After packing up, Zhang Guoqing drove to Zuo Lin's house first. The couple was not at home, only Zuo's eldest daughter-in-law was at home. Zhang Guoqing was busy and had no time to say a few words. He just said that he had told Aunt Zuo to pack up first and wait until dinner was ready.
He drove around the county, gave out gifts, and received quite a few. The give-and-take was how friendships grew. They were also happy to interact with Zhang Guoqing; the young man was sincere and thorough.
Zhang Guoqing sincerely postponed their dinner invitation and found all kinds of excuses to leave. There was no other way, he couldn't let people wait for him to come to the table.
He drove to his eldest sister Zhang Meili's old house, just when she was coming home from work. Zhang Guoqing had calculated the time well in advance. He got out of the car, carried the bamboo basket up to the second floor, and shouted, "Sister, brother-in-law, are you home? I'm Xiaowu, if you hear me, just give me a squeak."
Before Zhang Meili appeared, a voice came, "She's inside, come in quickly, we're having dinner at my house."
Zhang Guoqing followed the direction of the sound and knew at a glance that they were busy making dinner in the kitchen. "Sister, where are my brother-in-law and the children? Why can't I see them?"
Zhang Meili wiped her hands with a smile and hurried forward. She saw Zhang Guoqing holding a bamboo basket. She looked inside and was shocked. There were so many things. She quickly turned off the engine and pulled Zhang Guoqing into her room.
As soon as he entered and closed the door, Zhang Meili frowned and advised him, "Xiaowu, don't waste your money. It's more convenient to keep it for doing things. What are you doing with these old things? You didn't buy them at a high price on the black market, did you? I have to say something to you. You should be more careful about the family money in the future. Give it all to Jiaojiao. Oh, even giving it to Jiaojiao is not a good idea. Mom has told me privately that you two are too kind. Don't scare me. There is still a long way to go. Don't ignore Xiao Ping'an. We will split up the family next year, and it will cost you money to buy a match. Save some money. I will help you find a house secretly. It will cost a lot of money to look at it."
"Sister, take a look at what was burning in the pot first. Don't be anxious, tell me slowly. I'll wait for you." Zhang Guoqing helplessly looked at his elder sister who was so anxious that she was running around in circles. Without waiting for him to speak, she started rattling off a bunch of words at such a fast speed that he couldn't even open his mouth to explain.
"Oh my god, who cares about that pot anymore. Listen to me, don't buy these things anymore. Just tell me what you want to eat and I'll find a way to make sure you can eat it."
Zhang Meili was so anxious that she just wanted to slap him. She didn't listen to her parents or her husband. As long as her mother-in-law was around, Xiaowu would not worry about having no money. How could he rely on his wife's family? Her Xiaowu was not one of those lazy people. She was just worried that Xiaowu and his wife were short of money. She heard that all the good things in the house were given to his brothers and nephews.
Her children, Xiaowu and Jiaojiao, were only a few years old. They hadn't even considered the huge expenses they would face in the future. A family wasn't just about food and drink; there were also social interactions, all of which cost money. In two years, when they got into college, they wouldn't have any salaries, and they would have to raise a child. How much would that cost? If they didn't save now, what would be the point of relying on a few salaries? His parents weren't wealthy either, and the thought of constantly sending Xiaowu up the mountain was so dangerous that she couldn't sleep.
Zhang Guoqing interrupted her hastily, "Sister, don't be anxious. Listen to me first. This wasn't bought on the black market. It's from my father-in-law. Yes, my father-in-law is back, alive, and coming to our house with my mother-in-law."
Zhang Meili was so frightened that she dropped the shovel she had forgotten to put down. "Xiaowu, isn't your father-in-law dead? How come he's alive again? What's going on? Why is the Zhou family always coming out? What should I say to Jiaojiao? Oh my, if he doesn't come, then he won't come. If he comes, then both parents will come back. Tell me what's going on."
Zhang Guoqing laughed heartily. His eldest sister was so funny. "Sister, my father-in-law is very good. He treats me like his own son, without any selfish motives. He treats Jiaojiao like a treasure. He came back the day before yesterday, and my family was busy building the yard, so I didn't have time to tell you. I've been busy these days too, so I want to tell you something. Don't be angry and blame me for not telling you earlier."
Zhang Meili looked at him in surprise. "What's the matter? Are you short of money? You gave all your money to me and have no money left to entertain your father-in-law? It just so happens that we have some money at home this time. Wait for me and I'll get it."
Zhang Guoqing sighed helplessly and poured her a glass of water. Seeing that she was about to speak, he quickly waved his hand to stop her, "Sister, I beg you, please don't speak until I say it. Okay? I'm in a hurry."
Zhang Meili laughed out loud, "You go ahead, I'm listening."
Zhang Guoqing looked at her seriously, "Don't laugh, listen carefully. Your brother is not short of money, he really is not short of money, even without my father-in-law. You don't need to ask about the house. My father-in-law bought a yard as soon as he came back. It's in your area, near the Armed Forces Headquarters. He cleaned it up in two days and it's all ready to move in now.
