In the living room outside the west wing, Zhang's mother and her three daughters-in-law gathered together to chat, their hands busy with needlework. At this moment, she listened carefully and heard a rumbling sound. "Whose guests are here? Could it be someone looking for Xiaowu?"

Zhou Jiao and the others were surprised to find that in the short time it took for Zhang's mother to speak, the voice was approaching them.

The four of them looked at each other in bewilderment. Zhang's mother immediately stood up, lifted the door curtain, and peeked out. "Oh, it's Xiaowu who's back. Come out and see why there's a Japanese tricycle?"

After hearing this, Zhou Jiao and the others all ran to the yard. When they took a look, they all burst into laughter. How could this be a Japanese tricycle? The whole thing looked strange except for the car's shape.

"You know what, after looking at it for a long time, I find it quite beautiful. Where are you from, Xiaowu?" Lin Juhua walked forward curiously and looked around to take a look.

Zhang Guoqing shook his hands and stretched his arms and legs, "It's hard to explain in a few words, let me take a breath first." After a while, Zhang Guoqing felt a little warm all over his body, and walked towards the small living room with the things in the truck bed in his hands.

Zhou Jiao handed him a cup of hot water and asked him with a confused look on her face, "You're not driving this thing back from the provincial capital, are you? Where did you get the things you brought back?"

Zhang Guoqing looked at his gossipy sister-in-law in the living room and said helplessly, "He really did drive back from the provincial capital. It was my godfather who loaded all those things into the car. What does it mean to have good intentions but end up with bad results? That's it."

Zhou Jiao looked at him strangely. "Then why don't you ask a driver to hook the car up to yours and you can take the car yourself? It'll only cost a little more money, and there's no need to drive all the way back."

Zhang Guoqing listened and looked at Zhou Jiao dumbfounded. After a moment, he covered his face with his hands. "No wonder I felt something was wrong. My godfather led me into a ditch. He kept yelling at me to ride back. And so I did. I even passed a car on the way to the county town, and I didn't even think of asking someone to tow it. It was so embarrassing."

His words made Zhang's mother and the others laugh. It was rare to see Xiaowu being confused.

Zhou Jiao was afraid that he would be embarrassed, so she changed the subject, "After my mom and the others got on the bus, did you send a telegram back?"

"I've done everything you asked me to do. Mom, why are you the only ones at home? Where are my dad and the others?"

"Your father took the children to your uncle's house. Your eldest brother went to a wedding and will be back soon. Didn't your eldest aunt not come this time? Your father tossed and turned all night last night. I guess he went to discuss something with your uncle." Zhang's mother became worried when she talked about her eldest aunt, fearing that something big had really happened.

Zhang Guoqing stood up and said to Zhou Jiao, "Jiaojiao, let me go and see what they say first." Seeing her nod, he walked outside.

Zhang Guoqing arrived at Uncle Zhang's door and pushed it open. The three brothers' courtyards all had identical layouts. He knew they were all in the main hall. He entered the courtyard and noticed that aside from the main hall, the side rooms were all closed, suggesting the women in the family had gone to work.

In the main room, Zhang's three brothers sat on the kang, smoking dry pipes and chatting about family matters.

As soon as Zhang Guoqing came in, Zhang's father asked him, "Why did you come here? Have you finished your business in the provincial capital?"

"Everything is done. I just came back and heard from mother that you were worried about your aunt and came to see her. How is the discussion going? How many people will go this time?" Zhang Guoqing moved a stool and sat on the kang and said.

Father Zhang pointed at the two brothers and said, "Your eldest uncle and your younger uncle said to ask someone first to find out what happened. Once we figure it out, we'll go back."

Zhang Guoqing looked at him and decided to give up. As a junior, he didn't need to question his elders. According to his thoughts, he should have gone over to check it out in the morning. Still waiting to find out?

Uncle Zhang said to Zhang Guoqing, "Xiaowu, do you think we can go over and get your aunt and uncle to come live with us this time? I've thought that if only your aunt and her family live in the village, away from those people, nothing will happen. It's a bad thing if your mother's family is too far away. They won't be able to help if something happens."

