CHAPTER 48: CHAPTER 38: HEART-TO-HEART BETWEEN HUSBAND AND WIFE (2)

National Day realized he hadn’t told Zhang Guoqing yet that he read his mom’s letter.

"There’s something I want to tell you about; my mom seems to really care about me. She says that if money can solve a problem, then it’s not a problem at all—this mindset is like the new generation of the 21st century. And in each letter, she reminisces about my dad, repeatedly saying she’s looking for his footprints. She clearly hints that she doesn’t believe or face reality, always telling me to learn to wait, and she’s also waiting. She quotes my dad, saying that if a man can’t protect the land beneath his feet and the woman in his arms, he’s not a man. She also mentions that my dad broke promises and hated him upon seeing my photo. She mentions how my dad often spoke of preparing dowry early so one could live freely when grown.

She’s walking my dad’s path, preparing for my dad’s wishes. Oh, and she mentioned everything’s with my grandma. She never believed he was gone, maybe there’s a flaw somewhere. She doesn’t show hysteria; she’s emotional, has the literary flair of an intellectual, personality in abundance, and every letter starts with money, then proceeds to stamps when the bills appear, carefully switching to small denominations, similar to my habits, like cleanliness—stamps, money, and letter paper are all brand new. The bills are military-issued, and won’t expire.

In the last year, she sent three foreign exchange certificates worth 200 each, totaling 600. It’s rare compared to regular ones. They are our provincial city’s foreign exchange certificates, explaining why she didn’t pick me up to go to her. Each letter has a different address. She ends by saying my grandpa only sent her half-body pictures, not knowing my clothing size, and clothes were measured by cousins of the same age and month, like Xuezhen. My grandpa didn’t mention when he sent the pictures, just as I suspected beyond this, directly asking her for money." National Day watched Zhang Guoqing expectantly, hoping she hadn’t misunderstood.

Zhang Guoqing, as she wished, gently patted her back, and agreed with her, saying, "Let’s confirm first your mom truly loves you; otherwise, wouldn’t have supported you all these 17 years. Your mom knows to put bills in the letters, indicating she understands your situation, which appears in the first copy openly and secretly gives you another—writing what she sent each time—that’s making clear your grandpa is dishonest, so upon receiving just one, you’ll know the mistake; she’s a very smart woman."

"Thus, wait until your mom arrives to discuss further. We support one principle: Currently, you can’t go to Beijing. Let your dad safely avoid the next 10 years; Northeast is the most stable place. It depends on what your parents plan; once your dad settles down, choose whichever university in Beijing you want to attend. Ideally, it’s Beijing—resources and networks, where political ambition is best." Zhang Guoqing analyzed thoroughly.

He paused briefly after finishing those words, slightly furrowing his brow, "Now for the last thing, it’s about your peculiar cousin. She said outside, ’Our family lacks nothing but money and bills, my little aunt treats me closer than a daughter. If not returning to Northeast, otherwise everyone plans to go to Beijing, who wants this corner land? My grandpa stomps his foot in Beijing, and Beijing will tremble.’

If someone with motives guided this topic, things would get complicated; mainly, she speaks of my grandpa. Is it over time others would think it’s you saying this? This is causing turmoil akin to royal restoration confusion, amidst the Three Anti-Movement—defeating imperialism, eradicating feudalism, and toppling bureaucratic capitalism—who dares claim such power in Beijing? I heard my second brother say her mom was furious enough to make her pay."

This is a chance. I want to directly sever ties, fixate this topic to nail her down, preventing any messes in the future. Before their parents return, do it openly to nail her down."

I’ve set a trap to see if she’ll fall in. If she brazenly comes to confront, nail her down directly. I’ll let the second sister-in-law spread the word of their actions tomorrow—what kind of parcels were sent to whom—if she comes to curse, just so to ask her if her grandpa, Huang Damao, is stirring the restoration chaos. Nail her and the elder branch, Wang Family, Huang Zhaodi’s Huang Family altogether, spare my father-in-law from trouble, as one scholarly family is already problematic enough, it’s a real concern for me.

With things going as such, no one need say the Zhou Family can have a good future? Tomorrow, I’ll take this opportunity to push the notion that your great-grandfather hid revolutionary comrades only to face total massacre, with over 100 people killed, leaving your grandfather, the old revolutionary, no choice but to advance.

The worry is that Old Sir Zhou might faint. Mainly, you’re in confinement; if you speak up, the impact would be better. Your university lectures aren’t child’s play; if you speak, it’s ironclad, further reinforcing our stance. We must play the role of the ’bad guy.’ We kindly hid things for them, yet they come to stir trouble; public opinion will sympathize with us. I guess she’ll come to the trap; you stay home and relax, I’ll handle this small matter."

National Day adamantly rejected, disagreeing strongly.

"No, with this trap laid, if you show up, the smart ones will think you’re unreasonable, wanting to sever ties between me and the Zhou Family. The topic will extend unpleasantly; then it’s about dividing ownership of the golden baby between your Zhang Family and the Zhou Family. Haha, that’s problematic for your political future.

Truly. I’m too familiar with this scenario; university office drama every day. If I step in, things are different; I’ve just given birth for three days, I’m the underdog, nobody knows better than me how to let her make a scene. With her dull mind, if controlled, when Old Sir Zhou arrives, it wouldn’t be effective; finish it all before he arrives, directly nail it down."

The key is your cooperation. If Old Sir Zhou faints, I faint post-partum too, you immediately carry me back to settle it. Or if he doesn’t faint, I must endure the blow, look pale from shock; ignore him and carry me back directly; it’s not about us but full sympathy."

Prepare the inner warmth wear tonight—down innerwear, thick scarves, thick hats—wrap up, leaving only a small face exposed, apply some white powder tomorrow. For the child and the family, we cannot retreat.

Don’t worry; by my understanding of her, she’ll come during lunchtime when many leave work, the weather won’t be cold, I’ll watch my health, won’t be outside for more than 30 minutes. She’s a peculiar fool; feel assured. Just ensure controlling the situation tomorrow, keep the family calm. While you can talk facts to neighbors, no profanity—it lacks class."

Zhang Guoqing watched her grow more excited, knowing with her temperament, she’d certainly show up, nothing could stop her. It seemed confinement had stifled her enthusiasm, a rare chance to breathe, and she was glad, knowing he must pay more attention beside her tomorrow.

"Okay, sounds good. Tomorrow might be shocking across the board. I still remember the university debate, the girl ran out crying, yet you silly shouted, ’Hey, why run? You haven’t defended.’ The hall burst into laughter. Later, holding my hand you restrained laughter so tightly it turned blue, realizing my affection for this little fox. Tomorrow, let the folks see if my wife is soft or not."

"You still remember, huh? I thought back then you, this brother, were quite decent. You’d cooperate with me, dragging me out of the venue."

"I remember it all, including our first kiss, you bit my lip, blamed me for sticking my tongue in. On our wedding night, finally holding the beauty, you say you’re hungry, we ended up going to eat before coming back... and..."

"The son is here, sleep quickly, don’t talk, a battle awaits tomorrow"

Zhang Guoqing laughed quietly, recalling her embarrassing antics, watching her bristle much like a Persian cat, eyes wide and round, despite trying to play shy and hide—truly adorable.