It was a rare good day, so Zhou Jiao went out for a walk and returned humming a tune.
She was in a good mood and had just returned to the intersection when she heard her own telegram.
It was really double joy - Zhou Jiao ran forward quickly, took the telegram from the postman, opened it and saw that it was indeed sent by Zhou Xiaozheng. After reading the content, she was so happy that her face was grinning from ear to ear.
That bright smile on her face, she was in her prime, wearing a brown cashmere coat and a bright red scarf, standing there with a smile as beautiful as a flower.
The postman kept looking back, and Zhang's mother, who was out, was happy to see her.
Zhang's mother knew that any telegrams coming home were most likely from in-laws. Seeing her daughter-in-law smile so brightly that her dimples deepened, she knew it was good news.
Zhou Jiao said cheerfully, "Mom, my dad said he's very good, which means very good. It's really good when everyone is doing well."
What she didn't say was that the main reason she was happy and excited was that this meant her father was not in danger and her grandmother's matter went smoothly.
"Mom, where are you going? Where's Dad?"
Hearing this, Zhang's mother became happy. She smiled and said, "Your father went to chat with someone. Mother didn't go anywhere. She just came to see if you and Xiaowu were back."
"Mom, do you want me to ask your older sisters to come and keep you company?"
Zhou Jiao followed her in. Her mother-in-law stayed indoors every day. The county town had little appeal to her, and she always wanted to go back to the village.
Zhang Guofu now works at the grain station, earning a good monthly salary. This official job has been used by Zhang Guoqing through various schemes, including stealth, sleight of hand, and 36 strategies. Taking advantage of the company's internal recruitment, Zhang Guofu got in with impunity, prompting his neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. Chen, to now consult Zhang Guoqing whenever they have a problem.
Xizi and his friends had been staying at her house during the day, sometimes even staying there at night. She also had to tutor the three brothers. There was no other way. With Xizi transferring to another school next year and Xiaoyouyou going to school in the county, to keep up with the county education system, the three brothers had no choice but to stay at her house more often.
Fortunately, they were well-behaved and sensible, and they loved this family. With these children, the house suddenly became much more lively. With them looking after Ping An, she could sneak out for some shopping.
"No need. They all have work to do. If we call them here, it will be troublesome for us and them too. Mom just wants to go home."
Hearing this, Zhou Jiao smiled and said, "Isn't this your home? Even the stones are here, why go back? Let your brother take you and dad to the provincial capital in a couple of days. Didn't you say there's a night market in the provincial capital's flea market? Go over there first to help me scout the way, and then take me there later. We can have fun on our own."
Zhang's mother was a little moved by what she said, but after thinking about it, she shook her head and said, "I am worried about your sister-in-law and sister-in-law at home. I don't know what's going on at home these days."
Zhang's mother also didn't want to go back. She felt comfortable here, eating well and sleeping well. But she was worried that her two daughters-in-law, who were the first to head the household, would not be able to handle the social interactions well.
She was especially worried that her second son's family would take her son's things. What if her family saw that she was not at home and came to her house?
Last night, she and her husband were thinking about what they would do with their yard when all three of their children were in the county town. They would have to stay in the village to look after the yard.
"It's okay. I'll go back in a few days and come back soon. I'll call a taxi for you. Mom, there's a big market tomorrow, and I'll be home watching the kids. You and your sisters can go and see if there's anything you like."
The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law entered the living room and saw Xizi writing. Even the smallest stone was flipping through picture books. When he encountered something he didn't understand, he would ask Xiaoyousuo beside him. Maimiao was looking after Ping'an in the cradle.
Zhang Guoqing had specially prepared a large collection of picture books for them, just in case they strayed out into the streets. He even found newspapers and had Xizi practice calligraphy every noon. He believed that practicing calligraphy could calm a child's mind. For two consecutive noons, Xizi had spent the past two days practicing calligraphy in his study.
Zhou Jiao picked up her child and went back to the bedroom to feed him. She had just come back to catch up with her son. Now she would never use formula if she could only breastfeed.
Her health improved. Every morning, Zhang Guoqing dragged her out for a jog and boxing session, and she'd come back just in time to wake up peacefully. During her early morning workouts, she worried about the controversy surrounding her Taekwondo prowess, so she switched to a set of boxing techniques. Unfortunately, her power wasn't working well, but fortunately, an elderly man who had noticed her struggled recently gave her some pointers.
