Chapter 1394: Wu Yi Returns

A brief summer rain came and went quickly, carrying with it the fresh and moist scent of earth.

The sky was a clear blue, the silent mountains, a distant ancient pagoda, birds chirping among the trees, and the sometimes loud, sometimes lingering sound of summer cicadas.

By the stone table deep in the shade, Zhou Jiao was brewing tea she brought herself, taking a sip, and then picked up a flute to play a tune called “Spurring the Horses to Deliver Grain”.

——The cheerful little beat was full of joyful emotions, making Miao Lishan beside her smile and instinctively tap along with the rhythm.

This leisurely state of the mother and daughter “stealing half a day of leisure in the mountains” made Zhang Guoqing and his father-in-law, who returned late, envious, feeling they never truly enjoy life.

The two gestured to Miao Lishan facing them not to disturb her and handed their various briefcases to the secretary behind them, then hurriedly washed up and came to the stone table to sit.

Before the piece ended, Zhou Jiao had already noticed them. As they arrived, she smoothly transitioned from one tune to another and only spoke softly after the music ceased: Have you eaten?

The gentle and soft mountain breeze swept past from afar, blowing away the daytime restlessness.

The family chatted idly, and as they talked, they began discussing matters related to Ping’an’s wedding, like the guest list, new house decorations, and other bits and pieces.

Guest list?

Everyone in the family more or less knew who to invite, except for the list of Old Zhang’s family in the Northeast, which needed Zhang Guoqing to draft first.

According to Zhou Xiaozheng, the patriarch and elders of the Old Zhang’s family require invitations sent by the son-in-law one or two months in advance. Whether they will come or not, the gesture must be made.

No matter what, Ping’an is still a Zhang. Not inviting those elders for the grand wedding would be impolite in terms of etiquette.

Due to subjective and objective reasons, having the banquet back home is absolutely impossible. Let alone the Qu family, even their family couldn’t attend due to the commotion it would cause.

Zhang Guoqing finalized the list of the elders from Zhang Family Village. Zhou Jiao couldn’t help but remind him that he also needed to send invitations to his two uncles’ families.

Zhang Guoqing patted his forehead in frustration. It was fine as long as it wasn’t mentioned; the more he talked, the more there was. If everyone came, neither his old house nor the two-entry courtyard could accommodate them.

Zhou Jiao covered her mouth and chuckled: This doesn’t even include her godfather Zhao Chuan Guang and those uncles. For sure Zhao Dashan’s family, including Zhao Yuanyuan, would come.

If not, why would Ping’an suggest just setting up two simple tables?

A few days later, Zhang Guoqing sent the invitations to the clan leader and three clan elders, along with a letter to Mr. Zhang, then left it all to his father, confident he had plans.

On September 22nd, history did not change due to Zhang Guoqing and his wife’s rebirth.

Whether to increase export competitiveness by devaluing the US Dollar, or for other purposes, the G5 countries signed the famous Plaza Accord.

That evening in the United States, while talking on the phone, Wu Yi inexplicably broke into laughter, and Zhou Jiao could imagine her son might have already been excitedly dancing in private.

——The forex futures he invested in were just starting the feast.

If history doesn’t change.

Soon the exchange rate of the US Dollar against the yen fluctuated around 1 dollar to 250 yen, rapidly dropping to around 1 dollar to 200 yen, a 25% decline.

Moreover, in the next five years, this turmoil is expected to bring tens of billions, even hundreds of billions in US Dollar revenue.

Listening to her silly son analyze how much profit she could make from this, Zhou Jiao furtively wondered how her silly son would turn out by then.

Not to mention how excited her family Wu Yi was, thinking about it was even more thrilling.

On September 28th, Wu Yi set foot on home soil.

In front of the officers who came to welcome him home, he humorously stretched out his arms to hug each one, patting them, “Not bad, you’ve all fattened up.”

“Not leaving anymore?”

“For all your grand welcome, I’m staying put.”

His father called them buddies, and this kid also called them buddies, making everyone burst into laughter.

“Come on, let’s go home. The leaders are waiting at home.”

The two cars sped along, laughter occasionally rising in waves, Wu Yi faced the car window, taking a deep breath: This was the home he truly longed for.

Upon arriving at the front door, seeing his family waiting, Wu Yi couldn’t care about anything else and quickly straightened his clothes, giving a solemn military salute.

This serious attitude instinctively prompted Zhou Xiaozheng and Zhang Guoqing to return the salute as they were about to speak.

But then…

Wu Yi rushed to Zhou Jiao, lifted his mom, spun her around quickly, and then did the same with his grandma, Miao Lishan.

“I missed you all so much.”

Zhang Guoqing quickly supported Zhou Jiao, playfully kicking at him: This rascal is never serious!

Wu Yi dodged with a grin, wrapping his arm around Grandpa Zhou Xiaozheng, “Wow, who’s this handsome uncle? Give us a smile.”

Zhou Xiaozheng couldn’t help but laugh, giving him a light smack and pulling him along inside, staying there any longer and they’d soon become a spectacle.

Miao Lishan laughed so hard she was doubling over, quickly following, “Aren’t you here alone?”

“Oh, my dear grandma.” Wu Yi took her hand and led her inside, changing the subject, “How do you keep getting younger? What miraculous elixir have you taken? Grandma, I’ve missed you, dreamed about you every night. Miss your little grandson yet?”

“Of course, I missed you a lot.”

“Indeed, the eldest son is grandma’s treasure; my position is quite solid.”

Miao Lishan couldn’t help but tease him, “Isn’t it the youngest son and the eldest grandson?”

“Ha, you heard wrong. How could my big brother compare to my filial piety? See, all those gifts in the back are for you. Oh, Aunt Chen, I almost mistook you for Sister Chen.”

Aunt Chen burst out laughing, “Hungry? Today we’ve made all the dishes you like.”

“I knew you always spoiled me the most.”

Zhang Guoqing held his wife, shaking his head speechlessly. That tongue just never stopped, look at how happy he’s made everyone, truly the family’s joy-bringer.

“Hey, wait for me. Why rush, do you know how hard it is for my old limbs?”

Zhang Guoqing glanced back, oh, the old man chasing debt has arrived…

Wait!

His family Wu Yi surely doesn’t owe the Geng family!

He immediately put down Zhou Jiao, quickly taking a few steps to support Old Mrs. Geng, “Why didn’t you inform us of your distinguished visit beforehand? I could have gone to greet you two elders.”

“It’s just a few steps, why call?” Elder Geng waved off his guards, “We old folks are just here to bum a meal off you tonight.”

“Oh, come on now.” Zhang Guoqing waved Wu Yi over, “Let’s continue inside. You’re worried about your granddaughter?”

“Exactly, she said she’d be back for summer break and never showed up, only heard her voice on the phone, no sight of her, her grandma is worried sick.”

“Kids these days don’t understand the reluctance of us elders.”

“Nonsense! My precious one is well-behaved.”

Old Mrs. Geng glared playfully at her husband, cheerfully patting Zhang Guoqing’s hand, “Don’t listen to the old geezer. Girls are different from boys after all.”

Zhang Guoqing grinned, nodding continuously. This old couple, one playing good cop and the other bad, trying to bum a meal — should I sneak them one first?