The evening farewell party for classmates finally moved from the classroom to the campus. A group of people visited the vegetable garden that brought them deep memories and walked through familiar corners.
Finally, on the grass not far from the second gate, they looked up at the starry sky, talked about their feelings over the past five years, and joked with each other.
We stayed up all night chatting until dawn. There was so much to talk about, but the time was short. After watching the sunrise, everyone packed up and headed to work.
When they arrived at the train station across the country, everyone realized clearly again that it was time to say goodbye to their classmates who had been together day and night for five years.
With tears in their eyes, everyone held hands tightly and said goodbye to each other. They kept saying over and over again: Strengthen contact and don't forget to write letters!
As trains left one after another, the students who stayed in Beijing said goodbye to each other with red eyes. They were lucky enough to still be able to breathe in the same city.
And what about those who left?
Back at the compound, the Zhou family's living room was already filled with friends and family who showed concern for the couple. Even Lin Xueying and her husband, who had always been distant from them, were there.
When Mrs. Cheng heard Aunt Chen say they were back, she ignored her most important etiquette and stood up and rushed to the door: "Why are you back so late?"
Cheng Ruzhu beside her was so frightened that she quickly caught up with her and supported her, "Mom, don't be anxious. You should go back and sit down first."
As soon as Zhou Jiao stepped into the yard, she saw the old lady at the door of the living room and ran over. Zhang Guoqing, who was behind her, saw her running and followed her worriedly.
This did speed things up, but it also left Xiao Ping'an dumbfounded. It seemed like no one else was as steady as him. Look, he didn't run. His parents were so capable, how could he not have confidence in them?
"How about it?"
"Does Auntie know that we have obtained the dispatch certificate?"
"I got the news at noon, why are you back now?"
"Going to the station to see off a classmate." Zhou Jiao helped her sit down and greeted everyone. Over there, Zhang Guoqing had already reported to his father-in-law.
Compared to everyone else's joy, the father-in-law seemed very calm, but Zhang Guoqing could still see that his clenched fists suddenly loosened. In fact, his father-in-law was also happy!
——Now his precious daughter finally has both free time and money.
Zhou Jiao solemnly handed the notice and dispatch certificate to her father with both hands.
Honestly, even with all the preparation, she wasn't very hopeful. Especially since her father said he couldn't even influence her graduation assignment, she was genuinely worried that with all that information, she'd be sent to some secret research institute.
Who wouldn't want to climb higher, ideally with both leisure and confidence? How could she not be excited? This was the best reward she had ever received after giving up her comfortable life and spending five years of her precious time.
Hands covered with blisters, eyes red from staying up all night, a performance that required a lot of scheming, and the resentment that was suppressed and could not be fought back.
——Finally, Zhou Jiao successfully took a big step forward!
With such a good starting point, Zhou Jiao is no longer afraid of facing any storms, and no longer needs to put on a hypocritical face to guard against anyone with ulterior motives.
Zhou Xiaozheng could sense his daughter's excitement beneath her calm expression. After reading it, he smiled encouragingly at her and said, "Well done!"
The father and daughter smiled at each other and looked at Zhang Guoqing at the same time. It was up to him now!
Old Mrs. Cheng followed the gaze of the father and daughter, and when she thought about the fact that Zhang Guoqing would also be going to the military academy for three months of further study next month, she laughed out loud with joy.
"That's great. You'll be close to work from now on, so you don't have to travel back and forth every day. Tomorrow, your aunt will take you to report."
Old Cheng laughed heartily. "Do you think Xiao Ping'an is going to school? You'd better not go. If you start chatting with those old guys, the young people below will have to use our Jiaojiao's connections to get in."
"You're right. He's old and his mind is muddled." Old Mrs. Cheng laughed at herself, looking at Zhou Jiao with loving eyes. "Find some time to tell your grandparents the good news, so they can be happy in heaven too."
"Okay." Zhou Jiao looked at her parents and Zhang Guoqing. "Is this weekend okay? Let's bring the three little ones along. We can go visit grandpa and grandma as a family."
"Will the child be small?"
Zhou Xiaozheng looked at Old Lady Cheng. It would be reliable to consult her about these taboos.
Old Mrs. Cheng nodded: "We'll talk about it that day."
Zhou Xiaozheng nodded slightly in understanding. With so many people around, especially with Lin Xueying present, he didn't want to talk about it. With that in mind, he changed the subject, instructing Aunt Chen to cook a couple more dishes and for the men to have a few drinks.
Zhou Xiaozheng still had a lot of admiration for Li Jianjun, his former brother-in-law. He had the ability, the vision, and the intelligence. If an ordinary person had encountered the same situation as last time, they might not have been able to escape the trap he set.
Ping An waited for them to sit down, then ran back to his room and came out with a military bag. "Mom, you and Dad weren't home these few days, and I received so many letters."
That’s quite a lot! A whole shoulder bag full of them.
Seeing this, Mrs. Cheng said, "You watch first, we'll chat."
Zhou Jiao smiled apologetically at everyone. Since they were about to be assigned jobs, they had received letters from friends and family.
"Mom, I've taken down all the stamps. First, let's see what my grandparents said."
"Why don't you open it and take a look first?"
"That's not good!" Ping An shook his head. "Do you see if there's a note for me inside?"
Zhou Jiao laughed silently and touched the child's head.
"Mom, will you be like grandma and grandpa in the future and not have to travel far to work?"
"How clever!" Zhou Jiao said, opening the letter, taking out a piece of paper from it, and handing it to him, "Read it yourself, and remember to write back after you finish reading it."
Ping An folded it and put it in his pocket, patting it. "I'll wait a little longer. My brothers will definitely write me some notes too."
Zhou Jiao opened each envelope without even reading the contents. She sent all the letters enclosed with them to Ping An. Then she sorted them out and put them in her bag.
"Mom, can I trade my extra stamps?"
Zhou Jiao is very supportive of her child's interest in stamp collecting. She decisively replied, "Sure, just follow your own ideas. Besides the old ones, you can also ask me to help you get new stamps."
The stingy boy thought about it and shook his head: "I'd better buy it myself. Grandma bought too much last time."
Lin Lishan, who was lying down and also got stuck, didn't know whether to laugh or cry. She scratched his little nose and said, "Stinky kid, next time grandma won't buy it for you anymore."
"Grandma, good grandma, your grandson is wrong. Buy it!" Ping An looked at his grandma with joy and couldn't close her mouth. Her eyes rolled and she said, "I feel sorry for you buying too much and having no money to spend."
This handful of candy made Lin Lishan smile with joy, and everyone else burst into laughter.
Lin Liying looked at her elder sister and felt a genuine envy. There were always some people who were blessed by God and protected by their families.
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