CHAPTER 143: CHAPTER 113: TRIPOD (PART 3)

As the sun sets in the west, the alley starts to bustle, and there are more people on the road. Zhang Guoqing rubs his numb legs, squats to read a book, gets engrossed, and subconsciously looks up to check the sky, quickly searching for them.

Upon seeing, besides not far from Li Qinglin, Zhang Yuntao on the opposite side is chatting vigorously with the young girl vendor. Looking at him, he’s just about to bring her back.

Zhang Guoqing and Li Qinglin laugh heartily at each other, that guy is educating for nothing.

According to Zhang Guoqing’s perspective, Zhang Yuntao should graduate from high school and pursue a military path. Military school and enlisting are the right way. His physical condition is good, he wins many awards in track and field every year, along with his personality, it’s really suitable. Unfortunately, his father is watching over him, having arranged the route ahead.

"Taozi, we’re leaving." Zhang Guoqing waves for him to come over. Doesn’t he see the little girl chatting with him? Even passersby are taking an extra look.

Leaving the market, Zhang Guoqing sees Zhang Yuntao touching his belly, secretly chuckling.

"How about we grab some lamb offal soup one more time? Eat and then go back, we’ll catch the last bus."

"Oh my, good buddy. That’s a good suggestion." Zhang Yuntao happily embraces him, shouting loudly.

Li Qinglin pulls them along a shortcut. Before even reaching the front of the shop, there are already two lines waiting. Seeing these long lines, Zhang Yuntao sighs heavily, just about to look at another store. Li Qinglin smiles mysteriously and leads them through a detour to the back door to enter.

"Lin Zi really knows his stuff here."

"There’s no other way, it’s basically always full here. We go in saying we’re old regulars, Xiao Wu shows them the bag and no one has a word of complaint, who would think we buy it and then double back."

Inside, Zhang Yuntao spots an empty seat just at the edge, pulls them to sit, and smiles at the server who’s just about to invite customers from outside in.

The server still remembers the three of them. Who could forget this trio who ate so much at noon and packed all the sheep’s stomach prepared by them? Seeing them now, smiling and nodding continuously.

After eating, Zhang Guoqing and the others rush to catch the last bus, returning from the provincial city to the county when it’s already pitch black. After getting off, Li Qinglin and Zhang Yuntao think they might as well accompany Xiao Wu to the restaurant to fetch his book, and maybe eat some more while they’re at it.

No way around it, lamb offal soup can’t serve as the main dish, even a few stuffed pastries aren’t enough to fill the gap in their teeth. They sneakily return to school, risk starving if waiting until morning to eat at the cafeteria.

As soon as Sister Wang sees them enter the restaurant, she is stunned and looks at them in shock, "How did you three gather together? Where did all these big bags come from? Looking at this miserable state, could it be you’ve traveled far?"

Zhang Yuntao sees her and laments, "Sis, quickly see what there is to eat, serve us first, we’re starving. Let’s eat and we’ll talk, we traveled far and walked till we’re almost crippled."

"Oh dear, you three fools, why didn’t you take the bus? Did you spend all your money?" She finishes without waiting for a reply, yelling loudly: "Chef, Xiao Wu and the three brothers are here, serve a big bowl of noodles, with extra meat, add more."

The guests drinking at the restaurant next to them laugh, "Miss, are those your brothers? Don’t worry, when hungry, they’ll understand not to travel far next time."

A middle-aged man slightly familiar with their history chuckles, pointing at Zhang Guoqing and the others saying, "They are known as the county’s three-legged stand. Do you know what a three-legged stand is? Every year, they win awards in the provincial city competitions, both literary and martial. Plus these three kids often stay together. The kids at school nicknamed them. Don’t be fooled by their stories of long travel; they’re absolutely lying. Look at their shoes."

Upon hearing, the guests who size up their shoes burst into laughter. Sister Wang also shakes her head, amused, "Taozi, are you deliberately giving your sister grief?"

Zhang Yuntao, seeing Sister Wang squinting her apricot eyes, is frightened and quickly explains, "Sis, you misunderstood, we really did travel a long road, but it was the long road in the marketplace. The provincial city’s old goods market is massive, we only returned after half a day’s wandering."

"Humph, okay, you’re forgiven. Quickly, tell me what you bought?"

"See for yourself, it’s all here. Nothing but old books and tapes; you wouldn’t care. Finishing this, glancing at those drinking next door, he quietly asks: "When are you being transferred back, aren’t you getting married soon? Why still stay here? Are you dumb not letting that nut get transferred to the county? Since he could get into the township, he can get into the county town."

Sister Wang’s shoulders sag as she dejectedly whispers, "It’s useless, I’ve sought people. They say just entered the unit not even a year, would leave a bad impression with leaders, say can apply after three years. If I work in the county for three years, I can apply due to long-term separation from my husband. I haven’t decided whether to go to the township yet, will work till the end of the year; working anywhere means working."

Zhang Yuntao gives her a pitiful glance. Then looking at Zhang Guoqing and Li Qinglin chatting nearby, not noticing him and Sister Wang, he blinks, thinks for a moment then lets it be. He estimates the two brothers aren’t willing to deal with official matters, it’s not a lack of work, but a choice issue.

Sister Wang glances at Zhang Yuntao who had eyed the other two, feeling amused. Among the three, this guy’s the softest-hearted. Yet she’s unwilling to ask them for help; good steel must be used on the edge of the blade. Such minor matters shouldn’t be casually mentioned as relationships might sour. She knows well that the two will solve it as soon as brought up, especially Xiao Wu; despite having the simplest background among the tripod, his words carry the most weight, he mingles only with influential people in the county. Adding on marrying Zhou Jiao, he’s really swimming like a fish in water.

Regarding Cheng Feng’s job origins which others don’t know the details, she had known long ago. Besides Cheng Feng’s uncle pulling some strings several times, the key was Zhang Guoqing who had noticed something and took him to the station master’s house, and Cheng Feng started working the next day.

Cheng Feng repeatedly asked her to keep it secret, to stay friendly with Zhang Guoqing’s couple. Especially Zhou Jiao, who is the apple of Zhang Guoqing’s eye. He detailed the character and demeanor of the couple, and stressed several times encountering things not to lightly turn to Zhang Guoqing, like this job transfer wouldn’t help with mentioning, it hasn’t reached the critical point, Zhang Guoqing wouldn’t take action. Cheng Feng, as Zhang Guoqing’s iron buddy, surely understand him well.

The chef yells loudly from inside, "Xiao Wu, come and grab the bowls quickly, and you two lads do you need it delivered to you? Hurry and eat to go back early, spare the family from worrying."

Zhang Guoqing and the two squint at each other swiftly rushing over, "Oh, Master Chef, you truly are a good person. Eating this bowl of noodles makes our eyes teary. Deeply moved!"

"Master Chef, if you’re not in the restaurant, what will we three brothers do?"

"Master Chef, don’t listen to their flattery. I’m the one who appreciates you most. Every time you add more meat, I’m grateful from the bottom of my heart every time!"

The chef laughs while cursing, "Get out, you three scoundrels with no conscience. Who needs your gratitude, quickly eat well and go back early, aren’t you afraid the family would worry?"

Zhang Guoqing smilingly carries the big bowl to find a corner table to sit down, followed by the other two. They all wink knowingly, understanding the chef must have secretly buried big chunks of meat underneath.

Zhang Guoqing pokes with chopsticks, indeed finding big pieces of meat. Every time the chef sees them, he stealthily adds it in, they say nothing, some things need no saying.