CHAPTER 100: CHAPTER 87: CONTENTMENT

After Lin Lishan said goodbye and left the family compound, she took a flashlight and led Xi Zi back to the guesthouse. At this hour, there was only one receptionist in the lobby knitting a sweater at the counter. Upon seeing Lin Lishan bringing Xi Zi in, the receptionist immediately stood up to pass on instructions from Mr. Lin, indicating for them to head directly to his room.

After expressing her gratitude to the receptionist, Lin Lishan took Xi Zi to the second floor and went directly to Mr. Lin’s room.

Mr. Lin’s room was used for hosting distinguished guests, with a bedroom and an outer reception area.

In the reception room, only Mr. Lin and Zhang Guoqing were present, discussing various matters. In a low voice, Mr. Lin analyzed the military ranks of today’s accompanying officials and their background influences, elaborating on their rise in history, their personalities, conduct, preferences, and weaknesses.

After finishing his narrative, he listened to Zhang Guoqing’s questions, occasionally revealing a hint of admiration in his eyes. Following their conversation and commentary, Mr. Lin had a full smile on his face and carefully instructed Zhang Guoqing on how to handle interpersonal relationships in the provincial city in the coming days, emphasizing which people to focus on and detailing the situation of certain families’ descendants.

Zhang Guoqing listened intently as Mr. Lin arranged the schedule for the following days, including parties he should attend, having a good sense of the events ahead.

After discussing the situation in the provincial city, Mr. Lin further talked about the current major forces, analyzing the challenges Zhou Xiaozheng would face upon returning to the army, giving a general account of Zhou Xiaozheng’s experiences from the Northeast Military District to Beijing, advising Zhang Guoqing to be observant and cautious in his interactions.

For Mr. Lin, his feelings toward son-in-law Zhou Xiaozheng were a mix of love and frustration.

Upon seeing Lin Lishan bring Xi Zi in, the two paused their topic.

Mr. Lin laughed, asking Lin Lishan, "Why are you back so late? I was planning to send someone to find you. I saw things left in your room and figured you hadn’t seen us go out. Later, Xiao Fei suggested you might have gone to his aunt’s place. As expected, seeing Xi Zi holding that small car confirmed it. How’s it going? Are they doing well here?"

Lin Lishan pulled Xi Zi to sit down, slightly furrowed her brow, glanced at the inner room, and noted the closed door with no one guarding outside, she softly said, "Little Mei Hua asks me to greet you on her behalf, probably too embarrassed to come see you, given all the eyes around."

After a pause, she continued, "It’s certainly not as good as in the Big Courtyard. They, as a couple, live with their two sons in two rooms, it’s quite cramped, and she seems not very accustomed to it. But she said there’s no way the child is so grown without following the army.

Originally, I didn’t plan to go to her place. Although we are from the same unit, we don’t have a deep friendship. Considering Xiao Fei’s part, it didn’t feel right not to visit, and since the remittance coupons were nearly spent, I thought I’d also check if there was a way to find some tickets for Jiao Jiao to have on hand. It turns out she doesn’t have many remittance coupons either, not even ordinary tickets. Fang Jianmei seems to have been here for two years, and in my opinion, they’re not managing well here. Dad, what position is Xiao Fei’s uncle-in-law in?"

Mr. Lin pointed to Zhang Guoqing, who smiled and said quietly to his mother-in-law, "Second Battalion Commander, he wasn’t among the welcoming crowd earlier; Xiao Fei went out with him and hasn’t returned."

After hearing this, Lin Lishan seemed to ponder and said, "Fang Jianmei mentioned our family’s three girls tonight with an ulterior motive. I brushed it off, saying matters of the heart should be decided by themselves, as mismatched pairings would make both parties uncomfortable. You see, that’s what I don’t like about her.

She also entrusted another matter to me, asking me to take care of her niece. She’s already arranged for the little girl to join the Art Troupe next year, can you see her cleverness? Without my consent, it’s unsure if she’ll get in. But now, with just a word of care, it seems assured.

Dad, do you still remember the eldest daughter of the Fang family? The one working in the department store, always raising her chin when looking at people—that’s her daughter."

