The military bugle sounded in the early morning. Zhou Jiao opened her eyes and looked at Zhao Yuanyuan and Ping An who were sleeping soundly beside her. She saw that the two of them were unmoved and smiled and shook her head.
Despite this, Zhou Jiao still got off the kang very carefully, fearing to disturb their sweet dreams. After washing up and leaving the room, she was greeted by a freezing cold.
Winter is not a pleasant season. Just look at Zhang Guoqing and his two companions walking on the road in the school, braving the cold wind and stepping on the thick snow. It is really uncomfortable.
Zhou Jiao walked into the living room and saw that one of her father's shoes was missing. Seeing that he had gone out to exercise, Zhou Jiao shrugged regretfully and turned to the kitchen.
"Auntie, please heat up some more buns. Xiaowu will bring his classmates back later."
"Okay, I'll make some more porridge."
After giving her instructions, Zhou Jiao hesitated for a moment before heading to the warehouse. She'd been so busy lately, she had no idea how much inventory she had left. With guests arriving and the Lunar New Year holiday, it looked like she'd have to make a few more trips to the "black market."
She didn't go down to the cellar either. The cabbages and radishes, the original supply plus the ones she "purchased" in the autumn, were piled up like a mountain, so she wasn't worried at all.
After unlocking the door, Zhou Jiao stood there for a while, waiting for the air to circulate before entering the house. Except for the three large vats near the door, which were missing a few dumplings, everything else was still as it was.
After going out, Zhou Jiao patted her clothes and went back to the kitchen to help.
Aunt Chen asked curiously, "Why don't you go boxing?"
"Later. There are a lot of people here today, so I'll help out first. How's Dad's appetite lately? It's not a big deal that he only eats these two things every day. I wonder if he wants to eat anything else?"
Aunt Chen paused as she carried the plate. "There were five different flavors of dumplings alone. If that wasn't enough, could they even eat dragon meat?" This child...
She frowned and thought, "Except for the two extra dishes you need to take home, the leader has never made any requests. He also enjoys the meals I prepared according to your request."
Zhou Jiao smiled. She was really confused from sleep. How could her father let outsiders see his thoughts?
"Thank you for your hard work, auntie."
Aunt Chen shook her head and smiled, "As you should. Go exercise. I can do it here by myself."
Zhou Jiao checked her watch. After all this delay, it was really getting late. She glanced at the stove, nodded, and turned to the yard.
The sky was gloomy and gusts of wind made the leaves outside the yard rustle. It seemed that it was another snowstorm.
Zhou Jiao stretched her arms and legs, her thoughts following the noise outside, worrying about her lover, Zhang Guoqing. Given his personality, he should have already started on his way home by now, and she didn't know what his situation was.
At seven in the morning, Ping An opened his eyes, dazed and dazed. He caught sight of Zhao Yuanyuan beside him and quickly regained consciousness. His little hands touched the warm sweater and trousers under the covers, and he grinned.
——He is so smart!
He put on the sweater, buttoned the neck, and glanced at the woolen pants with disdain. He hated wearing these the most. They always bullied him because he was young and he could never wear them properly.
Thinking of this, Ping'an, wearing his autumn trousers, lifted the quilt, slid down the edge of the kang, grabbed the cotton trousers on the drying basket and put them on, put on his cotton jacket, and smiled.
He glanced back at Zhao Yuanyuan, who was curled up in the quilt, and carefully opened and closed the door. He took a few steps and ran to the living room.
"Mom, why didn't you call me? I still have to do horse stance."
Zhou Jiao was chatting with her father. When she heard the voice, she turned around and waved to him, "It's not time yet. I told you to sleep a little longer. Have you not put on your woolen pants again?"
"Mom, you're so unlovable. I'm not cold."
Zhou Xiaozheng curled his lips. His grandson took after him in this respect. However, "Doing horse stance will freeze your legs. Go get it and ask your mother to help you put it on."
Ping'an rolled his eyes, gave his grandfather a sly smile, stretched his calves, twisted his body, stood in a horse stance, and looked at him with his bright eyes.
Zhou Xiaozheng laughed in silence, "Little clever girl! Forget it this time, but from tomorrow onwards don't show off your cleverness." After saying that, he shook his head at Zhou Jiao.
"The child is still young, don't let him lose interest. You should find a way to make a difference in the long johns, so that he won't get all shrunk up in the woolen trousers once he puts them on."
Zhou Jiao nodded.
Ping An glanced at his grandfather and pursed his lips. He really wanted to explain... The children were not wearing any underwear or long johns, just their cotton pants.
After going through untold hardships, Zhang Guoqing and the other two finally arrived at the compound. After registering, they came to Zhou's house.
As soon as I entered the living room, I saw a little kid squatting with a stern face. On the other side were Zhou Xiaozheng and his wife and Zhou Jiao watching.
Zhang Yuntao stepped in first and immediately called out, "Uncle Zhou, Aunt Zhou, we're here to see you. What happened to Xiao Ping'an? Was he punished for being naughty?"
Ping An looked at the three of them with surprise. His face flushed red and he glared at him fiercely. If it weren't for the time being, he would have beaten this stupid uncle. What a look!
Zhou Xiaozheng nodded at them, "The child is squatting. I prepared breakfast for you this morning. Go and have a bite to warm yourself up."
Zhang Guoqing glanced at the wall clock and said, "Dad, it's time for you to go to work. I'll take care of Ping An. How much time do you have left?"
"That's fine, there's less than a quarter of an hour left. Be safe, grandpa's going to work first. Remember to move around after the injection." Zhou Xiaozheng was worried that the children wouldn't be able to relax if he was around. After hearing his son-in-law's words, he also stood up.
"Don't feel restrained when you're home. Let Xiaowu take you somewhere you want to go."
"Got it, Uncle Zhou."
Seeing this, Secretary Chen at the door immediately picked up his briefcase and followed him out.
After the people walked away, Zhou Jiao walked over to them, looked at Zhang Yuntao meaningfully, and said with a smile: "I'll go call Yuanyuan, just in time for them to use it together."
"Jiaojiao, you are talking about Yuanyuan..." Before Zhang Yuntao could finish his words, he was pinched by the two buddies beside him, and he swallowed the questions in his mouth.
Zhang Guoqing smiled at Lin Lishan, who was helping to serve breakfast, and said, "Mom, have you eaten?"
"Your dad and I ate first. Jiaojiao said you guys should come over and eat together. Yuanyuan must not be awake yet, so you guys should sit down and eat first."
Li Qinglin stepped on Zhang Yuntao's foot and crushed it hard. Seeing that he was no longer smiling foolishly, he warned him in a low voice: "Be more respectful."
Zhang Yuntao nodded quickly, stretched his neck to look outside, and said, "Why don't we wait for them? It's just right for us to eat together with Xiao Ping'an."
Lin Lishan smiled and said, "Okay, you guys can do whatever you want. Xiaowu, Mom's going to work too. Ping'an, you need to keep an eye on the time and remember not to let him squat for too long. Why would a child so young do horse stance? Ping'an, look, Grandpa's gone, why don't we just call it a day?"
Seeing that the child still didn't move after what she said, she shook her head helplessly. How stubborn!
Seeing that it was getting late, Lin Lishan went back to her room to get her bag. Worried, she checked on Ping An and asked, "Can you handle it? Would you like to go with grandma to the group?"
Ping An held his breath, his heart moved by her temptation. He was so tired, but he had promised his grandfather. Hmm, I can't hear you, I can't hear you...
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