National Tide 1980

Han Yingming never thought that one day he would actually board a plane and come to a strange country to attend his daughter's wedding.

Especially to a third world country with a backward economy.

This inevitably made him feel lonely and repulsive about this journey.

Alas, the problem is, who made his daughter have someone in her heart, and she was determined to marry Ning Weimin and become a Chinese daughter-in-law.

Even his wife, who had always been obedient, was determined this time and supported his daughter without compromise, hoping that his daughter could marry the person she liked.

So he was alone, in order to prevent his daughter from becoming an old maid, and in order to prevent himself from becoming a lonely person.

This time, he could only obey the majority, make concessions, follow the wishes of his wife and daughter, and accept Ning Weimin, a Chinese son-in-law from a poor family.

Fortunately, Ning Weimin's personal conditions were finally good, he spoke Japanese very well, and there was no language communication barrier.

Moreover, he was polite, humble and shrewd, and he was also a handsome guy with a successful career in Japan.

Except for his poor academic qualifications and questionable family background, he is quite good in other aspects, which makes Han Yingming feel a little relieved.

Yes, although he runs a restaurant, he is also the highest representative of a multinational company overseas in name, and he is also the inventor of the trolley suitcase. Such talent is very valuable.

Especially after getting married, I heard that the high-end restaurant run by my son-in-law has been preparing branches in the most prosperous areas of Kyoto and Osaka. Such enterprising spirit is even more admirable.

Speaking of which, I am afraid that after the branch opens, his subordinates will also expand to hundreds of people.

Such conditions are basically equivalent to the president of a medium-sized company in Japan.

At such a young age, he can start from scratch and achieve the same career achievements as himself. Han Yingming naturally thinks that Ning Weimin is still a promising talent.

Such genes can cultivate an excellent next generation.

Otherwise, if it were not the case, he would completely break off relations with his daughter and would never agree to this marriage.

But then again, since he has approved this marriage, he must accept everything from his son-in-law.

After all, marriage is not just a matter between two young people, but also related to each other's family, relatives, friends, and cultural background.

Han Yingming understood this a long time ago.

So there is no way, no matter how reluctant he is, no matter how much he dislikes it, and even though he is full of bad expectations and prejudices about the completely unfamiliar ancient Chinese country, they have to make this trip to satisfy their daughter's wishes and give some face to their son-in-law, so as not to leave regrets in their marriage.

On Sunday, June 14, 1987, they set off from Tokyo to Beijing.

But to be honest, since they came here with their noses pinched, this journey was naturally not pleasant.

In addition to the bad weather, the plane encountered a large shock during the journey, which frightened the old couple.

More importantly, the packing for this trip was very complicated, and the trip was also carried heavy, which was absolutely heavy physical work.

It turned out that the situation in Beijing was very complicated, and it was not something that could be explained in a few words.

Qingzi was also very busy. She didn't have much time to tell her parents about Beijing in Japan. When they arrived in Beijing, it was inconvenient to contact them.

So the only information about Beijing that the old couple could get was the documentary filmed by Japanese TV a few years ago and the condescending descriptions of a few Japanese who had been to China out of superiority.

They could only feel how difficult and backward the living conditions in Beijing were.

As a result, Han Yingming and his wife took great pains to pack their luggage before leaving, and they prepared for several days because they were worried about the poor conditions in Beijing and it was a hot summer.

They brought almost everything they could use, even half a box of instant noodles, for fear that it would be difficult to find delicious food in Beijing, just like the poor Chinese students studying abroad.

It was also thanks to the trolley suitcase invented by Ning Weimin that they used it, otherwise it would be a headache for them to get these things on the plane.

But even so, no matter how convenient the suitcase is, it can't solve the problem of overweight luggage.

Both of them were fined for carrying too much luggage.

You know, the weight that can be carried on a plane ticket is limited, 20 kilograms for checked luggage and 5 kilograms for hand luggage.

The fine for overweight is nearly 30,000 yen.

This is really not worth it!

