Zhang Guoqing planned to ride his bicycle to the county town first to see if the supply and marketing cooperative needed anything, then notify his second sister before going to work at 8 o'clock, and then take the things to Grandpa Zhou's house. The old man and the old lady were probably waiting anxiously this time.
Zhang Guoqing and Zhou Jiao went to junior high school in the county town. They met a few acquaintances on their way to the supply and marketing cooperative. After greeting each other, they went about their own business.
Zhang Guoqing is a warm and helpful person who tries his best to help others and never divides people into groups. Today, he was too embarrassed to mention that he had just had a big fat boy, otherwise he would have caught him to chat.
When I arrived at the supply and marketing cooperative, it was not open yet, so I had to go to the textile factory first. Fortunately, my two sisters lived nearby, otherwise it would have been very difficult.
My eldest sister lives in a tube-shaped building allocated by her unit. It has one large room divided into two rooms. The outer room serves as the living room and dining room, and she sleeps at night. I heard that she is going to buy a house, but I don’t know how much she needs. I’ll ask her if she wants one.
Many people were cooking in the corridor early in the morning. When they saw Zhang Qingguo, someone shouted with sharp eyes: Meili, your brother is here.
Eldest sister Zhang Meili hurried down. At 28, she looks youthful, a natural beauty in the 21st century. She's now a regular employee. With a monthly salary of 22 yuan, plus her brother-in-law's 36 yuan as a repairman, she supports four children. The oldest is 11, the three older ones are already in school, and they have a darling four-year-old daughter. She also has to pay a monthly pension of 5 yuan to her in-laws and frequently buys gifts for her parents. It's a shame, especially since the children are still young and won't be able to live there without a house when they grow up.
Zhang Guoqing smiled at everyone around him, then said to Sister Zhang, "Sister, my mother asked me to come and tell you the good news. Jiaojiao gave birth to a big fat boy last night, haha."
"Oh, good job, little brother. I'll go over after you take your bath." Sister Zhang was also very happy.
Zhang Guoqing nodded. "Okay, I won't go up and cause more trouble. We can talk later. Go up and tell my brother-in-law that I'm not going up. Remember to take the children back with me. I'll hurry to my second sister to tell her as well."
"Okay, then you should be careful on the road. Go home early and don't get delayed on the road." Zhang Meili waved her hand and watched her younger brother ride away before going upstairs.
The eldest brother-in-law was helping his baby Yaya put on clothes. He turned around and saw why his younger brother-in-law didn't come up.
"Why didn't Xiaowu come up? You looked so happy this morning. Could it be that his wife gave birth?"
Zhang Meili raised her thumb and praised him vigorously, "You're so smart, Zhang Chunming. You really didn't waste your fame. Jiaojiao gave birth to a big fat boy last night, and he rushed to tell his little sister the good news. Our whole family will go back for the third day's bath, and visit the child's grandparents by the way."
My eldest brother-in-law Zhang Chunming laughed heartily and shouted at his three sons who were still in bed to get up, saying that it was almost time and they would be late for school.
After cycling around two streets, I found myself in the eastern part of the county town. The County Public Security Bureau and the County High School were both located in this area. The environment was relatively good, and the security was good. The families of the Public Security Bureau and the Women's Federation staff mostly lived in this area, along with some older residents. The area was mostly small courtyards, with no buildings.
My second sister, Zhang Meihao, lives in this bungalow area, where every courtyard has its own entrance. My second sister's husband is the only child in her family, and after getting married, he lives with his parents. With four people earning a living, their living conditions are excellent.
Her parents-in-law are also sensible and easy to get along with. They are also very satisfied with her second sister Zhang Meihao. Zhang Meihao is pretty and has a soft-spoken voice unlike her elder sister. She is also good at housework. She gave birth to a son when she got married. The old people treat her as their own daughter since they have no daughters.
Zhang Guoqing rode his bike to a stop in front of Zhang Meihao's door and knocked. The door opened without locking it, and Zhang Guoqing called out, "Uncle, aunt, second sister, are you there?"
Zhang Meihao felt that she seemed to have heard the voice of her younger brother Guoqing just now, and immediately came out of the room. She saw that it was really this kid.
