After listening, Zhang Guoqing and his brother exchanged smiles, nodding repeatedly in agreent. Although their parents’ thoughts were a bit selfish, it was indeed true. All the won in the family worked; did the elderly couple still have to take care of the grandchildren and serve the younger generation on schedule?
It was only around eight in the evening, yet the village was silent. Occasionally, a few barks could be heard. The cold wind rustled the roadside trees, and from a distance, there were no figures on the stone bridge connecting the two villages. The households near the village entrance had already slept; the place was pitch black, and nobody was strolling in the freezing weather.
Zhang Guoqing, dressed in a military overcoat and wearing a hat, jumped up and down a few tis on the ground to alleviate the chill. After waiting for a while without seeing anyone, worried that sothing unexpected might have happened to his father-in-law and mother-in-law at the Zhou family, he decided to walk towards the Zhou family.
Before reaching the Zhou family, from afar, he saw two figures walking closely together. He ran forward and shouted, "Is it Mom and Dad?"
Zhou Xiaozheng, seeing Zhang Guoqing running over, complained, "Why did you run over? On such a cold day, don’t you rest inside the house? Afraid we can’t find our way?"
Lin Lishan, facing the cold wind, couldn’t even be bothered to speak and dragged her husband quickly back.
Zhang Guoqing chuckled, "Nothing much at ho, just thought of coming over. Jiao Jiao has prepared ginger tea; with this weather, it will probably snow heavily in a few days."
As they chatted, they walked quickly towards the Zhang family. Upon entering the courtyard, Zhou Xiaozheng and his son-in-law went directly to the main room while Lin Lishan hurried into Zhou Jiao’s room, where she saw Zhou Jiao pouring ginger tea to hand over to her.
After drinking the ginger tea, Lin Lishan felt warm again and said, "I was freezing to death; it wasn’t this cold during the day, couldn’t feel it inside the room. Now I understand why people hibernate in winter. Here, it’s better not to go out at night. The wind is loud, and there’s no one on the roads. If it weren’t for your father, I wouldn’t dare go out."
Zhou Jiao took out thermal underwear from the inner room. "Xiao Wu said it just got cold these past couple of days, and it’s going to snow in a few days. Mom, take this thermal underwear back, and have Dad wear it at night. I specially had Xiao Wu find these."
Lin Lishan touched the fabric, checked the thickness, and nodded with satisfaction. "Good, perfect for winter wear. Do you have so for yourselves? This must have cost a favor, right?"
"No favors needed; we arranged for it in the fall and just got a few sets back a few days ago. We have our own, too. I heard they’re in high demand outside. I’ve already asked for more, gave them a bottle of wine grandpa brought. They were thrilled."
Lin Lishan organized it and placed it on the chair. "Very good, much better than what’s on the market. Have them bring more if they can. Don’t worry about money; your dad brought a lot back this ti. We’ll give it to you when we leave."
Zhou Jiao looked at her mournfully and complained, "You’re sothing. I told you we have money. You should spend as you need when it’s with you. When we’re out, I’ll ask you. I’ve bought a whole courtyard; there’s nowhere to spend money here."
Lin Lishan laughed joyfully, "Silly girl, why do you always make that face when I give you money? Alright, alright, I get it. Let’s not talk about it. Tomorrow, I’m going to the county town; if there’s anything you want to bring, write it down tonight and give it to in the morning."
Zhou Jiao nodded with a smile, but looked at her with concern, "Mom, were you okay over there tonight? They didn’t trouble you, did they?"
Lin Lishan lifted her head proudly and snorted, "Who dares? I’m already gracious not to settle scores with them. None of their juniors ca out; don’t know if they’re even in. We stayed in your grandparents’ room. They only talked about a few things; nothing much to say. Your dad told to go and just watch. Isn’t Xiao Wu supposed to see Zhou Xiaocun’s attitude tomorrow before deciding what to do with him? So we played it cool tonight."
"That’s good. As long as there’s no arguing, did they talk about retirent care?"
Lin Lishan shook her head, "That topic hasn’t co up yet. I haven’t sent money this month. I guess they’ll bring it up after things are settled. Your dad thinks your grandparents have their own pension; he has a sense of it."
Seeing nothing more to ask, Zhou Jiao quickly urged her, "Mom, you should go have so dumplings first. My mother-in-law has already tidied up your old room, go check if anything’s missing."
Lin Lishan chuckled and shot her a sidelong glance, "Don’t rush, I’m going now. Rember to eat what’s simring in the stove." Seeing Zhou Jiao nod in agreent, she picked up the roast duck and boiled lamb she brought and headed to the kitchen.
Upon seeing her enter, Mother Zhang hurried to pull her into a seat and instructed the eldest’s family to serve a bowl of dumplings. After giving the orders, she said to her, "Sister-in-law, it’s really cold at night. Eat sothing to warm you up. I’ve already had Xiao Wu bring a bowl of dumplings for your husband to line his stomach before drinking."
Lin Lishan received the dumplings, took a sip of the soup, and said, "Sister, you always have everything arranged perfectly. This is the roast duck and boiled lamb soup our old man instructed to give to Brother to have with his drinks. He said you should co to Beijing early and eat sothing prepared. Haha, just try it; it’s not as tasty as wild boar at. Last ti I brought too many things back, and the old couple got so worried they specially asked not to bring anything back again."
Mother Zhang nodded with a smile, "That was a coincidence. Besides, it’s only right that Xiao Wu is filial to them. These were just heated for their n to have with drinks. The old man was considerate. When you go back, thank him sincerely for ." She stood up and unwrapped the bag, revealing several roast ducks and about ten pounds of cooked lamb, before taking out a roast duck and cutting so lamb to be sliced for serving.
Mother Zhang lanted, "This is heavy and must have cost a lot. Stop bringing stuff next ti, wait till we go to Beijing to eat. Sister-in-law, stay a few more days this ti, wait till the village returns from hunting, and see if there’s anything rare for your elders."
"No need to send more, what we took back last ti should last until the year-end. Before I ca back, the old man kept saying you should keep the things for yourselves, especially when heavy snow blocks the mountains and everything becos scarce."
Mother Zhang smiled, not saying more, pondering if this ti they might catch a wild deer or bear. She heard city people prized deer blood and bear paws, and when the ti ca, they could negotiate with the village to get those items, even if it ant fewer of the other ats. With Xiao Wu at ho, they no longer needed to sell wild animals to make money, and at wasn’t scarce anymore.
After finishing the dumplings and sitting for a while, Mother Zhang led her to the main bedroom, "Sister-in-law, I’ve cleaned up the room, check if anything’s missing. I won’t be formal, you make yourself at ho."
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