Send me to the countryside? Turn around and make you homeless!

When Zhou Zhigang left the brigade to join the army, he was only fifteen or sixteen years old, and Guan Jianguo was also a child at that time.

At that time, Guan Jianguo had just experienced a family change. Before Zhou Zhigang left, he gave Guan Jianguo some of the things he got from the army. Later, after he joined the army, the two often communicated.

He can have the life he has now thanks to Zhou Zhigang's suggestions and guidance.

Now that Zhou Zhigang has retired and returned to Huaiyin Brigade, it is only right and proper for Guan Jianguo to go and see him.

However, considering his embarrassing situation, Guan Jianguo did not go directly to Zhou's house, but secretly agreed on the time and place with Zhou Zhigang.

"Jianguo, I haven't seen you for many years. You have grown up."

The sound appeared out of nowhere. Guan Jianguo had been waiting here since early morning, and he was sure that he didn't hear any movement.

Seeing Guan Jianguo's surprised expression, Zhou Zhigang sat down next to him and laughed.

"Little guy, if I can let you find me so easily, then all these years of military service would be for nothing."

After realizing his own gaffe, Guan Jianguo was not embarrassed and looked at Zhou Zhigang naturally.

"Brother, why did you come back so suddenly? When do you plan to leave?"

The two of them didn't correspond very often, but there were always a couple of exchanges throughout the year. It had only been two months since he last received a reply from Zhou Zhigang, and he hadn't heard anything about him returning to the Huaiyin Brigade. As for retiring? He hadn't even considered that.

Zhou Zhigang's love for the army can be seen between the lines, so how could he suddenly retire?

However, Zhou Zhigang, who Guan Jianguo thought was the last person to leave the army, breathed a sigh of relief and said, "I'm not leaving. I'll stay in Huaiyin Brigade and serve as the village party secretary."

He habitually felt in his pocket to light a cigarette, but found nothing. Zhou Zhigang smacked his lips.

Having been away from home for many years, he has long been accustomed to life in the army. He does not want to retire now, but his father raised him and cannot ignore his thoughts at all.

And there is his mother. Her health has been getting worse in recent years. She is always talking about him. When she just came home to have a meal, her words were all about how she is old and wants to see her son get married and have children as soon as possible.

It is rare to hear of someone who is not married in his thirties, let alone in the countryside, even in the city. Zhou's mother couldn't even wait until dawn and went to the village matchmaker to help her find a suitable girl.

Zhou Zhigang laughed at himself and turned the topic to Guan Jianguo.

"That Tan Zhiqing looks pretty good to me. He's capable, courageous, and has ideas. Why don't you try pursuing him?"

He is not young anymore, and Guan Jianguo is not in good health either. Uncle Qian Zhong is in poor health and there is no way to urge him to take care of him. As his elder brother, he naturally cares more about him, otherwise he would be sorry for Guan Jianguo calling him brother.

Today, when I saw Guan Jianguo driving a bullock cart to pick someone up, I felt that the two of them looked very compatible in appearance, and even more so in terms of ability. If Guan Jianguo could be with Tan Yuan, it should not be difficult for him to make a career.

When Zhou Zhigang mentioned Tan Yuan, Guan Jianguo's mind flashed with Tan Yuan's face, and he shook his head like a rattle.

"No, no, brother, please don't match me up with someone so randomly. Tan Zhiqing is so young, how can I be worthy of her? It's not suitable, not suitable."

With his background, others would be worried even if they wanted to marry him. What if he was reported and liquidated one day, he would immediately become one of the five black categories. It would be better for him to be alone, not marry anyone, and not be a burden to anyone. Now he just wants to take care of his adoptive father until the end of his life.

Zhou Zhigang was well aware of his concerns. When the Guan family was raided, their belongings were scattered everywhere. Except for Guan Jianguo, the entire family was sent to the farm cowshed for reform.

After so many years of asking around, there's still no news at all. This kid must have been traumatized.

It had already happened, and no matter what he said, it would be in vain. Zhou Zhigang didn't say much, but just patted him on the shoulder.

"Who said they're not worthy? I don't think Comrade Tan is someone who cares about this."

However, this matter is entirely voluntary. In his opinion, in the entire brigade, only Guan Jianguo is worthy of Tan Yuan, the educated youth. There is still a long way to go, so there is no need to rush.

He came to meet Guan Jianguo in the middle of the night not for any romantic matters, but for serious matters.

Before returning, Zhou Zhigang was not optimistic about the tofu factory in the brigade. He knew the people in the brigade too well. Some of them were simple and honest, but many of them were lazy and shirked their responsibilities.

His father had been the village party secretary for many years and had tried many times to make the village rich, but he was always blocked by various difficulties and ultimately failed.

But when he returned to Huaiyin Brigade this time, he felt that the brigade's mental outlook was different from before.

Even the road that had not been touched for many years began to be repaired. It was said that it was organized by the brigade and the work was started without any wages.

All these things made Zhou Zhigang look forward to the future of Huaiyin Brigade, and he began to believe that changes would definitely happen here.

Zhou Zhigang wanted Guan Jianguo to come to work at the tofu factory. As for the position, with Guan Jianguo's abilities, being a sales manager or something like that would be a piece of cake.

Let Tan Yuan be responsible for production and development direction, and Guan Jianguo be responsible for sales and dealing with people in the factories outside. This is how men and women work together without getting tired.

This was not the first time Guan Jianguo had heard Zhou Zhigang's proposal. Tan Yuan had personally mentioned it to him when the tofu factory was just starting to show signs of development.

At that time, Guan Jianguo refused without hesitation. It was not that he was not optimistic about the factory, but he was very optimistic about the development of the tofu factory and could not have a high-risk person like him.

If he really went in, the brigade cadres and the members who knew the inside story would probably have objections.

"Brother, I know you want to help me, but I am very satisfied with my current life."

As for if the team needs his help, as long as it is asked, he will do his best to complete it.

Being rejected was expected, and Zhou Zhigang did not continue to persuade him. Guan Jianguo was doing a good job on his own, so the topic changed to other things.

Zhou Zhigang felt a familiar aura on Nian Lin, and Nian Lin was equally perceptive, but she recognized the man at a glance.

A few years passed, and Zhou Zhigang didn't change much. He just became darker and more mature than before, but his appearance, height and figure remained unchanged.

Thinking back to the last time I saw Zhou Zhigang, I was still a fourteen-year-old child, a poor little guy following my grandfather.