Chapter 1976: Suspicion

After returning home, Zhang Zhiqiang discovered his son's condition was far more serious than he had imagined. He had been busy caring for his son, while also not forgetting to call his parents to inquire about their well-being.

A few days later, his son's condition finally stabilized. Zhang Zhiqiang breathed a sigh of relief, yet also felt extremely exhausted. He wanted to return to his parents' side to fulfill his filial duty, but he also knew his responsibilities were heavy and he could not easily leave his son.

Just as Zhang Zhiqiang felt torn between two choices, a friend of his called, inviting him to go out for drinks. Zhang Zhiqiang thought for a moment, feeling he needed to relax, so he accepted the friend's invitation.

In the bar, Zhang Zhiqiang drank a lot of alcohol and chatted extensively with his friend. He talked about his family, his parents, and his conflicts. After listening, the friend said, "Zhiqiang, you are too anxious. You cannot always think about how to satisfy everyone's demands; you need to satisfy your own demands first."

Hearing his friend's words, Zhang Zhiqiang felt deeply moved in his heart. He knew he was too anxious and needed to relax. Thus, he decided to temporarily put aside all matters and take care of himself first.

The next morning, Zhang Zhiqiang called his parents to inquire about their well-being. His father told him everything was fine and to rest assured. After hearing this, Zhang Zhiqiang felt very gratified in his heart. He knew his decision was correct, and he also believed his life would become more and more beautiful. In the days that followed, Zhang Zhiqiang worked hard to adjust his mindset; he understood he needed a better balance between work and family. He began to pay more attention to his own physical and mental health, and also started to care more about his son's growth and education.

Although work remained busy, Zhang Zhiqiang began taking his son home on weekends to visit his parents. He hoped that in this way, he could both fulfill his filial piety and let his son feel the warmth of family.

However, as time passed, Zhang Zhiqiang gradually discovered a conflict deep within his heart that was hard to sever: he wanted to fulfill his filial duty by his parents' side, yet also did not want to miss his son's growth. He tried to communicate with his father, telling him of his troubles and struggles.

After listening, his father was silent for a while, then said, "Zhiqiang, I understand your feelings. But do you know? Fulfilling filial piety is not merely about constant companionship, but about letting parents see your happiness and success. I believe that as long as you have us in your heart, no matter where you are, it is a manifestation of filial piety."

These words made Zhang Zhiqiang suddenly enlightened. He understood that his responsibility was not just to accompany his parents, but to let himself and his family live a happy life. He began to focus more on his work, while also paying more attention to maintaining family and kinship.

Zhang Zhiqiang's character determined that he was a person with responsibility and a sense of duty. He understood that only by living well himself could he let his parents and family live a better life. He also firmly believed that as long as there was love in the heart, one could overcome all difficulties and conflicts. After a arduous struggle, Zhang Zhiqiang finally welcomed a small job fair lasting three days, corresponding to fifty positions, mainly responsible for foreign trade and finance-related businesses. Although this was only temporary work, Zhang Zhiqiang seriously studied the company's current situation and felt he was very suitable.

At two o'clock in the afternoon on the second day of the job fair, Zhang Zhiqiang prepared his resume and took a vehicle to a large state-owned enterprise in the city's central district. He first reported to the Personnel Section; after the receptionist inquired about his basic situation, they arranged his position.

In the final minutes before the job fair began, another forty or fifty people arrived successively, including many outstanding figures from all sectors of society, showing the recruitment scale was very grand. Many people hurriedly walked in holding a folder, their faces anxious, as if they had encountered some urgent matter.

Zhang Zhiqiang sat in the office, patiently waiting for new employees to report. He looked like a college graduate not long out of school, wearing glasses, with slicked-back hair, dressed in a suit with great care, appearing full of spirit. At this moment, his heart was filled with drive. He knew his dreams would begin to be realized from today, and his future would become bright and brilliant!

"Brother Zhang, my name is Liu Tao. I am a reporter from Nanhua City Television Station." Suddenly, a young man appeared at the door, holding a document. He smiled broadly and handed Zhang Zhiqiang a pen: "Look, can we be partners?"

"Mm." Zhang Zhiqiang nodded: "We cooperate with each other to do the recruitment well."

"Rest assured, I will definitely keep an eye out for a good prospect for you." Liu Tao chuckled.

The two exchanged contact information. Zhang Zhiqiang left the job fair and hurried toward the television station.

On the way, Zhang Zhiqiang received a text message from Zhao Jiamin; she had already arrived smoothly in the provincial capital and was heading toward the television station.

Seeing this message, a faint smile appeared at the corner of Zhang Zhiqiang's mouth, waves of joy surged in his heart, and he immediately dialed her mobile phone. Soon, Zhao Jiamin's clear and melodious voice, like a yellow oriole, rang out: "Hello, it's me..." Her voice was soft and tender, as if a spring breeze brushed the face, making one's ears feel extremely comfortable.

"Jiamin, I have already reported to the television station. I am rushing downstairs now; where are you?" Zhang Zhiqiang asked impatiently. He wished he could meet her right now, have a good chat, and pour out his longing.

