Zhang was cheated!

“You little rascal, you’ve made something of yourself! But don’t get too cocky, you still need to work harder!” Zhao Zhengguo said.

“I was originally thinking that when you came back this time, I’d have to go to the courtyard to borrow some from neighbors or relatives, but now it’s all good, no need to worry!” Guo Ping smiled brightly, her complexion becoming even more rosy.

Zhao Dongchuan handed all the money and tickets in his hand to Guo Ping.

“Mom, you take all this money and these tickets, eat something good, and nourish your body!”

At the same time, he began to observe Guo Ping’s complexion, as he hadn’t yet used his beginner Traditional Chinese Medicine skill.

He observed and verified the knowledge transmitted to him by the system.

“Thankfully, thankfully, it looks like it’s caused by insufficient qi and blood, and a naturally weak constitution; there isn’t much wrong with her inherently!”

Zhao Dongchuan observed and drew some preliminary conclusions. Of course, he hadn’t taken her pulse or looked at her tongue coating yet; he had only generally observed. He still needed to find an opportunity to take her pulse and examine her when he had time.

“You don’t need this much; you should keep some money for yourself!”

Zhao Dongchuan said with a chuckle, “Mom, you take it. I still have some!”

“A-Ping, you take it; this is Dongchuan’s small token of appreciation!” Zhao Zhengguo said with a smile from the side.

Guo Ping took the money and tickets and said with a smile, “Little Dongzi has made something of himself, and we get to bask in his glory!”

…………

Afterward, Zhao Dongchuan had a simple but warm lunch at home.

Guo Ping even added an extra dish, stewing cabbage with meat.

Everyone ate happily, chatting as they ate, discussing some recent events. Zhao Dongchuan also talked about his situation in Huangyuan and the people and events in Shuangshui Village.

“Sun Shaoan and Tian Runye are quite a pity!” Guo Ping said as she put a piece of fatty meat into Zhao Dongchuan’s bowl.

“Indeed, but I actually think He Xiulian is more suitable for him!” Zhao Zhengguo took a mouthful of rice and also offered his opinion.

“Mhm, Brother Shaoan and Sister-in-law Xiulian are a match made in heaven. Their backgrounds, education, and values are very similar. If they work hard together after marriage, their lives will definitely get better and better!” Zhao Dongchuan smiled.

“You’re really generous; you helped them a lot and even gave them a bicycle!” Guo Ping said with a hint of heartache.

These were all things her son would need for his own marriage.

“A-Ping, you can’t say that. Didn’t you hear Dongchuan? Elder Brother Yuhou is our Dongchuan’s savior! Giving them some things and helping them out is nothing. Later, if we have a chance to meet, we still need to thank them properly!” Zhao Zhengguo’s expression turned serious as he sternly told Guo Ping.

“Yes, yes, yes, you’re right. It was my woman’s opinion. You big men are all good people, alright!” Guo Ping couldn’t help but chide.

“Mom, don’t feel bad. I can definitely earn more in the future; maybe I can even become a ‘ten-thousand-yuan household’!” Zhao Dongchuan smiled, giving a preemptive warning.

“Hahaha, then I’ll be waiting. And then bring me back a beautiful daughter-in-law! Then I’ll be completely satisfied!” Guo Ping chuckled.

“Why is it always about getting a wife, getting a wife? I’m still young…” Zhao Dongchuan said helplessly.

“Young what? Haven’t you seen Old Liu’s family in the front courtyard? Their eldest son’s child is already four or five years old. Speaking of which, he’s only four or five years older than you!”

“If you have a girl in mind, you need to act fast, or I’ll go inquire around and find someone for you!” Guo Ping’s implication was to urge Zhao Dongchuan to find a partner quickly.

“Mom, I’m still focused on my career right now. In the future, when I’m successful, what kind of wife can’t I marry? No rush!” Saying this, Zhao Dongchuan picked up a piece of meat and put it into Guo Ping’s bowl.

“Heh… you’ve even learned to shut me up. But what you said also makes sense. A man needs to have ambition and pursue a career! Then I won’t rush you, but you also put some effort into it!”

“Oh, right, Dad, Mom, I’ve always had a question. When I was younger, I was ignorant and never thought about this, but why was I arranged to go to the countryside to join a production team? Didn’t they say only children didn’t have to go?”

Zhao Dongchuan only realized this problem later.

According to policy, in the late 1970s, only children didn’t have to go to the countryside. It was only in the 1960s, when everyone’s enthusiasm was high, that it didn’t matter whether you were an only child; everyone had to obey the highest directive to go to the vast rural areas to receive re-education from the poor and lower-middle peasants!

Facing this question, both Zhao Zhengguo and Guo Ping’s expressions froze, and they looked a bit unnatural.

“We’re not too clear about this. Maybe the street office made a mistake. Don’t ask too much. Now you’ve made something of yourself, and it’s the same no matter where you work!”

Zhao Zhengguo hesitated for a moment before slowly saying.

As soon as Zhao Dongchuan heard this, he knew there must be something fishy going on. Someone was obstructing him, and this person’s influence was not small. Zhao Zhengguo and Guo Ping were also powerless; otherwise, Zhao Dongchuan’s parents, who loved their son so much, wouldn’t dare to confront that person and would instead stammer and be unwilling to explain clearly.

They probably feared that he would harbor resentment and go to confront the person, thus provoking them, which would not only yield no good but also lead to trouble.

Zhao Dongchuan naturally wouldn’t show it directly; he just smiled faintly and nodded.

Seeing that Zhao Dongchuan didn’t press further, Zhao Zhengguo and Guo Ping also breathed a sigh of relief, but they also felt very aggrieved. They were clearly being played, yet they had to hide it from their son, fearing he would go to confront that person.

They hadn’t paid much attention to it before, but later, the more they thought about it, the more something felt wrong. So they went to the street office to inquire. After many inquiries, the deputy director of the street office, Old Wang, kindly gave them a hint.

He said that their son had provoked a child from a prominent family, and the director of the street office then arranged for their son, Zhao Dongchuan. Who this child from a prominent family was exactly was not revealed.

They only said his surname was Li, and he was a very influential child from a prominent family.

Afterward, Zhao Zhengguo and Guo Ping began to try to get Zhao Dongchuan transferred back, but it was easy to leave and not so easy to return. Without a unit recruiting him, he couldn’t come back. The family didn’t have much savings, and without money, things couldn’t be done, so they could only wait it out. Fortunately, Zhao Dongchuan proved himself, getting recruited into a unit locally, which was at least a roundabout way of saving the situation.

Zhao Dongchuan naturally wouldn’t let it go easily. Since someone had played him, he certainly wouldn’t just let it slide.

However, he needed to thoroughly understand the specific situation, plan things out, and figure out who was messing with him.

After eating, Zhao Dongchuan eagerly washed the dishes. By the time he finished, his mother, Guo Ping, had also tidied the bed.

“Today, you should rest well at home and not go wandering around!” Guo Ping instructed.

“Okay, I’ll just rest at home, read a book, and then sleep!”

Then Zhao Dongchuan took out his books from his bag and started reading.

Seeing Zhao Dongchuan diligently reading, Zhao Zhengguo and Guo Ping smiled with relief, knowing their son had truly matured.

Previously, he had written home saying he had published poetry and been recruited into a unit. Later, another letter came about his novel being published. Good news kept coming, so good that it felt too illusory and a bit unreal to them.