In the yard of the old house, Zhang's mother happily watched her grandchildren busying around. She couldn't sit still and followed them back and forth between the kitchen and the yard.
Mai Miao advised with a smile: "Grandma, you sit there and rest for a while, we can handle it. Little sister, go and ask grandma to sit down."
"Grandma, take a rest. My older sister and brother are capable. Let me tell you, my fifth brother also caught quite a few things today. Don't underestimate his young age; his hands and feet are really nimble..."
Xizi brought a large plate of vegetable porridge, and Ziwen brought a large plate of steamed buns mixed with grains. The two cousins came out one after another, and they both told their younger brothers to be careful.
In the kitchen, Ping An's eyes sparkled as he watched Mai Miao stir-frying snails. "Sister, you're amazing! Well, just not as good as my mom. You'll be even better when you grow up."
"That's just the beginning. I'll show you my skills tomorrow. Are you used to staying back home? Tonight we'll go catch some cicada monkeys. They're so delicious if you fry them in oil, and best of all, you can sell them for money."
Ping An narrowed his eyes in a smile and nodded repeatedly, "Okay. I like my hometown. There's so much to do here, and you guys know a lot."
"My fifth brother also knows a lot. He learned how to make cicada monkeys from my aunt. Your mother fries them even better than I do."
Ping An sniffed with a smile. Of course I know that. My mom is willing to use more oil. And who is my mom? She's got a lot of skills.
Speaking of his mother, look, there's the sound of his father's mother screaming in the yard.
Ping'an carefully avoided the brothers who were holding bowls and chopsticks, ran to the yard and threw himself in front of Zhang Guoqing and the others. He took the bowl with both hands and laughed with joy.
"So happy?"
Zhou Jiao looked at the mud on his clothes with amusement. He looked like a real mud doll. But since his hands and feet were clean, she didn't say much. Just have fun!
"Mom, all the kids here can make money."
Zhou Jiao understood the meaning behind his words and said with a smile, "Is there something you want to discuss?"
Ping An nodded with a smile. "I always say my mom is the smartest! Can you take us herbal medicine sometime?"
"No problem!" Zhou Jiao agreed immediately. She knew her son's textbook knowledge was useless at school, and that was exactly what she was thinking. Learning some wilderness survival skills was always a good idea.
Zhang Guoqing looked at his nephews who had stopped and said with a smile, "Pick a time. I still have some preparations to do."
The children cheered with joy, and cousins Xizi and Ziwen dropped their things and crowded in front of Zhang Guoqing. Sixteen-year-old boys still clung to Zhang Guoqing's arm and swung like children.
"Uncle, take us hunting."
"Uncle, we will definitely follow your orders."
Zhang Guoqing thought of what he had discovered on the mountain at noon. He smiled silently to whet the children's appetite, then slowly nodded.
Zuoyou and Shitou couldn't stand it anymore. They rushed forward and grabbed Zhang Guoqing, "Uncle, what about us?"
Zhang Guoqing smiled and nodded repeatedly, "Everyone go! But you have to follow instructions."
"no problem!"
Mother Zhang asked worriedly, "Is it dangerous?"
Zhou Jiao said soothingly, "Mom, Xiaowu knows his limits." Then she whispered in his ear, "Let them be happy first. We won't go to any dangerous places."
After hearing this, Zhang's mother nodded happily.
Mai Sui was so anxious that he jumped up and down, "Uncle, what about me? What about me? And where are my sister and Yaya..."
Zhang Guoqing shook his head this time. "You three sisters are picking herbs with your aunt. Our daughters are precious and cannot learn to fight and kill. They are more suitable to be ladies."
"I'm still young. Can I become a lady when I grow up?"
Zhou Jiao laughed and patted her head. "There are too many snakes and insects on the mountain. Let's just have fun."
Zhang Guoqing consoled them, "In a few days, your uncle will take you to see the sea and visit the provincial capital. Dress up our three girls beautifully, be good."
Mai Sui's face lit up with smiles as she nodded and shook her head, busy all the time, "Uncle, we don't need to dress up, that's a waste of money. It's all about having fun. I've always wanted to see the big cities outside."
Zhou Jiao touched her head lovingly, "Forget about the winter vacation this year; the weather is too cold. Next summer vacation, you all should go to the capital, and I'll take you for a walk."
"Really? We can all go?"
Zhou Jiao smiled and said, "There is one condition. You must bring your grandparents along."
Zhang's mother was so happy when she heard this that she couldn't stop smiling. "Why are you talking about me and your father? We'll talk about this later. Who of you will go and get your grandfather to come home for dinner?"
"I'll go, I know where my grandpa is." Ping'an didn't even finish his words before he ran out with his legs stretched out. Xizi and the others followed closely behind him.
Mai Sui glanced towards the kitchen and said as he ran, "I'll go help my sister and Yaya."
Zhang Guoqing laughed and said, "It's really lively in this family now that the children have grown up."
"It's very noisy!" Zhang's mother said this, but the smile on her face showed that she was enjoying the noise.
After a while, Father Zhang entered the yard surrounded by a group of grandchildren.
Zhang's mother joked, "Look at the wrinkles on your face, they're all blooming from smiling. You must be so happy, right? Didn't you go for a walk around the village to show off?"
Father Zhang laughed cheerfully and said, "You are jealous."
Zhang Guoqing pulled out a stool and waited for him to sit down. He opened the bottle of wine and said with a smile, "Third uncle said he would come over for a drink tonight. I'll pour you a little first."
"I won't drink yet. Your uncle just said that he and your uncle will come over tonight, and the three of us will have a drink together. Let Xizi call your third uncle over later."
"That's fine, let's eat first, and then have Jiaojiao prepare some snacks and drinks later."
Mother Zhang waved her hand and said, "Mom will take care of it. You guys should go to bed early." She couldn't let her eldest son make random suggestions anymore. If he didn't, he might end up with something difficult to cook and suffer a huge loss.
Arriving in the village this morning, Zhang's mother was troubled by the gift her daughter-in-law handed her. She hadn't said that two boxes of pastries would have been nice enough for the other two families; why bother giving candy and wine? Luckily, her own daughter Jiaojiao came to discuss it with her.
Her son was too practical! Just like he had just promised the kids to go out and play, how much would that cost? He would have to remind them more and give them more warnings later.
Zhou Jiao listened, smiling silently. She understood her mother-in-law's feelings perfectly. The older generation, having weathered hardships, were loath to waste. But there were certain social conventions, and as a daughter-in-law, she couldn't afford to be stingy, even resorting to her mother-in-law's guidance, intentionally or unintentionally. Her mother-in-law was worried, but it was a joyful worry.
What are the things that make the elderly most happy and worried?
Zhou Jiao was probably happy that her children had grown up and were able to start their own families. At the same time, she also began to feel that since her children had each started their own families, she seemed to have become redundant and dispensable.
Then let them feel that they and their spouses still need their advice and care. This is also filial piety! Yes, spiritual filial piety.
Zhou Jiao listened to Zhang Dad and Zhang Guoqing chatting with a smile on her face, watched her mother-in-law take care of the children with a kind smile, and watched the children happily eat and chat. She wanted to be less picky and more tolerant, because happiness is not far away.
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