After the gathering, Lin Juhua hurriedly stopped her mother-in-law from working, suggesting the three in-laws chat. She wanted the won to chat while they worked together.
Mother Zhang noticed this and smiled, nodding her approval. Guiding Mrs. Liu, the three in-law mothers went to the west room, while the n had already set up stools in the courtyard for a chat.
In the courtyard, Zhang Guoqing watched Zhou Jiao carrying a stack of bowls, montarily unsure of how to react. Over the years, apart from cooking a few dishes, his wife hadn’t done these kinds of chores with Aunt Chen around.
"Jiao Jiao, Ping’an should take a bath."
Zhou Jiao glanced at him speechlessly. Does he take her for a fool? She smiled, "Your son is having fun right now, it’s fine to wait a bit. Do you want to go to Uncle Dashan’s place?"
Zhang Guoqing quickly said, "I went earlier, they’ll co over later."
"Alright, you go do your thing."
Lin Juhua happily watched him leave and said to Zhou Jiao, "You should have another kid; Ping’an is too lonely by himself. He’s with Little Six now."
Zhou Jiao just smiled without speaking.
As they neared the kitchen, Lin Juhua leaned in closer and said softly, "There’s sothing off between the eldest sister-in-law’s couple. If she asks you anything later, don’t be surprised."
Zhou Jiao chuckled, "Second sister-in-law, are you curious if I noticed anything unusual today?"
"Oh, I knew you were smart. I have so much to say that I can’t tell outsiders. Let’s chat tonight before bed, or it’ll drive crazy."
Zhou Jiao nodded with a smile.
After arranging that, Lin Juhua rembered sothing and said as she walked, "Is your female friend still in the provincial city? Have you t her?"
"I was in a hurry to co back, so I didn’t visit her. I’ll contact her in a few days." Zhou Jiao knew she was talking about Zhao Yuanyuan. She didn’t ask why Yuanyuan didn’t co back during the sumr holidays. Zhang Yuntao must be strange if he can let Wen Yu return to the county town.
"Your friend is sothing else. Whenever the young couple cos back to the county, they’ll visit and chat about what you wrote in your letters to her."
"Childhood friends are just different." Zhou Jiao assud this was Zhang Yuntao’s idea. With Zhao Yuanyuan’s easygoing nature, she wouldn’t care about such details. Simple people have simple fortunes; Zhao Yuanyuan got lucky.
In the kitchen, Zhang ili took the bowls from her sisters-in-law, "You both go aside, I’ll clean up here."
Zhou Jiao gave a sideways glance at the second sister-in-law who was busy fetching water and laughed, "Didn’t they say being a wife ans you can’t offend the nun or the little sister-in-law? Big sister, co on, let us join the fun."
"Who said that? The little sister-in-law is an enemy, take and leave." Zhang ihao laughed beside her.
"That depends on whose family it is. Second sister-in-law, you’re doing hard work, I won’t interfere, be careful not to hurt your back. Is my nephew still breastfeeding?"
"He still is. Second sister-in-law, let take over; you’ve been cooking all day, take a rest."
"What rest, it’s just a bit of work. Tomorrow is still the early shift?"
Zhou Jiao squeezed beside Zhang ili to rinse the bowls she had washed once more. When Huang Cuilan ca back after cleaning the table, the sisters-in-law quickly finished cleaning the kitchen.
Once the work was done, the gossip-loving Lin Juhua swiftly moved two long benches to the doorway, "It’s cool here, let’s sit here for a while."
Zhang ihao glanced at her big sister and smiled, "You all sit first, I’ll be back after checking on the children."
As she left, the remaining people sat on the benches, listening to Lin Juhua chat about neighborhood gossip.
Zhou Jiao sat there, glancing at the group of n gathered not far away, swatting two mosquitoes with a slap. Seeing the three of them engrossed in conversation, she worried about the bench tipping over if she stood up, and nudged Huang Cuilan to sit further inside, quietly leaving.
In the living room, Ping’an brightened up when he saw her enter, running over quickly, "Mom, I want to take a bath."
