CHAPTER 46: CHAPTER 36: FAMILY INTERACTIONS (4)

Zhang Guoqing rubbed his chin and said, "Just tell her that she saw Jiao Jiao crying after giving birth, missing her parents. Second sister-in-law didn’t believe it and kept asking her, so Jiao Jiao told her that the new cotton-padded jacket and pants her mom made for her nephew were taken by her uncle to give to Zhou Xue. All the dowry her mom gave for the wedding was given away to the Huang Family. She always knew but didn’t want to upset her grandparents. However, all 28 packages sent over while she was pregnant this year from her mom and grandpa for the children were also hidden away. She didn’t even see a thread of them, which shows they bully her because they know she’s afraid of worrying her grandparents and won’t dare tell her grandma’s family.

That’s basically the gist of it. Regardless of what Second Sister-in-law says, the more exaggerated, the better. The focus is to clear Old Sir Zhou and Grandma Zhou’s names, by highlighting her uncle’s signature at the post office for military mail. The bond with grandparents can’t be severed; they raised Jiao Jiao. But the bond with the main family must be severed; that’s the root of the problem. As for Old Sir Zhou, he’s even worse, downright shameless. Keep him for future use.

Once rumors spread, someone above Old Sir Zhou can question him—whose grandmother has the ability to stomp her foot in Beijing and cause it to shake three times? What does that mean? Is she trying to start a monarch restoration chaos? Who gave her the guts, and who thought of it for her?

After this, we’ll cut ties. If they send things over, refuse them all, and consider it buying off the relationship with money. These people only have eyes for material things. Dad, do you have anything to add?"

Mr. Zhang nodded after listening, "Second, your wife should make things as serious as possible, for instance, talk about how their cousin got a wristwatch, a bicycle. Anyway, whatever things the Zhou family got from relatives, say it all. The Zhou family wouldn’t have been able to afford them anyway; the more valuable the items mentioned, the better. Once everyone gets envious, it’ll stir things up. Just fear the Zhou family won’t stir things up, the more, the better.

When those people come to plead tomorrow, I won’t say much. I’ll just ask whose grandmother can stomp her foot in Beijing and shake it three times? What does that mean? Is she causing a monarch restoration disturbance? Who gave her such courage, and who gave her the idea? Guess nobody will clarify it for him."

Everyone nodded, and Zhang Guoqing joked, "Second Brother, make sure Second Sister-in-law works hard. Then I’ll arrange an easy, chatty job for her in the county, a first-ever in Zhang Family Village."

"You’re bragging again. Would you die if you didn’t boast? Fine, there’s really nothing in these matters. She enjoys this stuff; I don’t even need to say it. Just by talking about what the Zhou Family does, I guess she’ll stir things up at work tomorrow."

Mr. Zhang looked at the second son and shook his head. He seemed smart usually, but he’s stunned now, just showing off some small smarts. Look, the eldest already figured it out quietly and never stopped watching Xiao Wu.

"Dad, let’s keep gathering in the evenings to chat and have a little drink. Haha," Zhang Guoqing said with a smile to his dad.

Mr. Zhang agreed with a nod, "Alright, as long as you supply the wine, your brothers and I will keep you company. Ha ha, plus, you handle your mom. It’s getting late. We have to work tomorrow. Let’s rest early. There’s another battle tomorrow. Xiao Wu, who do you think might come?"

"Zhou Xue," the three brothers said in unison, "Good, everyone finds their wife and rests."

When the three brothers reached the west wing, they could still hear the laughter and playful sounds of the daughters-in-law and the mother-in-law. The eldest brother noticed everyone was silent, so he interrupted, "Mom, Dad said let’s rest early because there’s business tomorrow."

Mother Zhang looked at the time and let them go back, "Okay, everyone go back. Juhua, don’t tidy up, just continue later. You haven’t stopped all night; rest early, and remember to take the kids to pee at night. Cui Lan, tomorrow morning, let’s have white rice porridge for the whole family with red jujubes, and fry some sweet potato pancakes. Let’s have a good meal."

The eldest and second sister-in-law were quite happy; rare was a year they could have white rice porridge. Mai Sui was too young to understand, but Mai Miao was overjoyed and hurriedly pulled Mai Sui inside, "Aunt, we’re having white rice porridge tomorrow. You should wake up early. Aunt, you’re not going to work tomorrow, so can we come and play?"

Zhou Jiao called them over, "Open the drawer on the far left of aunt’s drawer and see if you can pull it open."

When Mai Miao opened it, she said, "Did you see a packet of candy inside? Your uncle brought it back this afternoon. Two pieces each, save the rest for later, don’t eat them at night, or you’ll get cavities. Keep them on you and eat them tomorrow. No more than two a day, or your teeth will get cavities. Do you understand, Mai Sui? This reward is for you being so good at night."

The sisters nodded happily. Candy! They loved it. Mai Miao stuffed it in her pocket, thought for a bit, and said, "Aunt, can I save it for our brothers? They always bring things for us."

Zhou Jiao nodded and gave a thumbs-up, "You’re so good. There will be candy in the drawer when your brothers come back, and everyone will have some. It doesn’t matter when you come here while aunt is home."

"Then we’ll come tomorrow. See you tomorrow, aunt." They skipped out happily.

Mother Zhang came in carrying Little Ping’an, "Jiao Jiao, Ping’an has fallen asleep. I don’t dare to hold him too much, or he won’t sleep in his bed when he grows up."

Zhang Guoqing saw them off and returned to the bedroom, just in time to see his mom, "Mom, you seem happy tonight. You should come over often with the sisters-in-law. Tomorrow, I’ll trim the wick on the kerosene lamp to make it brighter. I’ve also arranged to bring back Ah Jiao, and once it’s here, you and Jiao Jiao can enjoy it together. Dad said you never had it good before, so let us treat you well now. Just tell us what you feel like having."

"Sure, I’ll eat it when you bring it back, haha," Mother Zhang said, winking at Zhou Jiao.

"Jiao Jiao, why is mom so open-minded? I thought it would take a lot to convince her," Zhang Guoqing said.

Zhou Jiao glanced at him, "My mom has always been open-minded. Go take today’s malted milk essence back for mom and dad to drink."

"Mom, this was brought back today. I was worried you might not agree and planned to give it to you in a few days. But this time it’s good; you and dad drink it. The formula is for the little ones. Don’t hoard it in your treasure trove with the cured fish and meat. This product has a shelf life and once opened, should be consumed within a month or it spoils. You and dad should have a cup morning and night. The salesperson said it’s a tonic, so try it. If it’s good, we’ll continue to drink it and can afford it."

"Exactly, mom. We’re getting foreign exchange certificates, so buying them together will be cheaper later," Zhou Jiao chimed in. They both genuinely respected her and wanted to treat her well.

"Alright, dad and I will accept it. I’m enjoying the filial piety of my son and daughter-in-law ahead of time."

"This is just the beginning. Soon, your son, through his efforts, will provide you with the best to eat, wear, and live. One day, you and Jiao Jiao will speak confidently in front of others with pride," Zhang Guoqing said solemnly. He wasn’t joking. With his talents, Jiao Jiao, his son, and his parents still around, he would fight for this family.

Zhou Jiao knew he would achieve it. Even in harsh conditions before, he excelled. Now, with background and money—no success was unreachable with opportunities.

"I believe you’ll make it happen. But mom and I mainly want you safe. If there’s risk, forget it."

Mother Zhang also agreed with Jiao Jiao, "Yes, as long as my son has this thought, it’s enough for me. Living with a clear conscience and the whole family safe is better than any feast of white rice."