Chapter 1467: Character Side Story: Zhang Jizu

Character Side Story: Zhang Jizu

"Doesn't sound good? What's not good about it?

I think it's great. It's just to let my eldest grandson learn more from his ancestors, bring glory to the family, and learn less from you two. You have no proper form. That's it."

"... Fine, fine, fine, you have the final say.

Little Zhang, from now on you are Zhang Jizu. When you grow up and go to school, if your classmates laugh at your name for being old-fashioned, don't blame your mom and dad; it was your grandfather who named you."

"You're saying this to him now; how could he understand?"

"Waa, waa, waa—"

On an August afternoon, the air was overflowing with the fragrance of flowers, and the bright sunshine was dragged into the classroom by the spring breeze, blowing the pages of books to rustle.

Not long after the bell rang for the end of class, the teacher had just disappeared at the doorway when a figure in the classroom quietly stood up and chased after her.

That figure stopped the teacher in the corridor, neither flushed nor panting, just squinting his eyes and looking at the teacher, saying:

"Teacher, I want to ask for leave."

The teacher holding the books instinctively frowned when she heard the words "ask for leave," but when she saw that the student in front of her was Zhang Jizu, her tightly furrowed brows instantly smoothed out, and a smile appeared at the corners of her eyes.

"Are you going to celebrate your birthday with your mom and dad tonight?"

Zhang Jizu nodded, his squinted eyes full of expectation.

The teacher smiled kindly: "Your mom and dad... do they have time today?"

"Yes, they do. They promised me they would also ask for leave."

A family of three asking for leave just to celebrate a birthday?

The teacher didn't understand, but she was a little envious. She nodded, smiled, and patted Zhang Jizu's little head: "Granted. Go back early, be careful on the road, but don't be too playful. You still have to do your homework for tonight; I'll have the study committee member bring it to you."

"Thank you, teacher."

Zhang Jizu obediently made way for the teacher and then ran back to the classroom at lightning speed to pack his things.

The surrounding classmates saw this, their faces full of envy.

"Old Zhang, you really got leave? The Living Yama could grant you leave, why won't she grant me leave?"

"You? Liu, it's not that I'm saying anything, but if the scores on your test papers could be similar to Old Zhang's, maybe you'd have a chance."

"Grades aren't everything! Besides, I'm only off by 1 from Old Zhang..."

"1 what? Why didn't you finish? You're not off by 1 point; you're off by 1 rank, Liu. Your urine is too yellow; it's hard to see yourself clearly."

"I 【Plant】 your @#%￥@!"

Zhang Jizu could no longer hear such bickering; he had already rushed out of the classroom, his whole heart flying back home.

How many days had it been since he had a proper meal with them?

40 days, no, probably 50 days.

That's right, it had been nearly 50 days since the family of three had eaten a meal face-to-face.

They were always very busy.

During this time, every time Zhang Jizu got home, he was alone—eating alone, doing homework alone, sleeping alone. Occasionally, he would be woken up in the middle of the night by the sound of the door opening, hearing one or two people come home, only to quickly fall back into a daze.

But when he woke up in the morning, they were gone again.

Let alone the family of three eating together, perhaps the two of them hadn't sat down and had a proper meal together for a long time either.

Dad worked around the clock every day, and all three meals were almost always solved at the unit. As for Mom, let alone that, any day she didn't have to go on a business trip and could come back at night to sleep for a few hours was already a huge "surprise."

Little Zhang could understand them. According to them, they should work hard while they were in their prime so they could see more and better scenery in the future.

This scenery also included his share. As the little one being lifted up, he naturally had no complaints.

But he still wanted them to rest for a while, at least to spend a few days of "reunion."

He had waited for this day for a long time, and finally, he waited for it.

Today was Little Zhang's birthday, and they promised him they would come home for dinner. That's right, the birthday gift was coming home for dinner.

Zhang Jizu had never had other expectations; going out to celebrate a birthday was even more of a "luxury." He just wanted the family to sit together and have a proper meal, let them rest for a while, so they could work more easily and energetically tomorrow.

And to achieve this goal, he decided to cook for them today.

