Character side story: Zhang Jizu

"Not good-sounding? What's wrong with it?"

I think it's a good idea. The point is that my eldest grandson should learn more from our ancestors and bring honor to the family, and not be like you two, so lacking in manners. That's settled then."

"... Okay, okay, you decide."

Little Zhang, from now on your name will be Zhang Jizu. When you grow up and go to school, if your classmates laugh at your old-fashioned name, don't blame your parents; it was your grandfather who gave it to you."

"How could he possibly understand what you're saying to him now?"

"Waaaaah--"

As the cold winter days fade and spring begins to sprout, the air is filled with the fragrance of flowers on a late April afternoon. The bright sunshine is drawn into the classroom by the spring breeze, making the pages of the books rustle.

Not long after the bell rang and the teacher disappeared through the door, a figure quietly stood up in the classroom and chased after her.

The figure blocked the teacher's path in the corridor, neither blushing nor out of breath, simply squinting at the teacher and saying:

"Teacher, I'd like to ask for leave."

The teacher, who was holding books, instinctively frowned when he heard the word "leave of absence," but when he saw that the student in front of him was Zhang Jizu, his furrowed brows instantly smoothed out and a smile appeared in the corner of his eyes.

"Are you celebrating your birthday with your parents tonight?"

Zhang Jizu nodded, his narrowed eyes full of anticipation.

The teacher smiled kindly, "Do your parents... have time today?"

"Yes, they promised they would take leave too."

A family of three taking time off work just to celebrate a birthday?

The teacher didn't understand, but was somewhat envious. She nodded, smiled, and patted Zhang Jizu's head. "Granted. Go home early, be careful on the way, but don't be too playful. You still have to do your homework tonight; I'll have the class monitor bring it to you."

Thank you, teacher.

Zhang Jizu obediently made way for the teacher, and then quickly ran back to the classroom to pack his things.

The students around him looked on with envy.

"Old Zhang, you really got leave? If the King of Hell can grant you leave, why can't I?"

"You? Liu, I'm not trying to be mean, but if your score on the test was similar to Old Zhang's, you might actually have a chance."

"Grades aren't everything! Besides, I'm only one point behind Old Zhang..."

"What? Why did you stop talking? You were just one point short, not one place, Liu'er. Yellow urine is no good, it makes it hard to see yourself clearly."

"I [plant] you @#%￥@!"

Zhang Jizu could no longer hear such playful antics; he had already rushed out of the classroom, his heart already longing for home.

How many days has it been since I had a proper meal with them?

40 days, no, it's been about 50 days.

That's right, it's been almost 50 days since the family of three has eaten together face-to-face.

They are always busy.

During this period, Zhang Jizu always came home alone. He ate alone, did his homework alone, and slept alone. Occasionally, he would be woken up for a moment in the middle of the night by the sound of the door opening. He would hear one or two people coming home, and then he would quickly fall back asleep.

But when I woke up in the morning, the person was gone again.

Let alone a family of three eating together, perhaps the two of them haven't even sat down for a proper meal together in a long time.

Dad works non-stop every day, and his workplace provides almost all three meals. Mom is even worse off; if she doesn't go on a business trip and comes home to get a few hours of sleep, that's considered a huge "surprise."

Xiao Zhang understands them. According to them, they should seize the opportunity while they are young and strong so that they can see more and better scenery in the future.

He was part of these scenes; as a small child, he was the one being lifted up, so naturally he had no reason to complain.

But he still wanted them to rest, at least to have a few days of "reunion".

He had waited a long time for this day, and it finally arrived.

Today is Xiao Zhang's birthday. They promised him they would come home for dinner, and yes, his birthday present was coming home for dinner.

Zhang Jizu never had any other expectations. Going out to celebrate his birthday was a luxury he only wanted. He just wanted his family to sit down together for a meal and let them rest so that they could work more efficiently and energetically the next day.

In order to achieve this goal, he decided to cook for them today.

He went to the market, bought their favorite dishes, and returned home just in time to start preparing and cooking.

