Chapter 1941

"Mom, what nonsense are you talking? We're still young, with plenty of youth ahead of us; there's no need to wait so long."

"Why is there no need?" Mother gave her son a cold glance: "Don't tell me you're looking down on your wife because she's a country girl? Let me tell you, country people are hardworking, kind, simple, and honest. If you find a city girl, she'll surely spend all day ordering people around. If you marry a city girl, you'll have to spend money hiring people to wait on her. Is that really worth it for all you earn? I'm telling you, you must not go bad; you must keep yourself pure. Otherwise, even if you're a divine doctor, I will never forgive you!"

Zhang Zhiqiang said with a mix of laughter and tears: "Mom, don't talk nonsense; how could I look down on my wife? Our relationship is very good; just rest assured."

Mother stared at her son and said word by word: "Xiaoqiang, you'd better give me a definite answer. When exactly are you getting married?"

Zhang Zhiqiang gritted his teeth and said: "I don't want to get married right now."

"You dare to play with me?" Mother's expression changed instantly.

"Mom, don't get excited first. Let's talk about this matter later; you rest first, and I'll go to sleep." Zhang Zhiqiang tossed out these words in a hurry and ran into the bedroom as if fleeing.

Zhang Zhiqiang lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep, with Wang Huiling's beautiful face appearing in his mind.

"Sigh... what should I do with her?" Zhang Zhiqiang let out a sigh. Although he had already accepted Wang Huiling in his heart, he still was unwilling to get married.

The next day, after Zhang Zhiqiang got up and got ready, he went out. He rode his bike to the town to buy two cartons of cigarettes, and also bought several packs of tobacco.

Zhang Zhiqiang packed the tobacco into a sack, hoisted it on his back, and then headed straight for the county government.

Zhang Zhiqiang arrived at just the right time; Yang Yongtai was drinking water in his office. Seeing Zhang Zhiqiang, he asked in surprise: "Oh, Zhiqiang, you're back?"

"Section Chief Yang, I'm back to visit relatives." Yang Yongtai said in surprise: "Visit relatives? Zhiqiang, when did you get married? How come I didn't know anything about it?"

Zhang Zhiqiang gave a bitter smile: "I haven't gotten married yet."

Yang Yongtai was even more surprised: "Haven't gotten married yet? Then why did you bring your wife back?"

"She's not my wife." Zhang Zhiqiang let out a sigh.

Yang Yongtai got gossipy: "Oh, then who is she? Your girlfriend?"

Zhang Zhiqiang nodded his head.

"Sigh, that's great! Zhiqiang, you must properly thank Section Chief Yang this time you're back. Thanks to his help, otherwise you'd have to be a bachelor for the rest of your life." Mother said happily.

Zhang Zhiqiang said somewhat awkwardly: "Mom, don't talk nonsense."

Mother looked at Yang Yongtai: "Section Chief Yang, look at this rascal of ours, truly unreasonable. You, my lord, are generous; please don't hold it against him. Some other day I'll treat you to a meal and properly thank you."

Yang Yongtai said politely: "Old lady, you're too polite. Actually, I didn't really help much. But rest assured, I'll keep an eye on Zhiqiang for you."

Mother said happily: "Then thank you, Section Chief Yang."

Zhang Zhiqiang looked at his mother helplessly. He felt there was absolutely no need to bring up this matter again. However, his mother seemed to care very much about this matter. He could only put this matter aside for the time being. He took out the tobacco and the opium pipe, saying: "Section Chief Yang, have a smoke."

Yang Yongtai took the opium pipe: "Great, let's take a hit!"

Zhang Zhiqiang lit the opium pipe and took a deep drag. He exhaled a mouthful of smoke and said: "Section Chief Yang, this time I'm back, I want to find a job locally."

Yang Yongtai asked in confusion: "Aren't you working in the south? Why did you come back?"

Zhang Zhiqiang let out a sigh: "I reached the position of manager at that company, but I don't like that kind of life. So I want to come back and find a job in my hometown."

Yang Yongtai said in surprise: "Manager? Then coming back is indeed a pity. But it doesn't matter; finding a job locally should be easy for you. I'll keep an eye out for you."

Zhang Zhiqiang said gratefully: "Thank you, Section Chief Yang."

Hearing her son wanted to find a job, Mother immediately beamed with joy: "Zhiqiang, you've finally become sensible! Let me tell you, when looking for a partner, you must establish your career before starting a family. That way you won't be looked down upon! When I was young, I suffered from lacking education, so you must have culture and knowledge!"

