Zhang Guoqing rode his bicycle into the village. It was already late at night and everyone was asleep. Zhang's mother appeared at the door. Seeing someone riding a bicycle in the distance, she shouted, "Is that Xiaowu?"
The loud voice was unexpectedly harsh in the dead of night, causing dogs nearby to bark. But in Zhang Guoqing's heart, his mother's voice sounded like the most beautiful music in the world.
He kicked forward a few times with all his strength, and seeing his mother rushing out, he hurriedly shouted, "Oh, my mother, please be careful, don't run, stay there and don't move."
In the blink of an eye, he rode his bike to Zhang's mother and said, "Mom, it's so cold, why did you come out? Don't wait next time. What if you fall in the dark?"
Seeing his mother laughing without saying a word, he felt warm inside. The cold night wind didn't chill him at all. He pushed the cart and followed her into the yard. He looked at the extinguished kerosene lamp on the ground and smiled helplessly. It must be his father who had asked him to light it. His mother was really thrifty and didn't waste anything.
"Mom, are you worried because I haven't come back yet? I went to school to do some work today, and then Zhang Yuntao and Li Qinglin followed me to the provincial capital to return the car. They wanted to go shopping, so they were late. We all had big bowls of noodles for dinner in the county, and after we finished eating, the chef in the restaurant rushed us home, otherwise we would have to take them to school. Next time I go somewhere and don't come back on time, don't go out and wait for me. What if I accidentally fall down and it's dark and no one can see me, what will I do then?"
Zhang's mother nodded with a smile, looking at the book in his hand. "Yeah, I see. You bought so many books again? Can you finish them all?"
"Today I went to the principal of the county middle school to ask how to apply for a high school diploma. You need that diploma and proof of household registration to apply for university. Turns out, the old principal is a nice guy. He said Jiaojiao and I were first and second in the county when we took the exam, so he found a way to arrange for me to take a leave of absence. It's still not too late to complete the paperwork now, so our exams won't be in vain. So I completed the paperwork for both of us. The tuition and book fees are 3.2 yuan per semester, and the new books are those issued by the school. There aren't many old books."
Zhang's mother asked in surprise, "So you still want to go to school?"
"I don't have to go to school. I still have to pay tuition for each semester when school starts, write a note asking for leave, and then I have to take exams every semester. So, I'm considered to be in school this semester. Mom, where's Dad?"
"That old principal is such a good man. He came here a few times before, pulling your dad over and insisting you go back to school. Mom doesn't understand these things. You're right to listen to him. Your dad is inside, go in and check on Jiaojiao first, she must be worried."
Mother Zhang followed him into the small living room and saw Zhou Jiao standing by the door, listening with great interest. She said with a smile, "Now we have two high school students in our family. Don't rush to read the book this time. Wait until you're well after your confinement."
Zhou Jiao nodded happily, her eyes fixed on the book. She really wanted to see the general content of the book. She heard that the admission rate was very low, and she didn't know what the test would be about.
Zhang Guoqing put his things away, pulled his mother to sit down, took out the lamb tripe, opened it and showed it to her, "I bought this in the provincial capital. We didn't explore the market thoroughly the last time we went. I heard there's a night market late at night, and the things they sell are all defective products from the factories in the provincial capital, many of which are sold secretly. There are also several snack shops in that alley, and this one selling lamb offal soup is so popular that there's a long line. It was Li Qinglin who went there with his grandfather and took us out through the back door."
After saying that, Zhang Guoqing took a pair of chopsticks, divided half a bowl, and stood up. "Mom, are you staying here, or are you coming out with me? I'm going to find my dad and let him taste it. Jiaojiao, don't eat yet. I'll bring back some soup and make it for you later."
"I'll go with you to find your father and see if he's happy."
Zhang Guoqing hinted to Zhou Jiao to wait for him to come back. Seeing Zhou Jiao nodded, he waited for her to enter the bedroom, chatted with Zhang's mother about family matters, and walked towards the main room.
