When her husband said this, Mother Zhang understood and nodded with a smile, "Alright, I’ll ntion this to the kids. Whether they listen or not is up to them."
"That’s for sure, our Xiao Wu says I’m the most open-minded father." Mr. Zhang raised his eyebrows proudly, "Otherwise, I would have gone to Old Dong’s house to find a granddaughter-in-law for Xi Zi."
"Which Old Dong?"
"It’s Xiao Wu’s old principal, Old Dong. His little granddaughter is just two years younger than our Xi Zi. What do you think of that girl?"
Mother Zhang frowned. Although the old principal had long stopped teaching, who knew if anything might happen in the future? If sothing went wrong, the status could change, potentially implicating her son?
Mr. Zhang, seeing his wife wasn’t interested, didn’t ask for a reason, waved his hand, and smiled, "Don’t worry, I was just saying that in front of you only."
"Don’t ntion it in front of Xi Zi, lest the child gets ideas. That girl is indeed clever, always greeting with a smile when they et, but that’s the problem."
Mother Zhang couldn’t quite describe the feeling. She thought for a mont, shook her head, "Lacks a bit of sincerity. That smile seems asured. Such a young girl, yet so many calculations."
Mr. Zhang secretly clicked his tongue. There’s such a saying, he thought the girl was quite good. Not crazy or chatterbox, not very talkative like their Jiao Jiao.
But he trusted his wife’s words. As a man, he couldn’t ticulously observe the younger generation, nor get involved much with a young girl.
The old couple just chatted casually, moved on after discussing.
Mother Zhang looked outside, "The wind is getting louder; the eldest and second child probably won’t co over tonight?"
Not necessarily. Even if those two rascals don’t co, the grandchildren will probably clamor to co over, with the fire even lit on the wall here.
"Should we go back to the village these days?"
Mr. Zhang hesitated for a mont, shook his head, "No. The team is going to slaughter pigs these days, and going there or not doesn’t look good. Better to wait until the 29th of the lunar year."
What to do on the 29th of the lunar year?
Soon it was the 29th of the lunar year, and early that morning, Mr. Zhang got up, braving the heavy snow, knocking on the doors of his two sons’ houses one by one.
Usually, they could take a bullock cart, but now the bullock cart to the town was loaded with won from the production teams bringing goods for the New Year, not to ntion the other carts going back to the village.
In the icy and snowy land, if not careful, one could fall, and it took the whole family three hours to reach the Zhang Family Village, exhausted and directly resting in the old house.
Because they were inford in advance, Aunt Zhang and Aunt Zhang had already heated up the bed for them, knowing the family would return to the village for the New Year each year, or they’d freeze to death.
The little ones, full of energy, didn’t rest long before each ran out to find their playmates. And as the adults ward up, the won began organizing things.
Mother Zhang stood in the main room, watching her two daughters-in-law and two granddaughters taking out and arranging items piece by piece, feeling gloomy. Even if she could eat lavish als every day this New Year, it wouldn’t taste good.
Reunion night is only considered so when the whole family is together. This year, the younger son couldn’t co ho, nor the three grandsons and two granddaughters, so what’s the point of a big New Year?
Lin Juhua looked at her mother-in-law, then outside, and smiled, "Mom, why don’t you rest for a bit? Or go stroll around with Dad, we know what to do here."
"Forget it, everyone is hiding from the cold. Once you tidy up a little, go back to your rooms and rest." Mother Zhang, standing there, weakly waved her hand, what’s there to stroll around? Soon enough, people will co over for a chat.
"We’re not tired."
"Got everything ready for going to the maternal family after New Year?"
Lin Juhua looked at Huang Cuilan.
Huang Cuilan nodded, "Got everything, even prepared the dishes for when older sister cos back on the third day. Mom, are we still celebrating at Uncle’s place this year?"
"Not just this year, it has to be like this every year." Mother Zhang glanced at her, "After our generation is gone, you all can discuss it with Qing Shan and do whatever you like. We won’t be here to mind."
Lin Juhua quickly replied, "Mom, this was grandpa’s rule; unless we, like Xiao Wu’s family, can’t return, we’ll always co back ho."
Mother Zhang nodded, remaining silent. She couldn’t care less about how the daughters-in-law think. If their sights are so small that they fuss over food, it’s better not to gather and embarrass themselves.
Her father-in-law’s purpose back then wasn’t over so food, anyone with a bit of brain could understand that.
"Sister-in-law, the seeds you roasted last ti were delicious, do you still have so?" Lin Juhua quickly offered an olive branch to her sister-in-law, if she rembered correctly, she even sent a pound to the younger brother and his wife.
"Yes, but not much left, I noticed Xiao Wu’s place requires coupons to buy, sent what I could to them, and the rest is here."
Lin Juhua quickly noticed her mother-in-law’s expression softened a lot. Oh, finally hit the spot! She then joyfully teased, "Just know you care for Jiao Jiao, why don’t you care for ? I want to eat, too."
Mother Zhang rolled her eyes at her, jokingly scolded, "You and your chatter, your sister-in-law doesn’t even eat herself. Next year, I’ll plant more for you all to enjoy."
Lin Juhua winked and teased, "Better not, if you and Dad get tired out, won’t Xiao Wu beat us, the sisters-in-law?"
Mai Miao glanced at her mom, snuggled up to Mother Zhang, "Granny, since Uncle can’t co back, doesn’t it feel like we’re at a loss on the third day?"
Mother Zhang laughed as she tapped her nose, "You can’t say things like that."
"Hehe, I’m just talking among family. When I said this to my mom yesterday, she called narrow-minded. No way, it’s just so food."
Mother Zhang amusedly looked at her. All these talks, just to bring up one thing. Little girl really strives for her worried mom.
"I’m worried now, what if my aunt gives birth to a girl, how will they return on the third day? I should ask my uncle what he thinks."
Mai Sui imdiately chid in, "Sis, that’s too far away, why worry? I want to ask Uncle why Ping’an and Uncle Lin Zi aren’t coming ho."
"They’re too young, what if they get lost?"
"Sigh, you think those older guys could get lost? Why not co back for New Year? Dad even said he’d beat my brother first when he returns."
Mai Sui shook her head after speaking. It’s such a pity she couldn’t go out, being a boy is better. I wonder if the brothers lost weight out there, or got cold?
Lin Juhua secretly glared at her daughter behind her mother-in-law’s back. Really, asking the wrong questions at the wrong ti, silly girl, don’t you know your granny is worried about them?
"Don’t worry, your brothers said they’d co back from Beijing after New Year, so they surely will. According to your dad, they should be at your uncle’s place these days."
Lin Juhua smiled reassuringly at her mother-in-law, "Mom, maybe Xiao Wu will co back with them in a few days."
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