Zhou Xiaozheng looked up and took a deep breath, then said, "Dashan, the more sensible she is, the more it pains . It’s all because I didn’t protect her well enough. Look at your Yuanyuan, that’s a normal girl. Jiao Jiao takes after , stubborn by nature, likes to keep things to herself, living like this is too exhausting. I actually want her to be carefree and do as she pleases. If sothing happens, I’ll be there to handle it. But she’s too mature, too low-key, afraid that any mishap would cause trouble for . I caught on to many things from her mom, so I want to take her to Beijing to broaden her horizons. Let her know her dad can support her even without relying on her grandfather."
Zhang Guoqing glanced at his father-in-law. This is a wise man, no wonder everyone who knows him admires him. Just for his intentions, Zhang would be good to him.
Zhao Dashan poured him so wine, "Don’t worry too much, kids have their own blessings. Jiao Jiao is like you, if you ask her to be flamboyant, would you do it? This child, her ways and thinking are no different from yours back in the day, it’s her nature. I actually envy you; my Yuanyuan pales in comparison. You want your daughter to eat and drink foolishly, but she’s inherently like you, so don’t even think about it. But going to Beijing, taking her to see the city might help her feel less apprehensive."
"Dad, don’t worry, Jiao Jiao is fine as she is. If there’s an issue, I’m here to handle it, and if I can’t resolve it, I’ll co to you. She’s low-key because she doesn’t want to stand out in the countryside. Once we move to the county, she’ll loosen up. Besides, now that you’re back, she has soone to rely on. You’re her backbone, so long as you’re well, she doesn’t have much to worry about." Zhang Guoqing comforted him.
Upon hearing this, Zhou Xiaozheng appeared sowhat relieved and nodded, "Yes, Dad’s back, so you all don’t need to worry. Just live your lives. Dashan, pour yourself so wine, let’s have a good drink."
"Alright, let’s hurry and eat before the food gets cold and loses its taste. Brother Zheng, will you co tomorrow to tidy up the new courtyard? I’ll have soone co and help, you guys focus on your own tasks."
Zhou Xiaozheng shook his head, "No need, the elderly cleaned up thoroughly. Just taking so books and rations, leaving everything else behind. I’ve checked, there’s really nothing much to tidy up."
Zhao Dashan looked at him, astonished, "I know Professor Liu’s courtyard may look ordinary from the outside, but the study has a complete set of desk and bookcases, and the furniture in the bedroom is also a complete set. Once he got drunk and secretly told these pieces were disguised. Despite looking unassuming, they’re worth more than the courtyard. He even told not to spread the word afterward. How could he bear to leave them? How much did you buy it for?"
Zhou Xiaozheng and Zhang Guoqing exchanged glances and said, "Got it cheap. The courtyard cost 800 yuan in total, worth it, right?"
"Absolutely worth it! The courtyard alone is at least 600 yuan. It’s practically a gift to you guys. You caught it just right, Professor Liu wasn’t planning to sell initially. You can see they aren’t short on money. Both his sons wanted the house, it’s only these past few days they let the news out for peace of mind.
You bought this courtyard too well. It’s in a great location. Courtyards front and back are far apart, spacious. The key is his neighbors on either side are easy to get along with, not ssy people. The families on both sides are single-door households with few people. The left-side couple works in the at plant. The ones on the right are familiar with Hong Li, the woman there is an accountant at the supply and marketing cooperative, the man works at the grain bureau.
This old man is funny, sold the house by checking the people first. There’s been quite a few inquiries these days, I was about to recomnd Xiao Wu to buy it. So when Yuanyuan ntioned you guys were looking for a house, I knew only his place was close to the ard forces departnt."
Zhang Guoqing nodded, "Yes, Uncle, you’re spot on. My dad and I went in, dad said he was buying it for us young couple, and then he just kept staring at . Later, even asked a ton of questions from books, made sweat. In the end, he offered to sell it all to us directly. Really picks people! No way though, we’re losing out, Dad, lost big ti, if Jiao Jiao ca and talked history and culture with the old man, probably would’ve gotten it for free." He finished and deliberately slapped his thigh.
His words made them laugh heartily. Professor Liu clearly is a bookworm, eting Zhou Jiao would indeed feel like finding a kindred spirit. Scholars have that bookish nature deep down, even selling a house needs to match with people sharing similar tastes, as for getting it for free, that’s just joking around.
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