"Don't mess with your aunt's things. Otherwise, no one will be able to come next time. Just sit there and don't wander around."
"Don't scare the kids. Be quiet, your little cousin is sleeping. Xizi, take the candied haws your uncle bought to Ziwen and the others."
Zhou Jiao heard the noise coming from outside and hurried to check on her son. She found that he was sleeping with a red face and didn't move at all. She felt relieved immediately.
She filled the basket with a handful of toffee and the roasted nuts she had just bought this morning, picked up the basket and walked towards the living room.
Zhou Jiao looked at the group of children in the living room with a smile, raised the basket towards them, and when she saw them running towards her happily, she quickly put it on the table, "Everyone has one, don't fight over it. I'll fill it up for you after dinner."
Father Zhang looked at her and the children cheerfully, "Don't eat too much, or you'll be unable to eat later. There are so many delicious dishes today, more than during Chinese New Year."
Zhou Jiao thought about it, took out some change from her pocket and handed it to Ziwen, whispering, "Shh, keep your voice down, don't let your mother hear. This is for you three brothers, take it quickly. Xizi and the others just gave it to you. Each of you has one."
Seeing him blushing and trying to refuse, Xizi looked outside and found that his aunt couldn't hear. "You take it. My aunt said it's for you, so it's for you. My aunt doesn't like to be pulled and pushed around."
Zhou Jiao laughed happily after hearing this. "Yes, our Xizi really understands his aunt. Take it quickly and hide it by your side. Buy whatever you like. Our Ziwen is the same age as Xizi, right? I heard from your uncle that you three brothers are very good at studying. That's great."
Zhang Ziwen saw her give him a thumbs-up and immediately grinned with joy. He liked his uncle and aunt the most. Whenever he met the three brothers, he would praise them and never scold him.
Zhou Jiao patted his head. Seeing Father Zhang sitting there alone, she felt something was amiss. Suddenly, she remembered that the long pipe was gone.
"Dad, where's your pipe? Just bring it and smoke it. Xiaowu won't be home at noon, so I'll ask my eldest brother-in-law to drink with you, okay? That room is yours and Mom's. The quilt is brand new, and it's all prepared for you. If you're tired, just lie down there and rest. The children can play as they please, it's okay. There's nothing in there that can't be broken. If it's broken, it's broken. If the old doesn't go away, the new won't come."
Zhang's father listened to Zhou Jiao's constant chatter, and his smile grew wider and wider. His daughter-in-law was very generous and had the temperament of someone who could accomplish great things.
"Dad is not tired. Go and rest. When the meal is ready, ask your mother to bring it to you."
Zhou Jiao happily put on her coat and said, "Dad, if you are not tired, go in and take care of Ping An. He just fell asleep. When he wakes up, call me. I want to find my mother." After that, she ran out in a hurry.
Father Zhang looked at her back and laughed. This kid's actions were really heartwarming. He just let him in so carelessly. He knew that there were a lot of their family assets in this room. This daughter-in-law really didn't treat him as her father-in-law, but as her own father. However, he was really not used to entering his son and daughter-in-law's room.
After thinking about it, he stood up, put his hands behind his back and walked towards the room. He stood at the door of the study, looked at the bookcase, and then looked at the furniture on display. He took a deep breath and muttered, "Prodigal son."
After passing through the study and coming to the bedroom, Father Zhang hurriedly looked at the furniture in the room and came to the bed. Seeing that his little grandson was sleeping soundly, he carried him back to the guest room along with the small quilt.
Father Zhang stood in the guest room, looking at the kang by the window, his head lowered and a muffled laugh drifted in. After a while, he gently put the child down, tucked him in with the quilt, and stroked his head, muttering with emotion, "My grandson is truly reincarnated. He came at the perfect time, a blessing. Another golden child."
