412: Chapter 862 Housework

Zhao Yang's expression was slightly helpless; he had just stepped out of the station exit.

He saw a dense crowd standing in the arrival hall, led by The High-Ranking Official of Changcheng.

Several security personnel in black jackets were holding back the onlookers.

His parents were standing at the very front of the crowd. Mother Zhao started waving as soon as she saw him from afar, while Father Zhao stood beside her, wearing the dark blue down jacket Zhao Yang had bought for him last year. He was smiling, but his eyes were a little red.

Zhao Yang walked over quickly to exchange greetings with his parents, and Mother Zhao took his hands, looking him up and down.

She kept saying he had lost weight, while Father Zhao simply patted him on the shoulder.

A father's love is always silent.

The High-Ranking Official waited until Zhao Yang had finished talking with his parents before stepping forward with a smile.

"Professor Zhao, welcome home."

Zhao Yang shook hands with The High-Ranking Official, saying with a faint smile on his face,

"I'm sorry to have troubled you to make a special trip."

"Oh, what trouble is this? Professor Zhao has brought such glory to his hometown over these years that all of us officials working in Changcheng feel honored as well.

Just last year, I saw your name in the news dozens of times—winning awards, publishing papers, and then there's that Foundation Establishment Pill. Even our colleagues at the Municipal Drug Administration are discussing when this medicine will be available in Changcheng."

The High-Ranking Official said, sharing in the pride.

Several deputy directors and the director of the Investment Promotion Office nearby also chimed in.

"You are the youngest top scientist to come out of Changcheng, and one of the deputy chief designers of the long march 5 rocket!"

A deputy director said to Zhao Yang with a smile.

"Your Spark Technology is now one of the world's leading top technology companies. The fact that the affiliated Spark Biology Journal was rated as a first-tier journal by the Chinese Academy of Sciences was specifically mentioned at the municipal committee meeting, and even the provincial leaders called to ask about it!"

The director of the Investment Promotion Bureau nearby said with a smile.

The High-Ranking Official listened for a moment before taking over the conversation.

"Professor Zhao Yang, how many days do you plan to stay this time? Do you have time to visit the municipal committee?"

After saying this, The High-Ranking Official looked at Zhao Yang with eyes full of anticipation.

"It's not easy to come back, so I plan to spend more time with my parents. I've scheduled visits and dinners for after the New Year."

The High-Ranking Official quickly said,

"Understood, understood. Spending time with parents is the most important thing."

After chatting with Zhao Yang for a while, Zhao Yang responded politely to each of them.

After the conversation, the officials left. Watching their backs, Zhao Yang breathed a sigh of relief; he didn't particularly like such scenes.

Just as he was preparing to walk to the parking lot with his parents, he was called out by the crowd nearby.

"God Zhao, can you give me an autograph?"

"God Zhao! I love you!"

"God Zhao, welcome home! Say a few words to us!"

"God Zhao, look here! Look here!"

After the officials left, the crowd nearby began to stir, and everyone's gaze fell squarely on Zhao Yang.

Someone rummaged through their bag and handed over a crumpled inaugural issue of the "Spark Biology Journal," and a young girl squeezed to the front, saying she had traveled specifically from another province by high-speed rail just to see God Zhao.

The station exit instantly became lively. Several security guards moved closer nervously, but Zhao Yang waved them off. He took pen after pen, signing one after another on journals, notebooks, and even the back of a crumpled train ticket.

After signing for quite a while, the crowd slowly dispersed.

After some time had passed, Zhao Yang said a few words to the fans and then left by car.

Back home, the living room was already full of relatives.

His aunt, second aunt, uncle, eldest uncle, and several distant cousins whose names Zhao Yang couldn't recall were there. The coffee table was covered with fruit, sunflower seeds, and peanuts. Father Zhao had boiled several pots of hot water in advance, and the scent of tea mixed with the warmth from the radiator made the whole living room feel cozy.

As soon as Zhao Yang entered the door, everyone's eyes turned toward him in unison. His aunt was the first to stand up. She looked him up and down for a long time before turning to Mother Zhao and saying, "Yang Yang looks much thinner than on TV. Is he not eating well in Yanjing?"

His uncle chimed in from the side.

"He's tired from doing research. Do you think he's like you, sitting in an office drinking tea and reading the newspaper every day? Doing research is very tiring! How many achievements has Yang Yang produced in these few years? He's on the news every day!"

"Yes, yes, yes! I don't know anything, only you know!"

His younger aunt said to his uncle with a huff.

After the relatives sat for a while, they began to exchange glances. Finally, his second aunt spoke up.

"Yang Yang, you're successful now. With a company as big as Spark Technology, can you arrange some positions for the kids in the family who can't find jobs after graduation? Your cousin just graduated from junior college last year, majoring in logistics management. He's looked for several jobs in Changcheng but hasn't been satisfied with any. You see..."

His eldest uncle also followed up.

"Your older cousin studied accounting and just passed her junior certificate. If she could work in the finance department of your company, it would be close to home, which would make it easier to take care of your parents. Yang Yang, what do you think?"

Hearing the relatives' words, his eldest uncle frowned.

"What do you mean by this? Did Yang Yang's money fall from the sky? Going to Yang Yang's company, isn't that pulling strings? If they really had the ability, that would be one thing, but if they don't have the ability, are you trying to ruin Yang Yang's company?"

The eldest uncle's words made the surrounding relatives fall silent, daring not to say anything more.

Having been a Chinese teacher, homeroom teacher, and vice-principal for most of his life, his eldest uncle had a certain air of authority.

Zhao Yang picked up an orange from the coffee table, peeled two segments, put them in his mouth, and after chewing, spoke.

"Jobs can be arranged. I'll speak with Chen Haifeng later. Spark Technology's branches have recruitment channels, and the standards can be lowered appropriately. But there is one condition: no matter who it is, once they enter the company, they must start from the bottom. If they can climb up on their own merit, they can; if they can't, they stay at the bottom. I will not personally promote anyone, nor can they reveal their relationship with me.

If you find this acceptable, just contact Chen Haifeng's assistant after the New Year."

His second aunt was stunned for a moment, then nodded quickly.

"That's fine, that's fine. Starting from the bottom is no problem. The kid isn't afraid of hard work; he just lacks an opportunity. As long as you're willing to give him a chance, he'll definitely be able to do it."

His eldest uncle also expressed his agreement,

"Exactly! Young people should start from the bottom. Who didn't climb up step by step?"

Zhao Yang didn't say anything more and peeled another segment of the orange into his mouth. The relatives sat for a while longer before getting up one by one to say goodbye.

After they had all left, Mother Zhao started busy preparing dinner in the kitchen. Father Zhao sat on the sofa, picked up his half-cup of cold tea, and took a sip. Zhao Yang leaned beside him. The living room was quiet for a moment before Father Zhao suddenly spoke.

"Your mother's blood pressure has been a bit high these past two years. The doctor told her to eat less salt, but she just won't listen."

"That's not true, stop making things up about me! The doctor just said my health isn't very good!"

Mother Zhao poked her head out from the kitchen and said with a huff.

Hearing his parents' words, Zhao Yang felt a slight stirring in his heart.