Chapter 950: Chapter 823: Leaving the Grasslands

"We are like mythical horses with twin wings,

galloping across the prairie,

ah...

The prairie stretches for a thousand miles with rolling green waves,

The water is rich, cattle and sheep are strong,

Goodbye, green prairie,

Goodbye, beautiful hometown,

ah...

For lofty ideals, flying like swallows..."

With loud singing of a prairie morning song, the group boarded a military truck and set off on the road back to the Beihai River. No matter how delightful and free the days were, they still had to leave.

This time, not to mention how much private goods Zhang Guoqing and Zhou Jiao had accumulated, even the packages Old Mrs. Cheng sent to the Northwest were numerous, and Aunt Sun had also bought quite a few things.

Especially Yi Jiefang, sitting in the car at this moment, couldn’t stop grinning. Oh, a few days ago he lost quite a bit of money with Da Yong and them, but it seems like it’s coming back now.

"Uncle, when will you come again next time?"

Yi Jiefang patted his little nephew’s forehead, "We just left and you’re already thinking about the next time? The things sent to your dad should last you brothers for half a year."

The ten-year-old child, with a head like a little tiger, rubbed his forehead, "Hehe... I already agreed with Ping’an, you must take me next time."

Yi Jiefang nodded upon hearing this. He wished for his nephew to befriend Ping’an and learn some of those clever little tricks.

"You can’t sleep in anymore once you go back, see how Ping’an is younger but gets up earlier than you every day, you should join the morning exercises at home, okay?"

The little one, who was just impressed by his friend, smirked, "I’ve already practiced two days of horse stance, soon I’ll be able to hunt too. Uncle, just wait for me to show my filial piety."

Yi Jiefang laughed heartily, "Alright, first catch some meat and we’ll talk."

"Uncle, you can’t keep undermining my confidence!"

On the side, Zhang Guoqing listened to the child calling "Uncle" with every sentence, and thought about his own nephews. He wondered how much Xi Zi had grown after a year of college, and about those other little rascals?

Arriving at Beihai River that night, after a family reunion, the couple received unexpected news.

In the study, Zhou Jiao blinked, "Dad, you mean Uncle is stepping down to a secondary role instead of retiring?"

Zhou Xiaozheng curved his lips and nodded with a faint smile.

"So who’s taking over his position?"

"It’s a succession."

After saying this, father and daughter exchanged smiles.

Zhang Guoqing, nearby, sighed, "This is different from what he said before, seems like he left some room. This way is also good, without real power, he can have more leisure."

No matter how close the Zhou and Cheng Families are, in the end, you still have to rely on yourself. After saying this, Zhou Xiaozheng didn’t want to mention it anymore, and talked about other matters.

"I originally planned for your mom to return to the city with you the day after tomorrow, but there is a last-minute change." Zhou Xiaozheng looked at his daughter with a smile, "The old commander mentioned you a few days ago, saying now that you have finally graduated, you need to work harder and contribute more to the country."

Zhou Jiao paused in surprise.

Seeing her son-in-law equally stunned, Zhou Xiaozheng initially wanted to tease these two children, but after thinking it over, he decided not to scare them.

He then smiled, "Yesterday, your Grandpa Zhou also mentioned you. There’s a batch of machines being negotiated now, you might be busy right when you start work."

Zhang Guoqing frowned, "Will there be a sudden business trip?"

"There’s such a possibility."

"It won’t be like last time, going for more than three months, right?" He didn’t even mention why he was assigned a task right after starting work, isn’t that nonsense.

"Not going abroad, at most a month." Of course, if it involves going abroad, he didn’t know. But this matter wasn’t confirmed yet, and Zhou Xiaozheng himself couldn’t guarantee it.

Unable to detect any subtext in his father-in-law’s words, Zhang Guoqing breathed a sigh of relief. However, Zhou Jiao smiled and glanced at her father through narrowed eyes. How could mentioning two important figures in one go be that simple?

To prevent herself from neglecting the two little ones if she’s suddenly assigned a task, she focused on discussing early education issues with Ping’an over the next two evenings, especially on how to hide one’s shortcomings.

After celebrating the important occasion of the twins’ one-year anniversary, the reluctant couple, along with Yi Jiefang, hurriedly embarked on the return trip to Beijing.

As soon as they got home, Zhang Guoqing and his wife, without even washing up, called the phone. While waiting for the operator, they exchanged glances, neither daring to mention what to do if the children were fussy.

Especially Zhang Guoqing, who felt even more guilty toward his twin sons. Previously, he always felt he owed Ping’an, but compared to his eldest son, he owed the twins even more. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

The voice on the other end was Ping’an’s: "Is it Dad and Mom?"

"Yes. We just got home. After we left in the morning, did Liu Yiwu and May 1st cry?"

"No, Grandpa went to work, Grandma took us to play at the beach for a while." Ping’an paused, then added, "They only wanted Mom after waking from their nap, but I told them you went to work, and they stopped fussing."

Zhou Jiao shot him a look and took over the conversation, "After work, Mom will be home every day. If you miss Mom, call her. This time, have fun over there, because after starting primary school, there won’t be another chance, understood?"

Zhang Guoqing cheerfully followed with, "Son, don’t just take care of your brothers, you should also find your own playmates. When Dad comes back from military school, I’ll spend time with you."

Cheered up, little Ping’an giggled, "Okay! Grandma said we would be back before August 1st."

Well, all that comfort for nothing, they’ll be back in just a month’s time.

"Dad, Mom, do you want to talk to your brothers?"

"What are the brothers doing now?"

"The twins are fussing about wanting to go out and play; Great-grandma and Grandma just took them to the beach. I heard the phone ring as I was heading out and ran back. Should I run out and call them?"

Zhou Jiao glanced at her watch, "No need, just tell Grandpa and Grandma we’ve arrived home safely. If the brothers cry tonight, call the home phone."

"Okay."

"Then Mom will hang up now."

After hanging up the phone, feeling relieved, the couple realized that the days of having everything done for them were over, and they’d have to prepare dinner themselves.

Considering they had to work the next day, after a simple dinner, they didn’t go out for a stroll and instead took the letters they received while away back to their room.

In the study, Zhang Guoqing held Zhou Jiao’s hand, "Come, I’ll show you something good."

Zhou Jiao saw him pulling her to the bedroom, rolled her eyes in mock exasperation. But when she got inside and saw him let go and unpack the luggage, her face flushed instantly.

Under the light, Zhang Guoqing turned around to see her and burst into laughter, teasing her with winks and eyebrows.

After Zhou Jiao playfully punched him several times, he finally stopped laughing and took a Su-produced camera out from under the clothes, "Bought everything from the Chengwei Commissioned Merchant."

Zhou Jiao stepped to the kang without asking why and took out a pair of Snow Plum Porcelain Jars from the space. This pair, with a round shape and high porcelain, was elegant and very beautiful.

Seeing this, Zhang Guoqing hurriedly stopped her; if his wife took out everything, they wouldn’t sleep tonight. He shook his head and laughed, "These were chosen by our sons and given to me."

Zhou Jiao blinked, thoughtfully taking out all the items the twins selected at various commission shops that day.