"Xiaowu, why are you in town so early? Is something wrong? Are your parents okay?"
"Sister, I'm here to tell you the good news. Jiaojiao gave birth to a big fat boy last night, and mother asked your whole family to come and visit after the third day of the new year. Where are your uncle and aunt? The gate to the yard was not closed, so I pushed it open and came in."
Zhang Meihao took her brother's arm and walked into the living room, pouring him a cup of malted milk. Then she hurried to the kitchen, bringing back some steamed buns, and quickly told Zhang Guoqing to eat first. Coming out so early in the morning, she figured Xiaowu hadn't had breakfast, maybe two vegetable buns at most. She knew exactly what her family ate for three meals a day.
"The child's grandparents just bought some breakfast buns and went out with their food ration books. You can get food today. Your brother-in-law went to line up there early in the morning. I heard that there will be fish and tofu today. You can eat here at noon." Zhang Meihao said softly.
Zhang Guoqing ate two buns and drank a cup of malted milk before he had time to talk to his second sister. He was still worried that his eldest sister had not raised enough money for the house she had talked about last time. It was difficult to ask her in front of the eldest sister because there were so many people around her.
Zhang Guoqing shook his head and said, "We are siblings, I won't be polite with you. I still have to go back to tell the Zhou family the good news, it's not good to delay any longer. I just want to ask you, what do you think of the house that eldest sister mentioned last time? If eldest sister doesn't have enough money, I can help her buy it first. It's not easy for their family to live with three boys so grown up."
Zhang Meihao smiled with relief. Only Xiaowu in her family was so kind. Her eldest brother had no money, and her second brother had even less, but even if he had, he couldn't lend it. Her mother did have some, but they split up after the New Year, so it was difficult to borrow money now.
Zhang Meihao smiled and said to Zhang Guoqing, "My elder sister and her friends have taken a fancy to the house not far from mine. The owner of that house is going to move to the provincial capital with her son. The house is bigger than mine and the asking price is 950 yuan.
My eldest sister plans to raise money from her colleagues. She only has more than 500 yuan and is still short of 450 yuan. Your brother-in-law and I only have 200 yuan in total. You know it is not easy for us to borrow from the child's grandparents.
I'm still short of 300 yuan. I was planning to borrow from my mother, but we're going to split up after the New Year, so it's hard to borrow from her. How come you have some private money? Didn't you give it all to my mother?
Zhang Guoqing shook his head at Zhang Meihao, looked around furtively, and then said, "I have a golden doll at home, haha..."
Zhang Meihao slapped him a few times in annoyance. He knew he was teasing his sister. However, his family really had a golden baby. Haha, the two sisters had thought about looking for Zhou Jiao, but no one could bear it.
"Okay, I'll lend you 200 yuan first, and I'll pay you back when my eldest sister gets her salary. But she has to be happy with it, otherwise just pretend I didn't mention it." Zhang Meihao thought about it but still felt uneasy. If the couple was being ungrateful, they, as the elder sisters, couldn't do this.
Zhang Guoqing stood up, stretched his body, shook his hand and said, "It's okay, Jiaojiao is not that kind of person. You and your elder sister should go to the landlord to negotiate today, and I will pay you the day after tomorrow.
We always have money. We have over 500 yuan and don't have much to spend. Let's give the eldest sister 300 yuan first, not 200 yuan. We'll be tight at home when the time comes. If the other party is in a hurry, someone can come to our house tonight to pick it up.
I'm leaving now. Go talk to my elder sister when you get to work. I don't need the money urgently. Just give it to me whenever you have it. One or two years is fine."
Zhang Meihao also stood up and followed him out, letting him see the house. "This is it. It's bigger than ours, right? When our kids get married and grow up, the east and west wings will be enough for them. Plus, it's closer to me, so I can contact you if anything happens."
"Okay, then you should decide on it as soon as possible. This house is very good. It would be a pity if someone else bought it. Come and get the money anytime. If 300 yuan is not enough, I can make up 500 yuan even if I am short of money." After saying that, Zhang Guoqing rode away on his bike. Otherwise, the Zhou family would be very dissatisfied if they didn't see him go to announce the good news.
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