Parting is always lancholic. No matter how the relationships were before, classmates begin to forget past conflicts and recall the joyful tis they once shared.
After a graduation photo was taken, everyone exchanged contact information.
Zhang Guoqing didn’t know how many of them he’d be able to stay in touch with. As ti passed, how much of this pure friendship would remain? Perhaps when he grew old, ti would give him the answer.
Before he could reminisce about his classmates, the call from his old captain ca suddenly.
Zhang the Second, this ssenger, ca to Zhang Guoqing’s house while Mr. and Mother Zhang were racking their brains trying to refuse to accompany their eldest son’s family to settle in Beijing.
"Goods are expensive when they leave ho; people are cheap when they leave ho."
Unable to part from their holand, and with three sons, each is the apple of the Zhang couple’s eyes. The unknown life at the Imperial City made them hesitant more than ever.
Zhang Guoqing was about to implent the second plan he and his wife had agreed on, unexpectedly, his second brother ca over.
"It’s work hours now. What’s the urgent matter?"
Just as he finished speaking, Mr. and Mother Zhang were watching their second son nervously.
Zhang the Second laughed heartily at this.
"It’s nothing major. I was just passing by here on so business. The old captain has sent another ssage asking you and Dad to go back. I heard the two uncles from within the pass ca last ti. I guess he’s looking for you to discuss this matter."
Zhang Guoqing looked at Zhou Jiao and shook his head with a bitter smile.
Zhou Jiao glanced at everyone, "Second Brother, let’s not worry about village matters for now. We are discussing Dad and Mom’s issues right now. You’re just in ti, have a seat and give so advice."
Mother Zhang waved her hand vigorously, "Your father and I really won’t go to Beijing. At most, we’ll go and stay for a month after you settle down."
"Pfft"....Zhou Jiao couldn’t help but laugh, "Alright, alright. We’ll do as you wish, we’ll discuss this later. Dad, Mom, how about this? We’ll leave the house here empty for you two to live in as a favor to us. You’ll be familiar with the old neighbors here, plus Second Brother and two sisters live nearby, there’ll be help if needed."
Mr. Zhang knew the aning behind his daughter-in-law’s words. What helped them, he guessed they had long planned for him and his wife to live the life of retired urban dwellers.
Zhang Guoqing saw his mother looking at his father, knowing that his father still had to make the big decisions at ho. But this was the only best arrangent he could think of.
"Dad, you and Mom can live here, and if you miss the kids, let them co over. Usually, you can chat with the old masters in the courtyard. Eat whatever suits your taste. If you live well, I can feel at ease when I’m away."
Zhou Jiao chid in to persuade, "Brother’s right. Look at Grandma Wang in the front yard, how comfortably they live. Every weekend, all the kids return. If they miss any grandson, they bring them over to live for a while. You live by the eldest brother, it’s inconvenient for Second Brother and two sisters to visit frequently. If you live here, just call if there’s any issue, neighbors are warm-hearted."
Zhang the Second looked at his parents, "Mom and Dad, this is the best. I can see you right after work. We’ve got many siblings, just don’t get annoyed."
Mr. Zhang smiled broadly at this. He tapped his youngest son’s head with a long pipe, "You’ve planned to move our household registration here already, haven’t you! Alright, your mom and I will listen to you. You take care, don’t worry about ho."
"Children’s father, really stay here?"
Mr. Zhang nodded with a smile, "Us old folks better not always ddle in the kids’ affairs. Each generation has its blessings. We’ll just live our own lives."
Zhang Guoqing laughed happily, "Right! That’s how it should be. Live however you want from now on. The youngest son strongly supports you! If you get bored at ho, we’ll head to Beijing; the youngest son will take you out for a stroll."
Mr. Zhang smiled silently, nodding all the while. Watching his wife beam with joy, he thought he should have made up his mind earlier, there was no need for his wife, who had suffered alongside him, to continue being burdened.
Zhang the Second watched everything before him with a satisfied smile. His parents had finally co around, which was a good thing. The elderly have a house, money, and food; he wondered who would dare to be unfilial! Xiao Wu’s efforts weren’t wasted after all.
"Second Brother, let’s find a ti for the three of us brothers to gather and discuss sothing. I want to get Eldest Brother transferred to work here, this matter still depends on his view."
Zhang the Second knew his brother’s intentions, "You want Eldest Brother to live here too in the future? I think it’s feasible. It’d be better for him to work at the grocery store here; everyone’s familiar with him."
Seeing his brothers finish talking, his parents’ faces were filled with surprise. Zhang Guoqing sighed silently to himself. As long as his parents were happy, that’s all that mattered. Enjoying a peaceful old age isn’t about having no burdens, but having a satisfactory life.
"Xiao Wu, what are you going to do about the old captain?"
Zhang Guoqing glanced pitifully at this child. It wasn’t about what he should do then, but what Zhang the Second should do. However, with Zhang the Second’s selfishness and cunning, he wasn’t worried at all.
"Best to not get entangled with those two people; we’re not on the sa path as them. What does Grandfather intend to do with ? I reckon the old clan leader wants him to reach out to . I’m not willing to lend out the courtyard; I can’t move the household registration; the food and money, I’m not employed yet, and I’m thinking of going to school, where would the money co from. I’m just not going back."
"What about Dad?"
Mr. Zhang scratched his head, "I still need to go back. Otherwise, they’ll bring people to find us at the doorstep. Our own village is hard enough to protect, they’d get nothing even if they ca."
Mother Zhang started chatting with Zhou Jiao about the Zhang family’s ancestral tales, amusing Zhou Jiao greatly. No wonder people say where there are people, there are stories.
Zhou Jiao didn’t know how the Zhang Family Village would handle this matter, nor did she care to focus on issues unrelated to her family. Because she and Zhang Guoqing had both been accepted to Huaqing University, they were about to go to Beijing for enrollnt.
Zhou Jiao tried every ans to keep a low profile, but so people were destined not to be low-key, like gold always shining bright. It was as difficult as blending into the crowd!
Under the halo of Zhou Jinyu and Gu Mingzhu, her few examination papers were circulated by the main admissions office. There were many smart people, let alone those sly ones. Unquestionably, everyone tacitly understood what it ant to be an uncrowned king.
Soon, so rumors, intentionally or unintentionally, reached the ears of the president and the vice-general through various channels.
In the lounge, the president and vice-general were joking with a few seniors, casually browsing through several exam papers. After a while, everyone saw the lined-up scores and all chuckled.
The president remarked: Isn’t it quite good? The key points that should’ve been mastered were not weak at all. This child is good in every way except courage. Like father, like daughter, with more training, she’ll definitely be as excellent as her father.
The gossip spread, pleasing so and disappointing others. Undoubtedly, Zhou Jiao caught many people’s eyes. This was both her misfortune and her fortune.
Zhou Xiaozheng faced the president and the others’ banter with a slight smile.
Since learning that his daughter wanted to act low-key, he knew she thought too simply, utterly unaware that she was no longer the sa as before. He didn’t stop her, for only through personal experience could she recognize her own identity.
Conclude!
Ever since learning the scores, Zhou Xiaozheng had been setting things up for this mont for a long ti.
In Northeast, Zhou Jiao was completely unaware. As she secretly rejoiced, Zhou Xiaozheng had already given her a aningful life lesson through real events.
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