Chapter 52: Dinner

Chapter 52: Dinner

Xu Jianwen: "...No respect for elders at all."

Shao Zeyu smiled, knowing where Xu Jianli was rushing off to, but he had no intention of telling Xu Jianwen.

Hao Yanyan watched Xu Jianli dash off, feeling a bit relieved. Though Xu Jianli was young, he had a sharp tongue and never treated her kindly.

However, her mother had told her that the Xu family's second son had asthma and was a sickly child, and it was uncertain how long he would live. The Xu family would definitely belong to Xu Jianwen in the future.

Hao Yanyan was even more determined to keep this relationship going.

"Brother Jianwen, can I come over to your place to study? Even though my mother found a school for me, there are some things I just don't get."

In fact, she had never taken high school courses, so naturally, she was clueless.

She said this just to get closer to Xu Jianwen.

Xu Jianwen nodded, "Sure."

Shao Zeyu noticed their interaction.

He adjusted his glasses subtly.

...

Ye Xiaoxiao's life was quite routine, giving Zhou Ziran acupuncture every night.

After two weeks, his condition had really improved.

Though he still couldn't see clearly, Zhou Ziran could already make out the outlines of objects and the shadows moving around.

That day, Zhou Ziran was sitting in the small courtyard, soaking up the sun.

"Mr. Song's courtyard is nice, quiet and peaceful. The capital's atmosphere is getting more and more hectic."

Song Guangjing was tidying up herbs while chatting, "I've got nothing here, it can't compare to the good life in the capital."

Zhou Ziran closed his eyes, his right hand tapping his knee rhythmically: "Long confined in a cage, I return to nature."

Ye Xiaoxiao had just walked into the courtyard when she heard Old Zhou reciting poetry.

She had come over on her own today because Lu Hanchuan had left Songlin Town two days ago.

He still hadn't taken the money back; Lu Hanchuan firmly refused.

Zhou Ziran's ears perked up slightly: "Is that you, Ye girl? Why are you so early today?"

Ye Xiaoxiao set down her schoolbag and replied, "Today's a day off."

"Studying and learning medicine is tough. I'll have Xiao Li pick up a few dishes from the restaurant, and we'll have a nice meal at home."

Xiao Li was Zhou Ziran's guard, also in charge of his daily care.

Hearing Old Zhou's call, he rushed in, grabbed the money, and headed out.

Song Guangjing: "Your old leader, when Comrade Lu was around, you didn't think to treat anyone, but now that he's gone, you want to have a feast."

Zhou Ziran waved his hand, "Those young folks can take care of themselves; you don't need to stick up for them."

Ye Xiaoxiao was in the yard for a while when Ye Changyuan came running in.

"Xiao Xiao, Sheng is back."

"Really? How did Fourth Brother do in the contest?"

Ye Changyuan: "He didn't win any prizes, but he made the top 100."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "That's still great. Fourth Brother is really impressive."

Ye Changyuan often dropped by, so Zhou Ziran knew him well.

Overhearing this, Zhou Ziran asked what was happening, and Ye Changyuan explained truthfully.

"A math contest? That's where our country's future mathematicians come from. Changyuan, go get your grandpa and that student who competed. Bring them over."

Ye Changyuan scratched his head, "Isn't that a bit much?"

Zhou Ziran pretended to be unhappy, "What's wrong with that? I hear Mr. Miao's quite the respected teacher around here - a real scholar."

Song Guangjing also said, "Old Mr. Miao's got real talent with a brush. All the couplets in Songlin Town come from his hand."

Even Song Guangjing said so, making Zhou Ziran even more eager to get acquainted.

He quickly told Ye Changyuan to get moving.

Ye Changyuan had to rush home and tell his grandpa.

After thinking it over, Miao Fengshan sent Ye Changsheng over with a jar of homemade wine.

Song Guangjing: "Mr. Miao, you shouldn't have brought anything."

Miao Fengshan smiled, "It's just some homemade wine."

Zhou Ziran, who used to enjoy a drink before his health declined, was clearly tempted, "Mr. Miao, you know how to brew wine?"

Miao Fengshan: "My wife's family ran a winery. I learned a few tricks, but I can't compare to my father-in-law's skills."

The Miao family used to be well-off, but those days are long gone.

Now they just want their kids to be safe and healthy.

The guard, Xiao Li, laid out the meal inside. When Ye Xiaoxiao saw her grandfather bringing wine, she reminded, "Mr. Zhou, you know you can't drink."

Zhou Ziran: "Uh... uh..."

Song Guangjing immediately took the wine away, "Right. We'll have a drink after Mr. Zhou's gone."

Miao Fengshan: "I wasn't thinking."

Song Guangjing: "Nonsense. You thought it through just fine."

Although Zhou Ziran couldn't see clearly, his nose was still sharp. As the aroma of the wine faded, he grew anxious, "A little drink lifts the spirits. A small one couldn't hurt, could it?"

Song Guangjing: "Comrade Zhou Ziran, please follow the doctor's orders."

Zhou Ziran: "..."

At dinner, the three older men hit it off immediately, chatting away like old friends.

Zhou Ziran hadn't felt this relaxed in a long time, even eating an extra bowl of rice more than usual.

Over dinner, he asked Ye Changsheng and Ye Changyuan about their dreams.

Upon hearing that Ye Changyuan wanted to join the military, he was very supportive and even offered to help if there were any difficulties.

Ye Changsheng's goal was to get into a military academy and then excel in his field of expertise.

Zhou Ziran was deeply touched by this.

"Although the environment is remote, your ambitions move me. Strong youths make a strong nation, and I'm really happy to see how well your generation is growing up."

Song Guangjing said, "That's why Mr. Zhou needs to take care of his health, to witness the rapid changes in our country."

Zhou Ziran laughed heartily, "I hope the heavens let this old man live a few more years."

The guard, Xiao Li, was amazed to see. Since Mr. Zhou arrived here, his mood had visibly improved.

Before, he was always worried when talking about his illness, but now he's actively and positively accepting treatment.

After Ye Xiaoxiao finished giving Zhou Ziran acupuncture, she went home with her grandfather.

Since the guard Xiao Li was going to take them back to school the next morning, they could stay at her grandfather's house for the night.

Ye Xiaoxiao took the chance to hear about Ye Changsheng's time in the capital.

Ye Changsheng said, "It's not much, just training and exams with everyone.

The capital is huge, with buses, cars, skyscrapers, and people riding bikes everywhere."

Ye Changyuan was really eager to see the places Ye Changsheng described.

"I really want to go and see it."

Ye Xiaoxiao said, "Brother Yuan, aren't you planning to join the military? You'll get to the capital sooner or later."

Ye Changyuan shook his head, "That's different. Joining the military doesn't mean you'll end up in the capital. Look how remote our area is, I might end up guarding the border."

Ye Xiaoxiao didn't bring up that Lu Hanchuan had promised to help Ye Changyuan with this.

But just now at the dinner table, Mr. Zhou also said he could help, but Ye Changyuan didn't seem to take it to heart.

Ye Xiaoxiao asked in confusion.

Ye Changyuan smiled naively, "He's your patient, he was probably just joking, I can't take it seriously."