Zhang Guoqing returned to the side room. Zhou Jiao saw him wrapped tightly by himself and curiously asked, "Is it really cold outside? What’s the temperature now?"
"It’s going to be November in a few days. Think about what November ans—it’s only a few days before the big snow cos. The village is organizing a hunt the day after tomorrow, right before the snow. It didn’t feel cold during the day but the night temperature sharply dropped. It’s at least minus two degrees outside now. Luckily, I brought the military coat; otherwise, coming ho with your dad tonight would have been freezing. I’ll make so ginger tea in the small pot for when they co back."
Zhang Guoqing washed his hands, put ginger slices and brown sugar in a small pot, covered it, and led her into the inner room. "Did dad tell you about buying a new yard today? You’ll be satisfied after seeing it when the full moon cos." Seeing Zhou Jiao nodding, he didn’t repeat himself; it would be a surprise when they see it later on.
"The job is settled, and I have to start work at the beginning of February. Our household registration can be moved in the next few days. All materials are ready; we just need the village’s stamp. Keep the house deed in the drawer, it’ll be useful for settling down these days." After speaking, he took out a house deed from his military coat’s hidden pocket and handed it to her.
After Zhou Jiao kept it, she ntioned her dad’s talk with her about handling certain properties and going back to Beijing at the end of the year to take the dowry. Then she thought about the Zhou family, and her dad hadn’t ntioned them. This would be a good ti to ask him how things went.
"Business is business, follow the procedures. It’s good to put them in for 2 to 3 years, so you won’t see them when you return to Beijing."
Zhang Guoqing winked at Zhou Jiao, "Dad said it himself. He said in both the rural and county, business is business, follow the procedures. Jiao Jiao, I’ve encountered a daughter-loving father-in-law."
"Hehe, I also felt his affection for . You can’t compare, young man, you need to work hard!" Zhou Jiao raised her eyebrows at him.
"No problem, the more pressure, the more motivation I have. I’ll pamper you with all my might, making you feel I’m your closest person in the world. Your dad kept emphasizing that even though you married , you two are still the closest. He also said I’ve found a treasure; if I were late by a year, he’d definitely drag you back."
Zhou Jiao laughed heartily, not exaggerated at all. Without Zhang Guoqing, this place wouldn’t hold her. What’s more important is without him, she wouldn’t have attachnt to this world except for her dad and son.
Zhang Guoqing held her and talked about what the old man said at Zhao Dashan’s house. He started from boasting about having such a daughter and carefully described the old man’s sorrow. He thought Zhou Jiao needed to hear this, even if it would make her cry, they would be tears of joy. He had to let Zhou Jiao truly understand what fatherly love ant.
He recalled him being cautious for seventeen years, fearing that if he sacrificed himself, Jiao Jiao would beco a child without a father. Rembered him talking about how his daughter’s grievances made him rub his face forcefully; recalled him clenching his fists, eyes full of sorrow and grief when ntioning Jiao Jiao’s mistreatnt.
His heart was deeply shaken. Fatherly love is like a mountain; this is the pure feeling Zhou Jiao hoped to find.
At that mont, he realized that heaven really allowed Zhou Jiao to find a father who loved her, cherished her like his life.
In his past life, his father’s unfortunate death for his sake was the pain he didn’t dare touch. At that mont, he thought if his dad hadn’t t the mishap, he would regard him with the sa importance as this man in front of him.
From that mont, the blurry image of his father slowly beca clear, like the man in front of him.
Zhang Guoqing vowed that the man in front of him was no longer just his father-in-law; he would treat him as his own father, be filial, respect, and love him. This man was worth his full trust and filial piety.
Zhang Guoqing wiped the tears off Zhou Jiao’s face, softly saying, "Fatherly love is like a mountain. This ti I finally felt the weight of those four words. I thought my current parents were already very good to , but compared to your dad’s love for you, it’s incomparable. Jiao Jiao, two lifetis of waiting is finally over."
Zhou Jiao saw his gloomy expression towards the end, with a dazed look, felt a pang in her heart. It’s been so long since he’s been like this. She thought Mr. Zhang and Mother Zhang had filled his inner wounds; it seed she still neglected his feelings.
Zhou Jiao gently shook him, smiled, and said, "Brother, tell how dad was at the Zhou family today? Did you fan the flas?"
Zhang Guoqing ca back to his senses, kissed her several tis, and said with a cheerful tone, "No need for to add fuel; dad stood up for you. Today was really satisfying. At noon, I accompanied him to the Zhou family, and dad’s face looked really bad then. Just at that ti, Old Man Zhou was distorting facts in front of him, dad lost his temper, and the old man was later sprayed so much he couldn’t catch his breath. His face turned black and red; I worried he’d have a stroke, but didn’t expect him to be so healthy. Haha... Thinking of Old Man Zhou’s expression makes satisfied. So shaless!"
User Comments
0 comments from readers