ride, I finally set foot on my hometown's soil. As I walked out of the station, looking at the chaotic square in front of me, it seemed like nothing had changed from the last time I came back home a year ago. I thought that stepping onto this land where I grew up would give me some sense of pride and accomplishment, even if there wasn't a grand welcome with drums and cheers from my fellow townspeople. At least, I expected to see some familiar faces from my childhood neighbors and local leaders coming to greet me. But unfortunately, not only did I not feel any sense of pride this time around, but I also felt like I was sneaking back home. The only ones who came to welcome me were a middle-aged woman excitedly asking if I wanted to stay at her hotel and an old lady selling tea eggs...

  I used the little money I had left to buy some things for my dad and mom. Every time I think about how they have pinned their hopes on me, and how they've shed tears and sweat for me, only to see me now so down on my luck in front of them, I feel a pang of sadness for them. The little things I'm holding in my hand can't even begin to express the apology I owe them, but unfortunately, this is all I can do right now...

  After my mom opened the door, she stared at me with a surprised look for half a day before asking me how I suddenly came back. I could only make up an excuse that since it's already senior year and there's nothing going on, I just came home to stay for two days. Then, my mom excitedly pulled me into the house...

  After a simple shower, I crawled into my own room and lay on the bed to start sleeping soundly. It felt like it had been a long time before Mom woke me up and told me that dinner was ready.

  After getting out of bed and drowsily going to the bathroom to wash my face, I bumped into Dad coming out of the kitchen with a plate of freshly cooked dishes. He looked at me expressionlessly, put the dish on the table, turned around and walked back into the kitchen.

  As the lucky one who has been his son for 22 years, I have already understood his personality traits. Although my dad, who is not good at talking, seems indifferent to my return home on the surface, from his rare cooking, it can be seen that he is actually quite happy about my coming back...

  A family gathering around the dinner table is always a warm scene, especially for someone who has been away from home for over a year and returns with a low mood. Looking at my old mom's trembling hands as she adds dishes and my old dad's gradually graying hair, I can only bury my head in my bowl to cover up the tears that are about to fall.

  "Hey, son! Your sister called the other day and said you've got a new girlfriend?" My mom asked with concern after giving me a piece of my favorite braised pork intestine. Due to Chinese parents' unique "concerns" about their children's early romance, my high school romance was overshadowed by a gloomy mood after it was discovered by my family, which made me unwilling to actively discuss my emotional life with Gary. My sister naturally became the bridge for communication between me and my family on emotional issues, and it seems that this is also how I'll be sharing my feelings about Tong Chen and Qin Ke Yi with them.

  "Hmm!" Under the psychological shadow, I just hummed a soft agreement and continued to scoop rice into my mouth.

  "Your sister said she's very pretty, tall and from a good family background, is that true?" Mom continued to ask with concern, but I just mechanically nodded in response. After seeing my attitude, mom also lost interest in continuing the questioning.

  "It's your senior year now, what plans do you have for employment?" My usually silent dad suddenly asked me.

  "I haven't got any specific plans yet! Let's just take it one step at a time and see how things go..." I replied vaguely to my dad.

  "I don't want you to end up like many kids who go to college and still have to rely on their family for money and job arrangements after graduation," Dad said with a serious tone.

  "Dad... don't worry, even if you want to, I won't be able to lose that person for you..." I said with a bit of stubbornness.

  "Your girlfriend's father is a big boss of some company, right? You should treat him well, if you really can't find a job, maybe he will arrange one for you... that way you'll be much more relaxed..." My mom suddenly said excitedly.

  "Mom... eat your vegetables..." I suddenly interrupted my mom's words, picked up a piece of vegetable and put it in her bowl to divert this topic that I didn't want to mention. I really don't know what kind of mood my mom will be in when she finds out that I have refused Qin Ke's father's kindness twice...