Zhou Jiao found it easy to read an ancient book. After flipping through it twice, she could still carry on with her life. Moreover, she hadn't forgotten that she was here to spend the holiday with her son.
In the winter in the alleys, apart from the energetic children who run around all day without fear of the cold, most of the elderly people stay at home to do housework and call the children to eat at mealtime.
Compared to Zhang Guoqing and his son's crazy play, Zhou Jiao, who is afraid of cold and falls, rarely goes out. Fortunately, for her, quiet and undisturbed is the life she has always liked.
She entertained herself and lived her life as she pleased. In the morning, she would watch the snow piled up in the yard after a night of snowfall, and in the afternoon, she would look at the winter scenery of the park through the wooden window frame.
When the sun sets, stand in the yard and look at the withered grass on the half-golden and half-gray wall, swaying in the winter wind.
When the mood strikes, I paint impromptu.
If we ignore the fact that the pipes often froze in the early morning, this life undoubtedly achieved what Zhou Jiao had always pursued: "From now on, I will paint ink and brew tea, and keep silent about the prosperity of the world."
"Have you eaten, old man?" Zhang Guoqing's loud voice, greeting people outside, came closer and closer. Zhou Jiao put down her brush guiltily and rubbed her hands to keep warm.
Not long after, Zhang Guoqing came out from behind the screen wall carrying a net bag. Seeing his wife coming out of the study, he hurried forward a few steps.
"No need to support me." Zhou Jiao waved her hand. "How is things at home?"
Zhang Guoqing looked around the yard, searching for something, and replied absentmindedly, "Dad's return date is uncertain. The troupe is rehearsing for the New Year, and Mom has been staying in the dormitory. She told you to have fun and relax. We can't travel far this year."
"Don't look for him anymore. My son is at the Tan family next door."
Zhang Guoqing smiled, lifted the cotton curtain at the door, and let her in first: "Aunt Chen was going to come over to take care of us, but I was worried that once her family knew you were pregnant, she wouldn't be able to leave. I gave her leave and asked her to go back and spend some time with her family, and then come over before Dad gets back."
Zhou Jiao pointed to the lunch box: "Is this what she prepared? Did you bring anything back for her?"
"These are all my son's favorite dishes. She's worried about him." Zhang Guoqing laughed when he thought of Aunt Chen's repeated instructions before he left. "I told her to bring back anything she liked at home."
Zhou Jiao glanced at him amusedly: "You are really generous."
Zhang Guoqing smiled at her joke. After all these years together, he knew she was trustworthy. If he had been willing, he'd have plenty of opportunities to take advantage of her since they were often at school, and she took care of her own food. Why would he have waited until now? Besides, earning the trust of his wife and her father must have taken countless hurdles.
The sweet potatoes roasting on the stove in the living room gave off a sweet aroma. Zhang Guoqing took his hands, which were almost frozen to the point of amputation, to the stove to "warm them."
"It's ripe, shall I peel it for you?"
"I'm not hungry. I'm saving some for when the kids come back. What do you want for lunch?"
"It's more convenient to cook mutton in a hot pot." Zhang Guoqing is not particular about food. His family has a wide variety of dishes.
"Don't be afraid, tell me what you want to eat, I love you."
Zhang Guoqing looked at her amusedly: "You're naughty. While no one is disturbing you, I'll help you prepare some extra confinement meals during this time, so you don't have to worry about it when you come back."
The more he talked, the more he felt he had neglected it. These days, he'd been busy having fun, and his wife was busy with poetry and painting. They'd forgotten all the details of life.
Since he had thought of it, he took action. Zhang Guoqing stretched his hands, picked up Zhou Jiao and carried her into the kitchen, letting her sit and light the fire while he directed her. With his previous experience, Zhou Jiao didn't need to remind him much.
Near noon, Xiao Ping'an tactfully declined the old man of the Tan family's offer to stay for dinner and left. Standing at the gate, he waved to his older brother who was sending him back, unlocked the door and rushed into the house alone.
He entered the yard, ran to the kitchen, and smelled the fragrance. He was proud of his own cleverness.
"You're back! Dinner will be served soon." Zhang Guoqing was delighted to see the children. "Is it cold at the Tan family? What did you play?"
Ping An counted the numbers one by one, counting on his fingers. "They played fan triangle with cigarette paper they picked up from outside. I didn't play. I played with sticks. Later, Xiao Gangzi lent me glass beads, but Grandpa Tan stopped me. He said I was too young to play with such dangerous things."
Zhang Guoqing knew the sticks he was talking about. They were colorful, pointed at both ends, and each stick was of uniform thickness. They were sold at the supply and marketing cooperative outside the alley. Playing with them required both courage and carefulness, primarily training the coordination of hands, brain, and eyes. Parents with a bit of common sense were usually happy to prepare them for their children.
Zhou Jiao nodded aside: "Grandpa is a thoughtful person. If you can promise not to put these little things in your mouth, mom will buy them for you."
"What to buy!" Zhang Guoqing refused outright, and she raised her eyebrows in surprise.
"Give my son all the gold beans, court beads, and agate beads you have at home. If we're going to play, let's play something fancy."
Zhou Jiao laughed so hard that she fell forward and backward.
Ping An also giggled.
Zhang Guoqing followed their laughter and continued with a smile, "Tonight, the three of us will hide in bed and play. When the situation improves in the future, if my son sees someone he likes, he'll just say something and let you play."
He winked at the laughing mother and daughter: "Isn't that very arrogant?"
"No! One golden bean can buy about a thousand pounds..."
Zhang Guoqing quickly raised his hands and begged for mercy: "Son, please don't. Leave some room for your dad's imagination."
…
Happy days are always short. After eating the frozen persimmons stacked on the windowsill outside the house, it is time for the family to return to the compound.
As the year draws to a close, the festive atmosphere grows stronger. Long queues of customers can be seen outside shopping malls and supply and marketing cooperatives along the way, braving the wind and snow.
Just as they left quietly, the family of three also came back quietly during working hours.
Aunt Chen heard the noise in the kitchen and came out to see what was happening. She was so happy that her face beamed and she hugged Ping An who was running in front of her. "Why didn't you tell me so I could come pick you up?"
"It's just a few steps away, what's the point of picking her up?" Zhou Jiao smiled and shook her head. "Auntie, why don't you stay home and rest for a few more days? Is everything okay at home?"
"There's nothing going on at home, so I came back first. If you guys were home, I'd heat up the kang early. It's freezing in here, so go to the living room and warm up. I'll be right there."
Zhou Jiao didn't blame her for heating the kang for herself. Knowing that she was saving money for her family, she shook her head and said, "We can do it ourselves. Auntie, go and get busy first."
That being said, Aunt Chen couldn't go back to the kitchen since it was still early for dinner. She hurried to get some firewood and coal briquettes, as if she knew the place well.
Zhang Guoqing carried Zhou Jiao into the living room, settled her down, and then picked up her luggage. "I miscalculated. I should have informed her last night. I'll go and lend a hand. You stay for a while."
"Dad, let me help you."
"Thank you, son. I can handle it. Go to your room and see if the kang is warm and if there is anything else you need." After Zhang Guoqing finished speaking, he left the living room and went to the east wing without waiting for the mother and son to reply.
"Xiao Wu, Dayi came back from the army a few days ago. He's been here several times these days. I want you to give him a call."
Zhang Guoqing smiled and nodded after hearing what Aunt Chen said. It wasn't just Yi Jiefang; the others were also due to return from their travels for the New Year celebrations. They'd be busy.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
