Free Web NovelChapter 1106: Chapter 979: Taking a Stroll Outside
"Ping’an said the old man actually has it tough, always reminiscing about the past to stir up our parents’ emotions. Yet, he always has to avoid mentioning Gu Ruyi, which seems to take a lot of effort."
Zhang Guoqing laughed after finishing, "He probably thinks that with Ping’an around, there are some things better left unsaid, so he struggles to find topics to talk about."
"How long were you there?"
Zhang Guoqing winked at her and chuckled, "Stayed in the hospital room for an hour and a half."
"Wasn’t it said that he was seriously ill and hospitalized? Hmph, he’s certainly got a lot on his mind."
Zhang Guoqing could say that in such a short time, the old man didn’t have the chance to bring up anything else. Of course, the main reason was that their Ping’an wouldn’t let certain Lin Family members rush to the hospital.
"Forget it, no matter what, he’s contributed significantly to the country. Besides, he doesn’t have much time left, so why get worked up thinking about it? So, every time I go, I just think of it as visiting an old hero."
"Alright, I understand what you mean." Zhou Jiao smiled at him. It seems the old man’s schemes would need someone to take them up, she had long put him aside, her only worry today was their son.
"Be good, I’ll go do the dishes first, then I’ll take you out for a walk."
"Will you be tired?"
"What do you think?" Holding the lunch box, Zhang Guoqing reminded her while walking, "Be careful, the ground is slippery. I don’t have much to do this afternoon, but have you taken leave?"
"No need to take leave."
Hearing this, Zhang Guoqing glanced around at the scattered cafeteria staff and didn’t ask further, guessing she had some errand or another reason.
Zhou Jiao followed him quietly to a row of sinks, taking one of the lunch boxes from his hand and began rinsing it under the tap.
This was lunchtime after work hours, colleagues either had already gone home to eat or were resting at the dorm after dining in the cafeteria. Zhang Guoqing didn’t need to worry about running into Shen Zhao and the others because of their social engagements.
After the couple finished tidying up, Zhang Guoqing took Zhou Jiao out of the unit gate.
Walking along, Zhou Jiao noticed he led her to a military vehicle, turned her head to look at him. Normally, if they could take the bus, he certainly wouldn’t drive a unit car around town, so what was he planning?
Zhang Guoqing winked and smiled at her, "Just come along with me."
He certainly wouldn’t just drop by to report about their son visiting Mr. Lin, there were things that could wait until after work at home.
In the car, watching Zhang Guoqing turn the steering wheel, Zhou Jiao shook her head with amusement, again with something mysteriously up his sleeve.
"What I mentioned to you earlier has been settled; now I’m taking you to see the stuff."
Zhou Jiao blinked, he’d mentioned so many things, which one was it?
As he drove, Zhang Guoqing glanced at her in the passenger seat, knowing she was confused, and said with a laugh, "Fruits from all over."
Zhou Jiao suddenly understood, looked at him with amusement, "It’s been a while, and you’re still holding onto it?"
"Everything you’ve mentioned, I remember." Zhang Guoqing extended a hand to pat her head, "Not like you, heartless as ever."
Zhou Jiao was so startled she immediately exclaimed, "Watch the road!"
Feeling guilty, Zhang Guoqing withdrew his hand, "I swear I’ll never let anything happen to you again."
"More nonsense." Zhou Jiao reprimanded him with a glance, "Haven’t you already been bringing fruits home lately?"
Zhang Guoqing smiled mysteriously, certainly not daring to drive one-handed at the moment. Even though there were fewer vehicles now, it didn’t mean it was safe, requiring even more caution.
He recalled not long ago that one of his comrades accidentally hit a curious little fellow while driving through a village.
"Plenty?"
"Quite a lot, plus some other things. You’ll see soon. I had Da Zhi help me find a warehouse, and pretty much everything that needs to be shipped has arrived."
So was he taking the opportunity of having a car to bring me here? Zhou Jiao thought he was taking her out for fun.
When they opened a warehouse about twenty square meters in size, she was dumbfounded seeing Zhang Guoqing. Dude, have you stashed a lot of private money again?
If she wasn’t mistaken, besides the old baskets, weren’t these dozens of stones on the floor actually jade roughs?
Zhang Guoqing closed the door, gently cupped her face, and grinningly asked, "Aren’t you surprised? All these stones are yours, isn’t your husband great?"
Oh right, stones. Zhou Jiao quickly kneeled down, picked up a rough piece, hefted it, examined it closely, then looked at the rocky pile below the baskets.
"Did Da Zhi see these things?"
Zhang Guoqing nodded, "Of course. What we have here is only a small part, that guy has much more, already shipped back."
Feeling at ease with a partner in crime, Zhou Jiao couldn’t help but laugh looking up at him, "Another one of your ideas, and he does the work?"
"How could it be? I casually mentioned it before, and this kid remembered. I bet he plans to use this batch to build a pigsty back home."
Zhou Jiao couldn’t contain her laughter, "Then the pigs at his place are treated to luxury."
Zhang Guoqing nodded with a laugh, "Yeah, he’s promised to treat us to meat during the New Year. When he was on a business trip to Jiang Province earlier this year, I casually mentioned bringing back some roughs if convenient.
This rascal simply nodded then, and told me it was done when he returned. Who knew how much ’done’ meant? Every time he asked me for some tickets or water bottles or something, I didn’t mind or ask. I trust him; I gave them if we had them at home.
Who would’ve thought last time, when I asked him for a way to bring back some Southern fruits, he said there’d be goods arriving after a while.
I originally wanted to tell you about it, but then I wondered how much ’goods’ he meant. Didn’t expect this clever boy; not just stones, but he also collected dried meat and fruit for me."
"No problems with that?"
"No worries. The obvious things are local specialties. His cousin’s in a regiment over there, and we occasionally send some cloth tickets and water bottles and such. His brother uses the tickets to exchange for stones in the countryside. Once enough is accumulated, they mix it with local specialties and have someone ship them to Da Zhi."
The main point is that aside from mining areas, there’s lots of rough on the riverbeds. Even those who know its worth now don’t value it highly, but still stash it at home.
As his mother-in-law said, a simple cornbread around there can exchange for a lot of roughs, not to mention military coats. Especially raisins and dried nuts over there seemed nearly free.
Once accumulated, they’re shipped in batches, mixing overt and covert items together. With Da Zhi working at the railway bureau, it truly happens unnoticed.
"So, Da Zhi’s job is quite advantageous. Now he’s surely not thinking of transferring again, is he?"
Zhang Guoqing carefully guided her stepping over the stones, "Work and these are unrelated; his family will still handle it if there should be a transfer. Alright, let’s finish while there’s nobody around."
"Are you sure it’s okay to take everything?" Zhou Jiao worriedly glanced at the door.
"It’s fine, there’s nobody here at this time. Da Zhi isn’t in Beijing today, and he knows our family’s house in the city. Pass me two medium-sized bamboo baskets; I need to take some dried fruits home."
With that assurance, Zhou Jiao felt much more at ease.
Meanwhile, Zhang Guoqing began sorting things out. Some things need to be openly displayed, prepared just in case.
After tidying up, Zhou Jiao pondered for a moment before stating uneasily, "Brother, if I say I like something in the future, don’t take it seriously. We don’t need to take risks for external objects."
Grinning, Zhang Guoqing nodded, "Understood. Besides, there won’t be another chance in the future; Da Zhi’s brother is getting transferred as well."