In the main hall, Father Zhang sat on the kang, pipe in hand, neck stretched out, peering out from time to time. He had long anticipated Zhang Guoqing's return and had been waiting in the main hall. His son, Xiaowu, had a habit since childhood of coming home from wherever he came from to greet him and his wife.
Seeing Zhang Guoqing coming in with a plate, Zhang's father frowned and said, "Save the food for yourself in the future, don't give everything to me. You are so busy every day, you need to make up for it. Don't be careless just because you are young and healthy."
Zhang Guoqing nodded with a grin. Whether he did it or not was his business; he would just accept his father's kindness. He used his chopsticks to pick up a few pieces of lamb tripe and stuffed them into his father and mother's mouths. He looked at them expectantly, waiting for their comments on the taste. He truly thought this place's lamb tripe was easy to chew without becoming mushy, and had a perfect flavor, neither salty nor bland.
Mother Zhang chewed it carefully, swallowed it, and said, "This is really well made. We can't make it. The people who run the shop are all craftsmen. They have unique skills that they don't pass on to others."
Father Zhang glanced at his wife. "That woman is just average, even if it tastes good." Otherwise, Xiaowu would have brought some back for them when he went to the provincial capital.
Looking at his youngest son's expression, he couldn't wait to know if she was to their liking. If so, he would probably have someone take her away tomorrow. Oh, this prodigal son. Father Zhang was both pleased and worried about his son. Fortunately, he married the right wife, otherwise he wouldn't be able to make money fast enough to keep up with the speed of spending.
"That's enough. It's delicious. You can't eat this often, just to try it. Your mother's cooking is delicious. Look, Dad has been eating it for so many years and never gets tired of it."
Zhang Guoqing laughed heartily. "Yes, I think Mom's food is the best. Look at us, we are all tall and strong, and my sisters are all so pretty. Dad, do you have anything to tell me? If not, I'm going to rest first. I have to get up tomorrow morning."
Father Zhang shook his head and waved his hand quickly, "It's okay. You can hear me calling you when something happens at home. Go and rest quickly. You don't have to get up early tomorrow. There's no work to do at home, so you don't have to get up earlier than the chickens."
Zhang's mother sighed when she saw him leave the main hall. Zhang's father looked at him curiously. He really couldn't understand what else could make her sigh? His son was filial and his daughter-in-law was obedient.
"What's wrong? Are you worried?"
Mother Zhang sighed softly and said softly, "I just feel that if Xiaowu gets into college in the future, won't I be able to see him anymore if I go out?"
Father Zhang laughed and coughed, pointed at her with his finger, and said with a smile: "You are worrying too much, Xiaowu. You are worrying about things that have not even appeared in the picture. Besides, even if they pass the exam, do you believe they will insist on persuading us to go with them? Don't you see that our Xiaowu is still a child, always looking for parents before going out or coming in? He never planned that we would not live with him in the future. Do you believe that when they live in the county, they will definitely find an excuse to ask us to go up and help them?"
I can guess what they're thinking. They're planning to split up. On the surface, we'll follow the eldest brother and avoid making things difficult for him. But secretly, they're definitely trying to get us to live with him. Just look at Xiaowu and Jiaojiao. They're eating white rice, so why would they let us eat steamed buns at the eldest brother's house?
As for them getting into university, we can go live in Beijing when we have time. Doesn't our family still have a big courtyard? Are we worried about not having a place to live? If they don't get used to it, we can go back home to visit the eldest and second child. What are you missing? They will buy the train tickets, and the train will go directly home."
"Haha, that's true. We really don't have to worry. We can just stay at the home of whichever son we want to visit for a few days. Oh, I'm so confused."
Father Zhang chuckled and shook his head, comforting her, "Don't worry. Your eldest son has made detailed arrangements for the whole family and will never let us worry. Just keep it in mind and don't tell anyone else. He is more thorough than anyone else, so what do we have to worry about? Others have daughters-in-law who mess up, but our Jiaojiao is so filial. Since Xiaowu is making all the arrangements, how could she not know? Jiaojiao knows everything and still supports Xiaowu. This shows that this daughter-in-law is really good."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
