National Day and his two brothers were talking in low voices, teasing each other. They picked up brooms and shovels and went to the backyard.
In the East Wing of the main room, Mr. Zhang had already lit a lamp. Hearing the noises outside, Mr. Zhang didn’t even have to think to know it was Xiao Wu, as their three sons were the first to get up every morning to help him with chores.
Mother Zhang dressed up and looked at him, "Put on so more clothes, don’t you feel today’s quite cold? Hearing the sound of sweeping in the courtyard early in the morning, I estimate it snowed."
Mr. Zhang nodded, tidying himself up, "I’ll go check the backyard to see if the snow is heavy. A few days ago, we built a nest for the chickens, they’d better not freeze to death."
Mother Zhang chuckled softly, "No worries, our chickens are smarter than people. If they get cold, they would have run under our window and started crowing. All I heard was the rooster crowing early in the morning, so I guess it’s fine. How about I make congee and stead buns for breakfast? Since we have guests, maybe add so salted duck eggs?"
"Do whatever you like; it’s okay. Our family ties don’t require us to be picky, just make sothing simple. Yesterday, Brother Zhou said he wanted to take Xiao Wu and his wife to the county to live for a few days. They plan to take Xiao Wu and his wife around the town to get acquainted, so the kids won’t be bullied. I agreed; it was too late last night to tell you about it."
Mother Zhang looked at him in surprise, "Did they really buy a courtyard for Xiao Wu and his wife? I was wondering why they were constantly on the move, no wonder they were so busy. The pile of cloth last night was presumably to be stored in town, which explains why it was rushed. Should we go to the city to help tidying up? Do you know which area it’s in?"
Mr. Zhang smiled and shook his head, "I’ve asked, and they said no need, they’ve already hired two won and offered them so food to help clean. It should all be done today. They said the stuff in Xiao Wu’s room doesn’t need to be moved over, they will transfer it to the adjacent small yard later. Everything in the city is brand new now, even rice is prepared. Brother Zhou is worried he won’t get a vacation next year, so he tidies everything up first, and then Xiao Wu and his wife can just bring their clothes and move in. It’s all well arranged; he really cares for his daughter."
Mother Zhang clicked her tongue, "Such indulgence. With only one precious daughter, they are afraid to wrong her. Luckily, Jiao Jiao married Xiao Wu, and the couple gets along well. Otherwise, would Brother Zhou have insisted on taking his daughter back? You didn’t see it, but as soon as Brother Zhou ca back last night, he dragged his own daughter into the inner room, afraid she was exhausted. He even asked his sister-in-law to stew sothing for his beloved daughter, afraid she might be hungry. Usually a cold-faced person lights up seeing Jiao Jiao. Oh, I’ve learned a lot, such warmth between father and daughter."
Mr. Zhang chuckled softly, "Hehe, why do you think he rushed to the city? Just to tidy things up early and let his daughter live there for a few days. Only when he knows his child is well-arranged will he feel at ease returning."
After finishing, he thought about how his wife was tight-lipped, so he continued, "Yesterday, the second son quietly told that Brother Zhou is more influential than Mr. Lin. They were eating out, it was midnight, and two vehicles ca rushing from the provincial city, with officers coming down from them. They all respectfully called Brother Zheng, just like that. They said Little Wu didn’t even need to speak, the boss had already told the second son to go through the procedures today, and also told Xiao Wu to introduce his second brother to his colleagues.
I reckon Xiao Wu knows a lot of people in town, very well-connected. The second son said those from the provincial city all call our Xiao Wu the little son-in-law. Their attitude is no different than how they treat their own son-in-law.
Regarding the second son’s job, don’t spread it out first. When he goes to work next Monday, just tell anyone who asks that i Hao’s father-in-law introduced the job. Last ti Zuo Lin, who ca to our house, is the head of the second son, and he’s good friends with i Hao’s father-in-law. Originally, this job was arranged by Brother Zhou asking Zuo Lin for Xiao Wu. We should rember this favor."
Mother Zhang nodded and thought for a mont, "Then how will the second son get to work without a car? Did he co up with a plan?"
"Xiao Wu and his second brother have already discussed it, he will help his second brother find a bicycle ticket. Xiao Wu told not to worry and that he will arrange it properly. He said when the eldest goes to work, we’ll follow him to the city and stay as long as we want, no need to work the fields anymore. Haha...dear, you have it good, with a youngest son, you don’t need to work for your retirent," Mr. Zhang teased.
Mother Zhang raised her chin, "That’s right, the villagers all say I favor the youngest son. What do they know? My youngest son is worth dozens of their sons. With anything to eat, he puts it in my mouth, with sothing good or rare, he puts it in my hands. You wouldn’t believe the things our Jiao Jiao does for . Her room is open for to use whatever I want, she even held my hand secretly pointing out the hidden compartnt in her room. In there are tickets, money, for to take freely. She told what is in which drawer, which box, to use as I like and not to be stingy, she doesn’t even lock them.
I laugh myself awake in my dreams. When our father was alive, he said I’d enjoy a good life with the youngest son. But I really don’t plan to go to the city, life is so good here, have lived here all my life, just thinking about leaving makes reluctant."
Mr. Zhang nodded approvingly, "Jiao Jiao is protective, and more affectionate to us than the ones from the eldest and second son’s families, she’s more like our own daughter. It’s just that she’s too generous, she promised to give Xi Zi so clothes again last night. You should advise her a little."
"It’s useless, I said a bunch, and she forgot all about it later. But don’t worry, if soone like Qingshan’s wife or Qingfeng’s wife ca over, she would hide her stuff. She only gives a few hard candies to the kids they bring over, no soft ones. She knows what she’s doing, only with us family is she this generous."
Mr. Zhang put on his coat and said while walking, "That’s good. I’ll head to the backyard first, keep your voice down and don’t wake Brother Zhou."
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