According to custom, yesterday Accountant Zhang, Zhang Chunming’s father, went to the county town and stayed at his new ho overnight, just to bring so good luck to the new courtyard by living there for a few days.
In the early morning, Accountant Zhang had his daughter-in-law Zhang ili pay respects to the gods. After stealthily completing all the rituals, the sky was already bright, and he quickly pasted red couplets on the main gate with Zhang Chunming, before returning to the apartnt building with him.
Inside the apartnt building, Zhang Chunming’s room on the second floor was crowded with people. A tent was set up on the first floor yesterday, and benches were borrowed for guests to sit. Many relatives and friends who arrived late just stayed downstairs. Everyone was usually too busy, so they took the opportunity today to gather, catch up, and chat. Accountant Zhang looked up at the sky, estimated the ti, and greeted relatives and friends while pacing back and forth with his hands behind his back. He occasionally glanced toward the road at the entrance.
Seeing Mr. Zhang driving a bullock cart from afar, Accountant Zhang’s face lit up with a smile, and he quickly walked a few steps forward to greet him.
"In-laws, we were looking forward to your arrival. Co on, get down first, tie the bullock cart next to it. Let’s go inside the tent and sit for a while; we’ll be ready to go soon."
Mr. Zhang got off the cart and said happily, "I rushed over early. Today is a big day for the kids. Old friend, is there anything you need help with? Just ask my three boys."
"Xiao Wu ca over to help yesterday afternoon. If there’s anything we need, I won’t hold back from asking you. Why should we be polite?" Accountant Zhang stepped forward to help tie up the bullock and led Mr. Zhang inside.
Mother Zhang, carrying bags with the won and children of the family, intended to go upstairs first to find a nephew to change clothes. Since the little aunt made them for the children, let them enjoy it.
The three Zhang brothers each carried the housewarming gifts to the table under the tent. After going back and forth twice, the three brothers finally finished moving everything. This table full of gifts from the bride’s family amazed the relatives and friends who ca.
Many people from the surrounding villages were there, coincidentally since it was Sunday, and those who weren’t working in the apartnt building were coming and going, all familiar with the three Zhang brothers. In no ti, the three brothers were pulled aside to catch up and have conversations.
Xi Zi and the others had long been playing downstairs with the children. Mother Zhang gave a few instructions and pulled Ziwen and his brothers back upstairs, only to find the place crowded. Seeing the arrival of Zhang ili’s family, the people in the room made excuses to leave.
Mother Zhang greeted Zhang Chunming’s mother, carefully exchanged a few words, quickly changed her grandson’s clothes with her daughter-in-law, and hurriedly chased away the noisy grandson. Seeing Yaya already dressed in the new clothes Zhou Jiao made, she smiled contentedly.
Zhang ili widened her eyes and complained, "Mom, Jiao Jiao already made one for Yaya, so why did you prepare for all three kids? It would have been better for Xi Zi and them to wear it."
Lin Juhua laughed, "Big sister, don’t ask mom. She just found out this morning. All the kids at ho have one. Xiao Wu said no one should be left out. Is there anything you need our help with? Just say it."
Zhang ili quickly shook her head, laughed, and pointed to her mother-in-law, "You guys keep my mother-in-law company. I have nothing to do here; just waiting for the right ti, and when my father-in-law calls us, we can leave."
Zhang Chunming’s mother, holding Mother Zhang’s hand, urged her to sit down and muttered, "In-laws, don’t let Xiao Wu spend so much. He’s been bringing a lot of stuff ho since yesterday, and now these clothes too, make sure you tell him."
Mother Zhang, smiling, patted her hand, "Xiao Wu gave it to his sister. She’s just taking them. They’re blood siblings; there’s no need to be so formal. This ti you must stay with ili so she can fulfill her duties as a daughter-in-law." Though Mother Zhang wasn’t quite sure what Xiao Wu bought, she remained calm.
"My daughter-in-law is great, very filial. In-laws, I truly envy you. Look at all your daughters-in-law; they’re all capable and filial. As for your sons, there’s nothing more to say. You, indeed, have good fortune."
"We both have good fortune, and life is getting better and better. In the future, whenever you feel like it, just co to the city for a few days, accompany the kids, and when you’re tired, head back to the village for a few days. By then, the two of us in-laws can go together."
