In late May, Zhou Jiao stepped onto her hotown soil once more.
She didn’t linger in the provincial city; bidding farewell to Zhang Guoqing who was about to "sell his labor," she carried the child back to the small courtyard in the county town with the farewell of Zhao Chuan Guang and his wife.
With Zhou Xiaozheng, her father, in Beijing, Zhou Jiao was living freely and comfortably. At this mont, watching Zhao Chuan Guang’s car leave, and looking at the emptiness in the courtyard, she felt a bit dazed.
Neighbors enthusiastically welcod her, and offered help whenever needed. In the evening, Zhao Yuanyuan’s stayover finally helped Zhou Jiao dispel the coldness of the room.
The next day, Zhou Jiao did sothing bold—she strapped Ping’an in front, took the gifts in the trailer, and drove a tricycle speeding all the way to Zhang Family Village.
In the past, she would never have done this. But being doted on by Zhou Xiaozheng and influenced by friends in the Big Courtyard, she began to change slowly, just like Zhang Guoqing said, becoming more open and daring.
Mother and son laughed heartily along the way, leaving a trail of joyful laughter.
The villagers on their way to work heard the sound of the vehicle and looked into the distance. They only caught a glimpse of a figure in the blur. Oh, Zhang Guoqing is back. —No one realized that the person on the vehicle was the familiar Zhou Jiao.
"Son, how was it? Isn’t your mom aweso?" Zhou Jiao said happily to Ping’an in her arms after getting off the car.
Mother Zhang next door ca out and saw this scene: her younger daughter-in-law, smiling all over, holding a happily laughing child leaning on the tricycle.
She quickly looked around and found no one except them. Her older son wouldn’t be back until the end of the month, so who brought the mother and child back?
She hurried up, incredulously asking, "You didn’t drive this big guy back by yourself, did you?"
Zhou Jiao stuck out her tongue and laughed, "Why is it that not seeing you for a while, you’ve gotten smarter, Mom? Quick, tell Ping’an, what did Grandma eat to beco so amazing? Ping’an, say yes or no?"
"Yes..." mumbled Ping’an, echoing her words. He might not understand the aning of such long sentences now, but whenever soone asked if sothing was good or not, he quickly and happily responded without any prompting.
Mother Zhang montarily forgot her previous worries and hurriedly laughed as she took over her little grandson. She hadn’t seen her grandson in a long ti, and both she and her husband missed him dearly.
After teasing the child for a while, Mother Zhang followed Zhou Jiao, who was carrying so things, back to the west room.
The room remained clean and dust-free, all thanks to Mother Zhang’s ticulous care.
"Mom, sorry to trouble you again. I won’t be leaving for a few days. I’ll head back to the county town after brother cos back. Where’s Dad?"
Mother Zhang said worriedly, "Your dad went to work today and will be back at alti. Also, I wonder how Xiao Wu is doing? This month has worn him out. Have you seen him since you got back? Your dad won’t let visit him, saying the child has grown up, and it’s not good for him."
Zhou Jiao stifled her laughter. She hadn’t expected Mr. Zhang’s secrecy to cause Mother Zhang such worry. "Mom, I saw Xiao Wu, and he’s fine. He’s not doing any heavy work, just writing. He’s even gained so weight."
Mother Zhang felt relieved at this. She inquired in detail about how Zhang Guoqing was doing with his als and accommodation. This ti it was Zhou Jiao’s turn to fret, regretting her own words. How could she deceive her mother-in-law by telling lies? Luckily, Mr. Zhang’s arrival saved the situation.
"Wife, is Jiao Jiao back?"
Mr. Zhang’s voice called from outside the courtyard, and Mother Zhang quickly stood up, responding loudly as she walked, "Yes, Jiao Jiao and the child are back. Hurry inside and say hello."
Zhou Jiao held the child and followed closely behind.
Monts later, Mr. Zhang ca in with a big grin, seeing his little grandson stacking wooden blocks on the kang. It amused him imnsely. Mr. Zhang climbed onto the kang, patted the child’s head, and said, "Our Ping’an has grown a lot."
