Zhou Jiao was speechless facing her father who was full of worry. "I haven't decided yet. This job is like a woman's second marriage. It's not easy to find a husband. I need to look around more and ask more. Dad, can you help me choose a husband?"
Zhou Xiaozheng looked at his daughter's stern face and told jokes, and laughed again, "Okay, then tell me what you are interested in? And what is Guaiguai good at?"
Zhou Jiao immediately imitated him proudly, slightly curling her lips, squinting her eyes, and raising her eyebrows proudly, "Oh, so good at it? That's a lot. She's proficient in everything from music, chess, calligraphy, and painting to needlework. She's one in a million. There's no musical instrument in the world that your daughter can't play well. Your daughter can speak eloquently and is proficient in five languages. What do you think? Old man, your daughter is not bad."
Zhou Xiaozheng was trying hard to suppress his laughter when suddenly a string of foreign words came out of his mouth. He didn't think his daughter Jiaojiao was just joking. This child was hiding something very well.
Zhou Jiao was taken aback, then immediately followed up in a foreign language. The father and daughter continued their conversation until Zhou Jiao glared at him, pounded the table in anger, and kept shouting "unfair", and then they stopped.
"Yes, you are indeed proficient in the five languages. Don't be angry, dear. When you are as old as your father, you will be able to speak all the languages in the world fluently."
Zhou Jiao couldn't help laughing. "Dad, that's not true. The whole world. I'd be satisfied if I could be with you like this."
"No, we, father and I, are gifted. I heard from your great aunt that your grandfather is even more amazing. It's not easy for you to learn all these by staying in this county. You haven't been to as many countries as your father has. It will be very easy to travel around in the future if you have the chance. Remember to do your best and don't show off all your abilities. This is your trump card. You are doing very well now. Remember that excessive wisdom will lead to harm, so be more open-minded about everything. Especially, you must take good care of your body." Zhou Xiaozheng warned her with a serious face.
Seeing he didn't ask who she'd learned it from, Zhou Jiao didn't explain. She'd indeed been taught by several teachers at the county middle school, along with Aunt Ye's behind-the-scenes guidance. In fact, she now knew a few minor languages besides Russian, English, French, German, and Japanese. What surprised her was her father's ability to speak so many international languages and to have traveled so many countries. She had a rough idea of the missions he'd carried out over the years.
Seeing the child nod knowingly, Zhou Xiaozheng sighed. He didn't know what to do with this precious child. Too much wisdom can lead to harm. No wonder he's so thin and thin, just a bag of bones. He's overly worried and burdened.
After a while, Zhou Xiaozheng took out an envelope and handed it to Zhou Jiao, signaling her to keep it.
Zhou Jiao glared at him as she poured out money and remittance vouchers. "Didn't I just give them to me? I don't want them. What if you run out of money out there? Dad, I really don't need money. Even if I have money here, I can't buy anything. Keep it. When I return to Beijing, take me to the market."
Zhou Xiaozheng pointed at her, "Xiaowu has paid for all the meals we've taken out these days. Dad estimates that you don't have more than 500 yuan on you. Don't sell the gold you have hidden around you, save it for a reserve. Dad will give it to you, just take it. Look at your parents, they live and eat in the army, they work and don't have time to go shopping, so why keep the money? When you're out of confinement, go out and buy anything you want, don't be reluctant.
Also, see if Xiaowu has any distant relatives, middle-aged women with clean backgrounds, living alone, and no children to support them. Ask her to come over and help with the kids and housework. Pay her twenty yuan a month for six months. If she's a good fit, you can continue to hire her.
Dad originally planned to ask your Uncle Guang to introduce you to an aunt, but on second thought, it's no longer feasible. Your parents-in-law would object. Using a distant relative would be like helping someone else, which has a different meaning. It's fine for your parents-in-law to come stay for a few days. Don't be foolish and try to force them to live with you permanently. Things far away smell good, while things close by stink. Don't be reluctant to give them money and things on a regular basis. Be more filial."
Zhou Jiao pouted and said unhappily, "I don't like strangers in my house."
"Haha, silly child. How can you go out without looking for your aunt? There are so many houseworks, how can you finish them? Listen to Dad, there is a room next to the kitchen where your aunt lives. You can live in the main house without being affected. It's not easy to find a suitable candidate, so take your time and don't rush. Wait until next year after the family division to hire someone."
Zhou Jiao nodded. She took all the bills and pushed the rest to him. "Dad, give me all the bills. I need them. I have enough money. Look, I have the yard, I have food, and there's the two thousand you gave me. I have everything. What else do I need to spend? I don't like to keep money around. There's nothing good here worth buying."
Zhou Xiaozheng thought about it, grabbed a handful of money, stuffed it into the envelope, and placed it on the table. "Okay, Dad gave it to you, so keep it safe. After you're out of confinement, your godmother will take you shopping in the provincial capital. Given her budget, it won't be much. Even if she buys you something, you should always buy something in return. There's no such thing as enough money, and with money comes courage. Don't worry about spending it. Dad only has you, and you can't spend it all. You must take care of your health and eat more good food. Dad will find someone to find some supplements and send them over when he goes back this time. Don't keep anything to yourself, ignore people you don't like, and don't force yourself. If you don't feel comfortable here, take the child home."
Zhou Jiao watched him mutter non-stop, lowered her head, and secretly wiped away her tears. She took a careful breath, and after a moment, she looked at her father with a smile, nodding continuously.
Zhou Xiaozheng sighed inwardly, looking at her red eyes and nose. Her smile was truly unpleasant. If he hadn't just returned to his post, he wouldn't have listened to the two-year plan. But considering her temper, he really couldn't force her. She was constantly thinking about this one thing, and going to the capital in the short term wouldn't be a good idea. Better to wait; two years would be enough for him to stabilize himself.
Restraining his reluctance, Zhou Xiaozheng coaxed her with a smile, "Dear, when you come to Beijing, Dad will take you to the temple fair. We won't take anyone else with us, so Dad will take you alone. Temple fairs are fun, there's everything. In Beijing, there's roast duck, braised lamb, and Western coffee and milk tea. I'll take you to find some delicious food, and then take you to a tailor to make you a cheongsam and a long skirt."
"Well, Dad, you have to take me to buy the four treasures of the study, and you have to teach me Go, so we can go find chess manuals together. Also, I like reading, so you can take me to find a used books stall." Zhou Jiao cooperated with him and said happily.
"You little nerd. Okay, let's make a father-daughter agreement. Dad will wait for you to come home at the end of the year. I've already given your Uncle Guang the tickets for the journey. He will take you to the bus when the time comes."
Zhou Xiaozheng heard the noise outside and knew that his wife and the others had all returned, so he quickly asked her to put it away. He gave a few more instructions, but he was so reluctant that he could only say a few more words.
Looking at Zhou Jiao's still childish smile, Zhou Xiaozheng secretly blamed himself. If he had returned home two years earlier, he could have brought his child back now and put him in front of him. She could still enjoy the freedom of being single and live a colorful life in the compound.
Then he thought of his son-in-law and grandson, and a small sense of relief welled up in his heart. He was quite satisfied with this cheap son-in-law. He could protect his daughter Jiaojiao from a young age and take care of her after they got married. All this could make up for his own shortcomings. As for ability, would he care? Who could be as good as his daughter Jiaojiao?
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