Chapter 1334 - 1206: Hidden Meanings in Words

Chapter 1334: Chapter 1206: Hidden Meanings in Words

The Ping’an Brothers swiftly ran over as they spoke, packed their belongings, and jumped onto the car, with Ping’an leading the way to the driver’s seat to start the car.

Their actions flowed smoothly, showcasing the seamless cooperation between the brothers without needing to speak a word.

Shi Tou, following Mr. Zhang’s instructions, didn’t bring up the issue of greenhouse vegetables again. Instead, Mother Zhang brought up Xiao Jiang’s recent letter to Shi Tou, expressing his desire to venture out.

Regarding the cousins of Old Zhang’s family, separated by many branches, if not pointed out by Mother Zhang, the Ping’an Brothers wouldn’t have paid much attention, as they were quite distant.

Xiao Jiang’s father, Zhang Qingfeng, was a decent man. In fact, when their family returned for the New Year before, they specially left them a pig.

But his family had not treated them unfairly. If they remembered correctly, the other party first received a task from his second aunt, later both his parents gave them the market price.

However, with Mr. Zhang and Mother Zhang around, the Ping’an Brothers were mindful of the elders’ feelings. As their mother said, grandparents are getting old, time is short, and all reasonable demands should be met as much as possible.

Liu Yi listened with a smile, glancing at May 1st, lowering his head to gently wipe his hands with a handkerchief, secretly sighing about how troublesome it would be when the diplomatic younger brother wasn’t home.

Ping’an chuckled, focused on holding the steering wheel, looking ahead. Should he take the shortcut or make a detour? Should he heed his mother’s reminder to go home?

May 1st’s eyes flickered, holding Mother Zhang’s hand, reassuringly patted it, and laughed, "Grandmother, Brother Shi Tou’s concern is justified. Going far away could be risky, and if anything happens, we can’t guarantee his safety, considering we’re quite far."

He then smiled at Mr. Zhang, "Grandfather, honestly, I don’t quite agree with Xiao Jiang’s idea. Why go far? If he has the capability and ambition, he could expand the hometown’s juice workshop."

"Oh, how so?"

"Isn’t it possible to contract anything nowadays? Like Xiao Jiang, Yin Suo, and others, they could unite their strength, raise funds to buy machines and set up a juice factory."

Mr. Zhang shook his head upon hearing this, "They can’t pull it off. Not to mention machines cost a lot of money, even if they make money later, unity may still be lacking. Villagers wouldn’t agree."

May 1st smiled upon hearing this, "If such issues can’t be resolved, I think Xiao Jiang shouldn’t venture out. In his hometown, people might respect him for your sake. Outside, who would give him respect? Even if he wants to come to Beijing, the city is full of sharp people; what does he have to compete with locals?"

He paused for a moment and continued, "If there’s any problem at the grassroots, my parents can’t interfere. Many people outside are hoping for them to make mistakes, so they could replace them.

Take my brother’s recent graduation distribution, for example. Honestly, our family hopes they stay at the General Staff; it’s safe and respectable. But is that possible? Even my maternal grandfather oversees the military commission, but he doesn’t dare make decisions."

In the passenger seat, Liu Yi curled his mouth, glancing at Ping’an next to him, both brothers showing a similar smile, the meaning understood only by them.

"Take my father, for instance; he’s now at a respectable position in General Logistics. Lots of people have to show him respect. If he speaks up, things can be settled."

May 1st said as he glanced at Shi Tou, "But he dares not, and can’t. If he makes any minor mistakes, many people below are waiting for his position.

My father often says there’s less freedom, and it’s true. By rights, given his position, our family could be allocated a courtyard in the Big Courtyard. But he dares not take it."

Mother Zhang, hearing this about her son, couldn’t hold back and asked, "Why is that?"

May 1st was eager for someone to respond; after all, performing a monologue wasn’t entertaining. He smiled at Mother Zhang and patiently explained, "My father must set an example."

"Ah?"

"Grandmother, someone took the courtyard, but donated their private courtyard. Although my father’s name doesn’t have a courtyard, my mother does.

Of course, if he took it, no one would dare say anything. But to be safe, my father can’t take it. This is the lack of freedom at the top.

Take my mother’s workplace, for instance; every time housing was allocated, her name was on the list, but she dared not take it. If you don’t take it, it’s fine. But if you do, many people will unite to attack you, saying as a high-level person, you have a courtyard and yet compete with others."

May 1st sighed, "Take me, for instance; in the second semester of my freshman year, I had the opportunity to study abroad. At the time, I wanted to go abroad, but why didn’t I dare take it?"

He didn’t expect them to answer, continuing to speak, "Because if I had taken it then, many uninformed people would speculate if it was due to my family background. So your grandson simply didn’t take it; we must let those people be convinced, right?

So when the second opportunity arose, I still didn’t dare take it. Until this time, my name was high on the list with no objections, so I dared take it.

It’s hard. If I were a bit reckless, left, the ensuing gossip could harm the family. Alas... the glamour is just superficial."

Up front, Liu Yi blinked, lowered his gaze, almost deceived by his brother.

"Good child, you suffered grievances," Mother Zhang tightened her grip on her grandson’s hand, "Others who don’t know might think you can do whatever you want, how could they imagine... alas..."

May 1st forced a smile, "Grandmother, I don’t feel aggrieved; look, your grandson now got what he wanted. But my mother..."

Mother Zhang, startled, quickly asked, "What’s wrong with your mother?"

May 1st scratched the back of his head, hesitatingly looked at her, then at Mr. Zhang. He was pondering whether he should lay the groundwork first?

He knew, with his grandfather visiting, they’d inevitably encounter some visiting old gentlemen. Some of those gentlemen, like Mr. Mo and Old Yi, knew all about his mother’s overseas investments.

If unfortunate, should they mention it, these elders might think his mother, as a daughter-in-law, secretly kept such big things from her in-laws, being distant?

"My mother, she, she’s even more challenged," May 1st restrained his smile, lightly sighed, and lamented, "My father is famously generous, but what does generosity mean? It means spreading money. My father has assisted many comrades and friends.

Considering their salaries, they both earn quite a bit, especially these past two years, their positions rose, and their salaries increased, but is it enough for their expenditures?

My maternal grandparents’ money, well, they’re planning for us three brothers to each have a courtyard. Just last year, my grandfather bought a big courtyard for my eldest brother.

Once the courtyard was purchased, more nannies were hired, tightening family finances further. We, the three brothers, see this as unfeasible, considering our age, shouldn’t let elders worry, right?"