Zhou Jiao watched her father send her mother away. Curious, she watched him peer at the window and raise his finger for her to be quiet. He was acting mysteriously, and Zhou Jiao covered her mouth, not wanting to laugh.
Zhou Xiaozheng took off his military coat. Unbeknownst to him, he tore open the hem of the coat and tugged at the inside, pulling out a stack of banknotes. He then fished under his trouser legs and pulled out a handful of diamonds. He then took off his shoes and pulled out another handful of diamonds from his heels. Zhou Jiao watched curiously. Her father must be used to being a secret agent; he'd always had them.
"Hurry, put it away first. Don't let anyone know, not even Zhang Guoqing. Your mother can't tell, not even your uncle knows. Dad is keeping it for you. Some of them are too big to hide."
Zhou Xiaozheng hurriedly asked her to put it away, still staring at the door, as soon as the voice fell.
Zhou Jiao immediately took it and put it in her underwear pocket, pressing it with her hand. She leaned over and whispered in his ear, "Dad, is this considered your private money? Dad, you didn't give birth to any brothers or sisters for me outside, did you? Dad, let me tell you in secret, my mom also gives me money when she sees me, and she also asked me not to tell anyone. You two really are a couple with a good understanding. Haha."
Zhou Xiaozheng patted her forehead gently upon hearing this and said with a smile, "Your uncle is always following me, and I still have the heart to look for someone else. As long as you are here, Dad can't find you a stepmother. Besides, your mother is a fool. She has been looking for me all the time. I know everything. Even if I give her hints, she doesn't understand and keeps looking everywhere. Your uncle is so angry that he just scolds his father."
Zhou Jiao smiled smugly at him, then turned and took out the wooden box her grandmother had given her from the drawer. She opened the box and casually poured out the contents. Carefully, she opened the box, flipped to the back, and pulled out the backing paper, revealing the number "==" carved with a knife.
"Well, smart, right? It was Xiaowu who found it. Did Mom tell you how Xiaowu found it? It was because I had it too soon, so Grandma secretly gave it to me after we got married. At that time, I was determined to go to Shanghai to find you, try my luck, look for clues, and maybe find you. Xiaowu said you would definitely come back by the end of the year, and he also explained the reason, so I felt relieved. Dad, I found you a smart son-in-law."
Zhou Xiaozheng nodded and said, "He is indeed very smart. He is very observant. Your grandfather has praised him many times. He has a very good impression of him. Dad doesn't like him because he is smart. You just need an honest one. It is better if he can obey your orders in everything. Smart people are troublesome. If they are ambitious, it will make you feel even more wronged. Dad originally planned to find you an honest man with no special abilities when you grow up, and spoil you. You have Dad's support, and you are smart, so you are not afraid of anyone. But there is a reason. Without Huang Zhaodi, he can't marry you. But you are a smart man, haha."
Zhou Jiao quickly comforted him, "Dad, don't worry. I decided to marry him after much consideration. I know him well. He's a relatively orthodox and decent person. You'll know if you pay more attention during this period."
"Well, you look very righteous today. Besides, no matter how much trouble you face in the future, you don't have to worry because Dad is here. Dad will never leave again. All you have to do is be good and do whatever you want. Go to SH to withdraw these savings certificates when you have the chance. Keep the others for now and we'll talk about it when we have the chance. It's okay as long as you are careful. Spend as you like, no need to be low-key."
"Dad, is this house in Shanghai still there? Did you buy me the floral dress I wore when I was 10 years old there? I just want to see what the gifts were."
"Haha, Dad prepared it secretly. I bought you a two-story house. It looks ordinary from the outside, but I connected the upstairs and decorated the two rooms beautifully. Inside, there's a piano I asked the priest to buy, a white dress you wore when you were ten, red leather shoes, and some flowery skirts. It's a pity that the dress doesn't fit you anymore. You should go and see it when you have time. Dad hid a lot of dollars and other things in various places on the second floor just in case. I'm giving the house to an elderly couple who are living alone. I saved their wife's life. Tell them to listen to my daughter when she grows up and comes to see the house."
Zhou Xiaozheng recalled that at that time he thought that his Jiaojiao would look very beautiful in it, like a princess.
"When you were five years old, I happened to be passing through Northeast China and wanted to see you. I disguised myself as a beggar to see you, but I was afraid that someone familiar would recognize me. Because I was in a hurry, I waited for you at the bridgehead. In the end, I saw you, but I was still worried.
