Compared to Zhou Jiao, Zhang Guoqing was as familiar with the place as if he were stepping into his own backyard. In addition to his regular friends, many of the older people were already familiar to him from his time socializing with his father-in-law, Zhou Xiaozheng.

It took Zhou Jiao almost two hours to check in, but when she got to Zhang Guoqing, it was done in half an hour, and they added another half an hour to chat.

As a result, after completing his registration and digging in the mud, Zhang Guoqing returned home, becoming increasingly anxious the more he looked at the time. As it neared eleven o'clock, he nearly went to the State Planning Commission to ask for someone.

Zhou Jiao finally stepped into the yard late.

"Wife, it's twelve o'clock. Why does it take so long to walk just a few steps? Is someone giving you trouble? How about going somewhere else? I think it's good for you to work with my sister-in-law..."

Zhou Jiao glanced at him amusedly and handed him the work ID in her pocket.

Zhang Guoqing glanced at his work ID and carefully studied her expression. His wife was introverted, not good at socializing, and extremely sensitive. Could someone have said something?

Zhou Xiaozheng, who was waiting for his daughter to come back for dinner in the living room, heard the noise and came out to see a fool circling around his daughter and asking questions.

If his wife hadn't called them to come in and eat first, he would have wanted to watch the fun. Concern leads to confusion. Zhang Guoqing has a soft spot that makes him lose his temper when he sees his wife and children. Should he change this or just let things take their course?

Zhou Xiaozheng increasingly found it difficult to be a father-in-law, especially to train a father-in-law who could succeed his son-in-law! If it were a son, he would have killed this fool long ago.

At the dinner table, Zhou Jiao ate while recounting what had happened that morning. When she mentioned the relationship between the three colleagues, Lin Lishan almost burst out laughing.

Zhou Xiaozheng always gets to the point, "You didn't meet those people?"

"There were a lot of people coming in and out, so I deliberately avoided them." Zhou Jiao wrinkled her nose. "What if one of them calls me Miss Zhou again? I'll have to run over to greet them. It wouldn't be good to be too conspicuous when I just walked in."

Zhou Xiaozheng glanced at her knowingly. This was exactly in line with his daughter's personality! Hide it, everyone who should know already knows your background.

Zhou Jiao stuck out her tongue at him and said with a smile, "Dad, I think this job is pretty easy. Why do they set a time limit? I told them I have three sons to attend to, and they actually agreed. Do you think I'm popular? Are they afraid I won't go?"

Hearing his daughter's joke, Zhou Xiaozheng replied seriously, "Of course! If you don't go, they'll be missing a talented person. This morning at the meeting, your Uncle Shi told me that you were almost asked to leave the Secretariat, but he managed to do it despite the pressure. You still have to go there tomorrow, don't forget."

Are we going over there? Zhou Jiao blinked, looked at him in disbelief, then looked at Zhang Guoqing and Lin Lishan. She picked up the bowl and drank some soup, then cleared her throat: "Dad, are you kidding?"

Zhou Xiaozheng finally laughed out loud, "Silly girl, don't worry about it. Dad will not let you suffer any loss."

Zhou Jiao thought about it and realized it was true. She still had the little notebook. Could she possibly get two salaries? Thinking of this, she winked at Zhang Guoqing.

Zhang Guoqing shook his head with a laugh, looking anxiously at his father-in-law. He hoped it wouldn't be another temporary mission, either a secret trip abroad or some major event.

Zhou Xiaozheng curled the corners of his mouth and shook his head slightly at him.

Seeing this, Zhang Guoqing felt relieved. Looking at his happy wife, he jokingly asked, "Level 22 or Level 23?"

Oh, she remembered her husband's warning last night. Even if she was confused, Zhou Jiao had really observed carefully. She excitedly pointed her fingers, "Level 22, not even a year, and already directly became a regular employee."

"Great! Come on, drink this cup of soup!" Zhang Guoqing raised his thumb with his left hand and picked up the soup bowl with his right hand.

This action caused the whole family to burst into laughter, and they all raised their soup bowls to toast.

Ever since the eldest Cheng and his wife Cheng Sijin went to the southwest, the Cheng family's grandsons lived in the school and went to live with their parents during the holidays, leaving the old Cheng couple alone, and the house became increasingly deserted.

Just after finishing lunch, Old Mrs. Cheng didn't even bother taking a nap. She said hello to her husband and went to Zhou's house to hear how the two children were doing today.

As soon as she entered the Zhou family yard, she heard a group of people laughing. Oh, this is a big happy event. Thinking of this, the old lady was very happy.

She quickly quickened her pace and went inside, smiling, "Did things go smoothly?"

Ping An quickly put down his bowl and chopsticks and ran forward. "Grandma, it's all done. Did you have the lotus root and pork rib soup today? Was it good? I told Grandma Chen you'd definitely like it, right?"

"It's delicious. Grandma ate two full bowls of rice. Give it to grandma. Is it enough for you?" Old Mrs. Cheng said, waving to the family who stood up, signaling them to eat first.

"Grandma Chen cooked a big pot, that's enough. Grandma, if you're done, tell me. If you like it, I'll ask Grandma Chen to make more soup."

"Good! Our good boy is still filial."

Ping An's smile grew even brighter as he sat down on the sofa with her and started chatting about family matters. "Grandma, I heard from my friend that his hometown had a bumper harvest this year. So everyone won't be short of food and won't go hungry, right?"

The old lady really didn't know. "Really? That's great. I'll have someone inquire about it later and let you know when I get the news, okay?"

Aunt Chen, who came out to serve tea, heard the whisper, "Ping An asked me yesterday, and I got some information. I heard that this year is better than last year. Cornmeal at the farmers' market is only ten cents now, even without food coupons."

Zhou Jiao looked at Zhang Guoqing in surprise. If she remembered correctly, Captain Qian had said before the New Year that there was pork, but everyone was so hungry that they were reluctant to sell it.

Did she understand it wrongly?

Zhang Guoqing looked at them and said softly, "For two consecutive years, most people have harvested from their private plots, but they've been reluctant to sell or eat them. This year, with favorable weather and a bumper harvest, there's a large backlog. If someone starts selling, they'll probably just follow the crowd. It's very likely."

Zhou Jiao sighed inwardly. It all came down to low grain prices hurting farmers. Then there was the impending closure of farmers' markets and the repossession of private plots within two years...

When Aunt Chen saw them finish their meal and leave, she quickly stepped forward and pulled Zhou Jiao away, "Just clean up a few bowls for me, and go play in the mud with the children."

Zhou Jiao burst out laughing.

Zhang Guoqing pulled her away with amusement and asked in a low voice, "Have you figured out the price of soybeans?"

Thinking of the bag of soybeans she had just brought back, Zhou Jiao really didn't know the current market price. She decided to say she borrowed it if anyone brought it up.

"Let's go to the farmers' market tomorrow morning! God is really helping our son. Buy all the soybeans!"

"There's no point in going to the outskirts of Beijing; the city's population is too large. These days, the further away from the big cities, the more surplus there is. Especially in the south, where the two-season rice harvest is just around the corner."

Zhou Jiao understood what he meant. The space had everything she needed, so she just wanted to go out and play. She wanted to leave, but her two youngest sons were at a critical stage, and it was time to teach them something.

"How about we take the children to a closer place and let them get closer to nature?"

"That's exactly what I want." Zhang Guoqing winked at her happily.