Zhang the Second, Zhang Guoqiang, was with his parents outside the courtyard. When the carriage finally disappeared, he led his parents back ho.
"The heart of parents is always for their children"—although he couldn’t understand why his parents backed down and didn’t go to the county, he sympathized with their parental concerns; otherwise, he wouldn’t have stood with them foolishly in the strong wind.
Mr. and Mother Zhang followed them ho, and Lin Juhua skillfully brought out the tray, letting Mr. Zhang smoke on the kang. She also unwrapped snacks for Mother Zhang to eat.
"Enough, stop fussing. Your mother-in-law isn’t an outsider, save so for Shi Tou," said Mother Zhang, smiling happily as she watched her daughter-in-law bustling around.
Seeing this, Lin Juhua glanced at her father-in-law and husband on the kang, seeing them discussing whether to move, and she went to sit beside Mother Zhang to see what the elders had to say.
Huang Yaoguo handed in his work sheet and said goodbye to his colleagues. He left the factory and walked ho, exhausted.
Once ho, his wife wasn’t back yet. His young daughter, who was ho, chirped happily upon seeing him and served him food so he could eat first.
Huang Yaoguo ate quickly, only wanting to sleep soon. Listening to his daughter’s chatter, he initially didn’t pay much attention, but gradually slowed down and frowned, asking, "So your uncle is suspended and waiting for an investigation at ho? When did this happen?" Seeing that she couldn’t clarify, he put down his chopsticks, leaving his al unfinished, and quickly rode his bike to Huang Yaozong’s house.
He had been away on a business trip for ten days, not expecting to hear such major developnts at ho upon his return. What’s this about their young aunt buying a house next to their uncle? If he’s not mistaken, their in-laws would not agree for their eldest son to be so far from their youngest.
Thinking of all this gave Huang Yaoguo a headache. Especially now, with his elder brother suspended, he had to find soone to help. With this thought, he hastened, pedaling hard.
"Second brother, you’re finally back. I was so anxious, why are you just now getting back? Didn’t you say you could return the day before yesterday?" Huang Yaozong had been sighing at ho, jumped off the kang barefooted when he saw his brother, and shouted.
Huang Yaoguo felt his head buzzing, unable to grasp his brother’s aning. Ignoring the urgency, he lit a cigarette and took a few puffs to clear his mind. Then he asked, "I’ve been away for ten days, what exactly happened? Tell everything in detail."
"I got suspended. They want to make up the shortfall and want to penalize ..."
Before he could finish, Huang Yaoguo raised his hand to signal him to stop, "I know about that. First, tell about what’s going on with our younger sister’s yard. Have you had any conflicts with colleagues recently? Offended anyone? Tell the truth; give all the details. Knowing the cause can help find soone to resolve this."
Huang Yaozong thought carefully, then said, "I haven’t had conflicts with colleagues; they’re familiar faces, nothing worth arguing over. If I’ve offended soone, I wouldn’t know; who would admit it straightforwardly? That day, at the eting, the leader first nad to go ho and wait for news. Do you think soone is targeting ?"
"Besides these issues, anything else unusual? Like soone making a joke in front of you? Any trouble with custors?" Huang Yaoguo frowned, prompting him.
"No! Honestly, no. I always treat everyone with a smile, just like you advised."
"I’ll inquire around to see what’s really going on. Don’t pay the fine yet; wait and see. If you pay, it ans admitting to a mistake," said Huang Yaoguo. Seeing his brother nod in understanding, he continued, "Then how co our younger sister bought a house near yours? It’s not like money is an issue for her family. Her husband’s workplace is far from here. Did her in-laws agree?"
Having said this, Huang Yaoguo leaned against the wall to rest his eyes. He waited, but his brother didn’t answer. When he opened his eyes, he saw his brother sitting silently with his head down. Seeing his brother’s deanor, he knew sothing was amiss and felt his temples throb with anger.
"Speak up. Spill whatever little sches you have. Does Father know about this?"
"Heh heh... I thought if our younger sister lived close, it’d be easier for us siblings to look after each other in case of trouble. That family wanted to sell quickly, so I had your sister-in-law pay the deposit first. Her husband said nothing after finding out, just had her pay up.
Does it matter if the in-laws agree or not? Now we’re separated, why should that matter? Anyway, with many sons, they think this place is unfavorable; the old couple can always live with their youngest son, sparing our younger sister from looking after them."
Huang Yaoguo was too lazy to explain the intricacies. He promptly asked, "Is Zhang Guoqing back ho? Have you discussed your suspension with him and Zhang the Second?"
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