Tang Jun put away his playful expression and bowed his head.
"What’s wrong?" Tang Yue’s heart skipped a beat. It seems her intuition was correct; something really happened.
"No, nothing’s wrong." Tang Jun hurriedly shook his head and quietly glanced towards the kitchen. Seeing no one was paying attention, he whispered, "His performance at school has been excellent, so now, he’s going abroad as an exchange student. Before we know it, our family might have a new doctor."
When Tang Jun mentioned this topic, his eyes were filled with undeniable envy. He couldn’t help it; he was genuinely envious. However, he had initially wanted to do business with medicinal herbs, not bee a doctor, so his major was different from Zhang Qiang’s.
"Oh?"
Tang Yue was somewhat surprised. Zhang Qiang was the most inconspicuous among the four of them, yet during the college entrance exams, he performed impressively. He must have secretly worked hard.
"Isn’t this a good thing?" Tang Yue looked at Tang Jun, confused about his demeanor, as if he couldn’t face others.
"It is a good thing." Tang Jun scratched his head, leaned forward, and whispered in Tang Yue’s ear, "Sis, he won’t be ing back for at least a year as an overseas exchange student."
"Not ing back for a year is still alright," Tang Yue said. "It’s good news, why not talk about it?"
"It is good news, but will Aunt agree?" Tang Jun was a bit worried; Aunt had always been urging Zhang Qiang to return.
Tang Yue raised her eyebrows and asked, "Didn’t they say to ask the family?"
"They did ask." Tang Jun shrank his neck and said, "When they called home, it was Grandma who answered the phone. Uncle and Aunt didn’t hear it, and the timing was tight."
"But you need paperwork to go abroad. How did he get the paperwork done?"
Tang Yue’s voice rose several pitches. Given Liu Cuixong’s protective nature, if she finds out her son is going abroad and not seeing him for a year, she might explode!
Liu Cuixong only had that one son, Zhang Qiang.
Tang Yue raised her hand to tap his head and said, "Couldn’t you call back and ask us? We could contact Uncle and Aunt. How can you two make such a big decision alone?"
"Sis, it was his own decision, like dragging nine oxen, I couldn’t do anything." Tang Jun felt quite aggrieved.
Tang Yue shook her head, furrowing her brow as she pondered what to do.
Tang Jun thickened his face and said, "Sis, can’t you keep it a secret, just pretend you don’t know. Otherwise, when Mom takes it up with Aunt later, it won’t be easy to explain."
"You even know this layer?" Tang Yue glanced at him, but keeping it a secret was indeed not an option.
"Xiao Jun, this matter must be disclosed, and we should also call Uncle and Aunt." Tang Yue said seriously, "Regardless of whether they agree or not, the situation is finalized. But they should know, or Zhang Qiang’s lack of calls home will worry them."
"Sis, we can’t say it." Tang Jun said anxiously, "If we say it, Uncle and Aunt will worry more."
"It depends on how we say it." Tang Yue instructed him to take care of the two kids and then got up to go to the kitchen to discuss Zhang Qiang’s situation with Zhang Hualian. After thinking it over, Zhang Hualian said, "Xiao Yue, this matter can’t be hidden from your uncle."
"Mom, I think so too." Tang Yue smiled slightly. Over the next three months, Zhang Qiang might not be able to call home, so it’s better to discuss this now; it will be harder to bring it up later.
That evening.
Zhang Hualian called home. As soon as she explained the situation, Liu Cuixong eagerly grabbed the phone, asking, "Our Qiangzi went abroad? That’s fantastic! Will he earn a lot of money as a doctor later?"
"For sure," Zhang Hualian affirmed while listening to Liu Cuixong’s excitement. As she mentioned that Zhang Qiang might not be able to call home for a while, Liu Cuixong cheerfully said, "It’s nothing, it’s nothing. He’s an adult now, not a kid. As long as he’s safe, he doesn’t need to call."
Liu Cuixong hung up the phone happily, exclaiming, "Mom, our Qiangzi is really capable!"
"Yes, thanks to Xiao Jun and Sister Xiao Yue. Look, Xiao Jun and Xiao Yue are provincial top scorers, and in time, our Qiangzi will also have his success." Elder Mrs. Zhang was also very pleased, her eyes narrowed with joy. Her grandson originally lacked diligence, only improving his grades in middle school thanks to the influence of his cousins.
"Tomorrow, we should buy some pork belly and celebrate." Liu Cuixong’s smile almost reached her ears. She was so thrilled she could shout the news to everyone in town.
Zhang Huafeng didn’t say much, pondering a bit internally but didn’t question it further—an exchange student abroad must be impressive, right?
*
Tang Jun stayed at home for only a day before heading back to school. He carried large bags and packages, mostly filled with food Tang Zhengde prepared, thick sweaters and socks from Zhang Hualian, and some warm clothes from Tang Yue.
"Mom, Dad, Sis, I might not have time to e back for the New Year." Tang Jun reluctantly hugged the large bag of gifts, filled with love from his family.
"You, just take good care of yourself at school. e back when you have time." Zhang Hualian, with red eyes, said, "Take care of yourself, especially in the cold weather, don’t catch a cold, and call home if there’s anything."
"Mom, don’t worry. You and Dad should take care of yourselves." Tang Jun hugged Zhang Hualian and sniffed, saying, "Dad, I will make you proud in the future."
"Alright, Dad will wait." Tang Zhengde stood aside, gazing intently at his son. Their brief reunion was ending, and he was reluctant to part.
"Xiao Jun, take good care of yourself."
Tang Yue stood beside Tang Jun, reaching up to his shoulder. Once a young boy, he had grown into a man, looking handsome in his white shirt.
"Sis, just make sure to take good care of my nephew and niece. When I, your uncle, e back, I’ll bring them fun things." Tang Jun said, pretending to be relaxed.
"Don’t e out to see me off; it’s cold outside, and I can walk to the bus myself." Tang Jun pushed them back inside; it was particularly cold with the snow and wind outside.
As soon as Tang Jun left, Lian Qingyang returned.
"Uncle Tang, Mom, Sis, are you all standing at the door to greet me?" Lian Qingyang was chilled when he came in and saw them standing at the doorway.
"You, the busy one we haven’t seen for a long time, how e you have time to e back today?" Tang Yue didn’t answer but asked in return.
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