Zhou Xiaozheng took Zhang Guoqing away with the gift and went to the new courtyard not far away to say hello to Zhang's father Zhang Dayou and others. After a few words, they left.
Entering Zhoujia Village from the bridgehead, he asked a few questions from time to time on the way, and roughly understood the situation in the village and the difficulties the Zhou family was facing. Many villagers in the fields in the distance looked at them curiously, probably because the news of his return had spread. If it weren't for the captain's consent, they would have surrounded them long ago.
The new production team leader Zhou Xiaobin is a rural man in his thirties. He has been Zhou Zhengxiao's follower since he was a child. They had a very good relationship when they were young. He and his wife also took good care of Zhou Jiao in Zhoujia Village.
He gave the order and everyone ran towards them, laughing loudly: "Second brother, you are finally back. I was wondering how you could become a martyr. With your skills and brains, the person who made you suffer must be very powerful. Brother,
"You've seen your grandson, haven't you? I haven't even seen him yet. Are you going to see your grandfather? You better tell me, if your son-in-law hadn't protected Jiaojiao since he was little, this child would have been eaten to the bone."
I didn't help. Jiaojiao kept things to herself and didn't tell us. "Brother, everything happened right under my nose, and I didn't protect your daughter well. Brother, please beat me up." Her voice became softer and softer, and she looked at him with red eyes full of guilt.
Zhou Xiaozheng punched him and looked at him with amusement: "Come on, stop being a bitch. Come drink with me when you have time and tell me about the village. I'll take my son-in-law back to take a look. You go ahead and do your work. Those people are watching."
"Okay, then you go back first. I won't go with you. Your old man saw me... I'll find you after work. Xiaowu, treat your father-in-law well. Tell your father that I'll be at your house for a drink tonight and prepare a few more dishes."
"Okay, uncle will bring aunt and the others over too. Jiaojiao was talking about you guys a few days ago."
Walking into the old Zhou family compound, in Zhoujia Village, the Zhou family compound is very conspicuous. Apart from the courtyard of the overthrown landlord, there is only the Zhou family's blue brick and tile house standing on the east side of the village.
The large courtyard was relatively clean. The Zhou family didn't raise pigs, as they disliked the smell, and they kept a few chickens in the backyard. There was no one in the yard, so Zhou Xiaozheng didn't call out and went straight to the main hall.
Old Master Zhou probably hadn't gotten wind of the news yet. Zhou Xiaozheng had returned and was sitting alone on the kang, flipping through a book. When he heard the noise, he looked up in shock and immediately sat up, dropping his book to the ground. He stammered, "You, you, you're not dead, you really aren't dead. Didn't they say you were dead?"
Zhang Guoqing raised his eyebrows, looked at the old man, then looked at his father-in-law. There was something wrong with their expressions, very wrong, especially the old man. Shouldn't he be so surprised that his eyes were filled with tears, and should he be excitedly and happily shouting that his son was back alive?
Old Mrs. Zhou from the next room heard the noise and came out. Seeing Zhou Xiaozheng, she wiped her eyes in disbelief and immediately ran over on her shaky little feet. She hugged the tall Zhou Xiaozheng tightly with her thin body, touched his bent face, and cried bitterly: "Xiaozheng, my Xiaozheng, you are really alive, you are really back, I was afraid that I would never see you again. Xiaozheng, my Xiaozheng, how could you be so cruel to abandon me without any news, I just can't believe that my Xiaozheng is gone like this, how could he be gone like this, my Xiaozheng was smart since he was young, and he would avoid danger as far as possible, how could he be gone like this... I don't believe it, you didn't even appear in my dreams, Xiaozheng, I knew you must be alive, I told you your fortune a while ago, and I said you would live a long life..."
Zhou Xiaozheng hugged his mother, holding back tears, and comforted her with red eyes: "Mom, your son is back, really back, look at me, I'm fine. Mom, don't get excited, take a breath first, I'll put you on the kang, and we'll talk slowly, your son will accompany you and talk slowly."