This wasn't Zhang Jizu's first time cooking. In his family environment, he had long since learned to "support" himself. He was quite adept at cooking, although he couldn't perfectly balance color, aroma, and taste, but at least... the flavor was acceptable.

Seeing the "delicacies" laid out on the table, Xiao Zhang stood contentedly at the door.

It's almost 6 o'clock; they agreed to be home by 6 o'clock.

It's almost 7 o'clock; they agreed to be home by 6 o'clock.

It's almost 8 o'clock; they agreed to be home by 6 o'clock.

It's almost 9 o'clock... the food is getting cold.

It's okay, something must have been holding you back.

Xiao Zhang got used to it; when these two were busy, they wouldn't even make a phone call. When he was even younger, he even called the police to try and find his parents.

Of course, Xiao Zhang has grown up now, and he knows how to deal with the current situation.

He silently sat back down at the table, picked out some food to fill his stomach, covered the untouched food, and went back to his room to start doing his homework.

At 10 o'clock, after finishing his homework, he stood back at the door.

11 o'clock... Time to sleep. I have to get up early for school tomorrow. Good grades can get me more preferential treatment from teachers, but as a student, I have to "follow the rules."

Xiao Zhang knew this all too well, but he still went to bed half an hour later than usual, only returning to his room to wash up and go to sleep when he couldn't wait any longer.

He didn't cry or make a fuss because he knew they were going through a lot, and they would be even more upset if they couldn't come back.

I lay in bed thinking for a long time, half asleep, before drifting off to sleep.

He had a dream. He dreamt that his family of three ate a very, very long meal. He felt so full that his stomach felt so heavy it was about to press him into the sofa, and once he sat down, he couldn't get up again.

Zhang Jizu panicked and began to struggle, but he sank deeper and deeper, and the weight on his stomach grew heavier and heavier. He was terrified and suddenly woke up!

Then they discovered that two people were lying on top of him.

Surprise! Happy Birthday!

"Even if it's seven hours late, it's not too late, don't you think, Xiao Zhang?"

Zhang Jizu stared blankly at the two unreliable adults, his squinted eyes practically closed.

"You're too heavy, I can't breathe."

"..."

The two adults hurriedly got up, pulled Zhang Jizu out of bed, and then shoved the birthday presents into his hands, singing with tired but beaming smiles:

Happy birthday! Happy birthday!

Afterwards, Mom complained, "It's all your dad's Blame It On. I thought at least he'd come back to celebrate your birthday with you..."

"Sigh, I have to say, you... Oh right, it's all my Blame It On. I should have called earlier, but I didn't... Cough cough, never mind, breakfast is still breakfast. I know what Xiao Zhang is thinking. Our family should have a proper meal together."

Zhang Jizu checked the time, then glanced at the coats the two men hadn't yet taken off, then looked towards the kitchen, sniffed the air, and said with a helpless expression:

Did you cook?

"There's something ready-made, it'll just need to be heated up. I trust my son's cooking skills." The mother smiled broadly, without moving an inch.

Dad shifted a couple of times on the bed, echoing, "I'll go downstairs for longevity noodles," but he didn't move, instead making way for Zhang Jizu.

Zhang Jizu's eyes were almost closed. He looked at his parents and sighed, "Another all-nighter?"

The two adults looked dejected. The mother hugged him and mumbled indistinctly, "I'm sorry, son, I have a meeting in a bit. Just let Mom sleep for five minutes. I swear, I'll be fully recharged in five minutes."

"Call--"

The other person is already asleep.

"..."

Just as Zhang Jizu was about to cover his father with the blanket, his mother, who was in his arms, fell asleep.

They were exhausted.

Zhang Jizu shook his head, gently put his mother down, covered them both with blankets, quickly dressed, washed up, and cooked, skillfully handling everything. He left the noodles in the pot, made sure their alarms were set on their phones, then quietly closed the door, picked up his schoolbag, and went to school.

He would rather they get some rest than eat face-to-face.

Although the birthday gift arrived a little late, he was very satisfied.