CHAPTER 316: CHAPTER 243

Zhou Xiaozheng and Zhao Chuan Guang rented a room last night and talked until midnight. They had a rough plan in mind and were full of fighting spirit. By the time they went to bed, it was already early morning.

When he woke up early in the morning, he remembered that he would be leaving this afternoon. He jumped up suddenly, realizing he still had some words to share with his daughter alone. Thinking of his clever Jiao Jiao, a smile naturally appeared on his face.

Lin Lishan and Huang Hui Min had just agreed to go shopping at the market. As soon as they stepped into the room and saw their husband getting out of bed, they cheerfully shouted, "Brother Zheng, we’re going to the market. Do you want to come?"

"I’ll pass. You see what needs to be bought, get more for you and your daughter. As for Jiao Jiao, don’t take her along yet. She might get restless if she hears about it," Zhou Xiaozheng said, still feeling uneasy. He advised her to be careful and join them later at the courtyard directly.

Watching his wife happily go out, her laughter echoing in the corridor, he sighed inwardly—her personality hadn’t changed a bit. With the afternoon departure drawing near, she hadn’t even thought of spending more time with their daughter.

This departure meant it would be until the year’s end before he could see her again, leaving her alone in the Northeast. His nose tingled with sadness, and his mood grew heavy. Thinking of his daughter, he was eager to see her.

Just then, he noticed that the rest had finished their breakfast. Li Aiguo led several staff members inside. Realizing they would be staying for a while to discuss official matters and with a lunch gathering planned, he knew if he didn’t leave soon, he might miss his chance.

Resolutely slipping out of the room, Zhou Xiaozheng instructed Xiao Chen and hurriedly made his way to the courtyard.

Zhao Chuan Guang and Cheng Sijin exchanged a knowing smile, secretly mocking this buddy for stealthily slipping away to be with his daughter. But recalling his affection for his Jiao Jiao, they couldn’t help grinning, covering their mouths to hide their smiles. With the approaching afternoon return to Beijing, they wanted to allow the father and daughter some private time together.

As Zhou Xiaozheng entered the courtyard, he saw Zhou Jiao chatting with Zhang Guoqing while glancing toward the main gate. Spotting him, she quickly hopped over.

His face immediately blossomed into a smile, and he jogged a few steps, playfully scolding, "It’s cold outside, don’t come out. You’re all grown up but still so rash. What’s the hurry, Dad’s right here." Finishing with a push, he guided her inside.

"Dad, I knew you were coming. Where are Aunt and the others?"

After guiding her to sit, Zhou Xiaozheng proudly explained, "From early morning, Li Aiguo and his team needed to meet with the elders, busy hosting them. Sensing something amiss, I slipped away. Your aunt and the others went to the market; they’ll come directly here later."

Zhou Jiao pointed gleefully at the items on the table, "Dad, look. Brother gave these to me. He went to the market early this morning."

Zhou Xiaozheng glanced over and nodded. This boy sure knows how to curry favor, seeing his Jiao Jiao so happy. If he’d known she liked these things, he’d have waited there early. Looking unsatisfied at Zhang Guoqing, he sighed, ’Oh dear, seems like he’s planning to move house.’

"Xiao Wu, stop packing. You can’t take it all today. Later, with a bunch of women shopping, they’ll surely buy a lot. Listen to Dad and just leave them as they are. Show them your thoughtfulness."

Zhang Guoqing burst out laughing. Finally, his father-in-law acknowledged him, only to come out with such a remark.

"Dad, they brought over plenty of things. If it really can’t be carried, we’ll just mail them."

From outside came the shouts and calls of children and Mother Zhang, even before they could go out.

In came Mother Zhang in a flurry, with several excited children right behind her, bursting into the living room, "Uncle and Aunt, we’re all here!"

Zhou Jiao cheerfully pulled them closer, checking their little hands to ensure they weren’t cold. Pointing to the candied hawthorn, she said, "See that? Your Uncle bought them for you. Except for the three sugar figures on top, all of them are yours."

As soon as she finished, the children shouted and jumped with excitement.

Mother Zhang immediately called out, "Keep it down. If you’re too noisy, it’ll be taken away."

Following behind, Mr. Zhang came in carrying two large bags. Zhang Guoqing quickly took them over, "Dad, didn’t we agree I would prepare these? I went to the market early in the morning."

Mr. Zhang glared, "This is our goodwill as in-laws. You’re the younger generation, that’s your respect. Can it be the same? I’ve packed everything, they can take it back when they leave."

With that, he pulled Zhou Xiaozheng, who was watching the scene, over to the eight immortal table to have a chat with the in-laws.

In the living room, Mother Zhang led the children to sit down, giving them a few instructions. Hastily, she followed Zhou Jiao to the bedroom to check on her little grandson. With all the noise, it was unclear whether the child had been roused.

Zhang Guoqing shook his head helplessly, continuing to pack while chatting with the children.

"Xi Zi, didn’t you have school today? Why didn’t you take your little sister with you?"

Xi Zi, chewing on a candy haw, chuckled, "Isn’t today grandma’s departure day? I came to see her off. There’s no school today anyway. Uncle, where’s grandma?"

Seeing his demeanor, Zhang Guoqing softly advised, "Don’t slack in your studies. They went to the market early, they’ll be back soon. There’s no time to take you guys today, it’s too crowded."

Xi Zi chuckled again, his eyes darting around, "Uncle, my eldest uncle works just up ahead. I want to visit him."

"Have you talked to your grandma? Listen to her."

Xi Zi led his younger brothers to the bedroom, and seeing Little Ping’an awake, gathered around to take a look and whispered to Mother Zhang, "Grandma, could you take us to visit big aunt?"

Zhou Jiao, surprised, looked at him and then at the children, immediately realizing they wanted to go out. She casually took out money and sugar tickets from her pocket and handed them to him, "Don’t go to your big aunt’s, there’s no one home. Take your brothers to play at the street corner cooperative. Once the guests leave in the afternoon, let your uncle take you to the market."

Thinking further, she worriedly smiled at Mother Zhang, "Mom, why don’t you take the children out? It’s rare for them to visit the city, let them walk around. Maybe you’ll find something worth buying too."

Mother Zhang glared at her, "Out with them? They’re holding onto candied haws already. You just spoil them. Go spend time with your dad, we’ll take Ping’an outside."

Zhou Jiao watched as her mother-in-law took the child outside, "Xi Zi, stay and play at home first. After your grandma and the others leave in the afternoon, I’ll have your uncle take you to the market. If there’s no time, we’ll visit the county town, how about that?"

"Auntie, I’ll take my brothers to keep Grandma company. If Uncle has time to take me, great, if not, it’s fine, or else Grandma will be upset."

Zhou Jiao saw him lower his head and nodded, feeling a bit guilty. She brought a small basket of snacks and candy to the guest room, watching the children playing cheerfully with her son, she felt relieved.

Mother Zhang gave her a glare, which Zhou Jiao was already used to, responding with a smile. Glare away, surely her mother-in-law was delighted deep down, after all, that was her own grandchild.