Chapter 1153 - 1026: Have You Eaten Yet?

Chapter 1153: Chapter 1026: Have You Eaten Yet?

As they spoke, the car arrived in front of the small courtyard in the alley, and Zhang Guoqing stopped talking. If it weren’t for significant events happening soon, he had originally planned to visit his hometown this year to see his parents.

The longer the distance and the time apart, the more he missed his parents. He wondered if his mother was truly as his father said, everything going smoothly.

It’s been so long since he last went back. His mother’s small storeroom should be empty again. She probably didn’t want to eat any of the meat coupons, giving them all to the younger generation. He wondered if she was very skinny.

There is a regret called "When a child wants to care for their parents, but they are no longer there." This feeling of helplessness and sorrow was something he never wanted to experience again.

As children, we mischievously clung to our parents, not wanting them to work in the fields all day, beseeching them to stay with us and play for a while.

As we grew up, the roles reversed, and the parents became like the children. Every letter they wrote began with repeated expressions of care and always ended by vaguely asking: When will you have a long holiday?

Indeed, societal pressures are significant, and busy work and social engagements consume most of one’s energy. While working hard is about realizing dreams and providing a better life for the family, it’s also about reassuring the parents. But is merely sending some money and letters truly filial piety?

Zhang Guoqing sighed inwardly. He could never forget the eyes that lit up every time they saw him, nor could he forget that those eyes glistened with tears upon his departure.

His elderly mother missed him dearly, and the more she did, the guiltier he felt. By the end of the year, it would be time to take a long holiday to visit his mother. Even if leaving again would make her cry, he still had to go back...

During the summer, even though the trees no longer stretched their branches over the courtyard walls of a few houses in the alley, the place had become much more bustling with people coming and going.

Since earlier this year, with some elders regaining partial power, whatever struggles occurred did not affect the everyday lives of the people, and life had become significantly easier.

Next door, Mr. Tan, with a palm leaf fan in hand, heard the sound of the car outside, and as he stepped out with a quick pace, he burst into laughter upon seeing that it was indeed Zhang Guoqing and his family.

Zhang Guoqing opened the car door, heard the laughter, and turned to the old man, "You’re home today?"

Mr. Tan nodded with a smile and asked, "Have you eaten?"

In the old alley, regardless of whom they met or whether it was mealtime, everyone seemed to like asking this question. Zhang Guoqing was already used to it, so he replied, "Have you eaten yet?"

They exchanged greetings and chatted while Ping’an called out after seeing Zhou Jiao open the door and started carrying the sack inside.

Though Doctor Hu and Aunt weren’t living in the courtyard during this time, Zhang Guoqing and his wife cleaned up every weekend, so it remained tidy.

The small tree stump left from the removed pomegranate tree was beginning to sprout new leaves, and perhaps in a few years, it would flourish again, returning to life.

Unfortunately, the few jujube trees by the courtyard wall, despite a watchful effort to save the stumps, gradually dried up and never showed signs of life again.

After Ping’an placed all the medicinal herbs in the pharmacy, he and Zhou Jiao quickly tidied up before leaving the courtyard, while Mr. Tan and Zhang Guoqing were still chatting outside.

Of course, it was Mr. Tan always trying to show off to Zhang Guoqing.

At this time, he was enthusiastically saying, "... Six years, a whole six years, the child has finally returned. You haven’t seen how thin he got. But he’s been quite industrious, cleaning up the courtyard spotlessly in less than an hour early in the morning..."

Listening to this, Zhou Jiao somewhat realized that the elderly man’s grandson who went to the countryside has returned to the city. It must have taken some effort to achieve this at this time.

But it’s good enough that they’ve come back, which is indeed a very fortunate thing, especially since not long ago, Mrs. Tan was worried that her grandson would settle down and never return.

Indeed, they talked about this.

"... He couldn’t stay away any longer; if he delayed, he’d truly end up marrying someone and settling in the countryside. Among the dozen or so children who went down at the same time as him, he alone didn’t dare to start a family. I’ve heard that many settle in as soon as they’re of age. Once they have a household, how can they return?"

Hearing this, Zhang Guoqing supportively laughed, "That’s because your grandson listens to you, he’s so filial. He trusts and follows you if you disagree. Marrying in the countryside can really make life easier. Now that the child is home, give him a good reward."

"Haha... The wife went out early to line up, wanting to nourish him a bit before he starts work. Otherwise, we really worry his body won’t handle it."

When Mr. Tan finished speaking and saw Zhou Jiao leaving with her son, he knew time was short and immediately lowered his voice, checking his surroundings with his old eyes, "Xiao Wu, I’ve heard that some comrades are to be reinstated; is that true?"

Hearing this, Zhang Guoqing paused and cooperated by bending down to whisper back, "Where did you hear that? Are you worried about an old friend?"

"Yes, to be frank, not far from our alley, there was a family where the father was an old colleague of mine, kind-hearted but couldn’t keep his mouth shut. For saying the wrong thing, the whole family was sent to the countryside, and they’re still near where my grandson was before joining the production team."

Zhang Guoqing pondered his words but didn’t intend to keep it from him, mumbling softly, "There is such a thing indeed, but it will take time, it can’t be rushed."

Mr. Tan persisted in keeping him around just to learn this piece of news. Upon hearing it, he understood the implications, touched his eye corners excitedly, nodding fervently, "That’s good, that’s good, no matter how long it takes, as long as there’s hope, it’s good, there is hope."

"Old man, hang in there, be patient and wait, the days ahead will only get better, they won’t get worse, wouldn’t you say?"

"Good lad! Thank you."

Zhang Guoqing waved it off nonchalantly, "Anything else? If not, I’m heading home."

"No, go home quickly, your family must be waiting. Bring your kids over to play when you have time, mention to them my grandkids are still waiting to go fishing with them in the backyard."

With a grin, Zhang Guoqing bid farewell and the family of three got back into the car.

"Dad, has Grandpa been busy with these things lately?" With Ping’an’s hearing, there was no problem catching Mr. Tan’s conversation.

Zhang Guoqing naturally did not hide from his son, and quietly replied, "Yes, organizing the data that needs preparing ahead, lending a hand where possible. The key is still waiting on time, soon."

"If you need my help with anything, just let me know."

Hearing his wife, Zhang Guoqing asked with a smile, "Did you catch on?"

"Dad, don’t you know how smart Mom is? With a little thought, she understands everything, you can’t hide anything from her."

"You cheeky boy! Even if you want to flatter your mother, don’t step on your father’s toes."

"Haha, I’m just being truthful. But, Dad, you’re not bad either, otherwise how could you have such an outstanding son like me? Am I right?"

"Makes sense! You indeed take after me in many aspects..."

In the backseat, listening to the father and son praising each other made Zhou Jiao laugh. It turned out that self-admiration was inherited down through generations.