Zhang ili, pulling the two sisters-in-law aside, whispered, "Xiao Wu and Jiao Jiao won’t cause any trouble, will they? I’m so busy. I haven’t had ti to visit them, and I’m worried about those two."
Huang Cuilan winked at Lin Juhua, who smiled knowingly, "Big sister, no, just a little gift. Rest assured. We’ll settle once we move. Have you prepared everything for later?"
Relieved, Zhang ili waved her hand, "It’s such a hassle. If it were up to , I’d just move right in. I haven’t prepared much. We’ll make do. We’ll take care of it when the kids are older." She pointed at her sisters-in-law downstairs, surrounded by shells of sunflower seeds.
Lin Juhua covered her mouth, stifling a laugh, and seeing Zhang ihao behind Zhang ili about to say sothing, quickly shook her head. She knew what ihao wanted to say the mont she saw her pointing to the tent’s location outside. She and her eldest sister-in-law were just worried about the eldest sister’s stubbornness. However, they had to wait until they started moving in; at that mont, whether they wanted it or not, they’d have to accept it. The two daughters of the Zhang family were devoted to their brothers, helping their natal family when they had the chance. Zhang Guoqiang specifically instructed her before coming to make sure the eldest sister was happy today and that her three brothers stood behind her.
Downstairs, Accountant Zhang called out that the auspicious ti had arrived, asking everyone to get ready. Watching Zhang Chunming gesture upstairs, Zhang ili quickly ran to the inner room, pulling her mother-in-law and mother, "Co, it’s ti to go. You two, go downstairs first. Big sister-in-law, help them go down first. I still have to carry the kettle to the new ho."
Everyone quickly rushed downstairs. On the first floor, everyone, holding sothing in their hands, just waited for Zhang Chunming’s father to lead his family out first.
The group happily exchanged auspicious words as they walked toward the new courtyard. Luckily, it was winter; if it were sumr, walking twenty minutes would surely result in heatstroke.
At the new courtyard, when Zhang Chunming’s eldest brother saw their father leading everyone over, he quickly set off firecrackers. Zhang ili entered, carrying a kettle to sprinkle water. The raucous crowd entered the courtyard, glancing around.
Seeing everything moved, Zhang Guoqing, realizing there was nothing left to do, exited the courtyard and headed to his second sister Zhang ihao’s place. Today’s tables and food were all prepared in Zhang ihao’s courtyard and sent over to Zhang ili’s courtyard.
In Zhang ihao’s courtyard, his father-in-law, and mother-in-law, along with a few others, were helping out busily. The firecrackers had already been set off, and lunch was approaching.
Upon entering, Zhang Guoqing noticed that apart from his second sister, everyone in his brother-in-law’s family was on the scene, raising his eyebrows. He had already arranged for several of Zhang Chunming’s nephews and their wives to co help, and they agreed, yet so were missing at the last minute.
Zhang Guoqing rushed forward to assist Old Chen, who was busy in just a single layer of clothing, and complained, "Look at you, you’ve co to help too? It’s my fault for the poor arrangent. Uncle Chen, please take it easy. In this cold weather, how will you cope if the wind chills you? Go inside; leave this to ." He nudged him inside as he spoke.
Father Chen cheerfully went indoors. He was delighted, seeing Zhang Guoqing’s dedication to his siblings. He was eager to help as well. Since yesterday afternoon, he saw him constantly bringing things over, both manpower and financial resources. If it were up to Zhang Chunming’s brothers alone, everyone would probably only get a stead bun with pickles today. His nephews promised to help but just showed up fleetingly before disappearing. Fortunately, the cook brought along a few helpers to rush the job.
Old Chen took a sip of water, put on his coat, and as he went into the courtyard, he observed Zhang Guoqing, without his coat, carrying firewood back and forth, surveying for any shortages, rushing to pump and fetch water. He hadn’t stopped for a mont. He felt reassured about this young man, knowing more from Zuo Lin, he liked him even more despite him being only 18 years old.
Seeing his old companion laughing alongside Xiao Wu and a heap of a hundred pounds of coal briquettes, Old Chen quickly stepped forward to help.
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