The ground of the quaint and heavy courtyard was covered with a thick layer of snow in late winter. Several staff members were clearing the snow. It was not the first time that Chen Xinglai had been to this courtyard where the old master of the Zhang Family lived, so he was quite familiar with it. He even had a clear idea of which places were guarded, whether openly or secretly. As he grew older, the old master of the Zhang Family became more and more reclusive. This seemingly ordinary courtyard had attracted the attention of many senior cadres.
Zhang Yi drove Chen Xing and Zhang Ningning to the entrance of the courtyard. Zhang Ningning jumped out of the car and turned to ask Zhang Yi with a smile, "Second Brother, since you haven't had lunch yet, why don't you go in together?"
"No, no, it's better if you go in with Chen Xing. Who knows if Old Master Zhang prepared something for me? If I go in later and there's nothing for me, then I'll have to stand at the side and watch you eat." Zhang Yi was half-joking. In the end, it was still because of his respect for Old Master Zhang. Sitting together to eat, even the mighty Second Young Master Zhang felt like he was sitting on pins and needles.
Zhang Yi turned and left. Zhang Ningning and Chen Xing went in together. As for Zhang Ming and Wang Zheng, they went to the airport to pick them up, but they were rebuffed. Wang Zheng didn't follow them in the end.
When the two of them were about to reach the backyard, Old Master Zhang's personal secretary, Xiao Yuan, was already waiting at the entrance. Seeing Zhang Ningning, Xiao Yuan smiled. Little Ningning was back.
Uncle Xiao, has Grandpa eaten yet? Zhang Ningning smiled and nodded. In her memory, Xiao Yuan had been her grandfather's personal secretary since they were in junior high. In the blink of an eye, more than ten years had passed. Xiao Yuan was still the same Xiao Yuan, but she had grown up.
The Bureau Chief said he would wait for you to come back for lunch. Of course, he hasn't eaten yet. Xiao Yuan said with a smile, nodding slightly at Chen Xing. Chen Xing quickly responded. Although Xiao Yuan was just a personal secretary, outside, even provincial-level cadres had to be polite to Xiao Yuan, as he represented Old Master Zhang.
In the side hall of the backyard, Old Master Zhang was already sitting at the dining table with the help of his walking stick. There were four exquisite dishes and a soup on the table. It was obvious that they had just been served. Seeing his precious granddaughter come in, Old Master Zhang smiled happily. He waved at Zhang Ningning and said with a distressed expression, "Aiya, after my precious granddaughter gets married, she won't be able to come back to eat with me often."
Grandpa, what are you talking about? Even if you get married, you can still come back. Zhang Ningning sat next to Grandpa Zhang. Chen Xing also sat down after Grandpa Zhang signaled him to.
Xiao Yuan was about to turn and leave when he saw Old Master Zhang waving his hand. "Little Xiao, there are no outsiders today. You should sit down and eat too. You and Chen Xing are both young and have common topics to talk about. You can chat more."
"Bureau Chief, this isn't a good idea." Xiao Yuan hesitated for a moment. It was obvious that he was flattered.
"There's nothing bad about it. If I say it's okay, then it's okay." Old Master Zhang didn't think much of it.
Xiao Yuan finally sat down. He looked at Chen Xing and smiled. His smile was a little strange. He was 45 years old. He couldn't be considered a young man. He could only be said to be in the prime of his life. Now that Old Master Zhang said that he was a young man like Chen Xing, Xiao Yuan felt a little strange. However, Old Master Zhang was 80 or 90 years old. It was normal for him to say that they were both young.
Old Master Zhang spoke more to his precious granddaughter. Perhaps because he was getting older, Old Master Zhang's spirit wasn't as good as Chen Xing had seen him a few years ago. After speaking too much, Old Master Zhang was obviously a little tired. Xiao Yuan, who was at the side, hurriedly reminded Old Master Zhang to speak less.
Today was a happy day. It was fine. Old Master Zhang smiled and shook his head. His face was tired, but he was still in high spirits. He talked about the wedding with Zhang Ningning. The Lunar New Year was coming. Chen Xing and Zhang Ninghai's wedding was set on the eve of the Lunar New Year. This was decided by Old Master Zhang. It was also to add a more festive atmosphere.
The meal lasted for half an hour. Old Master Zhang's daily nap time was almost up. Xiao Yuan had to remind him again. Old Master Zhang couldn't help but say jokingly, "The older you get, the less freedom you have. If you want to eat something you like and do something you like, the doctor will start nagging. You can't eat anything, you can't eat anything. You have to follow your schedule every day. When it's time to sleep, you can't do anything else. Chen Xing, don't you think your life is very tough?"
Chen Xing didn't expect Old Master Zhang to make such a joke with him in the end. He couldn't simply respond to such words, so he answered in a proper manner. The staff also hoped that Old Master Zhang could live to a ripe old age.
