Chapter 1270 - 1142: Business Trip Back to Beijing 3

Chapter 1270: Chapter 1142: Business Trip Back to Beijing 3

Just as Ping’an guessed, shortly after the end of the workday, his parents and Yi Jiefang and the others began to arrive at the old house one after another.

As expected by May 1st, Aunt Lu’s extra dishes had a chance to come in handy.

In the stone courtyard of the main house, an eight-immortal table was later added. After finishing Aunt Lu’s carefully prepared dinner, the group ate heartily and began to "split the loot".

Yi Jiefang wasn’t too interested in these things. He was intrigued by Zhou Jiao’s description of Jiang Province. "Hey, do you all think we should find some time to take a trip to the Northwest?"

Geng Dazhi shook his head, "It’s too far, not enough vacation time."

Yi Jiefang sighed, "Back in our school days, how stupid were we to spend each summer break at the beach? What a shame, damn it, what a shame."

Wan Dayong kicked him, "Your daughter is here."

Yi Jiefang dodged to the side to avoid his leg, casually waving his hand, "I’m just trying to learn from experience, so my Little Tangtang won’t become foolish at school. With my intelligence, as long as my daughter inherits even half of it, she doesn’t need to bother studying seriously."

"Keep boasting, boast all you want."

"What, don’t believe me? I’m just not better than my sister. It’s not a matter of intelligence; I just can’t stay focused. Otherwise, I would easily be first in class."

Zhang Guoqing chuckled and shook his head. Seeing that his Little Tangtang was present, he refrained from exposing his old buddy’s shamelessness.

The not-so-young men were just blabbering about and occasionally kicking and punching each other jokingly, making the Ping An Brothers and the little girl giggle endlessly.

When they mentioned splitting the loot, there wasn’t much of value.

This time, Zhou Jiao brought back sacks, mostly filled with stones. Setting aside some local medicinal herbs, what’s left are large fruits like Hami melons and fragrant pears.

Fortunately, Zhou Jiao marked the sacks while preparing the items, with clear categories of local specialties like Hami melons, raisins, red dates, nuts, etc.

Thus, as they chatted and joked, they each took some and packed them into bags. It didn’t take much time; they obviously couldn’t carry everything home.

On the way home, Zhou Jiao conveniently delivered gifts to the Cheng Family and Wen Family. For her master and brothers, they could only wait until the next day.

Looks like a lot, but when you divide it, it’s not much per person.

Just like those Hami melons and fresh fruits, although they are cheap locally, they take up a lot of space and incur considerable shipping fees. So, she had already stuffed most of them into her space.

Zhang Guoqing, familiar with her hamster-like habits, watching her generous demeanor, was afraid of laughing, so he quickly pinched his thigh to hold in his laughter.

"When we have time, spend some money to hire someone to move the two batches of stones into the garden. Whether for piling rockery or anything, get them moved—seeing them in the warehouse and front yard is annoying."

"Sure, whatever you say goes."

After discussing trivial matters, Zhou Jiao brought up more serious topics.

They briefly talked at noon; he hurried off to work afterward. When he got off work, Yi Jiefang was in the car, leaving her little time to inquire about many things.

"Tomorrow I’ll send the package to dad and mom; do you have anything to send them?"

Zhang Guoqing shook his head, "Better not send anything for now. My second sister-in-law is leaving these days; let’s see if dad and mom will come first."

Zhou Jiao suddenly realized, "Yue’er must be about to give birth, right?"

Zhang Guoqing gave her a side glance. How could a man like him pay attention to niece-in-law’s childbirth?

Zhou Jiao awkwardly lowered her head and picked up her teacup, "If I remember correctly, her due date is mid-November Gregorian calendar. It’s already August, so my second sister-in-law is indeed coming.

I’ll submit my report tomorrow, and after delivering gifts to my master and brothers, I’ll visit Yue’er. Been so long since I’ve been there; I wonder if Aunt Zuo will have any complaints?"

"Aunt Zuo knows you were on a business trip, won’t have any complaints. Usually, I’ve already sent Xiao Zhu to visit several times, and the kids also went during the summer break. It’s nothing big."

After Zhang Guoqing said this, he thought for a while and advised, "After work tomorrow, I’ll take you to your master’s place. Let Ping’an visit Shi Tou’s place for you. After all, you have a few days off; get some rest at home first."

"Okay, you can arrange."

Zhang Guoqing affectionately ruffled her hair, "So obedient."

Zhou Jiao turned her head away, gave him an annoyed glance. Does she look like a kid!

Zhang Guoqing saw this and couldn’t help laughing. He took the teacup from her hand and scooped her into his arms. Even without a daughter, having a wife is nice—he treats her like a daughter.

"Honey, gold’s price has gone up."

Zhou Jiao indifferently replied, "Isn’t that expected."

"Hahaha... yes, you’re right."

The next day, Ping’an rode his motorcycle to Shi Tou’s place and brought back a string of messages for Zhou Jiao.

His second aunt, Lin Juhua, took the summer-breaking Mai Qing; the mother and daughter boarded the train today. Little Tao won’t be coming this time as he’s preparing for college exams next year.

As for his grandparents, reportedly his granduncles and grandaunts’ grandkids are having weddings up till the new year, so they can’t leave.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Jiao nodded and didn’t say much. The main reason might not be attending the grandkids’ weddings; with Lin Juhua going away, her mother-in-law must be concerned about Zhang the Second and his son.

Also Eldest Zhang—it’s been long since there’s been any news, probably another reason her father-in-law and mother-in-law can’t rest easy.

"Mom, we Ping An Brothers plan to return home if grandparents don’t come."

Zhou Jiao looked at her son with appreciation, "Indeed, this summer break is rare you all are not interning at the military camp. Ask your dad if he has time; his vacation days should be accumulated enough."

"What about you?"

Zhou Jiao helplessly shook her head, "I can’t go. I already took a vacation before the end of last year; this time back from business trip, they only give me three days, it’s not enough for a roundtrip."

"Ask Grandpa Shi to pull some strings."

The prospect of heading home, enduring the heat and train overcrowding, didn’t appeal to Zhou Jiao. Plus, there would invariably be a pile of bothersome matters on arrival.

But she wouldn’t express this to her son.

Filial piety is prioritized.

It’s a traditional virtue of the Chinese nation and an exalted quality necessary for moral conduct. Only those who comprehend filial duty are truly human.

Whether she goes or not doesn’t matter much to her father-in-law and mother-in-law, but it’s different for the father and sons. No matter how many parcels or money transfers, nothing compares to personally visiting the elderly.

Once the topic of going home was initiated, the Ping An Brothers quickly sprang into action. By evening, after dinner, the family gathered in the living room to discuss.

This time, Zhang Guoqing didn’t say much. He knew his sons were grown, no longer the childish kids they once were. Nonetheless, he felt content.

Right then he decided to buy tickets for the kids.

As for himself,

He realistically cannot leave. Accumulated vacation doesn’t equate to getting his wish, especially since although the defense battle in the Southern Border ended, it doesn’t mean there are fewer tensions.

Before Lin Juhua reached Beijing, Ping An Brothers packed up and boarded the train.

With the kids sent off, the Zhou Family returned to its peaceful state once more.