This matter inevitably made Han Yingming and his wife a little upset.

But the problem is that it is difficult for people to jump out of the circle they have drawn for themselves.

Especially after they flew to China by plane, everything they could observe further aggravated their wrong perception.

It made them 100% sure that life would be difficult in all aspects after coming to Beijing.

Everything they did for this trip to Beijing was necessary.

I am afraid that only by doing this can they feel at ease.

Not for anything else, just because until the last half hour they spent on the plane, they tried to find some refreshing scenery outside the plane window, but they didn't find it.

It was gray outside, and looking down was a mountainous wilderness with only rare plants and almost yellow soil.

So in their eyes, there is no doubt that this is a strange land that is completely different from Japan, which has completed modern infrastructure.

After the plane landed, the old couple, as distinguished guests in the first-class cabin, were the first to walk out of the plane.

Only then did they realize that they had arrived at a huge, but not modern, airport alone.

Even in the season when vegetation is flourishing, the place is still filled with dust and smoke.

And they are completely different from the familiar feeling that Ning Weimin feels every time he steps down the gangway here.

As soon as their feet touched the soil of the capital, the unique loess and windy sand of the capital gave them an unforgettable experience -

A strong wind blew and they were blinded.

After finally wiping away tears, they walked into the airport building with blurred eyes. The terminal building built in 1979 once again confirmed their poor assumptions with cruel facts.

There is actually a ceiling fan here.

Although the temperature dropped when entering the building, the air was still hot, which still did not make Han Yingming and Han Changzi in suits feel really cool.

It can be said that there is still a big gap between the conditions of buildings and developed Japan.

So it is conceivable that even if a country's airport is of such a standard, they have no expectations for a place to stay.

Not to mention, when they finally recovered their eyesight and saw everything around them clearly, they were startled by the solemn scene. This effectively made up for the lack of air conditioning.

It's amazing that there are fixed sentries here, and even the airport staff behave like soldiers.

The solemn atmosphere with a strong pressure reminded the old couple of the war years, and they couldn't help but feel a little frightened and feel chills on their backs.

Even going through customs procedures and carrying luggage seemed particularly clumsy, and I was trembling for fear of encountering unexpected difficulties.

Especially Han Yingming, when he thought about it again, he was in his hometown just a few days ago.

The South Korean people have successfully forced Chun Doo-hwan to abdicate through resistance, won the direct election of the president, and achieved democratization.

He even felt that this place had been far behind the times and was completely a backward and ignorant place.

They are thousands of miles away from the civilized and advanced social form they are familiar with.

Fortunately, everything went well and what they were worried about did not happen.

No one looked at them with hostility, and no one questioned them repeatedly like an interrogation.

When they followed the steps and finally passed the customs and set foot in the capital, their hanging hearts finally fell to the ground.

It's a pity that the good times don't last long, and the hard-won peace is fleeting.

Even though they tried to calm down and thought they were ready for everything, when they entered the airport hall, another chaotic scene reminded them in a more obvious way that this is a developing country. They were stunned.

There were shouts and bargains here, and people swarmed around the foreigners and pestered them like beggars.

Especially when foreign passengers look around, they can immediately tell that this is a newly arrived prey, and the result can be imagined.

It feels like falling into a "wolf's den".

The same goes for Han Yingming and his wife. Just when they hesitated and were at a loss, they were stopped by someone unknowingly. Several young men yelled at them in Chinese and English that they didn't understand at all, and some of them even started talking to them. Pull their luggage.

What can the old couple do in a foreign country?

Japan's airports are always in good order, but things like this never happen!

But what is particularly fortunate is that at this critical moment, someone suddenly shouted in Japanese, "Dad - Mom -"

The voice is very familiar, it’s my daughter!

Before the old couple could react, two burly young men followed and drove away the people who were entangled with Han Yingming and his wife.

At this time, the headless old couple really saw clearly. Sure enough, it was their daughter Keiko Matsumoto who came to pick them up.

How dangerous! It was finally a false alarm!

If their daughter hadn't appeared in time, God knows where they would be now.

