More than two hours had passed since they left Zhao's house. If Zhang Guoqing didn't have to visit other elders, he estimated that Zhao Dashan could chat until dawn.

The Zuo family's population was no less than the Zhao family's, and more importantly, there were too many neighbors enjoying the cool breeze...

On the way back, he passed by Uncle Ye and the others. When he left again, he felt that his mission for the night had been completed. Knowing that his long-lost elders were still healthy was enough to give Zhang Guoqing peace of mind.

"In a good mood?"

Zhang Guoqing was not surprised to see the second son at home. "Haha, I chatted with the elders for a few words."

"Should I spoil the fun?" Zhang Laoer stroked his stubble and stared at his younger brother.

Zhang Guoqing raised his eyebrows and looked at him with a puzzled look.

"Xiao Wu, I have something to tell you. Someone is targeting you."

Zhang Guoqing glanced at Zhou Jiao beside him and glared at him. What could he not say without avoiding his wife? Targeting him? There were many people like this, whether malicious or well-intentioned.

"Hey, didn't our team have an abandoned baby a few days ago? We found the owner. I heard that the family originally planned to give it to you as their son..."

Zhang Guoqing smiled when he heard this and pushed Zhou Jiao into the yard.

Zhang Laoer was startled when he saw this. "Xiaowu, don't leave yet. You haven't told me what you're going to do. What if my parents hear us when we get in?"

"Wanting to be my son doesn't mean wanting to be your nephew?"

Zhang Guoqing stopped and turned around. "Just ignore it. It's all just idiotic nonsense. Second brother, tell them I, Zhang Guoqing, said so. Beat them to death."

Zhang Laoer looked at him in surprise, "Why don't you ask who it is first?"

Zhang Guoqing shook his head. "I'm not interested. You don't have to tell me who it is. If someone comes forward to plead with you and makes things difficult for you, I'll go back and tell the villagers."

Zhang Laoer knew he had misunderstood when he heard this. He glared at him angrily and looked at Zhou Jiao, "Jiaojiao, according to this child's mother, her son was stolen. Look..."

Zhou Jiao glanced at him amusedly, "Was it before or after the investigation?"

"..." Zhang Laoer immediately understood what she meant. If he changed his story later when the police came, he would truly deserve death and not deserve any sympathy.

Zhou Jiao smiled meaningfully, "Second brother, Xiaowu is the head of our family, and whatever he says is what counts. You're really brave enough to plot against my family."

After hearing this, Zhang Lao Er immediately looked at his younger brother. Seeing him nod complacently, he finally shook his head secretly and said, "Okay, I understand."

Zhang Guoqing looked at him teasingly, "Not embarrassed anymore?"

"What a bummer! His relatives are plotting against my brother. I'd be a fool to beg for mercy."

Zhang Guoqing patted him on the shoulder and hugged Zhou Jiao as they walked into the door.

Zhang Laoer rubbed his head and frowned. Did he already know who it was, or did he think it was a trivial matter and didn't want to bother with it? Or maybe he just wanted to make a blanket decision regardless of who it was?

Forget it, since even his sister-in-law said so, there is no need for him to waste any more words, lest his younger brother and his wife think that he is doing this for some benefit.

After entering, Zhou Jiao asked softly, "Aren't you curious about who it is?"

Zhang Guoqing squeezed her palm and said, "Is it necessary? They are just smart idiots. I'll say hello to Linzi's father tomorrow."

"The second one doesn't dare."

Of course, Zhang Guoqing believed that his second brother would not dare to make decisions on his own, but as his brothers achieved success in their respective positions, he should make his second brother understand a truth.

For Zhang Guoqing, there is actually no need to say too much nonsense. Sometimes a hint or an attitude can make people take action on his behalf.

"Mom and Dad, you're back? Come and help us think of a solution."

Zhang Guoqing, a rare encounter with his eldest son asking for help, quickened his pace and hurried towards them with great interest. When he got closer, he looked at the empty chicken coop and looked at Zhou Jiao with embarrassment.

"Grandma wants to raise chickens, but the city doesn't allow it. Is there any way?"

Zhang Guoqing thought to himself: Aren't you making things difficult for me? Let alone in the city these days, even in the countryside, there are so many rules and regulations.

Doing business is not allowed. Trading grain is a target of speculation and profiteering. Raising too many livestock and poultry is also prohibited, as too many will lead to "capitalism"...

The average farmer only raises three or four pigs and a small number of chickens, ducks, and geese according to the number of people in the family. More than half a pig is not allowed, let alone in the city?

Zhou Jiao frowned. She wouldn't mind the dirt in front of the children. After all, these livestock and poultry were the main source of income for farmers, who used them to buy oil, salt, needles and thread, and for daily expenses. They were also the lifeblood of her thrifty mother-in-law.

She changed her mind and said, "My brothers and sisters are grown up now. If grandma raises chickens, she will have to go outside the city to pick wild vegetables every day and feed the chickens early in the morning. It won't be suitable when the weather gets cold soon."

Ping An looked at Wu Yi and said, "Did you hear that? Even mom said so."

"Poor grandma, there are no eggs left."

Liuyi rolled his eyes, muttered "idiot" and threw himself into Zhou Jiao's arms. Don't think he doesn't understand, even if grandma raises eggs, they are eaten by the brothers and sisters.

Zhou Jiao smiled, patted the child's butt, and picked him up: "Don't worry, we send money to grandma every month, and she can go to the village to exchange it."

Zhang Guoqing looked around and saw that the only light was on in the kitchen. With his mother's eagerness to break every penny into two, she must have prepared midnight snacks on time, otherwise the light wouldn't be on... It was such a hot day, ah...

"Grandma said we all ate our midnight snacks and went to sleep, and we couldn't stop her. She said it was a pity that there were not many eggs at home. It would be great if we had a hen so that she could make sugar-coated eggs for us."

"Mom, if this were our yard, we could grow vegetables in our village, so why isn't it allowed here?"

"Think about it yourself. If you can't figure it out, ask your dad."

Zhou Jiao carried Liuyi and went ahead. If she stayed any longer, her talkative Wuyi would have a hundred thousand questions waiting for her to answer, so she should just leave it to her man.

It is easy to live a simple life to a luxurious one, but difficult to live a luxurious life to a simple life. She missed her gas tank and Aunt Chen again... After returning to her hometown, she seemed to become a young wife again.

Before falling asleep, Zhang Guoqing recounted to Zhou Jiao everything Zhao Dashan and the others had said about the county's situation tonight. He blinked and said, "Why? It doesn't interest you?"

What does this have to do with her?

——Some shackles are put on by oneself, like him; some misfortunes are destined, like those people.

Zhou Jiao glanced at him sideways. "Don't tell me stories about the underworld in your commoner tone. Buddy, life is short, don't be too emotional."

Zhang Guoqing patted her head amusedly, "Are you bored? I'll take you out to play tomorrow."

"Where are you going? Just me? You've been tired for a few days, why don't you stay home and rest?"

"This little thing can't tire me out." As for taking the children up the mountain? More haste makes waste. Being too impatient will only backfire. Everything is a process of accumulation and cannot be rushed.

"Mom doesn't have much firewood here. Let's go to the scrap yard and buy some broken wood."

Zhou Jiao's eyes lit up. This is possible...