Chapter 88: Junior High Graduation

The next morning, Zhang Daniu took the money and, bringing his wife along, went to buy another Sewing Machine; with this, there were now six Sewing Machines in the studio (later changed to a workshop).

Fortunately, the workshop had originally been two rooms, and with the six Sewing Machines laid out, there was still plenty of space left over, enough to store fabric.

With everything settled, Zhang Ping'an could now devote himself wholeheartedly to his study of Traditional Chinese Medicine; he would be graduating from junior high school this summer, and he was hesitating about whether to continue on to a specialized secondary school—in any case, going to university was impossible.

Forget it, he would think about it after graduation; during the summer vacation, the whole family was going to Beijiang to visit his grandfather's family.

"Ping'an, Zhiyong's parents want to set a time to meet with Mom and Dad."

"Hmm, then let's meet. But it's better to wait until the weather warms up; Lele is still too small."

"That's what I thought too. How about after the Lantern Festival?"

"That works." After the Lantern Festival would be the beginning of the third month; although it would still be a bit cold, it would be acceptable.

"Good, then I'll tell Zhiyong that."

"Hmm, I'll find time to go home in a couple of days and tell Mom and Dad."

"Okay."

In the afternoon, Zhang Ping'an rode his tricycle to the Police Station; his tricycle didn't have legal documentation yet.

"Yo, Ping'an, changed your equipment?"

"That's right, Li Ge."

"What about the old one?"

"The old one is at... ah, ptooey, the old one belongs to the Rolling Mill."

"Li Ge, this one is modified from a discarded tricycle at the factory; the materials and everything have a source."

"Fine, it's just stamping it with a steel seal." Li Aiguo went through a quick series of actions, Zhang Ping'an paid twenty-five thousand, and the little booklet was in his hands.

"Li Ge, there's one more; I'll come back later."

"Fine."

It was nothing more than spending a little extra time; this little brother usually treated him well, bringing him cigarettes, alcohol, tea, and meat during holidays, and never came empty-handed when asking for favors. Li Aiguo thought highly of Zhang Ping'an's future.

With the paperwork for both tricycles sorted out, Zhang Ping'an planned to go back home right away, leaving one at home so his parents would have a means of transport; it would be convenient for going anywhere, wouldn't it?

Taking advantage of the early hour, Zhang Ping'an fixed the front wheel of one tricycle inside the other and headed home.

"Ping'an, what's the deal with these tricycles?"

"I bought them. I'll leave one at home so it's convenient for you to go out. Also, the parents of Si Jie's partner want to meet with you after the Lantern Festival."

"Alright, I'm just worried the weather will be too cold then, and it won't be convenient to bring Xile."

"Didn't I bring two cans of Milk Powder during the New Year? If it doesn't work out, we can leave the little brother at home for Grandpa and Grandma to watch, or I can come back."

"Hmm, that's fine too. We'll see when the time comes."

A week flashed by, but the temperature was still very low; Zhang Ping'an was worried, so he went back to his hometown.

"Mom and Dad, I'll watch the little brother at home tomorrow."

"Good."

The two of them were indeed worried about taking him along; it wouldn't be good if he caught a chill on the road. Moreover, Zhang Ping'an's grandparents were getting on in years, and they were relieved to have Zhang Ping'an back.

The next day at eight in the morning, Dong Dani handed the fed little brother to Zhang Ping'an, and the two of them pedaled the tricycle toward Sijiucheng.

Zhang Ping'an, meanwhile, held the little one and ate breakfast with his grandparents.

"Ping'an, how is Lanhua doing with that person from the Public Security?"

"Very well. Mom and Dad are going over this time for the parents to meet; the matter is eighty percent decided."

"Hmm, that's good."

Zhang Dadan was worried that their family would be looked down upon; after all, the other party was an official and they were commoners—the status was mismatched.

If Zhang Ping'an knew his grandfather's thoughts, he wouldn't find it strange; after all, his grandfather was born in the previous dynasty.

Zhang Laohan went to the Clothing Shop first, and at ten o'clock, he took Lanhua to the agreed-upon place for mutton hot pot.

