Old Mrs. Cheng watched with a smile as Zhang Guoqing and his mother played a double act in unison. By this time, she had already understood the purpose of her in-laws' visit.
As Ping An began to tell all kinds of distorted rumors, she also actively cooperated, nodding from time to time to show that they were true.
"...Shoko's dad went to the cadre school, and his mom's belly is so big." Ping'an made a big circle with his arms, "Even though they have a yard, they can't live there. He carried his sister on his back, wiping away his tears as he walked to the station."
Zhou Jiao watched as Zhang's mother's expression changed from her initial teasing to her current serious expression, and her heart skipped a beat. She hoped that she would not scare her two sisters-in-law and make her mother-in-law worried.
She winked at her son, asking him to stop talking, and scooped a small bowl of soup for her mother-in-law: "Mom, how does it taste? Is it bland?"
Seeing Ping'an lowering his head to drink the soup, Zhang's mother woke up immediately. She didn't take the small bowl, but took Zhou Jiao's right hand and said, "How about you go back to your hometown with your mother to wait for the birth, and come back after the birth."
Zhou Jiao's nose felt a little sore, but she calmed herself down and said with a smile, "Mom, don't worry. My parents never do anything illegal, and my brother is doing well in school. Besides, I never make enemies, so if someone wants to find fault with me, they won't have any loopholes to exploit. Look, apart from eating better food, I dress the same as before."
As she spoke, she glanced at everyone and said, "We don't have any women who jump around in circles. We can just listen to these things and forget about them. We can just close the door and live our own lives."
Lin Juhua also woke up at this moment: "Mom, Jiaojiao is right. Uncle Zhou and Aunt Shan are soldiers, and our family is poor. We are different from those people."
Huang Cuilan nodded repeatedly and said, "Yes, I'll tell the child's father when I get home. From now on, if outsiders bring gifts to our house, I won't let them in."
"Yes, sister-in-law, what you said makes sense. The women in those families that Ping An mentioned just now are not the only ones who cause trouble. They are nothing compared to our Jiaojiao."
"That's what I mean. Besides, let me be frank. If something really happens here, you can all go back to your hometowns. At worst, we can just go back to the village. Our village owes Xiaowu a huge favor, how can we not protect him?"
Huang Cuilan finished speaking and looked at Zhou Jiao. "Jiaojiao, if anything goes wrong, take Uncle Zhou and Aunt Shan back to our village immediately. Don't worry about getting into trouble with us. Our family was able to survive such difficult times back then. Now it's just a matter of going back to the village to work in the fields. What are you afraid of?"
Zhou Jiao looked at her two sisters-in-law with a smile. Huang Cuilan still couldn't speak. Her father was fine, but the meaning of these words warmed her heart.
Was it genuine or fake? She could still tell. She asked herself again, was she being too demanding? Everyone's family was close relatives. What if it were her own? Shouldn't she put herself in their shoes?
She looked at Zhang Guoqing and found that he was looking at her with a faint smile.
Old Mrs. Cheng patted Zhang's mother and said, "My dear relatives, such a good daughter-in-law has come into your family. You are a lucky person. Good people will be rewarded. You are a lucky person."
Mother Zhang nodded with satisfaction, looking at her three daughters-in-law, feeling very happy. Especially the eldest daughter-in-law, for being able to say such words at this time, it really was God's will, and it was worth it for her to protect this child.
After dinner and sitting for a while, Huang Xiaomi asked to leave. This time Zhou Jiao did not keep her as a guest. She took the bag that Aunt Chen had specially prepared for her and sent her out the door.
"Take this. There are some tickets in there for you to keep. Is it really okay that I don't have to take you to the station?"
Huang Xiaomi smiled and said, "Just get on the bus and you'll arrive at your stop. No need for that. Thank you, sister-in-law."
Zhou Jiao waved goodbye, sent her away, and slowly walked home with her son.
"Mom, where is my dad?"
"You should go find your Uncle Dayi." Zhou Jiao said, a smile in her eyes, and pursed her lips. She knew that Zhang Guoqing had deserted the battlefield and slipped away before the meal was over.
——He was just worried about Zhang’s mother asking him to send Huang Xiaomi to the station.
Whether it was to avoid suspicion or for other reasons, it was great that her man had this awareness. Zhou Jiao also didn't like him sending the opposite sex alone, especially unmarried girls.
Even if she was a blood cousin, it wouldn't work! She would never admit to being jealous. You know, the relationship between men and women is crucial!
The mother and daughter came back from the gate, and they saw Zhang Guoqing and Yi Jiefang standing at the intersection.
"Why are you delivering it?"
Zhou Jiao smiled faintly and greeted Yi Jiefang, then looked at Zhang Guoqing, "Mom and mother are both elders, and the two sisters-in-law are new here, so no one else is suitable except me."
"I'm fine. Walking is healthier. Where are you two planning to go?"
"Find Dayong and the others."
"Then go ahead. I'll take the kids back first."
Yi Jiefang saw that his buddy looked confused and smiled. "Sister, is there anything to eat at home? Let's go to your house first and then look for Dayong later."
"Uncle Dayi, I'll take you to find something to eat."
Yi Jiefang picked up Ping An and said, "I am your uncle. Remember to change your words in the future."
“Is there any compensation for changing your statement?”
"Why are you always thinking about money?"
Seeing the two of them getting involved again, Zhang Guoqing followed behind, protecting his wife, and smiled. If Huang Xiaomi and Yi Jiefang weren't so different, he would have wanted to help them get together.
"Have you decided where to take mom and the others tomorrow?"
Zhang Guoqing shook his head. "Mom told me to take care of my own business, and she came to entertain Mom. I want to find out what Mr. Hu likes and prepare the gift for becoming his disciple."
Zhou Jiao shook her head slightly: "Forget it, I'll prepare the gifts. You haven't had much rest this month, so you should rest at home first."
Zhou Jiao looked at his dark circles with concern. Compared to her pregnancy, Zhang Guoqing was the one who was most exhausted. For several nights, whenever she moved unusually, he would wake up quickly.
In the Zhou family's living room, Yi Jiefang greeted Old Lady Cheng and the others as soon as he entered, and then chatted with Zhang's mother for a few words before leaving with his good brother.
"My sister really doesn't want to take a year off? The next class will graduate in six years, so she won't suffer any loss. You'd better persuade her. It's okay to graduate a year later. It's just a year's salary loss."
Zhang Guoqing was well aware of these principles. Their current class was a five-year program, and as Yi Jiefang had said, it would be appropriate to transfer to the next class. However, he wasn't by Zhou Jiao's side to protect her...
He was silent for a moment, then shook his head. "She's stubborn. No matter how my dad tries to persuade her, she won't listen. If we bring this up with her, she'll say a pregnant woman's mood is important, and she'll be unhappy. Besides, the classes next year are in such a mess, I can't rest easy without her."
Yi Jiefang was speechless when he thought of Zhou Jiao's desperate attitude when working.
After a while, he saw that no one was passing by, so he patted Zhang Guoqing and said with a smile, "Forget it, it's better to graduate early and get rid of it sooner. If you need anything, just let me know. I can't help you much, but I can handle some small things."
Zhang Guoqing put his arm around his neck and patted him. They smiled at each other. It's rare to find a true friend in life. All words are said without words.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
