CHAPTER 305: CHAPTER 234: BECOMING GODPARENTS

In the bedroom, Zhou Jiao watched as Old Mrs. Cheng took Lin Lishan to the kitchen. Her son was still asleep, so she quickly tidied up and prepared a gift for her father.

Returning to the table, she casually took out a few pairs of insoles her original self had made and began sewing fur onto them. In the dead of winter, having a pair of warm insoles put her at ease. Her hands worked tirelessly as she pondered her father’s hurried rush to come here upon arrival, suspecting he lacked many things.

With this thought in mind, she stood up and secretly peeked outside to see if anyone noticed the bedroom’s movements. Then she hurriedly took out a bolt of dark gray thick woolen fabric and placed it on the kang, intending to make a Zhongshan-style thick coat and pair of black pants. Wearing a military coat outside for outings and taking it off at guests’ places would be just right. If she rushed, it could be finished by tomorrow.

Zhou Jiao paid attention to the outside noise as she swiftly cut the fabric, purposely measuring the size with Zhou Xiaozheng’s military uniform to ensure accuracy before cutting.

Glancing at her son lying in the corner and listening to the chatter outside, Zhou Jiao smiled slightly, her hands busy working quickly. The fabric was exceptionally thick, and she nodded in satisfaction, imagining her father would look dashing in it, especially with the sweater she planned to knit as a match.

By the time Lin Lishan brought in the food, Zhou Jiao had completed most of it. Hearing footsteps in the study, she hurriedly packed everything into the space and stood up to move to the table.

"Mom, how are you back so quickly? Has Xiao Wu returned? Let him take you all to Master Fatty’s for dinner. I’m fine here, you all go ahead."

Lin Lishan tidied up the insoles on the table, complaining, "You’re such a stubborn child. Didn’t I tell you not to do anything? I’ll prepare things for your father when I get back. Just focus on recovering. Xiao Wu and his mother just came in and plan to take some seafood to Master Fatty’s. We’re just waiting for you to finish eating, then we’ll go."

Zhou Jiao hurriedly pushed her out, and upon reaching the living room, she noticed an additional couple. Instantly, she realized Zhao Chuan Guang and his wife had arrived. She glanced at her father, seeing him nod slightly.

With a cheerful smile, Zhou Jiao stepped forward, "You’re Uncle Zhao and Auntie, right? I was inside all along and didn’t know Uncle and Auntie were here. Please don’t mind your niece’s rudeness."

Ever since Zhao Chuan Guang saw Zhou Jiao coming out, he had been beaming at her, thinking how blind he had been originally. A daughter of Brother Zheng should be like this. Her demeanor, just like his wife’s, was gentle and dignified, clearly a good girl. Hearing Zhou Jiao’s greeting, he was about to correct her mistaken call, but his wife Jin Hui Min quickly rushed forward.

Jin Hui Min came up, pulled Zhou Jiao, and looked her over carefully, turning back to everyone and said, "Everyone, look, doesn’t Jiao Jiao look like my daughter? Brother Zheng, don’t forget, I said I was her godmother when she was born."

Zhao Chuan Guang hurriedly supported her, "Yes, Brother Zheng, don’t forget. She’s our child too. Jiao Jiao, remember to call us godparents. If you call me uncle, I’ll be upset. Your godmother will take you to the provincial city to let everyone see, and they’ll say you’re born from us. Your parents couldn’t have such a gentle and lovely girl; you must have been born into the wrong family."

Zhou Xiaozheng quickly waved his hand, "You two take your gifts back quickly, don’t just grab my daughter. Who said I agreed? You mentioned it, but I didn’t agree. Shanshan, hurry and take our Jiao Jiao back to her room, watch out for someone taking her."

With those words, everyone in the living room burst into laughter.

Mr. Cheng pointed at Zhao Chuan Guang, "Zhao’s boy, there’s no need to grab our Jiao Jiao; she’s already your niece. Tell your old man that Zhou Jinyu’s son and granddaughter have been found, and he’ll understand."

Zhao Chuan Guang scratched his head, frowning, and asked Mr. Cheng, "Are you talking about Beijing’s Mr. Yu, Zhou Jinyu? Are you sure? My dad knows Brother Zheng, but he never mentioned Mr. Yu being married? Only his older brother had twins who were harmed. Also, Beijing Zhou Family’s ancestral hall isn’t in the Northeast; when my dad visits, it’s always for outings in the suburbs."

Mr. Cheng glared at him, angrily pointing at his wife, "Explain it to him, tell him to discuss it with his dad; apparently, his brother-in-law didn’t contact Luocheng initially. That old fool at his festivals, drinking so much with me, I thought he already knew his brother-in-law and sister were married. You say at his age, he still hasn’t figured this out."

Old Mrs. Cheng laughed and comforted him, "Don’t be mad; perhaps he thought his brother-in-law never made it out of danger and left. Brother-in-law took our sisters to GD, far away from the Northeast, so Luocheng indeed couldn’t get the news. It’s not his fault, as we were always secretly looking for the children’s news, he couldn’t have known."

Old Mrs. Cheng pulled Zhao Chuan Guang aside and meticulously recounted the story from earlier years up to finding Zhou Xiaozheng, leaving the couple astonished, with Jin Hui Min clinging tightly to Zhou Jiao’s hand.

Mr. Lin pulled Mr. Cheng hard, insisting he explain the relationship between Zhao Luocheng and the Zhou family.

