Zhang Guoqing, holding his son, entered the Cheng Family house. An aunt at ho saw him and imdiately said with a smile: "Old Mrs. Cheng was just wondering if you had co back. Hurry inside."
In the living room, Old Mrs. Cheng, wearing reading glasses and stretching her arms straight, was flipping through a book. Upon hearing the noise, she put down the book and looked at the father and son with a smile as they entered.
Ping’an got down from his father’s arms, took small steps forward, and said: "Great-grandmother, I’ve co to take you for dinner. Dad says it’s all won today, and you need to host."
Old Mrs. Cheng laughed heartily, helping him sit by her side: "Is grandma’s visit making you happy?"
"Yes, happy. It’s a pity my grandpa didn’t co. When will Auntie co back?" Ping’an referred to Auntie as the eldest daughter-in-law of the Cheng Family, Liu Xiu. He decided on this title himself, Cheng Ruzhu is Auntie, so Liu Xiu beca Auntie. Cheng Sijin naturally follows as Uncle.
Zhou Jiao wasn’t sure if this was correct, but since Old Mrs. Cheng didn’t correct him, she let her son call them as he wished. For instance, with Uncle Wang and others, Ping’an nad them according to his order as Fifth Grandpa, Sixth Grandpa.
The elders didn’t hesitate to bribe Ping’an with treats to change the order.
"She won’t be back until the end of work."
The little guy shrugged his shoulders and spread his hands: "What a pity."
Old Mrs. Cheng laughed until she bent over: "Where did you learn that?"
Ping’an proudly straightened his back: "Grandpa took to a gathering, and I learned it from others there. But my mom doesn’t allow to use it casually in front of outsiders."
"Oh? What requirents has she given you?"
Ping’an raised his left hand, using his right hand to count his fingers one by one as he talked: "There are many. First, eating and drinking soup can’t make noise; second, no crude language; third, no slouching, legs mustn’t shake...and many more. Mom says I’m growing up and must pay attention to etiquette."
"You should learn well, and if you don’t understand, just watch Grandpa and your dad."
"Auntie, you’re praising ." Zhang Guoqing pretended to help her stand, "My mother wanted to visit you but I stopped her. We’re not that distant relatives, why be so formal. Don’t you think?"
"Yeah, well said. I’m in good health. Carry the child, let’s go." Old Mrs. Cheng refused his help, pointing to Ping’an.
To not delay Huang Xiaomi from returning to the train unit, Zhou Jiao specially made dinner earlier today.
In the kitchen, Aunt Chen pondered over the dry goods brought over by Mother Zhang, racking her brains. Too simple would not do justice to those three sacks, too fancy would be inappropriate.
After much pondering, she managed to prepare four dishes and one soup: casserole cabbage tofu, potato stewed ribs, stir-fried cucumber slices, stir-fried snow red greens, and vinegar cabbage.
Upon seeing the dishes on the table, Old Mrs. Cheng remained calm, intentionally glanced at Zhou Jiao, wondering what was going on. Just one at dish, what’s happening?
She couldn’t believe the house lacked food.
Zhou Jiao stepped forward to support her, gesturing towards Mother Zhang’s side.
Old Mrs. Cheng was surprised to see her in-laws smiling from the heart, then watched Aunt Chen bringing out a pot of mixed flour buns. She discreetly exchanged with Mother Zhang them, attentively watching their behavior.
"I’ve heard Brother Zuo’s father is a high official, his brother too. Where are they living now?"
"They live outside in a big courtyard."
"Their family even has two big officials, are they higher ranked than your father-in-law?"
Zhang Guoqing’s hand shook, quickly agreeing with his mother: "Yes. Their family has a bigger courtyard than this, residing by the Imperial City."
Mother Zhang was quite satisfied with her son’s answer, looking at him expectantly: "Then why doesn’t Uncle Zuo relocate back?"
