Zhou Xiaozheng raised his glass and said to Zuo Lin and Zhao Dashan, "For this first toast, I want to thank you couples for taking care of Xiao Wu and Jiao Jiao. As a father, I want to express my gratitude. I also hope that you will continue to look after them. We’re far away, so we rely on you all."
Everyone raised their glasses and drank it all. Zuo Lin refilled his, and said, "I also toast to the heroes’ safe return."
"Wait a minute, this sounds familiar. Don’t you have a brother nad Zuo Sen? The tone sounds so familiar!" Zhou Xiaozheng smiled at Zuo Lin. As soon as he saw Zuo Lin, judging by his features and surna, he had a feeling they were brothers. Just wondered why he hadn’t heard about any younger son from the Zuo family staying in a small county?
Zuo Lin clinked his glass and laughed, "I do have a brother nad Zuo Sen, and he knows you. He’s now in the Southern Military Region, transferred there two years after you left." Of course, he knew. His brother had specifically called him about Zhou Xiaozheng.
Lin Lishan looked at Aunt Zuo in surprise and said, "Big sister, your father-in-law is Zuo Dali, from the XXS Army, isn’t it?"
Aunt Zuo nodded with a smile, "You know him? They’re all in the South, while we’re in the Northeast."
Zhou Xiaozheng was quite puzzled, "Why did you all co here? The South is quite big. I just had drinks with Zuo Sen and the others before getting on the train back. He didn’t ntion you were in the Northeast, just that your father wants to return to Beijing, finds the South uncomfortable now."
Zuo Lin shook his head with a bitter smile, "It’s a long story. My wife is a native of the Northeast. My whole family used to be in Beijing, then I ca to the Northeast. It’s not far from Beijing, but who knew it wasn’t long before the old man was transferred to the South. It’s tough, really, only seeing each other maybe once a year. The old man misses the kids, goes in winter, cos back in sumr. The kids can’t bear visiting anymore, they say it’s too far, get dumbstruck on the train, takes over half a month to get there. My parents are tired of the South, it’s damp, their rheumatism acts up."
Zhou Xiaozheng consoled him, "Don’t worry, your brother will be transferred back to Beijing too. He’s achieved a lot these past two years. With your dad there, you’ll be back soon, closer to Beijing."
Lin Lishan curiously asked Zuo Lin, "Then why have I never seen you? I used to see your dad often when I was little, sotis your big brother accompanied him. But I’ve never t you. If you hadn’t said, I wouldn’t know Uncle Zuo had another son."
"I’m 46, you’re in your 30s, one cycle older than you. When you and your brothers were fostered in the countryside, I was in the children’s group. By the ti I joined the army, you were just a little girl with pigtails skipping to the children’s group. How could we have t?" Zuo Lin laughed as he spoke.
Lin Lishan’s eyes widened in shock, "So was it you my dad ntioned as the familiar face in the county? It’s like the first ti you’ve t my dad."
"Your dad usually contacted my father. It really was the first ti seeing your dad, I haven’t been to your place. My brother says your mom is formidable. I’ve been afraid of fierce won since I was young, so why visit for trouble? My big brother and your big brother have a good rapport. He’s often in Beijing, knows all of you. I joined the military early, didn’t spend much ti in Beijing. When I visit, I don’t know many people."
Zhou Xiaozheng couldn’t help but laugh out loud. His mother-in-law was indeed formidable, but no matter how she laughed, she couldn’t hide the calculating look in her eyes, that sharpness.
Lin Lishan laughed and protested, "Nonsense, my mom is not that fierce, she never yells or hits."
Zhou Xiaozheng covered his mouth, giving Zuo Lin a look, suggesting it’s unnecessary to argue with won.
Zuo Lin repeatedly claid it was a slip of the tongue, "It was thoughtless when I was young. Actually, your mom is quite gentle. Everyone’s used to shouting loudly, suddenly hearing a gentle voice is unusual."
Lin Lishan nodded in agreent, "Right, it does feel unusual. My friends don’t like coming to my house, say there’s pressure. Amongst the four of us siblings, none took after my mom, all used to loud voices."
Zhou Xiaozheng imdiately lowered his head, avoiding his wife’s silly expression, thankful his daughter took after him. Not fierce, yet why don’t kids go play at her house? The kids in the Big Courtyard are smart, know how to read people. Saying it’s to avoid disturbing her frailty is just an excuse. Bringing a high-ranking official’s grandchild to check if Mrs. Lin needs hospitalization? A pretentious old woman, only Mr. Lin treasures her.
Zhang Guoqing pretended not to hear, seeing his father-in-law lowered his head. Just raised his glass of fruit wine when his mother-in-law said, "Jiao Jiao’s personality is just like my mom’s, soft-spoken...." He was imdiately choked.
Who is Zuo Lin? He’s a smart person, imdiately knowing Zhang Guoqing understood, quickly changed the subject, "Xiao Wu, didn’t you have sothing to say to today? When are you planning to say it? If not now, you might not be able to once I’m drunk later."
"Uncle Zuo, I was planning to visit your house tonight with my second brother. But it worked out, knowing you ca here, I thick-skinnedly followed. Here, let toast you first. Thank you for thinking highly of ." After filling Zuo Lin’s glass, Zhang Guoqing also filled the others’ glasses.
"Uncle Zuo, another toast, this for you and Auntie treating as one of your own, thinking about . Jiao Jiao always says I’m a lucky person. It’s true, I always have you elders supporting . Let drink first to show respect." Finished drinking, he raised his glass. Once Zuo Lin drank, he refilled it.
Zuo Lin and everyone else waited for him to ntion Zhang Guoqiang’s matter, but he didn’t, instead called for the chef to serve hot dishes. Helping serve the hot dishes, Zhang Guoqing didn’t bring it up again. He left so room for everyone; no need to clarify too much. If his second brother gets a job, naturally Zuo Lin would ntion it later. If not, it’d be embarrassing, hard for everyone to continue.
Zuo Lin saw Zhang Guoqing calmly enjoying himself, sighed internally, truly a sharp person. Secretly gave a thumbs-up to Zhou Xiaozheng, who softly shook his head with a smile.
"This Master Fatty’s skills are quite good, this venison is tender and honeyed. Is this sothing postpartum won can eat?" Zhou Xiaozheng asked while eating, thinking of his daughter.
The server nearby laughed and said, "Wait until after the full month, this is a bit salty, not good for the baby. My master is already making soup, you can take it ho later."
Zhou Xiaozheng chuckled, "Xiao Wu just went out to order the soup for Jiao Jiao, right? That’s good. Once she likes the soup, we should often have it made here for her. Comrade, tell your master, pack three portions of this at to take away."
"Alright, once this dish is done, I’ll tell the master. It’s freshly roasted, paired with our secret honey glaze, much tastier. Later we’ll have fried cheese, which many people love to take ho too."
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