Who told him to make the cards!

Chen Zhi: "But you can't just drink it dry."

“...That’s right, we need to get some snacks to go with the drinks.” Old Zhou thought for a moment and said, “Then wait a little longer, I’ll go find someone to cook some mineral-devouring worms.”

Chen Zhi: "?"

"Don't!"

"I like to drink it straight!"

Chen Zhi used to be so afraid to even eat fried bee pupae, let alone insects from another world.

After a few rounds of drinks, Old Zhou was slightly tipsy.

The two were talking about the change of management in the mining area.

"I wonder if what that noble girl said is reliable," Old Zhou said. "Don't let Ding Mao leave and then Jia Mao come along."

The veteran miners always harbored a lingering unease about those in power.

"Probably not?"

Chen Zhi was also unsure.

All I can say is that Shen Qinglian made a good impression on him; she didn't seem like the kind of swindler Ding Mao.

"I hope so."

Old Zhou said, "If you can really get all the things she said to be done, I won't need to come looking for you anymore. When you have time, just come back to the mining area and ask me for the money."

Chen Zhi rolled his eyes: "You're too lazy to run away, huh?"

"Of course," Old Zhou said, his nose twitching. "Haven't you heard that the one who owes money is the boss?"

"Besides, you didn't tell me which city you were going to, so I have nowhere to look for you."

"The capital city, perhaps?"

Chen Zhi heard that Qinggong Academy was located in the capital.

Although it wasn't mentioned when the agreement was signed, he later said he wanted to apply to Qinggong Academy, so Miss Shen should understand what he meant.

"The capital... Tianhengjing?" Old Zhou perked up, his face flushed, and sat up straight. "Are you sure?"

"What, you know someone?" Chen Zhi teased jokingly.

Surprisingly, Lao Zhou actually knew him.

He rummaged in his pocket for a while, finally pulling out a yellowed photograph and slapping it on the table, proudly saying:

"Yes, this is my daughter."

"She is in Tianhengjing."

……

Chapter 18 Old Zhou

The photo shows a little girl.

She was about six or seven years old, with delicate and well-behaved features.

Even though the photo is yellowed and has the dirty fingerprints left by Lao Zhou after repeatedly handling it, the girl's well-proportioned and beautiful features are still enough to catch the eye and make people want to have a daughter.

This wasn't the first time Chen Zhi had seen this photo.

He knew that Lao Zhou had a daughter.

The reason why Chen Zhi and Lao Zhou have such a good relationship is largely because he is about the same age as Lao Zhou's daughter.

Old Zhou often took the initiative to care for him.

Otherwise, if Chen Zhigang had transmigrated here and was unfamiliar with the place, he would have become withdrawn for a long time, and wouldn't have made any real friends for a year or two.

It is worth mentioning that Lao Zhou initially considered himself Chen Zhi's elder.

But Chen Zhi has the body of a teenager but the soul of an adult.

His maturity beyond his years made it impossible for Lao Zhou to treat Chen Zhi like a child, and they eventually became buddies.

In his earlier years, Lao Zhou would often take out photos and show off to everyone that he had a well-behaved daughter.

Later, Ding Mao came, and the mining area changed its rules. The miners couldn't go home, and their families outside couldn't come in either. So Lao Zhou rarely took out the photos anymore.

No one would bring it up, lest they upset Lao Zhou.

Chen Zhi saw the photo accidentally fall out of Lao Zhou's arms during a mining trip with Lao Zhou.

He never expected that Lao Zhou would be doing so well, able to settle his family in the capital of the Holy Order Empire.

It is well known that the cost of living in the capital city is usually much higher than in other cities.

"I didn't realize, Lao Zhou," Chen Zhi said in surprise. "You earn so much."

"Hey, what's the big deal?" Old Zhou, emboldened by the alcohol, didn't care about losing face and said directly, "Actually, it's all thanks to your sister-in-law."

“Your sister-in-law is a top student who graduated from Xinghuan Academy. Her family is well-off. After we got married, my father-in-law funded the opening of a small shop for us in Tianhengjing.”

"Business was good at first, but it went downhill after the Baichao incident. I couldn't save much money at the end of the year."

“We wanted to have a child, so I discussed it with your sister-in-law and we decided to become miners.”

"Although it's tiring, there's money to be made."

"As you know, I know nothing about cards and have no talent for them. Apart from manual labor, no one wants me for any other job. I'm a grown man with hands and feet, I can't live off a woman for the rest of my life."

Old Zhou does not regret his decision.

In the first ten years or so after he came to the Blackstone mining area, he did make some money.

Not many, but not few either.

In addition to the income from the store, it's enough to raise a child to adulthood and pay for his education.

The birth of the child went smoothly.

Old Zhou goes back home once a month to watch his daughter grow up little by little.

During that time, Lao Zhou felt like the happiest person in the world.

Unfortunately, the good times are not long.

At this point, Old Zhou was about to start cursing: "That son of a bitch Ding Mao, I really want to slap him twice!"

Not only were subsidies withheld and wages reduced, but they also prevented people from visiting their families.

Newborn thing!

“That’s not right,” Chen Zhi suddenly said.

"What's wrong?" Old Zhou asked.

Chen Zhi said, "According to you, your sister-in-law is so good in every way, why would she be interested in you?"

Old Zhou: "?"

“Let me tell you, Chen boy.”

Old Zhou instantly became furious: "I'll beat people up when I'm drunk!"

Chen Zhile said, "It was just a joke, why are you getting so worked up?"

Old Zhou snorted and said, "You think your sister-in-law is as calculating as you think?"

“Let me tell you, Chen, back in our day, we valued relationships.”

"Money or not, not many people really care."

“I believe that,” Chen Zhi said.

After all, that's where he used to live.

"Let's not talk about this anymore." Old Zhou got back to the point, pointing to the photo and saying, "I'll give you an address in a bit. When you get to Tianhengjing, go find your sister-in-law."

"I can't guarantee anything else, but at least you won't go hungry."

"Row."

Chen Zhi wouldn't refuse so coyly.

So far, his understanding of the outside world is limited to listening to the miners chatting and joking around. He really needs an acquaintance to help him quickly understand the world.

"Come on, let's do one more!" Old Zhou was very happy that he could help Chen Zhi.

Chen Zhi raised his glass: "The mine is about to change management and upgrade equipment. It won't be stable for at least half a month. Why don't you take this opportunity to come with me and go back to see your wife and kids?"

"I do think so."

Old Zhou downed his drink in one gulp, his eyes squinting from the spiciness. He wiped his mouth before continuing, "I've asked, they can't leave."

“Ding Mao has committed a serious offense this time, and we miners will also be investigated.”

"Besides, the new manager just arrived, and you went to ask for leave. That's so disrespectful. Won't you be given a hard time every day from now on?"

"That's true." Chen Zhi nodded.

"Anyway, I haven't seen them for ten years, so a month or two won't make a difference."