Chapter 36: Mountains and Rivers Will Meet Again (Please Continue Reading)
As night deepened, several brothers-in-law were drunk, arms around each other's shoulders like close brothers.
Zhang Zhaohai was especially drunk today, and especially happy.
Today the brothers-in-law had taken turns urging him to drink, and he hadn't deliberately refused. He only wanted to enjoy himself.
"Son, in a few years, when your old man can't drink anymore, you'll take over," Zhang Zhaohai said drunkenly.
"Still talking nonsense? Who knows how much you drank." Song Wenqin complained softly, though she wasn't angry. If it had been before, if he came home drunk like this, she would definitely have gotten mad.
But today was different. She knew Zhang Zhaohai was happy today, and it had been a long time since he had been this happy.
Zhang Yang drove the car with a smile on his face and said nothing. Along the way he just listened to Zhang Zhaohai boasting endlessly. When men got drunk they inevitably bragged a little, but the way his father bragged today even made Zhang Yang feel somewhat inferior.
Early the next morning was also Zhang Yang's last day at home.
That day, the family of three specifically drove back to their hometown. There, Zhang Yang's grandparents were living a leisurely rural life in the countryside.
"It's enough that you came. Why bring so many things?" Grandpa Zhang was still strong and healthy. Even in his seventies, he remained tall and sturdy.
"Grandpa, most of the things last a long time, but the milk needs attention. I marked the expiration dates on the cartons with a black pen. Don't forget again," Zhang Yang said while standing up, putting down the pen, and reminding him repeatedly.
"Got it, got it. Nothing will go bad," the old man said casually, flipping the cigarette pack in his hand back and forth. "This cigarette isn't cheap, right?"
"It's okay. Mainly it smokes well," Zhang Yang said with a smile.
"I understand. I'll keep this for myself then, won't give it out." Grandpa Zhang nodded, immediately understanding Zhang Yang's meaning.
Outside, Zhang Yang's grandmother had caught several genuine free-range hens from the chicken coop.
"They're all three years old. Good for soup when you get home," Grandma said.
Zhang Yang was very greedy for this kind of genuine free-range hen. The chickens sold by market vendors, no matter how you stewed them, produced a thin broth and tough meat that had nothing to do with deliciousness.
But this kind of old hen was different. When stewed, the aroma could spread for miles.
Even in Shanghai, such genuine farm-raised chickens weren't easy to buy without connections.
The car's trunk was open. When they arrived it had been full of things, and now that everything had been unloaded at the old house, it was once again filled with various items for the return trip.
Zhang Yang walked onto the field ridge, looking at the endless farmland while the wind blew from all directions, making him feel extremely relaxed.
Behind him came the sound of the trunk closing. Zhang Yang turned back and knew it was time to leave.
"Dad, Mom, we asked you to come live with us, but you two insist on staying in the countryside. I just can't feel at ease," Zhang Zhaohai said worriedly.
"With all the neighbors here, and your uncles around, don't worry," Grandpa waved his hand.
In the countryside, people in their eighties could still work in the fields. Grandpa Zhang felt that at his age he could still barely be considered middle-aged. What problem could there be?
Knowing he couldn't persuade him, Zhang Zhaohai could only give up.
On the way back, Zhang Yang glanced at the rearview mirror. The old couple stood by the roadside seeing them off. Especially Grandpa Zhang, who stood with his hands behind his back, remaining there for a long time.
Around three or four in the afternoon, the Porsche returned fully loaded.
That night, the family once again prepared a big meal to celebrate the brief reunion during the May Day holiday.
Mountains and rivers will meet again; there is always a future to look forward to.
Zhang Yang hoped that the next time he came back, he could bring even greater changes to his parents.
Early the next morning, before departure.
Zhang Yang stood by the roadside, listening to his parents repeatedly reminding him of things.
"Luck only lasts for a moment. You can't rely on luck for everything. As for jade gambling stones, I hope you won't touch them again," Zhang Zhaohai said in an unusually serious tone.
How does gambling addiction begin? After tasting success and suffering losses while trying to win it back, people slowly sink deeper and deeper.
He was afraid Zhang Yang's money had come too easily, and that it might disappear the same way it came.
"Don't worry, Dad. I won't touch it again." Zhang Yang nodded without hesitation.
Unless the system created something that guaranteed profit without loss, he wasn't planning to rely on luck again. With the system backing him and huge cashback every day, wasn't that far better?
"That's good." Zhang Zhaohai nodded with satisfaction.
Overall, Zhang Yang was still a son he could feel at ease about.
Nearby, Song Wenqin was busy tying up the old hens, planning to send them alive with Zhang Yang to Shanghai to ensure the freshest meat.
Since Zhang Zhaohai had cooked family banquets when Zhang Yang was young, Zhang Yang had learned by watching. Killing a chicken, preparing it, and making soup were incredibly simple tasks for him.
The trunk closed. After hugging his parents goodbye, Zhang Yang set off on the journey back to Shanghai.
~~~~~
Around noon, Zhang Yang returned to Shanghai.
In the underground garage of the serviced apartment, Zhang Yang casually made a video call to Bei Wei, intending to check on her.
The video opened. Bei Wei was wearing pajamas and occasionally sneezing.
"Brother Zhang, have you eaten?" She was eating a very simple takeout meal, her voice heavy with nasal congestion.
"Caught a cold?" Zhang Yang asked.
"Yes." Bei Wei nodded vigorously. "My nose is blocked. It's uncomfortable."
"You caught a cold and you're still eating takeout?" Zhang Yang didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
"I don't have the energy to go out, and I don't feel like cooking. I'll just deal with one meal." As soon as she finished speaking, Bei Wei sneezed again. She quickly covered her nose and mouth with a tissue, afraid Zhang Yang might see something embarrassing.
"Wait a moment." Zhang Yang hung up the video. He didn't even plan to get out of the car and instead drove directly to the apartment where Bei Wei lived.
Downstairs at the apartment, after parking the car, Zhang Yang casually carried the flapping old hen with one hand while calling Bei Wei.
"Which floor?"
"Brother Zhang, why did you come?!" Bei Wei was pleasantly surprised.
"I came to see you. By the way, about your roommate… is it convenient for me to come up?" After all, it was a shared apartment for girls, so Zhang Yang kept proper boundaries.
"Brother Zhang, wait a moment." Bei Wei seemed to get up. After a short while she said, "Brother Zhang, you can come up now. Sixteenth floor. I pressed the elevator."
A moment later, the elevator doors opened.
Zhang Yang walked out and knocked on the door.
Soon the door opened.
A tall figure stood inside, looking at Zhang Yang with a not very friendly expression. It was Bei Wei's roommate. She didn't stop him from entering, perhaps because Bei Wei had already told her.
"Bei Wei, he's here." She stepped back two steps, looked at the live chicken flapping its wings in Zhang Yang's hand, and showed a disgusted expression.
Zhang Yang pretended not to see it and carried the chicken straight into the apartment that Bei Wei shared with her roommate.
The apartment's interior was quite refined. At a glance it seemed to be around a hundred square meters (~1,076 sq ft), more than enough space for two girls.
A door in the distance opened and Bei Wei stuck her head out.
"Brother Zhang, sit for a moment. I'll change clothes… huh? Brother Zhang, you brought a chicken?"
"Yes. We'll drink chicken soup tonight." Zhang Yang walked straight toward the kitchen. "Go back to your room and rest. I'll call you when it's ready."
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