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Chapter 110: The Same Question, Different People
As the dinner began, the family members felt varying degrees of discomfort. However, as they engaged in casual conversation, that discomfort gradually faded away. Slowly, they began to feel a sense of ease with one another, much like the feeling between good friends.
Jiang Xue's poise and politeness left a great impression on Zhang Zhi Hua and He Mei. Meanwhile, Zhang Zhi Hua's kindness and He Mei's warmth made Jiang Xue feel comfortable as well. They neither exhibited the traditional parental authority nor held conventional views; dining with them felt no different than being with peers.
"Zhang Qiu, what happened today? Why do you both have blood on you?" When they were almost done eating, Zhang Zhi Hua timely voiced his concern. He Mei also focused her attention, ready to hear what Zhang Qiu had to say, as they had discussed beforehand.
Zhang Qiu knew that Zhang Zhi Hua would definitely ask about it; it was impossible to hide the fight. It was fine to bring it up, but Jiang Xue's situation was more complicated. After thinking it over, Zhang Qiu decided to hold back some details and simply said, "I got into a fight because Liu Xiaolong and some people from school cornered me."
"You child, why are you fighting with others again?" He Mei complained upon hearing that Zhang Qiu had been in a fight.
"Auntie, it's not Zhang Qiu's fault; those bad people were bullying him. They usually act tough at school," Jiang Xue defended him.
Seeing Jiang Xue protect her son like this made He Mei smile involuntarily. She gently replied, "Auntie isn't blaming him; I'm not blaming him." Then she sighed, "But the college entrance examination is coming up soon..."
Zhang Qiu noticed that Jiang Xue's expression darkened immediately when He Mei mentioned the exam. He quickly interrupted, saying, "Mom, you can rest assured; I will take care of myself and won't let it affect my studies."
"Sigh, you child really don't let us worry less," He Mei sighed again. Since Zhang Qiu had already reassured her so much, she didn't have anything more to say. She affectionately patted Zhang Qiu's head and said, "Have some more soup; this pork rib soup is very light and not salty."
"Okay." Zhang Qiu replied and served a bowl in front of Jiang Xue before taking one for himself. He then sat down and quietly held Jiang Xue's slightly cold hand under the table. Jiang Xue looked at Zhang Qiu gratefully, and he smiled and nodded back.
"Don't rush to drink the soup; I want to ask you about the blood from the fight. It doesn't look like an injury!" Zhang Zhi Hua noticed that Zhang Qiu was avoiding the main issue and his expression turned serious.
Zhang Qiu felt uncomfortable under Zhang Zhi Hua's intense gaze. He didn't want to answer directly, but his father was insisting on getting a clear explanation. How could he handle this situation?
"Yes, what's with all the blood on you? I heard from your dad that you're covered in it." He Mei also started to worry. It's good if her son isn't hurt, but if he hurt someone else, he would have to take responsibility.
"Uncle and Aunt, it's my fault..." Jiang Xue tried to deflect the blame, but Zhang Qiu interrupted her, saying, "Dad, I brought people to fight. We had iron pipes, so there was blood."
Jiang Xue stared blankly at Zhang Qiu. Zhang Qiu slightly shook his head, and Jiang Xue bit her lip, swallowing back the words she wanted to say.
With a loud bang, Zhang Zhi Hua slammed his hand on the table and stood up, causing the bowl of rib soup to ripple from the force.
"Fighting with iron pipes? What on earth are you thinking!"
Zhang Qiu also stood up, staring into his father's eyes and said, "There was no choice. If we didn't use iron pipes, we would just get beaten."
"Why do you have to fight!" Zhang Zhi Hua glared at him.
"Because someone wants to beat me. I had no choice."
"Who wants to beat you?"
"Liu Xiaolong."
"…"
Zhang Zhi Hua suddenly let his hands drop and sat back down weakly on the chair, sighing repeatedly. After a long while, he finally raised his head and sighed again, "In the end, this is all because of me. They want the house; I should just let them have it. Why do I have to show off my abilities? Sigh, it's all my fault…"
Zhang Qiu looked at his father, who had a face full of regret. If his father were angry and scolded him or even hit him, that would be fine. But now, with things being this way, Zhang Qiu felt completely helpless and could only advise, "Dad, please don't blame yourself for everything. Actually, this fight was mainly because I had a conflict with someone at school; Liu Xiaolong just came to stir up trouble."
Zhang Zhi Hua smiled self-deprecatingly and said, "Don't try to comfort me. Although I'm your dad, I'm not old. Sigh, it's fine. I've been honest all my life; it's normal for you to be a bit unruly, after all, you're a Zhang. Your grandfather was around during unprecedented chaos and could make quite a ruckus. But now we live in peaceful times and a society governed by law; you need to be more careful in whatever you do, okay?"
"Yes, yes, I understand, Dad."
"By the way, Dad, can you tell me about my grandfather's stories? I always ask you, but you never tell me." Zhang Qiu's grandfather passed away early, and he had never met Qiu Sheng Zhang. However, from snippets of conversation with his father, Zhang Qiu learned that his grandfather had also done significant things in his time. At the very least, his grandfather fought against the Japanese invaders, but every time Zhang Zhi Hua was willing to share details about it.
Zhang Qiu looked at Zhang Zhi Hua, hoping this time he would share stories about his grandfather. However, the result was disappointing once again as Zhang Zhi Hua shook his head and said, "There's nothing much to tell; just drink your soup before it gets cold."
Zhang Qiu smiled and shook his head as he picked up the spoon to drink the soup; the flavor of the stew from the clay pot was simply different.
Jiang Xue did not pick up her spoon. After listening to the conversation between Zhang Qiu and his father, she asked him a question that someone had asked before—what is the Zhang Family?
Zhang Qiu recounted his family background and history to Jiang Xue. After finishing, he reflected on how the same question was now posed by someone different. When Wang Jinghan asked him this question back then, his father had just been injured by Liu Xiaolong and hospitalized. It was during that time that Zhang Qiu grew closer to Wang Jinghan. So much had happened in just a few weeks: former Police Chief Wang Guodong was reassigned while Uncle He Jun took over; he dealt a heavy blow to Liu Xiaolong's gang and intimidated Zeng Fan; the Hall Society established its foothold at Beiluan No. 1 High School. Zhang Qiu finally recognized himself and fell in love with Jiang Xue, growing from a boy into a man.
However, this girl who helped Zhang Qiu grow was about to face imprisonment.
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