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The air conditioning in the private room was set to seventeen degrees, and the steaming hot pot was filled with boiling broth, with cooked lamb slices and vibrant green vegetables swirling around. After a few drinks and the joy of finishing the college entrance examination, every face radiated warmth and happiness. Taolengman looked at the scene before her and sighed, "Graduation is wonderful."
Zhang Qiu smiled and said, "Next year on this day, I will personally celebrate with you all."
"Really, Brother Qiu?" Taolengman asked with her round eyes wide open, while Tao Ya beside her kept her head down.
"Really, same place, same people. Of course, I don't mind if any of you bring your family along."
"It's time to find someone."
"Oh, Gao Zhi, wanting to find someone right after graduation? Do you have a target?"
"I do, but hey, let’s wait until it happens."
This was the first time Zhang Qiu heard Gao Zhi speak at such a volume and couldn't help but laugh, "Alright, then let's wait until you've succeeded."
"No problem, Brother Qiu. Actually, I've always wanted to say thank you to you."
"Thank you?" Zhang Qiu didn't expect that from Gao Zhi and asked, "What are you thanking me for?"
"Brother Qiu, the reason I chose to follow you back then has a purpose that I’ve never shared with you."
Zhang Qiu smiled and said, "I know."
"You know?" This time it was Gao Zhi's turn to be surprised.
"Yes, I knew from the moment you decided to follow me. However, I didn't know what your specific reason was."
"Brother Qiu, why didn't you ask me?"
"Because I trust you. Everyone has their reasons for doing things; sometimes those reasons might not be convenient for others to know. I believed that your willingness to follow me meant something. I thought working hard in the club would be enough; as for the reason, I figured you'd tell me when the time was right. And look, here we are."
"Brother Qiu, I... thank you!" Gao Zhi said, tears beginning to shimmer in his eyes. No one had ever spoken to him like that before. There was trust, friendship, and it made Gao Zhi feel a sense of respect, something he had rarely felt since coming to this world.
Zhang Qiu handed Gao Zhi two tissues and smiled, "Alright, alright, you're a grown man, why are you crying?"
"Brother Qiu, my parents divorced when I was very young. I don't know what a father's love is. In the village, no one looked up to me, except for one police officer who treated me well. My mother went out to work to support us and would come home late at night, locking me inside the house. Only that police uncle would come to check on me and bring me a piece of candy."
When Gao Zhi reached this point, he hesitated for a while before continuing, "Since we're on the topic, let me share something. One evening, it was pouring rain and my mom hadn't come back. I was so hungry my stomach was growling. I was scared and hungry, hiding under the quilt on the bed. Suddenly someone knocked on the door; I heard the police uncle calling for me, so I ran to open the door. He brought me a full box of dumplings. That police uncle was really a good person! When I took the dumplings from him, I said something—I can't remember exactly what it was anymore—but he later told me that my girlfriend is related to this story."
"Good people are getting rarer these days," Wang Zhengxiang remarked from the side, while others chimed in, "Don't interrupt!"
"Gao Zhi, continue. How does your girlfriend relate to your past?"
"Because her dad is that police uncle from back then."
"Ah?"
Gao Zhi's answer surprised everyone. He continued explaining, "That's right. The police uncle told me that when I took the dumplings from him, I said, 'Uncle, please go save my mom; she can't come back in this heavy rain.' Those words struck deep into his heart. He thought that when his daughter grew up, he would definitely introduce her to me. Before the college entrance exam, he called me and brought up this matter again, inviting me to his house during summer vacation to meet his daughter."
As Gao Zhi shared this story himself, everyone felt as if they were being touched by the same emotions that had struck the police officer back then. A child who could say such things must be a filial and understanding person. While Zhang Qiu felt moved by this story, a hint of concern arose in his heart. Can a father's wishes truly represent his daughter? In the twenty-first century, where marriage is free, Gao Zhi seemed too happy about this; he might end up disappointed. As everyone congratulated Gao Zhi, Zhang Qiu asked, "Does his daughter agree with this?"
Gao Zhi smiled and replied, "Brother Qiu, I understand your concern. Don't worry; we've met many times before—though those were mostly visits to see her dad. This time it's to see her. That girl is really nice; if it works out, it would be my luck. If not, that's okay too."
"That's good to hear; I wish you success."
"Thank you, Brother Qiu."
Gao Zhi clinked glasses with Zhang Qiu and was about to drink when Zhang Qiu stopped him. Zhang Qiu smiled and said, "Let's all raise our glasses together to wish Gao Zhi success."
Everyone raised their glasses in unison. Without hesitation, Gao Zhi drank it all down and repeatedly thanked everyone before saying, "I may have gone off track a bit there, but from this story you all can sense what kind of existence I had in the village, right?"
"Being ignored is like a wild grass."