Don't say anything. I know why you said you shouldn't help clean up, but my mother-in-law hired two people to clean up, and you were at work so I didn't ask you to help, and even I didn't help. Don't say anything, there's something else going on. The seafood I ordered today was bought by my father-in-law yesterday at a fishery in another province. We have it at home, for you and your second sister, and there's even more at home, so don't worry. In a few days, we'll be moving in with my parents-in-law to live in their new house. My parents agreed, and we plan to let you know when the time comes, so don't blame me for not telling you.
Don't say anything, just listen. We've already secured a house in the city, and I've also secured a job. Now, let's talk about my second brother. Didn't my second sister's father-in-law ask someone to find me a job? This time, my second brother got the job. He reported today and will start work next Monday. He works in the household registration section of the Public Security Bureau, in charge of household registration. The news hasn't spread yet, so it's not too late to talk about it after he starts working next Monday.
As for you, if you have anything to ask, go ask my parents. I won't explain it to you. My father-in-law is entertaining his friends at his new home. He will also be my future superior. Old Mrs. Zhou is here today, and I asked her to come here. The Zhou family is a mess. Don't ask about their affairs. I'm too lazy to talk. So I have to go back in a hurry and can't keep the guests waiting. If you have any questions, I'll talk to you later. Eat the seafood in this bamboo basket yourself and give it to my nephew. Don't be reluctant to eat it. I'll go buy more from there later and my brother will bring it to you. Oh, I've said so much, I'm so anxious, sister, I'll go to my second sister's place if I'm free. I'm going hunting in the village tomorrow. If you have time, go back and see her."
Zhang Meili shook her head and nodded. Zhang Guoqing looked at her strangely, "What's wrong? I'll leave if nothing happens."
"Didn't you tell me to be quiet? Haha, I was just teasing you. Go back quickly. I won't keep you here anymore. We'll talk when you're free. And thank your father-in-law and mother-in-law for me." Zhang Meili patted him with a smile. This time she was really relieved. With the yard, she didn't have to worry anymore. After all, she had some money, and she could make a lot of money by renting it out.
Zhang Guoqing stopped her from sending him off and walked out quickly, not even taking the bamboo basket. When he got in the car, he suddenly remembered that he hadn't asked his elder sister when the house would be warmed.
Arriving at his second sister Zhang Meihao's house, Zhang Guoqing refused to go in this time. He put down the bamboo basket at the gate and called out to Zhang Meihao. After a few calls, she ran out, "Second sister, be careful not to fall. Don't run. Take your time."
"Xiaowu, why don't you come in now that you're here?" Zhang Meihao said softly.
Zhang Guoqing pointed to the bamboo baskets on the ground. "These are some seafood. Take them in. They're all for you. My eldest sister has already sent them over. They were all sent by my father-in-law and mother-in-law. I have something urgent to do, and someone is waiting for me at home. We'll talk later. I'll go see my parents when I have time. I'm leaving now, second sister."
After saying that, Zhang Guoqing hurriedly got into the car, drove, and waved his hand outside.
Zhang Meihao was stunned. Before she could say anything, he just left. She shook her head and carried the bamboo basket into the yard.
Zhang Meihao's mother-in-law looked behind her and asked curiously, "Xiaowu has left. Why didn't you come in and sit for a while? It's time for dinner. Why didn't you take him with you?"
Zhang Meihao smiled and shook her head, pointing to the bamboo basket on the ground. "He put the basket down, said something, and without waiting for my reply, hurriedly got in the car and drove away. He said there were guests at home. This is for our family. My eldest sister just sent it over. I didn't have time to see what it was. It smelled fishy, probably seafood."
Her mother-in-law took out the dried fish from above and saw the prawns and yellow croaker. She was surprised and said, "Beautiful, look at them, they are all rare things. Your brother spent a lot of money."
Zhang Meihao smiled and looked at her mother-in-law, then said softly, "It's okay, just eat it if you give it to me. Xiaowu is sensible, so there should be quite a lot at home. I heard that his father-in-law bought it. I was just about to ask what happened, but he's gone. Mom, you figure out how to clean up. I don't know how to do this."
"Hey, your dad will be very happy tonight. The big prawns he has been thinking about are here, and he will probably have some drinks tonight. I'll keep one of the yellow croaker for the New Year, and the rest for my grandson to nourish him. Eating this fish will make the child smart. Mom will show you her cooking skills tonight. It's not easy to buy these nowadays. Last year, I had to ask someone to bring me hairtail." Her mother-in-law was happily thinking that if yellow croaker and prawns were added to the New Year's Eve dinner, the dish would be both beautiful and delicious, and the coming year would be more and more prosperous.
"Hey, Mom, you arrange it, and I'll help you. Next time I see Xiaowu, I'll ask him to help find the big yellow croaker. Since it's good for the child, he will definitely continue to buy it."
"Haha, let's not bother Xiaowu. He sends gifts to our house all year round. It's because you two siblings have a good relationship and get along well. How can a brother always be obsessed with his sister? Come on, let's go to the kitchen."
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