After settling Ping’an down, Zhang Guoqing, eager to assert his authority, picked up his wife to head back to their room for so post-autumn accounting.
The sudden move startled Zhou Jiao, causing her to cover her mouth. Her eyes shifted as she quickly reached out to wrap her arm around his neck, extending her voice sweetly, "Brother, I was almost scared to death today."
"Don’t speak such ominous words."
"Alright, I’ll listen to you."
Zhang Guoqing gave her a playful slap on the butt, "There’s a saying that fits you perfectly."
Zhou Jiao chuckled foolishly.
"You’re all talk! Just think about how many tis you’ve said it? Feel here, my heart was pounding so hard, it went out of rhythm, you know?"
Whose heart wouldn’t beat rapidly? Zhou Jiao dared to mutter to herself, but not out loud. She felt, squeezed, and patted with envy.
"If only my chest muscles were that developed!"
Startled by her words, Zhang Guoqing almost stumbled. "Are you doing that on purpose?"
"How could I!" Zhou Jiao imdiately countered, "Look at my eyes, so sincere!"
"I think you’re avoiding reality and trying to change the topic. This ti, no amount of pleading will help; you need to obediently face the punishnt! Getting bold, playing first and reporting later."
Zhou Jiao smiled charmingly at him, "Weren’t there outsiders present?"
Zhang Guoqing closed the door, put her down, crossed his arms, and leaned against the wardrobe, "I’ll allow you to fill your belly first."
To have strength for the punishnt later?
Zhou Jiao secretly rolled her eyes, turned around, and hugged his arm, smiling mysteriously, "Brother, do you want to hear about the events of today first? It was quite fun."
"Alright, you eat sothing first, talk while you eat." Zhang Guoqing shook his head with a laugh. She might think she’s clever, but his wife has a cat-like nature; provoke her and she’ll scratch back.
No rush, no rush, there’s plenty of ti to assert husbandly authority!
Zhou Jiao narrated her entire journey to the city today, regretfully concluding, "I originally planned to set a fire tonight."
Zhang Guoqing patted her head, "You were worried about soone getting hurt while putting out the fire?"
"Yes, you understand ." Zhou Jiao leaned into his embrace, "Before I went, I had planned how to create an ’accident,’ but I gave up once there. There’s so many people without hos in the city, better be kind-hearted."
"My wife is very kind. You’re right. The north wind is strong tonight; if the fire got out of control, countless families would be left holess."
Zhou Jiao was silent for a mont, then laughed at herself.
"Jiao Jiao, you’ve already pushed it forward; from now on, you really can’t interfere."
Zhou Jiao understood this even without Zhang Guoqing’s reminder. If she interfered more, she’d go from being a spectator to a participant, having to work hard for outsiders.
"It’s good you think this way. Have you noticed why Dad said to just watch without intervening? At this stage, it’s not suitable to think about how to retaliate; preserving strength is fundantal."
"Dad has already asked Mom to relinquish all her powers; whoever wants to handle the team’s affairs can take it over. Sa with , while accumulating military experience, don’t aim for quick advancent."
"Have you noticed? Dad’s focus is all on the Security Bureau now; apart from etings, he hasn’t brought ho any docunts from here for a long ti?"
Zhou Jiao, with her daily commute between work, spends what little ti she has left concerned about her dad’s health. She rarely goes to the study, whether intentionally or unintentionally.
"You’ve noticed that?"
Zhang Guoqing nodded seriously, "As long as Dad isn’t in etings or on business trips, we often communicate. He worries that I might be unwittingly dragged into the vortex and get involved accidentally."
"I’ve been staying ho to enjoy so peace lately. Aside from the chaotic situation outside, a significant reason is having too many and too varied acquaintances."
Zhou Jiao knowingly nodded.
"Not just staying away from the chaos. Xiao Fei ntioned recently that Brother Wu and the others avoid going out whenever possible. There’s quite a few smart people, huh?"
Zhou Jiao laughed out.
"It shows that the truly smart people are observing from afar; if soone plays with fire, it inevitably hurts the innocent and affects the uninvolved. A crucial mont where inactivity is better than volatility."
After Zhang Guoqing finished speaking, he glanced at her, seeing she was deep in thought, didn’t mind breaking so of her illusions, "Do you believe that once Dad returns, he’ll definitely tell you that Beauty Liang was saved?"
Zhou Jiao’s gaze dimd. She had considered this possibility; otherwise, she wouldn’t have risked adding more leverage.
"Don’t be disappointed. Not considering the historical trajectory, just thinking about how many opponents that old couple has. By this ti next year, it should be over."
Being comforted by Zhang Guoqing, Zhou Jiao smiled bitterly and nodded, "Alright, I won’t act recklessly anymore."
"A gentleman’s word..."
"Cannot be pursued by four horses!" Zhou Jiao glared at him, then they high-fived! How much does he distrust her character?
Zhang Guoqing accepted her "flirtatious glance" with a smile. Nowadays, safeguarding their family is paramount; as for power and status? Progressing steadily ensures not falling rapidly.
He’s not being overly cautious.
If evaluated, without his wife’s series of donations and his father-in-law’s relentless disruptions, just that five-part large courtyard mansion in the Imperial City alone is notorious enough. Not to ntion his mother-in-law’s warlord background; no family could seem more infamous.
Plus his father... those hidden things. Just thinking about it makes Zhang Guoqing sweat cold!
"Brother, Master might be leaving."
Zhang Guoqing furrowed his brows.
That stubborn old man might really do it! Now with traditional dicine and acupuncture suppressed as outdated thoughts, even without exposing his title as Divine Doctor Hu, risks abound.
He didn’t ask how the old man could bear leaving his only proud disciple.
Because since last year, Zhou Jiao hadn’t returned to the hospital for internships; as told by the old man, what needed teaching was complete, and the rest depended on practical experience.
Thus, with old acquaintances facing suppression, the surrounding atmosphere might really affect the old man as he said, shortening his days.
"Master has been mumbling lately about wanting to see the outside world and visit old friends. I asked Uncle Hu, and he said with here, the old man wouldn’t not return; earlier, he never stayed in one place for so long, probably bored."
Zhang Guoqing believed this. He heard countless stories from the old man about his worldly experiences.
"Before I ca back today, Uncle Hu secretly told that Master wished to return and celebrate the New Year with his senior brothers, planning to return when the weather warms."
"What about Uncle Hu and Aunt? You must have asked, right?"
No wonder he understood her the best! Zhou Jiao chuckled, "Aunt won’t leave, and Uncle Hu said if Master goes out, he’ll follow."
Zhang Guoqing considered for a mont, "Jiao Jiao, do you think it’s a good idea to let Ping’an go with them this ti?"
"Would it be too early? I planned to wait till they were ten years old, with so self-preservation ability, then let them go out to gain experience."
Hearing this, Zhang Guoqing also approved by nodding. He was being too eager, often forgetting how young his son still was. His son is not a puppy, after all, things must develop gradually.
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