Chapter 871: Chapter 744: The So-Called Plan

At the same time, Zhou Xiaozheng had dinner at the Cheng Family, accompanying Mr. Cheng and his son chatting leisurely around the stove in the study.

The conversation gradually turned to Zhang Guoqing and Zhou Jiao’s post-graduation plans.

"Time flies quickly. By the second half of the year, they’ll intern at their units, and by this time next year, their assignments will be finalized."

Zhou Xiaozheng nodded upon hearing Mr. Cheng’s words.

Cheng Sijin muttered: "Brother, why are you nodding? You need to watch closely, pay more attention. Not just our Jiao Jiao, even Xiao Wu’s issue is no small matter. He’s in cadre transfer. I heard Old Wu from the Western Urban Weapons Department say in front of me that Xiao Wu is part of their system."

Zhou Xiaozheng shook his head with a smile, pouring hot water for Cheng Sijin.

Mr. Cheng prompted his son: "No matter how much Xiao Wu says, it doesn’t matter. Everyone must obey the assignment. The key is what your big brother plans?"

Zhou Xiaozheng shook his head: "It depends on the higher-ups’ decision, following the kids’ interests. Old Wu, considering my influence, won’t insist. He also knows Beijing is not like a Northeast County; working in the weapons department is flawed for non-active military personnel, with little room for advancement."

Cheng Sijin frowned upon hearing this, disapprovingly watching Zhou Xiaozheng: "So, you mean letting the kids mess around? If you don’t intervene, they may be assigned to places outside the city. Don’t regret it!"

Zhou Xiaozheng glanced at him, curled his lips with a good mood: "Then what do you suggest?"

Mr. Cheng looked at him, then his son, blew on the floating tea leaves, sighing quietly at the gap between the two.

"Brother..."

Zhou Xiaozheng cast a sideways glance at him: "Why are you in such a rush? We still have a year, what’s the hurry?"

"I arranged the future path for my eldest when he was in high school. Unlike this restless Xiao Wu, it would have been better to directly attend a military academy and graduate as a lieutenant."

Lieutenant? How rare! Zhou Xiaozheng gently smiled, raised his teacup, tapped the tea lid lightly against the rim, blew softly, took a sip, then leisurely placed the cup back on the table.

— There are some matters about the two children that can’t be disclosed yet, no matter how close the relationship. He doesn’t want to reveal anything before the final step.

As Zhou Xiaozheng remained calm, radiating an indescribable aura, Cheng Sijin gradually eased his anxiety and picked up his teacup.

Mr. Cheng admired Zhou Xiaozheng—having shed the arrogance of youth, the child grew increasingly reserved.

Brother Jinyu used to brew tea with a smile, saying tea is like life, enlightenment brings understanding. Those memories seem vivid as if true legacy exists.

Old Mrs. Cheng, seeing time was late, knocked on the door and entered, noticing the three quietly drinking tea, she smiled: "Don’t drink too much or you won’t sleep."

She pointed to the study’s clock, "Are you done chatting? If so, I’d like to visit Mother of Xiao Wu with Xiao Zheng."

Zhou Xiaozheng, supporting her, hurriedly refused: "No, it’s too cold and slippery now. Let’s go in the morning."

"You don’t understand. Mother of Xiao Wu is here, as elders, we should visit. Waiting for them to call tomorrow isn’t right, and we need to check our Jiao Jiao won’t be too tired."

Mr. Cheng stood up: "With your old arms and legs, I’ll go with you."

"No, definitely don’t. No matter what, we are a generation senior, if us two old folks visit, Mother of Xiao Wu might feel uncomfortable. Wait for next time when Father of Xiao Wu visits, then I’ll take you."

As they talked, they exited the study. Liu Xiu, the eldest daughter-in-law of the Cheng Family knitting sweaters in the living room, immediately set aside her work and greeted them.

"Dad, I’ll accompany mom."

Mr. Cheng had no objections now. Among womanfolk, his daughter-in-law going suited well. He nodded with a smile, reminding them to be careful on the road.

Watching the housekeeper carrying a basket of frozen pears and persimmons leave with the daughter-in-law duo, father and son returned to the living room to sit.

Mr. Cheng looked at his eldest son: "Your cousin has excellent training in qigong, you should learn more."

"My big brother becomes increasingly cautious now. Dad, is he going to the grassroots tomorrow to avoid household relatives and womanfolk?"

Mr. Cheng nodded slightly.

It’s only now, in old households, such casualness was absent; the Zhou Family especially held rules dear. He still remembers good brothers never entering his in-laws’ inner courtyard, much less other families.

He mildly wondered why Mother Zhang didn’t understand etiquette, bringing two young daughters-in-law to Beijing.

Mr. Cheng lamented: "Times have changed, rules have altered."

Cheng Sijin mischievously said: "If mom heard this, she’d sure comment on you."

"Such words are only between us father and son at home. Sigh... Last time someone mentioned this, I didn’t dare to echo. Truly, ancestral practices can’t endure. Our Cheng Family ran private schools for generations, emphasizing rules, ultimately we forsake ancestral teachings. Neither knowing right nor wrong?"

Cheng Sijin couldn’t bear his father’s melancholy, immediately shifting the topic: "Dad, do you think brother confidently arranged Xiao Wu’s future?"

Mr. Cheng rarely indulged nostalgia; interrupted by his son, he glared at him unhappily: "What do you think? I just reminded him to be timely, yet here you are without certainty, would you casually announce to people?"

Cheng Sijin, undeterred by reproach, smiled at his father: "So, brother prepared everything, awaiting the final move."

"It’s not a single move, he has multiple plans. Consider how many units Zhang Guoqing interned at over these years? Their family won’t settle until the final move is secure."

"What about Jiao Jiao? She’s brother’s only daughter, hasn’t interned at many places; besides the South trip, I recall her staying home, rarely stepping out."

Mr. Cheng smiled mysteriously: "That girl’s been noted up there, needn’t worry. Remember her multiple-month internship last year? Silly son!"

"Was that really a secret overseas assignment?"

Mr. Cheng shook his head: "Unspeakable, unspeakable, saying it ruins it. See how that girl never gains weight, only grows in wit. Likely, she’s assured wherever she goes."

Father and son discussing the clever Zhou Jiao felt helpless. Some matters can’t be solved by intelligence alone; concerning interpersonal complexity, she was blind.

In the East Wing bedroom, Mother Zhang secretly shared Mr. Zhang’s thoughts with the elder daughter-in-law while the two daughters-in-law and niece chatted in the living room with Lin Lishan.

Upon hearing, Zhou Jiao smiled outwardly, inwardly troubled. How could she suppress the sister-in-laws’ wary thoughts? They came from afar to visit a pregnant sister-in-law; was it appropriate to counter them? Moreover, so-called sister-in-laws had little bearing on her.

"Your father said you and Xiao Wu surely know his intention. So this time, don’t say the courtyard is ready or invite us over. Let them know your dad’s a big official, yet you struggle. Show them the formidable old women in the courtyard..."

"...Now suppress their wariness, preventing future chaos for the family. Let them know despite your dad’s status, many higher officials press, rendering you powerless. Thus, they’d behave, won’t assume with Xiao Wu here, no matter the trouble."

Listening to the mother-in-law chatter for a while, Zhou Jiao understood the elder was considering Old Zhang’s future, alleviating risks for the couple, despite inappropriate plans, she couldn’t blame.

Zhou Jiao smilingly accepted the so-called education plan, wondering implementation? Showing them external dangers, realizing sky’s vastness and earth’s depth, seemed interesting.