Siheyuan: The Era of Struggle

Chapter 386 Revealing the Truth

Zhang Lide found it somewhat amusing that He Yuanchao was acting so mysteriously about this matter, but he didn't show it on his face.

"I'll persuade your mother the same way you persuaded me."

Hearing this reply, He Yuanchao felt it was a bit far-fetched. When did he ever persuade Zhang Lide to agree to Zhang Zhao's divorce? That was just an excuse. Wasn't this wronging an innocent person?

Zhang Lide seemed to have seen through He Yuanchao's thoughts, but he didn't explain much. He just smiled and said "Dongdong" before pushing open the door and entering the house.

Upon hearing this, He Yuanchao immediately understood that his mother-in-law was being manipulated by her grandson.

Even after washing up and lying in bed, he was still lamenting that children are all a burden; he had to take care of the children he raised and also worry about the grandchildren of his grandparents.

At this time, the one-child policy was still far off. Thinking that he might have a bunch of children in the future and have to worry about their growth, studies, work, marriage and having children, He Yuanchao couldn't help but feel a headache.

Children and grandchildren have their own blessings; don't be a beast of burden for them.

He vaguely thought of this sentence before falling asleep, and only then did he feel a little calmer.

……

The next morning, after breakfast, the three of them drove to Zhang Zhao's father-in-law's house.

Zhang Zhao's father-in-law and mother-in-law were even more enthusiastic than yesterday. The two of them went to the front door to greet them, and while leading them into the house, they politely asked, "Why didn't you come to stay at our house last night..."

Perhaps because of Zhang Lide's arrival, everyone in the Lü family except Lü Wenliang was there. Even Zhang Dongdong, who was in school, took leave. This made the little guy very excited, wishing that this grandfather he had never met would come every day.

Zhang Zhao was still the same as yesterday. When Zhang Lide and He Yuanchao entered the room, he sat down in a chair with a long face and didn't say a word, as if someone owed him money.

It was Lü Wenli's first time meeting her father-in-law, and she was a little reserved. She called him "Dad" and greeted He Yuanchao before picking up the thermos and tea to get busy.

Children don't hide their love and hate. Ever since Zhang Lide entered the room, Zhang Dongdong has been sticking to his side like a piece of chewing gum, asking him all sorts of questions.

"Grandpa, I've heard Kyoto is very big. What's fun to do there?"

"Of course there are, and there are many more."

This was Zhang Lide's first time seeing his grandson, and he was naturally overjoyed. He stroked Zhang Dongdong's hair patiently and said:

"There are many fun places, such as Tiananmen Square, the Summer Palace, the Great Wall, the Xijiao Zoo, and the children's playground inside Chongwenmen South City Wall. Dongdong, would you like to go?"

Zhang Dongdong looked longingly at the answer and replied without hesitation, "I want to go, I really want to go."

After saying that, she glanced at Zhang Zhao sitting by the door with a stern face and said with a disappointed look, "It's a pity I can't go. My parents said you and Grandma are too busy with work and don't want them to go. If my parents don't go, I can't go by myself either. Sigh!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhang Zhao and Lü Wenli couldn't help but show embarrassed expressions.

Seeing this, Zhang Zhao's mother-in-law quickly tried to smooth things over for the two of them, saying, "These are just things to fool the children, father-in-law, please don't take them to heart."

Lu Zhenbang chimed in, "Dongdong keeps saying he wants to go to Kyoto, but Xiao Zhao and Wenli both have jobs and don't have time, so they had to make up this excuse."

He Yuanchao was there to watch the drama unfold. After greeting the Lü family members upon entering the house, he remained silent, sitting in his chair and slowly sipping his tea.

Zhang Lide came with the intention of breaking ties with the Lü family. Either Zhang Zhao would divorce him, or his grandson and his family would return to Kyoto with him. There was no room for negotiation.

