ebookland Chapter 223 Always Parting
Chapter 223 Always Parting
Qiao Simei didn't want a wedding, and she knew that what she was doing was inappropriate.
Zhang Jianjun still invited the Qiao family to his home for dinner, on the very day he and Qiao Simei registered their marriage.
Qiao Yicheng was very unwilling, but Xiang Nanfang still pulled him over.
Qiao Erqiang seemed indifferent, and even thought Qiao Simei was very brave.
That evening, Qiao Simei hugged Zhang Jianjun happily, saying, "Thank you, Brother Jun."
"I just feel sorry for you! You deserve to live a better life."
Qiao Simei shook her head. "I think it's already the best."
A disease has been discovered in Guangdong Province; it spreads rapidly and is deadly. Zhang Jianjun has once again been invited to assist in the fight against it.
When the mission was assigned, the whole family was there, and all three women wanted to come along to take care of him. But Zhang Jianjun refused to take any of them. Although the three of them should be safe, there was no need to take the risk.
Zhang Jianjun stopped the three of them, saying, "None of you need to follow me! Just stay home and take precautions. Don't use Banlangen (a traditional Chinese medicine), vinegar, or disinfectant. If you catch a cold, just video call me on the computer and I'll check you remotely."
Listening to Zhang Jianjun's arrangements for the family, the three women all nodded, indicating that they would obey.
No sooner had Zhang Jianjun left home than Qiao Sanli and Qiao Simei met up in the underground parking garage.
"Simei, you should go back. I'll stay with Brother Jun." Qiao Sanli had already entrusted Xiao Yiqin to Chang Xingyu. Chang Xingyu originally wanted to go too, but looking at the two children, he decided to stay.
Qiao Simei shook her head. "Sister, you still have Yiqin to take care of. You should go back!"
Seeing that Qiao Sanli refused, Qiao Simei threatened, "If you don't go back, I'll call Brother Jun right now!"
In the end, Qiao Simei emerged victorious. Qiao Sanli straightened Qiao Simei's collar and said, "Take good care of your soldier brother, and take good care of yourself too!"
They knew the illness was serious when Zhang Jianjun answered the phone, and that he might not return.
Qiao Simei nodded and drove her car at a distance, following the bus that Zhang Jianjun was riding in.
Nine months later, Zhang Jianjun returned with Qiao Simei.
Zhang Jianjun has once again made it onto the honor list and received praise from the provincial health system.
That year, Zhang Jingwen took the college entrance exam. When Zhang Jianjun returned, it happened to be time to fill out his college application. Zhang Jianjun asked him what he wanted to study, and Zhang Jingwen said he wanted to apply to a police academy. He specializes in handwriting analysis and forensic examination.
Zhang Jianjun smiled, wrinkles appearing on his face, as he recalled Zhang Jingwen's childhood.
At the age of thirty-five, Zhang Jianjun's breathing exercises finally paid off!
It felt as if there was a wisp of energy circulating within his body! Zhang Jianjun was overjoyed. Although this energy seemed useless, it at least proved that the technique was effective.
That year, Joe Cho-wang returned!
Han Chunling's son secretly returned from Guangdong Province, bringing with him the virus. Han Chunling was infected while taking care of her son, but she was not as strong as her son and did not survive.
Qiao Zuwang hid in Han Chunling's woodshed for two months! He was finally released, only to learn that his wife had died.
After putting on a brief performance and receiving a small compensation, Qiao Zuwang returned to Sha Mao Lane.
There are hardly any people he recognizes here anymore.
Wu Fenglan followed Zhang Jianjun to the large estate, but Wei Shuying refused to come no matter what. Zhang Jianjun paid for a larger house for Qiao Erqiang and let Wei Shuying stay with him.
This honest child didn't complain at all, and Sun Shaofen, this shrewd woman, was overjoyed. In her eyes, Wei Shuying was not just a mother-in-law, but the center of the family. With her around, Qiao Erqiang would never suffer too much.
Wei Shuying actually wanted to stay with her eldest son, Qiao Yicheng, and she always felt more affection for her eldest son.
Qiao Zuwang settled down alone in Shamao Lane.
When Qiao Erqiang's dirty child stopped being dirty, Qiao Zuwang found Qiao Yicheng, hoping that he could take care of him in his old age.
Qiao Yicheng didn't give him any face and kicked Qiao Zuwang out directly.
But Qiao Zuwang ultimately had a peaceful end because Qiao Sanli had a soft heart and found him a nanny to take care of him.
Qiao Sanli said that he was, after all, her father.
Zhang Jianjun did not stop it, but the nanny was replaced with a man.
Sure enough, male nannies don't cause as much trouble.