Zhang Zhiqiang felt speechless in his heart. He felt being with Wang Huiling was just fine. Moreover, he also considered Wang Huiling to be an excellent girl. However, he didn't want to struggle with his mother on this issue anymore. So he changed the subject: "Section Chief Yang, please keep an eye out for job opportunities for me."

"No problem! I'll keep an eye out for you." Yang Yongtai said, patting his chest.

In the following days, Zhang Zhiqiang stayed at home accompanying his parents. He took his parents to the town to stroll and shop, and also stayed at home cooking and preparing dishes with his mother. The whole family spent an unforgettable holiday in harmony. After a few more days, Zhang Zhiqiang prepared to leave his hometown. He bid farewell to his parents and returned to the south with his wife and child. Mother held her son's hand, constantly instructing: "Xiaoqiang, you must take good care of yourself and Huiling! Once you have children, come back quickly to show them to us."

Zhang Zhiqiang felt a surge of emotion in his heart: "Mom, rest assured! We will often return to visit you and Dad."

Father also said: "Yes, Xiaoqiang, you must take good care of yourself and Huiling. We don't seek great wealth or high status for you; we only hope you can live every day safely and happily."

Zhang Zhiqiang's eyes grew warm: "Dad, Mom, I will."

He left his hometown with his wife and child and returned to the south.

As soon as he arrived in the south, Zhang Zhiqiang immediately started looking for a job without stopping. Through Yang Yongtai's introduction, he went to a large enterprise for an interview. After a fierce competition, he was successfully hired.

At work, Zhang Zhiqiang performed excellently, deeply earning the praise of his colleagues. His work ability was fully utilized and displayed. His relationship with Wang Huiling also grew deeper. They often went shopping, shopping, and watched movies together, enjoying a happy life.

One day, Zhang Zhiqiang took Wang Huiling home to visit his parents. He told his parents he had found a good job and that his relationship with Huiling was also very stable. After hearing this, his parents were very happy, constantly saying: "Good, good, good."

At the dinner table, Mother suddenly asked: "Xiaoqiang, when do you plan to get married?"

Zhang Zhiqiang fell silent for a moment: "Mom, we are still young now; we want to stabilize our careers first before considering marriage."

Mother said dissatisfied: "You've been together for so many years, and still not married? Do you not want to marry Huiling?"

Zhang Zhiqiang said helplessly: "Mom, don't talk nonsense. My relationship with Huiling is very stable; we just feel getting married now is too early."

Mother insisted relentlessly: "You must marry Huiling quickly! Otherwise, I won't let you off!"

Zhang Zhiqiang could only temporarily appease his mother. His relationship with Wang Huiling was indeed very stable; they often went out as a pair. However, they still wanted to stabilize their careers first before considering marriage. They believed that as long as two people loved each other and supported one another, they could go further. Soon after, Zhang Zhiqiang took Wang Huiling home to visit his parents. This time, they decided to express their thoughts to their parents, hoping to receive their understanding and support.

Zhang Zhiqiang spoke first: "Dad, Mom, we want to discuss something with you."

Mother raised her head, looking at them curiously: "Oh? What is it?"

Zhang Zhiqiang looked at Wang Huiling and said: "We want to buy a house in the south and then settle down."

Mother said in surprise: "Settle down? Then you don't plan to get married?"

Wang Huiling quickly explained: "Auntie, we want to stabilize our careers first, and then consider marriage."

Mother frowned: "But you've been together for so long, and still not married? No, I don't agree!"

Zhang Zhiqiang said helplessly: "Mom, don't rush first. We just feel getting married now is too early. We want to work hard on our careers first, and consider marriage after achieving better development."

Father also nodded: "Xiaoqiang is right. Young people should prioritize their careers first; marriage can wait."

Mother said unhappily: "Then when do you plan to get married?"

Zhang Zhiqiang thought for a moment and said: "After we buy a house, the Dagaijiu Society will probably consider marriage."

Mother snorted: "Who knows if you're just appeasing me. No, I don't agree to you not getting married now!"

Zhang Zhiqiang and Wang Huiling felt very helpless. They knew their mother was asking them like this out of concern and worry. However, they also hoped to receive their mother's understanding and support. They decided to communicate more with their mother in the future, letting her understand their thoughts and plans.

After this, Zhang Zhiqiang and Wang Huiling worked and studied even harder. They planned to buy a house and then settle down. They believed that as long as two people supported each other and worked together, they could surely realize their dreams.