Zhang Guoqing sped along the way, quickly delivering the return gifts to several families, and imdiately headed to Zhao Dashan’s house.
Regarding Aunt Fen’s situation, he needed to have a good face-to-face discussion with the other party, no matter the standpoint. He estimated that Zhao Yuanyuan had been ho long enough by now, and whether Zhao Dashan had heard the gossip or received news, he should know everything by now.
"Xiao Wu, co on in." Zhao Dashan heard the roar of an engine outside and guessed it could only be Zhang Guoqing coming, so he imdiately called out.
Zhang Guoqing entered with his usual smiling face, greeted the couple, and said with a smile, "Uncle, I’m quite embarrassed to co over. Did Yuanyuan tell you? I plan to have Aunt Fen return ho tomorrow. Do you think that’s okay?"
"Of course, it is! I should be the one feeling guilty. We’ll go with you, and see if she wants to return to her hotown directly or go to the provincial city to see her son? Hongli, rember to bring so things." Zhao Dashan quickly replied.
"Hehe... sure. I just couldn’t discuss so things at work today. Uncle, I brought a lot of good stuff this ti. Co on, let’s go have a few drinks at my place early." Zhang Guoqing said.
Cheng Hongli followed the two n out and noticed her youngest daughter sneaking behind her, making her cry and laugh at the sa ti. This child had been with Jiao Jiao all day and hadn’t been ho for even two hours.
Zhao Yuanyuan quietly tugged at her mother’s clothes and whispered, "Don’t shout. I’ll go see what’s going on. I’ll take so sesa candy for Jiao Jiao too."
Cheng Hongli rolled her eyes but didn’t say anything. Watching her daughter giggle as she wrapped her arm around her own, she patted her head. She knew her daughter loved excitent, so she let her be.
Entering the Zhang Family house, they saw the kitchen lights on, and Zhao Dashan led Zhang Guoqing to the kitchen.
Cheng Hongli and her daughter went straight to the main room. She wasn’t worried about her husband’s ability to handle a cousin. She happened to have sothing to discuss with Zhou Jiao and took the opportunity to chat without the n around.
"Aunt Cheng, what brings you here? Is it because of Aunt Fen? I’m embarrassed to see you." Zhou Jiao quickly ca out when she heard Zhao Yuanyuan’s voice in the courtyard.
Cheng Hongli pulled her inside, smiling, "What’s there to be embarrassed about? I just wanted to see you. Was your trip back fun? I heard from Yuanyuan that you guys went to the South? Had I known, I would’ve taken Yuanyuan too."
"I was going to send a telegram to Yuanyuan. Later, decided the weather wasn’t good, so we’ll wait for sumr and go together then. Let’s wait until you have vacation, and we’ll go out together. Co in quickly and have a seat."
The three of them returned to the living room, and Cheng Hongli quickly asked quietly, "Did Yuanyuan bring ho small clothes from S City? Were they expensive?"
Zhou Jiao saw her blushing with embarrassnt and laughed, "My mom asked to bring them for you. She bought a lot, even Aunt Zuo has two sets. She said if the size doesn’t fit, she’ll bring them for you next ti."
"They fit quite well. Write her a letter and say thank you." Cheng Hongli said, then swiftly changed the topic, "Is Xiao Wu starting work tomorrow? Can you manage everything alone? Do you need to hire soone?"
Zhou Jiao quickly shook her head. She was managing to take care of the kids and cook at ho, which were tasks that conserved energy. She didn’t plan on hiring anyone; she thought about getting a job once the kids were grown and sent to daycare.
Cheng Hongli nodded at this. She then ntioned that Zhang Guoqing’s eldest brother had already bought a house in town. She felt that, since Jiao Jiao’s parents-in-law would definitely be living with the eldest, they might occasionally help with the kids once they moved to town.
Zhou Jiao looked at her in surprise. She hadn’t heard Mother Zhang ntion this yesterday. That was strange. Knowing her mother-in-law, she shared even village gossip with Zhou Jiao, so why wouldn’t she ntion family matters?
Seeing this, Cheng Hongli sent the mischievous Zhao Yuanyuan off to take care of the children. She spoke quietly with Zhou Jiao about Zhang Guofu buying a house.
