Lin Lishan laboriously carried a large basket with a large bag hanging in front, and walked in breathlessly. As soon as she reached the bedroom door, she immediately put it down and said, "Oh, I'm so tired."
Zhou Jiao hurriedly poured her a cup of hot water. Frowning, she looked at her in confusion, "Where's Xiaowu? Why didn't he help you carry it? Where are the others?"
Zhou Xiaozheng quickly looked outside the door, then shook his head and laughed at her. It really was her biological mother.
"I heard your eldest sister-in-law didn't go to work today. Xiaowu and his father took the children to her house. I guess they didn't say hello to you because they didn't want to disturb you and your daughter. Your mother-in-law is alone in the guest room looking after the children. I got off the car alone, because they bought more and all went to the guesthouse. We agreed to have lunch in the guesthouse cafeteria.
Mom came back just to prepare your meal. No, Brother Zheng, let's hire someone. Jiaojiao can't eat if she lives here." Lin Lishan said dissatisfiedly.
Zhou Xiaozheng nodded and said, "Well, I'll tell Xiaowu later. When they come back next year, I must treat them. For now, we can only make do with it." After saying that, he pointed to the opposite side.
Lin Lishan understood and rolled her eyes. She suddenly stood up, opened her bag, and took out some things one by one. "I got these from the locals. They're all gifts for the baby's full moon celebration. Oh, and your aunt and godmother have prepared them. They seem to be taking them back with them and sending them back after the full moon."
Zhou Jiao looked at the wave drums, tiger-head shoes, hats, and several small cotton-padded jackets and burst out laughing. "Mom, are you sure I can use all these safely? Dad, we already have two sets of these wooden toys. Not to mention the clothes, his whole closet is full of them."
Zhou Xiaozheng pinched the red cotton jacket with two fingers in disdain, "It's okay, one set a day. If it doesn't look good, I'll give it away as a gift. This is fine to give away."
Lin Lishan slapped his hand away, "My aunt said that I have to wear something bright red that day. This is the best I found. You can't buy satin here. Keep it as a backup."
After that, she ignored him. She took out a box from her bag and put it on the table, and told Zhou Jiao, "Jiaojiao, this is the gold locket to be hung around your neck on the full moon day, and there are also some copper coins. I don't know what the customs are here, but Mom added a few jade pendants. Keep it for now. Don't touch the red envelopes inside. Take them out on the day of the full moon. I've given the red eggs to your Aunt Cheng, and she will bring them over on the day of the full moon. Your godmother is really enthusiastic and said she will prepare everything. From the looks of it, she's preparing it as if it were her own daughter, and she even said she'd take you back to the provincial capital to move into a new home. She gave up the idea only after your great aunt persuaded her."
Zhou Jiao looked at her father and felt relieved when she saw him nod slightly at her.
"I calculated that on the day of the full moon, there will be your grandmother's house and your aunt's house in the capital, your godmother in the provincial capital, and your father's other three brothers. And then there's your Aunt Cheng's place in the county town. There are so many people here, can you handle it? Otherwise, Mom won't go back this time and ask Dad to help me apply for leave. If he can't get it, the punishment won't be a big deal. I'll go back after the full moon, is that okay with you?"
Zhou Jiao firmly refused. Her father had just returned, and he was heading back to Northeast China without any preparations. What would happen if her mother didn't go back? Besides, they had to move this time, and the hostess wasn't home. How could she do that? She had to go back.
Those who don't know might even speculate, or even have ulterior motives. If rumors spread about the couple's separation or something else, it would likely tarnish their public image. Her father is such a brilliant person, who knows if anyone might be plotting against him behind the scenes? Her mother must follow her father closely and assert her sovereignty.
Zhou Xiaozheng and Lin Lishan burst into laughter after hearing this. This child really thinks too much. However, it seems there is some truth to it. Rumors are scary, but they do wrong the child.
