The three of them talked for a long time afterward, mostly about their past lives. They felt they had no right to speak to Zhang Hongmei, as they had only been at the school for a year.
Shan Mianzhi was quite perceptive; after staying for about an hour, he declined Zhang Hongmei's offer to see him off and took his leave.
“Hongmei, I won’t be leaving the capital anymore. I have plenty of time, so how about I teach chess to the children?”
"Brother Jingze, didn't you want to go up the mountain to teach Zhenye and the others?"
"Old Gu and Uncle Zhang have no objections, it's the leaders who disagree."
"Oh, okay, you can teach them on Saturday and Sunday. There are quite a few kids, even Li Qihong from Brother Zhu's family is back."
"Yes, I know. Seven children, no problem."
"Everyone else wants to rest on weekends, but you're making things difficult for yourself."
"I want to be with the children," Liu Jingze thought to himself. "If Zhang Shouyi is preventing me from getting close to my son, then I'll go and teach the children."
After a while, the two of them left.
When Liu Jingze returned home, only Jingxiang and his wife were left. Ma Li had nothing but praise for her brother-in-law. She never really noticed him at home, and she had never seen anyone like him before. He was so disciplined.
He's a man of status, good looks, and most importantly, unmarried, yet he has absolutely no leisure life; he's more ascetic than a monk. Sometimes, Ma Li even has a strange feeling. When her brother-in-law is cooking, she unconsciously makes vegetarian dishes. It's really not intentional; it's just a subconscious habit.
The three of them were having dinner when Liu Jingxiang glanced at the vegetarian meal on the table and frowned. Ma Li smiled apologetically, unsure how to explain.
After finishing the meal, Liu Jingze did not leave immediately. "Don't worry about Chongyu with Hongmei; it's the best thing for him."
"Big brother, we all know."
Liu Jingze nodded after hearing his brother's words and left.
Ma Li breathed a sigh of relief. "Jingxiang, I really didn't mean to."
"Yes, I know, it's okay, just be more careful next time."
After the couple finished cleaning the kitchen, they lay in bed. "Jingxiang, what do you think my brother is after?"
"How would I know? The elders in the family haven't said anything, so let's just pretend we don't know."
"Phew! Truly persistent."
Zhang Shouyi came home a little late today and missed dinner. He saw his wife already leaning against the bed reading a book.
Are you happy today?
"It's alright, the chef Liu Jingzhang hired is quite good. I also chatted with Brother Jingze and Shan Mianzhi for a while at Fuleyuan this afternoon."
"Oh, Shan Mianzhi is quite a talent."
"By the way, Brother Zhang, I promised Brother Jingze that I would come and teach the seven of them chess."
Zhang Shouyi frowned; Liu Jingze was really persistent.
"Wife, let him go up the mountain." He'd rather sacrifice his son for his wife's sake.
"But I already agreed."
“He doesn’t have time. I’ll ask him tomorrow and let him choose for himself.”
"Alright then." Zhang Hongmei was well aware of the sordid affair between the two, but Liu Jingze's chess skills were truly exceptional, and he excelled in other areas as well. With him teaching Zhenye and the others, she could rest assured.
Zhang Shouyi wasn't too happy, so Zhang Hongmei had a bad night.
"Are you never going to stop?"
"Wife, this is the last time."
The next day, Zhang Hongmei got up with great difficulty because she had classes and couldn't skip school.
I felt much better after drinking water. After class, I called Liu Jingze when I got home.
"Brother Jingze, are you here to teach the children, or are you going up the mountain?"
“My boss called me. I’ll go up the mountain on Friday night and come down on Monday morning.”
"Won't this be too strenuous?"
"No, don't worry. I still need to teach Zhenye and the others some foreign languages. The leaders have already found language teachers from several countries. I'll just tutor the kids privately."
"Alright, you can trouble yourself."
After hanging up the phone, Liu Jingze tidied his desk. He had been promoted and had more free time than before, so he could spend more time with Weiyu.
I moved to my own separate office. My two assistants are outside.
"Xiaolin, come in."
"Director!"
"Okay, go to this address, find Zheng Jixian, find out how he is doing now, give him twenty yuan a month for living expenses, and also give him this letter."
It would be best to set up an account for him and send him money every month. Also, bring plenty of food this time.
"Yes." Kobayashi took the envelope and left. He was one of the twenty people trained by the old lady, but the section chief chose him because he knew his place and never said a word. He resolutely carried out orders and never spoke ill of others, knowing who he was loyal to.
Xiao Lin drove directly to the supply station and bought ten jin of pork, ten jin of soybean oil, and then one hundred jin of rice, one hundred jin of wheat flour, and twenty jin of noodles.
I went to the building again and bought a few snacks. I thought that would be enough. I drove to the address the director had given me.
An elderly gentleman opened the door. "Excuse me, are you Mr. Zheng Jixian?"
"Yes, that's me. And you are?"
"Hello Mr. Zheng, I am Xiao Lin, Liu Jingze's assistant. This is a letter for you, and there is also a gift for you in the car."
Zheng Jixian took the letter and saw Xiao Lin carrying things from the car into the yard.
"Mr. Zheng, where should I put it?"
"Oh, put it in the warehouse." Zheng Jixian realized what was happening and opened the warehouse door.
Xiaolin moved the items five times before finally finishing.
"Xiao Lin, come inside and have some water."
At this moment, Zheng Wenhui also came out. "Grandpa, who is he?"
"Liu Jingze's assistant."
Xiaolin did not refuse. He saw the tap, turned on the water to wash his hands, and went into the main room.
"Mr. Zheng, this is your living allowance. You will receive this amount every month from now on. It would be best if you could provide me with an account number, as we may be busy with work and might forget to do so. With an account, the bank will handle the monthly transfers."
Zheng Jixian took the money without refusing, and found a passbook. Xiao Lin wrote down the account number and name.
"Mr. Zheng, I'll be leaving now. Please take care of yourself."
After seeing Xiaolin off, Zheng Jixian trembled as he opened the letter.
The note wasn't long, but it mainly told him that he would be responsible for supporting his two elderly parents from now on, but he wouldn't be coming over, fearing it would have a negative impact. He probably just didn't want to get involved with his granddaughter.
"Old man, what did the letter say?"
Zheng Jixian handed the letter to his granddaughter and sat there in a daze. His prized disciple was now unwilling to come and see him.
Yeah, even if it were me, I probably wouldn't have come. We've already cut ties.
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