It turned out that soone near Zhang Guofu’s brother-in-law’s house was selling one. The transaction was completed just a few days ago, and when registering for residence, he encountered Cheng Hongli.
Zhou Jiao nodded thoughtfully. This was likely Huang Cuilan’s idea—to stay distant enough to live separately. Were her parents-in-law unhappy, hence reluctant to ntion it? If she guessed right, Mr. Zhang had assured the daughters-in-law to focus on house managent during the separation. How long had it been? They were already eager to move to town.
Cheng Hongli hesitated to speak. She didn’t know how to start, but if she didn’t, what if sothing happened later? She had promised Zhou Xiaozheng she’d look after Jiao Jiao well.
"Go on, is it sothing about their family again?" Zhou Jiao asked, seeing her expression and smiling. She knew sothing must have happened; otherwise, Cheng Hongli wouldn’t visit at night.
"Your eldest sister-in-law’s brother has been jumping around a lot lately. He’s been using Xiao Wu’s na to arrange jobs for his eldest daughter and your sister-in-law. Originally, your Uncle Dashan wanted to inform your parents-in-law, but I stopped him. What’s the use of telling them? You and Xiao Wu should think of a way to stop it."
Zhou Jiao smirked ironically, "Quick to act, aren’t they! Already starting to play tricks. The nerve to use Xiao Wu’s na to cause a stir!"
"Did you visit the Huang Family during this return trip?" Cheng Hongli asked worriedly.
"What does their Huang Family have to do with us? They’re relatives from eight generations ago. Looks like many things happened while we were away. Is Zhang the Second okay?" Zhou Jiao frowned slightly and said.
Cheng Hongli chuckled and praised, "Xiao Wu’s second brother is great. He’s steady at work and enthusiastic about his duties. Everyone says they’re true blood brothers. Before going to the South, your Aunt Zuo ran into and said Xiao Wu’s parents are blessed, with sons like pillars!"
Upon hearing this, Zhou Jiao finally breathed a sigh of relief. She had been afraid Zhang Guoqing would be disappointed. Eldest Zhang moving near Huang Yaozong, along with Huang Cuilan, rendered this brother useless. Now, it depends on how Mr. Zhang handles it? Fortunately, there’s still reliable Zhang the Second.
After discussing with Aunt Fen the departure ti for tomorrow, Zhao Dashan took Zhang Guoqing to a secluded part of the courtyard. There were so things that were inconvenient to say at work, especially about the Zhang family relatives. Now he began to tell Zhang Guoqing about the things that happened while he was away from town.
After exchanging information, Zhang Guoqing pulled him into the living room. As soon as he entered, he gave Zhou Jiao a aningful look.
Zhou Jiao smiled, nodded, and led Zhao Yuanyuan to the kitchen, letting the n discuss business in the living room. Once in the kitchen, with Aunt Fen’s help, they quickly set the table with food and drinks.
Everyone insisted that Aunt Fen sit down as well, turning it into a farewell banquet for her.
After the al, they saw Zhao Dashan’s family off. Zhou Jiao prepared two months’ salary and a package of things for Zhang Guoqing to take tomorrow morning when he was sending Aunt Fen off to work.
Before going to bed, Zhang Guoqing recounted to Zhou Jiao what Zhao Dashan had talked to him about, sighing continuously. The couple discussed strategies and had no regrets.
’Rain falls, and mothers remarry’—who can stop it? As long as it doesn’t threaten their own safety and family mbers don’t tell them, they’ll act as if they don’t know.
As for the clown Huang Yaozong, Zhang Guoqing decided to teach him a lesson. Otherwise, if anyone dared to use his na to swagger and deceive in the future, that would be intolerable?
Zhou Jiao repeatedly praised his plan. She agreed wholeheartedly with Zhang Guoqing’s thinking. If they were to live in the town, if anyone could easily take advantage, and they did not fight back, how would they stand firm?
Early the next morning, Aunt Fen, carrying two packages, reluctantly left with Zhang Guoqing.
Zhou Jiao watched her take a few steps and turn back thrice, twitching at the corner of her eyes. She quickly waved to Zhang Guoqing and closed the door. Finally, the trouble was gone, and she happily spun around in the living room.
As for the extra two packages from the other side, no matter the reasons they gave, she didn’t believe it was her son’s doing. But she was now too lazy to bother—leaving early was best.
User Comments
0 comments from readers