Zhou Jiao said nonchalantly, "These are just customs, representing good wishes. You are his real grandparents, how could you not protect him? What is more important than practical matters? When he grows up, he can learn a few tricks from my dad, which is better than anything else."
"Forget it, let's go back and take a look first, and then make arrangements based on the time. Listen to Jiaojiao, she won't be at ease if you don't go back and claim your sovereignty. We father and daughter don't take etiquette that seriously. Look, we're doing fine now, and our Jiaojiao is a hundred times better than anyone else. Tell me what's in that basket of yours?"
Lin Lishan was a kindhearted person, and upon hearing what they said, she felt relieved. She stopped Zhou Xiaozheng and happily dragged the basket, unpacking the items one by one.
Zhou Jiao looked at the sheepskin coat, two pairs of sheepskin boots, gloves, rice, fresh pork, and pork ribs that were turned out from inside, and then looked at the two blood marks on her mother's hands. Tears could no longer be shed uncontrollably.
Lin Lishan looked at her helplessly, looking to her husband for help, mumbling, "Mom didn't spend much money. I asked someone to lead the way to the village to buy it."
Zhou Jiao took out a handkerchief from her pocket, wiped her face vigorously, and smiled with tears in her eyes, "Mom, I'm happy. Tears don't listen to me. These are all my favorites. I like every piece very much. You must buy me more in the future, especially these sheepskin boots. Mom, you have a good eye. Where did you find them?"
Lin Lishan was immediately shocked when she heard this. She reached out and slapped her, scolding her, "You silly child, you scared me to death. I thought you thought I bought too much. Haha, I tell you. Next time, let Xiaowu go find that family himself.
Hadn't I been shopping at the market with them? They happened to be selling sheepskin boots. The man didn't look like a villager, so I figured he was a middleman. I bargained for the price and told him I'd buy two pairs, on the condition that he tell me where I could buy a nice sheepskin coat like the one he was wearing, suitable for girls. He told me the address, and I drove over. The family was quite well-off. When he told me I was a soldier and wanted to buy a sheepskin coat for a girl, he immediately sold me the one he was going to give to someone else. "Oh, I've found this place to be really great. The people are so honest and welcoming. Before I left, he even told me to send it to his house if I needed any alterations."
"Then why didn't you buy one for yourselves? Don't you have enough money? Last year, Xiaowu went to inquire and found out it would cost at least 200 yuan, and you had to wait for it to be delivered from the northernmost part. They gave you the money last year, but only this year. I declined. Most people can't afford this kind of jacket. Some of the homemade ones on the street these days are too ugly. This one is good, with a fur collar and it's very warm."
Lin Lishan held her breath when she heard her mention money, but when she mentioned 200 yuan, she said proudly, "150 yuan! I didn't expect it to be so cheap. This is the only new one he has. We have to wear military coats, not this one. If you don't believe me, ask your dad. This one weighs only ten pounds, and the black cloth outside can be undone. You can change the color yourself. With this one, you can go out easily in the future. Put on your shoes and see if you can move freely."
Once Zhou Jiao put it on, her 5'4" height suddenly seemed shorter. The coat wrapped around her to her knees, and the fur collar concealed her face, revealing her large eyes. Adding the sheepskin boots, it was incredibly windproof, even in heavy snow. She moved about with such ease. She added a hat for added warmth.
Zhou Xiaozheng looked at it and nodded. "Your mother is very thoughtful and has a good eye. You have a weak body, so if you wrap yourself like this, you won't be afraid of the cold wherever you go. Even snowflakes won't soak it. If you encounter a heavy snowfall, your military coat will become wet and heavy if you are not careful. This is good, there is nothing better than this."
Zhou Jiao laughed heartily when she heard this. She glanced outside and said softly, "How could it not be good? Dad, your daughter is wearing a courtyard house in the county town."
As soon as he finished speaking, Zhou Xiaozheng and his wife burst into laughter.
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