PCJ – Chapter 464 The Young Eagle Spreads Its Wings

Zhang Jiaohua didn’t say anything further. The family of three silently finished their meal.

“Mom, I’m going to play at the Mute’s house tonight,” Zhang Jiaohua said as he finished eating and ran outside.

“Alright, come back early,” Liu Qiaoye responded.

As Liu Qiaoye cleaned up, she muttered, “This child just came back, ate, and ran out again.”

“Once a child grows up, they no longer follow their parents. Just like a young eagle, once it’s grown, it can’t be confined in a cage; it has to fly high,” Zhang Youping said with a hint of meaning in his words.

Liu Qiaoye immediately understood what Zhang Youping meant. Pouting, she said, “I just want to keep him here.”

Zhang Youping shook his head. “You can’t fool me, and you can’t fool yourself either. You know, even though Jiaohua hasn’t said much, you understand what’s on his mind. Our child is different from others. He’s starting to have his own ideas. Honestly, I can’t bear to let him go either, but I don’t want to see him like a young eagle with its legs tied, wanting to fly but being held back by ropes, unable to soar. As children grow, they need to be let go.”

“But… but to me, he’ll always be my little child,” Liu Qiaoye said, unable to bear the thought of her child slipping out of her hands. Though she knew what Zhang Youping said made sense, she couldn’t quite admit it.

Zhang Youping understood that Liu Qiaoye’s heart was softening, but she just needed time to process it.

“Don’t rush it, don’t rush it. First, we need to give him some space to grow. A boy can’t do anything without a bit of patience,” Zhang Youping said.

When Zhang Jiaohua returned home, the lights were already out. As he quietly pushed open the door and was about to head to his room, the lights turned on, and Liu Qiaoye was sitting in the living room.

“Mom, why aren’t you asleep yet?” Zhang Jiaohua asked, surprised.

“I’ve been waiting for you. You’re back so late. I know what you’re thinking. Do you really want to leave us and go out into the world? Do you understand how difficult it is out there?”

“Of course I understand. If it wasn’t difficult, I wouldn’t go. As cultivators, we believe in entering and exiting the world. If I don’t go out, how can I see through the causes and effects of everything in the world?” Zhang Jiaohua replied.

“Since you’ve made up your mind, I’ll support you. I won’t stop you from going out anymore. But, I have three rules. First, you must contact us regularly and let us know you’re safe. Second, if you run into difficulties, you must get in touch with us. Third, if you get tired of your journey, come back home. The door will always be open for you. No matter what trouble you get into, we’ll stand by you.” Liu Qiaoye’s eyes were filled with tears as she said this.

Zhang Jiaohua looked at Liu Qiaoye in shock. He had thought convincing her would be difficult, but suddenly, this challenge was resolved.

Zhang Youping stood at the door, listening to his wife’s conversation with their son. He didn’t go out but smiled with satisfaction. Still, the thought that his son would leave soon made him feel a bit reluctant.

“But you’re not leaving right away, are you?” Liu Qiaoye said after a moment, and then immediately regretted it, wishing she had waited a few more days.

Zhang Youping walked out. “Jiaohua, before you leave, you need to prepare well, like bringing more clothes, don’t forget that last time you outgrew your clothes. Also, bring your bank card, you can withdraw money from anywhere in the country now.”

“Go to the town tomorrow and get a phone. If anything happens, just call us,” Liu Qiaoye added.

Zhang Jiaohua didn’t object to any of these suggestions, knowing they might not even be needed. He had no clear destination; he planned to follow his instincts and walk wherever they led him, stopping when it felt right.

Liu Qiaoye felt relieved after he agreed to all her requests, and Zhang Jiaohua settled down quietly at home. He completed the formalities to take a leave of absence from Yudushui Middle School, and the principal, Wan Youming, finally breathed a sigh of relief. After everything was sorted, Zhang Jiaohua stayed at home, spending time with Liu Qiaoye, and Zhang Youping also put aside any other matters. They all spent the day together, but despite the absence of a set departure date, the sadness of parting grew heavier with each passing day.

“Jiaohua, you’re leaving tomorrow, right? Otherwise, I don’t know if I’ll regret it,” Liu Qiaoye finally said one day, unable to endure the emotional strain any longer.

“Ah?” Zhang Jiaohua was taken by surprise.

“What? Changed your mind? If you’ve changed your mind, that’s fine,” Liu Qiaoye smiled.

“No, it’s just a bit sudden,” Zhang Jiaohua quickly explained.

Liu Qiaoye rolled her eyes at him. “You rascal, you never try to comfort me.”

The next morning, as Liu Qiaoye got up to make breakfast, she noticed that Zhang Jiaohua had already left. On the table, there was a note.

“Mom, Dad, I’ve gone. I was afraid if I saw your reluctant looks, I wouldn’t be able to make up my mind to leave, so I left during the night. Don’t worry about me. When I stop somewhere, I’ll call you. I can take care of myself. Please take care of yourselves, and don’t forget to take the Peiyuan Pills I left you…”

Liu Qiaoye held the note in her hands, tears streaming down her face. “This rascal, he left without a word.”

“Don’t worry. He’ll be fine,” Zhang Youping reassured her.

Zhang Jiaohua stood at Heiyan Ridge, looking at the light just beginning to shine in Meizitang and murmured, “Mom, Dad, I’m leaving! Take care of yourselves!”

This time, Zhang Jiaohua didn’t plan to bring the Leopards with him. “Leopard, Feifei, Fatty, take care of the house for me.”

The mountain leopard walked over and rubbed against Zhang Jiaohua’s leg, the fat cat squatted there with tears in its eyes, and the fat monkey held its head and cried. They too were reluctant to part.

“Go back. Take care of my parents for me,” Zhang Jiaohua said, slinging his backpack on.

“Are you leaving?” Chen Dianzi walked up from the mountain.

“Yes. You’ve been out before too, haven’t you?” Zhang Jiaohua smiled.

“Since you’ve made your decision, I won’t say anything more. Take care of yourself,” Chen Dianzi said, turning and walking down the mountain.

“Don’t worry. I’ll keep an eye on things at your house!” Chen Dianzi’s voice came from afar.

“Thank you!” Zhang Jiaohua responded and ran down the mountain in the opposite direction, though he didn’t know where he was headed. Since there was light in the east, he decided to run that way.