Chapter 82 - 71: Sighs of Emotion

After Zhao Dashan pondered it over and over, he looked up in surprise to check Zhang Guoqing, exchanged a look with Zuo Lin, and they both understood who the person was. However, since it wasn’t explicitly mentioned, they glanced at the other three and chose not to speak. Mr. Lin noticed everyone’s expressions but didn’t react. It didn’t matter now even if he knew, but since he didn’t want to speak out, he’d wait for Zhou Xiaozheng to return and see how he handles it. He understood Xiao Wu’s intention; the situation had already escalated, with the couple detained, and when Zhou Xiaozheng comes back, he can decide how to discuss matters with Old Man Zhou. Alas, these two kids really have it tough. Lin Xinsheng raised his teacup, gestured for everyone to drink, and said happily, "Respect the elderly in my family and those in others’ families, care for the young in my family and those in others’ families. My Xiao Wu did well. All those things have been processed and donated to let those elderly folks have a better New Year with a little more on their plates." Village secretary Zhang Zhifeng patted Zhang Guoqing’s shoulder, "On behalf of the village elders, I thank you as a young couple. Xiao Wu, the idea is good, but uncle here watched you grow up, treats you like his own child. Uncle suggests donating everything, but what the family lacks, you should take back. You two have to live, right? Buying it on your own costs money, save where you can." Li Aiguo looked at him, smiling, shook his head steadfastly, "Forget it, this matter will be resolved after the case is settled. To clear up the inventory requires Zhou Jiao’s signature; we’ll talk then. We’ll take it one step at a time." "This kid is good at everything except being carefree and spirited. You wouldn’t know, Zhao Dashan sees him carrying Divine Power and tells him to join the army to serve the country. He says he can serve the country even without being a soldier. We all know he can’t bear to leave his young wife. Now that they have had a child, I wonder if he has decided what he wants to do?" Zuo Lin said to Mr. Lin. Last time, his old friend brought it up, and indeed, there was a plan to give him a spot. Mr. Lin shook his head with a smile, gestured at Zhang Guoqing with his fingers, and said to everyone, "No rush, let’s wait until the New Year is over. In a few days, I’m going to a military district meeting, and I’ll take him to meet those old friends, let them see him. The son-in-law of mine isn’t bragging, just taking him to show them off. If he’s still unwilling to join the army or move to Beijing, I won’t care anymore. I’ll directly hand him to Zhao Dashan, have him watch over him properly. At least the Armed Division has some ties with the military, right?" Zhao Dashan laughed heartily, nodded directly, "Good, very good, let him join the Armed Division, I’ll watch him. You wouldn’t know my teeth are worn out in dealing with him. Watching him closely is the only solution left." "You wouldn’t know my grandmother emphasized repeatedly before we left that I can’t take the whole family into the army, leaving no one behind. Leave Jiao Jiao’s couple to accompany her, whatever they want to do, let them do. I was shocked but there’s no way around it. Grandma’s right; Jiao Jiao hasn’t been around, endured so many grievances over the years. Bringing her to Beijing to accompany grandma is also good. When I mentioned to his mom to bring them back to Beijing, the young couple refused to leave, saying they could go to Beijing to see grandma. In Beijing, she and his mom are busy, and they don’t get to meet often. It’s better to stay here and honor Old Zhang, raising the child, working while gaining experience, and trying to see if there’s an opportunity to get into university before heading to Beijing again." Zuo Lin sighed, "These kids are good kids, Brother Zhang is lucky, this works too, going to Beijing occasionally and coming back to take care of the older couple also avoids worries from both sets of parents." Li Aiguo playfully teased Zhang Guoqing, "Xiao Wu, it’s not that you can’t bear to leave your parents; you can’t bear to see your tripod split up, no more messing around?" Zhang Guoqing laughed, "Can’t bear it, this place is great. Going to Beijing, I fear I won’t adjust, can’t hunt, or drop by uncles’ houses for drinking and eating. Aunt Cheng’s stewed fish is unmatched. Plus, I have to drink that 50-year-old private stash from Uncle Zuo." Zhao Dashan patted Zuo Lin’s shoulder, laughing gleefully, "You’re done for; you won’t be able to hide your wine anymore. You know why the chef from the county hotel always comments about the luck of not spotting Zhang Guoqing when drinking? Allegedly, every time Xiao Wu sees, he has to have a share. But the chef really likes this kid; after a few days without seeing him, he starts missing him. A few days ago, he went to the valley and brought back some jars of wine, saying he would keep them for him, not letting anyone touch. The jar of wine we drank today might be what was mentioned." Zuo Lin commented in exasperation, "I knew he was longing for it. Last time, he pitifully said his dad never drank a 50-year-old one. My wife almost believed his nonsense and poured him some until his second sister asked an odd question to keep the wine safe." The crowd burst into laughter, Zhang Guoqing quickly promised, "Uncles, stop saying that, I’ve revealed everything to you, give me some face, my grandpa and mother-in-law are still here. How about everyone gets a bottle of grandpa’s good wine?" "Too little, first say how much there is, divide between everyone. Aren’t you always saying to the chef fifty-fifty split so no one suffers losses?" "Right, who doesn’t know you’re the sly one? One bottle per person isn’t enough, make it two each." "Those are rare drinks, you want to hog them all? Bring them out quickly." Everyone was chatting animatedly, making comparisons enthusiastically. Zhang Guoqing showily regretted, slapped his thigh, "Oh dear, do you think I’m so straightforward to be unserious enough to deceive you? I shouldn’t have mentioned it. I’m remorseful, seeing uncles makes me happy, once happy, all my savings were frittered away. Truly not much left, only 10 bottles, already opened 3, leaving only 7. How’s that for sincerity?" Everyone nodded happily, giving thumbs-up. Zhang Guoqing stood up, clapped his hands, "You wait here, have a nice chat with my grandpa, I’ll be right back." He exited the main room, mulling over where else there might be omissions. Returning to the bedroom, he saw Zhou Jiao, briefly outlined the resolution of the disturbance, the two discussed and found no issues. Ultimately, the matter had to wait for Zhou Xiaozheng’s decision. "Jiao Jiao, we’re taking 5 bottles of grandpa’s wine to give to the five just now. I think presenting this looks decent with no issues." Grandpa Zhou went to the village office several times requesting them to seek your opinion. So they came; it shows how interesting your grandpa is, going there instead of visiting directly. Do you think he shies away knowing the Lin family is here? Haha, I find it quite amusing." Zhou Jiao pounded the bed hard, "What face does he have? If grandpa and my mom told the truth, he wouldn’t have any face left. How dare he come? I pity my grandma, though. No way to visit her; uncertain about her condition?" Zhang Guoqing approached, picked her up, and placed her on his lap, "Don’t be mad. The matter proceeds as planned. The Zhou couple is detained for now. The Zhou family’s items and money will be processed by the end of the month, and someone will accompany me specifically for that. I haven’t mentioned who, but Zuo Lin and Zhao Dashan probably guessed. No one spoke of it. My thought is to detain the couple first, which saves us from their visits and that woman’s irritation. Keeping them allows your dad flexibility to negotiate with Old Man Zhou, preventing constant turmoil. Grandpa agrees too. If you’re concerned about your dad, I can personally handle it without him having to step in later. Detain first and discuss after. They want to know what you think, but grandpa’s frank judgment calls you too mild to speak decisively, waiting for others to return and manage it themselves. Haha, don’t be angry. See if grandma visits tomorrow, and I’ll consider ways to help, dear. Focus on recuperating." "Alright, put me down. Deliver the wine so they leave sooner. I’m fine, rest assured." Zhang Guoqing grabbed a small box, packed 5 bottles of wine, walked to the main room, and placed the box down. Seeing the discussion resolved and night falling, Lin Aiguo and the others stood, bidding farewell.