Chapter 119: The Tripod (1)

After completing the paperwork to return to school, Zhang Guoqing carried two stacks of new textbooks to his car. He hadn’t even closed the car door when two people suddenly darted inside and quickly slammed the door shut.

Zhang Guoqing was startled. In broad daylight, who could it be? He glanced inside, and when he saw who it was, he quickly checked the school gate to make sure no one had noticed, then hurriedly got in and drove away.

Only after he’d turned a corner and the school was out of sight did Zhang Guoqing finally breathe a sigh of relief. He pulled over to the side of the road, turned to his two close friends, Li Qinglin and Zhang Yuntao, and asked, “How did you two sneak out? If you missed me, couldn’t you just come to my house? Aren’t you supposed to be in class? If you’re not going back, I’m just going to drive off.”

Zhang Yuntao glanced at the new books beside him and sighed, “Xiao Wu, why are you still buying books? I’ve already given up on mine and left them at home. What a waste, a huge loss.”

Li Qinglin smacked him on the head. “The point isn’t the books. Xiao Wu is making a comeback, you idiot.”

He then turned to Zhang Guoqing. “Xiao Wu, have you really decided to take the college entrance exam? Is everything settled at home? What about your baby? Have you thought it all through?”

“It’s all been considered. Today I finished the paperwork to return. Other than the final exams each semester, I’ll be studying at home on extended leave. I’m a year behind you guys, but if all goes well, we’ll skip a grade and catch up. After the New Year, I’ll be working and reviewing at the same time. Have you two decided whether to keep studying for college or just start working? How about the three of us all take the college entrance exam together? Let’s go to the big city and see the world.”

Li Qinglin leaned back in his seat with his eyes closed and pointed at Zhang Yuntao.

Zhang Yuntao looked at the two of them. “I was just about to discuss this with you. Now that both of you want to take the exam, what am I supposed to do? Well, desperate times call for desperate measures. I’ll give it a shot. Anyway, enough about that. Xiao Wu, where did you get the car you’re driving today?”

Zhang Guoqing pointed at the books in the back. “Let’s drop the books off at the county hotel first. I’m helping my mother-in-law return the car to the provincial capital. This car belongs to the provincial military district. It should’ve been returned yesterday, but I put it off until today. If it weren’t almost out of gas, I’d be reluctant to give it back. Help me cover those books with cloth bags and tie them up tight.”

Li Qinglin looked at him suspiciously but didn’t ask. He knew the “cover” would ask. Sure enough, Yuntao started complaining, “Putting brand new books in old sacks, are you crazy?”

Zhang Guoqing rolled his eyes. “People are coming and going at the hotel. In less than an afternoon, the whole town would know what my wife and I are up to. If we use cloth bags, who’ll know what’s inside?”

After he finished, Li Qinglin grinned and winked at Zhang Yuntao, gloating. “See, I told you you’re dumb. Want to go to the provincial capital with Xiao Wu later? We could go for a stroll.”

Zhang Yuntao rolled his eyes. “We’re already in the car, obviously we’re coming along. How do you not get that? And you call me dumb?”

“Hey, Yuntao, you’re quick with the comebacks today.” With that, the two started bickering.

After dropping off the books, Zhang Guoqing drove straight to the provincial military district, a trip that took over two hours. When he arrived, he returned the car keys and paperwork, politely declined their invitation to stay, pointed to his two friends waiting outside, and managed to slip away.

Li Qinglin saw him come out, grabbed Zhang Yuntao, and walked away from the building. Once they were a safe distance away, he turned to Zhang Guoqing. “Xiao Wu, why are those people so polite to you? Do you think you’ll be able to borrow a car again?”

Seeing their hopeful expressions, Zhang Guoqing couldn’t bear to disappoint them. “You need an officer’s ID to borrow a car. If anyone could borrow one, how would the military district get anything done? Walk everywhere? Don’t be discouraged. If we want to ride in nice cars in the future, we’d better work hard now.”

“Yeah, let’s work hard! You guys study, I’ll hitch a ride.”

Li Qinglin kicked him and scolded with a laugh, “Yuntao, I see right through you. You just talk big. When we get back, I’ll talk to your dad about how to force you into becoming a success.”

“No amount of force will work. ‘Neither riches nor poverty can sway me, nor can power bend me.’”

“Heh, a stick and a whip, and if you still don’t listen, a few drops of candle wax—let’s see if you still remember those words. It’s just that your dad spoils the youngest. If it were up to me, I’d make sure you lived in misery.”

Zhang Guoqing smiled as he watched them banter. “So, where do you guys want to go in the provincial capital? You decide today.”

“I don’t have a penny on me. Wherever you go, I’ll just tag along.”

“Are you dumb? Did you spend all your money on gifts for some girl? Yuntao, listen to me, those girls aren’t worth it. If your dad finds out, he’ll kill you. Take your brother’s advice—find someone like Xiao Wu, someone you’ve known since you were in split pants. That chubby girl next door isn’t bad—she smiles like a flower, and you won’t have to worry about starving if you marry her. Your mom likes her, and most importantly, every time she sees you, her eyes light up like she’s looking at braised pork.” Li Qinglin teased.

Zhang Yuntao ran to Zhang Guoqing for help, pleading pitifully, “Xiao Wu, please get this lunatic away from me. He’s trying to kill me for the sake of brotherhood. That girl weighs over 200 pounds—if she sits on me, I’m done for.”

Zhang Guoqing shot him a sidelong glance and joked, “Then you figure out a way to pin her down. If you’re on top, you win.”

“Haha…” Li Qinglin burst out laughing. “Exactly, if you’re outmatched in strength, use your wits. It’ll be fun every day. That ‘matchstick girl’ at school won’t do—her skin’s too dark and rough. At night with the lights off, are you sure you could even find her?”

Zhang Yuntao glared at him and jabbed his finger angrily. “She’s not called ‘matchstick girl’—she’s got a unique charm. Besides, I already turned her down. I have to think about my future kids. But honestly, these girls are so persistent, why do they stick to me like green-headed flies?”

Li Qinglin snorted. “Ignore her, don’t go soft. She’s not a good one—always bringing you two buns while her siblings at home go hungry. You ignore her and she puts on a pitiful act, but with that face, she can’t pull it off. I’m sick of her. If you keep being soft-hearted, she’ll never let go. She’s after your status as the party secretary’s son, you fool.”

“Then why doesn’t she go after you? She’s always scared of you.” Zhang Yuntao looked at him in confusion.

Li Qinglin, exasperated, jabbed his own head and turned to Zhang Guoqing, shrugging and rolling his eyes to the sky.

Finally, he sighed helplessly. “Xiao Wu, talk some sense into him. Otherwise, this idiot’s going to fall for it. You and Jiaojiao aren’t at school, so you don’t know—this matchstick girl won’t give up because he’s soft-hearted. If any other girls talk to him, she looks at them with teary eyes, like someone’s stealing her man. I’ve glared at her a few times, and she avoids me. Girls like that are nothing but trouble. She’s no beauty, but she acts all delicate—makes me sick. Zhao Yuanyuan always argues with her, but she still can’t beat the matchstick girl.”"