In the kitchen, Zhang's mother was instructing her second daughter-in-law, Lin Juhua, and Mai Qing and her daughter to cook two more dishes. When she saw Zhou Jiao come in, she immediately laughed out loud, "Why are you here? Go and have a rest."
"Mom, I'm not tired." Zhou Jiao looked at Lin Juhua and her daughter who were busy all the time, "Second sister-in-law, we've made you tired again since we came back."
Lin Juhua rolled her eyes at her in reproach. "If you're being polite to me, then you're not treating me like a family member. I've been in Beijing for more than half a year, and I've troubled you enough."
"Okay, okay. I won't be polite to you, my second sister-in-law." Zhou Jiao patted her niece. "My little Xiaomaiqing must be very busy, right? Go out and play."
"It's warm here." Mai Qing smiled, "Aunt, please sit down and rest with my grandma for a while."
Mother Zhang watched them being affectionate, her mouth wide open with laughter. She pulled Zhou Jiao over to sit at the table and asked, "What are your parents going to do now that you're back for the New Year?"
Zhou Jiao was deeply touched. Only her mother-in-law would care about her parents at the first time.
She took her mother-in-law's arm and said with a cheerful smile, "My dad said that this year, my brother has a rare year-end vacation, so he has to come back to spend the New Year with you and dad. My mom also said that they are busy enough anyway, so they rushed us back. Mom, why didn't you and my dad come to see us?"
Zhang's mother patted her and said, "Your parents are so thoughtful. How long can you stay this time?"
"This time I can stay until the Lantern Festival on the 15th day of the first lunar month." By then her parents should also be back home from their visits. Of course, this cannot be told to her mother-in-law, it is better to make her happy.
Mother Zhang's eyes widened in surprise, "Can you stay this long this time?"
"Well, my brother has a holiday, and the children just happened to start school after the 15th." Zhou Jiao looked at her guiltily, "Mom, I'm sorry I didn't come back to spend the New Year with you before."
"Silly children! Mother knows that once you become a soldier, you have no choice. As long as you are well, that's all that matters. Mother misses you and can take a ride to the capital to visit you."
Lin Juhua covered the pot. Seeing that their mood suddenly seemed a little sad, she immediately interrupted, "Jiaojiao, what time did you arrive in the provincial capital? Did you see your godmother and the others?"
"No, I rushed here as soon as I got off the bus. I plan to go to the provincial capital to pay New Year's greetings after the New Year. Where are my second brother and his family? When do they have a day off?"
"Big brother and Xizi will be back from vacation tomorrow. Your second brother said he switched shifts with someone and will be back with them. Big sister-in-law and big sisters and little sisters said that if you didn't go to the county town today, they would come over and stay overnight tomorrow."
"Do you want to drive over to pick them up?"
Lin Juhua quickly shook her head. "Forget it. There are too many people coming back and the car can't accommodate them. Lian Ziwen and the others will bring their children over tomorrow."
Zhou Jiao suddenly remembered that she hadn't mentioned Shitou to her yet. "Second sister-in-law, I saw that Shitou was very busy, and the children were young, so I didn't bring them back."
Lin Juhua laughed out loud, "Busy selling door scrolls again, huh? Didn't you notice they haven't come back yet? These kids are all selling door scrolls during their holiday, and they said they'd pack up today and come back tomorrow."
Zhou Jiao smiled and nodded.
Mai Qing interrupted, "Aunt, my brothers will be back a day later than you."
Zhou Jiao raised an eyebrow when she heard this. "What's going on? Wouldn't it be better for you to come back with us? You even went to look for stones on May Day."
Mai Qing put down the firewood, ran to her side, and whispered, "My dad said that this year is the big reunion for our Zhang family. Xiao Huzi is still young, so we don't have to bring him, but my brother and sister must come back."
It's really possible that Zhang Laoer would give such an order! Zhou Jiao said regretfully, "If I had known earlier, I would have dragged them away with me. So what's the situation now?"
"My brother has sent a telegram back saying that everyone should come back to celebrate New Year's Eve."
Zhou Jiao praised, "Shitou is very filial, and the children are well taught by his second sister-in-law."
Lin Juhua smiled disapprovingly and said, "How could I teach a child well? This is all thanks to Mom and Dad. As soon as Xiao Tao is on vacation, I'll leave him with Dad. As for Mai Qing, I also want her to stay with Mom for a few years."
Zhou Jiao winked at Zhang's mother when she heard this.
She really didn't know how to respond. Zhang Laoer probably felt he couldn't take care of his parents in the provincial capital and wanted his children to spend more time with them.
Mother Zhang patted her, smiled and shook her head, "After the New Year, Mai Qing will transfer to the provincial capital to be with you. As for me, I'll have a few days of quiet time with your father."
Zhou Jiao glanced at her thoughtfully. It seemed that she had to take advantage of this opportunity to secure the courtyard in the provincial capital as soon as possible in her hometown. She just didn't know why her godmother hadn't sent any news after searching for so long.
But there is no rush. Since she is here, she has to make arrangements for her parents-in-law.
It was impossible for them to stay in the county town and rely solely on their two daughters to take care of them. Zhang Meili and her sister had elderly parents and young children, so it was inevitable that they would neglect some things.
Besides, she trusted her eldest sister-in-law Zhang Meili from the bottom of her heart. As for her younger sister-in-law? Not to mention that she was always a little bit lacking, her children were still quite young, making it even harder for her to take care of their parents.
While the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law were talking, the voices of the old captain, Uncle Zhang, Uncle Zhang, Father Zhang, and Zhang Guoqing were heard in the yard.
No, there is also the laughter of Uncle Zhang Wu.
"It should be Xiaowu who invited the village elders to come over for a drink." Zhang's mother immediately reacted and stood up and walked over to Lin Juhua. "Bring some dishes out first. Heat them up here so they don't get cold."
Zhou Jiao immediately opened the cupboard and took out a bunch of dishes. The dishes were the same ones she hadn't taken away that year. She hadn't expected them to be in their hometown intact after all these years.
"Aunt, let me help you." Mai Qing looked at the bowl in her hand with concern and hurried forward to help. There were servants in her aunt's home and the old house. Would the bowl be broken?
Although Zhou Jiao didn't know what she meant, this child was like wheat ears, with a keen eye for work and very hardworking. Deep down, she still liked well-behaved girls.
A large round table had been set up in the main living room, and the kang under the window was filled with elders, while Zhang Guoqing was filling tobacco for them while answering them.
On the other hand, Wuyi had already arranged accommodation for Xiao Zhu and the others. The six of them could choose from the four rooms in the east and west wings.
However, at this time, a large round table was also placed in the left room of the east wing.
Except for Xiao Zhu and Xiao Liu, who are more familiar to the three brothers, the remaining four are from the military region here to protect their father's safety.
Although it was unnecessary given their family's lethality, the three Ping An brothers naturally wouldn't be rude. They stayed to dine with them.
So, when they found out that their mother didn't seem to have a place, they were stunned. They couldn't let her go to the smoky main room and join those old men, could they?
But this place is not suitable either. I guess even Xiao Zhu and the others would feel uncomfortable.
Zhou Jiao understood her son well, so she suggested that she just stay in the kitchen and have dinner with their grandmother and sister-in-law.
What she is worried about now is how to find an excuse to take out the bedding in the space?
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