Xi Zi, who was beside him, laughed, "Little aunt, Ping’an seems a bit tired."
Zhou Jiao smiled, "He usually takes a nap, and he’s tired from playing today. You guys keep playing, I’ll take him for a bath first."
"Need any help?"
Ping’an shook his head, "I can do it myself. Goodnight, brothers."
Zhou Jiao smiled, carrying him back to the bedroom, went directly into the side room, and found the thermos full. She guessed Zhang Guoqing had prepared it in advance.
As she helped him bathe, Zhou Jiao asked softly, "Did you have fun?"
"It was alright."
Zhou Jiao paused her hand, "Did soone say sothing?"
"No."
"Are you worried that they ate a lot today?"
Ping’an giggled. After a while, he said, "Mom, I’m not stingy! I know grandma is happy we’re ho. I was thinking about going uphill."
At this, Zhou Jiao understood he had heard the table talk, "Ignore the rumors. Wait for your dad to check it out himself to see what’s going on. Since your dad plans to take you to practice, he’ll definitely find a way."
Ping’an’s eyes brightened as he nodded with a smile.
Seeing this, Zhou Jiao gently reminded him, "Besides hunting, I have an assignnt for you. Pay more attention to the words and actions of the relatives here during this period, and analyze it for when we return."
"Can I let Dad know?"
Zhou Jiao tapped his nose, "There’s never been a secret between your dad and ."
When the gathering ended, Zhang Guoqing returned to his room to find Zhou Jiao already peacefully asleep with their son. Worried that showering in the side room might wake them, he grabbed a change of clothes and went to the courtyard.
In the courtyard, Mr. Zhang hadn’t rested yet, seemingly anticipating that his youngest son would co out. He pointed him to fetch hot water from the pot. After a while, estimating it had nearly finished, he paced the courtyard with a long pipe.
Zhang Guoqing checked the ti, "Dad, why aren’t you resting? Is sothing on your mind?"
"Are you tired? If not, keep company for a while."
Zhang Guoqing quickly pulled over a stool for him, laughing, "I slept plenty on the train. Now that no one is around, we can have a chat just between us."
Mr. Zhang gestured for him to sit too, "That’s what I was thinking. It’s hard to talk openly with so many eyes around during the day. There are things I can’t let your mom know yet."
Zhang Guoqing comforted him, "Tell . If there’s sothing I can’t solve, I’m here, right?"
Mr. Zhang smiled, speaking softly, "You’ve probably noticed. I’m worried about your elder brother."
Hearing this, Zhang Guoqing’s brow twitched.
"I know my son. I can tell what he’s planning from just a twitch. He tells he hasn’t considered divorce; I believe that. But he rarely cos ho, and the more I think about it, the less right it feels."
"Dad, my brother’s just worried about the cost of the trip."
Mr. Zhang sighed, shaking his head, "Did you notice sothing? Normally you would have been talking to your mom about your eldest brother after visiting him, but this ti you said just a thing or two and changed subjects, especially with your sister-in-law, you acted very courteous, too much so. I know exactly what kind of behavior my three sons have."
Zhang Guoqing broke into a cold sweat. His father was astute!
Thinking his father might be probing for information, Zhang Guoqing quickly pulled himself together, responding half-truthfully, "My brother and I didn’t exchange much; I just ca back. Everything seed fine there; saying more might worry mom."
"Fine? Of course he’s fine. I’ve visited a few tis, and he always wears a white shirt. I see your brother’s learned to dress up. When a woman suddenly changes and dresses flamboyantly, it’s not a good sign. Similarly, if a man starts to take care of his appearance, it’s not a good sign either."
Zhang Guoqing laughed, "Dad, that’s just the environnt he’s in. Colleagues and classmates around him dress like that, he’s influenced. My brother is very honest; he wouldn’t dare ss around."
Seeing that he couldn’t get any more information he called upon his second son, who could not hide anything from him, to step in. That one would definitely succeed in getting more information out.
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