The following morning, Zhang Guoqing, who had been sleepless all night, kissed his son who was in his arms and returned to campus.
Without Zhou Jiao by his side, he devoted one hundred percent of his energy into his studies and work. Occasionally, after night classes, he would ride back ho on his bike to sleep with his son.
Eventually, he managed to pull through day by day.
Ti flew by quickly, and traveling between the two places, Zhang Guoqing began to doubt whether sothing had gone wrong with the matter, seeing no action from the Lin Family.
However, ever since he followed his father-in-law’s suggestion to stop Heizi from observing them, he wasn’t sure if Zhou Xiaocun had made contact with the Lin Family.
He unintentionally heard Yang Qun ntion that Lin Liyin had taken another week off, so he thought the matter might still be ongoing. With this in mind, he refocused his attention on the school.
With sumr approaching, farm work tasks were about to comnce.
This ti, without Zhou Jiao, Zhang Guoqing didn’t need to be concerned about exhausting anyone; he personally led the tasks, treating everyone equally, causing such chaos that even Yi Jiefang couldn’t bear to watch.
"You’re crazy. Do you really want our class to get the advanced award? That’s enough."
Zhang Guoqing looked at Yi Jiefang, the group leader Shen Yunshi, the living committee mber He Ben Shan, and the labor committee mber Wei Kelin surrounding him, and smiled.
He lowered his voice mysteriously and said, "For this year and next, our class must be the advanced class." Clearing his throat, he laughed, "We have to forge ahead, a bright future awaits you to strive for!"
Wei Kelin rolled his eyes and patted him on the shoulder, "Let’s work hard together!"
"You have the strength, do more work!"
The group of people gathered in a circle, laughing heartily.
After dispersing, seeing most people had left, Shen Yunshi lingered, following Zhang Guoqing until they reached the end of the field, squatting beside him.
Zhang Guoqing glanced at him sideways, "Speak quickly."
Shen Yunshi turned to look at the nearby instructor, nudging him sneakily, "Really not staying at the school? We’re all good together. If you leave, what should I do?"
"You’re not my wife, how would I know? Take my advice, don’t stay at the school. A place the size of a palm won’t suffice for you; better to work and stay close to your parents."
Shen Yunshi chuckled, nodding, "Thanks, buddy."
Zhang Guoqing replied earnestly, "This gratitude, I’ll temporarily accept it. Don’t forget to treat to a big al when you succeed in the future."
This was indeed Zhang Guoqing’s genuine sentint. This gratitude, he could accept. Stay at school? No way!
"No need to wait until later; once we’re done with this, we can call Da Yi and have a al together."
"Okay. Go get busy, soone’s coming over."
After sending the people away, Zhang Guoqing quickened his pace with his work. Honestly, had it not been for his deep friendship with Shen Yunshi and his admiration for his character, he shouldn’t have intervened.
If his wife was around, she would certainly caution him to be more reserved at ho. Alas... where could she be now? Is she doing well? Eating western food? With any wild n?
Zhang Guoqing wielded his sickle, muttering about wild n, and moved quickly, soon cutting down large swathes. This prompted classmates on both sides to secretly curse, helplessly giving it their best.
Yi Jiefang wiped the sweat off, took a sip of water, looked at the distant bullish man. Then he looked at his own situation and rolled his eyes to the sky. Truly crazy, this buddy has really gone mad!
After finally getting to rest, Yi Jiefang dragged his heavy steps, holding his waist, moving step by step to Zhang Guoqing’s side, collapsing on the ground limply.
Zhang Guoqing gave him a strange glance, "Very tired? We just started. Look, the weather is getting more stifling, it might rain, and we’ll have to work through the night; can you handle it?"
Upon hearing this, Yi Jiefang had no strength left even to roll his eyes.
"After cutting wheat, we still need to plow fields and transplant seedlings. There’s a lot to do, to endure. I have a bottle of dicinal liquor in my bag, rember to rub it on tonight."
Yi Jiefang weakly nodded. He no longer wanted to complain. He didn’t find comfort here; instead, he felt deeply struck. If he were to beco a farr in this life, he’d hang himself first.
Luckily Zhang Guoqing didn’t know his thoughts, otherwise he would definitely say he’s idle. Haven’t you seen the villagers’ smiles these days? Compared to the past two years, being able to harvest with favorable weather is already grateful to Heaven.
"I sotis didn’t go back to see my son, planning to go back in a few days. Do you want to go together?"
Yi Jiefang took a bowl of well water handed over by a classmate and drank it in one gulp, letting out a comfortable breath.
Upon hearing Zhang Guoqing’s words, he shook his hand and said, "I’d better not. If it’s another sixteen-hour day, I’ll have to rest before reaching ho. If you go back, will Ping’an make a fuss?"
"He won’t. Last ti I took him to Little Jiang’s hotown for a night, he knows farm work is tiring. This ti, he even asked to finish the work before going ho to accompany him."
"That little guy is really considerate. Last ti he told , ’Since your mom isn’t by your side, take care of Dad for .’ He even pulled for a long chat. It made laugh."
When Zhang Guoqing ntioned his son, his face imdiately lit up with a smile.
"He told the village kids are pitiful. As big as he is, he has to work every day. Early in the morning with a bamboo basket and a small sickle to gather pigweed. He saw those kids have marks of knife scars on their hands. Without firewood at ho, they have to collect it, otherwise, they can’t eat."
"That’s not all, he secretly told the girls are even more pitiful, always getting beaten and can’t eat first. He said the girl in your courtyard, Fatty, never likes vegetables and should go there to get beaten for a few days to behave."
Zhang Guoqing nodded, "Spending two days in the village made him much more understanding." Of course, he’s also beco more stingy, which can’t be spoken out loud. Nowadays, when he sees a stick on the road, he wants to take it ho. When he hears he’s going to the village for farm work, tears well up, taking out biscuits from his private stash for him.
Son, oh, you’re a good son. Unfortunately, the general trend isn’t good, otherwise how nice to be idle; as long as it’s lawful, live as you please.
Just as Zhang Guoqing expected, the next dozen days were spent working through the nights. In the hot weather, the towel on his head was perpetually drenched as if freshly pulled from the water.
In such busy and exhausting days, finally, it was ti to return to school.
Zhang Guoqing was thrilled and planned to go ho tomorrow. However, just at the school gate, news brought by Wan Dayong chilled his entire being, as he looked at him in disbelief.
"It’s true, today not only in the big yard but all around the city. When I heard the rumor from classmates about a man surnad Zhou from the Northeast and a high-ranking official nad Lin from Beijing, I knew it must be your wife’s maternal family."
Yi Jiefang assessed the surroundings and urged Zhang Guoqing, "Anyway, the work is done here. Go quickly to ask the teacher for leave and run back to check."
Zhang Guoqing shook his hand and looked at Wan Dayong, "Can you tell more details about how it’s being spread? This matter shouldn’t be getting outside?"
Yi Jiefang nodded along, "Yeah, we should first analyze whether the rumor is real. If it doesn’t concern Uncle Zhou, Xiao Wu rushing back might be a joke."
Wan Dayong sighed. Without certainty, would he run here to notify them? There aren’t many families with the surna Lin in Beijing, and whose matter is as rife with issues as the Lin Dingsheng family’s.
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