Chapter 229: Lao Wang's Worries

The moment Zhang Ping'an arrived at the Rolling Mill, he went to check on the pig farm. Finding everything as usual, he went to report his work to Li Huaide.

"Knock, knock, knock."

"Come in."

"Factory Director, I... I have come to report my work to you."

"Hahaha, Ping'an, you've worked hard on this trip, even staying until the very last day of the shipment to return. Zhu Jianshe has already reported the matter to me. You should rest well at home for these next two days."

"Uh, alright then."

Although he didn't know why Zhu Jianshe had said that, he felt a bit guilty about resting after returning from his "playtime" in Beijiang. Still, Zhang Ping'an agreed; after all, who would complain about having more vacation time?

Since it was time to rest, Zhang Ping'an didn't stay at the factory long. Thinking of Ding Qiunan's problem, he decided to go to the Hospital to ask Zhong Yan, Xu Baisheng's wife.

After arriving at the Hospital and finding out where Zhong Yan's office was, Zhang Ping'an knocked on the door and entered.

"Ping'an, why have you come over?"

"Sister-in-law, I came today to ask you about someone."

"Oh? Who is it?"

"Ding Rushan."

"Ding Rushan? That name sounds so familiar," Zhong Yan said after thinking for a moment.

"Is it the Medical Doctor Ding Rushan who studied abroad? He looks to be nearly fifty."

"Yes, that should be him."

"Ding Rushan's family are Capitalists. Although he has talent, well..."

So that was it. I was wondering; usually, those who studied abroad only start being targeted after a few years. It turns out Ding Rushan also has a Capitalist family background—another man with a full set of debuffs.

"Ping'an, let Sister-in-law tell you, you should have as little contact with him as possible."

"Don't worry, Sister-in-law. I don't even know him; a colleague asked me to inquire. Sister-in-law, do you think his child could get into university?"

"Hmm... no. She wouldn't even pass the background check."

"What about working at the Hospital? She is currently working at the Steel Mill Medical Office."

"If her medical knowledge is solid, it shouldn't be difficult. Our Hospital has an exam in July; if she can pass it, she can get the job."

Zhang Ping'an asked so much that Zhong Yan realized he wanted to help Ding Rushan's child, so she simply told him about the exam.

"Alright, thank you, Sister-in-law. I understand."

"Mm, it's nothing. Come by the house to sit for a while when you have time."

"Will do."

After leaving the Hospital with the information he wanted, Zhang Ping'an decided to go to the Rolling Mill after his vacation to check things out and tell Ding Qiunan the news. As for whether she would take the exam or not, that was up to her; he could only help so much.

Zhang Ping'an didn't go home; he picked up some things and went to his master's house, planning to have a big meal there.

Three jin of pork belly, a Bighead Carp weighing over five jin, plus five jin of cornmeal.

"Grandpa, Grandma, Xiao Ling and I are going to mooch a meal here at noon today," Zhang Ping'an shouted as soon as he entered the door.

"Good, good, good. You can come every day, but why did you bring things over?"

"I caught a fish and bought some pork, so let's have a meat dish today. Sister-in-law is here too? Perfect, let's have a drink with the two senior brothers at noon."

"No need, Junior Brother, we at noon..."

"Yuzhu, Yumei, go help your mistress with the cooking. We'll eat at home at noon. Ping'an, come here, I have something to tell you."

"Alright, Master."

"Grandpa, what is it?" Zhang Ping'an walked into Lao Wang's study.

"Hmm, nothing much. Ever since I stepped down, I've felt uneasy, as if something bad is going to happen."

"Whenever I've had this feeling in the past, it has basically come true. Actually, my eldest and Lao Er have been thinking about leaving, and I'm a bit indecisive."

Zhang Ping'an was shocked by the Wang Family. Was their political intuition that sensitive? There were still four or five years left.

"Then... then what about Xiao Ling?"