I always thought your mother would take care of you herself. Given your mother's personality, even if she couldn't, she would definitely hand you over to your grandmother. We're rich, so we're not worried that your grandmother won't care for you, or that you'll suffer any harm. I'll be back in a year or two.
Who knew your mother, believing I wasn't dead, would rush to find me and abandon you to your grandfather? After seeing you, I secretly compared you to other five-year-olds and felt even more frail, like you were only three. I tried every possible way to hint to your mother. But she was dumber than a pig, so your uncle helped her come up with many solutions.
Later, with no other options, I secretly prepared a house and told the two elderly people that if you turned 18 and still hadn't come home, I would secretly look for you and take you to Shanghai. I thought that if I sacrificed myself and you couldn't make it in the countryside, you could return to Shanghai and have your own house, plus the courtyard in Beijing. You wouldn't be left without support, but I didn't expect you to be forced to marry in the end.
Zhou Jiao saw that her father was very reluctant about her getting married. As expected, the father-in-law and son-in-law were rivals in love. Unlike her mother, the mother-in-law was very satisfied with Zhang Guoqing.
"That summer when I was 10, I couldn't stand it anymore. I missed my mom. I finally persuaded my grandfather to give me a chance. I called my mom and told her I wanted to go see her, but she refused. I felt so cold at the time, thinking no one in the world cared about me anymore. Plus, they'd told me since I was little that I wasn't wanted by my mom and had no father. For six years, I received her letters, but I never opened them or replied.
Later, after I gave birth and discovered you were still alive, I opened the letter and read it, trying to think seriously about how to move on from my confusion. Looking back at the people around me, I realized it wasn't my mother who abandoned me. She kept repeating in the letter that you were still alive, that she would follow in your footsteps, to find you. From those hints, I knew it wasn't that she didn't love me. It was just that her life was driven by the belief of finding you. So I don't blame my mother, but deep down I still resent my grandfather for accepting what the family said.
I've been understanding a lot since I was three or four years old. I know how to read people's expressions and know who's sincere to me or not. My only friend is Xiaowu. He's the only one who would say he'd give me half of his mother's wealth, and he's the only one who would secretly give me eggs. When I was most helpless, he said he wouldn't join the army. If he left like you, who else would truly care about me like he did? That was the moment I decided to marry him. I could have gone to Beijing to seek help on my own, but I never thought of relying on anyone, not even my grandfather. So, Dad, don't worry, I know everything.
Zhou Xiaozheng exhaled softly, patted her head, and said, "Well, fortunately the result is not too bad. This time Dad will come back to help you arrange it. You can go to the county town to live on your own. It's far away from here, so you can live the way you want. There are many people in the village, and they will be jealous of those who live better. In the future, Xiaowu will go to work, and you can stay at home and do nothing. It doesn't matter if you don't pass the exam. Dad will take you to Beijing directly, and you will leave in two years at most. Dad will be very busy in the next two years, and when you return to Beijing, our family will have more free time.
Your household registration will also be moved back to the county seat this time. It doesn't matter when you want to move back to Kyoto. Your mother and I are both registered in the capital, and you still have a yard there. I've inquired about it, so it's no problem.
Daddy has made perfect arrangements for you this time. Just rest at home and take good care of yourself. Don't neglect your body like this. I'll buy you a place that's not too big, but quiet, convenient for shopping, and ideally with a security guard. I'll also make a sunny room for you to use as a study. You can read in it, embroider in it, and I'll also give you an indoor and outdoor bedroom like this. "How about it? Anything else you want to add? Tell Daddy." Zhou Xiaozheng finished speaking and looked at her, waiting for her to make a request.
Zhou Jiao nodded happily and said, "Dad, do you still have money? You don't have to be so nice, it's just a transition period. If you need money, tell me. I have money too. My mom gave me six years of rent, and I still have your money, the money from the army, and Xiaowu's private money. I'm not short of money."
Zhou Xiaozheng nodded thoughtfully, then lowered his voice and asked, "Didn't your grandma ask your mom to bring you extra money? Just the rent and the money your mom secretly gave you? Oh, then just pretend your mom doesn't know. After my accident, all our money was in your grandma's hands, and it was quite a lot. It's a bit strange that she didn't ask your mom to bring it over. The savings certificates given to you are all in Beijing, and you can't withdraw them here. Think about it carefully, and don't be silly and tell your mom everything. Your mom is simple and innocent."
