CHAPTER 401: CHAPTER 305: MEETING THE LEADERSHIP (PART 2)

Their words excited the commander so much that he kept saying this was a great idea. He also mentioned how the army had initially cultivated talent by ensuring that work and study did not interrupt each other. He encouraged Zhang Guoqing to stay strong and seek help from his father-in-law if he encountered any difficulties and repeatedly reminded Zhou Xiaozheng not to hesitate to disturb him and to come by when he had time to keep him company.

Zhou Xiaozheng nodded repeatedly, promising that he would come to visit the senior leader once he was done with the busy work at hand and reminded him to take care of his health and get adequate rest.

The commander and the adjutant talked to Zhou Xiaozheng like they were talking to someone younger, asking about his current work situation and giving him a few words of advice. The entire conversation seemed natural and familiar among the three of them.

It was then that Zhou Jiao suddenly realized. Her dad often said that nobody else could manage him, that he had his own leaders. It turned out these two were his old leaders. No wonder the cunning ones from the Big Courtyard often visited her home. She had initially thought that her family was just friendly and hospitable, attracting playmates to her house.

The Chairman noticed Zhou Jiao’s expression and, smiling, asked her if she had discovered anything.

Zhou Jiao couldn’t focus on her thoughts and immediately replied that she finally understood who her dad’s senior leaders were.

Zhou Xiaozheng added, joking that his daughter didn’t even know his current position, level, or monthly salary. She had never asked even once and might think that all the old military men in the Big Courtyard were his superiors.

As soon as he finished speaking, the commander and the others burst into laughter seeing Zhou Jiao’s blushing and shy face.

Curiously, the commander asked Zhou Jiao why she never asked these questions. Was it because she forgot to ask or was she simply not curious?

With a straight posture, Zhou Jiao solemnly expressed that no matter how curious she might be, she would never ask.

Seeing everyone pausing to listen to her, Zhou Jiao paused and said that, in her understanding, the profession of a soldier was sacred. Soldiers themselves could not reveal too much to the outside world. Maybe a tiny matter could let the enemies analyze many secrets. She worried that she might inadvertently leak some news about her father, risking him and the country, which would make her a sinner. To her, her father’s rank and salary were meaningless as long as he was safe and healthy, and she preferred not knowing because her father would never let her starve.

"Very good! Extremely good! Such thoughtful considerations. She has a high level of awareness and a strong sense of crisis. Truly worthy as the descendant of Senior Sister Gu and Mr. Yu."

"This child takes after Xiao Zheng, acting considerately. A good child indeed. These words should be heard by those who constantly flaunt their fathers’ positions to the next generation."

The commander and everyone applauded repeatedly, expressing their amazement.

Zhou Jiao blushed, vigorously waving off their compliments and shaking her head, saying, "You all shouldn’t praise me like this. I’m not as good as you think. Really, I just worry about my own immaturity causing mistakes."

Afterward, as she calculated that it had nearly been two hours, she realized the more one talks, the higher the risk of saying something wrong. Some matters and words are enough and should end here.

Zhou Jiao carefully moved a framed picture from behind the chair and placed it on the coffee table at a distance from them. She explained that since her grandparents had been given justice under the commander’s leadership, she was deeply grateful in her heart. She initially thought of letting Zhang Guoqing send over some wild game as a gift but was worried about potential food issues.

In the end, she decided that only by making something with her own hands could she express her heartfelt appreciation. Therefore, she personally embroidered a piece to give to the commander, hoping he would accept her token of gratitude.

When the staff tore open the outer wrapping paper, the vibrant Su Embroidery inside was dazzling. The embroidery depicted the commander under the shining sun, radiating a sense of brilliance.

Zhou Xiaozheng knew the value of this embroidery. When the finished product was picked up a couple of days ago, the shop owner kept inquiring whether it could be resold at any price Zhou desired. Ultimately, the owner still did not give up, pleading if the master could rush another embroidery for him, also at the highest market price. Now, seeing everyone marveling in admiration, he felt even more proud.

The adjutant, upon seeing it, remarked that the most crucial element of this embroidery was the draft. The draft used a combination of traditional Chinese painting and oil painting, giving the piece a strong sense of dimensionality. When he learned that the initial to the finished draft were all done by Zhou Jiao herself, he couldn’t help but admire the bloodline of Mr. Yu and Senior Sister Gu.

The commander, touching the embroidery, was very happy and joked about whether he should offer a return gift. He noticed that Zhou Jiao, upon entering the room, frequently gazed at the calligraphy piece he personally wrote on the wall and, in a fit of enthusiasm, instructed the secretary and staff to prepare paper and ink, disregarding Zhou Jiao’s insistence that she had already received the best gift.

"**********"

Zhou Jiao stepped forward, bowed, and carefully accepted the gift with both hands. The staff inside suggested everyone take a group photo to commemorate the event, and after they did, the commander and the adjutant encouraged them with a few more words.

Seeing the secretary frequently glancing at the clock, Zhou Xiaozheng realized it had been over two hours and understood the senior leaders were undoubtedly busy with numerous tasks. He immediately led the two of them out to bid farewell.

Leaving Zhonghai, Zhou Jiao relaxed completely, slumping in her seat and letting out a long breath.

Zhou Xiaozheng smiled slightly, praising her, "You performed even better than Dad imagined. You maintained a calm, reserved demeanor, intriguing and leaving things to be pondered over much. Xiao Wu was also on point. Just keep it up; currently, it’s better to remain still than to act. Future matters should wait to be addressed later."

"Dad, I really feel for you now. Society’s complexities overwhelm me. The time I’ve spent eating, drinking, and having fun at the Big Courtyard has left me a bit dazed and complacent. I’ve been wondering why those people from the Big Courtyard keep coming to our house... It’s not like my brother and I have such great personal charm to attract them. Something’s not right, something’s not right," Zhou Jiao said, shaking her head humorously.

Her words caused Zhou Xiaozheng and his father-in-law to laugh heartily together.

"With Dad watching over you, being a bit muddled at home is fine. Don’t doubt your charm. It’s not that there aren’t people in the Big Courtyard with higher positions than Dad’s or with more affable families, but do you see them coming here? At home, just enjoy being comfortable. If you still have to think about so many things at home, then what’s the point of life? Quickly think about where to take you all tomorrow for fun?"

Zhou Jiao, concerned about him not getting enough rest, quickly interjected that they shouldn’t go out in the next couple of days. She had plenty of books at hand and could stay home to read them. However, she wasn’t expecting waves of invitations to arrive immediately.