"Xiao Wu... Xiao Wu..."
Zhang Guoqing had just finished lunch when he heard Yi Jiefang’s loud voice, accompanied by the footsteps of several others. He quickly went out to the living room.
Watching his buddies run over under the blazing sun, he raised an eyebrow and teased, "Chased by dogs? Didn’t you say this morning you weren’t coming today? What’s this performance about?"
Yi Jiefang rolled his eyes and pointed at the west wing.
Zhang Guoqing smiled and nodded.
Wan Dayong wiped his sweat and said fiercely, "Who knows what kind of performance Da Yi is putting on. As soon as he ran over, he told us to gather here first."
Ding Datou immediately added, "If there’s no reasonable explanation, watch out, buddy!"
Geng Dasheng closely followed Yi Jiefang inside and didn’t forget to turn and say to Zhang Guoqing, "Xiao Wu, fix us something to quench our thirst."
"Yeah, where’s your wife? Tell her to make that shaved ice from last time."
"Brother Dayong, run fast..."
Zhang Guoqing watched with mixed feelings as the chatting crowd slipped into the west wing, shook his head, and resignedly took a knife, went to the well, and brought the remaining half watermelon into the west wing.
"Jiao Jiao went to her aunt’s, make do with this for now. Sorry, guys."
Wan Dayong looked at his half-smiling and half-serious expression and shivered, "No! It’s creepy, talk properly. Why didn’t you follow your wife over there today?"
Ding Datou chimed in, "Do you even need to ask? Of course, he was ditched."
Geng Dasheng immediately added fuel to the fire, "Who told him to cling to his wife every time she comes back?"
Yi Jiefang laughed heartily. Serves him right!
Zhou Guoqing looked speechlessly at these teasing friends, "Guys, can’t we just have fun together?"
"You, prioritizing love over friends, still want to have fun! Be honest, how much stock do you have left?" Wan Dayong said with a double meaning, then provocatively glanced at his lower half.
"There should be quite a bit left, Xiao Wu, give your brother some good food."
Upon hearing this, Wan Dayong kicked Yi Jiefang and cursed under his breath, "Serves you right, you rookie!"
"Gentlemen speak without using fists." Yi Jiefang snatched a slice of watermelon and quickly jumped away, shouting.
Zhang Guoqing wasn’t fond of others joking about his and his wife’s personal affairs. He shifted the topic, asking, "Does Da Yi have any plans?"
Hearing this, everyone’s eyes immediately fixed on Yi Jiefang.
Yi Jiefang slowly enjoyed his watermelon, spat out the seeds, and when he saw they were getting impatient, finally said, "I’m going back to my hometown these days, want me to book tickets for you all?"
"With about half a month until school starts, is there enough time for a round trip?"
"No money! Not going!"
"Don’t bother going either."
As Zhang Guoqing listened to their discussions, seeing Yi Jiefang looking at him, he shook his head. Fortunately, Zhou Jiao hadn’t had the chance to mention the plan to go south, otherwise, Yi Jiefang would have scolded them severely.
"You’re really not going?"
Zhang Guoqing suggested, "Why not go back home for the winter holidays? Even if you go now, you’d only be able to stay with your grandparents for a day or two before rushing back."
Yi Jiefang hesitated for a moment, then nodded and said, "Alright. If you guys aren’t going, I’ll forget it too, and let my big brother go back by himself."
Zhang Guoqing was secretly pleased. If things go smoothly, he could accompany him to the South by the end of the year. Having a local contact would make things much easier.
To reward his brothers, he said with a smile, "I’m going back to my hometown in a few days, you guys coming?"
To his surprise, everyone shook their heads. He curiously asked, "Why? Do you guys have other plans?"
It was Geng Dasheng who told the truth, "We asked our friends from the Northeast, and there, it’s tough to even find some meat now; most of the mountain has been harvested. It’s a wasted trip, and the travel expenses are enough for a few restaurant visits."
Zhang Guoqing didn’t insist since the travel costs for a round trip weren’t cheap, the last time they could still take the military train. Even if he covered the fare this time, they wouldn’t agree.

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