When Huang Cuilan and her sister-in-law woke up in the Zhou Family Courtyard, Ping’an was already done practicing his horse stance in the yard. He greeted them with a smile and continued his boxing practice.
Zhou Jiao heard the commotion from the East Wing and quickly ca out, "Sister-in-law, you’re up? Why not lie down a bit longer?"
Lin Juhua pointed to the little boy in the yard and laughed, "We can’t let our Ping’an beco a laughingstock at ho."
"Jiao Jiao, Ping’an is still small." Huang Cuilan looked at the child with affection, hesitated, and finally spoke.
Zhou Jiao understood the implication and happily replied, "Sister-in-law, he’s used to it."
"I thought the kid would only practice back ho. But, as they say, ’a three-year-old shows the old.’ Our Ping’an is bound to achieve great things, though the child might get exhausted."
"Don’t praise him too much, all our kids are doing well. Sister-in-law, second sister-in-law, once you’ve washed up, let’s have breakfast."
Lin Juhua looked around curiously, "Where’s Mother?"
"Ping’an said his dad went out with grandma early morning and will be back in the afternoon. Sister-in-law, where are you going today? I’ll join you."
Huang Cuilan glanced at her belly, shook her head, "We’ve already been everywhere these past two days, I think I’ll stay in."
"I don’t want to go out either. The three of us can have a good chat; it’s better than shopping."
Zhou Jiao nodded with a smile.
After breakfast, having escorted Lin Lishan to work, Old Mrs. Cheng ca by. Finding out Zhang Guoqing took his mother out shopping, she complinted them with a smile.
"Jiao Jiao isn’t feeling well, I’ll take you shopping. Anywhere you want to go?"
"No need, you just sit down."
Old Mrs. Cheng, recalling their enthusiasm at Dong An Market the other day, motioned with her hand, "It’s rare to be in Beijing, why stay at ho? Co, accompany this old lady for a stroll."
Zhou Jiao looked at Aunt Cheng, who smiled and pointed outside. She understood the elderly had a vehicle arranged. Looking at the two sisters-in-law, who seed a bit hesitant, she encouraged them to go along.
"Ping’an, co with us too. We won’t be back for lunch."
"Alright, wait for , I’ll add a layer of clothing for the child."
With her son accompanying them, Zhou Jiao felt relieved. After taking Ping’an back to her room, she handed him so tickets and whispered a few instructions.
Ping’an saluted, "I assure you I’ll complete the task."
"Don’t be too obvious; stick close to your great-grandmother."
After seeing them off, Zhou Jiao returned to the bedroom and took out a package from a wooden box, placing it on the kang and opening it—it was filled with treated wolf and rabbit fur.
It’s not that she lacked quality goods; she was concerned about causing trouble for Mr. and Mother Zhang.
Zhou Jiao took out three hundred yuan of crisp ten yuan bills (the highest denomination at that ti), along with dark blue patterned thick fabric and so cotton.
She cut out a vest pattern with scissors, layered it with thin cotton, sewed it to secure, then attached the wolf fur. She made two large hidden pockets in the inner front panels and divided the money between them, sewing the bottom shut, so her mother-in-law could carry it without fearing theft.
With a sewing machine, the work was finished quickly. Satisfied with the outco, Zhou Jiao nodded. Withdrawal across regions wasn’t yet possible; traveling was indeed inconvenient.
Thinking of this, Zhou Jiao took out fabric bought abroad and made ten pairs of boxer shorts for her mother-in-law, ensuring they were loose for comfort. Four of these had hidden pockets sewn inside to help her stash money discreetly.
To avoid any awkwardness, she also cut a large piece of fabric and stuffed it into the bag—to make shorts for her father-in-law. It’s not about favoritism; after all, she is a daughter-in-law.
In these tis, it would be inappropriate to be seen making intimate garnts for the father-in-law, potentially seen as a scandal, especially considering her traditional father-in-law might not accept it.
To ensure no one felt neglected and to warm the hearts of the elderly, she also prepared two knee pads and a dark gray cotton vest for Mr. Zhang.
When Mother Zhang and Zhang Guoqing returned, Old Mrs. Cheng and the others hadn’t co back yet. Seizing the opportunity, Zhou Jiao pulled the mother and son into the room, taking out the cotton vest for her to try on.
"Why did you make another one? Didn’t you send a big package earlier this year? Jiao Jiao, stop making new ones. Your father and I can’t even wear them all, and we can’t bear to give them away either."
Zhou Jiao nodded with a smile, "Yes, I won’t make more in the future."
Mother Zhang rolled her eyes. Saying this every day, yet still making things constantly. More than the child’s filial piety, she felt the new clothes couldn’t be worn outside easily to avoid drawing attention.
Beside them, Zhang Guoqing egged on his mother to try it on, knowing Zhou Jiao had signaled there was money hidden inside. He nodded slightly. Both husband and wife knew not to reveal it before boarding the train.
"Mother, just wear it. This one’s warm, and you won’t feel cold on the train."
Mother Zhang hurried to take it off, "No, it’ll get ruined on the train."
Zhang Guoqing quickly held her back, the two of them tugging at each other amused Zhou Jiao to no end.
"Mother, wearing it doesn’t ruin it. Wash it when you get back, and when it warms up, it won’t look brand new and noticeable, just right."
After saying this, seeing her hesitation, Zhou Jiao pulled her down to sit and casually threw a parcel at her, successfully diverting Mother Zhang’s attention.
"What’s this for?"
Seeing her busily unwrapping the parcel, Zhang Guoqing noticed a stack of boxer shorts and, pretending not to know, he turned to get their luggage from the wardrobe.
Previously, he had acquired a pile of straw-colored tarps, and Zhou Jiao had stitched them into seven or eight large luggage bags. Compared to the military-issued luggage bags from her father-in-law, these were more convenient.
After Yi Jiefang took one, they sporadically lent out to friends. Now there were only three left at ho. Honestly, if they weren’t close, Zhang Guoqing wouldn’t part with them.
Once the conversation between the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law paused, Zhang Guoqing placed a luggage bag on the floor and stuffed in the items bought today.
Zhou Jiao took the opportunity to hand the parcel to him, telling Mother Zhang, "No need to prepare clothes for the child. Ping’an’s outgrown clothes are enough."
Speaking of Ping’an’s vast wardrobe, Mother Zhang thought of Mr. Lin. During this visit, seeing no ntion of the Lin Family, she kept her curiosity at bay.
But now, with only family around, she couldn’t help but voice her doubts.
After packing, Zhang Guoqing set the luggage aside, glanced at Zhou Jiao, and smiled, "I wrote about it to Dad in the letter. Didn’t he tell you?"
"No, he did, but you didn’t ntion they moved."
Zhang Guoqing suddenly realized he hadn’t ntioned the latter part. Laughing, he sat beside his mother, explaining in detail.
As Zhou Jiao expected, upon hearing the story, Mother Zhang frowned, sighed, and advised, "You should visit the old man if you have the chance. Though the culprits are gone, the living Mr. Lin did help your mother in her best days. Without his support, she wouldn’t be where she is today."
Mother Zhang finished, patting Zhou Jiao’s hands, "Child, even if your grandfather wasn’t the best, at least his na shielded you from much trouble at Old Zhou’s."
Zhou Jiao understood the rationale. "A person’s na, much like a tree’s shadow." In the past, having such a well-regarded grandfather ant others showed respect.
"Regardless of his true relation, he was a hero, deserving respect from us ordinary folk living in peaceful tis thanks to him. Is Mr. Lin getting on in years now?"
Zhou Jiao nodded gently, "Yes, I’ll consider it."
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