"Beijing has the most officials, you drop a brick and nine out of ten people are officials. The more official a place is, the less you dare to take chances. No matter how high or many officials, they cannot walk the way at will."
Lin Juhua paused with her chopsticks, hesitantly asking: "Xiao Wu, I heard your Aunt Zuo say Uncle Zhou is stronger than their family?"
Zhang Guoqing felt increasingly hot all over, unsure if Zuo Lin would grind his teeth when he found out?
He shook his head with a smile: "That’s Aunt Zuo being modest. Second sister-in-law, if soone asks who’s stronger between second brother and Brother Liu, wouldn’t you surely say Brother Liu?"
"That’s right. Truly couldn’t see their family being so powerful. I thought Uncle Zhou had a higher official position, so Uncle Zuo helped your second brother."
What’s she saying?
Zhang Guoqing disagreed, reining in his smile: "Such words must never be uttered. Not even a little thought allowed, otherwise we’re being unfair to Uncle Zuo. I t Uncle Zuo in junior high, learned about internal recruitnt, and both my second brother and I prepared. Later, my second brother got the first place in the written exam, could Uncle Zuo not take him seriously?"
Lin Juhua, embarrassed, smiled: "My second brother never told this, I truly didn’t know. Rest assured, your second sister-in-law isn’t a fool. I’ll properly thank Aunt Zuo and Uncle Zuo later."
Since it was brought up, Zhang Guoqing followed the topic: "I guess my second brother wouldn’t want to say. He and my big brother were quite aggrieved. Don’t say you, even our uncle thinks I intervened. Actually, they both got in through written exams, otherwise when internal personnel was cut, they’d have long returned to the village."
Huang Xiaomi glanced at him, then at Zhou Jiao, lowered her head to drink soup. These matters were too complex; she didn’t understand. Seeing her third cousin speak seriously, she thought her sisters would also have to pass an interview in the future.
No, they already "interviewed".
Mother Zhang didn’t expect the topic to be abruptly interrupted. She paused for a mont, then continued relentlessly: "Xiao Wu, since your Uncle Zuo is so good, do you have any way to help him a bit?"
Zhang Guoqing was really at a loss whether to laugh or cry.
He glanced at Old Mrs. Cheng, his mother-in-law, and wife, shaking his head: "Mom, if the Zuo Family’s two high officials can’t help, what am I? Uncle Zuo’s eldest nephew is still in the South serving in the military. If being an official was so impressive, making things happen as desired, wouldn’t they first get the eldest grandson here?"
Mother Zhang sighed: "Seems being an official isn’t easy."
"Exactly. Look at Lin Zi’s dad, being our top leader here, that’s impressive, right? Yet, Lin Zi has to take college entrance exams just like us rural kids. Uncle Li’s family receives the sa grain supply as everyone else. I wanted to give Lin Zi so at, but Aunt Li didn’t dare accept, afraid outsiders might report their family."
After Zhang Guoqing finished, he noticed everyone paused their chopsticks and urged them to eat.
Beside him, Ping’an refused to be silent, chiming in with a childish voice: "I know, being different gets you labeled and sent to the cattle pen. Xiao Hui’s grandpa differed from others, eating fancy stuff and using things not bought by himself, so last year his whole family was sent to the cattle pen.
And Shuanzi’s grandma secretly accepted many things without grandpa knowing, so their family was kicked out of the courtyard and sent to the cattle pen. Also, San Niu’s mom made mistakes, wore such large labels around her neck, her hair was shaved, now even her dad doesn’t want her mom, wanting to return to the village after retirent..."
Mother Zhang’s eyes glead looking at her grandson: "Wow, our Ping’an is so clever, knows so much. Tell grandma more about what’s going on."
"Grandma, let tell you, there are so many things..."
"..."
Zhang Guoqing glanced over at his two sisters-in-law, who forgot to grab food while listening, secretly relaxed, finally escaping the ordeal with Divine Assistance Bow.
His mother now had enough topics to freely elaborate.
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