Chapter 54 Braised Pork

Zhang Mao had a bunch of reasons waiting for Zhang Liangpeng to ask.

He wanted to go abroad, he wanted to see the world, he wanted to make further progress in his studies, and he even made a wish that if he could stay there, it would be so much better than developing in China.

Zhang Liangpeng listened silently.

At this moment, a picture unfolded before Pei Juanjuan's eyes.

Her son, Zhang Mao, had been a brilliant student since childhood and now qualified as an exchange student. Listening to Zhang Mao's vivid description, Pei Juanjuan seemed to see a bright future.

Her son, dressed in a suit and tie, stood on a podium or under the spotlight, everyone applauded him. He smiled and responded to everyone, then said to everyone, "Thank you, my parents..."

Pei Juanjuan felt that she had no regrets in her life.

She became excited, opened her eyes wide, and nodded in rhythm with Zhang Mao: Yes, yes, that's right, Zhang Mao is right, yes, the child's ideas are more progressive...

He should go out and see, he deserves the best.

When Zhang Liangpeng looked at Pei Juanjuan, he saw her eyes shining, and he knew that she had completely changed sides.

If Zhang Liangpeng tried to stop him at this point, it would seem inhumane. Furthermore, Zhang Mao's words had ignited a small flame in his heart.

As the director of a cotton mill, this should be the highest point he could reach. His son should stand on his shoulders, see higher and go further.

Children can go abroad and continue their studies. If they have this opportunity, why would parents stop them?

Zhang Liangpeng licked his dry lips, remembering the short string of numbers on his bankbook. He could only ask Zhang Mao, "How much money do I need to prepare?"

Zhang Mao knew he had succeeded.

His face flushed as he excitedly told Zhang Liangpeng, "My family needs to pay for my plane ticket first. My teacher said I'll have a job opportunity after I get there. I'm confident I can earn my living expenses. I'll also apply for a scholarship. Don't worry, Dad. I won't burden our family too much. I know we don't have much money..."

Zhang Liangpeng was relieved at first after hearing Zhang Mao's statement.

He was not as selfish as he imagined. He also knew that his family did not have much money. He said he would work, study hard and apply for scholarships... At this moment, Zhang Liangpeng felt that Zhang Mao was sensible and felt relieved, so his words were not so stiff anymore.

"I'll go and find out how much the plane ticket will cost tomorrow." Zhang Liangpeng said slowly.

"Then," Zhang Mao looked at Zhang Liangpeng, "Dad, do you agree?"

Zhang Liangpeng felt a bitter taste in his mouth, but he still nodded and said, "It's a good opportunity. Your mother and I should fully support you."

Zhang Mao stood up excitedly, walked to Zhang Liangpeng, and hugged Zhang Liangpeng.

Seeing this, Pei Juanjuan also hurried over, and the three of them hugged each other tightly, as if they were parting forever.

Zhang Yang was watching the three of them from a far corner. Zhang Mao was so excited that he cried, and Pei Juanjuan also started crying. Only Zhang Liangpeng didn't look as relaxed as the other two.

Zhang Mao raised his tearful eyes and when he saw Zhang Yang, he nodded vigorously at him, signaling Zhang Yang to come over and hug him.

Zhang Yang raised the corner of his mouth slightly, shook his head at Zhang Mao, and then walked into his room.

Every time at this time, he felt that he was redundant.

It’s not that he didn’t want to hug them, but there were so many people that Zhang Yang didn’t know who to hug with his hands.

The news that Director Zhang's eldest son was studying abroad quickly became the hottest topic at the cotton mill. And it remained so popular for several months. Every family with children, whenever they saw their children's grades, would use Zhang Mao's example to educate them.

Especially during the winter vacation, when the final exam papers were handed out and every parent looked at the unsatisfactory scores, Zhang Mao's name appeared frequently on their lips again.

Liu Meilan braised the pork belly, came out of the kitchen, sat at the dining table and started peeling eggs.

These eggs will be put in and stewed together later, along with dried tofu, chicken feet, etc. A big pot of stew will be needed.

This is Wang Fang’s favorite food, especially the eggs and chicken feet inside.

After receiving a call from Wang Fang, who said she would be returning to her parents' home for the Chinese New Year this year, Wang Yuxiu started preparing these foods.

