Chapter 40: A Family Flying Together

  After making a fortune at the Stone Gambling Festival, Zhang Jun felt quite indifferent to money and thought that even if he lost all his wealth, he could still earn it back, but he couldn't afford to neglect his loved ones.

  The big gathering lasted until night before dispersing, and all relatives and friends returned home, leaving only Third Uncle's family and Fourth Uncle behind. Third Aunt's goal was very clear, that is to get Zhang Jun's forgiveness.

  As for Zhang Guoqiang, the younger uncle, he is only thirty years old this year and was raised by his father Zhang Guozhong. Therefore, Zhang Guoqiang has a deep affection for Zhang Jun's family and will often come to stay with them for a few days whenever he has time.

  Back home, Third Aunt Yi Zhu Qin quickly helped Lu Hongmei with the cleaning, calling her "older sister" in a way that was both familiar and uncomfortable for the Zhang family. Meanwhile, Third Uncle Lu Jianjun chatted with Zhang Guozhong, exchanging sentences one by one.

  Lu Hongmei couldn't bear the doubts in her heart, so she quietly pulled Zhang Jun into the kitchen and asked him while washing vegetables: "Son, your third aunt is like a completely different person. Yesterday, as soon as she arrived home, she apologized to me and brought many gifts worth tens of thousands of yuan."

  "Mom, just accept the gift from Auntie, don't be polite, it's her kind intention."

  Lu Hongmei thought for a moment and shook her head, saying: "No, your third aunt is what kind of person, mom is very clear about it, he can't do such a beautiful thing, there must be something wrong somewhere."

  Zhang Jun shrugged: "I don't know about this, mom, you think about it slowly." After finishing speaking, he wanted to leave, but was pulled back by Lu Hongmei. The latter slapped him on the palm of his hand and said: "You little scoundrel, I haven't even asked you yet. You went out for a trip and won 5 million in lottery tickets. Tell me, what's going on?"

  Zhang Jun's head suddenly ached. He was most afraid of his mother asking this, and hastily said: "Who knows? I bought a lottery ticket with my own money, and unexpectedly won the prize. It's really unreasonable."

  Lu Hongmei burst out laughing and said: "My son is still the most impressive, he won the lottery on his first try, this shows that my son has great wealth luck."

  Zhang Jun nodded repeatedly.

  Lu Hongmei continued, "With this money, our family's life will be a bit better. Moreover, your younger uncle has just passed the civil service exam in Donghai, I think he'll probably buy a house there in the future, and this money will come in handy."

  Zhang Jun was overjoyed and said: "Little uncle passed the civil service exam? Is it in Donghai?"

  Lu Hongmei smiled and said: "Why would I cheat you? If you don't believe me, ask your younger uncle."

  Zhang Jun rushed back to the living room, put his arm around his younger brother's shoulder and asked with a smile: "Comrade Zhang Guoqiang, I heard you passed the Donghai civil service exam."

  Zhang Guoqiang's head is similar to Zhang Jun's, with a square face, thick eyebrows and wearing wide-rimmed glasses, often looking very serious. In fact, Zhang Jun knew that this little uncle was cunning, and when he was young, he had not suffered less under his hands.

  Zhang Jun's grandparents passed away early, and Zhang Guoqiang became an orphan at the age of two. He was raised by Zhang Guozhong alone. Since childhood, Zhang Guoqiang has been sensible and competitive. In his middle school days, he was admitted to County No. 1 Middle School with the first place in the county. Then, he was admitted to Kyoto First University with the eighth place in the province, and he could get a first-class scholarship every year.

  Not only that, Zhang Guoqiang also became the vice president of the student union in his second year and won over the school beauty, becoming a legendary figure at Kyoto University.

  In short, from young to old, Xiao Shu has always been a strong rival in Zhang Jun's eyes. No matter how excellent his grades are, he will inevitably be overshadowed by Xiao Shu's brilliance and has never received less criticism and education from Old Man Zhang Guozhong.

  Zhang Guoqiang adjusted his glasses and said with a sly smile: "No way, your uncle is too smart, he passed the exam as soon as he took it."

  Zhang Jun pinched his neck hard and shouted: "You dare to pretend, you dare to pretend!"

  The two were used to fighting, Zhang Guoqiang immediately counterattacked, and the two instantly became a mess. Until Zhang Guozhong coughed heavily, the two of them quietly behaved themselves like cicadas in winter.

  Zhang Jun snatched a pack of cigarettes from his third uncle and lit one up with his younger uncle, saying: "Younger uncle, what are your plans? Are you really going to develop in Donghai?"

  Zhang Guoqiang put away his smiling face, took a hard drag on his cigarette, and said: "That's right, if your uncle wants to make a name for himself, he can only take this path."

  Zhang Jun fell silent, remembering that it was three years ago when Zhang Guoqiang graduated with a master's degree and became unusually depressed. It wasn't until later that he found out his younger brother had broken up with the campus belle he had been dating for many years. The campus belle married a wealthy and powerful second-generation official in Kyoto, leaving Zhang Guoqiang with a heartless back view.

  Zhang Guoqiang was depressed for half a year, and later he had to find a job to help Zhang Jun save tuition fees. He is undoubtedly an excellent person, even if he does a casual job, he can become a manager, earning 8,000 or 9,000 yuan per month.

  It was clear that the lost love had changed Zhang Guoqiang's outlook on life, and he decided to embark on a career in officialdom. After graduating, Zhang began preparing for the civil service examination, eventually emerging with the highest score from among more than 3,000 candidates and successfully being admitted.

  "Little uncle, I support you." After a long time, Zhang Jun said such a sentence, plain but sincere.

  Zhang Guoqiang smiled and roughly messed up Zhang Jun's hair, saying: "Little Jun, your dad has invested too much effort in cultivating me. Even if it's for his sake, I must strive to do great things and become a superior person!"

