"You're back? Why are you so late today?"
A bus stopped and passengers got off one after another. Finally, a beautiful figure appeared at the back. If it was delayed for another half an hour, Zhang Guoqing would really have to look for his wife along the way.
Zhou Jiao looked up at the setting sun and gave him a sidelong, amused glance. The irritation she'd felt today had instantly dissipated.
"Traffic jam. Is everything alright at home?"
Zhang Guoqing shook his head and didn't ask her what caused the traffic jam and the one-hour gap in buses on this route.
Nowadays, we need to be more cautious in what we say and do than before.
As soon as we entered the gate, we heard the dinner bell. Soon, many soldiers came out from all directions, carrying aluminum lunch boxes and enamel pots and heading towards several canteens.
Looking at the smiling faces greeting each other in a noisy but calm manner, Zhou Jiao also felt a little hungry. It turned out that not every place would stage a farce every day.
Zhang Guoqing glanced at his wife thoughtfully, then waved goodbye to his comrades. Could it be that the outside world was in chaos? It looked like he'd have to head to the city this weekend to take a closer look.
Thinking of the letter he had just received from home, he clenched his fists hesitantly. His parents should be doing well, just as the letter said, right?
Unable to hold hands with his wife, and there was a huge gap between them, Zhang Guoqing glanced around uncomfortably. When did so many annoying people appear?
"Dad and the others sent a letter."
Zhou Jiao stopped in surprise, "Is everything okay?"
Zhang Guoqing hesitated for a moment, nodded, and signaled her to leave quickly.
"What? Something wrong?"
"No, they said it's good to be together at home. I have my doubts."
"Don't doubt it! If there's something serious, your two sisters-in-law will send a telegram without your parents writing. Did Dad tell you about the gang?"
Zhang Guoqing twitched his lips, not knowing how to begin. "Just wait a minute and see for yourself. These kids are nothing compared to our son."
Zhou Jiao smiled when she heard that and quickly quickened her pace.
In the yard, Zhou Xiaozheng was pacing around absentmindedly, looking towards the gate from time to time, or glancing at the three Ping An brothers playing ball.
"Grandpa, he's coming soon."
Hearing this, Zhou Xiaozheng's eyes lit up, he nodded slightly, and walked to the stone table with a calm expression and sat down.
If it were summer now, this cold stone bench would be fine, but now... Ping'an threw the ball to his younger brothers, ran to him, and looked at him silently.
Zhou Xiaozheng stroked his buzz cut with a smile, "With grandpa here, your mother will be fine."
"Grandpa, you're anxious!"
"Little thing! You're the only one who's smart. Someone at your mom's workplace got into trouble today, and she's a coward. Do you understand?"
Ping An chuckled. So that's it! "Grandpa, don't worry, my dad slaughters the pigs and my mom can watch."
Zhou Xiaozheng smiled. "Silly boy!" The sight of blood isn't scary. Despicable framing and reporting under duress—those are the scariest aspects of human nature.
However, without personal experience, the child wouldn't understand these words. As he sees more, he'll naturally grasp them. Some experiences aren't gained through mere books. He planned to ensure the safety of his three children and take them on more adventures.
"dad!"
Zhou Xiaozheng looked at his daughter running towards the gate and said, "Slow down, I'm here, why are you running?" Having said that, didn't he quicken his pace to meet her?
"Are you starving? Why are you so late today?"
Zhou Jiao took his arm and said as they walked, "The car ran into a group of people marching on the way, and there was a meeting at work, so we were delayed for a while."
After saying that, Zhou Jiao realized that someone was missing, "Where's my mom?"
"I called and said the group has a mission and we have to work overtime tonight."
After Zhou Xiaozheng finished speaking, the twins threw down the ball and ran while shouting, "Mom, I answered the phone."
"I answered the phone too. Grandma said to go home before lights out."
Zhang Guoqing then quickly grabbed one of his sons with one hand. With such force, he might have injured his wife!
"Dad, take us to the movies tonight."
"There's a new movie tonight."
What a little ancestor!
It seems that the opportunity to spend a good night with his wife is gone. But his son is also his biological son, so Zhang Guoqing can only nod his head helplessly.
Zhou Xiaozheng turned his head and glanced at his son-in-law, then shook his head in amusement. "I have to go out tonight. Bring Jiaojiao with you to play."
Zhang Guoqing frowned and looked at him worriedly, "Dad, do you want me to go with you?"
"Don't worry, it's business! Meeting with Lao Shi and the others."
That's good! Zhang Guoqing nodded. There have been so many meetings lately, even in his unit, they're constantly being held, big and small, and the topics are always repetitive and nonsense!
After dinner, before it got dark, as soon as Zhou Xiaozheng left in the car, the three children, who had already prepared snacks, immediately dragged their parents away.
If you are late, you won’t get a good seat.
Since she started working, Zhou Jiao rarely appeared in public. It was hazy at this moment, and she could vaguely spot a number of unfamiliar faces among the women and children gathered waiting for the movie to start.
The army may change, but the camp remains the same. Originally, this wasn't surprising. These military families moved as their husbands moved to other jobs, but since there was only one job for each, didn't that mean there were fewer people?
There is always an interlude before entering the main drama.
A red song, a documentary, the audience standing up and shouting slogans, the movie finally began.
Throughout the whole process, Zhou Jiao closely watched her three sons' movements and behaviors, observing how they differed from the people around them. Of course, she considered herself a layman, and she was even more worried that the children would fall into a frenzy.
Coincidentally, Zhang Guoqing has also been paying close attention to the words and deeds of several children who interact with Ping An, as well as the topics discussed by the twins and their friends.
They said they were going to the movies. But after seeing films with the most advanced high-tech special effects, how could the crude black-and-white films of today interest them?
After the movie, if the three sons hadn't discussed the various scenes, the couple would probably have been confused if someone asked them about it.
"Are you back? You guys go about your own business, I'll give them a bath." Aunt Chen went home as soon as the movie ended, unlike their family of five who had to greet others.
Zhou Jiao glanced at the time and shook her head. "No need. Just wipe the kids off and you can rest for a while. My parents will be back later and we'll have to prepare some midnight snacks."
"Aunt, don't tire yourself out. Sit down for a while."
Aunt Chen shook her head cheerfully, "No way. You don't know how idle I am every day. Jiaojiao, don't wash your clothes. I'll do it tomorrow."
Zhou Jiao smiled and nodded.
Watching Aunt Chen leave, Ping An whispered to his brothers, "Listen to Grandma Chen more in the future. She's a good person."
Zhang Guoqing patted his eldest son's head, and the couple smiled at each other. Fortunately, this family had Aunt Chen, otherwise the adults wouldn't be able to work with peace of mind.
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