CHAPTER 314: CHAPTER 241

In the courtyard of the county town, before it got bright, Zhang Guoqing got up and jogged along the street.

On the way, he saw many elderly people queuing in front of the grocery store. He greeted several familiar old folks and took a lap around. Watching the shops and pedestrians along the way and listening to everyone’s discussions, he roughly grasped the current living standards and habits in the county town.

When it got brighter, he saw some households opening their courtyards, and the voices of adults talking and children shouting came out. Only then did he start running back slowly with breakfast.

Zhang Guoqing hadn’t reached the door yet when the male heads of the neighboring households on both sides came out. Now seeing him run over, they enthusiastically greeted him.

He quickly stopped, observing them as they approached while smiling and calling the two middle-aged men "uncle" and greeting them.

Wang Dasheng from the left courtyard had already dealt with Zhang Guoqing. He cheerfully pointed to another man and introduced, "Running so early, young man sure has energy.

Xiao Wu, this is Uncle Chen from the courtyard to your right. Your Uncle Chen works at the grain bureau, and his wife is at the supply and marketing cooperative. If you need to buy anything, find your Uncle Chen. Old Chen, this kid is Zhang Guoqing, his nickname is Xiao Wu."

Old Chen nodded and laughed, "Who doesn’t know the famous Zhang Guoqing. Heh heh, if I see you, I should recognize you." After saying that, he winked at him.

Smiling, he explained to Wang Dasheng, "A few days ago, I saw him at the restaurant in front. I heard my wife say a new family moved in next door; the young man is called Zhang Guoqing, looks very spirited, with a young wife and a newborn son. When I heard, I thought it might be the same person."

Zhang Guoqing knew the residents here were relatively well-off. But seeing these two men still slightly surprised him. Regardless of Wang Dasheng from the meat factory, just looking at Old Chen in front — short and stout, with a rosy complexion. Not at all like the sallow and thin masses of the time. Their clothes had not a patch, and the fabric was decent.

Indeed, there’s wealth disparity in any era.

After listening, Zhang Guoqing immediately said with a smile, "Uncle Chen, this is fate. Who would’ve thought we’d become old neighbors upon meeting again. You and Uncle Wang will have to look after this junior in the future. Where are you headed?"

Old Chen, hearing Zhang Guoqing’s words, smiled even more happily, pointed forward, and said with a laugh, "I don’t know what Old Wang is up to, but I’m going to buy breakfast."

Wang Dasheng put an arm around Old Chen’s shoulder, dragging him forward as he said, "Let’s go, I’m off to buy breakfast too. Xiao Wu, quickly get inside, be careful your breakfast gets cold. If you need help in the future, remember to call out in the courtyard."

Zhang Guoqing nodded with a smile, only going back inside after they disappeared from view.

Zhang Guoqing stood in the courtyard and saw no movement from the bedroom. He took the buns to the kitchen and warmed them in the pot. He figured they went to bed late yesterday, so Zhou Jiao must still be asleep.

Returning to the bedroom, sure enough, Zhou Jiao and the child were sleeping soundly, not noticing him enter. He smiled silently, moved quietly, tidied up the room, and carried the family’s laundry and the son’s diapers back to the courtyard by the well.

After washing the clothes and tidying the courtyard, Zhang Guoqing saw there was still time, so he returned to the study, picked up a book, leaned there, and began reading. Occasionally, he looked toward the inner room.

Zhou Jiao woke up from her nap, saw the child hadn’t woken up yet, hurried to finish in the bathroom, and gave a smile toward Zhang Guoqing, who came in upon hearing her. She then ran to wash up. After washing up, Zhang Guoqing had already brought their breakfast over and prepared a portion of bird’s nest congee for her.

The couple sat in the living room eating breakfast.

Zhou Jiao looked at him and couldn’t help but advise, "You don’t need to get up so early in the future, you haven’t had enough sleep. Or, how about you sleep in the study? And you shouldn’t wait for me for breakfast, eat first."

Zhang Guoqing looked at her mournfully, saying nothing, just watching her. Seeing her laugh, he complained, "You seem not to care about me anymore. So heartless, even thinking of separate beds. Now you want to deprive me of the chance to have breakfast with you. Think about how long it’s been since we’ve had a good time together? — Always with a light bulb around."

Zhou Jiao laughed so much at this, pounding him with her hand.

"You see, there you go pounding me, not even kissing me anymore."

The couple fooled around while finishing breakfast, tidied up, and returned to the bedroom.

Zhang Guoqing began discussing with her — should they prepare some New Year’s goods to take back? According to his plan, since there’s a market today, he’d buy some mountain goods, fill a few big bags, one for each family.

Especially since Zhao Chuan Guang sent a pile of gifts, it wouldn’t feel right to let the couple return empty-handed. The seafood was bought by the father-in-law, not their heartfelt gesture.

Zhou Jiao frowned, troubled; she found these trivial matters most annoying. But there was no choice, social obligations were something a housewife had to manage. In the past, besides her mom, they really didn’t have any relatives. As for her mom, as long as she got money, she was satisfied. Now, it was a wild guess.

"Listen to my plan and see how it sounds. Grandpa has just sent over a pile, so we’ll skip it this time. We don’t have an income, and no one will blame us if we don’t prepare expensive gifts.

For the Cheng Family, I’ve privately prepared some tea as a gift. Later, you buy some bacon and game, prepare about twenty pounds for Dad to take back, and have him give it to the Cheng Family.

As for Godfather, let’s hold off on returning the favor. Everyone’s in the provincial city, they don’t lack these things. Let them take back some seafood first. And for my mom, don’t give too much at once, or it’ll be hard to match next time.

In the future, when we see any rare game, we’ll bring it over when we visit them. That way, it looks close and maintains the relationship over the long term. They care about sincerity and value the relationship. Later, secretly give Godfather a box of tea, he’ll appreciate that more than any other gift."

Zhang Guoqing thought of Zhao Chuan Guang’s character; if he later tells him only he and the father-in-law have this, it might be more valuable in Godfather’s eyes than any gift. He gave a thumbs-up to his wife.

Zhou Jiao continued with her plan. Once she’s out of confinement, she’d personally make two sets of clothes for Zhao Chuan Guang and his wife for the New Year, and prepare jade pendants as meeting gifts for the two godbrothers. This wouldn’t seem stingy, and the sentiment would be clear. Both appearance and substance would be covered.

The only problem was the lack of jade pendants, the ones she had all held commemorative value and were quite precious. The one Grandma Lin gave was suitable, but it was meant for Ping’an.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Guoqing shook his head and whispered, "In the box Grandpa gave us, besides the ones passed down by the Zhang Family that can’t be touched, there are also the jade pendants Grandma usually collected, pick two inconspicuous ones to use first from there."

Zhou Jiao was somewhat reluctant. Those were handed to her by the elderly themselves. She wanted to leave Zhang Family Grandpa’s heritage for Ping’an to pass down through generations. After some thought, she finally nodded with determination.

"Don’t be reluctant, I’ll ask Professor Liu if anyone’s selling them. Keep some on hand just in case." Zhang Guoqing said, seeing Zhou Jiao smile, reminding himself to find more resources to prepare.

Zhang Guoqing, seeing there was nothing pressing, planned to head to the market early. Markets in rural areas open early, and you might miss good stuff if you’re late. Besides, he planned to buy more and store them in the cellar.

Zhou Jiao watched him change into old clothes and head out, closing the main door.

She then picked up her son, who had just woken up, fed him milk, cleaned him up, and put him back on the kang, as she continued to make her dad’s trousers.