Zhang Guoqing had no idea what was happening in the Zhang family thousands of miles away, and even if he knew, it would be all he cared about. He took care of his parents, so how could he care about his nephew from the next room?
Since that summer, he understood that the family affection he had longed for could not withstand the distance of time and space, so he let go of his worries.
He considers himself a layman, and his wife is his first priority, but his three sons are also his lifeblood. Now that his family is at the peak of their careers, his sons cannot earn their true love.
What if it declines?
Whether it's because they take their own enjoyment for granted, or for other reasons...
It doesn't matter anymore.
After all, he has repaid what he owed to his original body. After supporting his parents for a hundred years, and now that they are far away from each other, who cares how many people will be grateful in the future?
What concerned him most at the moment was the impending final wave of madness. He also understood that the darkness before dawn was the most difficult to endure, and one could fall into hell if not careful.
"They recommended you this time. What do you think?"
Zhou Xiaozheng, who had returned with his old leader after dying in a foreign land, was now sitting at the desk in the study.
Besides the fact that death is the end of everything, there is another outcome.
Once the radishes are dug out, there will be more holes, and there will be empty seats waiting for people to sit in rows.
Zhang Guoqing smiled bitterly and shook his head, "I'm still doing things according to the procedures. Why are these old men targeting me?" He felt ridiculous when he said this.
Now, apart from his father-in-law who is no longer willing to take any further steps, he is the best candidate to be brought on board or to do him a favor.
"Dad, please help me push it off. I still find it more interesting to be a deputy director. No matter how high the rank is, if the salary doesn't increase, it will be meaningless. If the promotion is too high, I am more afraid of falling faster."
Zhang Guoqing was not worried about being assigned a position at a higher level, but there were some issues he had to consider.
In recent years, not only people's hearts have been in chaos, but also the levels have been disrupted. There is no such thing as "seniority-based" promotion at all, and promotions beyond one's level have become common.
But there is a saying that goes, what is owed must be repaid.
Salary levels are frozen, and promotions are unlinked to salaries. Many people who rise are quickly demoted, and the better-off return to their previous positions. Some even lose their positions and become idle. If they get involved in any further misconduct, they'll be completely demoted and placed under investigation, with their lives in jeopardy. After a few years, when the situation stabilizes, the cycle will repeat itself.
Knowing this, why did he bother to go through so much trouble? Even though he had the huge burden of his father-in-law behind him, he didn't want to be in his father-in-law's debt in the future. He had just turned thirty, so why was he in such a hurry?
Zhou Xiaozheng knocked on the table, "Are you really not tempted?"
Zhang Guoqing shook his head decisively. It was obvious. If he wanted to get promoted, he would have let loose with his buddies two years ago.
Zhou Xiaozheng looked at him with amusement. Although he knew this would be the answer, he was still very pleased: being able to maintain stability was his greatest advantage.
Given this kid's qualifications and intelligence, he certainly didn't need to skip ranks to advance. Even if others didn't know, he certainly knew. He had single-handedly achieved a series of meritorious service since joining the unit, quietly rising from lieutenant to major. If it weren't for the recent chaos, he probably wouldn't have been out of the question to reach colonel.
Of course, this also had some face for himself, at least no one dared to take credit for it, but it was also all due to the child's personal ability. Although the level is not important nowadays, this is the foundation.
Zhou Xiaozheng pondered for a moment and nodded slightly, "It's time for the deputy to go."
"Okay." Zhang Guoqing understood what was meant, but he didn't know where his old superior would be transferred to. However, promotion was certain. With his father-in-law's methods, he wouldn't leave the impression that he was squeezing out his colleagues.
"Directors are quite busy." Zhou Xiaozheng frowned. "I have to attend meetings and go to the grassroots level frequently. This way, Jiaojiao will be burdened again."
Zhang Guoqing glanced at him speechlessly, thinking to himself, "You just found out? Otherwise, why would I have stayed at the deputy director position for the past two years?"
The three brothers who had been serving as the background wall looked at each other and finally had the chance to speak.
Ping An stood up and said, "Grandpa, I am already fourteen years old this year."
Zhou Xiaozheng stared at him for a moment, then nodded solemnly, "Well, if your father and I are both out, you can hold the household accountable."
Liuyi and Wuyi stood up immediately, "We are not young anymore."
Seeing the two little ones with tense faces, Zhou Xiaozheng couldn't help but laugh and nodded repeatedly, "Indeed, they are not small. When your father was your age, he could support his family and hold up the Zhang family."
Upon hearing this, the two brothers happily high-fived and looked at Ping An.
Ping An smiled and nodded.
The atmosphere in the study was so noisy because of them, how could there be the cautiousness of discussing business just now?
Outside in the living room, Miao Lishan glanced at Zhou Jiao and pointed at the study door. "What do you think your dad and the others were talking about? There was no movement just now, but now they're laughing again. And a man entering the study? What a bad habit."
Zhou Jiao happily followed her finger and looked towards the study. "They should be talking about their men's little secrets. Mom, what color do you want your sweater?"
"Stop fighting. It's tiring. I have a lot of sweaters."
Zhou Jiao looked at her amusedly. "Don't worry, I'll give it all to Aunt Chen and her sister this year. I've seen the samples, and they knit well. The labor fee for a sweater is only fifty cents."
"Have you figured it out? I told you long ago that spending more money would save you from suffering, but you insisted that it would have a bad impact if outsiders knew about it."
Can Zhou Jiao say that if it weren't for someone that Aunt Chen trusted, she would still do it herself? Although many busy people in the compound outsourced their work to outsiders, it's still better to be careful.
"You don't need to take apart your dad's and my old sweaters and trousers. You made them yourself."
Zhou Jiao was embarrassed. Was he planning to keep it as a family heirloom?
"Are there enough tickets?"
Zhou Jiao nodded. She had plenty of yarn on hand. "I've even prepared some for my parents-in-law."
"Then I want a maroon sweater." Miao Lishan thought about it and said, "Your father's sweater doesn't need anyone else to do it. I can take my time."
Zhou Jiao suppressed her laughter and nodded repeatedly. It was understandable, as she herself hadn't planned on having outsiders knit sweaters for Zhang Guoqing and her father. But was she sure her father would be able to wear the sweater her mother knitted this year?
"If you have three kids, you need to do more sets. They grow so fast. They looked shorter to me before."
Zhou Jiao looked at her speechlessly. Ordinary people would be thankful for just a sweater, and they assumed everyone had everything they needed. That wasn't how you spoiled your child.
"Especially for our family, Ping'an. Knit some extra sweaters. When the weather gets cold, put on new military uniforms and let the three generations of grandparents and grandchildren go for a walk in and out of the city together. Hahahaha..."
Zhou Jiao shook her head in amusement. Her mother was truly not afraid of trouble. She'd been getting so many matchmakers lately that she was a little tired of socializing.
Especially since some people, even more than Yi Shumin, always pretend not to understand, Zhou Jiao's eyes darkened when she thought of this. Perhaps it was time for her to teach her children how to avoid girls.
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