Zhang Guoqing, a thousand miles away, couldn’t share his big brother’s disappointnt. Looking at the family letter in his hand, he was overjoyed—his elder brother finally had good news.
After reading the letter, Zhang Guoqing squeezed next to Zhou Jiao, "What did eldest sister say in her letter? Mom must be sad now; only second brother is staying with her."
Zhou Jiao handed him the letter in her hand, "The provincial city is very close, and we’re the ones far away. Looks like we can’t go back this sumr vacation again. Will you be disappointed?"
"A bit. I have to write a letter to mom telling her there are school activities during sumr; otherwise, she and dad would surely wait for us to co ho." Saying this, Zhang Guoqing paused and re-read the content of Zhang ili’s letter.
He uncertainly said to Zhou Jiao, "What do you think Huang Cuilan is up to now? This change is too fast; no wonder it scared eldest sister."
Zhou Jiao shook her head with a smile, "Staying with their parents every day, learning with Mai Miao. Obviously, isn’t it? She’s worried now that big brother will be away for a year. It’s a woman’s sorrow. But it’s nice that she doesn’t interfere with her own family."
"How is that possible? My big brother isn’t that kind of person."
Zhou Jiao smiled aningfully and said softly, "You’re not your big brother. The future is full of possibilities. Unexpected events happen everywhere in this world."
Zhang Guoqing didn’t want to linger on this topic. He couldn’t guarantee for others, but he was sure his big brother and second brother would never abandon their family, especially his big brother, who lacks both the heart and the courage.
"Let’s not talk about them. Let’s quickly go back and check on our son; we didn’t go back last week, and who knows if he cried. I also promised to fly a kite with him; let’s go back quickly before sothing else cos up."
Zhou Jiao watched him with a smile, slinging her bag over her shoulder, and followed him downstairs. Watching him push the bike out the door, she raised her eyebrows. Seeing him nod with a smile, she no longer tried to dissuade him.
Sitting on the rear rack, Zhou Jiao tapped her finger on his back and laughed, "No need to rush. Why decide to bike so far away?"
"It’s been a long ti since taking you for a ride; how does it feel?"
Zhou Jiao heartily enjoyed it. The bicycle sped along with the great spring breeze.
Along the way, the couple wasn’t in a hurry. They joked and chatted about random topics as they rode along.
Not far from the Big Courtyard, Zhang Guoqing’s eyes caught a long-unseen familiar face. He imdiately stopped the bicycle, planted one foot on the ground, and took another look, but only saw a departing back.
He didn’t hesitate, parked the bicycle, and said to Zhou Jiao, "You go ahead; I’m going to catch up with soone." With that, he quickly chased after.
If he wasn’t mistaken, that should be the "Uncle" Zhou Xiaocun. It’s been over half a year since Huang Zhaodi died; what is he doing in Beijing? Why linger near the Big Courtyard? With what purpose?
Zhang Guoqing was still a step too slow. Scouting two streets and still not finding the person, he could only return ho disappointed.
anwhile, Zhou Jiao didn’t go back. She leaned against a tree, hands on the bicycle handle, pondering who could make Zhang Guoqing so tense.
Zhang Guoqing returned to Zhou Jiao, holding on to a sliver of hope, "Do you have any photos of Zhou Xiaocun?"
"You an you saw him just now?"
"Yes, I saw him turn his head just in ti."
"I don’t have his photo, but I can draw it for you right away," Zhou Jiao said, imdiately taking out a notebook from her bag and crouching down to sketch.
Zhang Guoqing didn’t stop her, trusting his wife’s drawing skills. With the portrait, he could inquire with the guards at the gate.
Zhou Jiao’s sketching skills were indeed comndable; the portrait she produced was very realistic.
Holding it in hand, Zhang Guoqing gloomily remarked, "He’s really lucky to have my wife draw for him."
Zhou Jiao chuckled, "Are you taking the paper to ask around or to find soone?"
"A man of the mountains has his own stratagems." With that, Zhang Guoqing pushed the bicycle and headed for the gate.
Zhou Jiao followed behind, listening to his stream of nonsense as he inquired about the paper with the gate guards.
"This person left about an hour ago, seed to be asking passersby if Old Lady Lin was at ho, claiming to be a relative. I didn’t pay attention to what exactly he found out."
"Buddy, thanks." After saying goodbye, the couple entered the gate, looked at each other, and felt sothing was amiss.
Very unusual! The Old Zhou Family actually sought out Gu Ruyi, it must be related to their family.
With even her toes, Zhou Jiao could guess the big uncle’s intent; it seed Gu Ruyi had so leverage with Old Man Zhou. What could it be?
Zhang Guoqing gave Zhou Jiao a look, signaling her to discuss it later at ho.
As it wasn’t off-duty ti yet, only Aunt Chen was at ho cleaning.
Back in the bedroom, Zhang Guoqing frowned slightly, looking at her, "With Gu Ruyi having a stroke, whether Zhou Xiaocun t her or not, he must use soone interdiary to negotiate. The only person Gu Ruyi would trust is her youngest daughter, Lin Liyin. By keeping an eye on Lin Liyin, we should catch him."
"Do you think apart from adopting the child, there’s any other interest involved between them? Shouldn’t you ntion this to dad?"
Zhou Jiao was silent for a mont, shaking her head, "I have a bad feeling. Let’s not tell dad for now; let’s wait and see."
"All right, leave it to . I’ll have soone watch Lin Liyin. Don’t worry; our Ping’an will be safe in Big Courtyard; nothing will happen at ho. I think this ti he’s looking for Gu Ruyi for benefits; he doesn’t dare to take risks." Zhang Guoqing reassuredly patted his wife.
Zhou Jiao smiled at him. With no problems yet surfacing, they shouldn’t scare themselves; they might as well watch and wait.
Aunt Chen knocked on the door outside, "Jiao Jiao, Xiao Wu, I forgot to ntion sothing..."
"Auntie, co in." Zhou Jiao glanced at Zhang Guoqing, and the couple shared a curious smile.
Aunt Chen pushed the door, which opened easily. If it wasn’t important, she wouldn’t want to disturb the sticky couple. Sotis she accidentally saw Xiao Wu holding his wife and chatting, which was pretty embarrassing.
Entering the bedroom, Aunt Chen straightforwardly said, "I heard that Lin Xuelin of the Lin Family ca back last week, now staying at your aunt’s house. Aunt Lin told this secretly. Your mom doesn’t know yet, but I thought maybe I should ntion it to you guys; you should be wary."
Zhou Jiao’s gossip fire burned brightly, she asked in surprise, "What about the man? Didn’t co back? Shouldn’t she be going to her husband’s place or my big uncle’s house?"
Aunt Chen shook her head, "I don’t know. She just whispered it to while we were in line. I’ve watched over the past few days; your aunt goes back to her parents’ house every day, so it seems that girl hasn’t left yet."
"Let them do as they please, as long as they don’t cause trouble for us."
Aunt Chen nodded in agreent, "That’s right. I’m just worried your mom might get involved, and that girl isn’t good. You should be cautious."
Zhou Jiao nodded with a smile. After Aunt Chen left, she imdiately fixed her bright eyes on Zhang Guoqing. Life was too dull; finally, sothing happened, she was so excited.
Zhang Guoqing chuckled, rubbing her head, "I’ll find out and make sure you get satisfaction. Coming to Beijing is good; I was just worried about her staying in the Northwest."
Zhou Jiao secretly wanted to see how Lin Xuelin was doing now. However, considering Zhou Xiaocun ca to Beijing, maybe sothing unexpected would happen, so she wasn’t in a hurry.
User Comments
0 comments from readers