Zhang Guoqing raised an eyebrow. He was not sure what to say. "Uncle, are you talking about my aunt and her husband moving into the village?" Seeing him nod, he continued, "Will my aunt and her husband be willing to leave their children and grandchildren behind? Even if we build a house for her, will her cousins ​​agree? Won't they say the old man has his own private house? Even if my aunt and her husband come, what will happen if those cousins ​​come over and cause trouble? Our three families will have no peace."

Uncle Zhang nodded in agreement and interjected, "Eldest Sister won't move here. We've mentioned it before. When her father-in-law passed away, we asked them to move to the village, but they wouldn't listen."

Zhang Guoqing saw that his old brother's brows were furrowed tightly, and asked curiously, "Why don't the eldest aunt and her husband move out on their own? It would be less of a worry for them if they didn't live with their son."

Uncle Zhang sighed, "Your aunt said that if she moved out, it would affect her grandson's marriage in the future."

Zhang Guoqing understood his intention. He simply wanted them to move in under the pretext of returning to her parents' home, away from those ruthless individuals. But things weren't that simple. Regardless of whether his aunt agreed, how would they be supported in their old age? Who would take care of them? This wasn't just a matter of days or months; providing for their well-being and seeing them through to the end wasn't something that could be achieved through simple lip service.

Besides him, no one else's family is well off. Haha, maybe his uncle just asked him that because he wants him to take over the responsibility of supporting the two elderly people. He wouldn't mind a few bucks, but who would want to take on such a stupid job? It's a thankless task. Especially since his eldest aunt is such a clueless person, and with that family full of blood-sucking leeches, the whole house will be empty after just a few days.

Zhang Guoqing stopped talking and sat quietly beside them listening to them chat.

As soon as the announcement of leaving work sounded, Zhang Guoqing and his son said goodbye and left.

As soon as Father Zhang left Uncle Zhang's yard, his face turned stern. Zhang Guoqing was also a little angry, but seeing his father's expression, he knew that his suspicion was correct. He sighed secretly and followed Father Zhang back to his room.

"Fortunately you heard it. Don't let your mother know your uncle's plan." Father Zhang said dejectedly, leaning on the kang.

Zhang Guoqing nodded and teased him, "Didn't you look at me before I answered? Your son is just like you, he's not stupid. It's not that your son has no conscience. Giving money and things is fine, but living here is not allowed."

Father Zhang whispered, "Your uncle is quite clever. He's always vague in his words and actions. When I suggested going to see your aunt, even your uncle had no objection, but he said he'd wait until he got some good news. Well... he's the eldest, so just listen to him. I should have known better than to discuss it with him and go directly to see your aunt. Now I'm stuck."

"Dad, have you forgotten that there will be an election in the next few days? I should go after the election is over." Zhang Guoqing knew that his eldest cousin's election was on schedule.

Father Zhang slapped his forehead repeatedly; he really hadn't connected the dots. "Your uncle's asking about your second brother. He's hinting at wanting you to find a job for your cousin. Don't go to either of their houses for the next few days. Once your eldest brother's situation is settled, we'll go to the county town and spend some time there."

Seeing Zhang Guoqing laughing softly, Zhang's father patted him hard and said, "Do you think your father doesn't want to help his nephew? The problem is, are jobs that easy to find? With so many nephews, it's not suitable for anyone. Anyway, it's not easy to get along with people inside and outside. I'll just pretend I don't understand."

Zhang Guoqing doesn't want to hear about work. What he is concerned about now is supplies.

After dinner, Zhang Guoqing and his two brothers followed their father back to the bedroom in the east wing.

Zhang Guoqing detailed the several companies he had contacted. Currently, the five positions he had contacted were: textile factory assistant, postal sorter, salesperson at the grain bureau, warehouse manager at the supply and marketing cooperative, and meat processing plant employee. With the exception of the textile factory and postal office, where the positions were permanent, the other three were temporary. He had used every possible means to secure these positions, and it was up to his eldest brother to choose. The final outcome would depend on Zhang Guofu's own preferences.

