Chapter 158 The Joy of Washing Dishes
Zhou Xiye was also a little surprised. He shook Jiang Zhizhi's hand and said, "I understand. I'll talk to him later."
During her time in the compound, Jiang Zhizhi listened to the radio, read the newspapers, and even went to the square to check the news on the bulletin board. She was quite well-informed about the current situation.
You must be careful with your words and actions, otherwise you may make a big mistake.
Especially at customs, trade is closed, but there are some official entry and exit procedures. Even a piece of paper with text on it can lead to a big mistake.
Therefore, she felt that Zhou Xiaochuan's personality was completely unsuitable for such an organization.
Because his surname is Zhou, and he didn't want his actions to implicate the Zhou family, he told Zhou Xiye.
Before the two entered the house, Zhou Xiye let go of Jiang Zhizhi's hand and calmly opened the door to go inside.
Jiang Zhizhi followed behind, entering the room with a smile.
Fang Hua had already served the food and set out the bowls and chopsticks, while Zhou Chengzhi sat to the side reading the newspaper.
Seeing the two enter, Fang Hua asked curiously, "Where have you been? It gets dark early, don't wander off."
Jiang Zhizhi explained with a smile, "I met Sister Song Man and chatted with her in the air-raid shelter for a while."
Fang Hua was also a little curious: "You and Song Man are several years apart in age, you haven't played together before, have you?"
He muttered without asking any further questions: "Alright, hurry up and go wash your hands and eat."
After all, we're all kids from the same compound, so we all know each other when we meet, and there's nothing strange about chatting.
Jiang Zhizhi and Zhou Xiye washed their hands and came out to find that they were eating rice for dinner.
The dishes were simple: shredded pork with eggs and vegetables, cabbage with glass noodles and pork belly, a plate of cold spinach salad, and a plate of boiled peanuts.
Jiang Zhizhi was a little surprised. She had observed that Zhou Chengzhi really liked noodles, especially wheat noodles. He was always in a good mood whenever Fang Hua made noodles.
Fang Hua said, "We haven't eaten rice yet this month. We'll eat rice once we run out of flour."
Zhou Chengzhi had no objection: "If there's any rice left over, we can save it and have people from our hometown take it back when they come for the New Year..."
Fang Hua immediately cut him off: "No! Where would there be any extra? We won't give any this year. Xi Ye is getting married, and they'll have children in the future. There are always places to spend money."
Zhou Chengzhi thought Fang Hua was exaggerating; life was much better now than it had been a few years ago.
Jiang Zhizhi was surprised. How did the conversation turn to children?
Seeing that the two were about to start arguing again, Zhou Xiye quickly changed the subject: "Why didn't Xiao Chuan come home for dinner tonight?"
Fang Hua frowned: "We went to Xiao Liu's house for dinner. I used to think Xiao Liu was a pretty unreliable kid, but he seems to have become much more sensible in the last two years."
Zhou Xiye pondered for a moment: "Mom, you should persuade Xiaochuan to find a job. It's not good to just drift along like this every day."
Zhou Chengzhi snorted coldly: "Your mother has spoiled him so much that he's become a good-for-nothing. What can he do?"
Fang Hua didn't like hearing this: "Is the way the child is raised solely my fault? Besides, Xiao Chuan said he's already found a job; Xiao Liu's uncle arranged for them to work at customs."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Chengzhi asked, "What future does this company have?"
Fang Hua was very dissatisfied: "Look at you, when your child doesn't have a job, you say he's not ambitious; when he finds a job, you say he has no future."
Zhou Xiye quickly interrupted their argument: "Is it reliable? This company looks easy, but if you make a mistake, it will be very serious. Mom, talk to Xiaochuan and tell him to be more careful at work."
Fang Hua nodded: "I'll tell him later that Uncle Liu also came from the compound, and he seems like a reliable person."
Jiang Zhizhi ate quietly, listening to their noisy chatter, and felt that home should be like this too.
However, she couldn't help but steal a few glances at Zhou Xiye.
He's quite shrewd. If it were someone less intelligent, they would have just asked Fang Hua directly, saying they heard from Zhizhi that Xiao Chuan found a job...
Fang Hua would definitely think she's a gossip.
...
After dinner, Jiang Zhizhi was about to wash the dishes when Zhou Xiye stopped her, saying, "Let me do it. You go and rest first."
Zhou Chengzhi and Fang Hua were both quite surprised as they watched Zhou Xiye clear the dishes and head to the kitchen.
Fang Hua was somewhat moved. After following Zhou Chengzhi upstairs, she couldn't help but mutter, "I've been cooking at home for decades, and you've never once helped out in the kitchen. Look at your son, he's much better than you."
Zhou Chengzhi pretended not to hear, went to sit on the sofa by the window, and continued reading the newspaper.
Fang Hua felt uncomfortable again: "It seems like raising a son is useless; he's only good to his wife."
Zhou Chengzhi glanced at her and said, "Alright, isn't this great? The young couple has a good relationship, isn't that better than anything else? When you go out, you'll have plenty of things to brag about."
Fang Hua couldn't be bothered with him; the two couldn't have a normal conversation, and they would start arguing as soon as they tried.
...
Jiang Zhizhi leaned against the door, watching Zhou Xiye wash the dishes, and said, "Before school starts, I want to buy some things for Mom. I also want to buy some good yarn and fabric for Aunt Fengmei and send them to her. By the time she receives them, Dazhuang should be getting married soon."
“I also want to buy my dad a thicker coat and knee pads. I went to Dongfeng Market the other day and saw that they sell sheepskin knee pads and back supports. It’s cold in northern Gansu in winter, and his internal injuries from being gored by a cow will take a long time to heal.”
Zhou Xiye thought for a moment, then stopped what he was doing and turned around: "Dad and Mom might be back soon."
Jiang Zhizhi asked in surprise, "What do you mean?"
Zhou Xiye turned off the tap: "We're reinvestigating Dad's case now, and we should have results soon. Dad's side will also be looking for people."
Jiang Zhizhi exclaimed in delight, "That would be wonderful! But wouldn't it be difficult to reinvestigate?"
Zhou Xiye nodded: "It is difficult, but since Dad told me, it means we have already passed the most difficult hurdle."
Jiang Zhizhi was a little happy. She rushed over and hugged Zhou Xiye's waist from behind, rubbing her face against his back: "It would be even better if Dad could come back. His health is still better suited to recuperating in Beijing."
Zhou Xiye said helplessly, "Let go first, I can't wash the dishes like this."
Jiang Zhizhi not only didn't let go, but hugged her even tighter, grinning, "It's okay, just think of us as conjoined twins, that way we can be in sync."
Zhou Xiye hesitated for a moment, then gave up and let Jiang Zhizhi run wild behind his back.
She clung to his back as if she had no bones, moving slightly with him whenever he moved.
This experience was surprisingly good.
Looking up, I could see snowflakes falling gently outside the window.
Behind it lies a different kind of warmth and tenderness.
Even his heart softened and warmed.
Jiang Zhizhi was hardly an honest person; her hand, which was wrapped around his waist, began to wander again.
She slipped her hand inside his clothes and probed downwards, following the texture of his skin.
Zhou Xiye grabbed her wrist: "Stop being silly, wash the dishes first."
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