Chapter 1111: Chapter 984: Don’t Ruin the Wedding
As the end of the year approaches, a letter from Mr. Zhang, a thousand miles away, followed closely on the heels of Zhang the Second’s "letter of tribute."
Should they return to their hometown?
For a moment, it’s really difficult to make the trip.
Zhang Guoqing not only had no vacation, but he also became truly busy.
Unlike previous years, the promotion meant even less freedom. With the new year approaching, there were more meetings, and the gatherings were no longer limited to Beijing.
"I’ll take Liu Yi and May 1st back." Ping’an proposed this request again, though he wished to go alone, but with two sharp-eyed younger brothers watching closely, he decided it was better to go together.
Upon hearing this, Zhou Jiao looked at her three sons, considering whether their safety could truly be no concern with Huang Xiaomi taking care of them along the way, given the three children’s fighting abilities.
Before agreeing, she first looked at Zhang Guoqing and decided to follow his opinion. Having nobody from the family go back certainly wouldn’t do.
Since they had already taken ninety-nine steps with the Old Zhang’s family, she wouldn’t let idle gossip slander Zhang Guoqing. But the last step wasn’t so simple; how to cleverly play the final move was crucial.
For example, how to let some people understand that Zhang Guoqing had practically separated from the family, or how to make the parents-in-law understand the boundaries between brothers, and how to let the children learn to see through the human relationships.
"Don’t look at me; you definitely can’t take leave," Zhang Guoqing assumed she was planning to go back and immediately denied the notion without further thought. It’s a joke to take leave just because the husband’s big nephew is getting married?
Those people would definitely say that a revolution isn’t a banquet!
"Son, are you sure you can handle going back and forth safely?"
Ping’an tried to persuade him, "Dad, Grandpa and Grandma are still there. You have satisfied all their requests before, but now not a single person goes back for their eldest grandson’s wedding; I worry they might feel hurt."
Zhang Guoqing naturally understood this reasoning, even if he said that he and Zhou Jiao were too busy to take time off, but in their eyes, Ping’an was already a fourteen-year-old young man and could surely attend, right?
But a son is his own; he really couldn’t rest easy letting him take his two younger brothers and start handling matters independently, especially since he would also bring along the eight-year-old twins.
Liu Yi was startled by his gaze and quickly raised his hand to protest, saying, "Dad, we must follow our brother! If someone bullies him, we’re too young to know and won’t be taken seriously if we do anything."
May 1st nodded repeatedly on the side, "With more people, we can inquire everywhere and see what opinions they have about our family, and see if anyone is scheming against us."
Zhang Guoqing tapped the heads of the two younger sons speechlessly. Who didn’t know that you always acted in cahoots together! This is exactly what he’s worried about, isn’t it?
"Don’t go and turn the wedding upside down."
"Huh?" Liu Yi and May 1st opened their mouths in surprise.
Zhang Guoqing touched his nose and glanced elsewhere, "If anyone says anything unpleasant, you can teach them a lesson. If things don’t go right, immediately run to find your Grandpa Dashan and have him call your elder maternal uncle."
Zhou Jiao: "..."
After speaking, Zhang Guoqing also felt embarrassed and cleared his throat, "Alright, the last approval you need is to get your grandparents’ consent."
Ping’an held back his laughter and quickly pulled his two younger brothers out of the room. The three brothers looked at each other and ran downstairs, covering their mouths to stifle their laughs.
Once the children were gone, Zhou Jiao whispered, "You don’t trust your parents?"
Zhang Guoqing had no hesitation facing Zhou Jiao.
He sighed, "Maybe I’m being petty, but when you don’t grow up close by, the relationship isn’t deep. In case the kids disrupt the wedding or argue with some shameless elders, even if they are not wrong, my parents would want the kids to apologize first. But would they agree?"
Zhou Jiao laughed at his words, "That’s true too; the kids have their support. Right is right, wrong is wrong, why should they apologize?"
"That’s exactly what I mean. My sons, as Zhang Guoqing’s children, should not compromise themselves for some baseless etiquette. But my parents’ mindset is different. I remember when my second brother was young, no matter whether he was right or wrong, as long as he scolded a village elder, unless it really tainted our family reputation, Mother would make him apologize."
"So, given the generational differences, it would be better if something really happened for the kids to find Uncle Dashan, rather than letting my parents be in a difficult position and the kids feel wronged."
This is human nature. Transitioning isn’t just a matter of a few words. There are always some people who can’t bear to see others prosper and will frequently whisper in his father’s ear.
Take Uncle Zhang, for example, Zhang Guoqing didn’t even have to think to know he would say something like, "How could you foolishly send out two of your kids at once?" But this matter could be left to his father-in-law. He reckoned without needing to say it; his father-in-law’s cautious nature had already considered this point.
Soon enough, just as he expected, before a cup of tea was finished, Ping’an came back upstairs.
"Dad, my grandfather said let Uncle Wang take us there. He initially intended to send two people to protect us closely, but I turned it down. It’s enough with just Uncle Wang and me."
Zhou Jiao’s expression changed upon hearing this, "Is someone planning to mess with you?"
Ping’an quickly replied, "No such thing. If someone really wanted to harm us, my grandfather would not agree to us leaving. Mom, it’s just in case."
Zhou Jiao interrupted, waving her hand, and walked around the room a few times. Then she glanced at Zhang Guoqing and decisively said, "Let the two of them go with you, listen to your grandfather’s arrangements. I’ll give you some self-defense items. Remember to tell your brothers not to disclose your return to your hometown too soon."
Ping’an nodded enthusiastically, "The three of us brothers know to keep it a secret."
Seeing her son so happy, Zhou Jiao waved her hand with a heavy heart, "Then you discuss it with your grandfather yourselves."
Zhang Guoqing immediately gave a meaningful look to Ping’an. Why was this silly child not understanding his parents’ feelings? Why was he foolishly happy?
Once the children left, he went over and picked up Zhou Jiao, sitting her on a chair, and asked softly, "If you’re not at ease, don’t agree to it. Why force yourself?"
Zhou Jiao leaned against him, let out a long sigh, and said softly, "The children will grow up. We’ll have to let go one day, better to start adapting slowly."
Hearing this, Zhang Guoqing felt a pang in his nose. He always hoped the children wouldn’t grow up, but that day would come eventually. If in the future they choose a military path...
For a moment, he could only remain silent, gently patting her back. He respected their choices, but he ultimately couldn’t get past the hurdle in his heart.
"Brother, for the sake of the children, we have to try harder."
"Alright, with me here, no matter which path our sons choose in the future, I’ll do everything to ensure their safety."
No matter what the future holds, with the entire family’s consent, this journey to the Northeast is definitely happening.
Three days later, accompanied by Xiao Wang and Xiao Zheng, the Ping’an brothers embarked on a train heading to the Northeast.
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