Zhou Xiaozheng carried the old lady to the kang, took the cup handed to him by Zhang Guoqing, fed his mother a few sips of water, and only felt relieved when he saw that her emotions had calmed down.
Old Mrs. Zhou clutched the corner of his clothes tightly, looked at him greedily, cried and laughed, and only prayed for God to bless him. She touched his body worriedly, and was relieved to see that he was not injured.
"Okay, I'm glad you're back. Have you seen your wife? And Jiaojiao? Go see her. I haven't been to see her. Is she taking good care of herself after the baby's confinement? Is the baby okay? Have you seen your daughter and grandson? By the way, you haven't eaten yet, right? I'll make you noodles and poached eggs with undercooked yolks, just the way you like them."
Zhou Xiaozheng quickly held down the old lady who was about to get up, "Mom, I've just finished eating and I'm back. Don't worry, I'll chat with you. Shanshan came back with me. I have something to do today, so I brought Xiaowu with me. Jiaojiao's in-laws are building a house, and I'm afraid there won't be enough manpower, so I asked her to stay there to take care of Jiaojiao. She and I will come to see you later.
"Jiaojiao and the child are both fine, but Jiaojiao is too thin, just skin and bones. Let's take good care of her this time. Her mother has taught her well, and she is well-behaved and sensible. When she sees me, she bursts into tears and laughter. She specifically asked me to tell you that you must go see her when you have time, because she misses you."
"Hmph..." Old Master Zhou snorted. Everyone pretended not to hear him, knowing that he was dissatisfied.
Old Madam Zhou looked at him but ignored him. She turned to Zhou Xiaozheng and said, "How long will you stay this time? I have some things to do first. I'll be home. Come and see me when you're free. I'm doing fine now, so you don't have to worry. Xiaowu, take your father-in-law to the county town. He might not recognize the roads after all these years."
Zhang Guoqing smiled and said to her, "Grandma, don't worry. My dad knows what's going on. When you have time, go visit Jiaojiao at home. She's always talking about you. How are you feeling lately? Jiaojiao asked me to bring you these donkey-hide gelatin. Eat them first. Jiaojiao said she'll bring them to you when she makes donkey-hide gelatin cakes. That's more convenient, you can just soak it in water and drink it. But, grandma, do you think Jiaojiao can make donkey-hide gelatin? Haha, she said she'll make some for us after she's out of confinement."
Mrs. Zhou smiled and nodded, then said to them, "Jiaojiao is so smart. She could recite the recipe song at the age of three and could take her pulse at five. Unfortunately, I only have a basic understanding of acupuncture and moxibustion, so I can't teach her. Making donkey-hide gelatin is no problem for Jiaojiao. Just prepare the ingredients for her."
Old Master Zhou coughed a few times, and when everyone quieted down, he said with a sullen face, "Xiao Zheng, are you going to bring your brother and the others back with you this time? It's all his wife's fault. Do you think it's necessary to make it known to everyone? It's making a fool of our family. Jiaojiao is the same. She's so angry. Can't she tell me in private? I can also make the decision for her and take the things back.
Now, everyone knows about it. People who don’t know think that our Zhou family bullied her. We raised her without any credit, but we worked hard. Her aunt-in-law has wronged her, so could it be that his uncle has wronged her too? The four children of the old family are all under my nose, and they didn’t make a fuss with her. It’s just that Zhou Xue has a childish temper, but Jiaojiao insisted on getting to the bottom of everything. They are all sisters, is it necessary to make her so upset that she can’t get out? Her cousins and their sisters-in-law didn’t offend her either, but now they dare not stay in the village and have returned to their parents’ home. Can you imagine someone like your daughter? She has torn off the face of the Zhou family. You must give her a good talk this time. "
Zhang Guoqing's face turned pale when he heard this. Because his father-in-law was there and the other party was his elder, otherwise, he would definitely punch him. He had never seen such a shameless old man.
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