The two families chatted for a long time; it was time to make dinner.
Father Huang had just stood up to say goodbye when he heard Zhang Guoqing’s voice outside.
He smiled at Mr. Zhang, "Your youngest son is chasing after you."
"Mom and Dad, why didn’t you wait for me to come back? Oh wow, it’s rare to have you here. Uncle Huang, Auntie, it’s been a long time since we’ve seen you. Stay a few days this time at my sister-in-law’s place. My parents can come back with me."
Father Huang looked at the smiling Zhang Guoqing and said, "No way. I’m staying at your Second Brother Huang’s house. Whether your parents go back with you depends on how you handle it."
Huang Cuilan chimed in, "Xiao Wu, let your parents stay at home. Big Brother misses them."
As soon as she finished speaking, everyone burst into laughter.
Zhang Guoqing shook his head with a laugh and said, "My big brother is just like my second brother. They’re so old and still miss their parents; it’s like they’re toddlers."
"Why are you here, leaving work so early?"
Zhang Guoqing sat down next to his mom and casually placed a package at his feet, "I figured you and Dad would slip away. I went home and Jiao Jiao said you left early, no buses today, and she didn’t know if you’d arrived. I came to check. Mom, alright, I won’t drag you and Dad back yet, but in a day or two, you should come home for a visit."
Mother Zhang nodded with a smile. She knew her youngest son was worried they’d be hungry.
Father Huang gave his wife a look to urge her to leave. Seeing her unwilling expression, he quickly said to Mr. Zhang, "In-law, we’re leaving first. Tomorrow, we’ll sit at my second son’s place."
"Why leave so early? Eat before you go."
"No, thank you. Xiao Wu remember to visit your Second Brother Huang when you’re free."
Zhang Guoqing stood up and saw them out the door, "Definitely. Uncle Huang, come by often; my parents are not familiar here."
Watching Mr. Zhang and the group leave the yard, Zhang Guoqing quickly picked up his things and pulled Mother Zhang into the east room.
Mother Zhang didn’t have time to ask what was going on.
Mr. Zhang gave him a light kick, "Hurry back. Remember to hide the wine in my room. I said to bring it, but your mom insisted there’s some here not to bring. Can wine be compared with wine?"
Zhang Guoqing looked at Mother Zhang. Internal communication needs to be good, otherwise, things could get out of hand.
Mother Zhang shook her head and laughed, "Your dad knows there are many prying eyes here. Don’t bring it over, save it for him to drink when he goes back."
"Dad was talking about that jar of wine, wasn’t he? Isn’t it that rare ginseng. Then I better pour it into a bottle to bring to Dad, or else Second Brother will drink it all secretly. Dad, Grandpa Wang’s good wine will be ready by year-end; don’t worry about not having wine to drink."
Mr. Zhang ignored Mother Zhang’s signaling and smiled, "Don’t send anything over here; it’s not peaceful. Look at your mom, she’s satisfied. Dad and Mom will head back in two or three days. Remember to tell Jiao Jiao, many villages now are drinking thin porridge."
Zhang Guoqing nodded, "I’ll tell her; she knows what to do."
After finishing the conversation, he had no intention of leaving yet; he wanted to see what Huang Cuilan prepared for dinner for his parents.
If it wasn’t to his satisfaction, he still had ways to have his parents come with him. Just as Zhou Jiao said, such good parents would be struck by retribution if not honored.

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