"Ping'an, that is where I am conflicted. If we leave and don't take Xiao Ling, she will definitely be targeted. So we must take Xiao Ling and the children, but as for you..."

"Sigh, Ping'an, I tell you this hoping you can understand and be prepared. Don't tell Xiao Ling for now. I know you can't abandon your family to come with us, so... sigh." After Lao Wang finished saying this, Zhang Ping'an felt he had aged several years.

"Grandpa, I understand. If it really comes to that point, I will personally send you out."

"Sigh, Ping'an, it is the Wang Family that has harmed you. Perhaps back then, I shouldn't have..." Lao Wang naturally knew that if they just up and left, Zhang Ping'an would inevitably be implicated.

"Grandpa, this has nothing to do with you. I don't regret marrying Xiao Ling. Over these years, I have also cultivated some connections, so I believe self-preservation won't be a problem. You can rest assured."

"Grandpa, the fewer people who know about this, the better, but I hope you can tell me in advance when you leave."

"Child, it has been hard on you." Lao Wang had no choice; if he could, he wouldn't want to leave, as it was the place he had lived his whole life.

"Ping'an, rest assured. The reason I told you in advance is because I hope you have some mental preparation. Now is not a good time to leave, but at the latest, it will be within these two or three years."

Lao Wang decided to observe for now; he didn't want to leave unless it was absolutely necessary.

"Alright, Grandpa, I understand."

"Mm." After telling Zhang Ping'an these things, the guilt in Lao Wang's heart lessened a bit. He patted Zhang Ping'an on the shoulder and said nothing more.

Actually, according to Lao Wang's two sons, they wanted to wait until everything was prepared and tell him right before leaving, fearing Zhang Ping'an wouldn't agree. But Lao Wang felt uneasy about that, and he also believed Zhang Ping'an would stand on his side.

Lao Wang hadn't told his two disciples either, not because he feared they wouldn't agree, but because the fewer people who knew about this, the better.

At noon, they had a wonderful meal at Lao Wang's place, and Zhang Ping'an didn't show any abnormalities.

On the way back, Zhang Ping'an kept thinking about whether there was any way to let them stay while ensuring they were safe.

After much thought, there was no perfect solution. After all, under the torrent of the era, this power was almost unstoppable; anyone who tried to change it would likely be ground into dust.

Actually, leaving might be for the best; at least it could save the whole Wang Family. It was just that he would have to be separated from his wife and children for over a decade.

"Sigh." This feeling of powerlessness was truly uncomfortable. Zhang Ping'an shook his head, stopped thinking about it, and realized life still had to go on.

The two-day vacation passed in a flash. Zhang Ping'an, again under the guise of an inspection, took Nan Yi back to the Rolling Mill.

"Hehe, thanks Brother Zhang."

"What are you thanking me for? It's on the way."

It turned out that Nan Yi had just finished his renovations and was preparing to move back, taking the opportunity to bring his wife and children over as well; Zhang Ping'an's ride was just what they needed to help them move, otherwise, if they had to find a flatbed cart themselves, they would likely have had to make several trips.

"Hu Shifu, follow Nan Yi later and help him move."

"Right, Hu Shifu, sorry to trouble you," Nan Yi said, timely handing over a pack of Qianmen.

"Hey, we'll all be colleagues from now on, it's just a helping hand."

"That works, let's meet at the factory gate in the afternoon."

"Good."

"Welcome, Factory Director Zhang, for coming to oversee our work." As soon as Zhang Ping'an got out of the car, Liu Feng raised both hands to shake his.

"Hahaha, Factory Director Liu, you're too polite. Let's go straight to the pig farm and take a look."

"Good, good, good." Liu Feng really liked Zhang Ping'an's straightforward work attitude.

"Whoa, has this forage grass already started to be harvested?"

"Yes, Factory Director Zhang, look, this forage grass has already grown up to a person's calves."

Liu Feng was very happy; not only was the forage grass growing impressively, but even the piglets were changing day by day.