Outside, the sound of children's laughter reached Zhang's father. He looked at him, sound asleep. Just like his father, he'd been well-behaved since birth. He never burdened his mother. He remembered how exhausted his wife had been with the previous children. Especially after the birth of the little girl, she couldn't even work in the fields. It wasn't until the birth of Xiaowu, a well-behaved child who ate and slept through the entire confinement period, that Zhang's father finally recovered. No wonder his wife doted on Xiaowu.
Zhou Jiao entered the kitchen and frowned as she looked at the dishes on it. "Mom, why aren't you cooking again? I asked my brother-in-law to come over to accompany Dad, and we need some food to go with the wine. We have plenty to eat at home, so hurry up and cook more. Your son can't eat enough to drink, and he needs to keep eating when he comes back."
Mother Zhang was startled by Zhou Jiao's sudden appearance. "Why did you sneak out again, kid? Go in quickly. I know. That's enough."
Zhou Jiao was told to go in, how could it be possible? After finally coming out, she hurried to sit down by the stove and look at the fire. "Look, it's warm here. Mom, I'll stay with you. Where's my sister?"
"Don't do anything, just stay still. I sent your sister home to call your brother-in-law. She always said that the family prepared food and asked your brother-in-law to eat at home. I got her in trouble."
"Mom is really awesome. Mom, please prepare a few more dishes for the children to try. Don't let my brother-in-law come over and not have enough to eat. We have no shortage of food at home. Didn't my mom bring back a lot of meat? Cook more. If you don't go, I'll do it myself." Zhou Jiao looked at her and threatened.
Zhang's mother had no choice. This girl had a stubborn temper. She glared at her and hurried back to the warehouse.
There was so much food in the warehouse. But she couldn't bring herself to eat it all. It would be better to save it for the two of them to eat slowly. She had already planned it all out: she would come over every morning to cook and then go back. Her little five wouldn't have to work so hard. She couldn't bear to let little five take care of all the meals. How could a grown man stay in the kitchen all day?
While pondering this, I looked up and accidentally saw Zhou Jiao standing at the door. Seeing her notice, she giggled. She was both angry and amused. She knew that the child was bored staying in the house.
Zhou Jiao carefully moved to her side and pointed with her fingers, "Mom, this, this, that, that, and this side..."
Mother Zhang hurriedly gathered her things, picked up the bamboo basket, and immediately pulled her out. "That's enough. It's good enough. If there's any more, it's enough for the whole village to have a feast. If you don't want to go in, then stay in the kitchen and warm up. If you keep wandering around, I'll tell your dad. Let him talk to you. Let's see if you're afraid."
Zhou Jiao thought of her father and immediately followed her into the kitchen obediently.
When Zhang Meili came in, she saw Zhou Jiao making a fire. She quickly pulled her up and asked her to go back to the house to rest. She kept muttering to herself while she was waiting for her to bring in the meal.
Zhou Jiao looked at Zhang's mother helplessly and found that she was smirking with glee.
After finally seeing Zhang Meili pause for a moment, she hurriedly said, "Sister, I'll leave. I'll carry it myself." She was afraid of her elder sister-in-law's tight control.
Watching the eldest daughter push her into the living room, Zhang's mother stood at the door and laughed non-stop. Oh, Jiaojiao finally met her nemesis. Not to mention Jiaojiao, she was also afraid of the eldest daughter. She had a very fierce temper and would nag non-stop once she opened her mouth. Who did this daughter take after?
After Zhang Meili settled Zhou Jiao down, she returned to the kitchen and saw her mother still cooking. She looked at her in confusion.
"Don't look, Jiaojiao said her brother-in-law is coming over and asked for a few more dishes to accompany your father's drinking. Your brother will need to eat when he comes back. I had to stop him from ordering these few dishes."
Zhang Meili was grateful to her sister-in-law for doing the facial for her. What's with Xiaowu coming back and needing to eat? "Forget it this time. Don't do it again. Uncle Zhou arranged this because he was worried his daughter would starve. We can't just use it casually."
Zhang's mother didn't respond. She was just being spoiled—next time, the siblings would come, the table would be full again. She was delighted that she could treat her own children this way. The children's love for each other would give her and her husband peace of mind when they passed away.
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