Free Web NovelChapter 1100: Chapter 973: Autumn Night
There is a speed known as the Zhou Xiaozheng speed.
A week later, Zhang Guoqing was promoted quietly, reaching another level without a sound.
Though many have received promotions across levels, his four close friends are still happy for him. It seems the path from deputy to full position is short, but how challenging can it be?
Over the past few years, the five like-minded friends have tacitly worked towards their goals, cautiously advancing step by step, knowing exactly how tough it is.
Now that their good friend has been promoted, it’s only natural to celebrate.
Perhaps it’s because lately, he’s been mentioned so often by people from his hometown, as Zhang Guoqing, sitting in the courtyard of the Beijing Zhou Family, sneezed twice.
Yi Jiefang, arriving late, stepped into the courtyard holding his son and, upon hearing the sneeze, looked at him with disdain, "Seems you’re really delicate!"
Hearing this, Zhang Guoqing laughed: "Come on, let’s have a showdown!"
"Forget it, I’m a refined person." After saying that, Yi Jiefang beckoned to May 1st at the door, "Uncle brought you a big doll to play with, feel free to play, just don’t break it."
The buddies around the stone table, drinking draft beer, burst into laughter.
Still don’t break it? Coming from the second most timid buddy’s mouth, it sure sounds humorous! If they remember correctly...
Who said it back then?
In his house, his wife is number one, his son number two; he doesn’t even count as the youngest one anymore. If his son pouts about to cry, he gets a kick from his dad.
Everyone’s friends, who doesn’t know everyone, and the bragging can surely go big!
May 1st turned around upon hearing this, ran ahead of him, looked at the baby, stretched out his arm, and shook his head, "Poor baby~"
Hearing this, Yi Jiefang almost dropped his son out of fright, "May 1st comrade, may I ask your age this year? Have you gained seniority?"
May 1st quickly grabbed the baby, shouting, "Brother, come help, this one is tipsy."
Yi Jiefang patted his head, "Little scamp, not cute at all."
"I’m not a sissy."
"May 1st!" Zhang Guoqing warned, "Take your brother to the living room to find mom." Just a small baby, his younger son can manage to hold him.
May 1st smiled apologetically at Yi Jiefang, "Uncle, go have a drink, drink a few for me, as for my brother, don’t worry, not even a single hair will fall."
Yi Jiefang laughed, "He’s yours!"
"You’re a man, quite generous!" May 1st joked and turned back with the child, "Zhou Liuli, hang out with me in the future, I’ll make sure you enjoy life and have spicy food."
Yi Jiefang was amused by him, within minutes, did his son change surnames? This little brat is quite savvy.
Wan Dayong shifted his position, pointing.
Yi Jiefang took a seat next to Wan Dayong, glanced at the beers in everyone’s hands, and raised an eyebrow, "How long have you been here?"
Wan Dayong shot him a glance sideways, "Called you right after I arrived, how long do you think?"
Ding Datou across from him teased, "Why did you bring your kid today, where’s your wife?"
"It’s a guys’ gathering; what’s the point of having women here?" As soon as Yi Jiefang said this, the brothers gave him thumbs up with mild disdain.
Bringing a kid along, that’s just like you!
Meanwhile, Zhang Guoqing secretly raised a middle finger in his heart. This guy is truly shameless; he’d be a real man if he dared say this to his wife’s face at home!
"No need to get so worked up." Yi Jiefang laughed, turning to glimpse at the living room, he asked Zhang Guoqing beside him, "Is Uncle Zhou home?"
Zhang Guoqing nodded.
His father-in-law, after consecutive business trips, didn’t need to leave recently. He’s taking this time to start classes for the kids, and practice big calligraphy.
With guests at home, he must be practicing those calligraphy strokes, with a serious intention of not quitting until he becomes a calligrapher.
"No wonder you’re drinking so civilized."
Geng Dazhi kicked him, "Stop blabbering, fill your glass, and take three shots of your mix first. Don’t use half the liquor; it’s precious these days."
"Seriously? Aren’t real men downing pure draft beer?"
Geng Dazhi looked at him amusedly, "Why don’t you ask the group if they agree?"
"Go ahead and drink; you’ve handed your son over anyway, your wife surely won’t let you in bed when you get home," Ding Datou added as he pulled a bottle of white wine from behind.
Wan Dayong teased, "Need a diaper pad on your knee?"
Yi Jiefang looked at the rowdy buddies and chuckled, "Brotherhood means sharing joy and suffering together."
"Who’s your brother? Get drinking."
"Stop dilly-dallying. Last time you poured so much I barely got home, and you didn’t say we’re brothers then?"
"Do you know how pricey liquor is nowadays? I was worried you’d miss the taste..."
"Cut the crap to divert focus."
"Of us brothers, Da Yi’s the wittiest; pals, just pour for him relentlessly."
"Alright, alright, I’ll do it myself, I’ll do it myself..."
...
Outside was quite lively, while inside the living room, Zhou Jiao took Yi Liuliu and smiled at her two sons closing in, "So fond of Little Liuliu?"
May 1st poked his little cheek and nodded, "Clean, pretty, doesn’t cry."
"Look at his little feet, so tiny, they never grow?" Liu Yi was amazed while scratching the baby’s little foot, "So fun, he even curls his toes."
Seeing this, Zhou Jiao quickly blocked her sons’ hands, really think you can play as you like? Once the little ancestor starts crying, then it’s troubles.
Ping’an pulled back his brothers, shaking his head, "Okay, but you guys were cuter at his age, could crawl with little slaps on your own."
May 1st smiled smugly, "Of course. Mom, his little mouth moved, is he hungry? Should I make formula?"
"I’ll take the brother."
With Aunt Chen out, Ping’an following also ensures that May 1st doesn’t get burned by the boiling water; Zhou Jiao felt relieved, she nodded with a reminder to be careful.
Meanwhile, Liu Yi cautiously pinched Yi Liuliu’s chubby little white hand, "Mom, Uncle Da Yi didn’t bring diapers."
Upon hearing this from her son, Zhou Jiao smiled, "Open that cabinet, I remember he didn’t take it home last time, he’s already prepared."
"I really applaud him."
Zhou Jiao laughed lightly, isn’t it? Indeed.
After the mother and her three sons cared for Yi Family’s young master, Zhou Jiao noticed the few outside wouldn’t wrap up anytime soon, and so, she carried the baby and took the sons on a stroll around the Big Courtyard.
— Of course, delivering the child back in the process.
"All times are enjoyable, autumn is best."
As summer passed, the climate noticeably cooled down, and the night skies seemed brighter; using "clear autumn skies" to describe Beijing’s autumn is absolutely fitting.
"Mom, let’s find a time to go to the Great Wall."
"Sure, we can go on the weekend."
"I wish autumn lasted longer; of the four seasons, I like fall best."
"I know, you like the harvest season."
"Too bad the best season means school starts."
Listening to her sons’ conversation, Zhou Jiao smiled. She’s heard this many times, by winter, they’ll say they love winter the most.
Because they have a father who plays extraordinarily well.
With spring comes fishing for little fish, catching loaches, foraging wild vegetables, flying kites, spinning tops; in summer and autumn, catching crickets, raising katydids, tying grasshoppers, gluing cicadas, playing with fireflies, picking wild fruits, roasting wheat, baking potatoes, horseback riding on the prairie; once winter arrives, trapping sparrows, sliding ice sleds, having snowball fights, building snowmen, ice sliding...
Even her own lost childhood seemed compensated through the children. Another autumn arrived, it’s time to accompany the children on trips.
