Chapter 1187: 1060: Disappointment

A military vehicle slowly decelerated and stopped not far from the gate of the Zhou Family Courtyard. Zhang Guoqing, with a briefcase tucked under his arm, got out and waved for the guard, Xiao Zhu, to drive away. There was also a Xiao Wei. These two were bodyguards forcibly assigned to him from above. At this moment, he finally understood his father-in-law’s initial impatience.

To a certain extent, as one’s status changes, freedom truly becomes increasingly scarce!

"If you desire to wear the crown, you must bear its weight."

He understood this meaning quite well.

That’s why at today’s meeting, he got so angry that he slammed the table.

He certainly knew what his actions represented.

But if he also went with the flow and turned a blind eye...

Then even if he were at the top, what meaning would it have?

Zhang Guoqing believed himself to be an ordinary man. He loved wealth and coveted power, but he would absolutely not exploit national property through authority like some others.

Having enjoyed power, isn’t it right to perform one’s duties and give back to the country? The ridiculous part is, some people still dared to reach out under his nose.

Do they really think he wouldn’t dare to cut them off?

The troubles at work, Zhang Guoqing didn’t want to bring into the family, especially as the whole family waited in the warm living room for the tardy one to dine together.

"Why didn’t you start eating first again?"

Zhou Xiaozheng signaled Aunt Chen to serve the meal, looking at his carefree, smiling son-in-law, he sighed privately, "We’ve already had some snacks, so go wash your hands and eat."

"Dad, you’re home so early today?"

Zhou Xiaozheng looked at him meaningfully, "Cleared away some obstructive stones, so I had more time."

Zhang Guoqing smiled at him.

Since even his father-in-law supported him, he’d be even more ruthless!

After dinner, the family moved to the living room.

May 1st immediately took a seat next to Zhang Guoqing, "Dad, are you feeling better now?"

Zhang Guoqing raised his eyebrows and smiled, "Seeing you makes me happy."

"Hehe... that’s good, that’s good." May 1st quickly pulled out a telegram from his pocket and handed it to him, "Da-da-da... Great news from the old home."

Zhang Guoqing glanced at his son, opened the telegram for a look.

— Shi Wenwu Miao Congcheng Jiangzhong.

"Dad, my second grandfather has already called. He said they verified that no names were missed, and they also confirmed that there was no misconduct or cheating in this local college entrance exam."

Zhang Guoqing patted his forehead, muttered something about losing face, then asked, "Who asked him to help check the scores back home?"

"Brother Xi Zi."

Zhang Guoqing’s expression immediately darkened, "He really knows how to pull strings!"

May 1st watched him, hesitated, and continued, "Dad, I said something extra today. I told my second grandfather on the phone that no matter who approaches him, he shouldn’t do anything just for my father’s sake. You won’t blame me, will you?"

"Why would I blame you?" Zhang Guoqing finished speaking and glanced at Zhou Xiaozheng and Zhou Jiao – these two were pretending to be oblivious, concentrating on a game of chess, making him roll his eyes speechlessly.

Is it that important?

"Dad, would you be disappointed? But there’s some good news I should tell you first. Although the results haven’t been announced, my second grandfather found out that Brother Shitou scored first in the county and tenth in the province."

Zhang Guoqing: "Ha, ha."

"What does that mean?" May 1st tilted his head and looked at him, "That’s an excellent score already! Not everyone can be compared to the three of us brothers."

Liu Yi pulled on his clothes, unable to watch any longer, "Dad means that since there’s already a provincial tenth, why are there others who didn’t pass under the same conditions?"

May 1st looked at him in surprise, "Is it so strange? Maybe they lack intelligence!"

Zhou Xiaozheng moved a black piece "by mistake" and looked at his daughter across the board, suppressing his laughter.

Miao Lishan praised in agreement, "Indeed, our babies manage to get first place easily, and all perfect scores. You really can’t compare!"

Ping’an covered his face with both hands, "Grandma, you can’t call us babies anymore."

"Alright, we’ll keep it for when we call your children later."

No matter how much frustration Zhang Guoqing had inside, it was all dispelled by his mother-in-law’s humor.

Although the remaining nephews and nieces all didn’t make it, which disappointed him somewhat, he had already given them the opportunity; who else could he blame for not seizing it?

"Is it because different places have different testing standards?" Miao Lishan asked curiously, "The Cheng Family and Wen Family all passed this time."

"Grandma, that’s because they were caught by my mom for intensive tutoring; otherwise, it would have been quite risky. Also, their elders are well-educated, different foundation."

"I get what you mean. It’s like you guys inherited your parents’ intelligence!"

After praising, Miao Lishan looked at her son-in-law, "Xiao Wu, how about letting them come here, and Jiao Jiao can tutor them, and they can try again next year."

Zhou Jiao looked at her father with grievances, making Zhou Xiaozheng chuckle secretly. His daughter was too amusing! He wasn’t worried at all that his son-in-law would accept this bad idea from his wife.

Sure enough...

Zhang Guoqing immediately blurted out, "Jiao Jiao’s health can’t handle it, it’s too tiring!"

Miao Lishan looked suspiciously at Zhou Jiao not far away. Was her daughter really that weak? If she wasn’t dreaming, who was it that kicked the thief flying when they went shopping last weekend?

Liu Yi chuckled softly, "Grandma, it’s not about needing my mom to tutor. My dad has already sent materials."

Zhang Guoqing also worried that his mother-in-law might suddenly get the whim to telegraph the old home. If they really came, it wouldn’t just be a problem of nephews; it could involve bringing the entire family, maybe even with babies.

"Mom, you might not be aware. I gave them three chances, and if they seized them all and really listened to my arrangements, even if they didn’t rank at the top, getting through the exam would definitely not be a problem."

The first time, Zhang Guoqing subtly hinted that the college entrance examination would resume in a few months. If the nephews met him sincerely, they would have had more time to prepare than the ordinary people.

The second time, he sent two sets of the ’Self-study Series of Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry,’ which on the black market could each cost 100 yuan.

If they had really put effort into it, not to mention anything else, with all that ample time, given the current exam difficulty, getting into a technical school would definitely not be a problem.

The third time, he personally copied a whole set of questions listed by his wife and sent them back a month before the exam via fast track.

If they had taken it seriously and completed those questions, even if they didn’t score first like Shitou in the county, they could have at least been in the top ten, right?

Miao Lishan shook her head speechlessly, "Then forget it. They’ve been given several chances, and if they didn’t take it seriously, coming here would be pointless."

Isn’t that the truth!

Opportunities were given but not cherished, or one might say individual attitudes reveal many problems, so as an uncle, why bother any further?

"How come so different for families living not far from each other?"

This answer, Zhang Guoqing genuinely had no good response for.

— Who knows?

Originally, he predicted that they would all make it, though the difference between technical college and university. Who could predict such results?