Yi Jiefang ca over with a bag, and in the west wing, Wan Dayong and the others had already set up a copper pot on the charcoal fire, and Aunt Chen’s bone soup had been poured into the big pot.
The large table assembled together was piled with everyone’s contributions of lamb, pig offal, Chinese cabbage, white radish, tofu dumplings, canned fruit, several bottles of liquor, and a pack of cigarettes.
If it weren’t for the school’s constant emphasis on saving food, Zhou Jiao would really wonder if this was the modest prosperity under peaceful tis. Seeing so much stuff, she didn’t plan to be stingy and contributed so vermicelli and specialty mushrooms.
Leaving them together in the west wing, she herself took her son back to the living room, asking Aunt Chen not to mind them and to quickly eat sothing and go to sleep early. Otherwise, they won’t be able to rest tonight.
Aunt Chen was already used to it; a gathering like this happened every month, even more punctual than a woman’s period. With no parents at the Zhou Family today, it’s a wonder they don’t turn the heavens.
In the west wing, a few people hurried forward to grab the bag and rushed to the table.
Yi Jiefang rolled his eyes, "I thought you were lining up to welco , casting sly glances for a blind man."
Ding Datou chuckled and patted him on the shoulder, "We’ve been good enough, everything ready just waiting for you to open your mouth. After today, don’t even think about it."
"Let’s eat, anyone who can’t drink, don’t waste it."
"Are you a pig? How can you dump everything in? at first, then vegetables."
"Such fussiness! I think you just want to eat at first. I won’t add vegetables, and see if you can even get a bite."
"Oh my dear, which fool put the tofu dumplings first? It’s all mush now."
Zhang Guoqing smiled as he watched them scramble for food. He had just finished a big bowl of dumplings and truly didn’t feel like eating this chaotic stew. Before he even reached his chopsticks, the pot was empty again.
"Da Yi, are you stupid? Hurry up and take off your coat, or you’ll get a heat rash."
"Do I have ti? A little later and even the soup will be gone. I’m so hot."
Everyone burst into laughter.
"What are you laughing at? Quickly add more soup. In the next pot, everyone be more gentle, take your ti."
"Who went fast? I saw you take two bites, I only had one."
"Quit talking nonsense, quickly pour the booze, let’s have a toast first."
Everyone sat around the table, chatting and warming themselves, enjoying a harmonious ti. Unlike friends made in society, peers from school were much more relaxed with each other, lacking hypocrisy and filled with sincerity.
Zhang Guoqing was very pleased with this atmosphere and enjoyed discussing school and academic issues with them.
"Illness enters through the mouth, disaster cos out of it." Compared to other buddies in the Big Courtyard who often blurt out talk about current events, he preferred these high IQ schoolmates.
The idle Yi Jiefang, the outspoken Wan Dayong, the cheeky Ding Datou, the gregarious Geng Dasheng, among others, were they not people who saw clearly, understood thoroughly, but didn’t reveal it?
He watched his vibrant classmates with heartfelt emotion. Current events make heroes, especially those born into prestigious families. It’s not hard to see why so would always be ahead of others.
Over in the East Wing, Zhou Jiao had finished washing up the child, prepared the milk powder, and served the fruit plate, while listening to her son’s childish voice recount his startling discoveries.
"Mom, Aunt Wang is especially nice to . Every ti she shares apples and eggs, she picks the big ones for , but I don’t like her; she always asks about our family."
"The director’s grandma is really scared of grandpa. Whenever he cos to pick up, she runs away. She likes grandma the most. Whenever she sees grandma, she cos out. Grandma said her family wants to take a backdoor entrance."
After speaking, Ping’an took a sip of milk and looked at her with a smile.
Zhou Jiao gave him a thumbs up, "Very impressive! You’ve discovered all the adults’ secrets. Ping’an is even sharper than Mom! Do any kids bully you regularly?"
"The big brother from the white-bearded grandpa’s house is really an; he deliberately broke my toy and tried to steal my glove. I hit him, and he doesn’t dare co anymore. Grandpa said he’s useless."
"Sister Wang loves crying and always follows . When I don’t play with her, she cries. I hit her, and she doesn’t dare cry anymore. Her mom is bad; haven’t even broken her sister yet. She told grandma it’s okay, we’re just kids, but secretly glares at . I told grandpa that I’m too small now to beat adults. Once I grow up, I’ll beat her dead. Grandpa says the revenge of a gentleman waits ten years."
"Mom, do you know what is ant by the revenge of a gentleman waits ten years? Grandpa says after the New Year, nine more years and I’ll get my revenge. I can’t wait to grow up."
Zhou Jiao smiled and nodded occasionally, feeding him milk. For a toddler, his thinking was clear and he was good at finding and describing things very systematically.
"You can hit her daughter. If she bullies you, go for her kid. But you can’t hit her child in front of her, and you need a good reason to hit."
Ping’an grinned proudly, "Mom is so smart!"
Zhou Jiao laughed heartily. Being praised by her son felt so comforting.
The mother and son halted their laughter, and Zhou Jiao forgot to explain to her son what ’the revenge of a gentleman waits ten years’ ant. Perhaps she didn’t want to explain. To her, whatever her dad said was right! Even if wrong, it was right! Like if she calls peanuts pearls, her dad would certainly improve the rhetoric, finalize it, and say—aren’t they just pearls? What’s nine years when her dad says eight? She wouldn’t even bat an eyelid.
"Son, if an unknown person says they’re relatives and wants to take you away, what will you do?"
Ping’an: "Beat him to death!"
Zhou Jiao was dumbfounded—this works?
Ping’an burst out laughing, "Grandpa said, apart from grandma, grandpa, dad, mom, Aunt Chen, and great-grandma, if anyone cos to get Ping’an, don’t go."
Zhou Jiao grabbed him, tickled him, laughed, "You naughty kid, naughty baby, let’s see if you’ll dare tease mom."
Ping’an mimicked Zhou Jiao’s usual gesture, raising both hands to beg her, but seeing that it was ineffective, imdiately counterattacked. The mother and son played around, getting exhausted and flopping onto the bed.
After a short rest, Zhou Jiao stroked the child’s hair and kissed him affectionately. Ti flies so fast, children grow quicker, in the blink of an eye, the little dumpling has learned to play and tease others.
"Ping’an is absolutely great! Mom feels very proud and fulfilled having Ping’an. If you miss dad and mom, feel free to say it. Little baby missing mom and dad is not wrong. Outside, mom also misses Ping’an often."
Ping’an happily crawled out, "Really? I want to go to school with mom and dad to play."
Zhou Jiao forced back tears and nodded emphatically. Her child was still young, if she didn’t bring it up, he might not dare say he misses his parents, just silently enduring.
Reaching out to embrace the child, Zhou Jiao gently patted him, "Adult school isn’t fun, it’s all about studying every day. That’s why mom hasn’t taken you. It’s not that mom doesn’t want Ping’an to go, but nothing outside compares to the Big Courtyard. Mom will go ho more to accompany Ping’an."
Watching the child nod with a smile, Zhou Jiao quietly encouraged herself. For her well-behaved and sensible child, and for the future of the family, she must try even harder.
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