The north wind howled, blowing the leaves off the trees lining the road, with rain mixed into snowflakes. A paper umbrella tilted towards one side, held by Zhang Guoqing over Zhou Jiao.
"Brother, move your elbow over a bit."
Zhang Guoqing smiled indifferently and said, "It’s okay, just a few more steps. This ti Fang Fei had a daughter, he’s happy about it, but his wife is a bit upset. Be careful later."
Zhou Jiao snorted with laughter.
"If you like her, talk more. If not, we can sit for a while and leave. I already gave a gift right after their daughter was born. We’re just going for a quick visit now."
Zhou Jiao nodded. She didn’t want to ddle in other people’s affairs. To her, this attitude was sickening! What’s wrong with having a daughter as the first child? Her in-laws didn’t mind, but she’s being petty. Why doesn’t she consider that she’s a woman too, where do these sexist thoughts co from?
At the Fang house, Zhou Jiao noticed quite a crowd in the living room; even the eldest daughter of the Fang family was there with her family. Was this a full family gathering?
"I heard you just got ho today, why not spend more ti with your child, co by tomorrow?" Grandma Fang stood up with a smile, taking Zhou Jiao’s hand warmly.
"I missed Xiao Min. Is she inside?"
"You sisters have such a special bond. Quickly, go inside and see our little one, she’s so adorable."
Zhou Jiao nodded repeatedly with a smile, glanced at the crowd, nodded, and left. Greeting everyone one by one would be quite tiring.
"Xiao Wu, co sit over here."
Zhang Guoqing moved over next to Mr. Fang, "Is my brother Xiao Fei on duty tonight?"
Mr. Fang nodded, "Are you heading to the camp during the holidays?"
"Not sure yet, I’ll check in a few days." Zhang Guoqing glanced around and joked, "Grandpa Fang, are you having a family eting? Should I step out?"
"You can listen in. Your niece is having her full month celebration, and we are debating whether to hold a banquet."
Zhang Guoqing replied with a smile, "Only your family is so united and democratic. Mr. Fang, if you give the order, these uncles, aunts, and uncles will follow your lead without objection."
Aunt Fang laughed heartily, "This child, Xiao Wu, really knows how to talk, no wonder everyone likes you. Co to the market in a few days, I’ll save so good things for you."
"That sounds great. Auntie, you are like a real aunt to !" Zhang Guoqing chid in with her. She was opportunistic but no doubt very skilled.
He didn’t bother thinking about how she’d change if he was down and out. They weren’t even related; how could you demand genuine treatnt?
"Is your mother-in-law ho?"
Zhang Guoqing smiled and nodded, "Co over to my place if you have ti. My mom is usually at ho when she’s not on duty; you old friends can chat."
Aunt Fang’s smile beca even more sincere, "Not today; it’s too late. I’ll find her for shopping later."
"That sounds good. She’s usually busy, working or taking care of us, and you all can relax by going out together."
Everyone present watched them happily. Aunt Fang’s second aunt chuckled, aware of Lin Lishan, who also lived in the big courtyard. What’s there to unwind from?
Such a fortunate woman; who wouldn’t envy her? A doting husband, protective daughter and son-in-law, their grandson ready to fight anyone for her.
"Co on, tell how that wireless connection project is going?" As their conversation ended, the technically inclined Father Fang turned to Zhang Guoqing to chat.
Wow, this was the perfect question for Zhang Guoqing. As long as it wasn’t sensitive, academic topics made great conversation at gatherings.
He wondered if he could add another topic besides sports in the future?
Fang Fei’s bedroom was in the east wing; compared to the Zhou family, the Fang family’s large household preferred not to leave the big courtyard even with assigned housing, making them short on space.
Zhou Jiao couldn’t understand this. Each of Fang’s siblings had allocated rooms at work; why leave empty ones?
Do they not know familiarity breeds contempt? Conflicts arise when multiple generations live together. Yet seeing the old couple enjoying it made her think they had their reasons.
When Zhou Jiao entered Fang Fei’s bedroom, she saw Yi Shumin lying on the kang bed with the baby, surrounded by diapers, even hanging on the poor bookshelf.
Upon hearing footsteps, Yi Shumin sprang up excitedly at the sight of her, "You’re finally ho. Good thing you rembered to visit."
Zhou Jiao sighed with a smile, "Lie down." She moved closer and examined the child, "Looking good."
"They’re too young to see anything."
"Look at those long eyelids; she’ll have big eyes when she grows up. Her face and chin are a classic beauty’s."
Yi Shumin laughed, "You’re such an expert now." Beckoning her, "Co sit."
"You look in good spirits. Make sure you recuperate well during postnatal care. Craving anything? I’ll find a way."
Yi Shumin shook her head, "Xiao Wu already brought a lot for Xiao Fei."
"Did your mom co?"
"I sent her to my brother’s. My sister-in-law has no family, and my brother stays at the camp daily. A pregnant woman has to do everything herself, so my mom can help there."
Zhou Jiao praised her with a smile, "Good sister-in-law!"
Yi Shumin rolled her eyes, smiling, "Did you see my brother in the South this ti? How is he?"
Zhou Jiao stared speechlessly, "Should I ogle him? Da Yi, my little aunt, your brother, and I had a dinner, and he seed fine, looking good! I considered visiting your sister-in-law, but we’re quite unfamiliar, and it’s far. Plus, I got busy; I feel bad."
"Why feel bad? You weren’t there for fun. She’s pregnant; if you went, she’d have to entertain you. It’s good you didn’t."
"You really don’t know how to speak! You ruined my good intentions. You could’ve left out the latter part."
Yi Shumin burst into laughter.
The baby woke up and started crying loudly.
"That’s definitely a soprano."
Yi Shumin sighed, "Before giving birth, I just wanted to get it over with; now I know it’s not easy. I haven’t had a good sleep."
Zhou Jiao leaned in to check, "Is she hungry? How often does she eat? Breast milk or formula?"
"Probably not." Yi Shumin was uncertain, "She just ate. It’s troubleso to prepare formula; I breastfeed her mostly, using formula if necessary."
Zhou Jiao rolled her eyes. What an accomplished mother!
Yi Shumin checked the baby’s diaper and saw it was wet, grabbed a new one to change, "Why are babies so much trouble, always eating or peeing?"
Zhou Jiao watched her clumsy movents, frowning, "Everyone grows up that way. You’re a woman, be gentle!"
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