"Aren’t you overly happy? You’re actually showing off? Mom even guaranteed your dad that you’d definitely keep it at the bottom of the box, not letting anyone touch it. How did you end up showing off? It doesn’t seem like your style."
Zhou Jiao smiled mysteriously, "This is a secret, can’t say, can’t say! You guys can’t show off, not even ntion this piece of paper. But I, the junior, can bring it out to make an impression. Anyway, my dad knows what’s going on."
Lin Lishan recalled her husband’s expression at the ti and looked at her, indeed they are father and daughter. Never mind, these two are always so mysterious, just listen to them.
Zhou Jiao pondered for a mont, then made a decision. She said, "Mom, I’ll go back at the end of the year, make sure you don’t have any assignnts out of town. At that ti, Ping’an will be over two months old. I’ll arrange for a sleeper train, Xiao Wu and I will keep warm and be careful, everything will be fine. We need to handle so things properly this ti to avoid future troubles."
Lin Lishan was overjoyed, imdiately standing up and saying loudly, "Really? Then I’ll definitely stay at ho waiting for you, I won’t go out of town for anything. Your dad will be thrilled. He even said, we’ll give you two years, but no matter what, we’ll drag you back if needed."
Zhou Jiao burst into laughter, "Mom, I’m so happy right now, like I’m dreaming. With you and dad back, I no longer feel that anything is missing."
"Yes, with your dad back, our family is finally together. I’m also feeling like I’m in a dream. Several tis I’ve woken up scared that it was just a dream and that I wouldn’t see your dad when I opened my eyes," Lin Lishan deeply shared the sentint.
Mother and daughter exchanged a warm smile, both grateful for this turn of fate and genuinely happy for each other.
Lin Lishan glanced at the clock, planning to check in the kitchen to see if there was anything she could help with. She had just taken a peek; there were about twenty people helping tidy the courtyard, pressing the ground flat.
Zhou Jiao intended to stop her, but before she could speak, her mom quickly dashed away. She chuckled helplessly. Opening the package her mom brought for her, inside were indeed coats and fabrics. She knew her mom wouldn’t just buy two pieces. There’s enough here to wear for years.
She tried so on. It must be said her mom had an excellent eye, they fit her perfectly. She wondered how many years it took to collect the remaining fabrics?
Zhou Jiao carefully hung them in the closet and tidied up the package. She compared the old clothes with the new ones. After a brief mont of daydreaming, she took out two sets of won’s burgundy thermal underwear and two sets of n’s gray ones from her stash, which she had set aside for her dad and mom.
In the past, she had sensitive skin. After they had so money, Zhang Guoqing ordered quite a few pieces of underwear. They were all classic styles and made of cotton. Saying Xiao Wu got them through connections wasn’t too much of a stretch; the styles and materials weren’t odd at all. These were perfect for wearing under military uniforms, warm and comfortable.
She thought it over and also took out so Ah Jiao, bird’s nest, and milk powder, placing them in the box, rearranging so of the things her mom had bought last ti. Once she was sure she hadn’t missed anything, Zhou Jiao lay back on the bed, closing her eyes and letting her mind rest.
When Lin Lishan entered, Mother Zhang and others in the kitchen were busy steaming at buns and making dumplings. She washed her hands and stepped forward, saying, "Big sister, you’re all so busy and didn’t call . Do you not consider your younger sister anymore?"
Mother Zhang didn’t stand on ceremony, "We wanted you to have ti to chat with Jiao Jiao. How about it? Haven’t seen your daughter in days; you’ve been missing her, right?
"Oh... I do miss her when I don’t see her, and even more when I do. Luckily, with you by her side, at least I’m not worried about her. Are you making all this for giving away or for ourselves?" Lin Lishan was surprised at the amount of dough.
Mother Zhang laughed, "Last ti you ca, you didn’t get the chance to try our dumplings, right? So I’m making more today. We’re waiting for Brother Zhou to co back for dinner to eat dumplings. As for the buns, since the courtyard is finished, we’re giving them to the kids’ older uncles, to thank them for helping."
"You’re so generous, and the brothers’ family are warm-hearted people, everything prospers in harmony. I see the relationships between your brothers and sisters-in-law are really good, unlike so families who fight tooth and nail for food. Having such a large family living together like a unit without separation is quite rare." Lin Lishan admired.
Mother Zhang laughed heartily, "Little sister, I’ll tell my sisters-in-law how you praised them, maybe they’ll prepare so insoles for you. This ti you can’t just rush through like before; in two days the guys in the village are going hunting, it’s very lively, you should have a good look. With Brother Zhou back, it’s a good ti to relax for a few days. Endure the hard tis, you’ll have happiness every day afterward."
"Before I was 10, I grew up in the village with my brothers. I rember how lively it was during New Year. Steaming buns, sticky bean buns, slaughtering pigs, I haven’t seen these after joining the army. It’s about to be New Year; I suppose there’ll be lots of markets? When is the big market in our place? I really want to go, haven’t been to one for years, it’s such a lively event."
Mother Zhang happily said, "Usually it’s the small market. Starting November, on the days ending in three, six, and nine are the big markets. People from all around co to the market on these days. By December, the village starts organizing the yangge dance, and old and young from the village participate, eventually performing in the town and county during the Spring Festival."
Lin Lishan shook her head regretfully, "Can’t see the yangge dance this year. I’ve already exceeded my holiday ti, can’t take more leave. In Beijing, the temple fairs during the new year are also very lively. These years I didn’t have ti to attend, but now life is much better than before."
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