After sending off Li Qinglin, Zhou Xiaozheng's second urgent telegram arrived again.
Mother Zhang finally picked an auspicious day for the journey.
They attended a farewell banquet organized by friends and relatives.
The night before their departure, the couple took gifts and personally visited the old principal.
The old principal's home was simply furnished. For years, this elder had supported impoverished students, and now he was eating throat-scratching cornbread and a plate of pickled vegetables.
"Why haven't you returned to Beijing yet? Don't miss the registration deadline."
Zhang Guoqing hurriedly stopped him when he was about to get up, "Please, continue eating first. We're leaving tomorrow, and we wanted to say goodbye before we go."
The old principal's wife was a refined old lady who wore cheongsams for many years, only changing her attire in the last couple of years. At this moment, she had her grandson serve two cups of warm water.