Mr. Cheng saw Zhou Xiaozheng beside him, also staring intently, sighed, and said, "Xiao Zheng’s aunt was Zhao Luocheng’s cousin, a direct cousin. His aunt was the only daughter, and underneath she had a brother who died young. Back then, Xiao Zheng’s grandfather opposed the marriage, saying the two main house wives would have no backing and the descendants wouldn’t prosper. He was probably worried about the declining family, not following the forefather’s rules to invite a side house brother back to the ancestral land, raising a white-eyed wolf.

Zhao Luocheng was close to his cousin. His family is from NJ, also part of Jiangnan. Due to this relationship, when we were little, we’d gather in Jiangnan. Later when his family moved entirely to SH, Zhou Jinyu and they went abroad, cutting off contact. Wasn’t it liberation later on? The two families met again during Qingming festivals. Who knew this muddlehead never checked the gravestones, which had both spouses’ names carved. Really wonder who he was crying for each time, making his eyes so red?"

Zhou Xiaozheng listened and chuckled, realizing that Zhao Chuan Guang’s mistaken identity of Jiao Jiao was actually a hereditary issue.

After Old Mrs. Cheng finished speaking, Zhao Chuan Guang shouted in surprise, "Brother Zheng, do you look like your mom? I finally understand why when we brought you home, the old man said you looked like someone from the past. I even thought he had an old flame outside. Now I know why he treated you so well."

Zhou Xiaozheng quickly stood up and covered his mouth, jokingly scolding, "What nonsense are you talking about? You just say whatever comes to mind, even in front of the juniors. Aren’t you afraid of making a fool of yourself?"

Old Mrs. Cheng laughed and pointed at Zhou Jiao, saying to him, "Jiao Jiao looks most like her grandmother. If your dad saw her, he would definitely call her ’sis.’ He loved the Osmanthus cake my sister made. Does he still like to eat it now?"

Zhao Chuan Guang freed himself from Zhou Xiaozheng’s grip and shouted loudly, "He still loves sweets. My sister often has someone bring pastries back from SH for him."

Then, he called out to Zhang Guoqing, "Xiao Wu, quickly help your godfather get a coat for my daughter, and bring out my grandson, so we can celebrate your father-in-law’s recognition of his ancestral roots at the restaurant."

Zhang Guoqing glanced at his father-in-law, who didn’t object, and hurriedly went inside to fetch a coat. He packed milk bottles, formula, and diapers in a bag and carried his son wrapped in a small blanket.

Zhao Chuan Guang was already waiting by the study door. When he saw the baby, he reached out to take him. Seeing that the baby was still asleep, he carefully carried him out and smiled at his wife, who was staring at him with wide eyes, "Here, take a look. Don’t be anxious. The baby is asleep, so let’s be quiet. Isn’t he beautiful?"

Jin Hui Min happily covered her mouth, nodded at the baby, and took a jade pendant from her neck, gently putting it around the child’s neck.

Zhou Jiao saw it was a piece of mutton fat jade, well-worn and warm from being worn for so many years, and she hurriedly stepped forward to take it off and return it to her.

Zhao Chuan Guang moved aside with the child, muttering, "Daughter, don’t take it off. Your godmother wore this from a young age, it’s for the child’s safety."

Jin Hui Min pulled Zhou Jiao, stopping her from stepping forward, feigning anger, "Are you looking down on the fact that your godmother wore it? It’s meant for the child. Try taking it off if you dare."

Zhou Jiao smiled helplessly at her and persuaded, "This jade has great significance. It’s too valuable."

Jin Hui Min took the clothes from Zhang Guoqing’s hands and handed them to her, "Enough, just take it. Your godmother has more treasures. Next time, I’ll bring you something. I don’t have a daughter, but now my wish has come true. We fit together well, I don’t even bother with others. Once you’re past your postpartum, your godmother will take you to your uncles’ homes to collect red envelopes."

Zhou Xiaozheng saw his daughter looking at him for help, amusement flickering in his eyes, and he nodded slightly. He knew his Jiao Jiao was lovable, even proud people like Jin Hui Min couldn’t resist her.

Zhou Jiao put on her clothes, smiling at Jin Hui Min, "Okay, I’ll listen to godmother. Do we need to prepare a big bag for the provincial city?"

Jin Hui Min laughed heartily, hugging Zhou Jiao and ruffling her hair, "We need to. We’ll bring the little son-in-law and baby along, make them give three portions. No wonder you’re my daughter, so clever. Sis, this daughter is ours, you can have your pick of my sons. It’s no problem if you take them all."

Lin Lishan nodded happily, "Alright, the daughter is ours. You know, you and Jiao Jiao really look like mother and daughter. With you as her godmother, I’m relieved. You have to protect this child."

"Of course, I’ll protect my daughter. You and Brother Zheng can head back to work with peace of mind. With me and her godfather here, anyone who dares reach out will get their hand chopped. Jiao Jiao, I’ll bring your two younger brothers over in a bit, one is 15, the other is 13. Keep them in line for your godmother. When we get back to the provincial city, let them show you around the Big Courtyard, let everyone see my daughter."

Zhou Jiao finished dressing with a smile and listened, replying immediately, "Mm, in the future if I go to the provincial city and run into trouble, I’ll just say who my godmother is, they better watch out. How’s that? Pretty arrogant, right?"

Jin Hui Min laughed heartily, pulling her along outside, shouting to everyone, "Let’s hurry to the restaurant, it’s almost time to eat."

Zhou Xiaozheng saw that Zhang Guoqing had already closed the door and called for Mr. Cheng and the others to set off, also worried that the in-laws would be uncomfortable, he pulled Mr. Zhang along to follow the old man outside.