The village broadcast announced the end of work, and the two daughters-in-law of the Zhang Family had already prepared dinner. The Zhang Family’s als have improved now. Cornal is finally no longer seen. With the completion of two courtyard houses, the family’s coarse grains are enough to sustain everyone until next spring.
Originally, Mr. Zhang planned to stock up on so coarse grains before the market event and exchange the fine grains given at the end of the year for coarse grains. That way, there won’t be a shortage of staple food next year. But thanks to Zhang Guoqing’s occasional table full of good food, well, now even the adults couldn’t swallow cornal, let alone the kids.
Mr. Zhang thought about the children in the family eating the supplied grains, knowing next year they wouldn’t have access to staple grains. Now feeling financially comfortable, he imdiately bought plenty of fine and coarse grains.
The Zhang Family’s warehouse is now full of purchased grains, together with the staple grains received at the end of the year, piled up to the brim. Zhang Guoqing’s wild boar and other wildlife filled the underground storage. There’s no shortage of at, nor is there a shortage of lard in the house. The Zhang Family now improves their als progressively rather than rely filling the stomach.
After dinner, the n gathered in the main room to listen to the gramophone and hear Mr. Zhang tell stories. The won all went to Zhou Jiao’s place to chat and do needlework.
In the sitting room outside the west wing, a kerosene lamp was lit brightly. The Mai Miao sisters looked after Ping’an on the kang bed, Mother Zhang was busy sewing shoe soles, and Huang Cuilan and her sister-in-law were knitting sweaters, talking about what they saw at the market event.
Zhou Jiao was sitting bored beside Mother Zhang, watching them busy, glanced at her hands, and felt her hands itch. She also had a lot of work to catch up on, couldn’t bear it anymore, and went to the room to fetch the yarn.
Lin Juhua saw her sneak a glance at her mother-in-law, grinned, "Feeling restless? You can roll the yarn ball, but don’t knit the sweater. In a few days, you’ll fear having no work to do."
Mother Zhang laughed and cursed, "Foolish. So foolish. Afraid of having no work. Just roll the yarn!"
Zhou Jiao declined the offer of help from Mai Miao. She took a chair and placed it in front of her, happily rolling the yarn. Listening to the eldest sister-in-law talking about the team selection.
Upon hearing that Uncle Zhang’s eldest son was vying for the accountant position, she smiled slightly. She felt he didn’t stand a chance; might as well not go for it and directly recomnd Xiao Dash, earning so goodwill.
The mothers-in-law were having a chat, but when they heard talking at the courtyard gate, they all stopped to look at each other.
Mother Zhang stood up, patted her clothes, "It’s Qingshan’s wife and a few others, seems like they know Jiao Jiao is back and are looking for you." She said, then picked up the basket and was about to head out.
Before Mother Zhang went out, Zhou Jiao quickly picked up the yarn and hid it in the inner room. Judging by the sounds, quite a few were coming; these wives couldn’t keep their mouths shut, better to avoid any trouble.
Mother Zhang saw Zhou Jiao clean up, lifted the curtain, and went out.
Huang Cuilan and another laughed heartily; every ti they saw Zhou Jiao hide things when outsiders ca, it was especially amusing. Their little sister-in-law was careful not to draw attention, but everyone had eyes.
Qingshan’s wife led a group of won inside, hearing their laughter, "What is making you so happy? We were outside but didn’t co to greet."
"We’re happy you ca. Sit down, if there’s no stool, sit on the kang bed." Lin Juhua pulled her to sit, welcoming everyone.
Seven or eight young wives sat down, chatting animatedly, each taking a turn.
Zhou Jiao was busy hosting them, pointing at the sweets and seeds on the table, "Help yourselves. How co everyone ca over today?"
"Didn’t we co to see you’re back? County city was fun, right? I figured you should be back today; tomorrow the n go up the mountain, you definitely couldn’t stay in the county city." Ye Zi said with a face full of pride.
Zhou Jiao really didn’t know about tomorrow’s hunt. Neither she nor Zhang Guoqing knew. They both thought he’d gone up the mountain long ago; it’s been many days.
"Impressive. You could predict it all. Why didn’t you bring your kids over?"
A young wife nearby listened, "The kids are too noisy. We just can’t talk. It’s dark now, so leaving them ho is just right. Jiao Jiao, you missed quite a few things while you were not ho these past few days."
Zhou Jiao smiled as she watched the group talk about the village’s happenings. All those who ca lived near North Mountain. The stories of the families inside the village were their amusent. There was a regional distinction.
Lin Juhua was conversing with a young wife beside her. Zhou Jiao knew her; she married nearby around the sa ti, Wang Xiaohua. Honestly couldn’t believe it; the shy young wife now talked about adult matters without blushing.
Qingshan’s wife leaned close to Huang Cuilan, softly asked her, was the warm room lively today? Seeing Huang Cuilan nod. She envied her. Not having a family separation was great; you didn’t have to solicit favors.
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