Qiao Simei gave birth to a son for Jianjun and me. He's just as mischievous and clever as Qiao Simei herself. He's very lively and not at all composed.
In comparison, Zhang Yitong and Zhang Yiqin were both unusually quiet.
Qiao Zuwang probably felt he was getting old and couldn't keep up anymore. Even though the male caregiver took good care of him, he quickly lost his energy and spirit.
He passed away not long after.
Qiao Sanli saw him one last time. Qiao Zuwang left the property certificate to Qiao Sanli, even though she didn't need it.
The funeral was very simple; the body was cremated and placed in the cemetery, and that was it.
Qiao Yicheng recovered from his illness quickly.
A few years later, Qiao Yicheng finally divorced Xiang Nanfang. The child was raised by Qiao Yicheng, as Xiang Nanfang was too busy with work to take care of the child.
Neither of them remarried after the divorce, as if they had developed a further misunderstanding of the concept of marriage, or perhaps their feelings for each other remained, but they were incompatible.
The catastrophe of 2019 did not occur, nor in the previous two worlds, and it was the same this time. Zhang Jianjun breathed a sigh of relief, but he was also very puzzled. However, it didn't matter; it was better that it didn't happen.
Zhang Jianjun's hospital has gradually transformed from a small clinic into a large, top-tier hospital, attracting a constant stream of patients from all over the country every day.
Zhang Jianjun didn't devote all his time to his work at the hospital. He had to take three days a week to spend with Qiao Sanli and Chang Xingyu, and Qiao Simei also benefited from it.
Despite being well cared for by Zhang Jianjun, Wu Fenglan still passed away at the age of ninety-two.
Zhang Jianjun felt that he had seen so much life and death, but his sadness was not so profound.
Zhang Jingwen, who was over fifty years old, cried like a child.
Wu Fenglan dotes on her eldest grandson. When she gets senile, she often steals snacks and toys from Zhang Jianjun's house and gives them all to Zhang Jingwen when he comes over.
Zhang Jingwen was quite sensible from a young age, much better than his parents. Zhang Jianjun was also generous, paving the way for Zhang Jingwen to go far.
Wei Shuying also passed away at the age of 97, enjoying two more years of happiness than Wu Fenglan.
Qiao Erqiang and Qiao Yicheng's children also had children of their own, and they gradually grew up. Wei Shuying's middle and later years were filled with children, and she was basically never idle.
Qiao Yicheng was the first among his peers to pass away. His health had always been poor, possibly due to severe damage to his health in his childhood.
Qiao Yicheng's passing was like a domino effect, with Zhang Jianjun's relatives and friends passing away one after another.
Zhang Jianjun's family is all elderly, so they don't need to attend the funeral. Zhang Yitong and Zhang Yiqin will attend in their place.
But even hearing news like this would still make Qiao Sanli and Qiao Simei sad for a long time.
Although Qiao Simei was the youngest, she was the first to pass away. On her deathbed, she kept saying that she had no regrets.
Zhang Jianjun knew she was still bothered by it, and that her whole family didn't support her, but she felt that her choice was right.
Qiao Sanli whispered to Qiao Simei, "You did nothing wrong, there's no need to regret it."
Qiao Simei smiled and closed her eyes, slowly lowering the hand that Zhang Jianjun was holding.
Chang Xingyu passed away in his sleep, which must have truly been his time. When Zhang Jianjun woke up in the middle of the night, he found that Chang Xingyu had stopped breathing.
Dying peacefully in one's sleep might also be a joyous occasion.
Qiao Sanli stayed with Zhang Jianjun the whole time, as if she would live as long as Zhang Jianjun lived.
To Zhang Jianjun's surprise, Qiao Sanli actually outlived him.
He realized his time was up!
"Sanli, I'm sorry, I wanted to see you off, but I never expected that I would be the one who couldn't hold on first!"
Qiao Sanli smiled and said, "Soldier brother! You go first, I'll be there soon."
Since her child grew a bit older, Qiao Sanli has stopped calling herself "soldier brother." Hearing that title now feels like going back to the past.
Back then, Qiao Sanli had fair skin, bright eyes, and white teeth. Looking at Qiao Sanli now, it's as if she has truly returned to her former self.
"Sanli, you are so beautiful!"
Zhang Jianjun has said this more than once, but this may be the last time.
Qiao Sanli leaned down and kissed Zhang Jianjun. Zhang Jianjun hugged Qiao Sanli tightly, but then immediately let go.
Zhang Jianjun is dead.
Qiao Sanli looked at Zhang Jianjun in front of her, smiled slightly, lay down next to Zhang Jianjun, and slowly closed her eyes.