First, I made a few pots of buns and steamed some flower rolls. The braised pork I made today will be well-seasoned overnight. Wang Fang will be here tomorrow.

"My sister came back quite early this time." Liu Meilan said to Xie Mei while peeling eggs, "There's still many days before the Chinese New Year."

Xie Mei was watching TV and didn't notice the hidden meaning in Wang Fang's words, so she said directly: "Your sister mainly came to see the house."

"Looking at houses?" Liu Meilan immediately looked at Wang Gang and then raised her eyebrows at him.

Wang Gang understood and asked Xie Mei, "What kind of house is my sister looking at?"

"She said she wanted to buy a house nearby, or rent one. She comes back often and has no place to live, and Tianyi is studying here. Having a house is like having a home." Xie Mei said as she changed the TV channels. After a long round, she couldn't find anything she liked, so she just stopped at a TV station and sat on the sofa in a daze.

Xie Mei has been feeling lazy lately, unable to muster the energy to do anything. She's also constantly sleepy. Even in such cold weather, she needs to take several naps a day, often feeling sleepy while eating. Sometimes, after a good night's sleep, she'll sit on the sofa and watch TV, only to fall back asleep as soon as she turns on the TV.

It was only after I heard that Wang Fang was coming back that I felt a little stronger these past two days, which was enough to support her through this winter.

"Buying a house is a good idea," Wang Gang said immediately. "It looks like my sister is rich now."

Xie Mei turned around and glared at Wang Gang, then said, "You should focus all your attention on Mingjie. How did you do on the exam?"

Wang Gang stopped talking.

Xie Mei had guessed it long ago. The atmosphere at home had been strange these days. When Mingjie came home from school, he went straight to his room without saying a word.

Liu Meilan was sighing all the time, so Xie Mei guessed that she hadn't done well on the test.

"The child has tried his best." Xie Mei said slowly, "Not all children are suited to studying. Some are born with it. Don't force it. Having a good body is better than anything else."

Wang Gang sighed, "When Tianyi comes back this weekend, she'll tell you she did well on the exam."

Xie Mei nodded. "It's just that I'm a little biased in some subjects. I'm first in the class in Chinese and English, and I'm barely average in math."

"Then she's not afraid." Wang Gang immediately said, "My sister is so rich now, she can support her."

"How much money can your sister have!" Wang Yuxiu came out of the room and stood at the door looking at Wang Gang. "She works so hard in business, day and night, and she earns all the money with her life."

"I know, I know." Wang Gang immediately made his attitude clear: "I'm not borrowing money from her. Look at you, you're always more scared than my sister. You won't let me say anything."

"Children have their own destiny," Wang Yuxiu said. "Those with good grades have good paths, and those with poor grades have poor paths. You and your sister, neither of you has good grades, but you're both living well!"

"What's good about that?" Liu Meilan, who had been silent the whole time, suddenly spoke up. "Dad, don't you know that the factory hasn't paid wages for two months?"

This matter cannot be mentioned. Wang Gang will start cursing if it is mentioned.

As expected, as soon as Liu Meilan finished speaking, Wang Gang spoke up: "If you ask me, the factory was doing well, how did it suddenly become like this? Isn't it because of the change of factory director? Ever since Zhang Liangpeng became the factory director, this cotton mill has been in trouble. We haven't been paid for two months, saying it was the Chinese New Year, but everyone had no money for the New Year and started to make a fuss. Zhang Liangpeng just said he would give everyone an explanation before the New Year, but now it's almost Chinese New Year, and the factory has not made a penny in the account, and we still owe a lot of foreign debts!"

Wang Gang stood up with a snort. "Huh! He's having a good time! His son has even gone abroad. I heard his monthly living expenses alone are equivalent to several months' salary for us. Who can we ask for justice? The factory can't pay wages, and all the workers are starving, and yet his son has gone abroad! Where does he get the money from?"

"Wang Gang, shut up!" Wang Yuxiu shouted, "You can just say those things casually?"

The author has something to say:

Thank you to the little angels who voted for me or provided me with nutrient solution between 2023-06-19 16:51:25 and 2023-06-20 16:54:34~

Thanks to the little angel who irrigated the nutrient solution: 1 bottle of Hurricane Pumpkin Lantern;

Thank you very much for your support. I will continue to work hard!