In the car, Zhang Guoqing began to talk about how Zhao Chuangguang mistakenly recognized the eldest granddaughter of the Lin family and how the Lin family responded; how Mrs. Lin took his father-in-law's family assets; his mother-in-law's innocence and her trust in the Lin family; the relationship between Mrs. Lin Gu Ruyi and Gu Mingzhu, and the grievances of the Gu family.
He then began analyzing the Lin family's intentions and Old Lady Lin's hypocrisy. He suspected there was some hidden agenda that had kept Old Lady Lin from recognizing her father-in-law as her nephew, even unwilling to see her own granddaughter. Now that he understood the Lin family's actions, he explained why he had traveled to the capital at the end of last year.
After that, silence fell in the car. Zhang's mother was stunned and speechless by the Lin family's behavior. Zhang's father subconsciously wanted to smoke, but found nothing. Then he remembered that he didn't bring his pipe.
After a long time, Zhang Dad sighed and said quietly, "Young ladies from wealthy families have complicated minds. Fortunately, your mother-in-law is a bit silly, which is a good thing.
No wonder I saw Jiaojiao's godfather didn't pay much attention to Old Man Lin. I was also surprised that he recognized his daughter as soon as they met, but never came to see Jiaojiao. Go, listen to your father-in-law at the end of the year. He's a smart man and he won't be wrong. Remember to discuss everything with Jiaojiao.
Zhang Guoqing explained, "Why did I prepare such generous gifts last time? It was to repay their kindness over the years. Grandma Jiaojiao prepared a set of gold jewelry and some jade pendants for Ping'an as a third-day baptism gift. At the time, the two of us bought a hundred-year-old ginseng and found two wolf king skins as return gifts, simply because we didn't want to owe them any favors.
My father-in-law told me when he found out. The interest on his savings certificate alone was enough for the Lin family to send packages to Jiaojiao every day, saying that only the Lin family owed them, not just him and me.
Zuo Lin also told me that my father-in-law married his wife after he became rich, not because of her. Besides Old Man Lin, my father-in-law holds the highest official position in the Lin family. He'll be living in a small courtyard and getting a car when he returns this time. So don't worry, and don't mention it to anyone. Just keep it to yourself, and that's all.
Zhang's father stared at the back of Zhang Guoqing's head, stunned. His youngest son was incredibly blessed. He recalled the way Secretary Li and his men had treated him tonight, and suddenly understood.
He thought about what happened that night, and suddenly became worried and asked, "Xiaowu, could it be that Jiaojiao's godfather is trying to get close to your father-in-law? These officials have so many ulterior motives, and their hearts are hard to predict."
His words made Zhang Guoqing burst into laughter. He had never expected that his father, a sincere man, would start to doubt everyone. He then revealed Zhao Chuangguang's identity and family background, as well as the background of his wife Huang Huimin, to his father.
Considering that his father would frequently come into contact with the county leaders in the future, he then told him about Zuo Lin and some of the families in the county, and their family histories.
After hearing this, Zhang's father said with emotion, "No wonder you said you need to carefully explore your eldest brother's job. Xiaowu, listen to what I say - eat as much as you can. Even if your eldest brother gets a good position, it's useless to rely on others. Just look at him and he's safe."
Listen to Jiaojiao and get your eldest brother's job done as soon as possible. Otherwise, if the policy becomes tighter in the future, you'll have to pay more favors. Everyone saw five or six cars coming in and out today. It's impossible to keep a low profile anyway. You three brothers will go to work, and your mother and I will guard the gate of your yard in the county town. No one will be able to find us."
Mother Zhang burst out laughing, then said worriedly, "What are you going to do with the child's uncle and younger uncle? Will they ask us for help? And I don't know how Xiaowu's eldest aunt is doing now. She married too far away, so I can't go to see her even if I want to. We asked someone to send us a gift for our safe third birthday this time, and we haven't received any in return yet."
Father Zhang frowned and said, "Even if the eldest brother or younger brother asked, we would say we don't know. We just said that the second child was arranged by Xiaobin's father, and the eldest child was arranged by his brother-in-law. Our Xiaowu just knew some people well and said a few good words for them. We don't know or understand anything else. If his aunt and uncle ask, you should say the same thing and don't say anything more.
As for my eldest sister, she's in Lin County. I'll go see her in person in a few days."
After hearing this, Zhang Guoqing asked him if he wanted to drive him there the day after tomorrow?
Zhang's father quickly refused. Xiang Xiang said, "You can't go. If you drive over with your new clothes, your aunt's family will definitely make a scene. She's clueless and has found all sorts of incompetent daughters-in-law. I heard from your uncle that after the family split up, the daughters-in-law and daughters often come to your aunt crying poor and asking for money."
Zhang Dani, the eldest aunt of the Zhang family, was the only daughter of Zhang Dayou's generation in the old Zhang family. Naturally, she wouldn't have married far away. Born in turbulent times, Zhangjia Village was poor. Grandpa Zhang was a capable man. To make a living, he often hunted in the mountains and brought game back to the provincial capital, where he met Zhang Dani's father-in-law, a restaurant chef.
He heard that the other party had only one child, and he looked honest. When Zhang Dani's parents-in-law suggested becoming relatives, he agreed without much thought.
Two years later, the girl moved back to her hometown. Grandpa Zhang suddenly realized that the girl had married too far away. He regretted it so much, but it was too late to regret. How could a girl who had been promised go back on her word?
The only consolation was that her parents-in-law and husband were all kind people. Even though Lin County was far away, and even when the world was in chaos later, they would still find ways to let Zhang Dani and her husband disguise themselves and return to her parents' home.
Zhang Dani gave birth to her third son, and the old couple passed away. A few years later, after Grandpa and Grandma Zhang passed away, she gradually stopped returning to her parents' home unless there was something important going on. She gave birth to three sons and two daughters. While other families struggled to raise children in those days, her family, thanks to her father-in-law's early savings, lived comfortably, and the children grew up happily.
After raising their children, marrying them, and having children, they finally found hard times. Zhang Dani and her husband were kindhearted, but the daughters-in-law they married were all shrewd and calculating. Both daughters found their own husbands, judging by appearance rather than character or family background. Their husbands' families were all poor, and their sons-in-law were all smooth-talking and good-natured.
After the family split up, the two lived with the eldest daughter-in-law. The two younger daughters-in-law were always worried about their parents-in-law giving the eldest daughter-in-law extra money. The eldest daughter-in-law saw her younger sisters-in-law coming to her house every day to ask for money, and the two girls would come back empty-handed with full hands from time to time. She started to make insinuations, throw things, and fight, and her life became more and more chaotic.
Two years ago, the three daughters-in-law finally got into a fight and the three brothers joined in. They accidentally hit Zhang Dani, who was trying to stop the fight, and this finally alerted Uncle Zhang of the Zhang family. Uncle Zhang borrowed an ox cart, took the whole Zhang family over, and beat up the three brothers before they finally calmed down.
In the past two years, the three nephews haven't even come to pay New Year's greetings. Zhang Dani only came once for Zhang Guoqing's wedding and stayed for one night, leaving in a hurry the next morning. Zhang's father worries every time he thinks about his eldest sister. He doesn't know how his eldest sister is doing now. Last year, when she came to ask about her, she always said she was fine. He was also very busy and had no time to visit. Now that he has some free time, he wants to visit. He only has such a big sister, and the more he thinks about her, the more worried he becomes.
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