He went to the vegetable market, bought the dishes they loved to eat, and returned home just in time to tidy up and cook.

It wasn't Zhang Jizu's first time cooking. In such a family environment, he had long since learned to "support" himself. He was handy at cooking, and although he couldn't fully balance color, fragrance, and taste, at least... the taste was acceptable.

Looking at the "delicacies" filling the dining table, Little Zhang sat satisfied at the doorway.

It was almost 6 o'clock; they had agreed to be home by 6.

It was almost 7 o'clock; they had agreed to be home by 6.

It was almost 8 o'clock; they had agreed to be home by 6.

It was almost 9 o'clock... the food was cold.

It didn't matter; maybe something had delayed them.

Little Zhang was used to it. When these two got busy, they wouldn't even make a phone call. When he was younger, he had even called the police to find his parents.

Of course, Little Zhang was grown up now; he knew how to deal with the current situation.

He silently sat back at the dining table, picked out some food to fill his stomach, covered the untouched dishes, and returned to his room to start his homework.

10 o'clock, homework finished, and he stood back at the doorway.

11 o'clock... time to sleep. He had to get up early for school tomorrow. Having excellent grades could get more preferential treatment in front of the teacher, but the premise was that as a student, one had to "follow the rules."

Little Zhang knew this well, but he still went to bed half an hour later than usual. After really not waiting for them, he went back to his room to wash up and sleep.

He didn't cry or make a scene because he knew they were very hard-working, and it was even more uncomfortable for them that they couldn't rush back.

He thought for a long time in bed in a daze and fell into a drowsy sleep.

He had a dream. He dreamed that the family of three had a meal that lasted for a very, very, very long time. He felt he was stuffed, his stomach so heavy it felt like it was pressing him into the sofa. As soon as he sat down, he couldn't get up again.

Zhang Jizu panicked. He started to struggle, but the deeper he sank, the heavier the weight on his stomach became. He was terrified and woke up with a start!

Then he discovered two people lying on top of him.

"Surprise! Happy birthday!"

"Being 7 hours late isn't too late, right? Don't you think so, Little Zhang?"

Zhang Jizu looked blankly at these two unreliable adults, his squinted eyes no different from being closed.

"You guys are too heavy; I can't breathe."

"..."

The two adults scrambled to get up, pulled Zhang Jizu out of the covers, then stuffed the birthday gifts to him all at once, dragging their exhausted bodies and singing with radiant smiles:

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you~"

After it ended, Mom complained again: "It's all your dad's fault. I originally thought at least he could come back to accompany you for your birthday..."

"Sigh, I say, you... ah, right, it's all my fault. I should have called ahead, but I wasn't... cough, cough, it doesn't matter. Breakfast is also a meal. I know what Little Zhang is thinking; our family of three should have a proper meal together."

Zhang Jizu looked at the time, then at the coats the two of them hadn't yet had time to take off, glanced toward the kitchen, sniffed, and then said with a helpless expression:

"Then did you guys cook?"

"There's ready-made food, just heat it up. I trust my son's craftsmanship." Mom smiled brightly, not moving an inch.

Dad shifted on the bed and echoed, "I'll go make longevity noodles," but he didn't show any intention of moving either, instead making way for Zhang Jizu.

Zhang Jizu's eyes were almost squinted shut. He looked at his parents and sighed: "Another all-nighter?"

The two adults looked sheepish. Mom hugged him and mumbled unclearly: "Sorry, son. There's a meeting in a while. Let Mom sleep for five minutes. I swear, in five minutes, I'll be back at full health."

"Hoo—"

The one on the other side was already asleep.

"..."

Zhang Jizu just wanted to cover his dad with a quilt when the mom in his arms also fell asleep.

They were too exhausted.

Zhang Jizu shook his head, gently laid his mom down, covered both of them with the quilt, quickly got dressed, washed up, cooked, skillfully handled everything, left the noodles in the pot, confirmed that the alarms were set on both their phones, and then quietly closed the door, put on his schoolbag, and went to school.

Compared to eating face-to-face, he wanted them to have a good rest even more.

Although this birthday gift arrived a little late, he was very satisfied. ===== CHAPTER 1468 =====