No matter how enjoyable a vacation is, it always cos to an end. With the journey back to Beijing approaching, Zhang Guoqing decided to make a solo trip to his hotown to visit his parents first.
Yi Jiefang, Wan Dayong, and Geng Dasheng hurried to Zhou’s small building, their eyes lighting up as they stared at the astonished Zhang Guoqing.
"What did you say? Going to my hotown?"
Geng Dasheng was the first to sell out the two next to him, "That’s right. Da Yi said you can hunt and there’s at to eat, so Brother Wan decided we should go with you."
Zhou Jiao, standing to the side, smiled with her lips pursed and secretly gave them a V sign.
Yi Jiefang winked at her and then said seriously, "Xiao Wu, once the school year starts, we won’t have ti to go out. It’s a perfect opportunity to travel together; don’t you want to see how things are outside now?"
Zhang Guoqing rolled his eyes at him—sounded better than it was.
Wan Dayong threatened, "Do you believe that if you leave first, your wife will follow us right after?"
"Zhou Jiao wanted to go to the South, right? Just in ti, we can take the military train tomorrow night. Let tell you, that’s my stronghold, and I’ll make sure you eat well and drink even better there."
Zhang Guoqing was absolutely exasperated by this rascal, Yi Jiefang. The South still had that wild man Yi Zhe; was the little white rabbit going to fall into that trap? He glared at the three fiercely and raised his hands.
The three happily stood up to high-five in celebration.
"Hey... don’t get too happy too soon, I’m not responsible for dealing with logistics. You have to handle if there are any spots available, and while you’re at it, arrange one for my wife too."
Wan Dayong laughed heartily, "No need for your reminder, I’ve already got soone before I ca." With that, he tossed a letter to him, "These are acquaintances from major grasslands in your hotown. Brother here will take you young couple on a wild tour."
Zhou Jiao couldn’t help but laugh. This ’wild tour’ had beco a catchphrase that everyone now uses.
Taking the letter, Zhang Guoqing glanced at it and tossed it back to him, saying disdainfully, "You’re sothing, you’re impressive, even more than your grandfather. Just don’t co running to my house if the old man beats you up again."
Everyone laughed uproariously when they saw Wan Dayong jumping angrily.
When the ti ca to depart in the evening, Zhou Jiao had a word with Zhou Xiaozheng, who surprisingly responded with just an ’oh’, without further comnt!
"Dad, aren’t you supposed to be reluctant to let go, telling Jiao Jiao not to go too far?"
Zhou Xiaozheng patted her head, laughed, and said, "You’ve been playing wildly this sumr, how can I hold you back? Go ahead, take the opportunity to see more of the world while you’re young."
Zhou Jiao, smiling, patted his back flatteringly, "Dad, you’re the best."
"As for Ping’an, you need to explain clearly, otherwise, he’ll be upset if you don’t take him out."
Zhou Jiao couldn’t stop laughing, "He’s busier than . I asked if he wanted to go to the hotown, and he said he’s too busy, that we’ll talk after he’s done with his friends."
Zhou Xiaozheng laughed along, "The kids have us, you can go worry-free. When you see Xiao Wu’s parents, send them my regards. Invite them to Beijing for a stay when they have ti."
Not far out, the couple saw Zhang Dazui and Yi Jiefang with the other two—both husband and wife rolled their eyes at them without sha!
At a distance from the main gate, Yi Jiefang asked quietly, "Was that really Old Zhou’s laughter just now?"
"Genuine without a doubt!"
"Darling, share your secret with us on how to get Old Zhou to laugh out loud?"
Zhou Jiao gave them a sidelong glance, "A secret, huh? I’ll tell you—not a clue."
Along the way, the five people avoided other little friends secretly starting the train, beginning their journey to the Northeast.
In the small courtyard living room in the county, Mr. Zhang lay on the wicker chair with his eyes closed, listening to opera on the gramophone, humming along occasionally, lightly tapping the armrest.