Zhou Jiao knew immediately that he probably hadn't given it to his father this time. She had overestimated the Lin family. "Dad, do you have any money? I heard from my mom that grandma saved it for her."
Zhou Xiaozheng's eyes darkened, and he smiled at her inscrutablely, "If she said to save it, then save it. This time when Dad comes back to make up for the previous salary, Dad saved it all for you. Your uncle still gives it all to your grandma. You'll understand when you meet the old lady in the future. They think they come from a wealthy family. Your aunt looks like her. Your mother looks a lot like your grandpa."
Zhou Jiao winked at her father and said, "I understand. Dad, your mother-in-law and Xiaowu's mother-in-law are of different natures."
"Haha, you little devil. Who's that outside? Come in quickly."
As soon as the voice fell, Lin Lishan and Zhang Guoqing came in with noodles topped with two poached eggs. Zhou Xiaozheng took the bowl and chopsticks and started eating without hesitation, very quickly.
Lin Lishan said while eating noodles, "Brother Zheng, Xiaowu's parents wanted to wait for you for lunch, but I refused. Let them make their own arrangements and have a few drinks with him in the evening.
Zhang was about to come in, but then he said he'd rather you two have a good chat. He'd come back to chat with you in the evening. He said you were amazing at hunting pheasants, that you could kill them with a slingshot and a rock. He said he'd wait for you to go pheasant hunting with him. After you finished your business, he'd bring your old friends with you. So you've known your in-laws for a long time.
Zhou Xiaozheng nodded after hearing this. "Brother Zhang is the best hunter in this area. His father, Grandpa Xiaowu, is said to be able to set traps to catch wild animals by observing their footprints. All three brothers in his family are hunters."
In the early years, it was them and their son who took us kids to the mountains to hunt. The mountains will be closed due to heavy snow soon, so the village should organize a hunt in the next few days. Xiaowu, is it in these few days?
Zhang Guoqing brought a bowl of white fungus to Zhou Jiao and listened to their conversation. "Dad, remember, we're going to the mountains in the next few days. Mom, we're going hunting for several days. The village holds a hunting event every year. Sometimes several villages will gather together to go up the mountain. It's very grand."
"Well, this time you have a chance to see it. Last time, we were in such a hurry. Jiaojiao, forget about leaving. You can see it all you want next year." Lin Lishan saw Zhou Jiao blinking and refused. She pretended not to notice her pitiful look and quickly turned her head away, afraid that she would soften her heart.
Zhou Xiaozheng looked at his daughter and shook his head in amusement. This child...
"Xiaowu, are you free today?" Zhou Xiaozheng observed him, noticing that the child was simply talking to them, his eyes constantly focused on Jiaojiao and Ping'an. He naturally took over at his daughter's every move. Just as his father-in-law had said, the two of them had a tacit understanding. His eyes, filled with smiles and tenderness as he looked at his daughter, showed no trace of impatience. Well, not bad, just as the survey had shown.
Zhang Guoqing didn't dare give his father-in-law a once-over. Don't think he didn't see it; he was watching his every move, finding fault with him. This father-in-law was definitely obsessed with his daughter. He was watching him with eager eyes, and if he didn't do what he wanted, he would probably take away his daughter and grandson.
"Dad, I'm free today. I even took leave to go to work a few days ago because I was building a house. Just tell me if you need anything." Zhang Guoqing said seriously.
Zhou Xiaozheng finished his noodles in two or three bites, took out a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped his mouth, "Okay, come and work with me these few days. Shanshan, you take care of our daughter. When I finish my business, I will take you to see the child's grandmother and the county town."
Zhang Guoqing nodded, immediately took out his clothes and pants and went out. He finally understood that his father-in-law was impatient and probably in a hurry to go out.
Lin Lishan watched Zhang Guoqing leave and rolled her eyes at her husband. "Take it easy, this kid is great. Don't be so rude. This is your son-in-law, not your soldier."
"I know I have to take good care of this guy, and I got a good deal. My daughter is not someone who can marry anyone, but it's a pity that I came back too late." Zhou Xiaozheng sighed in a low voice with regret.
Zhou Jiao and her daughter burst out laughing, but tried hard to suppress their laughter for fear that he would be embarrassed.
Zhou Jiao felt warm inside. Her father held her in his heart, believing his daughter to be the best in the world. He was just afraid that she would suffer any injustice. However, she was not worried that Xiaowu would not pass his father's test. Outsiders did not know about their relationship. Even if they saw her marry him, no one would understand that they had experienced two lives.
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