As the sun set, the alleyway gradually became bustling with activity, and more people began to walk on the street. Zhang Guoqing rubbed his numb legs and squatted to read. He became so absorbed in the reading that he subconsciously looked up at the sky and hurried to look for them.
At a glance, besides Li Qinglin who was not far away, Zhang Yuntao was chatting enthusiastically with the young girl who owned the stall not far away. Judging from the way she looked, she almost took it back.
Zhang Guoqing and Li Qinglin looked at each other and laughed, thinking that this guy had been taught in vain.
According to Zhang Guoqing, Zhang Yuntao should graduate from high school and join the military. Military school and the military are both legitimate paths. He has excellent physique, wins numerous awards in track and field each year, and his personality makes him a natural fit. Unfortunately, his father has already planned his future.
"Mozi, let's go." Zhang Guoqing waved him over. Didn't he see the girl chatting with him and the passers-by taking a few more glances?
After leaving the market, Zhang Guoqing saw Zhang Yuntao touching his belly and smiled secretly.
"How about we go get some mutton offal soup again? We can come back in time to catch the last bus."
"Oh, good brother. This is a good suggestion." Zhang Yuntao hugged him happily and shouted loudly.
Li Qinglin dragged them along a narrow path. Before they even reached the store, there were already two lines of people waiting. Zhang Yuntao sighed at the long lines and was about to try another store. Li Qinglin smiled mysteriously and led the two of them through a roundabout way to the back door.
"Lin Zixing, you know all this."
"We can't help it. This place is basically full. We went in and said we were regular customers. Xiao Wu showed the bag to them and no one had any objections. Who would have thought that we would buy it and leave and then come back."
When they got inside, Zhang Yuntao, with his sharp eyes, saw that there was an empty seat nearby, so he pulled them to sit down and smiled at the waiter who was about to greet the guests from outside.
The waiter still remembered the three of them. They'd eaten so much at lunch, they'd even devoured the entire goat tripe. It would be strange if he didn't remember them. Now, they were all nodding and grinning.
Zhang Guoqing and his friends finished their meal. They hurried to catch the last bus from the provincial capital back to the county seat, but it was already dark. After getting off the bus, Li Qinglin and Zhang Yuntao decided to accompany Xiaowu to the restaurant to get some books and have a bite to eat.
There was no other way. Mutton offal soup couldn't be their main meal, and even those few pies weren't enough to fill their stomachs. They sneaked back to school and waited until the next morning for the cafeteria to eat, but they would starve to death.
When Sister Wang saw them come in, she was startled and looked at them in shock. "Why are the three of you gathered together? Where did all these bags come from? Looking at your miserable appearance, did you run away?"
Zhang Yuntao saw her and said with a sad face, "Sister, please check if there is anything to eat and serve it to us first. We are starving. Let's eat something first. We have run so far that we are almost exhausted."
"Oh, you three idiots, don't you know how to take a bus? Did you spend all your money?" Without waiting for a reply, he shouted, "Master Chef, Xiao Wu and his brother are coming over. Bring a big bowl of noodles with meat, and plenty of it."
Several guests drinking in the restaurant nearby laughed out loud, "Girl, is this your brother? Don't worry, when you get hungry you'll know not to walk far next time."
A middle-aged man nearby, who knew a little about the trio's history, burst out laughing and pointed at Zhang Guoqing and the others, saying, "They're the tripods of the county school. Do you know what a tripod is? Every year, our county school competes in the provincial capital, and they always win awards in both literary and martial arts. Plus, these three kids are always together, so the kids in school gave them nicknames. Don't be fooled by their claims of walking the long way; they're absolutely lying. Look at their shoes."
The guests who were looking at their shoes burst into laughter. Sister Wang was also at a loss for words. "Taizi, you're not happy if you don't play tricks on me, right?"
Zhang Yuntao glared at Sister Wang, frightened, and quickly explained, "Sister, you misunderstood. It's true that we walked a long way, but it was just a long way to visit the market. How big is the flea market in the provincial capital? It took me half a day to get back."
"Hmph, I forgive you. Hurry up and tell me what you bought?"
"Look for yourself, they're all here. They're either tattered books or tattered tapes, you won't like them." After saying that, he glanced at the people next door who were drinking again and asked in a low voice, "When are you going to be transferred back? Aren't you getting married soon? Why are you still here? You're stupid, why don't you let the lunatic be transferred to the county? Since his family can let him go to the village, they must have a way to get to the county."
Sister Wang shrugged her shoulders and whispered dejectedly, "It's no use. I've found someone. They said I've only been working at the company for less than a year and it won't make a good impression on the boss. They said I can apply after three years. If I work in the county for three years, I can apply for long-term separation as a couple. I haven't decided yet whether to go to the township. I'll work there until the end of the year first, and I'll decide where to work."
Zhang Yuntao gave her a pitiful look. He then glanced at Zhang Guoqing and Li Qinglin, who were chatting nearby and hadn't noticed him and Sister Wang. He blinked, then thought for a moment and decided to let it go. He guessed the two brothers didn't want to deal with official business. It wasn't that they didn't have work, it was just a matter of choice.
Sister Wang watched Zhang Yuntao glance at the other two and laughed. Of the three, this guy was the softest. But she didn't want to ask them for help. She knew it was too small a matter to just babble about, or the favor would fade. She knew those two would be able to resolve it if they just asked, especially Xiaowu. Although his family background was the most ordinary among the Tripods, his words were the most effective, and he had connections in the county. And since he married Zhou Jiao, he was even more at ease.
Cheng Feng's job origins were unknown to others, but she had known about it for a long time. Besides Cheng Feng's uncle's repeated use of connections, the most crucial factor was that Zhang Guoqing couldn't stand it anymore and dragged him to the stationmaster's house, and he started working the next day.
Cheng Feng repeatedly urged her to keep it a secret and maintain a close relationship with Zhang Guoqing and his wife. Zhou Jiao, in particular, was Zhang Guoqing's closest friend. He detailed the couple's personalities and character. He repeatedly warned her not to speak to Zhang Guoqing about anything, like the job transfer. Zhang Guoqing wouldn't intervene unless it was crucial. He was Zhang Guoqing's best friend and should know him well.
The chef shouted loudly from inside: "Xiaowu, hurry up and get the bowls. You two boys still need to eat. Eat quickly and go home early so that your family won't worry."
Zhang Guoqing winked at the two of them and ran over quickly. "Hey, Master Chef, you are such a kind person. After eating this bowl of noodles, my eyes were filled with tears. I was so touched."
"Master Chef, if you don't stay in the restaurant, what will happen to the three of us brothers?"
"Master chef, don't listen to their flattery. I am most grateful to you. As long as you add more meat, every piece will be a token of my gratitude."
The chef laughed and scolded cheerfully, "Get out of here, you three little brats have no conscience. Who wants your gratitude? Hurry up and eat well and go home early. Aren't you afraid that your families will worry about you?"
Zhang Guoqing smiled and found a table in the corner to sit down with a big bowl in his hand. Then the two men followed him and winked at each other. They all knew in their hearts that the chef must have buried a big piece of meat underneath.
Zhang Guoqing poked it with chopsticks and it was really a big piece of meat. Every time the master chef saw them, he would secretly add more, and they would not say anything. Some things are just known to each other.
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