  Zhang Jun smiled and said: "I know that Xiao Shu is a strong-willed person, intelligent too. I believe you will definitely succeed."

  "Flattery won't get you anywhere, and even if it did, I wouldn't give you a bonus." Zhang Guoqiang said with a smile, "However, I've decided to sell that house in Qinghe and leave some money for your wedding. That way, I can also focus on making a name for myself in Donghai."

  Zhang Jun hastily waved his hand and said, "Forget it, just now Mom said you might buy a house in Donghai, she's saving some money for you. You keep this money, do you think my mom would want it?"

  Zhang Guoqiang was deeply moved and sighed: "I, Zhang Guoqiang, will never be able to repay the kindness of my elder brother and sister-in-law in this lifetime."

  "Alright, stop talking nonsense. Hurry up and deceive a few beauties to come home and be my aunts, this will make my mom happier than anything." Zhang Jun teased him.

  The uncle and nephew were chatting, while the third aunt on the other side wiped away her tears, holding Lu Hongmei's hand and saying: "Sister, I was confused at that time and said so many hurtful words, you and your husband mustn't take it to heart."

  Lu Hongmei sighed: "Alright, let's not talk about past things. Your sister and brother-in-law didn't blame you either."

  Lu Hongmei was delighted and said, "Sister, yesterday Xiao Jun came to our house with many gifts. I was tongue-tied at the time and said some unpleasant words, which made Xiao Jun unhappy. Sister, can you help me apologize to him? I'll go make amends with him later."

  Yizhu's behavior over the past two days has completely overturned the impression she usually leaves on people. Lu Hongmei was almost numb, and didn't even think it was strange, only saying: "Xiao Jun is just a child, what do you need to apologize to him for? It's not necessary."

  Yizhu insisted on apologizing, and Lu Hongmei was entangled by her and had no choice but to call Zhang Jun over. With a stern face, she said: "Xiao Jun, yesterday when you went to your aunt's house, didn't you make your aunt unhappy?"

  Zhang Jun's heart was filled with discontent, but his face showed a sincere and fearful expression. He hastily lowered his head and remained silent, like a child who had done something wrong.

  Yizhu waved her hand repeatedly: "No, no, it's my fault." She pulled Zhang Jun's hand, "Xiao Jun, Auntie did something wrong yesterday, don't be angry, I apologize to you now, can you forgive Auntie?"

  Zhang Jun's mouth twitched, and he glanced at his third uncle with a look in his eyes. The latter grinned, looking pleased with himself, as if to say: What about it, kid? Didn't I tell you yesterday that I wasn't bragging?

  He sighed inwardly, and the resentment that had been building up in his heart yesterday gradually dissipated. He said, "Auntie, don't say that. You're my elder, how could I possibly be angry with you? Yesterday was my fault, I shouldn't have stormed off like that. Please don't be mad at me, and neither should Uncle."

  At this time, San Jiu finally spoke up. He let out a hearty "haha" and said: "That's more like it! What's the point of having so much ill will between family members? Yizhu, Xiaojun has already forgiven you."

  Yizhu was overjoyed and tears fell. She had always been strong-willed, but these past two days she had been humble and trying to get along with a younger colleague, which made her feel deeply moved and regretful of how she had treated her elder sister's family in the past few years.

  Everyone has good thoughts in their heart, and sometimes a thought can make many things clear.

  After dinner in the evening, Yizhu and Lu Hongmei watched TV in the living room, while Zhang Jun and a group of men went to the balcony to drink tea and chat.

  Third Uncle Lu Jianjun said: "Xiao Jun, give Mr. Shang a call, if we get the order from Chenyang Group, I can make at least tens of millions more each year."

  "No problem."

  Young Zhang Guoqiang's face was full of surprise, saying: "Xiao Jun, you actually know a big shot like Shang Yang?"

  "Ha ha", Zhang Jun smiled, holding his tea cup and said slowly: "Young uncle, I still know the mayor of Donghai City and the director of the personnel bureau, and our relationship is pretty good. If you bribe me now, maybe you can be promoted three levels at once, from a small clerk in the personnel bureau to a section chief."

  Zhang Guoqiang curled his lips and said, "A genius like me, even if I don't take the back door, can still be promoted three levels in a row."

  He still attaches great importance to Zhang Jun's revelation and said lightly, "Xiao Jun, find an opportunity to invite the head of the personnel bureau out for a meal."

  Zhang Junyi smiled and said, "Good."

  Zhang Guozhong felt that he couldn't quite see through his own son, who not only knew big businessmen but also dignified high-ranking officials, and even won a prize of 5 million yuan on a trip out, was the Zhang family's fortune about to change?

  After pondering for a moment, Zhang Guozhong coughed and his serious face was stern, so everyone closed their mouths and listened attentively.

  "Xiao Jun, this trip of yours may not be a bad thing if you can get to know some officials and nobles. However, remember to only do what is within your power, don't be overly ambitious." Zhang Guozhong said with deep concern.

  Zhang Jun nodded like a little chicken pecking at rice and said: "Dad is wise, son has taken note."

  Zhang Guozhong saw that he was not behaving properly, and with a slap in the face, he was left gaping, and immediately became serious.

  "Xiao Jun, don't think it's nothing, in the past our Zhang family also produced a big shot, unfortunately that big shot did things according to the ancestral teachings and caused trouble, leading to our Zhang family's decline." said Zhang Guozhong.

  As soon as he heard this, everyone became curious. Zhang Guoqiang asked: "Big brother, has our Zhang family ever produced any great figures?"

  Zhang Guozhong took a drag on his cigarette and slowly exhaled a long stream of smoke before saying, "The mayor of Majiatown."