"Grandpa, I'm back."
Father Zhang looked at the sky in surprise and asked Xizi, "What's going on? Did you skip class?"
Xizi looked around and whispered, "Let's talk about it when we get back."
Seeing this, Mr. Zhang didn't say much. He turned around and walked into the door with his hands behind his back. Seeing his wife in the yard who was about to speak, he shook his head and motioned her to go into the house with him.
In the bedroom, Father Zhang took off his shoes and climbed onto the kang, looking at his eldest grandson. He looked a little heavy-hearted, and he couldn't help but frown. Why can't this child keep still?
Fortunately, Xizi didn't understand what he was thinking, otherwise he would have cried out in injustice. At this moment, he looked at the two elders and asked solemnly, "Grandpa and Grandma, did my uncle mention anything in the letter?"
Upon hearing this, Father Zhang paused and recalled the recent letter from his eldest son. In addition to asking them to take care of their health, it seemed that he also said that they didn't need to worry about them while they were away.
He smacked his lips and immediately took out a few recent letters from the drawer of the kangqin and handed them to Zhang Mingyuan (Xizi). "Did something happen?"
"Sir, I'll take a look first. It'll be quick." Zhang Mingyuan quickly flipped through the three letters, pondered for a moment, and then continued, "Sir, do you still remember my classmate named Li Daguang?"
"That's the kid you fought with, the one who later got into military school, right?" Father Zhang asked suspiciously. That kid is so successful now. If his eldest granddaughter wasn't so young, he'd probably want to bring her home as his grandson-in-law.
But he just thought about it. Given the child's appearance and ability, he would not look down on his eldest granddaughter. He believed that his granddaughter was no worse than others, but the fact is the fact.
"Yes, that's him. I just came back with him, and he said there's a lot of commotion in the capital. Many universities and colleges have suspended classes to protest, and now many primary and secondary schools are waiting to see what happens there."
Zhang's father heaved a sigh of relief when he heard this. "Your uncle and aunt have already finished college, so we have no right to interfere. Even if classes are suspended at the military school Ping'an attends, your uncle and aunt will make arrangements."
Zhang's mother realized that her husband hadn't heard the meaning of her eldest grandson's words. She secretly rolled her eyes and looked at Zhang Mingyuan, "Xizi, tell grandma, are you worried that classes will be suspended here too?"
Zhang Mingyuan frowned and nodded. "Grandpa, Grandma, do you remember what my uncle said when he came back last year?"
Father Zhang shook his head. His eldest son had said so much, how could he know what his eldest grandson was talking about?
"You kid, stop keeping me in suspense. When will you learn to speak half of what you mean and spit out the other half?" Anxious mother Zhang couldn't stand the tone of his speech and glared at him.
"My uncle asked me how much grain we were supplied with each month. Ping An said it was about the same in the city, and my uncle said it wasn't surprising, as many policies were first implemented in the capital and then passed down from one level to another. Later, you asked my uncle how long the inventory would take, and my uncle said that this time the inventory was being conducted nationwide, and there was no document specifying the deadline."
Zhang Mingyuan finished speaking, "Here's what I'm thinking: With the commotion going on in Beijing, shouldn't we start here soon? I'm not worried about myself, but what if all my brothers and sisters down there have to suspend classes?"
Father Zhang did not answer but asked, "Take another look at the last letter and see if your uncle has given any hints?" After saying that, he subconsciously touched his pipe.
Zhang Mingyuan read it again and shook his head. The whole letter was about asking grandparents to take care of their health, saying that they were doing well in their hometown and that his uncle's salary had increased by a few yuan and had sent it all to them.
Then, last month, my aunt went on a business trip to Chang'an again. She sent a package to my grandparents there as a gift, and asked them to check it out.
"Oh, that's fine. If there's anything important, your uncle and aunt will write to you. Even if there's something in the letter that's inconvenient to say, your aunt's godfather will come and tell her."
Father Zhang looked at his eldest grandson and said, "If you have nothing else to do, don't ask for leave. Go back now and spend the night with your parents. Then go back to school early tomorrow morning."
Zhang's mother followed up on her husband's words, "Yes, listen to your grandfather. Don't tell anyone about this later. If there really is a disturbance at your school, don't get involved. Remember what your aunt said about keeping a low profile."
After hearing what she said, Zhang Dad and his grandson laughed with joy, and Zhang Mingyuan nodded repeatedly.
Zhang's mother added worriedly, "As for your father, your grandfather will tell him and your second uncle a message."
"Okay, your eldest grandson will definitely remember what grandma said." Zhang Mingyuan said with a smile, "Then I'll go see what's going on at home first, and then come back to chat with you guys."
Mother Zhang waved her hand and watched her eldest grandson leave before urging her husband, "Dad, why don't you go visit the Dashan brothers?"
Father Zhang shook his head. "That's not necessary! We should just follow the policy. Let's take it one step at a time. Why rush things when they haven't happened yet? We've been poor our whole lives, and our eldest son is a soldier. Nothing will happen to us first."
When it came to major family matters, Zhang's father always had the final say. So, Zhang's mother felt much more reassured after her husband's words. She knew she'd always been right to follow his advice for decades, especially since they had their son.
This matter had just been put to rest a few days later, another big news came out of the blue.
Father Zhang looked at Zhao Dashan in disbelief.
Zhao Dashan smiled wryly and nodded again. "Really? Even the elementary school students in the provincial capital were suspended from classes yesterday for protests. Starting this year, the college entrance exams have been cancelled, and even high school graduates won't be assigned jobs for now."
"These are just minor matters. The city is already in chaos. Those black elements have taken their turn again this time, and even the teachers can't escape. This winter..."
After Zhao Dashan left, Father Zhang frowned and kept smoking his pipe. His life experience told him that this was not a trivial matter and perhaps it had just begun.
If so many children across the country don't go to school or work, where will they get food? Will they go hungry again like in previous years?
"Dad, what did Brother Dashan say to you? Why are you so worried?" Zhang's mother was almost in tears when she entered the inner room because of the smoke, and asked worriedly.
"Nothing." Father Zhang subconsciously denied it, watching his wife glare at him. "There is still something wrong. The kids will find out after school. It's nothing serious."
Mother Zhang rolled her eyes at him.
"Mother, don't rush to ask. Now that no one is around, take a look around our house to see if there's anything we can't put out in public. Hide everything that needs to be hidden."
After listening to this, Zhang's mother looked at him nervously, "Something serious happened? Is our Xiaowu okay?"
Oh, how biased! This time, even Zhang Dad had to say that his wife really couldn't forget her precious son.
"Don't worry about it. Didn't I tell you it has nothing to do with our family? I'm just in case. Do you understand?"
"Isn't there a sign on the door saying we're military dependents? Who would dare barge in without seeing the truth? Xiaowu told me last year that he'd become a soldier, and that no matter what happens, whether he's in his hometown or not, I shouldn't be afraid."
Zhang Dad paused after hearing this, and immediately choked on Kouzi's cigarette. "What a silly woman! She didn't even tell me something so important, and just keeps talking nonsense all day!"
"What else did Xiaowu tell you?"
Mother Zhang gave him a strange look and asked, "Didn't I tell you everything?"
This sentence was not mentioned! Zhang Dad muttered to himself and rolled his eyes at her.
Zhang's mother laughed heartily, feeling like she was going back in time! "Okay, if you don't mention it for a while, I won't remember it. I'll listen to you and clean up the house."
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