Rebirth in the 50s: The Couple with the Hidden Space novel Chapter 1173

Chapter 1173: Chapter 1046: Something to Discuss

Got it?

Zhang Guoqing naturally could think of that.

Even without his second brother’s reminder, he would never presumptuously shove the younger generation off to Beijing; what right did he have to interfere in other people’s fate?

Not to mention that there were now repeated orders from above making it clear that no one was allowed to use the back door.

Zhang Guoqing pinched the letter and gave a self-mocking smile. In his second brother’s eyes he’d already become a complete fool!

And those kids...

Did they really think Beijing was such an easy place to live?

He hadn’t mentioned this to Zhou Jiao either; better not make his wife frown in annoyance again.

After burning the letter, Zhang Guoqing went back home.

Yes, when it came to playing mind games, his second brother was definitely a talent. This time he’d directly used someone else’s name to send the letter to his unit!

Zhang Guoqing had rather complicated feelings about this older brother, Zhang the Second.

Could you say he was affectionate?

He seemed worried that his nephews and nieces would drag him down.

Could you say he was heartless?

He also seemed very worried about the children’s future.

He was just such a contradictory person, often leaving Zhang Guoqing at a loss for words.

You could say he had selfish motives, yet he’d refused a transfer to the provincial city, preferring to stay in the county to look after their parents. And all these years, Zhang the Second had indeed not let him down; he had truly shouldered his eldest brother’s responsibilities.

Even though Zhang Guoqing wasn’t back in their hometown, he knew there were people itching to stir up trouble, only they’d long since been scared straight by being cut down and suppressed by the second brother!

"Dad, you’re not working overtime, right?"

As soon as Zhang Guoqing stepped into the living room, he saw his youngest son standing there, eyes full of expectation as he looked at him. Shaking his head with a laugh, he said, "What’s up?"

May 1st sidled up to him, hooked his arm, and grinned ingratiatingly, "I heard there’s a batch of retired military dogs lately. Heh heh, can our family adopt one?"

Zhang Guoqing looked at him in surprise. "How’d you think of getting a military dog? Weren’t you three brothers just saying you couldn’t bear to add another expense?"

"It’ll have its uses."

"Ask your mom first; I’ll go with her opinion."

"But Mom seems a bit undecided."

"Your mom’s been busy fixing up the yard lately; she has no energy to keep a pet. You’re not planning to keep it in the courtyard house, are you? That won’t do; she’d still have to make a circuit around there every day."

"Dad, you dote on your wife, but you’ve got to have some pity for your old son too..."

The moment Zhou Jiao, who’d been mentioned, brought out the dishes, she saw her fourteen-year-old youngest son still acting like a little kid, clinging to his dad’s arm and acting spoiled, and she immediately burst out laughing.

"Go call everyone to eat."

"Mom, say yes."

"We’ll talk tonight."

Zhou Jiao gave her son a meaningful smile, scaring May 1st into turning tail and running. He knew that smile all too well—wasn’t it pure and simple intimidation?

As Zhang Guoqing walked with his wife toward the kitchen, he chuckled, "My wife’s still the mighty one. But Jiao Jiao, our kids know their limits. If they really want to keep one, let them. Later we can hand the whole courtyard over to them to manage; when we get bored living here, we can go there and rest a few days."

"These are all small matters. What I’m seeing is that Liu Yi and May 1st have both stopped going to the back courtyard; they’re holding books all day long. Are they thinking of taking the college entrance exam with Ping’an?"

"We’ll ask them tonight."

After dinner, before Zhang Guoqing and Zhou Jiao could go upstairs, Liu Yi put down his chopsticks and told the elders that the three brothers had something to discuss with everyone.

Seeing everyone start signing up one after another, Zhou Xiaozheng had been waiting for them to confess early and get lenient treatment. Hearing this, he dabbed his mouth with a handkerchief and was the first to head for the study.

Ping’an narrowed his eyes. "You mean I’m old?"

May 1st immediately turned to Liu Yi and laughed gleefully.

Liu Yi shot him a sidelong glance and stabbed his younger brother in the back. "It was May 1st who said you can’t afford delays."

"Second, that’s not cool! Forget what you said? You said if big brother went to a military academy, he’d end up with no girls at all, and he’d definitely be single for life."

"Heh..." Ping’an let out a cold chuckle. "So my lifelong marital prospects are something for you two to worry about now."

May 1st immediately waved his hands tactfully. "Don’t listen to his nonsense. Who is my big brother? The line of candidates wanting to be our future sister-in-law could stretch from West Mountain all the way to Tianmen."

Ping’an was about to fire back when the corner of his eye accidentally caught the elders thoroughly enjoying the show, and he abruptly forced himself to change the subject.

"I’ll follow Dad’s path—take a place in a local university first as a national defense student."

"Then switch to Renmin University."

"Why?" May 1st immediately stared at him wide-eyed. The three brothers weren’t worried about entrance exam scores; what surprised them was that their dad was actually not recommending his own alma mater.

"There’s no big reason. Your brother doesn’t like Huaqing; back then he couldn’t stand even one night there. Don’t worry about that for now. What about you? If Liu Yi is going to a military academy, are you tagging along?"

"Dad, why do you sound so suspicious? Your old son is accomplished in both the civil and the martial. Next year’s business can wait till next year. No matter which university I go to, I’m not going this year. If I accidentally took first place, where would that leave my big brother’s face, right?"

As for his youngest son’s shamelessness, Zhang Guoqing had already given up trying to fix it. If he went into the army, he’d be a barracks rascal; if he could help it, he really didn’t want this little menace out there wreaking havoc on people.

"You’d better go into politics later; you’re best suited to wrangling with people."

Ping’an clapped decisively. "My dad’s got sharp eyes—one look and he saw May 1st’s true nature. I think the Women’s Federation is exactly where they’re short of a talent like him!"

"Big brother, you don’t have to hit that hard."

Liu Yi hurried to console him. "It’s fine; your skin’s thick."

Round and round, the three brothers were back to loving and killing each other again, sending the whole family into peals of laughter.