Live to a ripe old age. Old Master Zhang laughed self-mockingly, but didn't say anything. He was supported by Zhang Ningning and walked to the room. In the past, this was what Xiao Yuan was supposed to do. At noon, with Zhang Ningning around, Xiao Yuan was free. Walking at the back, Xiao Yuan gave Chen Xing a business card. It was a very simple business card design. On it was "Xiao Yuan" followed by his phone number. The rest was blank. There was no fancy design either. It was just an ordinary card paper. Chen Xing received the business card solemnly. This business card was very important. Serious people who didn't have the confidence preferred to hang a long list of titles on their business cards.
If there's anything, you can contact me. " Xiao Yuan smiled faintly and said this sentence.
After leaving the siheyuan at noon, Chen Xing followed Zhang Ningning to the place where his mother lived. In fact, in this siheyuan, only Old Master Zhang and a group of staff lived. The rest of the people had their own homes. The residential area where Zhang Ningning's parents lived was not too far from the siheyuan. However, with the traffic congestion in the capital, the time spent by car was not short.
Zhang Ningning's mother, Zeng Yun, was alone at home. Zhang Guohua was transferred to Jianghai Province as the governor, and her daughter was not by her side. She was the only one left in the house. Today was her daughter's return, so Zeng Yun specially went home. Otherwise, she would usually have lunch in the unit and sleep for a while in her small office during the lunch break. She would only go home at night.
Chen Xing entered the residential area and learned from Zhang Ningning that there were many family members of ministerial cadres living in this residential area. Many cadres of the Development and Reform Commission also lived here. Therefore, the security of the residential area was not property security, but guards transferred from the armed police force. The interrogation of outsiders was also relatively strict.
Chen Xing, you have been in the capital for a few days, but you didn't come to visit me first. Now you are still estranged from Auntie. In more than ten days, you will change to calling me Mom. As soon as Zeng Yun met him, she joked with Chen Xing. She knew that Chen Xing had been transferred to the Ministry of Education and arrived in the capital a few days ago.
Auntie, I have been busy getting familiar with the work these days. There are more things to do, so I didn't have time to see you. It's my fault. Chen Xing was a little embarrassed. He was not very busy, but he did forget to come and see his future mother-in-law. Although he knew that Zeng Yun was joking, Chen Xing felt a little guilty. Fortunately, this mother-in-law did not blame him.
"Okay, okay, let's not talk about this. In the future, when you are free, come to my place often. Your uncle went to Jianghai to work, so this house is much more deserted. In the future, you and Zhang Ningning often come to eat, at least make this house more lively." Zeng Yun said with a smile.
After sitting at his future mother-in-law's house for a few minutes, Chen Xing's phone rang. It was Song Zhi. The little girl pestered him for his phone number. When Chen Xing saw that it was her call, he then hung up. This little girl probably did not call him for anything good.
Chen Xing, you still have to go to work in the afternoon, right? You have just changed to a new unit. If it is something in the unit, then don't delay it. Zeng Yun saw that Chen Xing did not answer the phone, so she said considerately.
Auntie, it is not important. Chen Xing smiled and shook his head.
When it was almost time to go to work in the afternoon, Chen Xing said goodbye and left. Zhang Ningning stayed to talk with her mother. The mother and daughter still had to go shopping in the afternoon. Zeng Yun had already asked for leave from the unit. She was not very busy in the Ministry of Finance. Because of her identity, the leader also gave her special care.
Chen Xing took a taxi back to work. Song Zhi's phone had been ringing several times. Chen Xing was annoyed and picked up the phone. Hello, little girl, why do you keep calling me instead of going to class?
Well, handsome uncle, it is only half past one. It is not yet time for class. Besides, I have no class in the afternoon …
You have no class in the afternoon? I think you are skipping class again. Chen Xing obviously did not believe it.
Forget it. If you don't believe it, then so be it. Song Zhi's answer was also very straightforward. Then she said, "Handsome, don't misunderstand me. I did not mean to call you to harass you. It is that Chen Zhongwei who said he wanted to treat you to a meal. He said he offended you last night and wanted to apologize to you in person. He asked me to help him make a phone call. I could not refuse, so I had to call him."
"He wants to apologize to me?" Chen Xing smiled. "Have you solved your problem?"
"Well, I have. Chen Zhongwei, that bastard, said it was all a misunderstanding. He asked me not to even return the five thousand yuan. But I just returned the five thousand yuan to him, and he insisted that I did not want it. So I just left."
"Well, that's right. It is a different matter. It is true that you borrowed five thousand yuan from him. You have returned the money. Why did he call you? Just ignore him. Also, tell him that I am not free and that there is no need to apologize."
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