Zuo Lin nodded, praising, "It’s good that you chose to stay here and take the time to look around. If you hadn’t done the right thing, with Zhou Xiaozheng’s protective nature, he wouldn’t have given you a chance to explain. He’d just take Jiao Jiao and leave with you. You’ll know the Northeast Tiger’s reputation in the future. You’re lucky your father-in-law cares about his daughter; otherwise, you’d be like an ant in front of him. With Zhou Xiaozheng, no one dares to offend Jiao Jiao. That’s the tiger’s reverse scale. The five brothers who came with him tonight all hold real power. Originally, there were twelve of them, but it seems a few have been transferred to government departments, and the rest are gone, all buried underground. Every year, Zhao Chuan Guang and his group burn paper money in sacks. They all look up to your father-in-law as their leader. The Lin Family has long been unable to suppress your father-in-law. I heard that your father-in-law is moving to a small courtyard and getting a car on this return. He’s agreed to give you two years’ time. Once he’s settled, after two years pass by, he’ll still pull you along. Putting you with Zhao Dashan wasn’t for you to achieve meritorious service, but to ensure he could protect you. As for you, uncle sees you’re quite clever. Don’t think about making contributions; just watch how others handle relationships at work and observe how Zhao Dashan coordinates departments. That’s what you should learn. Uncle will tell you how those officials cultivate their children. They’ll let their children visit every department and call on every old friend’s house, first to familiarize themselves with the process, second for connections. Then, every day, they’ll have the child write insights, analyzing each person’s character, strengths, and weaknesses. The most important is weaknesses, aiming to know oneself and the other. When the child becomes mature, they’ll be sent out to places they have seen to train and correct at any time. Once the child grows, they can take on the family’s responsibilities. The Lin Family’s original training target was your eldest uncle, but he still can’t compare with Zhou Xiaozheng, making Mr. Lin quite disappointed. Going back this time probably made him even more upset since his trained eldest grandson still can’t compare with you and Jiao Jiao. He must something made him lose sleep. Zhang Guoqing was silent for a moment after listening, feeling that Zuo Lin treated him well, but he still wanted to ask, "Uncle, I remember everything you said. I have one more thing I can’t figure out: why does your eldest brother want to go to Beijing? From what Uncle Guang said tonight, it doesn’t seem like a good chance. Logically, since the old man in your family has retired, there’s no need to be in Beijing." Zuo Lin looked at him and said, "Think about it more, if our Zuo Family doesn’t have anyone in Beijing, what will happen when the old man is gone? Why isn’t Zhao Chuan Guang leaving? He has his brother there, so it doesn’t matter if he goes or not." Zhang Guoqing chuckled foolishly, "I was overthinking it. Only your brother moving there, even if the old man retires, there’s still the network he can use. When the old man leaves, people will ignore the Zuo Family in Beijing, so they have to go, not for the position, but for stability and the big picture." "That’s why I say you’re smart, but what’s missing in a man? Attention to detail, and your advantage is that you have something others don’t—You have Zhou Jiao; she’s attentive, smart, and mature. Having such a wife is a blessing. Your grandpa is only manageable with your grandma; otherwise, with his straightforward temper, he’d offend many. I find Zhou Jiao even smarter and more accommodating than her grandma, always leaving room for maneuver. For example, for Zhou Xiaocun to come out, you always have to seek her consent. She agreed because she understood you’re thinking for her. Knowing full well that Zhou Xiaocun is the main culprit, she can still make decisions for the bigger picture, following your lead. With Zhou Xiaocun out, whatever happens, Zhou Xiaozheng doesn’t have to care, easing his mind. The move was right, but you still must guard against the opponent’s counter. "Uncle, thank you. I’ll be careful. When I decided, I already considered the consequences. But my dad treats us sincerely and even gave up his brother for us. I can’t let him have regrets later. Zhou Xiaocun is tied to the grandmother who raised Jiao Jiao; many aspects are intertwined. In fact, since my dad made the choice yesterday morning, I’ve been thinking until last night. I know it’s a bit soft-hearted, but people live to make some concessions for those in their hearts. I can only take preventive measures. If something happens, I can bring him back or send him in. I also told him I held onto the leverage from this incident, not revealing it. As long as he doesn’t backstab us, I won’t act. Haha, he’s rather clever, pinning all the blame on Huang Zhaodi. If he