"Indeed. Compared to the other kids in the village around his age, none of them are as strong as our little grandson."
Mr. Zhang smiled at his wife’s words. How could they compare? What do the others eat? What does our grandson eat?
"Jiao Jiao, is everything okay outside?"
Zhou Jiao glanced at her mother-in-law, knowing Mr. Zhang didn’t plan to tell Mother Zhang the truth. She nodded and smiled, "Everyone’s doing well. Brother will be back to work in a few days."
Mr. Zhang smiled and told his wife, "Are you relieved now? You’ll definitely see your eldest son by the end of the month. You can sleep soundly tonight, right? I’ll take the grandson for a walk."
"Dad, I’m staying in the village for a few days; there’s no rush to take the child out. Look at this package first." Zhou Jiao untied the bundle and pushed it in front of him.
The package revealed that apart from alcohol, there were cigarettes.
Mr. Zhang imdiately recognized the packaging as being from Zhou Xiaozheng. Just as he was about to say sothing, he saw his wife almost reaching for the items. He hastily held onto the package and pushed it in front of the grandson, who indeed grabbed hold of it and wouldn’t let go.
Fearing the bottles would break, Zhou Jiao quickly said, "Ping’an, go... go..."
Following this, she smiled at Mr. Zhang, who was laughing heartily, "Dad, he understands now. He just wants you to take him out. Do you need to take anything with you?"
"Oh my, wife, look at our Ping’an, he’s so clever. Dad won’t take anything, just Ping’an for a walk outside." With that, Mr. Zhang picked up his grandson, who was quickly crawling outside.
Mother Zhang chuckled, grumbling about her husband leaving too quickly, and scolded Zhou Jiao for spending money again, saying they had plenty of alcohol at ho. She was eager to cook sothing for Zhou Jiao to eat.
Zhou Jiao managed with difficulty to stop her, promising to go to the old courtyard for dinner. Seeing Mother Zhang happily go back, she rembered that Mr. Zhang hadn’t rested after working all morning.
The vegetable garden in the backyard hadn’t been neglected despite her family’s departure. The corn and seasonal fruits and vegetables planted in April were growing well. It seed everything was thanks to Mr. Zhang and others’ care.
Seeing this, Zhou Jiao returned to the house at ease, starting to tidy up the kitchen. She didn’t want to impose on others for als during her week-long stay.
While she was cleaning, she couldn’t help but think about asking Lin Juhua about the spring plowing she missed when Mr. Zhang had rushed off.
Speak of the devil, and he shall appear.
When Lin Juhua ca over dragging Mai Sui, she saw Zhou Jiao busy in the kitchen, "Why are you cleaning? Isn’t it a hassle cooking alone? The past two months, I’ve been busy and have been dining with my mom."
Zhou Jiao smiled and patted Mai Sui, "No need. I’ll just eat sothing simple by myself." After that, she took a good look at Lin Juhua and sighed inwardly. Doing such heavy labor was really too much for Zhang the Second.
"How long are you planning to stay this ti? Aren’t you afraid to stay at ho alone? Want to keep you company at night?" said Lin Juhua, pulling a stool to sit down imdiately. She was truly exhausted these days.
"What’s there to be afraid of? Xiao Wu will be back in a few days. I’m staying here until he returns, then heading back to the county. Why did you go to work? Can you manage everything at ho? Does your second brother-in-law get back in ti for dinner?"
Lin Juhua said with a smile, "I didn’t go to work. Since the household registration transferred, I haven’t bothered showing up. Recently, I’ve been busy with our private plot and backyard, and I’ve raised quite a few things. The kids’ dad often eats at the cafeteria, so at ho, it’s just and the two kids; cooking wastes firewood."
Zhou Jiao looked at her speechlessly.
After a while, when Lin Juhua finished gossiping about all the happenings inside and outside the village, Zhou Jiao felt at ease. As long as Mr. Zhang didn’t do heavy labor, working was working. Since his registration was in the village, he still had to comply with the village rules.
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