1RomanceEB Chapter 1083 - 956: Growing Pains
Chapter 1083 - 956: Growing Pains
"Xiao Wu, here’s a letter for you and Jiao Jiao."Zhang Guoqing had just come downstairs when he saw Aunt Chen handing him a pile of letters. He glanced through them—they were from home, from friends, but none from his father-in-law.
Ever since his father-in-law had called his wife once and then left, Zhang Guoqing had only received that one phone call. The weather was getting hotter, and he hadn’t brought many clothes to change into, so he was worried about how he was managing out there.
Zhang Guoqing scratched his buzz cut and sighed inwardly.
"Telephone, the telephone is ringing..."
Zhang Guoqing didn’t wait for Aunt Chen to finish speaking; he quickly went into the study. As soon as he picked up the receiver, he heard the familiar voice of Cheng Ruzhu, and he paused, disappointed.
"Is that Xiao Wu? Has Jiao Jiao come home from work yet?"
Zhang Guoqing glanced at the clock. "Not yet, but she will be soon. Are you looking for her for something, Aunt? Should I have her call you back, are you working overtime at the office or at home?"
"No need, I’ll be heading home soon; it’s not convenient to discuss this at home. I can tell you just the same. Your uncle has a second sister. Her daughter needs to join the rural labor force. I’ve met her—a good kid. Can you find a way to place her in your hometown?"
Zhang Guoqing was taken aback by this request. "Why of all places my hometown? I haven’t been back in over two years; I don’t even know how things are there now. Wouldn’t joining the Regiment be a better choice? At least there’s a salary."
"Sigh, I’ve heard it’s unsafe for women in remote regimental areas. And even more so, my second sister’s husband was nearly branded an intellectual enemy; they probably aren’t even allowed into regiments.
She called today, desperately asking our parents to think of a solution, so your uncle called to ask if you could manage anything on your end. I’m running it by you first; give it some thought. Would it be difficult? If it’s not possible, I’ll come up with a reason to refuse them early on."
Zhang Guoqing was unsure about the character of this girl. He wasn’t worried about her being bullied in his hometown, but over time, if her heart strayed, who would be responsible if something happened?
Zhang Guoqing thought for a moment. "As I recall, was that second sister married to someone in a neighboring city? Did the street issue any notification? Where was she originally assigned to?"
"Yes, that’s her. A notice has come—she’s supposed to go to a remote mountain valley in the north by the end of the month. So your uncle is wondering if she could instead go to your hometown?"
"Aunt, don’t rush. Let me think it over." Zhang Guoqing switched the receiver to the other hand and paused, "How about this: ask them if they would consider transferring to a production team under their city instead? It’s better if the child remains closer; even if she can’t come home to visit, her parents and elders can still see her, don’t you agree?
It’s not that going to my hometown is impossible, but Jiao Jiao and I are not there, and the climate is cold—my parents couldn’t take good care of her. A girl can’t handle the hard labor in the fields."
Cheng Ruzhu made a dismissive noise on the other end of the line, "If they could be transferred to a production team under their own city, they’d be overjoyed. Xiao Wu, be honest with me—would this affect you? If so, don’t risk it lightly. You know your dad has high hopes for you. I’ll just find an excuse to turn them down."
Zhang Guoqing laughed silently. If it were easy to refuse, Cheng Ruzhu wouldn’t have made this call. How well did he understand how she protected her own family?
But compared to dealing with endless future issues if she went to his hometown, it would be easier to make a call to the old buddies, but he couldn’t say that outright.
After hesitating for a moment, Zhang Guoqing chuckled, "Aunt, it shouldn’t be a big problem. The conditions at the new place for labor force transfer are definitely not good; that’s for sure. The requirement is to go to remote rural areas, and one rural place is much like the next."
"Really?"
"Yeah. Just paint the picture a bit more difficult when you tell them, so they give it serious thought. Once it’s decided, give me a heads up. You should focus on Yu’s matters; that’s the important issue."
Cheng Ruzhu laughed happily, "Got it, I’ll take care of it."
After hanging up the phone, Zhang Guoqing shook his head. Wen Yu hadn’t even graduated high school this year, but Mr. Cheng had already lined up his grandson’s job, an example of how different people’s lives can be.
Speak of the devil.
There it is—outside, he could hear Wen Yu talking and greeting Brother Ping’an and the others.
Zhang Guoqing stepped out of the study and saw the young man bounce over to him. "Brother-in-law, hey hey."
"What? Looking for me for something?"
"You really can foresee things, brother-in-law."
Zhang Guoqing amusingly tapped his forehead, "If you got something to say, just say it—no need for flattery."
"So, what do you think about me going to work at the recycling station?"
Zhang Guoqing halted mid-step, looking over at Ping’an. Seeing his son subtly shake his head, he addressed Wen Yu, "Changed your mind? Does the old man know?"
"I haven’t dared say anything."
The recycling station was indeed a good place, offering free time and a quiet environment for sneaky studying, but with this kind of job, the unstable character of Wen Yu wasn’t a fit.
Zhang Guoqing shot him a look, "Stop daydreaming. Going to the Art Troupe is a great choice—practice the erhu, showcase your voice, and occasionally travel around the country performing; the salary is both high and respectable."
"But I’m a real man."
Some people just don’t realize when they have it good. Zhang Guoqing shook his head, "Alright then, joining the army is even better. Haven’t all your cousins enlisted?"
"Brother-in-law~"
Zhang Guoqing rubbed his arms as he got goosebumps, "Alright, go find the old man; I’m out of options. Your sister’s back; I still have to pick up my wife."
Watching him run off quickly, Wen Yu pointed incredulously at Zhang Guoqing’s back, "You... you..."
Nearby, Ping’an gave him a mocking smile, "You should stop while you’re ahead. You think getting into the recycling station is just about moving your lips?"
"Come on, Ping’an, give me some advice."
Ping’an cast him a sidelong glance and sat silently on the sofa, casually picking up a newspaper.
Liu Yi and May 1st saw this, immediately slinging their backpacks over their shoulders and heading upstairs—they could tell that their big brother was getting impatient. They didn’t have his calm demeanor and sharp tongue.
Wen Yu sat next to Ping’an, beginning to play the pitiful role, chattering about his thoughts and plans. He had already set his sights on a few nearby recycling stations he had visited with Ping’an.
The distances from the Big Courtyard were close, making commuting convenient, plus there would be hot food, and on weekends, he could play with friends—no job seemed better.
Ping’an raised his head, scrutinizing Wen Yu’s spotless clothes with layered meaning. Looking like this, you think you can just take charge at the recycling station without getting your hands dirty?
"So, what do you think?"
"Fat chance! You can talk all you want at my place; my grandma won’t mind if you cross boundaries. But at Great-Grandfather’s, it’s totally different. As soon as you breathe a word, expect to be sent to join the regiment. If it weren’t for Great-Grandmother and my grandma feeling sorry for you, do you think he’d agree?"
"I, I just don’t dare talk to him is all."
"So you’re blaming my dad?"
"Isn’t he my own brother-in-law?"
Ping’an furrowed his brow, then relaxed and smiled, "In this world, no one owes us anything. Know when to quit while you’re ahead. You have a waiting opportunity to be recommended for college after working two years. Then, who would stop you from taking whichever path you choose?"
"Sigh, I wish I hadn’t grown up so fast."