freenovelworld Chapter 167 Some Regret
Chapter 167 Some Regret
After taking his pulse, Zhang Jianjun didn't prescribe a remedy. Instead, he wrote down some ingredients mixed with a few Chinese herbs. "Eat these dishes once a week for a month, and you'll be almost fully recovered. Before drinking next time, eat some dried Qingming fruit; it can effectively reduce the alcohol fumes!"
Chen Lixin was both confused and impressed, "You've actually incorporated the medicine into the food?"
"It's been said since ancient times that food therapy is worse than medicine! Adjusting your diet can sometimes be more effective than taking medicine! It's just that conditions in the old society didn't allow for that, otherwise dietary medicine would have developed long ago." Zhang Jianjun didn't take credit for it; this wasn't his invention.
Chen Lixin put away the recipes and got down to business, "Xiaojun, do you know those Hong Kong businessmen?"
Zhang Jianjun recounted the Hong Kong businessman's despicable intentions, "So, Uncle Chen, I've come here to ask you for a favor. Could you help me contact a publisher? I want to publish that novel."
"Oh? Can I see what you wrote?" Chen Lixin was very curious. Just what kind of genius was this kid?
Zhang Jianjun had nothing to hide, so he picked out his article, "The Tragic Life of Zhao Qiqi," from Chen Lixin's newspaper cabinet.
Chen Lixin read a few paragraphs. The writing style and plot were very engaging, and the concept was novel—truly a good article! However, why was the child born in 1966 or 1967 named Zhao Qiqi? Why not Zhao Liuqi?
"I'll look into it for you and give you an answer as soon as possible!" That's the habit of politicians—not to make any promises they can't keep.
But Zhang Jianjun understood, "Thank you, Uncle Chen!"
That evening, Zhang Jianjun indeed went to Chen Lixin's house for dinner. This was not only Chen Lixin demonstrating his attitude, but also Zhang Jianjun indicating that he had accepted Chen Lixin's signal.
It's an unspoken understanding.
As for Chen Lixin's wife, she does indeed like Zhang Jianjun very much, almost like an aunt doting on her nephew.
…………
The results of the National College Entrance Examination (Gaokao) are out!
Qi Weimin missed out on the top scorer title. His teacher said he was only three points short! It's truly a pity.
This was somewhat within Zhang Jianjun's expectations! Qi Weimin had been preoccupied with too much energy because of Qi Zhiqiang's matter. The competition for the top scorer was fierce, and every second counted! Moreover, Qi Weimin had missed the crucial years of his junior and senior years of high school.
However, Qi Weimin didn't know he was originally capable of achieving the top score in the exam, so he didn't experience much of a psychological letdown. As long as he could get into the university he chose, that was enough! It was like the "no-failing-a-course mentality"—every extra point was a waste.
Even though Qi Weimin wasted time, his final exam score was still much higher than Qiao Yicheng's.
Qiao Yicheng didn't care about that. He hadn't lost his mother; Qiao Yicheng was still a treasure! He didn't need to compare himself to Qi Weimin, even though Qi Weimin had a good father, he had a good mother! He wasn't at a disadvantage!
Qiao Yicheng disliked his second aunt, thinking she was too snobbish and greedy.
A few days later, the two of them received their acceptance letters one after another.
The two applied to the same university and will become alumni!
Wei Shuying was overjoyed. That very evening, after receiving the admission notice, she pulled Qiao Yicheng aside and discussed holding a grand celebration to let all the neighbors see!
Wei Shufang shared the same idea. True to their sisterly bond, they even chose the same day.
Zhang Jianjun was now in a dilemma, because both families had invited him.
In the end, she still went to Qiao Yicheng's party, and as for Qi Weimin's party, she decided to have her mother go in her place.
This is the time to announce good news. When there's happy news, you announce it. When the news arrives, it's essentially an invitation. Invitations are made on a family basis, meaning your whole family can come, or just one representative can come. The monetary gift is the same.
"Brother Yicheng! Congratulations!" Zhang Jianjun pushed over a brand new bicycle.
He had already spoken with Wei Shuying, and the old bicycle would be given to Qiao Erqiang to ride.