At these words, Mr. Lin nodded, "As for your niece and Xiao Fei’s matters, I’ll discuss it with your mother when I return, you don’t have to get involved. Regarding her niece, since she has mentioned it and you’ve agreed, wait until the documentation comes through to act. You’re going out together tomorrow, right? I also have some tickets; do you need them?"

Zhang Guoqing returned to the room and took out a small box, smiling, "Jiao Jiao wanted me to bring money and tickets just in case, fearing Mom might not have enough. Leaving in a hurry didn’t allow for explanations. Mom, it’s all for you. I’ve no need for them, as I won’t be going out these days."

Lin Lishan shook her head and pushed it back, "Keep your savings for gradual use with your wife. I sought tickets from Fang Jianmei as reserves for you two. Besides, all necessary items have been bought; I’ll survey the city tomorrow before returning to accompany Jiao Jiao. It’s pointless for you to give them to me. Store them properly, and while at it, check Mom’s room for anything not yet purchased."

With the small box in hand, Zhang Guoqing did not politely return it, and went to his mother-in-law’s room with Xi Zi to check what items had been bought.

Xi Zi, smiling with the little car in his arms, noticed it was time for bedtime but remained spirited without any signs of fatigue.

"How was it, was there a lot in the department store? Did you see anything you liked but felt shy to mention? Tell Uncle, so I can get it for you when we return. Think about what you want and jot it down."

Upon hearing this, Xi Zi hurriedly pulled him and said, "Uncle, it’s better to save it for Auntie’s expenses. There’s nothing I want to buy. Today was really an eye-opener, there’s such a way to shop. I just looked, she bought something, I dared not even look."

"Well, think it over tonight. Why can she buy with such confidence? How can you buy like that without worry? When you reach such a point, what must you do in the interim for success? Are you aiming to be like Grandma, or like past generations in the village—farming, hunting, enjoying small drinks, marrying a decent village woman, and raising many children—or what is your dream?

Tomorrow, observe how people around you speak and act, then compare it to villagers’ ways. Once you see enough, ponder carefully. Besides studying well, what else should you learn?"

Zhang Guoqing used the opportunity to speak slowly, guiding him to think. Though ten, Xi Zi already had his ideas and should have goals. Even at five in the orphanage, he knew what he wanted and how he must act to achieve it.

After finishing, he left Xi Zi there to ponder, nodding in satisfaction.

Looking at the assortment of things on the floor and table, he sighed; his mother-in-law had taste, though he thought her household management needed improvement.

Zhang Guoqing carefully packaged several bolts of fabric, bundling remaining textiles and yarns into a big parcel, packing conspicuous goods similarly, showing the day’s considerable expenditure, picking high-quality items — a rare discernment that made him curious about his wife and the excellence of her father.

Observing her delight, he beamed, saying, "Very good, surpassing Dingsheng in our family. Some people are naturally privileged. This child Xiao Wu excels with capability, charm, noble disposition, gentle manners, and precise judgment. Remarkably, he perceives details from minor matters and conversations.

years old, so young. Zhou Xiaozheng was like this in his youth. Rest assured, you acquired a good son-in-law. About Old Man Zhou, let’s see how things develop; you don’t need to interfere. With Zhou Jiao as your daughter, your life’s worries are relieved, even without Zhou Xiaozheng."

Lin Lishan, smiling brightly, nodded profusely, sensing a burden lifted. She wasn’t concerned about her daughter and son-in-law’s future achievements; a harmonious couple, with Zhang Guoqing able to protect Jiao Jiao, already met her needs. She kept expressing content to the elder.

"This makes you content? Wait for true blessings ahead." Mr. Lin laughed heartily; whether Zhang Guoqing was superior to the grandson pleased him. Remembering his friend’s envious eyes made him indulge inwardly.Seeing Zhang Guoqing and child return, Lin Lishan repeatedly reminded her dad not to drink excessively. Also, with the prescription from Jiao Jiao, after medical review, please ensure timely administration for her mom.

Mr. Lin nodded smilingly, "Alright, go to sleep early. I also need rest. Xiao Wu looked over the items, didn’t he? Having seen them, go sleep early. You and Xi Zi share a room. Xiao Fei won’t mind, he’ll return on his own. You all sleep early." With this, as Xiao Zhou entered, Mr. Lin waved to usher them out.