Zhang Guoqing walked out of the house, managing to deal with several acquaintances along the way. He finally reached the gate, only to find that Wan Dayong and the others had already left.
"Xiao Wu, they asked you to go directly to the empty courtyard next door at the Yi Family’s."
Zhang Guoqing quickly thanked the sentry at the gate. He wasn’t in a hurry to leave, smiling warmly as he stayed a while, chatting and exchanging everyday life stories with a few sentries.
After being teased a couple of times by several elder officers coming in and out, Zhang Guoqing finally bid farewell to the sentries and left, heading towards the empty courtyard.
Zhang Guoqing’s good reputation wasn’t something he was born with. He was skilled at conversing with others, listened gladly, and never ridiculed anyone. Even if others were gossiping about outsiders, he would just smile and refrain from joining in. Over time, everyone said Zhang Xiaowu was an honest person who wouldn’t say one thing to your face and another behind your back.
Sometimes, interpersonal relationships are very important. Let’s not mention that he had left the Big Courtyard for some time, but in the blink of an eye, he seemed to know every bit of news, not to mention his travel permit seemed to be an invisible thing to him.
Soon after he started walking, the sentry at the empty courtyard’s gate saw him and pointed in the direction of the Yi Family with a laugh, telling him to go in quickly as several people were waiting for him.
When Zhang Guoqing left, he still needed to answer the sentry’s questions. During this trip back to the Northeast, it’s estimated that the whole street of Big Courtyards got the news.
Speaking of Yi Family of Yi Jiefang, they are relatives with the Yi Family of the smiling fox. Yi Jiefang’s father even has to call Mr. Yi "uncle." It’s said that the two families are close relatives within five branches.
Zhou Jiao once analyzed that back then, Mr. Yi must have brought his own relatives with him when fighting against the little devils, otherwise, Eldest Yi’s father couldn’t have become the deputy chief of staff of the air force.
The Yi Family also lived in a small courtyard, with conditions not as good as the Zhou Family, but not bad either. Above Yi Jiefang, there were two older brothers and one sister. The eldest daughter of the Yi Family was married early and stayed in her hometown in the South; Eldest Yi joined the army before liberation, got married, and had children and is now living separately outside.
Yi the Second hadn’t reached liberation before he was sent to Heaven by the little devils, which is a sad story for the Yi Family. As a result, the youngest, Yi Jiefang, was pampered growing up and was exempted from the path of the military. After being admitted to university, he followed his own whims even more.
Contrary to the Zhou Family, the decision-maker in the Yi Family was Mrs. Yi. Being the daughter of a professor, she received a new-style education and was once a passionate activist. After giving birth to her children, she independently raised a few kids at the rear; now she works at the women’s federation, just like Lin Family’s eldest daughter-in-law, Chen Jingru.
When Zhang Guoqing arrived at the Yi Family, besides Mr. Yi who was busy outside, Mrs. Yi was in the living room listening to the radio and knitting a sweater.
As soon as she saw Zhang Guoqing, she happily pointed to the right wing room and casually asked if it was cold for the young couple going to the Northeast, why they didn’t bring their parents along.
Hearing such questions again, Zhang Guoqing was secretly glad he wasn’t someone of great importance, otherwise, his whereabouts would have been exposed.
He smiled helplessly, "The weather at the hometown is colder than here. Right now, it’s just perfect for staying inside all winter, they just don’t want to go out in the big winter."
Mrs. Yi nodded understandingly and said, "Old folks don’t like to move around. In the future, you two will be in Beijing, and they will have plenty of chances to come over."
After speaking, she laughed and said, "Go on, you young people play together, I won’t disturb you old lady."
Zhang Guoqing chuckled and replied, "Aunt, you can’t call yourself an old lady. With you saying it like that, those aunts might rush to find a tofu block to bump into."
Mrs. Yi was amused by him, laughing heartily and waving her hand, "Old already, my grandson is about to become a young man."
Zhang Guoqing continued while walking, "Someday if you go out with Jiefang, people will surely say you’re siblings."
Mrs. Yi was delighted and laughed, "You naughty boy, teasing your aunt. Go on, keep teasing, and I’ll become a young lady."
Zhang Guoqing entered Yi Jiefang’s room, still hearing Mrs. Yi’s joyful laughter. Indeed, no woman ever thinks she’s old; it’s sure to be a hit every time.
"Brother, you didn’t come empty-handed, did you?"
"Mm-hmm, I really came empty-handed. Why? Not welcoming? Then I’ll leave." After saying this, Zhang Guoqing deliberately lifted his right leg to leave.

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