CHAPTER 284: CHAPTER 216: CASUAL CONVERSATION

In the car, Zhang the Second was secretly contemplating what gifts would be appropriate for Zhang Meili’s new house. Upon seeing Zhang Guoqing return, he said, "Xiao Wu, what should we buy for big sister’s new house?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Guoqing thought for a moment and suggested, "Second brother, I feel that among our five siblings, our big sister suffered the most. At that time, the family’s condition was the worst, she didn’t attend school for long, and she wasn’t given much when she got married. Once she married her husband and started working, she supported our family back home with great effort.

The eldest sister is like a mother, that’s how she is. I see that if we give her money, she definitely won’t want it. Buying something too expensive is beyond our budget and unnecessary. We have a week left, didn’t we buy a lot of wood when building the house? Let’s use some of it to make a simple wardrobe and desk, what do you think? This costs the least and is also respectable to give."

Zhang Guoqiang nodded along. His big sister loves their family more than their little sister. With their family conditioned, they ought to make her proud.

"You’re smart. But big sister already has a wardrobe and desk. Her living room is quite empty, though. I see the chairs and coffee table in your living room look quite nice. We don’t have to make them as good, just a simple set. How about it?"

"Do we have enough time? Should we discuss it with dad, mom, and big brother?"

As the car entered Zhang Family Village and approached the gate, Zhang the Second hurriedly stuffed a handful of money into Zhang Guoqing’s pocket, saying, "This is what you gave me at noon. I still have some, if I run out, I’ll find you again."

Zhang Guoqing didn’t stand on ceremony with his brother and smiled, "Alright, brother, let me know if you need money. Working means not being short of money, there are a lot of social engagements. Money is a man’s courage; it’s reassuring to have it wherever you go. How were your colleagues after today’s lunch and chat?"

"They’re all good and offered some advice. Don’t worry, they won’t make things difficult for me thanks to Uncle Zuo. I see everything is fine. If there’s an issue, I’ll consult you. By the way, what do you think of the two units Zuo Lin mentioned? Should big brother take the opportunity to go in?"

Zhang Guoqing parked the car and, seeing the topic turn to serious matters, didn’t rush to get out and said, "I can’t figure out what kind of job big brother likes. The supply and marketing coop is better than the textile factory, let’s inquire more, hopefully finding something respectable and easy. We’re not in a rush, previously I’d have quickly sought people today. Let’s wait and see, keep thinking, and let’s ask around."

Zhang the Second opened the car door and said, "I’ll go to dad’s to connect with them first. You should go tell Jiao Jiao today’s happenings and come by later."

Seeing him nod, Zhang the Second picked up the work clothes in the car. He headed straight to the main room, where his dad and big brother were sitting on the kang chatting.

Mr. Zhang heard the commotion, and seeing it was Zhang the Second returning, he quickly asked, "Who was that soldier? Why did they look for Xiao Wu’s father-in-law? Did you find Uncle Zhou?"

Zhang Guoqiang smiled and didn’t rush to respond, slowly drank from Mr. Zhang’s cup, then said, "Wow, almost scared me to death. Taking me out, hearing several cars at the village entrance."

"Just tell the important part," Mr. Zhang angrily grabbed the cup and said.

Seeing his dad truly anxious, Zhang Guoqiang promptly began recounting everything from here to the county town, narrating lively with clear details.

Mr. Zhang and others listened with astonishment and were speechless for a long time.

After some time, Mr. Zhang exhaled and marveled, "No wonder Jiao Jiao and her father don’t resemble the Old Zhou Family at all, no wonder they mistreated Jiao Jiao, turns out she’s not their biological child! This family truly isn’t good. The father forgets everything in the face of money, and the son is the same."

Zhang Guofu was too busy to express an opinion, worriedly looking outside, he said, "Where’s Xiao Wu? Why isn’t he back yet? What about Uncle Zhou’s people? Aren’t they coming back tonight? Can the courtyard in the county sleep?"

Zhang the Second quickly said, "Xiao Wu and I returned together. I let Xiao Wu go talk to Jiao Jiao about this, she needs to have peace of mind, tomorrow they’re following Uncle Zhou to the ancestral hall. Mr. Cheng is quite considerate, saying the hall is gloomy, so kids shouldn’t be brought. After saying that, he took everyone to stay at the guesthouse, even Uncle Zhou was called by him."