"Oh. Then I will wait for you in the lobby." Zhao Jiamin answered in a low voice.

Zhang Zhiqiang immediately hung up the phone and rushed downstairs. He saw several young and beautiful girls standing in the lobby, chattering and discussing. He scanned the area but did not find Zhao Jiamin. Zhang Zhiqiang frowned in confusion, wondering silently if Jiamin had not arrived yet.

Just as Zhang Zhiqiang was searching for Zhao Jiamin, a red Jetta sedan pulled up at the entrance of the television station compound, and immediately Zhao Jiamin got out of the car and walked into the lobby.

Seeing Zhang Zhiqiang looking around, she smiled playfully. She ran over quickly, grabbed Zhang Zhiqiang's arm, and said, "I am right here!"

"Wow! You are so beautiful!" Zhang Zhiqiang could not help but exclaim in admiration.

"How annoying!" Zhao Jiamin pouted and glared at him: "Why do I feel you are more beautiful than me?"

"Hehe." Zhang Zhiqiang grinned: "I am just speaking the truth."

"Stop talking nonsense, let's go." Zhao Jiamin linked arms with Zhang Zhiqiang and walked out, while Zhang Zhiqiang put his arm around her slender waist, which could be grasped in one hand.

"Sister Jiamin, you are truly beautiful!" A clear and melodious voice came from nearby. A beauty wearing a black suit walked up to Zhao Jiamin's side, staring enviously at Zhang Zhiqiang, while speaking with a jealous tone: "How lucky you are! You found a tall, rich, and handsome boyfriend."

"Haha—" Zhang Zhiqiang could not help but laugh heartily.

"Your name is Liu Juan, right?" Zhao Jiamin smiled with lips pressed together and said: "My name is Liu Juan, I am a host at the television station." Liu Juan introduced herself to Zhang Zhiqiang, while extending her white and slender right hand, smiling broadly and saying: "Can I walk with you guys?"

"Of course." Zhao Jiamin said readily. She stole a glance at Liu Juan, feeling somewhat envious of her graceful figure and exquisite facial features; she was truly as beautiful as an immortal! At the same time, a sense of unease arose in her heart; this girl looked very outstanding, and she did not know if she would have an impact on Zhiqiang.

Thus, Zhao Jiamin started chatting with Liu Juan, asking about her work situation at the television station. Liu Juan answered with a humble expression: "I am just a small host, nothing special."

"Your hosted program must be very popular, right?" Zhang Zhiqiang interjected. He had a good impression of Liu Juan, feeling the other party was a very outstanding girl.

"It's okay, the audience seems to like me." Liu Juan smiled slightly, revealing teeth white as jade, while turning to look at Zhao Jiamin: "What about you? What do you do at the television station, Jiamin?"

"I just arrived at the television station and am currently in the adaptation phase." Zhao Jiamin said somewhat embarrassedly. She secretly observed Liu Juan's expression, guessing whether the other party would look down on her because of her job.

"Oh... I see." Liu Juan looked at her meaningfully, thinking to herself: This girl is very pretty, but seems to have no career ambition. She could not help but feel somewhat schadenfreude.

Soon it was noon time, and Zhang Zhiqiang suggested everyone go together to a nearby restaurant for lunch. While eating, Liu Tao kept toasting Liu Juan, and the interaction between the two was very intimate. This made Zhao Jiamin feel somewhat uncomfortable, and she began to suspect the relationship between Zhang Zhiqiang and Liu Juan.

On the way back to the television station, Zhao Jiamin finally could not hold back her doubts and asked: "Zhiqiang, what is your relationship with Liu Tao and Liu Juan?"

"We are high school classmates," Zhang Zhiqiang answered. "Later I went south for university, while the two of them have always been local. The three of us have a good relationship and often gather together."

"Oh." Zhao Jiamin nodded. "Then how are the two of them doing working at the television station?"

"The two of them are doing quite well at the television station," Zhang Zhiqiang answered. "Especially Liu Tao; he works very hard and is highly valued by the leaders. He also participated in this job fair, hoping to find more suitable candidates."

"What about Liu Juan?" Zhao Jiamin asked again.

"Liu Juan's hosted program is very popular; the audience likes her quite a bit." Zhang Zhiqiang said with a smile. "Moreover, she is a very good person; we often chat together."

Hearing this, Zhao Jiamin felt somewhat bitter in her heart. Thinking of the enthusiasm that beautiful girl had shown toward Zhang Zhiqiang at the job fair just now, a sense of crisis surged in her heart. She began to doubt her own decision, wondering if she and Zhang Zhiqiang could truly be happy together. Just as Zhao Jiamin fell into deep thought, Zhang Zhiqiang suddenly spoke: "Jiamin, are you worried there is something between me and Liu Juan?"

Zhao Jiamin was slightly stunned, not expecting Zhang Zhiqiang to ask so directly. She answered somewhat awkwardly: "I... I can't quite say, I just feel a bit insecure."