As soon as the weekend arrived, after evening self-study, Zhou Jiao couldn't stay any longer. As soon as the bell rang, she grabbed her bag and hurried out. Zhang Guoqing, who was behind her, didn't even bother to answer anyone and followed closely behind her.
The snow on the dirt road melted into ice water during the day under the sun. As more people walked on it, it gradually became a muddy path without potholes. The thin layer of ice was so thin that if you stepped on it carelessly, you would fall flat on your back.
Zhou Jiao clutched his hand tightly, feeling a stinging chill on her feet. She regretted not wearing her sheepskin boots. Zhang Guoqing dragged her all the way to the train station.
"My dear, please ask your father to come and pick you up so that we can borrow your light."
"Dad, I'm freezing. I'm cold, I'm so cold." Yi Jiefang said in a shrill voice.
Wan Dayong kicked him contemptuously, "You act like a woman! I'm getting goosebumps all over the floor."
"Brother Wan, come one."
"You traitor, you're in Cao's camp but your heart is with Han."
She took Wan Dayong and the others' teasing calmly. If they hadn't been in the way, she would have been home on Zhang Guoqing's back.
Ever since the weather turned cold, Zhou Jiao, who was wrapped up like a bear, had been teased by them without blinking an eye. She was too embarrassed to say that she was still not wearing enough.
"Xiao Wu, how about I make a bet? A meal of mutton."
Zhang Guoqing smiled and shook his head.
"You...you...are you afraid to take the challenge? Are you a man? Are you a man? I haven't even told you what the bet is."
Ding Datou winked and nudged Geng Dasheng beside him.
"What?"
Zhou Jiao looked at the stunned Geng Dasheng and chuckled. This poor kid was the most honest of the bunch, pure and simple, and there was no way he could be corrupted.
Everyone burst into laughter at Geng Dasheng's sudden roar. It went without saying that Ding Datou was always bullying the honest guys, but he always got defeated by them.
Wan Dayong hooked his arm around Yi Jiefang's neck and said, "What are you betting on? Tell me about it. This weather is perfect for eating mutton."
"How about we make a bet? Let's bet on whether Comrade Lao Zhou will come to the gate to pick up our precious child."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Guoqing gestured to Wan Dayong, and the few people who saw him lowered their heads and laughed silently.
"Sure. I'm bored, let's have one."
"Everyone who sees it gets a share. We can't be left out."
Yi Jiefang crossed his arms over his chest, shaking his right leg. "I bet Lao Zhou is outside the house."
"Haha... not betting at the gate anymore? Forget it, I'll take a little loss and just bet. Dayi, am I a good brother?"
A few people who knew the inside story tried hard to suppress their laughter.
After arriving at the compound, everyone took Yi Jiefang for a stroll, and did not dare to go too far away from the Zhou family's door - if they were discovered by Zhou Xiaozheng, they would probably be skinned alive.
Yi Jiefang stared at the Zhou family's gate in disbelief. "God is playing tricks on me. Uncle Zhou isn't on a business trip, is he? That's impossible."
Zhou Jiao squinted at the idiot. "I'll let you drag my dad into this, let you make fun of us father and daughter. I'll see if you lose your pants and pawn them."
As soon as Yi Jiefang finished speaking, he smiled happily and said, "That's great. We'll start cooking right away. You guys go in first. I'll go home and get some meat."
Everyone looked at each other in confusion - is this possible?
Wan Dayong joked, "Aren't you afraid that Comrade Lao Zhou will be waiting for you at home and will come over to give you a beating?"
"I'm not stupid, don't think you've won. Everyone, think about what good things you have at home and go home to get them. I'll go back first and see you in five minutes." After saying that, he ran away.
Zhang Guoqing saw them running back home, but he didn't refuse. In those days, if they were asked to eat at home, they wouldn't agree.
"Slow down and don't run too fast. Be careful of the ice on the ground."
Zhou Jiao pulled him towards home. She was anxious to see her son; she hadn't seen him in days and missed him terribly. As she neared the door, she spotted a man standing at the intersection of Linjia Road, but ignored him and continued walking.
Zhang Guoqing was sharp-eyed. When he saw that it was Lin Xuezhen, he immediately turned around and quickly walked home with his wife in his arms. It would be better for him to have less contact with the Lin family, lest his wife get annoyed when she saw them.
"Dad...Mom...why did you come back just now?" Before the couple entered the living room, Ping'an rushed out, pouting in grievance.
Zhang Guoqing quickly dropped his things and picked up the child. "What's wrong? Do you miss your parents?"
"Grandma and grandpa are not at home."
Zhou Jiao touched his face with a distressed look. She felt sorry for the child. Her father had asked Xiao Wang to deliver a letter to the school that morning, and she was worried about the child.
When Old Lady Cheng saw them, she laughed and scolded them, "You heartless little thing! Isn't your grandmother at home with you? It's cold outside, come in quickly."
"Grandma is the best. I like her the most."
The old lady laughed heartily at his flattery, "Very clever."
Entering the living room, Zhou Jiao felt embarrassed when she saw that even Old Cheng was alarmed. Her family always relied on these two elders for support and help with any small matter, and she couldn't repay the favor they owed her.
Old Cheng looked at them with a smile and said, "Your father is on a business trip and your mother will be back in two days. Are you all right at home?"
"With food and drink, absolutely no problem. Aunt, how about we have a drink together?"
Old Cheng stood up and shook his head. "I'm old now. Go get some sleep first. Wait for your dad and the others to come back in a couple of days before drinking again. If you need anything, have someone call me."
Zhang Guoqing smiled and nodded, and walked the two old people all the way home. If they fell in this cold weather, they would be guilty of a great crime.
Aunt Chen brought out two bowls of dumplings and said, "Eat them while they're hot. These were wrapped by the old lady herself and sent to you as a midnight snack."
Zhou Jiao couldn't help but frown at this. This old lady had spent all her little grain this month on herself, and she wasn't afraid of her family's complaints. Over time, anyone would be dissatisfied. It seemed she needed to persuade the old lady.
Seeing this, Aunt Chen whispered, "There aren't many dumplings. The commander has already sent some white flour over, so you can eat without worry."
Zhou Jiao smiled softly after hearing this, "Auntie, next time you make dumplings, remember to eat some yourself. Don't always divide them so clearly."
"Yeah. I know. Xiao Ping'an ate a lot at night, so feed him less. I'm in the kitchen, call me if you need anything."
Zhou Jiao smiled and nodded.
Aunt Chen left the living room and turned to look back at her gratefully. She felt truly blessed to have met the Zhou family. Compared to other aunts, she felt like she had landed in a lucky nest.
Thinking of the monthly food coupons they gave her, Aunt Chen smiled gratefully. Although the Zhou family claimed it was childcare compensation, she knew it was just an excuse. Every family in the compound had four or five children, and everyone had the means to subsidize their children privately. The Zhou family was kind and would never treat a nanny with disdain, as some did.
Zhou Jiao never thought that an unintentional action would make the other party follow the Zhou family wholeheartedly for the rest of his life. In the future situation, no matter how others try to bribe him, the other party will not move and will always put the Zhou family first.
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