Wei Shuying knew she couldn't change Zhang Jianjun's words or decisions, so she could only make a note of it and let Qiao Yicheng repay the favor later. However, the debt was quite large, so Qiao Yicheng might have a hard time repaying it.
Qiao Yicheng originally didn't want it, but Zhang Jianjun insisted, and Wei Shuying also said, "Take it," so Qiao Yicheng took the handlebars.
Giving Qiao Yicheng a bicycle was a way of encouraging him to come home more often. It wasn't for his three younger siblings, but for Wei Shuying's sake.
Over the past decade or so, Zhang Jianjun feels he has grown accustomed to this lifestyle and is quite happy. Material conditions do not determine happiness; what brings happiness is contentment!
Zhang Jianjun didn't want to ruin this painting. Wei Shuying was the scroll of this painting. If Qiao Yicheng didn't come home, the scroll would become a hollow scroll!
Zhang Jianjun didn't send anything to Qi Weimin's side; like his neighbors, he gave a monetary gift. Wu Fenglan, knowing Qi Zhiqiang's family situation, discussed it with Zhang Jianjun and gave a larger gift.
Qi Zhiqiang's illness shows no signs of recurrence, but the latest recurrence time is about five years, so continued observation is still needed.
It was quite late when they left Wei Shuying's house. After all the guests had left, Zhang Jianjun helped Wei Shuying clean up the mess. The Qiao siblings also pitched in to help, and even Qiao Simei joined in willingly.
Wei Shuying did not refuse Zhang Jianjun's help, as if she really treated him like her own child, without noticing anything amiss.
Fortunately, there weren't many tables, only three. It was just a graduation banquet, so the invitation pool was much smaller than for a wedding.
When Zhang Jianjun left Wei Shuying's house, he saw Qiao Zuwang.
He stood under the streetlights, not getting any closer, just standing there.
Ignoring Qiao Zuwang, Zhang Jianjun turned and went back to his home.
Qiao Zuwang came to see Qiao Yicheng. He was actually quite happy to hear that Qiao Yicheng had been admitted to university. Of course, the source of this happiness might be that Qiao Zuwang could brag to others that his son had been admitted to university, which would make him look better in front of his friends and colleagues.
After hesitating for a long time, Qiao Zuwang finally knocked on Wei Shuying's door.
Wei Shuying was very surprised to see Qiao Zuwang. "Why are you here?"
Qiao Zuwang, however, became self-righteous and deliberately raised his voice, "My son got into university, why can't I come?"
"My son has been awarded to me!" Wei Shuying emphasized that she would not be ambiguous about the custody of her son.
Qiao Yicheng heard the noise and came out. "What are you doing here?"
When Qiao Zuwang beat Wei Shuying, Qiao Yicheng was already quite old. Wei Shuying was severely beaten, and Qiao Yicheng would never forget her pitiful cries of pain in the room! Moreover, after the divorce, Qiao Zuwang neglected his four children, and Qiao Yicheng really didn't want to call him "Dad."
Qiao Zuwang suddenly became amiable. "Yicheng! I heard you got into university. I'm so happy!" He then took out a watch from his pocket, a Shanghai brand, and handed it to Qiao Yicheng.
"I bought a watch from an auction house. I've tried it out, and it keeps pretty accurate time. I just need to wind it up every day!"
Qiao Yicheng neither answered nor spoke.
The air suddenly seemed to freeze.
Qiao Zuwang's hand, which was raised in mid-air, trembled slightly.
In the end, Qiao Yicheng did not want the watch. Although he also longed for his father's love, Qiao Zuwang gave him not only love, but also pain!
Qiao Zuwang left, his departing figure looking somewhat forlorn.
Wei Shuying closed the door and looked at her son, who was half a head taller than her, and hugged him with heartache. Qiao Yicheng put his head on Wei Shuying's shoulder. Since starting junior high school, the mother and son had not had any close contact, but this warm embrace still made Qiao Yicheng very fond of it.
The next day, Qiao Zuwang was bruised and swollen again. It was said that he had exchanged a few words with his new wife, Han Shengjiao, and was beaten up again...