After finishing, he suddenly remembered something else, "Oh, dad. That old gentleman asked me to convey a message, saying that tomorrow after visiting the hall, they’ll come by to pay respects to the family in person. Shouldn’t we prepare tomorrow at home?"

"Then tomorrow we won’t go to the mountain. We’ll stay home and see if Uncle Zhou needs any help. I’ll tell your mom about this later," Mr. Zhang immediately said.

At this time, he noticed the pile of things beside Zhang the Second and pointedly asked, "Are these clothes for work? Everything settled without issues?"

"Yes, I haven’t told you all about this. Next Monday I start working in the household registration department. After three months without incident, I can secure the position. I treated my colleagues to lunch at noon. Xiao Wu has handled everything in the bureau, even arranged a dorm room for me, he knows a lot of people. It’s all sorted thanks to his help. Uncle Zuo said to stay low until officially securing the position within three months, no need to worry about appearances."

Mr. Zhang listened, smiled happily, and said, "Then you should properly thank them, and maintain good relationships with your colleagues."

Zhang Guoqiang glanced at his big brother and saw him happily rejoicing for him.

He quickly ran to the big brother’s side and said, "Big brother, today at the bureau, Uncle Zuo mentioned Aunt Zuo conveyed two messages for him to tell Xiao Wu. These are about your job. Listen to this.

One was about a fire at a county textile factory’s warehouse. The news is suppressed and not disclosed, but the employees were disciplined, leaving a vacancy; the other is about internal recruitment at the supply and marketing coop. I see Xiao Wu isn’t interested. What do you think? We can’t figure out what you like."

Mr. Zhang listened and glared at him, speaking softly, "What kind of talk is that? Both are good. What do you think, big brother? If you’re not willing to go to the county, you must have some idea, right?"

Zhang Guofu smiled and said, "Make sure Xiao Wu doesn’t owe favors. It’s tough getting a job. Last time, my brother-in-law’s family tried to help me for a long time and couldn’t succeed. If Xiao Wu asks people, what if they need Xiao Wu’s assistance later? If all three of us leave, who will take care of mom and dad? Better I remain by their side."

Zhang Guoqiang anxiously glared at him, complained, "Big brother, what do you mean all three brothers leave? We can bring mom and dad along later. Don’t think about anything else. Just think where you want to work and what you like?

Xiao Wu is nearly worried to death, saying he doesn’t know what you like. He doesn’t want you in the textile factory doing physical labor. Even the supply and marketing coop he isn’t keen on, saying to wait for a respectable simple job. He doesn’t even want you in the town’s grain station, yet you worry about him owing favors? He’s determined to be picky as if finding a bride for you. He’s keeping an eye on others, intending to owe favors for you. Just think hard, because Xiao Wu won’t let you stay in the village farming."

"Big brother, really think about it. Mom and dad are not old yet, and plan for your own future first."

Zhang Guofu rolled his eyes and said, "Dad, it’s not that easy, didn’t you see people in the city still without jobs? Last year, my brother-in-law spent a lot trying to get me into a unit, even as a temp worker, couldn’t secure something like a three-month provisional position like Second Brother. It’s just handled for Second Brother, if I go now, it doesn’t look good, let’s wait."

Listening to this, Zhang Guoqiang got a clue, his big brother isn’t unwilling to work, just worried about burdening Xiao Wu, that’s manageable. "Big brother, if your brother-in-law succeeded last time, would you have taken the job? What would temp workers at the supply and marketing coop do?"

"Seems like organizing things in the warehouse, occasionally helping with delivery and moving. I heard it’s like a storekeeper. The unit recruited last year."

Having heard this, Zhang Guoqiang had a good understanding. He didn’t continue on this topic, and changed the subject, "Dad, has our venison been sold?"

"Why? Is it needed? All sold. Only the goat meat left. Tomorrow you’re not going to the mountain, when free in a few days, we can go, nobody will care how much we take."

Zhang Guoqiang shook his head, saying, "Not important. If there’s extra, let’s give some to the Cheng Family to take back. They might want to hurry back on the flight."

"I’ll handle that," Mr. Zhang nodded and said.