CHAPTER 309: CHAPTER 237: THE BANQUET DISPERSES

In Master Fatty’s courtyard, Zhang Guoqing had come out three times on the pretense of borrowing something but still hadn’t seen his father-in-law return. He was gradually getting uneasy because it had been two hours since they left. Was the house broken into, or did something happen?

Finally, he heard the sound of a car approaching from a distance and hurriedly ran outside. After waiting for a moment, he saw the car stop and his father-in-law get out. He shouted with relief, "Dad, everything okay at home?"

Zhou Xiaozheng looked at the little snowflakes on his head and reproached him, "Why are you out here in the cold, kid? Get inside. What could happen at home? Go inside and have some hot soup."

Zhang Guoqing followed him quickly back inside, sighing inwardly. This daughter-lover forgets the time as soon as he sees his daughter. He could already imagine the farewell scene tomorrow.

Zhao Dashan handed them two cups of wine as soon as he saw them come in. "Brother Zheng, you’re late. Have a drink to warm up. So, is everything settled?"

Zhou Xiaozheng took the wine and said with a smile, "Sorry, we’re leaving tomorrow, so I talked a bit more with Jiao Jiao. Come on, let’s continue drinking."

Zhao Dashan secretly wondered what could take over two hours to say. These two father and daughter really could chat. He couldn’t imagine how those two stoic types could have so much to talk about.

Zhou Xiaozheng, with Zhang Guoqing, started going around toasting everyone. Beginning with Mr. Cheng, he first thanked the old man and respectfully toasted him. After that, he had Zhang Guoqing refill Mr. Cheng’s glass, both working in unison, one drinking while the other poured.

When they got to Mr. Zhang, Zhou Xiaozheng solemnly offered a toast and, after finishing it, expressed gratitude for their care of his daughter. He personally took the wine jar from Zhang Guoqing to refill it for his in-law.

Zhao Chuan Guang noticed the gesture and stepped forward to complement, "Brother Zhang, let’s have a toast too. Thank you and your wife for always taking care of our daughter. From now on, let’s keep in touch often. If you need anything, just say the word, and I’ll be right there."

Mr. Zhang happily raised his glass and finished it, then picked up the wine jar from the table to refill Zhao Chuan Guang’s. He said, "I toast to you; feel free to visit anytime. If Xiao Wu does anything wrong, you should scold or even hit him, just like he’s your own kid."

Zhao Dashan egged on, "Xiao Wu, did you hear that? You’re the youngest here. If you don’t behave, all us uncles will grab sticks and teach you a lesson."

Zhang Guoqing cheerfully agreed, "Of course."

After drinking, Zhou Xiaozheng addressed Li Aiguo and Zuo Lin, "Xiao Wu will need you uncles to look after him in the future. Don’t be fooled by his height; he’s still young. If he acts out of line, you should point it out."

Seeing them all happily respond, Zhou Xiaozheng took Zhang Guoqing to meet Cheng Sijin. Pressing down on the standing Cheng Sijin, he pointed to Zhang Guoqing, "This is your cousin uncle, a blood uncle. Dad’s own brother. You will also see your second cousin and little cousin in the future. Come, fill your eldest cousin uncle’s glass." After Zhang Guoqing refilled Cheng Sijin’s glass, he greeted him.

Turning to Cheng Sijin, he said, "Brother, we have a small family. When the children return to Beijing, we might rely on you again. Treat him as your own son."

Cheng Sijin heard this, surprise flashing in his eyes. After thinking for a moment, he understood and solemnly said, "Big brother, rest assured."

Zhou Xiaozheng patted him on the shoulder, and the two exchanged a smile. Cheng Sijin watched him drink several more cups on an empty stomach, pulling him aside with the excuse of a conversation and giving Zhang Guoqing a look.

Zhang Guoqing understood immediately, brought back his father-in-law’s bowl and chopsticks, and placed them in front of him.