"Brother Qiu, your description is too accurate. In the village, I am just a piece of wild grass that people overlook. Of course, there are times when I'm not ignored, like when the villagers make fun of me. Due to my special family situation, almost everyone looks down on me. It wasn't until I started school that my mom took me to the city to rent a house, and during the summer and winter vacations, I didn't go back home but spent all my time at my grandmother's house. Even when I got accepted into the first high school, the villagers still said, 'That Gao Zhi? He must have cheated to get into the first high school!' Brother Qiu, can you understand how I felt when I happily received my acceptance letter but heard people say that?"
Gao Zhi took a big gulp of his drink and continued, "In high school, I couldn't afford to slack off for even a moment. I had to prove to others that I wasn't cheating; I got into the first high school through my own efforts. I was always waiting for the moment to stand tall and proud. My goal was the college entrance examination—to get into a good university and show everyone that I'm not inferior."
At this point, Gao Zhi stared at Zhang Qiu: "Until I met you, Brother Qiu. At first, it was just because you liked listening to Beyond, which I also enjoyed, that we became close. Later on, I discovered something in you that I lacked; I couldn't quite put my finger on it, but I envied it deeply. When you established the Hall Society, I made up my mind to join you. It was a gamble—if I succeeded, I'd turn my life around. Failure didn't scare me; where else could I retreat to?"
"Joining the Hall Society was the best decision I've ever made in my life. I've met you guys—my good brothers. Whether it's studying or fighting, I feel like life has become so much more meaningful since then. Afterward, when I went back to my grandmother's house, with the money you gave me today, Brother Qiu, I bought a bunch of gifts for my grandmother and mom. I also want to go back to the village and let everyone see that Gao Zhi is no worse than anyone else!"
Silence fell over the room, as quiet as night, only interrupted by the bubbling sound of the hot pot. No one expected that behind Gao Zhi's usual cheerful demeanor lay such a story—both desolate and warm. Everyone had countless words they wanted to say but couldn't express; they could only offer silent comfort through their gazes. The burly Gao Zhi leaned over the table and cried like a child, releasing eighteen years of pent-up sorrow all at once. As he cried, he began to laugh again—laughing like a child—for the first time in eighteen years he felt such relief.
Jiang Xue, Rui Rui, and Tao Ya from Sister Flowers were already crying out loud nearby; Yang Yu and others also had red eyes. Zhang Qiu wiped away his tears and stood up next to Gao Zhi, patting him on the shoulder with a smile: "Good brother, you've already proven yourself with your abilities. Others may look down on you, but you mustn't look down on yourself. What you can achieve now, you will continue to achieve in the future until you're admired by others and no one dares to underestimate you."
"Okay." Gao Zhi wiped his tears and nodded vigorously.
Zhang Qiu raised his glass and called out to everyone: "Alright everyone, today is a happy day! Let's all drink another toast!"
"Cheers!"
The atmosphere reignited as Gao Zhi's voice grew louder than before amidst laughter. Zhang Qiu smiled and said: "Gao Zhi, since you've been thanking me all night, I have to ask something from you."
Gao Zhi was taken aback for a moment before laughing: "Brother Qiu, whatever you want, just ask."
"I want people."
"People?" Gao Zhi didn't immediately understand what Zhang Qiu meant; others were also confused and looked at Zhang Qiu.
"That's right—people." Zhang Qiu pointed at Tao Ya and her group from Sister Flowers with a smile: "I heard these two are with you?"
"That's right, they are indeed famous in our club, Sister Flowers."
"I want those two, let them come with me."
"I have no objections, Brother Qiu, it's just..." Gao Zhi glanced at Jiang Xue, his hesitation was obvious.
Seeing everyone's gaze focused on her, Jiang Xue waved her hands repeatedly and said, "Don't look at me, I have no objections. Whatever Zhang Qiu decides is fine, let him decide."
Gao Zhi gave Zhang Qiu a thumbs up and praised, "Brother Qiu, you're impressive, I agree."
"What’s so impressive about that?"
"To be so bold in wanting Sister Flowers, and your sister-in-law isn't even upset with you. What else could be more impressive?" Gao Zhi chuckled, while Tao Ya blushed and lowered her head even more. Taolengman eagerly expressed, "Brother Qiu, I’m willing to follow you."
Zhang Qiu looked at the mischievous smiles of the crowd and helplessly said, "What are you all thinking? I want Taolengman and Tao Ya, but not in the way you think."
"Brother Qiu, then what do you mean?" Even Tao Ya, who had been keeping her head down, looked up intently at Zhang Qiu.
Zhang Qiu pulled Jiang Xue closer and smiled, "Of course I want them to follow Xue'er. Xue'er is Hall Society's Sister Zhang, and she can't manage without anyone under her. It's not suitable for a woman to lead a group of men, but having a group of beautiful women is different; it will definitely be a stunning sight in the club."
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