PCJ – Chapter 584 Accompanying the Exam

“Jiaohua!”

As soon as Zhang Jiaohua stepped out of the school gate, he heard a familiar voice calling from not far away. Zhang Youping and Liu Qiaoye were standing there.

“Dad! Mom!” Zhang Jiaohua shouted joyfully and ran over.

Liu Qiaoye didn’t know why, but although seeing her son should have made her happy, she suddenly felt a wave of sorrow, and tears streamed down her face.

Zhang Youping held up better. Though his eyes were a bit misty, he didn’t cry like his wife.

Even though Zhang Jiaohua was already a cultivator on the verge of entering the Qi Refining to Spirit Transformation stage, at this moment, he was no different from an ordinary child. Tears poured down his face uncontrollably. He tried hard to restrain his emotions, but how could he control them? It’s not like there was a switch by his eyes.

Liu Qiaoye deeply regretted, “I should have come earlier. If I had come to be with you sooner, you wouldn’t have had to suffer so much.”

“Mom, I’ve been doing really well. Don’t be sad,” Zhang Jiaohua quickly said.

Seeing the mother and son sobbing together, people around started to gather, thinking it was a long-lost family reunion. Zhang Youping hurriedly said, “Let’s go home first. This isn’t something to do in the street.”

Liu Qiaoye wiped her tears and said, “What’s wrong with being in the street? I haven’t seen my son in so long—what’s wrong with talking to him a bit?”

Zhang Youping felt a headache coming on. His wife’s temper had grown with the years, and his position in the household was clearly on the decline.

Liu Qiaoye held Zhang Jiaohua’s hand and smiled through her tears, “Let’s go home, my son.”

Zhang Youping stood stunned for a second before quickly following them.

After walking a while, Zhang Jiaohua frowned, “Mom, we’re going the wrong way.”

“I’m not going the wrong way,” Liu Qiaoye said with a soft smile.

“But that’s the way to Guluba Alley,” Zhang Jiaohua said, pointing in the other direction.

“I know that. Stop talking and just follow me. Listen, my son, the college entrance exams are coming up, and this time, I’m not leaving. I’m staying to accompany you until it’s over. I saw on TV that city folks take this exam seriously—parents accompany their kids to the exam. So I’m going to do the same,” Liu Qiaoye explained.

Zhang Jiaohua was a little shocked. “Huh? You came all this way just to accompany me for the college entrance exam?”

“Yes! Your dad arranged his work too. Before the exam, we’ll all be living in Beijing together. I’ll be in charge of your meals, and your dad will take care of transportation and grocery shopping. You don’t have to worry about anything—just focus on the exam,” she said.

“Mom… do you really want me to go to university that badly?” Zhang Jiaohua asked, after a pause.

Liu Qiaoye looked at him, “Not necessarily. This time, I’m not going to force you. You’re grown now, and the road ahead is yours to choose. I already talked it over with your dad. Whatever decision you make, we’ll support you.”

“Is that really how you feel?” Zhang Jiaohua smiled.

“Of course. When have I ever lied to you?” Liu Qiaoye replied with a grin.

“What about Dad?” he asked, turning to Zhang Youping.

“I respect your decision,” Zhang Youping replied. “But I still recommend you finish college. Cultivating in the deep mountains is one way, but so is cultivating in the bustling city. True cultivation can happen anywhere. Do you really think you need to live like a hermit in the wilderness to cultivate?”

His words were thoughtful and clearly well considered.

Zhang Jiaohua understood from his tone that his father truly hoped he would complete his university studies.

“Did Grandpa say anything when you left?” he asked.

“Oh right! He sent a whole box of farm eggs for you and told us to take good care of you,” Liu Qiaoye replied, though she didn’t mention the rest.

Zhang Jiaohua smiled, “Grandpa must’ve told you to make sure I get into Tsinghua University, right?”

Every time he went home, Zhang Manyin would tell him to study hard and aim for Tsinghua. The fact that his parents came all the way to support him for the exam showed how much was riding on this. Zhang Jiaohua didn’t quite believe his mom’s claim that she didn’t care whether he went to college or not. But one thing he was sure of—his mother truly supported him unconditionally. Even if he chose to give up studying, she would still support him with all her heart.

Liu Qiaoye smiled, “That’s something I can’t change. You know no one in the Zhang family has ever gone to college, and your grandpa’s been hoping for that for years. But if you really don’t want to go, your dad will be the one to handle that conversation.”

“Why me?” Zhang Youping asked in confusion.

“If it were my family disagreeing, I’d do it. But since it’s your family, of course you should be the one to handle it. What, you want me to go?” she snapped at him.

“How’s Grandpa’s health?” Zhang Jiaohua asked.

“He’s alright, though at his age, ‘alright’ only goes so far,” Zhang Youping replied.

“What? Didn’t you give him the spiritual tea I sent?” Zhang Jiaohua asked.

“You know how your grandpa is—he said, ‘Why should an old farmer like me drink such fancy tea?’ He just can’t bear to use it. He knows the tea you make is expensive. More importantly, he’s never been into drinking tea in the first place,” Liu Qiaoye explained.

“But didn’t you tell him the tea’s good for his health?” Zhang Jiaohua asked urgently.

“We told him, but if he won’t drink it, what can we do?” Zhang Youping said helplessly.

“Let’s talk about him later. When you’re back for summer break, you can explain it to him yourself. He won’t listen to us, but his precious grandson? He’ll listen to you,” Liu Qiaoye reassured him.

Zhang Jiaohua sighed. He knew his grandpa could be stubborn, but he hoped he’d listen this time.

“Dad, Mom, is this house rented?” he asked as he looked around the room.

“This isn’t rented,” Liu Qiaoye said proudly. “We bought it last time we came to Beijing. We were planning for this. I wanted to come earlier, but your dad was swamped with the organic tea certification. If I weren’t home, who knows what would’ve happened? Now that the certification is done, we came together.”

“You two really planned everything! Bought the place and even decorated it without me knowing. Did Fatty know?” Zhang Jiaohua asked, thinking of Wu Yuan.

“If Fatty knew, you’d have found out too. We had the staff from the Beijing office handle it—and specifically told them not to tell you,” Liu Qiaoye said with a laugh.

“Whatever. I still like staying at the courtyard house in Guluba Alley better. These modern apartments may look nicer, but living in a courtyard feels more down-to-earth,” Zhang Jiaohua said honestly.