Zhou Jiao, facing her father’s worried face, was at a loss for words, "I haven’t thought it through yet. This job is like a woman’s second marriage, finding a suitable family is not that easy. I need to look around and ask more. Dad, why don’t you help find a family?"
Zhou Xiaozheng looked at his daughter, her small face serious but joking, and laughed heartily once more, "Alright, then tell , do you have any idea? And what is our Jiao Jiao good at?"
Zhou Jiao imdiately mimicked him, curling her lips slightly, glancing sideways, proudly raising an eyebrow, "Oh, good at? There’s a lot. Master of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting; unparalleled in needlework. There’s no musical instrunt in the world your girl can’t play. Your girl can speak eloquently, fluent in five languages. How about that? Old man, your girl isn’t bad, huh?"
Zhou Xiaozheng held back his laughter, suddenly spitting out a string of foreign languages. He didn’t think his girl, Jiao Jiao, was joking. This child really kept her abilities well hidden.
Zhou Jiao was stunned but quickly responded in foreign languages. Father and daughter had a continuous dialogue until Zhou Jiao’s eyes widened, pounding the table in frustration, shouting it was unfair before they stopped.
"Not bad, indeed fluent in five languages. Jiao Jiao, don’t be angry; when you’re as old as your old man here, you’ll certainly be fluent in all the world’s languages."
"Pfft," Zhou Jiao couldn’t help but laugh out loud, "Dad, that’s exaggerating. The whole world? If I could be like you, I’d be content."
"No, this is a gift between the two of us. I heard from your great-aunt that your grandfather was even more amazing. It was no small feat to learn all this while staying in this county. You haven’t been to as many countries as your dad has. If you get the chance to travel the world, it will be simple for you. Always rember to keep three-quarters of your capabilities hidden; never reveal everything. That’s your trump card. You’re doing great right now. Always rember, extre wisdom harms, so keep an open mind. Especially, take good care of your health," Zhou Xiaozheng earnestly advised her.
Zhou Jiao saw that he didn’t ask whom she learned from and thus didn’t explain. Indeed, several teachers at the county’s school had taught her, plus Aunt Ye had given her guidance behind the scenes. In fact, besides Russian, English, French, German, and Japanese, she had picked up so smaller languages. She was surprised to find her dad knew so many international languages and had traveled to so many countries. Secretly, she had so idea of the missions he had been on over the years.
Zhou Xiaozheng sighed as he watched his child nod in understanding. He had no idea what to do with this precious child. Extre wisdom does harm indeed. No wonder she was so thin, just skin and bones, too much worry, and too heavy-hearted.
After a while, Zhou Xiaozheng took out an envelope and handed it to Zhou Jiao, signaling her to keep it safe.
Dumping out money and remittance slips from it, Zhou Jiao stared at him, "Didn’t you just give this to ? I don’t want it. What will you do if you run out of money while traveling? Dad, I truly don’t lack money. You can’t buy anything here with it anyway, so keep it. When I return to Beijing, you can take shopping at the market."
Zhou Xiaozheng pointed his finger at her, "These past days, all als outside were paid by Xiao Wu. I estimate you and the others only have at most five hundred left. Don’t sell the gold you have hidden away; keep it as a reserve. Your dad gives it to you, take it. Look, your mom and I eat and live on the military base. We don’t have ti to shop while working, so why keep it? Once you’re out of confinent, go around a bit. If you want to buy sothing, don’t be stingy.
Also, see if Xiao Wu’s family has any distant, clear-background, middle-aged female relatives who are single and childless. Hire her to help take care of the children and do household chores, twenty bucks a month, start for half a year, and if suitable, continue using her in the future.
Originally, Dad was planning to have Uncle Guang introduce you to a nanny, but then I thought better of it. Your parents-in-law might have objections; using their distant relatives is helping the other family, which is aningful differently. Your parents-in-law coming over to stay for a few days is no problem. Don’t naively plan to have them live with you permanently. Distance brings charm, nearness brings disdain. Normally don’t hesitate to give them money or goods, just show more filial piety."
Zhou Jiao pouted, displeased, "I don’t like strangers in the house."
"Haha, silly child. If you don’t hire a helper, how can you go out freely? There’s so much housework, how can you manage it all? Listen to Dad; there’s a room beside the kitchen for the helper to stay in. You live in the main house without being affected. This candidate is hard to co by, take your ti, no rush. Hire soone after the separation next year."
Zhou Jiao nodded. She took all the scripts, leaving the rest to him, "Dad, give all the scripts; they’re useful for . I really have enough money. Look, I already have the courtyard, food is sufficient, and there’s the two thousand you gave, so what more is needed? I don’t like having money around; there’s nothing worth buying here."
Zhou Xiaozheng thought for a mont, grabbed a handful, stuffed it in the envelope, and put it on the table. "There, what Dad gives you, take it with peace of mind. After you’re out of confinent, your godmother will take you to the provincial city shopping; with her spending habits, no amount of money is too much. Even if she buys for you, you still need to buy a return gift. Money never seems enough; having money gives you confidence. Spend freely, you’re the only one I have, you can’t possibly spend it all. Always pay attention to your health, eat more good food. After returning, I’ll find soone to send so supplents over. Don’t keep things bottled inside, ignore people you don’t like, don’t wrong yourself. If things are uncomfortable here, you can bring the child ho."
Zhou Jiao watched as he kept reiterating, silently wiped her tears, took a cautious breath, and after a mont, looked at her dad with a happy smile, nodding continuously.
Zhou Xiaozheng sighed silently, looking at her slightly red eyes and nose, the smile looked particularly forced. If not for his recent job appointnt, he wouldn’t care about so two-year plan. But considering this child’s temperant, she really couldn’t be forced. She already dwelled so much on this little matter; heading to Beijing right away was not a good idea. Better to wait, two years should stabilize things.
Suppressing his internal reluctance, Zhou Xiaozheng soothed her with a smile, "Dear, when you co to Beijing, Dad will take you to the temple fairs. We’ll go just the two of us, no one else. Temple fairs are really fun; they have everything. Beijing has roast duck, hot pot, and even foreign coffee and milk tea. I’ll take you to find good food, and then to a tailor for a cheongsam, and long dresses."
"Yes, Dad, you have to take to buy the Four Treasures of the Study, and you have to teach Go, we’ll find Go manuals. Also, I like reading, take to find second-hand book stalls," Zhou Jiao happily responded, playing along with him.
"You little bookworm. Alright, let’s make a father-daughter pact, at year’s end, Dad will wait for you to co ho. As for travel tickets, I’ve already instructed Uncle Guang, he’ll make sure you all get on the train."
Hearing commotion outside, Zhou Xiaozheng knew his wife and others had returned and quickly urged her to stow things away. He gave a few more words of advice, filled with reluctance, he could only say a little more.
Looking at Zhou Jiao’s still young face, Zhou Xiaozheng quietly blad himself. If he had returned ho two years earlier, he could now be with his child and keep her under his watch. She could still enjoy single freedom and live a colorful life in the Big Courtyard.
Then he thought of his son-in-law and grandson, and felt a bit relieved. He was fairly satisfied with this convenient son-in-law. He had protected their Jiao Jiao as a child and took care of her after marriage. All this could compensate for his own shortcomings. As for talents, would he care? Who could be as excellent as their Jiao Jiao?
User Comments
0 comments from readers