But it was safe. When he found out that besides his daughter, there were only two strangers from the capital among the people who came to pick him up, Han Yingming's dissatisfaction grew in his heart again.

asshole!

Why didn’t my son-in-law come?

Where did that guy go?

Your father-in-law and mother-in-law traveled thousands of miles from Japan to come to Beijing to attend your wedding!

You didn't even show your face. How ridiculous!

If this were at home, with Han Yingming's temper, the old man would have become furious in front of everyone and scolded Ning Weimin for his impoliteness.

It was because he knew he was on someone else's territory and was afraid of the soldiers at the airport that he managed to suppress his anger and asked his daughter about Ning Weimin's whereabouts.

But then again, it’s actually better not to ask.

Because when Matsumoto Keiko told her parents that Ning Weimin was busy with something important and really couldn't get away, so he came alone and could only apologize to his parents on his behalf, Han Yingming became furious. It came up in no time.

You know, in Han Yingming's heart, Ning Weimin is just a senior executive of a foreign-funded enterprise.

Even though he is very good, his career achievements cannot be compared with his daughter's.

My daughter is now the owner of a studio.

Moreover, the box office of "Li Xianglan" filmed was so high, and the soundtrack album of the film was also sold well.

What important things could he be busy with?

Instead, let the daughter pick us up alone?

Isn't this obviously an excuse that is not sincere.

This bastard, is he a different person after returning to Beijing?

He doesn't take us seriously!

And seeing Han Yingming's face getting uglier and uglier, Han Changzi, who knows her husband well enough, understands his intentions best.

Fearing that her husband would never be able to end well if he got angry, Han Changzi hurriedly talked about this and that, coaxing the father and daughter to change the topic.

After a while, they finally found an opportunity to put the luggage in the parking lot. Changzi privately told her husband not to be reckless.

Tell him that you know our daughter's temper. If you are tough, Qingzi will definitely quarrel with you. Why don't I ask him tactfully on the way.

And I think my son-in-law is not the kind of person who doesn't know etiquette. If there is something, it's better to wait until we meet.

In case there is a misunderstanding, such as a quarrel between the young couple, your anger will make things more difficult.

Not to mention, a man with a virtuous wife will not suffer from misfortune.

Changzi's words were effective. Han Yingming felt that it was true.

And the more he thought about it, the more he felt that it was like the couple had a quarrel. Ning Weimin refused to show up, and he was a little worried about his daughter.

So for the sake of his daughter's happiness, he had to force himself to suppress his anger again, and got on the car that came to pick him up.

But to be honest, it was precisely because of these inexplicable awkwardness and his own inner seriousness that made him dislike everything in Beijing.

Even the car that came to pick him up was the one who just helped him out.

Mercedes-Benz! What's so good about Mercedes-Benz?

Why use a German car to pick me up instead of a Japanese car?

These two young men, too, said that the person who came to pick us up on behalf of the son-in-law didn't even wear formal clothes, but only jeans and T-shirts to pick up guests. This is too rude!

And they smoke so frequently and have the bad habit of spitting everywhere!

God knows, Qingzi actually has to get along with such vulgar people every day.

What's so good about marrying a Chinese!

What a silly child, so stupid!

In short, even after getting into the car, Han Yingming was still full of dissatisfaction and sulking. Nothing was pleasing to the eye.

Needless to say, who else could accompany Matsumoto Keiko to pick up people on this day, except Ning Weimin's brothers, Luo Guangliang and Xiao Tao?

Of course, they didn't understand Japanese, and didn't know why Ning Weimin's father-in-law was angry. The only thing they could do was to try their best to smile and complete the task of picking up people.

So after the two brothers had settled their luggage, they finally waited until Matsumoto Keiko's family of three got into the back seat of the car.

One of them was the driver, and the other was sitting in the co-pilot. They sat there like a gourd, not daring to say a word, just concentrating on driving the car to the Ma Family Garden, letting the fields, hillsides, and trees drive behind them along the road one by one...