Accountant Zhang no longer wanted to deal with him. He was older and still didn’t get it, saying more would be pointless. He kept his head down and focused on massaging his wife.
This ti back, the city doctor said his wife would quickly recover, except for so speech difficulties in the future. He hoped his wife would get up soon. Oh... it’s bad to lie down for too long.
Ti passed as his eldest son mumbled and muttered.
"Dad, how’s Mom? Feeling better? I brought the dicine; rember to give it to her," Zhang Chunming said as he entered the room.
After glancing at his older brother, he curiously asked, "Why didn’t you go to work today, big brother?"
"Heh heh, folks were just reasoning with the team leader; I just ca back. I’ll leave after a break. Hey youngest, your father-in-law really didn’t take a penny from the team and donated the family’s old sow and hens?"
"Oh, he did donate. Villagers didn’t count money this ti. My father-in-law would be embarrassed to take it. Back in the day when joining small collectives, aside from big items like cattle and donkeys being counted, the rest weren’t, right? Why are you asking? Did my father-in-law do sothing wrong?"
After saying that, Zhang Chunming looked at him suspiciously.
"Heh heh, it’s nothing. Just asking. I’m off to work. Stay and chat with Dad and Mom."
After seeing him leave, Zhang Chunming asked, "Dad, what’s wrong with my older brother?"
"Ignore him. Why did you co back today?"
Zhang Chunming laughed and scratched his head, "I was supposed to co back earlier but got delayed by so matters. How’s Mom these days? Any better?"
After saying that, he took out six packs of Chinese dicine from the cloth bag and placed them on the cabinet, then took out two packs of snacks and put them in the drawer. He noticed so unfinished snacks inside, "Dad, don’t be reluctant to eat them. If they stay too long, they’ll spoil."
Accountant Zhang laughed and nodded, "Got these from your brother-in-law again? Don’t bring them over in the future; let the kids have them instead. Nowadays, the cafeteria makes sure everyone’s full; there’s no need for these snacks."
Zhang Chunming laughed heartily, "I know Dad isn’t greedy, but if you’re hungry at night, it’s sothing to fill the stomach. These are from Xiao Wu for you two. Besides, are you worried the kids won’t have enough to eat? Since Xiao Wu moved to the county, Xiao Wen and the others’ mouths haven’t stopped. I feel embarrassed watching."
"Get along well with that couple. I’ve stayed at your place long enough to see Xiao Wu’s couple really respects your wife. There are five siblings in his family; they all seem close on the surface, but Xiao Wu is closest to your wife."
"Yeah, I know."
Accountant Zhang laughed, "Old lady, look, this silly son says he knows. He knows nothing!" After saying that, he saw his youngest son laughing too but didn’t refute it.
He continued, "Nowadays, Xiao Wu doesn’t interfere in his two brothers’ family affairs anymore, do you know?"
Zhang Chunming nodded, "I’ve heard from my wife; I’ve a bit of an idea. It’s my father-in-law who told Xiao Wu to focus on his own household."
Accountant Zhang waved him over and said quietly, "Your father-in-law is a minor reason. The bigger reason is the eldest daughter-in-law offended Xiao Wu. He’s upset because she doesn’t care about his parents.
Xiao Wu, well... if soone offends him, don’t provoke him too much; he doesn’t mind that much. But there are three people, no, now four—his parents, his wife, and son. These four are his bottom line.
Seems like he’s figured it out now, feeling that after the separation, each family should not interfere. Look at your father-in-law, their two have their household registration with Zhang the Second.
Migrating the household without his involvent, Zhang the Second alone couldn’t manage it. Why did they specifically move to Zhang the Second’s house, do you know?"
"Isn’t Zhang the Second in the registration office? Convenient enough."
"Silly boy! If it were that simple, they would’ve shifted our household to yours long ago. What I’m telling you, don’t speak of it outside.
I guess Xiao Wu and the team might soon return to Beijing. He’s worried his parents won’t follow them and will endure grievances with the eldest brother. So, he straightforwardly migrated the household registration and grain to Zhang the Second’s.
Zhang the Second’s family has Zhang the Second in charge—no one would dare to short grain for his parents.
This way, who dares to trouble your father-in-law later? Even if Xiao Wu leaves the county, there’s a house left for his parents to live in. They have grain, money, and housing, living comfortably."
Zhang Chunming heard this and couldn’t believe it, staring wide-eyed at his dad. Is it really that mysterious?
"Look, your mom’s nodding. Think about it: your wife, your sister-in-law, and Zhang the Second all live nearby. His house is perfectly in the middle; his parents live there. What arrangent could be better?"
Zhang Chunming frowned hearing this, "Is there really a need for such trouble? Can’t my father-in-law just go back with them? If he’s worried, he should stay close."
Accountant Zhang rolled his eyes at him, "Wouldn’t your father-in-law miss their sons and grandkids? This arrangent is ideal! They want to spend ti in Beijing, they can; want to be ho, they return. He’s genuinely filial, putting every thought into his parents. Zhang the Second’s god-damn lucky."
Zhang Chunming saw his dad use profanity and burst out laughing, but shortly he felt a sourness, recalling the hardships his parents endured.
"Why the long face? Dad just envies him; doesn’t feel too bad himself. We have you as our youngest son, which is fortune too. We don’t compare ourselves to him, compare to others and we’re much better off. The old house is solely mine; who’d dare trouble us? Go back, take care of yourself, don’t worry about us."
The father and son chatted for a while, and Zhang Chunming talked about what Zhang Guoqing had reminded him in the cafeteria.
Accountant Zhang shook his head with a smile. His son had studied himself silly, luckily hadn’t beco an official.
He carefully explained and analyzed things for his youngest son. Advised him to speak less and observe more. As the ancients said, one misstep led to a thousand regrets, yet a single misspoken word could bring about lifelong repentance.
Afterward, Accountant Zhang watched his youngest son leave, feeling anxious inside. Truly worried his youngest’s simple, honest nature was too upright. Without the need to dine in the cafeteria, having grain of his own, he wouldn’t want to return to the village. Nowadays, he really dislikes seeing his daughters-in-law’s fake smiles.
At this mont, Accountant Zhang couldn’t foresee that soon a decision would lay before him—return to the county or stay in the village? Returning to the county eased his mind but burdened the kids, not returning filled him with unease yet ensured a full stomach.
Choosing was hard, even harder was...
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