Mother Zhang, with a face full of smiles, ca up from the cellar, returned to the living room, and seeing her husband so relaxed, couldn’t help but push him a little.
Mr. Zhang looked at her in confusion.
"The father of the children, do you think we should visit i Hao’s place?"
Mr. Zhang glanced at the clock and shook his head, "Wait until it’s dark and take five kilos of rice over."
"Why are all boys being born this year? Should have had our Jiao Jiao have one too."
Mr. Zhang burst into laughter, "Silly woman, didn’t Old Ding’s family’s granddaughter just give birth to a girl? There’s no hurry for our Xiao Wu, they’re young, it’s not like they’ll lack children."
Mother Zhang nodded repeatedly, then sighed, "Didn’t you say the kids would definitely co back? Why haven’t they returned ho yet?"
"Don’t worry, since Jiao Jiao said in her letter that they went on vacation with Brother Zhou, they probably have things to do. You’ll surely see your youngest son in the next few days."
Mother Zhang hesitated for a mont and said softly, "I miss my grandson. Haven’t seen him in a year, looking at photos every day doesn’t do justice, and now holding him reminds of Ping’an as a child."
Seeing this, Mr. Zhang was silent, and after a mont, he finally made up his mind, "This ti, we’ll go with Xiao Wu and take you for a look at what Beijing is like."
But actually preparing to leave, Mother Zhang was indecisive, "But the little grandson is still young and needs care. What if the in-laws co to help and don’t leave?"
Mr. Zhang waved his hand, "We’ll be there for at most a month. The little grandson has his mother, and there’s Lao Er here; his father-in-law can’t cause any trouble here."
Mr. Zhang knew his three sons well. Lao Er was the coldest, cherishing only his parents and his five siblings, without much affection for even his cousins. The one least afraid of burning bridges was Lao Er. If the father-in-law angered him, he’d send him to the station in no ti; he would surely do it.
Mother Zhang spun around happily, but then beca worried thinking of the things in the cellar. Knowing the door was locked, she looked out of the living room, ran to her husband’s side, and whispered, "What about the stuff at ho?"
Mr. Zhang, seeing her sneaky manner, enjoyed the show. Hearing this, he teased, "Why don’t we eat it all these two days?"
"The father of the children..."
"Alright, the stuff will be fine. We lock the main door when we leave, and leave the key with Lao Er—who dares to sneak in?"
At this end, Mr. Zhang and Mother Zhang waited for their youngest son to co back, planning for a trip to Beijing. On the other side, in the train compartnt, Yi Jiefang and the other two were curious about the two large luggage items inside.
Yi Jiefang kicked them, "What did you bring back to your hotown? Why such big bags?"
Zhang Guoqing laughed, "Don’t kick them, be careful you’ll go hungry when we get back; they’re full of rice and white flour."
"You must be joking; who would be foolish enough to bring rice back when they have ration tickets."
Zhang Guoqing laughed and changed the subject. Truth be told, he was indeed that foolish. Even with ration tickets, it wasn’t guaranteed to buy rice and white flour back in the county, especially for the quantity needed for five people.
The military train, unlike regular trains that stop at many small stations, only makes several major stops, making it much faster.
Once they reached the provincial city, instead of heading to the county straight away, the five of them followed the military district’s transport vehicle to the logistics departnt, quickly finding Zhao Chuan Guang.
"Godfather, these are my good buddies, Yi Jiefang, Wan Dayong, Geng Dasheng."
"Uncle Zhao, do you have an adoptive daughter?"
"Hello, Uncle Zhao."
"Uncle Zhao, we’re here to trouble you."
Zhao Chuan Guang laughed heartily, "You rascals. Alright, I’ll notify your uncles, otherwise, they’ll skin alive."
Zhao Chuan Guang wasn’t surprised at all; from when Zhou Xiaozheng inford him who was coming, he knew the family backgrounds of these three brats. Not to ntion that even before these young masters reached the district, their various uncles and cousins had already got the ssage and asked him to inform them.
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