Siheyuan: The Era of Struggle

Chapter 358 Worry
Chongwenmen, He Yuanchao's home in Chuanban Hutong.

"Mom, my dad and Yuan Chao have been gone for almost two hours, why haven't they come back yet?"

As the saying goes, both the palm and the back of the hand are made of flesh. While Ma Xiufang was worried about her son Zhang Zhao's bad luck, she was also afraid that her newly pregnant daughter would get anxious and angry and something might happen.

Seeing Zhang Min staring out the window, Ma Xiufang smiled and comforted her, "Silly girl, this amount of time is not long enough. You can spend some time on the way and talk to Chen's family for a while. Three hours is not too long..."

"Three hours?"

Zhang Min turned her gaze from the window to Ma Xiufang who was sitting next to her, and interrupted her in confusion, "Isn't it just my brother's matter? It took so long to talk about it, could it be that the godmother who aided Korea is unwilling to help?"

This possibility is not impossible, but Ma Xiufang dare not make this conclusion because her old man and son-in-law have not returned yet. She is still hoping that Liu Lihua can lend a hand!

"You silly child, how can you say that? You should first say nice things before asking someone to do something for you! Although Liu Lihua is the godmother of the Korean War, she is not your biological mother after all. You still have to be careful about some things.

Besides, Yuan Chao is a man of honor. It is rare for him to ask for favors from others, so it is inevitable that he will lose face."

At this point, Ma Xiufang sighed, "It's all your bastard brother's fault, otherwise Yuan Chao wouldn't have to be in such a difficult situation."

Seeing that her mother was in a low mood, Zhang Min advised: "Mom, why are you saying this? We are a family. If something happens, shouldn't we support each other..."

Zhang Min gave her some advice, and when she saw that her mother's face had improved, she changed the subject and said:
"When you have nothing to do, call and talk to my brother. Don't just follow what my sister-in-law says. How can a deputy regimental-level cadre not have his own opinions?"

"You thought I was understating it."

After hearing what her daughter said, Ma Xiufang immediately responded with indignation, "I have never mentioned this matter on the phone, but he is such a loser. He is completely controlled by Lv Wenli and has no temper at all."

……

While the mother and the two were talking, the jeep that Zhang Lide and He Yuanchao were riding in had already returned to Chuanban Hutong.

Zhang Min had been paying attention to the noise outside. When he heard the faint sound of a car engine coming from the alley, he immediately stood up and said, "It might be my dad and Yuan Chao who are back."

As he said that, he stretched out his long legs and walked out of the house.

Seeing that her daughter was in a hurry and not paying attention at all, Ma Xiufang frowned, then quickly got up and followed her out of the house.

"Girl, slow down. No matter how anxious you are, you won't waste a little time. Hey! Watch your step! Don't fall..."

When the mother and daughter arrived at the gate, they heard someone knocking on the door "bang bang bang" outside.

Zhang Min took two steps forward, unbolted the door, and opened it. Seeing Zhang Lide and He Yuanchao standing outside, her anxious heart suddenly calmed down.

"Dad, Yuan Chao, how is the matter going?"

"Why are you so flustered? If you have something to say, go back and tell me."

Seeing that Zhang Min was not steady, Zhang Lide didn't wait for the smiling He Yuanchao to speak, but started to scold her in a bland way.

Ma Xiufang, who was standing next to Zhang Min, did not say a word. She had lived with Zhang Lide for many years and knew his temper, personality and living habits very well.

As soon as she saw his face regain its usual composure, Ma Xiufang knew that her son Zhang Zhao's matter should be fine. She finally put her mind at ease after a day's worry.

The four of them closed the door and returned to the house. As soon as they sat down, He Yuanchao told everyone about his visit to his godmother Liu Lihua's house without waiting for anyone to ask.

He did not describe the specific process, but only recounted the result of Zhang Zhao's treatment. Hearing that he was fine and just had to be transferred to civilian work, Ma Xiufang and Zhang Min instantly showed a relieved expression on their faces, and Zhang Lide frowned, but then relaxed.

He Yuanchao noticed the expressions of several people. Seeing that his father-in-law Zhang Lide seemed dissatisfied with the outcome but did not say anything, He Yuanchao pretended not to see it and picked up the teacup in front of him and started drinking the water.

Ma Xiufang waited for a while, and when she saw that Zhang Lide had a tense face and didn't want to speak, she felt a little unhappy.

The son-in-law put on a sullen face and rushed around to get the job done. It would be fine if he didn't say thank you, but who was he showing his sullen face to?

The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. At the same time, she was also afraid of discouraging He Yuanchao's feelings, so Ma Xiufang ignored what was happening in front of the younger generation and glared at Zhang Lide and said:

"What's wrong, Lao Zhang? Are you not satisfied with the result? Otherwise, you can find someone to see if there is a better result."

Zhang Lide didn't know what he was thinking at the moment. He was stunned when he heard Ma Xiufang's words of pressure.

Looking up, he saw that everyone in the room was looking at him. He didn't think much about it and continued, "This is probably the best result. I was just thinking about where to arrange for Zhang Zhao to work after he comes back!"

Upon hearing this, Ma Xiufang's anger immediately disappeared, but she still didn't look at Zhang Lide well.

"You've been looking so sullen since you entered the room. I thought Director Zhang was unhappy about this!"

While speaking, Ma Xiufang also glanced at He Yuanchao subtly.

Seeing the look in his wife's eyes, Zhang Lide immediately understood what was going on. However, he felt embarrassed to be asked to speak ill of his son-in-law, so he could only say vaguely:
"What were you thinking, you old bitch? I'm very satisfied with the outcome."

After Zhang Lide finished speaking, he turned to look at He Yuanchao and said, "Thank you for what you did for me this time, Yuanchao. When you are free someday, you can invite your godfather and godmother to get together so that I can thank them in person."

"Yes, Yuan Chao, when you go to work tomorrow, call your godmother and let's find a time for our families to get together."

Seeing that her old man finally said something pleasing to the ear, Ma Xiufang also echoed with a smile.

Although He Yuanchao didn't know whether Liu Lihua would agree, he didn't say no and agreed with a smile.

Zhang Zhao's matter was almost settled here. The family of four talked for a while about Zhang Min's pregnancy. It was getting late, so Ma Xiufang and Zhang Lide took a car back to the Ministry of Coal's staff quarters.

After washing up, the couple lay on the bed and talked for a few words, and the topic unknowingly turned to Zhang Zhao's matter.

"Lao Zhang, the army said that the person can be dealt with in a non-public manner and can be exempted from punishment, but the hole of embezzlement must be plugged. The money issue is easy to talk about, but where can we find so much food in a short period of time?"

oh~~
Zhang Lide listened to Ma Xiufang's words and sighed heavily:

"Yes! I was also worried about this at Yuan Chao's house just now. I didn't dare to tell them in front of them, for fear that the two children would get anxious and angry."

One thousand kilograms of cornmeal and two hundred kilograms of flour are not much. If it were calculated in terms of money, Zhang Lide and Ma Xiufang would not be in trouble. But at this moment, food was already in short supply. Even if they had money and tickets, it would be difficult to get food outside the plan.

After listening to Zhang Lide's words, Ma Xiufang thought for a while and said worriedly: "If it doesn't work, let's find some more food coupons and get more money to supply the troops!"

Things in the army are easy to handle, but also difficult. Zhang Lide did not agree with Ma Xiufang's wishful thinking, but he did not say anything against it.

"Let's see! I think Xiao Zhao will be able to go home early tomorrow morning. Let's give him a call and ask about the situation then!"

(End of this chapter)