Zhang's father was thrilled to hear this. These were all excellent companies, even city dwellers couldn't get in. He had even gone to the county town to ask his father-in-law about them.

Zhang Guofu lowered his head to think for a moment, then raised his head and said, "The child's uncle means that no matter which unit you can get into, you should get in as soon as possible. If it weren't for Xiaowu, no one would be able to enter the city. I know Xiaowu must have put a lot of effort into it. Big brother won't be polite to you. You can let Big brother go to the unit that owes you the least favor and won't require you to spend a lot of money in the future. All five units are good, and any of them would be too high for me. It's up to you to decide."

Zhang Guoqing looked at his honest older brother. The more he didn't want to bother himself, the more he wanted to find a good job for him. He planned to find a good job first, then let his older brother go to night school, and later use his connections to switch departments. The textile factory had the strongest connections at the moment, so he wouldn't be ostracized. The other day, he heard Uncle Chen say that there were many types of auxiliary jobs, and there was still a way to switch to an easier one. The most suitable position was a salesperson under the Grain Bureau. With his neighbor, Old Chen, around, there was room for discussion for temporary workers. The most important thing was that he wouldn't have to worry about food in the future, and his work schedule was fixed and easy.

Zhang Guoqing pondered for a moment and said, "I'm most satisfied with the salespersons at the Grain Bureau. It wouldn't be a problem to turn a temporary worker into a regular employee. The textile factory is the one I'm most comfortable with, but constant shifts are too tiring. Second brother, can you help me figure out which one is suitable? We need to decide on these jobs as soon as possible."

Zhang Guoqiang had no objections to either job. He had been working there for a while and knew the importance of having a strong backer. Furthermore, his older brother was a good-natured, steady, and shrewd person, so he would be a good fit in either position.

"I think either one is fine. There's Aunt Zuo at the textile factory, and Uncle Chen at the grain bureau. Big brother, just pick one."

"No need to choose, just go to the Grain Bureau. You won't have to worry about having nothing to eat once you hear it. Boss, you just have to listen to daddy this time. It will be best if Xiaowu can be satisfied." Father Zhang made the decision decisively when he saw that his eldest son was hesitating.

Zhang Guoqiang and his brother stared at Zhang Guofu and saw a smile on his face. They smiled at each other, feeling that they had finally accomplished something important.

Seeing that nothing was wrong, Zhang Guoqing stood up and said, "Okay. I'll talk to Lao Chen about how to change to a regular employee in the next two days. Brother, please be ready to go to work next week. I'll go with you then. It's okay, I'm leaving now."

Father Zhang hurriedly called out to him, "What's the hurry? Sit down quickly. Dad has something else to do."

Zhang Guoqing sat down again, looked at him puzzledly, and waited for him to speak.

Father Zhang glared at him and said slowly, "Dad and your mother have been discussing this for a long time. Let's split up our family first, and give you the money sooner rather than later. Now that you have jobs and money, it will be easier to arrange things. There's one more thing I need to discuss privately with you three brothers. This will help you avoid any resentment."

Zhang Guoqing and his three brothers let him speak freely. What else was there? They were just worried about the uneven division of the family property and the brothers' discord.

Zhang Guofu has a good heart and feels that no matter how much he gets, it should be given to his brothers, not to others.

Zhang Guoqiang knew he didn't have much to give home. The family's money depended entirely on his eldest son and his fifth son. He was lucky to have a share.

Father Zhang looked at his sons, all of whom had smiles on their faces. He was secretly happy. "When you three brothers earn money and pay it home, I start keeping accounts. I've looked through the account books these days and Xiaowu pays the most. But Xiaowu, I can only let you and Jiaojiao suffer the loss. You don't have to say anything. I know you don't care."

Father Zhang stopped Zhang Guoqing from speaking. He continued, "Tomorrow night I'll have the elders of the clan come over. You go back to your rooms and say hello to your wives."

Seeing that everything was settled, Father Zhang asked them to go back to the house and rest.