PNB Chapter 139 Improvement Leads to Implicated Problems
Chapter 139 Improvement Leads to Implicated Problems
After Xiaoming came to a stop, he finally saw Andy next to him and excitedly called out, "Sister!" Then he circled around Zhang Liangjun. Zhang Liangjun took out a lollipop from his pocket, and only then did Xiaoming calm down.
"Xiaoming, get in the car!" Xiaoming readily obeyed Zhang Liangjun's order and got into the driver's seat.
Zhang Liangjun was both amused and exasperated. He tried to pull Xiaoming to sit in the back, but Andy stopped him and let Xiaoming sit in the front passenger seat instead. Andy could tell that Xiaoming probably regarded Zhang Liangjun as a father figure.
Yang Xiuyuan got on the bus from the other side and sat next to Andy.
On the way, Xiaoming accidentally bumped into the radio in the middle of the car. Then, the radio broadcast a news anchor's clear and articulate voice: "Recently, our city's crackdown on economic violations has yielded significant results. Several foreign trade companies involved have been shut down, and more than ten suspects, including Wei, have been arrested. The procuratorate will soon prosecute them on multiple charges, including smuggling and tax evasion. The public security authorities express their gratitude to the public for their procuratorial work in this operation, and especially commend Mr. He for his strong support of our city's special rectification campaign..."
Hearing this, Zhang Liangjun turned and smiled at Andy. Although Andy didn't know what Zhang Liangjun was smiling about, she still smiled back gently.
Instead of going straight home, the group bought some groceries at the market. Zhang Liangjun and Xiaoming stayed in the car to wait, while Andy and Yang Xiuyuan went into the market together.
Zhang Liangjun noticed that Andy had forced herself to take Yang Xiuyuan's arm, and couldn't help but smile knowingly. Perhaps because she had found someone to rely on, or perhaps because she had let go of a knot in her heart, Andy's fear was slowly dissipating, perhaps without her even realizing it.
When Xiao Ming saw Zhang Liangjun laugh, he chuckled along. Zhang Liangjun quickly closed the car window; the laughter was terrifying!
Back home, Zhang Liangjun helped Yang Xiuyuan cook. Andy wanted to help, but Yang Xiuyuan refused, since Andy was still a guest.
Whether it was Yang Xiuyuan's accurate prediction or just a coincidence, Zhang Zhipeng went home right after Yang Xiuyuan finished cooking.
"dad!"
"uncle!"
Zhang Zhipeng responded politely, "Okay, okay! Andy, right? Just sit down, no need to stand up! Hehe."
"Thank you." Andy sat down next to Zhang Liangjun.
Yang Xiuyuan quickly came over to urge them to eat, and the group sat down around the table one after another.
"Dad, let's not drink today. I'd like to talk to you later," Zhang Liangjun said to Zhang Zhipeng.
Zhang Zhipeng was taken aback. "Okay, then I won't drink it."
The five of them quickly finished their meal, which was without alcohol. Zhang Liangjun and Andy helped clear the table, and then Zhang Zhipeng was called to the inner room.
The room belonged to Zhang Zhipeng and Yang Xiuyuan. Zhang Zhipeng used a table as a desk, which was covered with various books, mainly economics books and basic books on various majors.
The room was small, with only one chair, so Zhang Liangjun took the initiative to sit on the edge of the bed and gave the chair to Zhang Zhipeng.
Zhang Zhipeng didn't stand on ceremony, sat down in a chair, and asked Zhang Liangjun with a smile, "Speak, what do you want to talk about?"
“Dad, I hope you can take this opportunity to retire.” Zhang Liangjun’s first words surprised Zhang Zhipeng!
"Step down!?" Surprise mixed with confusion. "Why?"
Zhang Liangjun said somewhat embarrassedly, "Next, I might be getting married!"
Zhang Zhipeng jumped to his feet. "Marriage is great! Is it to Andy? Great! Andy is nice, good-looking, and seems very capable."
“It’s not Andy!” Zhang Liangjun’s words broke Zhang Zhipeng’s composure.
"Explain this in detail! This back-and-forth is driving my heart crazy!" Zhang Zhipeng, no longer wanting to engage in any more extreme tug-of-war with Zhang Liangjun, simply flipped the table.
"Here's the thing..." Zhang Liangjun glossed over his relationships with several women, then explained in detail his wedding plan, and also told Zhang Zhipeng about buying a manor. "So, if these things are used by some people with ulterior motives, we might all be in some trouble. The main problem is that your side's troubles are more difficult to deal with."
After thinking for a while, Zhang Zhipeng slowly nodded, "I was originally planning to take a break this term. The higher-ups have already said that I will most likely be transferred to another region, which I don't really want to go. My health hasn't been as good as it was in the past two years, so I'd better leave the opportunities to the younger generation! Okay, then I'll step down! I'll talk to the higher-ups about the situation in a couple of days."
Zhang Liangjun felt that he had implicated Zhang Zhipeng this time. Although Zhang Zhipeng's health was indeed declining, it wasn't to the extent Zhang had described. Moreover, Zhang Zhipeng didn't try to make Zhang Liangjun back down or cut ties with others for the sake of his position; instead, he directly prepared to step down, which deeply moved Zhang Liangjun.
Those who aren't in that position don't understand the temptations of power! Clearly, Zhang Zhipeng felt that Zhang Liangjun was more important than what he possessed. But in truth, Zhang Zhipeng thought Zhang Liangjun was already quite good—rich, young, and healthy—these words, when combined, inevitably evoke images of decadent behavior, yet Zhang Liangjun had steadfastly remained within acceptable bounds until now, only slightly overstepping the mark. Zhang Zhipeng was already very satisfied.
Just as Zhang Liangjun was about to say something, Zhang Zhipeng spoke up again, "Xiaojun, actually there's something your mother and I discussed from the beginning, and we planned to tell you when you were close to getting married. Today, let's take this opportunity to tell you everything!"
Zhang Liangjun roughly guessed what Zhang Zhipeng wanted to say, but still wanted to confirm, "Please go ahead and say it."
"Actually, you're not our biological child!" Zhang Zhipeng's words were not unexpected for Zhang Liangjun, which was a good thing! This meant there were no other problems. Next, Zhang Zhipeng recounted the story of adopting Zhang Liangjun. Zhang Liangjun remembered most of these things, except for a small part, which he had no memory of because he slept for long periods as a child and spent his time in his sleep.
Zhang Zhipeng concluded, "So we decided to let you find your biological parents. During this time, I also asked your Uncle Li at the police station to check your household registration, but none of them matched. Maybe it's just not meant to be. Perhaps you can find something by checking yourself."
Zhang Liangjun knew, of course, that he had no parents in this world, but there was no need to tell Zhang Zhipeng this. As long as he agreed, that was enough; whether or not he actually looked for them was his own business.
By the time the two left the master bedroom, it was already quite dark. Andy was playing some math games with Xiaoming. What were very difficult problems for others became incredibly easy for them. They filled a page of Sudoku puzzles in less than a minute, even choosing the most difficult level.
Upon seeing Zhang Liangjun, Xiaoming threw down his pen, grabbed a chocolate, and handed it to Zhang Liangjun, saying, "Candy! My sister gave it to me!"
Xiaoming can't distinguish between sugar and chocolate; to him, they're both sugar.
Zhang Liangjun took the chocolate, opened the package, and took a bite. It was indeed very sweet and delicious. He then ruffled Xiaoming's hair as a reward.
Andy sat on the sofa watching this scene, his eyes filled with envy.