Cheng Sijin looked at Zhou Xiaozheng smugly raised his eyebrows, rolled his eyes at him, and said, "Alright, your son-in-law is also my niece’s husband. Stop showing off. Fill your stomach quickly."

Zhou Xiaozheng had a few bites and then put down his chopsticks, patted him, and continued with Zhang Guoqing.

The evening banquet lasted until more than ten o’clock, after which the group headed loudly towards the county government guesthouse. A few drunk people were singing off-key versions of "Return from Shooting Practice."

In the front car, Mr. Cheng laughed loudly and joked to Mr. Lin, "Old Lin, remember when we were young? You were no worse than them."

Mr. Lin glared at him, unwilling to concede, shouting that he sang way better than them, even saying that his daughter Lin Lishan was the mainstay due to inheriting from him.

At the guesthouse, Li Aiguo and his team arranged the rooms and instructed the staff before bidding farewell.

Zhou Xiaozheng checked the time, discussed briefly with his wife, and decided not to return to the small courtyard. He pulled Zhang Guoqing aside, "You take your parents to stay at home. Jiao Jiao should be asleep, and your mom and I won’t go over. We’ll go back tomorrow morning."

Zhang Guoqing quickly said, "My parents insist on returning; they say they won’t feel at ease if they don’t. I’ll take them back later. You and Mom should stay in your own home. It’s much more comfortable than here."

Zhou Xiaozheng glanced around, lowered his voice, and said, "Dad is meeting Uncle Guang tonight for something. If Jiao Jiao asks, just say it’s about Uncle Guang’s father and our family’s matter. Got it?"

Zhang Guoqing nodded in understanding and followed him to his parents. Listening to Zhou Xiaozheng’s instructions after returning to Beijing, on how to handle Mr. Zhao’s visits and other social interactions.

Seeing everyone gathered and chatting, the two paused their conversation.

Zhou Xiaozheng went up to Mr. Zhang, leaned in to whisper a few words in his ear, and watched him nod repeatedly.

Mr. Zhang and his wife bade farewell to everyone and left with Zhou Xiaozheng and the others, quietly chatting until they reached the gate, where Mr. Zhang stopped them to say no more was necessary.

Once Mr. Zhang and his wife were in the car, a little distance down the road, he said, "Just take us back to the village. They’re leaving tomorrow, and I have to prepare a little something to reciprocate."

"Dad, let me handle the reciprocation. It’s too late; you both should stay in the county overnight. There’s still Brother and Second Brother at home."

Mother Zhang shook her head repeatedly, "No, with your little car, we’ll be home in no time. Don’t bother preparing anything; I already had your sister-in-law take care of everything this afternoon. I’m just worried about Jiao Jiao’s godfather not being prepared."

Zhang Guoqing stopped the car, turned to them, and said, "Let’s not prepare like last time. They can’t carry much on military planes, and with so many relatives, it’s too much hassle. They’re coming and going quickly; it’s understandable if there’s nothing. As for the provincial city, the seafood my father-in-law prepared is still in the small courtyard. We’ll give it to them tomorrow, and we can wait until the New Year to reciprocate."

Mother Zhang hesitated, looking at her husband, unsure, "Will that be too little? Mr. Cheng brought a lot of gifts. The courtyard at Xiao Wu’s Jiao Jiao’s godfather’s place is practically a mountain."

"Silly woman, even if her godfather gave as much as a mountain, it’s not worth as much as the Jade Pendant our Ping’an is wearing. Didn’t you see Jiao Jiao jumping up to return it to her godmother?" Mr. Zhang laughed heartily.

Seeing his mother’s increased confusion, Zhang Guoqing quickly comforted her, "Mom, it’s fine. I saw my father-in-law nod approvingly to Jiao Jiao. Our family’s Ping’an has things much more valuable than this Jade Pendant. My father-in-law secretly gave quite a bit to Jiao Jiao. Our family isn’t in need of these things. By the way, let me tell you something."

After speaking, Zhang Guoqing started the car and drove towards the village; it’s freezing to park idly at night.