Parting is always sad. No matter what the relationship was before, classmates begin to forget past conflicts and recall the happy times they had.
After a graduation photo, everyone left their contact information with each other.
Zhang Guoqing wondered how many people he would be able to contact in the future. As time passed, how much of this pure friendship would remain? Perhaps time would tell when he was older.
Before he could reminisce about his classmates, the call from his old captain who was thinking about him came immediately.
When Zhang Laoer, the messenger, came to Zhang Guoqing's house, Zhang's father and mother were racking their brains to refuse to accompany their eldest son and his family to settle in Beijing.
“Things are more valuable away from home, but people are worth less away from home.”
It was hard to leave their homeland, and with their three sons, each one of them the apple of Zhang Dad and his wife's eye. The unknown life in the imperial city made them retreat even more.
Zhang Guoqing was just about to implement the second plan agreed upon by the couple when his second brother came over unexpectedly.
"It's working hours now, what's the emergency?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Zhang's father and mother looked at their second son nervously.
Zhang Laoer burst into laughter when he saw this.
"It's nothing serious. I just happened to be passing by here on my way out. The old captain sent someone to bring a letter for you and dad to go back. I heard that the two uncles from the border area last time are here again. I guess he wants to talk to you about this."
Zhang Guoqing looked at Zhou Jiao, smiled bitterly and shook his head.
Zhou Jiao glanced at everyone and said, "Second brother, don't worry about the village affairs for now. We are talking about our parents right now, and it's just a good opportunity for you to come over. Please sit down and give me some advice."
Mother Zhang waved her hands desperately, "Your father and I really won't go to the capital. At most, we'll stay there for a month or so after you settle down."
"Puff..." Zhou Jiao couldn't help laughing. "Okay, okay. We'll do as you say and talk about this later. Dad, Mom, do you think this is okay? We'll leave the yard empty and you two can live here? Just help us out. We're familiar with the neighbors here, and our second brother and two sisters live nearby, so they can help us if we need anything."
Father Zhang knew what his daughter-in-law meant. What kind of help was that? She probably had already planned to let him and his wife live the life of retired elderly people in the city.
Zhang Guoqing saw his mother looking at his father and knew that his father still had to make the final decision on important family matters. But this was the only best arrangement he could come up with.
"Dad, you and mom will live here. If you miss the children, let them come over. You can also chat with the old men in the courtyard. You can eat whatever you want according to your taste. If you live well, I can feel at ease when I am away."
Zhou Jiao followed closely and advised, "Brother, you're right. Look how comfortable Grandma Wang and her family are in the front yard. The children all come back every weekend, and if they miss a grandchild, they can bring him over to stay for a while. You live with eldest brother, and it's not convenient for second brother and two sisters to come over often. If you live here, just call us if you need anything. The neighbors are very helpful."
Zhang Laoer looked at his parents and said, "Mom and Dad, this is the best. I'll be able to see you as soon as I get off work. We have many brothers and sisters, so just don't be impatient."
Zhang's face lit up with smiles. He nodded at his son with his long pipe and said, "Let's plan to move our household registration! Okay, I'll listen to you. Just stay out there and don't worry about home."
"The child's father, does he really live here?"
Father Zhang smiled and nodded, "We old couple should stop interfering in our children's affairs. Our children and grandchildren will have their own blessings, and we old couple should live our own lives."
Zhang Guoqing smiled happily and said, "Yes! That's how it should be. Live your life however you want from now on. Your old son strongly supports you! If you get tired of staying at home, let's go to the capital and your old son will take you out for a stroll."
Father Zhang smiled silently, nodding his head. Seeing his wife's beaming smile, he felt he should have made up his mind long ago. There was no need to burden his wife, who had always suffered with him, with further suffering.
Zhang Laoer looked at everything with a smile. His parents had finally come to their senses, which was a good thing. The old people had a house, money, and food, so who would dare to be unfilial? Finally, Xiaowu's hard work had not been wasted.
"Second brother, let's find some time for the three of us to get together and talk about something. I want to transfer my eldest brother's job over here, and I'll have to see what he thinks."
Zhang Laoer knew what his younger brother was planning. "Do you want big brother to live here too? I think it's a good idea. It would be better if he could work at the grain store here. We'll all be familiar with him."
Zhang Guoqing saw his parents' faces filled with surprise after his two brothers finished speaking. He sighed inwardly. As long as his parents were happy, that was all that mattered. Enjoying a peaceful old age doesn't mean being free of burdens or living a fulfilling life.
"Xiao Wu, what about the old captain? What are you going to do?"
Zhang Guoqing looked at the kid pitifully. It wasn't about what he should do at that time, but what he should do next. However, with Zhang Laoer's selfishness and cleverness, he was not worried at all.
"It's best not to get involved with those two. They're not from the same camp as us. Why did Third Grandpa come to me? I think it was the old clan leader who asked him to come to me. I'm not willing to lend my yard to anyone; I don't have the ability to transfer my household registration; I don't have any money for food or money, and I still want to go to school. Where will I get the money? I'm not going back."
"Where's Dad?"
Father Zhang scratched his head and said, "I have to go back, otherwise they will definitely bring people to our village. Our village can hardly protect itself, so even if they come, there will be no hope."
Zhang's mother started gossiping with Zhou Jiao about the Zhang family's ancestors, which made Zhou Jiao laugh. No wonder people say that where there are people, there are rivers and lakes.
Zhou Jiao didn't know how Zhangjia Village would handle the situation, and she had no interest in paying attention to matters unrelated to her family. She and Zhang Guoqing had both been accepted to Huaqing University and were about to set foot in Beijing to begin their studies.
Zhou Jiao tried her best to keep a low profile, but some people are destined to be unable to keep a low profile. Gold always shines brightly. It is so difficult for her to blend into the public!
Under the aura of Zhou Jinyu and Gu Mingzhu, several of her test papers were circulated in the General Admissions Office. There were many smart people, not to mention those shrewd ones. Undoubtedly, everyone tacitly understood what it meant to be the uncrowned king.
Soon, some rumors, intentionally or unintentionally, reached the ears of the president and the deputy general through various channels.
In the lounge, the president, the deputy general, and several other elderly men were joking with each other and casually flipping through a few test papers. After a while, everyone saw the scores lined up together and burst into laughter.
The president said: "Isn't it quite good? She's got the key points down perfectly." This child is good in every way, except for her timidity. A good father likes a good son. With more training, she'll definitely be as good as her father.
When the gossip came out, some people were happy, others were disappointed. But there was no doubt that Zhou Jiao had caught the attention of many people. This was her misfortune, but also her luck.
Zhou Xiaozheng slightly raised the corners of his lips in response to the president and the others' laughter.
Ever since he learned his daughter was going to keep a low profile, he knew she was too naive, unaware that she was no longer the same person she once was. He didn't try to stop her, believing she would have to face her own identity firsthand.
The final word!
Ever since he learned the score, Zhou Xiaozheng has been planning for so long, waiting for this moment.
Zhou Jiao, who was in Northeast China, was completely unaware of this. While she was secretly feeling proud, Zhou Xiaozheng had already taught her a meaningful first life lesson through reality.
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