Chapter 992: Chapter 865: Mr. Zhang’s “Private Stash”

The Northeast summer is poetic; no matter how scorching the sun is during the day, the evening breeze always turns into strands of coolness, soothing those who have worked hard all day.

Even during the hottest summer days, you still need to cover yourself with a thin blanket at night. It’s also very short-lived, often you’re just about to cherish it, and in the blink of an eye, the autumn winds have arrived.

This most beautiful season is precisely when sorghum and corn tassel and bloom, the air filled with a sweet and fresh pollen scent that’s a wild aroma you can’t experience in the city.

In the Northeast summer, Qing Shan, green waters, blue skies, white clouds, and cool breezes always leave Zhang Guoqing, who is deeply tormented by Beijing’s heat, with lasting memories.

At this moment, under a star-studded night sky, he joyfully drove a military vehicle once more to Zhang Family Village, where he was born and raised.

"After the heavy rain a few days ago, Xiao Zuo, Xiao You, and Shi Tou encountered a rabbit that fainted from crashing into a tree while picking mushrooms on the mountain; if only Ping’an were here."

"Now those fruits in the backyard, melons, pears, and peaches, have all ripened. Each one is phenomenal, if those three came back, they’d surely be over the moon. We’ve yet to see May 1st and Liu Yiwu join us for the summer."

The chirping of autumn insects echoed in response, with the occasional cricket accompaniment, blending with Mother Zhang’s gentle voice, dispersing the night’s tranquility.

Zhang Guoqing understood his mother’s longing for her three grandchildren and promised, "Next year, next summer, Liu Yiwu and May 1st will be a year older, and the three brothers will come back with Ping’an for the summer."

"Really?"

"Yeah, Zhou Jiao and I can’t often accompany you and my father. We’ve decided that from now on, we’ll have the kids come over for summer vacation to be with you."

Zhang Guoqing had once discussed with Zhou Jiao; future beach vacations with his father-in-law were canceled. With the city’s uncertain situation, it was better for his three sons to spend summer at the old home with the elders.

Nearby, Mr. Zhang quickly intervened, "No need to travel back and forth every year. It’s better for the kids to be with their parents. I still want your father-in-law to teach the kids skills."

"Yeah, if they blend with the village kids too well, going up mountains and down rivers, I’d worry."

Zhang Guoqing chuckled, "Dad, Mom, you probably wouldn’t guess, but Ping’an now has no problem catching wild chickens and rabbits; Liu Yiwu and May 1st are just young, but with the hereditary strength of the three brothers, they won’t suffer. Also, there’s something I didn’t want to mention in a letter."

"What’s that?"

Even without looking back, Zhang Guoqing could guess his parents’ expressions. He laughed, "Liu Yi and May 1st are as smart as Ping’an was; they’ve already finished learning the ’Thousand Character Classic.’ Now, every evening either Zhou Jiao or my father-in-law, whoever’s free, teaches the three kids."

"Good, good, that’s great." Mr. Zhang patted his thigh joyfully. Whether the two younger grandsons were adopted or not, they were his real grandsons.

Mother Zhang laughed heartily, with a loud, warm, joyful laughter from her heart that resounded around and was highly infectious, causing the father and son to laugh along.

As the car approached the village, Mr. Zhang, suppressing his laughter, couldn’t help but advise, "Xiao Wu, never mention this before your parents again, please don’t forget Zhou Jiao’s real father was hurt because of his literary talent."

Coincidentally, Mother Zhang also quietly advised, "Your father-in-law’s early-deceased parents are the best example, keep it hidden if you must."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Guoqing’s eyes brightened, "Dad, Mom, your beloved son will remember."

Night deepened, it was assumed by now the villagers who worked hard all day were asleep. Surprisingly, shortly after the vehicle stopped at the old family house, not far off, Uncle Zhang shone a flashlight this way.

"Is that the second brother?"

Having just stepped off the vehicle, Zhang Guoqing avoided the light and glanced over towards Uncle Zhang’s house direction; indeed, two others came out of his yard too. In the village, any movement was quickly known.

"It’s me, big brother. Younger brother, you guys aren’t resting yet?"

"Already in bed, in the middle of the night upon hearing the car noise, I suspected it was someone from your family. Did Xiao Wu come back? What about the children?"

After Zhang Guoqing exchanged greetings with everyone, Mr. Zhang cheerfully replied, "Xiao Wu passed by on a business trip; the children are still in Beijing."

"When are you leaving?"

"Leaving tomorrow." Mr. Zhang played it down, "Big brother, younger brother, you go rest first, we’ll chat in the morning."

Uncle Zhang nodded, hands behind his back, turning towards the yard. He didn’t question why they came back in the middle of the night, assuming it was to avoid people in the morning to get some meat.

Seeing this, Uncle Zhang waved at them, "If there’s anything urgent, just give a shout."

"Alright. I won’t be shy." Zhang Guoqing watched them enter their yards before heading with his parents into the old house’s main room.

With Mother Zhang guarding the living room, the father-son duo inside stuffed Mr. Zhang’s "stash" in a burlap sack. After an hour’s work, the car started once again heading out.

With the military car and Zhang Guoqing’s familiar face, he found an excuse as village militiamen patrolling and occasionally encountering city patrols just exchanged greetings, reaching the small courtyard smoothly.

In the basement of the small county courtyard, Mr. Zhang meticulously placed one item after another into two wooden boxes, relaxing once done.

"This is all I have to leave for you this lifetime. Someday one box is for you, and the other box can be divided among your two brothers."

"Dad, no need. All can go to the brothers."

Mother Zhang, behind her husband, shot him a glare. This foolish son! "Dad, don’t listen to him, just keep these matters between us."

Accustomed to good things, Zhang Guoqing didn’t see these items as significant; compared to the sizable inheritance from his father-in-law, even his own savings was not small.

Yet, his mother’s favoritism still warmed him. This intense mother’s love is more precious than anything!

Back in the room, Zhang Guoqing finally had time to show off the items he brought for his parents to admire.

"Mom, this old camera my dad can use; it won’t draw attention outside," he explained, placing his earliest camera on the bed. He wasn’t as meticulous as Zhou Jiao, but noticing Mr. Zhang’s fondness for this camera, he brought it along.

"This little radio was bought through a classmate at an electronics factory; it’s a defect. Don’t see it with a chipped corner, without connections you wouldn’t get it."

Really, department stores charged sixty-five, whereas he paid thirty for an insider price. Of course, spending half a month’s salary was not to be disclosed to them.

"The phonograph at home isn’t working; some records can’t be played. This one’s for listening to news and storytelling; it’s handy to carry around when going out."

Mr. and Mother Zhang stared at the two appliances on the bed, utterly perplexed.

Mr. Zhang motioned to his wife to persuade him not to bring too much.

Zhang Guoqing noticed and chuckled, "Dad, if now was viable, Zhou Jiao and I would have brought home two televisions."

"Don’t act rashly!" Mr. Zhang was startled and immediately admonished.

Two brand-new watches given a few years back by the young couple were hidden away, not daring to show off; here come two large items again. He still dared to plan bigger?

To spend a bit of salary like this, that’s so wasteful!