CHAPTER 121: CHAPTER 99: ZHOU JIAO’S DECISIVENESS

Mr. Zhang shook his head after thinking, "As for the household registration, even as your father, I can’t decide. Wait for your father-in-law to say something, you discuss with Jiao Jiao first and see what she thinks. Don’t register Ping’an’s household in the village for now, as long as it’s in the city, he gets monthly rations and tickets. I don’t know if having Ping’an’s household registration in Beijing has any benefits, if you’re concerned, you can ask your mother-in-law about the differences between having it in Beijing and in the county city. Well, that’s it, go find your little wife."

Zhang Guoqing felt that it didn’t matter where the household registration was; when he got into university, it would surely be able to be transferred. He nodded, said a few words to his mother, and left.

Walking into the west wing, the aroma of the chicken soup from the exterior room filled the air. The mother and daughter were still chatting. Zhang Guoqing greeted them, sat down, and appeared to listen to their conversation while his mind was racing.

Zhou Jiao was following along with her mother’s chat, and noted Zhang Guoqing was in deep thought, occasionally looking perplexed. She was curious about what could make him like this, as she hadn’t seen him so since knowing him. She signaled to her mother, and the two stopped talking. Zhang Guoqing still didn’t notice, truly caught up in some matter.

Lin Lishan asked worriedly, "Xiao Wu, did you encounter a problem? Talk to mom and Jiao Jiao about it. Don’t be afraid, if there’s a problem, mom will help you solve it."

Seeing both mother and daughter looking at him worriedly, Zhang Guoqing smiled and said, "It’s nothing, just couldn’t figure out something, not a big deal. Mom, when you’re working in Beijing, do you live in the military compound, or can you go back home to stay? Usually, do you have a day off every week?"

Lin Lishan didn’t ask further since he didn’t mention what the issue was, "Let me first explain where our home in Beijing is. It’s just to the west of Chang’an Street. Over there are military districts for various types of troops.

Since I joined the children’s troupe at eight and entered D early, plus because it’s the earliest ** department Art Troupe. After Jiefang, we were allotted two rooms on three floors according to regiment-level cadre. Our family belongs to the army, with your grandfather in the same Big Courtyard. After the distribution, there was a smaller four-part courtyard at the back, quite far from us. Our room arrangement back then was as it was when I married your father.

So, I usually stay in the army dormitory. If I want to go home, there are houses in the Big Courtyard where we can directly return every day. Now that I’ve been promoted to brigade commander, I have an assistant and can rest one day a week.

Don’t worry about the space; when your dad returns, the houses might be reassigned."

Zhang Guoqing nodded, glanced at Zhou Jiao, and remained silent.

"Mom, where did you and Dad live when you first got married? What’s up with these two four-part courtyards at home? Explain in more detail. I feel confused listening to it." Zhou Jiao recalled that she was born in 1940 and didn’t understand many things; she wondered how they handled it back then.

"Back then, your father led a team stationed outside Beijing, and when we first married, we lived in the army’s single room. The wedding was also simple, just a few tables in the canteen. When your grandparents heard about our marriage, they sent us a letter with a property deed inside. They said, due to the long journey, there wasn’t much in terms of dowry, and asked us to see if the house was still there, treating it as our share.

Later, when the chance came, your dad went out disguised for days and even took me out once, sorted it out without telling others. After Jiefang, when your dad was gone, I found someone to patch up the property deed. During that time, you were born, and he was overjoyed, saying it was a risky, unseen task, secretly changing the property’s name on the certificate. Generally, I don’t intervene in his affairs; he is smarter than me. Don’t worry, haven’t I explained it to you?"

Zhou Jiao looked at her helplessly; this silly mom.

Beside her, Zhang Guoqing covered his mouth, laughing under his breath. He understood Zhou Jiao’s meaning, lamenting the lack of tacit understanding between mother and daughter. He was also curious, back then the little devils hadn’t been driven out yet. How did his resourceful father-in-law manage it? And what task had lasted from 1940 till now, 17 years later, where had it gone?

Zhang Guoqing cleared his throat, "So mom, would we be able to see you often after heading to Beijing? Now that you’ve been promoted, are you relatively free?"

"You can live in the Big Courtyard. Our whole family lives together there; it has everything, no need to go out. Mom can go out, but can’t see you guys every day.

Xiao Wu, are you asking if I can live outside with you all? According to regulations, active military personnel cannot leave the camp casually, except for family quarters and dorms; going out requires approval.