"We are like mythical horses with twin wings,
galloping across the prairie,
ah...
The prairie stretches for a thousand miles with rolling green waves,
The water is rich, cattle and sheep are strong,
Goodbye, green prairie,
Goodbye, beautiful hometown,
ah...
For lofty ideals, flying like swallows..."
With loud singing of a prairie morning song, the group boarded a military truck and set off on the road back to the Beihai River. No matter how delightful and free the days were, they still had to leave.
This time, not to mention how much private goods Zhang Guoqing and Zhou Jiao had accumulated, even the packages Old Mrs. Cheng sent to the Northwest were numerous, and Aunt Sun had also bought quite a few things.
Especially Yi Jiefang, sitting in the car at this moment, couldn’t stop grinning. Oh, a few days ago he lost quite a bit of money with Da Yong and them, but it seems like it’s coming back now.
"Uncle, when will you come again next time?"
Yi Jiefang patted his little nephew’s forehead, "We just left and you’re already thinking about the next time? The things sent to your dad should last you brothers for half a year."
The ten-year-old child, with a head like a little tiger, rubbed his forehead, "Hehe... I already agreed with Ping’an, you must take me next time."
Yi Jiefang nodded upon hearing this. He wished for his nephew to befriend Ping’an and learn some of those clever little tricks.
"You can’t sleep in anymore once you go back, see how Ping’an is younger but gets up earlier than you every day, you should join the morning exercises at home, okay?"
The little one, who was just impressed by his friend, smirked, "I’ve already practiced two days of horse stance, soon I’ll be able to hunt too. Uncle, just wait for me to show my filial piety."
Yi Jiefang laughed heartily, "Alright, first catch some meat and we’ll talk."
"Uncle, you can’t keep undermining my confidence!"
On the side, Zhang Guoqing listened to the child calling "Uncle" with every sentence, and thought about his own nephews. He wondered how much Xi Zi had grown after a year of college, and about those other little rascals?
Arriving at Beihai River that night, after a family reunion, the couple received unexpected news.
In the study, Zhou Jiao blinked, "Dad, you mean Uncle is stepping down to a secondary role instead of retiring?"
Zhou Xiaozheng curved his lips and nodded with a faint smile.
"So who’s taking over his position?"
"It’s a succession."
After saying this, father and daughter exchanged smiles.
Zhang Guoqing, nearby, sighed, "This is different from what he said before, seems like he left some room. This way is also good, without real power, he can have more leisure."
No matter how close the Zhou and Cheng Families are, in the end, you still have to rely on yourself. After saying this, Zhou Xiaozheng didn’t want to mention it anymore, and talked about other matters.
"I originally planned for your mom to return to the city with you the day after tomorrow, but there is a last-minute change." Zhou Xiaozheng looked at his daughter with a smile, "The old commander mentioned you a few days ago, saying now that you have finally graduated, you need to work harder and contribute more to the country."
Zhou Jiao paused in surprise.
Seeing her son-in-law equally stunned, Zhou Xiaozheng initially wanted to tease these two children, but after thinking it over, he decided not to scare them.
"Dad, Mom, do you want to talk to your brothers?"
"What are the brothers doing now?"
"The twins are fussing about wanting to go out and play; Great-grandma and Grandma just took them to the beach. I heard the phone ring as I was heading out and ran back. Should I run out and call them?"
Zhou Jiao glanced at her watch, "No need, just tell Grandpa and Grandma we’ve arrived home safely. If the brothers cry tonight, call the home phone."
"Okay."
"Then Mom will hang up now."
After hanging up the phone, feeling relieved, the couple realized that the days of having everything done for them were over, and they’d have to prepare dinner themselves.
Considering they had to work the next day, after a simple dinner, they didn’t go out for a stroll and instead took the letters they received while away back to their room.
In the study, Zhang Guoqing held Zhou Jiao’s hand, "Come, I’ll show you something good."
Zhou Jiao saw him pulling her to the bedroom, rolled her eyes in mock exasperation. But when she got inside and saw him let go and unpack the luggage, her face flushed instantly.
Under the light, Zhang Guoqing turned around to see her and burst into laughter, teasing her with winks and eyebrows.
After Zhou Jiao playfully punched him several times, he finally stopped laughing and took a Su-produced camera out from under the clothes, "Bought everything from the Chengwei Commissioned Merchant."
Zhou Jiao stepped to the kang without asking why and took out a pair of Snow Plum Porcelain Jars from the space. This pair, with a round shape and high porcelain, was elegant and very beautiful.
Seeing this, Zhang Guoqing hurriedly stopped her; if his wife took out everything, they wouldn’t sleep tonight. He shook his head and laughed, "These were chosen by our sons and given to me."
Zhou Jiao blinked, thoughtfully taking out all the items the twins selected at various commission shops that day.

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