CHAPTER 119: CHAPTER 97: NATIONAL DAY HOMECOMING (PART 3)

Mother Zhang curiously asked about the train, wondering if it’s very long, how it can still go fast, how many people it can hold, and whether it’s faster than a car. She had never seen a train before and was very curious.

Zhang Guoqing explained to her one by one, trying to use simple language in his explanations.

"Mom, I’ll take you to the provincial city to see a train sometime. When we visit my mother-in-law in Beijing, we’ll take the train. But you have to know we can’t take a sleeper, just seats. Can you handle three days?"

Mother Zhang nodded eagerly, full of anticipation, "That’s the capital, I’d endure not just three days, but even thirty. When I have the time, I want to go to Beijing with your dad. I heard from the village leader, a scholar, when I was ten that he’d regret not having the chance to go to Beijing even on his deathbed. In the end, he never made it, always talking about what was good there and who lived there. I just want to see what makes him obsessed with it."

Zhang Guoqing laughed and promised his mom, "I’ll definitely take you and dad to visit Beijing. But you know, that village leader you mentioned wasn’t just obsessed with Beijing; it was about fame and titles. After becoming a scholar, the next step would be to become an advanced scholar and get an official position. It’s like having the ticket but being unable to go because Beijing was too far. Who knows when he got his title, maybe the Great Qing Dynasty was falling, so he never got to go."

Mother Zhang laughed heartily, "Silly boy, do you think your old mom is foolish? Of course I know he wanted to go to Beijing to become an official. He became a scholar while the Qing Dynasty was still around, and was quite prestigious back then. But after his success, he had to mourn his parents’ deaths consecutively, so he didn’t make it to Beijing. By the time he finished mourning and was ready to head to Beijing, something happened, and he waited a few more years until the Qing Dynasty fell. He always told us youngsters about Beijing, what’s good there and where everyone goes. I just want to see those things."

Lin Lishan and Zhou Jiao laughed too, thinking about how unlucky it was—the chance to go to Beijing finally came, but then his parents passed away, and after mourning, the political situation changed, making the trip futile. No wonder he died with regrets.

Lin Lishan quickly said to Mother Zhang, "Big sister, are you worried you won’t have the chance to go to Beijing? We’re all there. Just send a telegram when you want to come, and I’ll pick you up. If I’m not in Beijing, my mom is, and someone will be there to meet you. I’m going back to Beijing for a few days tomorrow, then coming back here. How about we go together, and then return together?"

Mother Zhang shook her head and smiled, "I’ll not go with you this time. You go take care of your official matters first and come back early with the kids’ dad to see Jiao Jiao. Our house is still under construction; it’s quite busy. Next time, we’ll visit you with Jiao Jiao and have a stroll around Beijing."

"Alright, you’ll have plenty of chances to visit Beijing later. I won’t insist you leave tomorrow, as Jiao Jiao still needs your care."

Zhang Guoqing hurriedly asked, "Mom, are you really leaving? Can’t you just wait here? Traveling back and forth by train is quite tiring. Look, today’s the 20th, you’ll arrive in Beijing on the 23rd if you leave tomorrow, and then you have to come back on another three-day train ride. It’s uncomfortable to travel constantly like this. Grandpa also said you should wait here; he’ll talk to dad. Otherwise, we could take you back together today."

Zhou Jiao also disagreed with her mother’s continuous train journey and tried to persuade her.

"Don’t worry. Your mother is in good health. Besides, it’s a sleeper, so you just lie down until you arrive. Didn’t I mention that I want to check on your dad’s work arrangements? In case things are settled when he returns, we also need to discuss and let him know your plans.

If you all get into college in two or three years, we won’t be needed in the Northeast. Plus, I need to see where your uncle works. Xiao Wu made a valid point last time, and I want to discuss this with your father; it’s not something grandpa can relay.

Also, regarding my work, I need to go back and arrange everything properly before taking leave again. And didn’t you say you were interested in that calligraphy?"

Zhang Guoqing and Zhou Jiao exchanged looks, acknowledging she really needed to go back. "Alright, then, I’ll see mom off tomorrow. Should I book the ticket in advance?"

Lin Lishan shook her head, "No need, I can book a sleeper ticket using my credentials tomorrow. The train is at 10 AM; I’ll get there early. Xiao Wu, maybe you shouldn’t come to drop me off. I’ll drive back and park at the provincial military district before heading to the train station. It’ll save you the trouble of commuting back."

Zhang Guoqing quickly shook his head, glanced at his mom, and said to his mother-in-law, "I’ll definitely see you off tomorrow; otherwise, I won’t be at ease. How about this—mom, you come with me to the provincial city with my mother tomorrow, and we’ll see her off. We have the car, and you can take a look around the provincial city.

This time, I have quite a few provincial city tickets. You can see if there’s anything you want to buy. Mom, think about big cities; things are surely cheaper. With the car, after we tour the provincial city, I’ll have someone drive it back, and we’ll return by train together, how does that sound?

As for Jiao Jiao, I’ll have my two sisters-in-law take care of lunch tomorrow. It’s convenient to have the car; otherwise, taking you to the provincial city wouldn’t be easy. Take this chance to see the train and the difference between the big city’s department stores and ours here.

Alright, don’t think about it anymore; it’s settled. On the train, you and your old friend can chat, which is nice."

Zhou Jiao smiled while watching him coax his mom, nodding along as Lin Lishan joined in persuading.

Mother Zhang finally nodded in agreement. She wanted to see her in-laws off anyway, and buying things wasn’t urgent since the county town had them.

Knowing her in-laws were leaving tomorrow, Mother Zhang quickly pulled Zhang Guoqing aside to pack some mountain goods and wild game, letting Zhou Jiao and her mother chat.