In the study, Zhou Jiao saw that it was already late, and she had explained most of what she needed to say. She didn't plan to finish the rest in one night. She put her things away and stuffed the local specialties she had bought under the bookcase.

"Your aunt and uncle often come here, so put less in. Dad will tell you when it's gone."

Zhou Jiao didn't put more in after hearing that. She took out some of the various items and put them in, reminding him, "Dad, remember to tell me if you like what you eat. I bought a lot of red wine and coffee this time because I was worried that you would not be used to it after staying abroad for so long."

Zhou Xiaozheng was well aware of the hassle of secretly buying these high-end items every day while accompanied by someone. However, since the purchases were already made, he didn't say anything more. This was his daughter's thoughtful gesture. He simply reminded her to handle these special items with care, as they were too eye-catching.

Zhou Jiao nodded. Even her five-year-old son understood this; she would be careful with her handling of the other materials in the space.

"Okay, go get some rest first. Your mom will call us for supper soon." Zhou Xiaozheng said, pulling her out of the study. If his daughter kept busy, the study would be packed.

Lin Lishan was about to go into the study with two bowls of noodles. Seeing the father and daughter coming out, she smiled and said, "What happy things did you talk about? I could hear their laughter outside."

Zhou Xiaozheng smiled and shook his head, "Have you eaten? Why are you eating noodles when you're about to go to sleep?"

"Dumplings when out, noodles when home. Aunt Chen has specially prepared a small bowl. The children and I have eaten. You should eat soon and go to bed early."

Zhou Jiao took it with a smile. Honestly, she missed Aunt Chen's noodles. They were chewy, topped with shredded egg and chopped green onions. They were so delicious, so delicious, and so irresistible.

"Mom, Ping An just brought in a bag. Did you see it?"

Lin Lishan shook her head and smiled: "Don't talk yet, be careful not to choke."

Zhou Jiao took a sip of her soup and continued, "Everything in there is for you. I wanted to buy you some perfume, but then I thought it was too fragrant and not suitable, so I didn't buy it."

"You separated the private purchases from the public ones, right?"

"Oh, I was wondering how I could be so smart. It's just up to you. After we separated, I didn't dare spend money when I went out with them. I would just turn around and start shopping. It was exhausting."

Lin Lishan laughed when she heard this. "Mom used to be like this too, worried that someone would get jealous and start trouble. Did you bring all the cosmetics I asked you to buy?"

"Of course! Since I've finally gotten out, I bought a few extra bottles. I'm planning on giving you some to use as foot rub if you don't finish it."

Lin Lishan laughed so hard she fell forward and backward. Wiping feet? That would be such a waste!

Zhou Xiaozheng looked at the mother and daughter with a smile. He had no interest in these women's things. After finishing his meal, he wiped his mouth with a handkerchief and went back to reading the documents.

"Mom, go check out the food. I also bought a lot of bird's nests. This time we're going to eat together."

Lin Lishan nodded happily, "Go and rest first, we'll talk about it tomorrow."

Zhou Jiao stood up and said goodbye to her, ran to the study and knocked on the door, stuck her head in and called out to her father to go to bed early. Seeing that he happily agreed, she breathed a sigh of relief and left.

In the bedroom of the east wing, Xiao Ping'an finally couldn't resist the sleepiness and fell into a sound sleep. He even told his father in a daze that he wanted to sleep in the middle.

Zhang Guoqing put up the mosquito net for his son, checked the two ice trays in the corner, and seeing that the temperature was suitable, he tiptoed out of the room and went to the small study next door.

Compared to the bedroom, the study, separated by a wall, was even hotter and more muggy. He was wiping the kang mat and setting up the windows. When he was done, he realized there was no mosquito net over the kang, so he ran to light the tinderbox. His face and elbows were sticky with sweat, and his pajamas were stained with sweat and stuck to his back.

It was already past nine in the evening when he came out of the shower. He eagerly listened to the sounds coming from the main room. Hearing the conversation inside, he quickly closed the window, turned on the light, and slowly fanned himself, silently counting...

Zhou Jiao pushed open the door and stepped in, and was immediately hugged by someone. The door behind her was locked with a click. She was about to say don't worry, but her lips were tightly sealed.

Zhang Guoqing greedily absorbed the familiar smell, his hands quickly removed the last layer of restraint between each other, touched the smooth and delicate icy skin, and sighed comfortably.

Zhou Jiao hugged his neck tightly, her whole body hanging limply on him, looking at him with a sweet smile, which made Zhang Guoqing look at her infatuatedly.

"Wife, I miss you so much."

"I miss you too, very much."

Zhang Guoqing chuckled happily, lifted her up with both hands, hung her on his waist, lowered his head and sealed her mouth deeply. His longing for her, which was gnawing at his bones, had to be paid with flesh.

After the passionate lovemaking, Zhang Guoqing looked at his wife who had fainted in his arms on the kang in the master bedroom and kissed the corner of her lips. He caught a glimpse of his son beside him and smiled silently.

In the early hours of the morning, Zhou Jiao felt her hands and feet being tied up. She woke up suddenly and smelled a familiar scent. She immediately realized that she had returned home.

She cautiously shifted her arms and legs, only to be immediately embraced by him again. She couldn't help but smile knowingly. This man's inherent dominance couldn't be concealed even with a casual, harmless smile.

Zhou Jiao closed her eyes again, listening to the breathing of him and the child, her thoughts gradually drifting away...

When the first bugle sounded in the early morning, Zhang Guoqing opened his eyes and looked at his wife in his arms. He smiled contentedly, lowered his head and kissed her hair. He didn't dare to move, for fear of disturbing her sweet dream.

"woke up?"

Zhou Jiao smiled and blinked, "Did your son make three rules with you last night?"

"Hold me for a while longer."

"I had a lot to ask you last night, but who knew you..." Zhou Jiao rolled her eyes at him, "Tell me about what happened during this period."

Zhang Guoqing glanced at his son inside and whispered, "Can't sleep? Let's go take a shower and talk later."

"Okay. What do you want for breakfast..." Before Zhou Jiao finished her words, she flew into the air. She was so scared that she covered her mouth. She glanced at the child and breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that he was not affected.

"I can do it myself."

"Save water by washing together."

“…”

An hour later, Zhang Guoqing carried the limp Zhou Jiao back to the study, poured a glass of warm water with one hand, carried her to a chair and fed her water.

Zhou Jiao secretly complained that this man was really crazy and rolled her eyes at him helplessly.

Zhang Guoqing raised his eyebrows in triumph. He was about to speak when Zhou Jiao slapped him in the face. He immediately burst into laughter and said, "I'm going to talk to you about serious matters now."

Zhou Jiao glanced at him with amusement. If she hadn't stopped him quickly, he would have made some obscene remarks.

Zhang Guoqing glanced out the window at the sky. It wasn't long before his son would get up, so he didn't say anything more. He recounted the events from the moment Zhou Jiao left, and even took out his diary to ask her to fill in the blanks.

Zhou Jiao looked at him distressedly after learning about so many things happening at once. He had to run around the city, school, and home, taking care of everything at home and outside. It was really hard for him.

"I'm fine. You should spend the next few days with Dad. He's racking his brains for this family. It's really not easy."

Zhou Jiao nodded and hugged his waist tightly. She felt so lucky to have two relatives like this to take care of all her worries for the rest of her life.