Time passed quickly. The group strolled through the streets and alleys, tried all kinds of local snacks, and finally boarded the return train two days later with a lot of harvest.

As soon as the train started, they waved goodbye to Huang Dong and Zhao Wenhui, a couple who were seeing them off, and soon their figures gradually became blurred.

Yi Jiefang leaned back, slumped down on the cot, and kept shouting, "I'm so tired! My legs have become thin from walking these past two days."

Zhang Guoqing smiled and shook his head. This guy would just keep nagging, refusing to leave even after hearing about some delicious food. If he relaxed, his legs and feet would ache.

The two of them had done quite a few jobs recently, so he probably still had quite a few food coupons. Before they were all used up, he would be back in Beijing looking for fun.

Compared to Wan Dayong and the others, Zhang Guoqing prefers to associate with Yi Jiefang. Although he seems to be carefree and cynical, he is actually a person of clean character and can resist external temptations.

The young man is good-looking and has a good family background. He often receives attention from girls, but he still stubbornly sticks to his bottom line, which is really good.

Lin Lishan found a small bottle of medicinal wine from her luggage bag and put it on his bed. "Rub it quickly, or you won't be able to rest when you return to school."

"Auntie Shan, I've gained weight and my lower limbs can't support the weight."

Lin Lishan laughed happily.

Zhang Guoqing saw Aunt Chen make the small bed and put Ping An on it. He reached out to help him apply the medicinal wine and joked, "Don't you still have upper limbs? Let's use the four limbs for now."

"You're just walking on all fours...be gentle and don't retaliate so quickly, okay? Are you still a good buddy?"

…

During the journey, everyone was making each other laugh, often causing the passengers on either side to laugh along with them. While they were laughing and chatting happily along the way, they were unaware that a family in the capital was in great turmoil.

When they arrived in the capital, it was the weekend. It was midday, the hottest time of the day, and Zhou Xiaozheng, dressed in a neat military uniform, stood on the platform, welcoming them back as usual.

Even though he knew he was only in the middle, Zhang Guoqing was deeply moved. It was truly remarkable. He had thought only Jiaojiao had such an honor, but he hadn't expected his son to make it.

Why didn't his father-in-law pick up his mother-in-law when she returned from a business trip in recent years? He couldn't help but suspect that Comrade Zhou Xiaozheng was a reserved and shy type.

On the way home in the car, Zhang Guoqing kept wanting to remind his father-in-law whether he should unbutton the collar around his neck, but soon his attention was no longer on this.

"Brother Zheng, what did you say?"

Lin Lishan screamed in shock, and Xiao Wang was so frightened that he almost dropped the steering wheel from his hands.

Zhou Xiaozheng focused his gaze on her and said slowly, "Mrs. Lin committed suicide the day before yesterday. Homicide has been ruled out."

Lin Lishan shook her head and murmured, "How is it possible? Didn't they say she was paralyzed? How could someone like her commit suicide? How could she not want to live..."

Zhang Guoqing glanced at her and asked Zhou Xiaozheng, "Dad, how did she commit suicide?"

"She swallowed a gold ring and gold earrings late at night, and also took a lot of sleeping pills. No one in the family noticed until the nanny discovered it the next day."

Yi Jiefang, who was sitting in the passenger seat, uttered a "tsk tsk" sound, "What a noble way to die!"

Zhang Guoqing suppressed a smile, cleared his throat, and changed the subject. "This is unbelievable! How could a paralyzed person have the mobility to get so many things? And why didn't they have anyone to stay with them?"

Zhou Xiaozheng smiled and continued, "The family didn't believe it either, so they called the police. Later, the investigators interrogated Jiang Jiangyu, who was with Old Madam Lin that night, and ruled out homicide. But..."

Zhou Xiaozheng didn't say anything else. He didn't care how Gu Ruyi died. That woman deserved to be abandoned by her family and schemed against by a fool! She should have died long ago, so why was she still alive?

Zhang Guoqing also understood Zhou Xiaozheng's implication, but he didn't ask further questions. The despair that could drive someone to suicide couldn't have been solely attributed to Jiang Jiangyu. But what did this have to do with him? Why bother trying to figure out the truth? At least the poisonous woman was gone, and the air felt fresher.

Just because he remembered it doesn't mean others have the same insight.

Lin Lishan held Zhou Xiaozheng's arm and said, "Brother Zheng, but what?"

Zhou Xiaozheng looked at the hand on his arm and said in a deep voice, "I just came back yesterday. You can ask my aunt for details. However, I still suggest you don't ask. If you find out too much, you will be more disappointed."

"It's just a pity for the old man, his family is so unfortunate!"

Zhou Xiaozheng had been staring at her. After hearing what she said, he didn't know how to react for a moment, so he pretended not to hear and lowered his head to chat with his grandson.

The car arrived outside the compound, dropped Yi Jiefang off, and when they arrived at the door, just as Zhang Guoqing had expected, the happy old lady Cheng was already waiting for them under the eaves.

If anyone was asked who was happiest at hearing the news of Gu Ruyi's death, Old Lady Cheng would definitely be the first to raise her hand. That vicious woman had repeatedly plotted to murder her nephew; the sooner she died, the better! She often wondered if her nephew hadn't been capable, he would have met his end.

The thought was terrifying. When she thought of this question, she ran to Zhou Xiaozheng without delay to ask him if he had ever eaten the special food cooked by that vicious old woman over the years.

When Zhou Xiaozheng assured her that there was no such thing, the old lady breathed a sigh of relief. It was true that fortunes often come with misfortunes, and misfortunes often come with blessings. She was actually somewhat glad that the child had gone on a mission.

The little actor got out of the car and stopped in front of Old Mrs. Cheng. He stretched out his hand and pulled her inside, muttering to himself.

"Grandma, it's so hot, why did you come out? We would be so sad if you got sunburned. I hope you live a long life and I will give birth to a son for you to play with."

"Grandma, it's a pity you didn't come with us. The weather was too hot, and I didn't dare bring back a lot of delicious food. It's such a pity."

"Grandma, I missed you so much when I wasn't home. I was always worried about what you would do if you wanted to be safe. I bought you a lot of soft cakes, they are so delicious, I'm sure you like them."

Old Mrs. Cheng was amused by him and laughed out loud. She listened to him talking to himself at a very fast speed and did not bother to answer. She nodded repeatedly as she walked.

Zhang Guoqing watched speechlessly as his son ran over to please him, not forgetting to hold the small schoolbag on his back tightly with his other hand.

Zhou Xiaozheng squinted at his son-in-law and said, "Don't look at me, it's up to you!"

Zhang Guoqing took the luggage and said with a smile, "Dad, are you praising me?"

Zhou Xiaozheng smiled and shook his head. This opening was a sign of virtue!

"Dad, my wife should be back in the next few days, right?" Zhang Guoqing followed closely behind with something in his hand and asked softly.

Zhou Xiaozheng didn't embarrass him this time and nodded directly. Seeing the bright smile on his son-in-law's face, he said softly, "But..."

Zhang Guoqing's smile froze and he stared at his father-in-law's face.

"But she can't go home until she finishes the draft."

After he finished speaking, Zhang Guoqing laughed foolishly again.

Zhou Xiaozheng snorted, "I'm her father, and she's my daughter."

Zhang Guoqing laughed happily and nodded repeatedly, "Yes! Your daughter."

"You idiot!" Zhou Xiaozheng couldn't help laughing after he finished scolding her.

Lin Lishan stopped in front, turned around and asked, "What are you laughing at?"

The father-in-law and son-in-law said in unison: "Nothing!"

Lin Lishan was amused by the two of them and started laughing too.