Lin Lishan looked at the interaction between the two grown men with envy and sighed, "Brother Zheng, you comrades have such a good relationship."
"We're brothers for life and death. He's a very honest man who would go to great lengths for his brothers, and he's very loyal, but he's a bit of a fool. I'm not surprised that others didn't go to see Jiaojiao, but I'm surprised he didn't go. Do you know what he said? He thought your eldest brother's daughter was Jiaojiao, and mistook your eldest sister-in-law for you, and specifically asked around in the capital. He was also worried about me because Jiaojiao ignored me when she was with her grandparents. When the old man introduced Xiaowu's grandson-in-law, I thought he was your brother's son-in-law. You really don't think Xiaowu comes from a farming family. By the way, your eldest sister-in-law's daughter didn't mention that he went to see her?"
Lin Lishan shook her head. "No, I never mentioned it. I do know your friend Zhao Chuangguang."
Zhou Xiaozheng listened and thought for a moment before saying, "Shanshan, what do you think of your sister-in-law's daughter? She's also not around because her eldest brother is not around."
Lin Lishan frowned in distress. "It's hard to say. I didn't think so before. But after seeing Jiaojiao, I always feel that child is not only cold-tempered, but also cold-hearted. No matter how cold our Jiaojiao appears to be to others, she is still very polite. No matter how annoying she is, she is very well-mannered and will not embarrass others. That child's pride is on the surface, while our Jiaojiao's pride is in her bones. She usually looks gentle and speaks softly, but when she gets angry, that sullen face is very similar to yours. She doesn't say much, but every word she says is insightful. That child looks for a partner to see if the family background is worthy of her. But our Jiaojiao first considers whether the family background is harmonious and whether the family members are easy to get along with. It's different. No wonder my dad said that no one in our family can compare to Jiaojiao."
Zhou Xiaozheng raised his eyebrows, "Oh, the old man thinks so highly of it?"
"Well, if I can't let my child do whatever she wants, forget about mediocrity. If this child follows her own temper and is not touched or forced, she won't fight back. Because what happens in the outside world can't affect her, there are few people she cares about in her heart.
The last time the old man met Jiaojiao, he described her as low-key and cautious, steady and cautious, extremely defensive, adept at controlling the overall situation, strategic, calculating, resourceful, and politically sensitive. Unfortunately, she was too strong-willed to be influenced by others. She wouldn't change her lifestyle, her conduct, or her principles.
Jiaojiao is indeed smart, but not as the old man exaggerates. Jiaojiao is very rational. She always knows what not to do and what not to think. Didn’t my dad take Xiaowu out for five days last time? He said, Jiaojiao, please give me some advice. I find that I am very impatient and confused now. Brother Zheng, do you know what Jiaojiao said?
Zhou Xiaozheng drove the car slowly and shook his head. What was there to think about? He must have been scolded to wake him up. His Jiaojiao had already made a plan in mind.
Listening to his wife's description, he realized that his father-in-law hadn't told him such detailed information. Shanshan had previously talked about the grievances suffered by his daughter. He realized that he had overlooked a key point. What ability did his daughter have to make the old man take Xiaowu away for five days? She could calculate that they and he would be back. This was clever. Not surprising. If she didn't suspect the sudden increase of 28 packages, she wouldn't be her. But being able to control the overall situation, even if it was 500 people, was remarkable. 17-year-old Jiaojiao, he should think about how his Jiaojiao would develop in the future?
Zhou Xiaozheng nodded after listening. "They are both very good. They take care of each other and give each other advice. Our Jiaojiao is smart and capable. Have you asked Jiaojiao what her future plans are?"
"No. I told her to do whatever she wants and live the way she wants. Mom has money and she's not short of it."
Zhou Xiaozheng laughed heartily. He had lost his way. "Yes, that's right. She can do whatever she wants. We are not short of money. But wife, besides the back pay, how much money do we have left with your mother? You are so extravagant that you will have any extra money left."
Lin Lishan counted on her fingers. "I haven't carefully calculated it. In the bag you gave me before you left, there were two deposit slips. One was your private money for $5,000. There was also our family savings, the betrothal gift and the gold you gave me converted into US dollars, and the deposit slips. Together, they gave her over $4,000. And here's over $9,000, deposited in Jiaojiao's name. I haven't touched any of it."
She wouldn't let me use it, saying the kids would need money when they got older. I've been earning 17 years of my salary, and I've barely spent anything. My food, lodging, and clothing are all covered by the military, and I get subsidies for traveling with the group, and I can often bring things back and make a profit. Besides sending money to Jiaojiao every month and buying clothes, any extra money goes to my mom. She says she's saving it for me, to prevent me from spending recklessly. My salary has been close to 180 yuan for the past few years, and I can't quite put it into words. It should be a lot, right? I told my mom before that if I hit 50,000 yuan, to let me know.
Seeing her bewilderedly counting on her fingers, unable to figure it out, Zhou Xiaozheng patted her head. "Did you give your mother the gold bars and the house deed in the bag as well?"
"I didn't dare tell her about the gold bars. They're hidden in the secret compartment you designed, in the wooden box you ordered. They're now at our house in the compound. The property deeds and savings certificates are with my mother. The last time I came to see Jiaojiao, I asked for them, but my mother gave me two property deeds and didn't return the savings certificates. I haven't paid the rent for the compound to my mother, and when she asked me, I didn't tell her the truth. All our things are with her. I feel a little uncomfortable, but I can't put my finger on it. What do you think my mother is thinking? She should have some private money. Why is she withholding our money and my eldest brother's money?"
Zhou Xiaozheng smiled at her. "Guess what? It's already here. Let's hurry and buy it, then go back to the county town to buy a bed, briquettes, and coal, and even make a cart." He didn't want to elaborate. His wife was simple, not stupid. Since she already sensed something was wrong, she knew it, but she just didn't dare to face it. Some things were bound to happen, so why should he say it out loud? Everything would wait for time.
Lin Lishan paused for a moment, then quickly got out of the car and walked into the gate of Friendship Mall with him. "Brother Zheng, let's start shopping from the second floor."
"Okay, you decide. Curtain fabric and bedding fabric first. Have you looked at the things in the car? If there are any, don't buy any more. The kitchen supplies are also on the second floor. Pick out the beautiful and exquisite ones, but buy smaller quantities. Also, pick out two beautiful, unbreakable ones for Ping An. An iron pot can be used, and Jiaojiao, I see there are also large and small pots, so buy smaller quantities as well."
The two of them were busy for three hours before they settled the bill and moved the things into the car. After getting in, they smiled at each other and breathed a sigh of relief.
Lin Lishan looked at the back seat and asked, "Brother Zheng, who in the county town should we ask to clean up? Should we go to the neighborhood committee for consultation?"
"No need. Drive directly to the Armed Forces Department and ask Zhao Dashan to help find someone. You stay in the yard and watch the people clean up. Be careful with the furniture. I'll drive to buy a bed and see if there are any carts for sale. We'll go buy coal briquettes later. There are a lot of tickets this time. Buy 500 kilograms first. Have Xiaowu buy more in a few days. We can rotate them. 1,000 kilograms should be enough."
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