(十大建設 北迴鐵路 Top Ten Constructions Northbound Railway)
《Interwoven Destinies》
Lack of foresight leads to imminent worries. Ajun understood he couldn't falter or lose his determination, he couldn't afford to keep losing.
Children, one by one, are not foolish; education can alter their future prospects. After all, they've encountered the world outside. A grown man, shouldering the responsibilities of the household, maintaining a routine of daily life, occasionally buying snacks in the afternoon to win over the children's hearts.
Yan'er gradually became the best partner, sharing concerns and burdens. The household started taking shape, becoming less vulnerable to external threats. Ahua gradually became superfluous in that household.
Taiwan was progressing; during Chiang Ching-kuo's era of advocating the Ten Major Construction Projects, large-scale poultry farms were transformed. Ajun's business faced threats, necessitating a transition. At 48, he switched to selling processed poultry in the market. Yan'er and Jue'er helped during the day and attended night school in the evenings. With his children's support, Ajun felt the burden lighten on his shoulders.
Consensus within a family is crucial. Due to Ahua's abnormal behavior, Ajun's children had long displayed a nominal, though not practical, reliance on their mother. There was no interaction between Ahua and children, and Ahua's commands became ineffective. Ajun no longer indulged Ahua; they had slept separately for a long time. Ahua had made herself dirty and foul-smelling, completely absorbed in her own world.
Ajun had traversed a difficult path, adapting with the times. Despite the turbulent times with Ahua, he had established himself in the community and conducted himself meticulously. Having been in the business world, he inevitably had connections and friends.
Ahua's deeds were widely known, a taboo and a disgrace to Ajun.
As the economy soared, Ajun's family finances stabilized. There was a widow selling vegetables and seedlings in the market, showing some interest in Ajun. Ajun attempted to let go and discreetly pursue this new relationship. He brought the widow home for the first time, to observe Ahua's reaction. Love and hate had no right or wrong.
Ahua's reaction was unusually calm but not to be underestimated. She glared at the widow with anger in her eyes. Her tactics included silence and a menacing demeanor. Anybody would feel intimidated in such a situation. Ajun, however, secretly chuckled at this.
Of course, this episode ended without incident.
Ajun firmly believed that once a woman intruded into a family, it would inevitably lead to its ruin. The children would also suffer. So, despite any desires, he decided to let it go.
A person's character and attitude can determine their future destiny. In Ajun's eyes, Ahua still held significance compared to the widow, and because of this perception, Ajun found himself entangled with Ahua in a life he couldn't escape from.
《命運的交織》
人無遠慮必有近憂。阿俊知道他不能倒，也不能失志，不能輸下去。
孩子一個個並不傻，教育是可以改變未來孩子的前途。畢竟是有在外闖蕩、見過世面的人。一個大男人，全程負起一家大小飲食起居，晨昏按步就班，偶而下午買點心，賄络孩子的心。
燕兒變成最佳合夥人，有心坎或慒心事，燕兒也學會分擔。這個家漸漸有個樣，外人也比較不敢侵略。阿花在那個家漸漸變成多餘。
台灣在進步，蔣經國提倡十大建設時代，改變大型雞鴨養殖場。阿俊生意受威脅，不得不轉型。48 歲轉業，改在市場販售宰好雞鴨。燕兒、爵兒白天幫忙，晚上讀夜校。有孩子支援，阿俊才輕緩肩上擔頭。
一個家庭共識很重要。阿俊的孩子因為阿花不正常行為，對媽媽的依賴早已有名無實。親子間沒交集，阿花頤指氣使沒作用了。阿俊也不再對阿花退讓，兩人很早就分床。阿花又把自已弄得又髒又臭，完全活在自己世界裡。
阿俊一路走來披荊斬棘，跟著時代改變。雖然跟阿花的日子吵吵鬧鬧，在地方鄰里落了戶，做人處事也不馬虎。原本就在商販走卒裡打滾，必定有人脈跟朋友。
阿花的事蹟早就眾所皆知，對阿俊來講，是避諱也是蒙羞。
日子隨著經濟起飛，阿俊家計安定。有一寡婦同在市場販售菜仔、菜苗，對阿俊有情似有意。阿俊試著放手，嘗試不公開走後道。第一次藉口把寡婦帶回家，看看阿花什麼表現？！而情感沒有對錯，只有愛恨。
阿花的反映異常冷靜，卻也不是省油的燈。用憤怒眼神敵視著寡婦菜子。戰術策略用跟前跟後、不發一語。那情境任誰也會怕。而阿俊看在眼裡，卻暗自竊笑。
當然囉！這段插曲也就無疾而終。
阿俊也深信，一旦家庭被一個女人介入，那個家一定破碎不堪。相對一群孩子也可憐。所以想歸想，就作罷了。
一個人的個性跟態度，是可以決定命運未來。寡婦菜子如果跟阿花評比，在阿俊眼裡，阿花還是有份量。就因這想法，阿俊跟阿花糾結人生，已經化不開了。