gets punished, it might impact everyone if there’s later a chance to overturn the case. I didn’t say anything either; this was already ambiguous. If we don’t hold on tightly, that’s just how it is." Zuo Lin nodded, "I’ve seen the conclusion, and this matter ends here. Don’t pay more attention. Just go with the written conclusion; it’s good for you and everyone. We’re home, stop at the front gate; I won’t invite you in. Tomorrow, get to the office early and settle things." Zhang Guoqing got out of the car, holding the food box, and, along with two bottles of wine, followed Aunt Zuo inside to place them in the main room, then left with the empty food box and got back into the car. Aunt Zuo looked at the table with fried cheese, venison, two bottles of wine, and also a box of cosmetics. After laying them out, she said to Zuo Lin, who was washing his feet, "Look at all these little things Xiao Wu sent over. Is it alright to keep them?" "What’s the problem, is there money or tickets in there? No, right? Xiao Wu is very particular about how he does things; you can relax. This child is righteous and honest in his ways. I’m happy to help him. Otherwise, with so many clever folks, why give him special attention? Befriending him means he will genuinely look after us. The couple values relationships and doesn’t sweat the small stuff. Didn’t you see how warm Xiao Wu is to Lin Lishan? You can also tell Jiao Jiao holds no grudges toward her mother. They prioritize relationships without petty concerns. They even forgave Zhou Xiaocun for Zhou Xiaozheng’s sake, showing compassion. That’s far better than those with a heart of stone. Didn’t you notice how those people treated Xiao Wu? Look at how Xiao Wu behaves—no sycophancy, just natural and sincere. He’s quite a character." "I saw Zhou Xiaozheng’s brothers today; indeed, big brother didn’t overestimate Zhou Xiaozheng, his charisma is indeed strong. Even Cheng Hongli and her husband treat him with great respect. I noticed Zhou Xiaozheng’s brothers were warmer to Cheng Hongli than to Lin Lishan." "They have issues with Lin Lishan. Seventeen years without a visit; no excuse holds water. It’s also because Zhou Xiaozheng forgives her, and Zhou Jiao forgives her, so everyone acts as if nothing happened. Take a look at Lin Lishan; she’s too straightforward and naive. It’s probably her nature, and with a father and daughter so cunning, they didn’t take it to heart, plus Lin Lishan’s 17 years of waiting for Zhou Xiaozheng. With a temperament like Zhou Jiao’s, no matter how bad her mom is, for her dad’s sake, she wouldn’t mention it. Why did Zhou Jiao reveal the Zhou Family’s matters at just the right time? We were all puzzled back then, but now that Zhou Xiaozheng is out, we understand. The child likely guessed long ago that her father was alive. This father-daughter duo is truly amusing. The Lin Family hurried over, probably on Old Mrs. Lin’s advice. Someone like Lin Lishan couldn’t come up with that, she was probably thrilled to reunite with her husband, forgetting her daughter back home. It’s almost unbelievable that someone like Lin Lishan could give birth to Zhou Jiao. Just like Old Mrs. Lin having a daughter like Lin Lishan—isn’t that retribution, haha." Aunt Zuo exclaimed, "So, are you saying Zhou Jiao knows Lin Family’s motives? And hasn’t blamed her mom? Then is this child truly forgiving, or is it just a show?" Zuo Lin shook his head, smiled, and sighed, "After seeing Lin Lishan, can you still blame her? She’s just naive. What is Zhou Jiao like? Look at Zhou Xiaozheng, and you’ll know. Seeing her mother like that, she couldn’t possibly blame her, and she likely worries about her mom being bullied and dragging her father down. Lin Lishan married a good man and had a good daughter; it’s true that naive people have their blessings. Nᴇw ɴovel chaptᴇrs are published on 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡⁂𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚⁂𝙣𝙚𝙩 Haha, thinking of Mrs. Lin is amusing. She’s digging her own grave; she thinks Zhou Jiao is an ordinary girl and assumes she’s the cleverest in the world. Weren’t you curious why I didn’t visit the Lin Family? The Lin Family’s two brothers and sisters never had a friend visit their home, haha, funny, isn’t it? Saying Jiao Jiao is like her mom, when Lin Lishan finished speaking, I saw Zhang Guoqing was choked, and Zhao Chuan Guang rolled his eyes." Aunt Zuo slapped her thigh, saying, "I remember, at that time Cheng Hongli mentioned Zhao Chuan Guang went to Beijing to inquire, but didn’t visit their home. When asked, Lin Lishan bewilderedly said no one told her about it. Cheng Hongli then remarked the daughter of his elder brother would know for sure, but Lin Lishan didn’t understand." "Haha, now you understand why Zhou Jiao forgives her mom? Can you blame someone like that? Besides, her mother is wholeheartedly devoted to her father. Time for bed; I’ll head inside first." Saying this, Zuo Lin laughed heartily as he went into the inner room.