Chapter 997: Chapter 870: Business Trip to Hai City
In the deep of night, the chirping of cicadas and croaking of frogs accompany the perfect spring scene inside the bedroom with tightly closed windows on the second floor, where the egg-yolk colored light paints Zhou Jiao like a porcelain doll.
"Are you sure you don’t need me to take time off to accompany you?"
After the passion subsides, Zhou Jiao, exhausted and breathless from being devoured, lies limp in his embrace, pursing her lips and letting out a "humph," before giving him a cool side-eye.
"Hahaha..." Zhang Guoqing’s suppressed laughter, as always, tugs at her heartstrings, making her secretly want to curse him in her heart.
The weak little wife leans against him lazily like a cat, secretly rolling her eyes. This charm makes Zhang Guoqing want to move again.
Caressing her back fondly, he leans down and lightly nibbles her crystalline earlobe, "Darling, come back soon, I’ll miss you terribly."
Teased by his exaggerated gestures and tone, Zhou Jiao’s face flushes red, and she can’t help but twist his waist with effort, then regretfully pats it.
Not an ounce of fat!
"Darling, your husband’s in great shape! You’ll always be satisfied, come on, feel these real eight-pack abs, and your favorite..."
Without missing a beat, jumping into a flirtatious tone whenever possible. This annoying man... Zhou Jiao immediately covers his mouth, suppressing her heart’s racing, forcibly changing the subject.
"Your favorite mitten crabs are almost gone, can you find that father and son again this time?"
Concerned about his wife’s safety, Zhang Guoqing immediately stops, "Once there, contact them first, a time buffer, no problem within a week."
"Why do I keep asking if I should accompany you? It’s because I’m worried you’ll be too hasty. Even if the market is closing soon, the rural markets won’t scatter so quickly.
Think about it, when supply exceeds demand, there always has to be output. People’s resourcefulness is unparalleled, they can always come up with solutions."
Zhou Jiao understands this, but still looks at him with admiration shining in her eyes, making Zhang Guoqing eager to talk more.
Oh, what a boring time recently, unlike the restrictive work schedule, as soon as there’s free time he just lets his imagination run wild.
"It’s a pity we have to work, otherwise when we’re connected, we could travel all over Huaxia. So much fun, so much good food, everything available."
"You don’t know how regretful it is not bringing you back home this time, close to the deep mountains there’s everything. Such a good season to be stuck in Beijing, just thinking about the mountain goods and wild fruits rotting makes this heart ache. Honey, massage my heart."
Zhou Jiao laughingly pats him. Not regretful, compared to collecting in the country, she prefers to freely snag items abroad. This time, besides most of the foreign currency being exchanged for diamonds, gemstones, jewelry, premium bird’s nests, the rest didn’t cost much.
This would be worrying about space, otherwise along the way she wouldn’t know how many things from truckloads have been snatched.
Compared to the first time abroad snagging food and coal, this time Zhou Jiao became cleverer, anything not valuable and taking space, she wouldn’t even bother to look.
As the successor of the socialist era to swipe from those who invaded the motherland, doesn’t it count as ridding harm to the people?
In the future, when assets are revealed, these ill-gotten gains will surely be used for more deserving compatriots. Zhou Jiao doesn’t consider herself a good person but holds a unique affection for this land.
A child never despises their mother for being ugly. Likewise, the motherland that has nurtured her for two lives, regardless of its current poverty and constant troubles, is still the homeland she doesn’t wish to leave.
On the way to Hai City, the train personnel’s warmth and sincerity, the diverse accents of Mandarin all around, these are the senses of belonging absent abroad.
Summer in Hai City is still as stifling as ever. At the station’s entrance, a female comrade stands impeccably among the greeters holding a sign.
This is her fellow countrymen!
No arrogant white people due to yellow skin, black hair, and black eyes, and neither contempt due to the absence of tips.
"Comrade, I am Zhou Jiao."
"Comrade Zhou Jiao, hello." A trace of surprise flashes in the other person’s eyes, then smiles, "I’m Miao Xiaoqing from the unit assigned to pick you up this time."
Zhou Jiao knows the other must have imagined her, but she doesn’t mind as she smiles and shakes Miao Xiaoqing’s hand, "Mr. Miao, thank you!"
"Comrade Zhou, it’s not hard work, all for serving the people."
Zhou Jiao discreetly sizes up the other person. Dressed in a short-sleeve white shirt, dark blue long pants in a four-pocket cadre style, it seems Hai City indeed is a big city, comparing conditions with personnel from other provinces and cities, they are quite good here.
Especially the neat short hair, the gentle smile on her face, the overall look radiates a spirit of comfortable living with decent treatment.
In comparison to herself, wearing a white shirt somewhat yellowed from washing, and slightly faded army pants, seemingly, apparently, she may be a bit too fastidious.
"The unit dispatched a car, driver Xiao Wang is waiting outside. It’s not office hours yet; shall we go to the guesthouse first?"
Unexpectedly, the family driver Xiao Wang matched right with this situation, Zhou Jiao smiles, nods, declines the offer to help with luggage, and leaves with her.
She always carries little when traveling for work, only bringing bedding when going to rural areas. Usually, especially in summer, for business trips to big cities, a briefcase in one shoulder bag with a military satchel for concealment, plus a luggage bag for cover is quite enough.
The expenses for work trips can be reimbursed, but Zhou Jiao isn’t one to waste wantonly, nor does she willingly wrong herself. However, this time the subordinate unit’s arranged guesthouse is pretty good, a single room on the second floor. Seems, as someone from the Capital, she does have an advantage.
Zhou Jiao and the other exchange pleasantries, agree on when to go to the unit in the afternoon. For dining, with meal tickets and vegetable vouchers, the internal cafeteria solves the issue.
Though right now it’s almost twelve-thirty, she’s lazy to squeeze into the cafeteria, likely cleaned up there, no need to inconvenience people.
After freshening up, she doesn’t rest, finds a nearby restaurant, orders a bowl of noodles, fills her stomach, takes a walk, strolls around, and inquires about the latest trends in Hai City.
Ordinary folks, common people, beyond food and clothing, their greatest leisure is gathering in threes and fives to enthusiastically discuss gossip.
Even more, some so-called "competent people" can mysteriously say a few rumors about someone’s distant relatives.
But when someone passes by, they always leave some clues. With genuine interest, one can always glean a more authentic side beyond the newspapers.
