In the kitchen, Zhou Jiao prepared several hot dishes her dad likes, and just as she finished, she happily ran outside: "Aunt, I’m going to pick up my dad."
"Slow down! Don’t fall."
Before Zhou Xiaozheng even stepped through the door, he saw his beloved daughter sprinting over, "Cooking again? What delicious dishes do we have today? Are they going to be warm?"
Zhou Jiao playfully blew her bangs, holding her dad’s arm, "All dishes we both like, but unfortunately, we have guests, so we can’t cook too much."
"I heard from your mom that the Miao family is coming?"
"Yeah." Zhou Jiao showed no interest in ntioning outsiders, "Dad, which way did you co from? Is brother going to pick up Ping’an again and perhaps you too?"
"I still took the old route. Maybe the kindergarten had so delays." Zhou Xiaozheng sniffed the aroma as he walked, "My daughter is impressive, just slling it makes want to eat."
Zhou Jiao laughed heartily.
"Tomorrow’s the registration day?" Zhou Xiaozheng saw her nod, "Really tough. If you truly don’t want to go, just take a leave. Anyway, studying this major won’t be useful. A few units specifically called to have you work for them recently, but I pushed it to after graduation."
Zhou Jiao softly laughed, "Dad, is this okay? You should encourage to strive forward, take bold steps."
Zhou Xiaozheng patted her head, "Dad only wishes for you to be safe all your life, and to be happy. The more outstanding you are, the harder life gets, with bigger responsibilities."
Zhou Jiao wrinkled her nose, "Seems like you want in that departnt? Spending all day with data, aren’t you afraid I’ll go bald?"
"Even if my daughter is bald, she’s still the prettiest bald-headed girl!"
The father and daughter entered the living room.
Lin Lishan had already prepared a change of clothes, saw the father and daughter, and said with a smile, "Chat more, tomorrow when you return to school your dad will be gloomy again."
"If Ping’an is here, he’d surely say why don’t you think about ? You don’t love anymore, mom."
Lin Lishan patted her forehead, "Silly!"
When Zhou Xiaozheng finished showering and ca out, Zhang Guoqing held his son and ca back together with Miao Zhicheng.
Feeling a chill down his spine from Zhou Xiaozheng’s glance, Miao Zhicheng gritted his teeth and shouted "Uncle," then returned to the nervous unease he had when he first entered the house.
"Mm, drop by whenever you have ti."
Miao Zhicheng controlled his trembling legs, glanced at him quickly, and indeed didn’t see wrong. So his cousin takes after her father; it would be better if he didn’t keep a stern face.
Zhou Jiao found it amusing watching the two of them. Her dad’s mischievous side ca out, and no one could stop that.
"Alright."
Zhou Xiaozheng worried this child might faint, seeing him mixing up his movents. He smirked and spoke gently, "If you encounter difficulties at school, discuss with Xiao Wu."
Better not smile; why does it make feel uneasy? Bravely, Miao Zhicheng really wanted to say ’Uncle, please stop smiling,’ but instead, he said, "Uncle, I understand."
Zhang Guoqing reckoned this child got scared, pulled him toward the table, "Don’t worry, my dad is easy to get along with."
Miao Zhicheng seized the mont when Zhou Xiaozheng chatted quietly with Zhou Jiao to mumble to himself, "Xiao Wu, my mom’s a worrywart. When Uncle keeps a stern face back ho, none of those old ladies dare approach, right? This is authority, isn’t it?"
Zhang Guoqing jokingly replied, "Ask him yourself, you might as well close your eyes and ask."
"You’re just teasing !"
Zhou Xiaozheng glanced at the two, realizing the child truly matches the investigation results, which was reassuring. Spending so money wasn’t a concern; if it dragged with lots of trouble, he wouldn’t hesitate to resolve it.
Thinking of the dead Miao Junfa, a gleaming aura flickered in his eyes. Those three or four older brothers are still at sea, posting notices as ntioned in the will to find his sister again. Even in death, they wouldn’t let him have peace!
Must treat this lineage as real! Yes, it’s real! If even he doesn’t believe it, how could others trust it?
"Grandfather."
Zhou Xiaozheng nodded slightly, "Just like your grandma said, when there’s ti at the end of the year, our whole family will go pay respects."
Ping’an blinked with puzzlent and glanced at the goofy uncle. He didn’t quite understand why his grandfather agreed with his grandmother; his grandfather is busiest during the New Year.
"Co to the study after dinner."
Ping’an smiled and nodded. His grandpa implied they would talk once in the room, and he has many private questions to ask. Today, he heard his buddies ntion preparing for imminent battles.
"Shanshan, pack a set of living essentials for boarding after dinner for Zhicheng to take to school tomorrow."
Miao Zhicheng quickly waved his hand, "No need. Uncle, I brought luggage."
Zhou Xiaozheng slightly frowned: "Eat before you speak. Besides, in this house, don’t be polite, tell your aunt if you need anything. You’re the only grandson for your grandparents; who else would your aunt help if not you?"
"Uncle, I’ll adjust."
Zhou Xiaozheng nodded, speaking warmly, "Co back for a few days whenever there’s a school break. In the Big Courtyard, speaking your local dialect won’t draw laughter; instead, it’ll make others feel more familiar and friendly."
Miao Zhicheng, despite being initially overwheld by his aunt’s family’s background, wasn’t lacking smarts. He quickly grasped his uncle’s implicit guidance.
Seeing him understand, Zhou Xiaozheng intentionally guided him a bit, "At school, speak less and observe more. Consult Xiao Wu for anything unclear."
Miao Zhicheng noticed as he talked, he was also serving his cousin; suddenly his uncle seed less intimidating. A cold exterior with a warm heart matched his uncle’s type, so he boldly ntioned, "I understand. Even at work, I rarely speak much. The bigger the city, the more one needs to mind their words."
Zhou Xiaozheng grinned, nodding approvingly.
At heart, Miao Zhicheng happily chuckled. He sensed his uncle was actually praising him this ti!
"Dad, there are several acquaintances at the Agricultural University, I’ll ask them to look after Brother Zhicheng."
"Very good. Tomorrow, take him to send a telegram reporting safety." Zhou Xiaozheng understood his son-in-law got his aning; such relatives are worth publicizing.
He said to Miao Zhicheng, "Don’t put down your chopsticks, eat more of what you like."
Zhou Jiao stared at her dad speechlessly, serving him so food, urging him to eat quickly. If they kept talking, the dishes would be cold!
After dinner, Zhang Guoqing took Miao Zhicheng out to familiarize him with the area, introducing so buddies, listening to their grievances, and amusing these children.
The gang, everyone had plans for the sumr, whether training at military camps or returning to hotowns. Gathering now, they chatted endlessly about various topics.
Yi Jiefang had a miserable ti at the tail end of sumr, dragged by his dad to the army, suffering unbearably. Finally waiting for school, now back he couldn’t wait to tell his buddies!
"Buddies, co back to the countryside with this winter!"
This suggestion, once spoken, sparked laughter among those present.
Everyone teased, "Xiao Wu isn’t your wife, stop disgracing us guys!"
"This kid isn’t a girl sneaked into the people’s squad, is he?"
"Stop spouting nonsense, dare to jump onto a military train with us guys by year-end?"
Zhang Guoqing bead watching them play around, while timing internally. A Southern trip was inevitable, and today’s topic wouldn’t stand out anymore.
Year sixty-three was coming soon, certain matters needed preparation! But, buddy, have you asked your wife yet?
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