That was the Wing Chun she had learned while working part-time at a martial arts school. Having the advantage of memory in both lives was a blessing from heaven.
Zhou Jiao placed her son back in the cradle in the living room. Seeing him staring at her, she said with a smile, "Mom is going to cook. Ping An, stay and play with your brothers and sisters. Mom will be back soon."
After saying that, she bent down and kissed his little face. Finding that he was not staring at her nervously, Zhou Jiao couldn't help but kiss him a few more times before going to the kitchen.
When Zhang's mother saw her come in, she knew she had taken care of the children. Every day at the appointed time, her daughter-in-law would cook the meals herself. If she could not let her mother-in-law do the housework, she would never let her do it.
This daughter-in-law is outstanding in every way, but unfortunately she doesn't raise chickens and is afraid of chicken poop. If she wasn't afraid of getting dirty, she'd be perfect. She and Xiaowu are a natural match, though. Xiaowu is afraid of fertilizing, so they're a perfect match.
Thinking of this, Zhang's mother shook her head and laughed.
"Mom, why are you here again? I use a coal stove very quickly, I don't even need to light a fire."
Zhang's mother pointed to the kitchen. "I can't help it. I'm used to it. I feel uncomfortable if I don't sit in front of the stove for a day."
As people age, many habits die hard. She's upset that she can't even hear the crowing of chickens or the squealing of pigs. Her husband says she's destined to suffer. Isn't that right?
Now her husband doesn't need her to mend his old clothes when they're not worn, and she feels very uncomfortable with nothing to do. When Xiaowu saw her mending shoes, he immediately ran to the market the next day and brought back several pairs of shoes for her.
Alas... she was bored to death.
"Mom, look at that family down the street. They didn't even hold a housewarming ceremony. They just set up two tables in the yard. Don't you think that's too simple?"
Zhang's mother shook her head. "Everyone has their own opinions. Some people don't pay attention to these things. Even when Xiaowu's grandfather was alive, he didn't believe in these customs. He focused on feng shui."
He said there are specialized books on feng shui and feng shui masters. This clearly indicates that this is true. Are there masters of customs? Not to mention the entire country, just in the three northeastern provinces, every few villages there's a custom.
He said that customs are meant to deceive and comfort people, and some customs are even used to make money. Let us be casual and not care about customs.
So, you see, Xiaowu and his cousins, apart from choosing the foundation and hiring a Feng Shui master, your uncle and his younger uncle let them handle everything else."
Zhou Jiao laughed out loud after hearing this. What an interesting old man! No wonder he brought up Zhang Guoqing.
Aunt Wang from next door rushed into the kitchen, making such a noise that Zhou Jiao almost dropped her plate. As soon as she entered, she pulled Zhang's mother out. When did these two become so close?
"Come with me to Chen's house quickly. Huang Juan is waiting for us. The defective items this time are all good stuff. Bring more money."
When Zhou Jiao heard this, she quickly took out money from her trouser pocket and stuffed it into Zhang's mother's pocket, "Don't push it, I know mom has money. I'm at home, you and Aunt Wang can go without worry, just buy whatever you like." After saying that, she immediately slipped into the kitchen.
Aunt Wang pulled her all the way to Chen's house, saying as they walked, "Sister-in-law, just stay here and don't go back. In a few days, bring your supply book and the three of us will line up together. Once you get to know more people, you won't be able to get used to staying in the village anymore."
Besides, why are you going back to the village? Your son and two daughters are all here. Xiaowu and Jiaojiao are holding you back and won't let you go. If you go back, everyone will go to work. Who will accompany you?
If you go to work, your son Xiaowu will be furious. Don't go to other sons' homes, just stay with your eldest son and go to see other sons when you want. Take my advice, from now on you and your eldest brother will live with Xiaowu."
Zhang's mother had heard her say this so often in the past few days that she had memorized it. She had a point, but what was she going to do with Xiaowu's new yard, which was empty? With her two daughters-in-law just taking charge of the household, she had to keep an eye on them.
Now she was beginning to worry about what to do with the three other courtyards in the village now that her eldest and second sons had bought courtyards in the county. She was too embarrassed to say it out loud. The more she interacted with both families, the better off they were, especially the Chen family, which had everything they needed.
They are managers in the unit and are all capable people, but the fact that her old son caught their eye shows that he is also capable. She can't let people laugh at her for being reluctant to give up the village yard and make people look down on her old son.
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