He ignored Lu Zhenbang and his wife, looked at his worried grandson and found him particularly adorable, and laughed heartily:

“It’s okay. Even if Grandpa and Grandma are busy, they’ll still have time to take Dongdong out to play. Grandpa will take you to Kyoto with him when he leaves this time.” “Really?” Zhang Dongdong’s eyes widened, and he asked incredulously.

"Of course it's true, Grandpa wouldn't lie to you."

Upon receiving Zhang Lide's affirmation, Zhang Dongdong's face flushed with excitement, and she kept shouting, "We're going to Kyoto! We're going to Kyoto!"

The grandfather and grandson chatted and laughed for a while. When Zhang Lide saw that it was almost time, he took out a yuan from his pocket and handed it to Zhang Dongdong, saying, "Grandpa has to talk to your maternal grandpa and the others about something. Take this money and go out and play for a while."

"Hmph! I'm a big kid now, what can't I hear?"

Zhang Dongdong said this, but he was quick to take the money. After receiving the money, he didn't forget to make a face at Zhang Lide. When he heard his grandparents scolding him, he quickly ran outside.

Upon seeing this scene, He Yuanchao knew the main event was about to begin, and his eyes involuntarily swept over the Lü family members.

After Zhang Lide and Dongdong came out of the house, they heard a noise coming from the front door. Zhang Lide put down his teacup and turned to Lü Zhenbang, saying:

"Brother Zhenbang, Xiao Zhao told you about the military's handling of the matter, right?"

Although Lü Zhenbang sensed that Zhang Lide's attitude was somewhat off today, he didn't think much of it and nodded with a pained expression:
"After hearing what Xiao Zhao said, I didn't expect the army to be so ruthless, actually letting Xiao Zhao transfer to civilian work. We felt bad when we heard about it. I didn't sleep much last night because of this."

Regardless of whether it was true or not, Zhang Lide asked casually, "So how do you plan to resolve this matter?"

When the Lu family mother and daughter realized that the conversation was about matters concerning their own interests, they became somewhat nervous and stared intently at Lu Zhenbang.

Even Zhang Zhao, who hadn't glanced at Zhang Lide and was looking out the window, turned his head to look at his father-in-law and father sitting on either side of the square table by the window.

Lu Zhenbang ignored the gazes of his family members; he was pondering the meaning behind Zhang Lide's words.

You guys? Does that mean you're going to abandon him? No way! Zhang Lide only has one son, and he won't just watch Zhang Zhao end up in jail.

Once Lü Zhenbang understood the situation, he immediately had an idea.

"Brother Lide, to be honest, Xiao Zhao is a very good kid. Ever since he married Wenli, I have always treated him like my own son."

I thought about it all night. Since the military has already issued the disciplinary action, there's nothing we can do to change it. So, I guess I'll just have to accept being transferred to civilian life.

"But don't worry, Brother Lide, I'll risk my reputation to get him a job at the county education bureau."

At this time, the Lü family, including Zhang Zhao, were unaware that, due to Liu Zhenhua's intervention, the military leaders had reached a consensus that as long as the deficit was covered, the misappropriation of supplies would not be recorded in Zhang Zhao's file, and his rank and benefits would remain unaffected.

At this time of year, people still value honor highly. Most employers are unwilling to hire someone with disciplinary records on their personnel file, and even if they do, the job and benefits are not very good.

By managing to place officers who had been disciplined in the military into the Education Bureau, whether as temporary workers or permanent clerks, it can be said that Lü Zhenbang had done his best.

Zhang Lide is now focused on getting Zhang Zhao to divorce him and has no intention of telling the Lü family about the military's final decision.

Seeing that Lü Zhenbang was beating around the bush and avoiding the main point, Zhang Lide didn't want to beat around the bush anymore and directly stated his meaning.

"Don't rush into work. If we don't solve the food problem, we won't be able to get people in, let alone work."

"I'm new here, completely clueless, and have no connections whatsoever. I thought about it all night, and I think it's best if you, Brother Zhenbang, handle this grain matter."

(End of this chapter)