By one in the afternoon, Zhang Laohan and the others were back. It was rare for his grandparents not to go out for a stroll today, and they went to greet them as soon as they saw them return.

"Oldest, how did it go?"

"It's a done deal; the date is set for the twenty-eighth of the second month." The older generation spoke in terms of the lunar calendar, which was actually April 11th on the solar calendar.

"Good, good, good."

Zhang Ping'an heard the commotion inside and also walked out.

"Ping'an, where is your little brother?"

"He's asleep in the room."

"Ping'an, why didn't you say that your fourth sister's partner is Wang Shu's son?"

"Ah? I didn't know. I did go to ask around, but he didn't say anything either."

That old guy, and a relative at that, he hid it really well. But this was also good; Zhang Ping'an felt more at ease about Wang Zhiyong's family.

"If you didn't know, then forget it. Are you going back now or leaving tomorrow morning?"

"I'm leaving right away."

Morning was the busiest time at the Pharmacy, and his master was still in seclusion. He had taken leave, and he didn't know how busy Senior Brother Changming was, so he had to rush back by the afternoon.

"Alright."

When Zhang Ping'an arrived at the Pharmacy, there were still people queuing, so he quickly washed his hands and went up to help.

Time flew, and in the blink of an eye, it was the day of Si Jie's wedding. His father had prepared a Big Yellow Fish to be placed at the bottom of her trunk, just as he had for the three older sisters before her.

The usual dowry items were all there: quilts, thermos bottles, a bright red basin, a washbasin stand, and so on—nothing was missing.

"Little Aunt, you look so beautiful."

"When the two of you get married one day, you will be the most beautiful too."

"Mm."

The process this time was relatively simple, a revolutionary-style ceremonial procedure, and Zhang Ping'an followed the wedding procession to deliver the dowry to the groom's home.

Wang Zhiyong's home was a single-courtyard house, though it was much smaller than Zhang Ping'an's courtyard, with three main rooms and three wing rooms on each side.

Wang Zhiyong also had a younger sister, about the same age as him; perhaps because she was born into such a family, her temperament was somewhat similar to Mu Yingnan's, both being full of heroic spirit.

The wedding room this time was also in the main room on the west side, and in the courtyard, the Chef was busily stir-frying dishes in full swing.

At this moment, Wang Weiguo was enthusiastically greeting guests coming and going at the entrance; most of them were colleagues and friends, totaling four tables of people, while the bride's family from Zhang Ping'an's side filled exactly one table.

Zhang Ping'an unexpectedly saw Li Baoguo, and Li Baoguo clearly saw him too, saying with slight surprise:

"Ping'an, what is your relationship with the bride?" He had arrived late and did not know who the bride was.

"Uncle Li, it is my Si Jie; you have met her before."

"So that's how it is; that fellow Lao Wang is certainly tight-lipped."

They were considered to be in the same system and had once been comrades-in-arms; plus, their relationships with the Lao Dong family were quite good, so there had been close contact between the two.

"Ping'an, you know my second uncle?" Li Aiguo said.

"..."

This world was truly small; Li Baoguo was Li Aiguo's second uncle, and these names were certainly given quite casually.

"You two know each other too?" Li Baoguo was slightly surprised, but upon thinking of Zhang Ping'an's previous file, he felt relieved.

"We are good buddies, right, Ping'an?"

"Yes, Uncle Li, Li Ge has helped me quite a lot."

"It's good that you know each other; get along well in the future. You two chat, I have a few colleagues coming over."

"Mm, Uncle Li, please go ahead."

"Ping'an, how do you know my second uncle?"

"Uncle Li and my second uncle are childhood friends; we have met a few times."

"How come I've never heard my second uncle mention it?"

"My second uncle is not in Sijiucheng."

"That explains it; I should know everyone in the normal surrounding areas."

"By the way, Li Ge, my family wants to go to Beijiang during the summer vacation; what procedures do we need to handle?"

"You need to apply for a Border Pass, specifying the exact region and reason for going to Beijiang. It's April now, so there are three months left; you and your family should bring the specific documents and apply in advance."

"However, with Wang there, it should be quite a bit faster, but just in case, it's best to go apply early."

"Alright, Li Ge, I understand."