Chapter 1142 - 1015: Happiness Beneath the Undercurrent

Chapter 1142: Chapter 1015: Happiness Beneath the Undercurrent

Mr. Cheng relinquished all his authority and departed gracefully.

Not everyone can manage such a feat.

Without stepping out of the chess game, whether you’re the strategist or the pawn, you must continue calculating and hurting each other.

As soon as the autumn wind passed, the first snow of the year arrived.

Unlike previous years, snowflakes started floating in the gray dawn when the streetlights were still on. The snow wasn’t heavy, but the piercing cold was unforgettable.

By evening, after a brief pause, the snow returned with a fierce momentum. Once the last hint of light disappeared from the sky, the north wind rushed in, bitterly cold.

With a weary look on her face, Zhou Jiao rubbed her cheeks vigorously, tightened her coat, then picked up her bag, closed the office door, and turned to leave.

Before reaching the stairwell on the first floor, she ran into Jin Lijuan, who was arm-in-arm with Tian Miao. It was unclear why they were heading upstairs after work hours.

"Jiao Jiao, off work? Want to catch a movie tonight? How about calling Xiao Wu and the kids to join us at the cinema?"

So that’s the plan, but Zhou Jiao wasn’t really interested. The cinema was too crowded, people were jostling, and just hearing the movie was a war film, likely with the sound of gunfire and cannons on the big black and white screen. Honestly, with a headache, it’s hard to get in the mood.

Zhou Jiao gave a light smile and shook her head slightly, "Maybe next time! It’s snowing today, and I’m afraid of the cold. It’s a long way back and forth, and the kids can’t handle the hassle."

"Sister Jiao, come on; word is it’s a new film," Tian Miao muttered poutingly, "It’d be a shame not to go after getting the tickets."

Those days, even in the city, entertainment options were pitifully few. Not to mention the cinema, which was infrequently open, and when it was, it usually showed model operas. Being able to catch a new movie was quite lucky. No wonder Tian Miao lamented the waste.

But Zhou Jiao truly wasn’t interested. On such a cold night, a cup of tea and a few pages of a book seemed more comforting than the movies.

Seeing this, Jin Lijuan tapped Tian Miao disdainfully, "You think everyone has your energy? Your Sister Jiao has a weaker constitution. She can skip this; it’s not like next time they won’t give out movie tickets."

Zhou Jiao glanced at her, gave them a smile, "Have fun, see you Monday," she said, waving goodbye before turning and leaving.

"... Silly girl, you think she’s like you. Their Big Courtyard has been showing these films... The Courtyard has its own screening room, which is just as good as the cinema..."

"Really, Sister Jin? Have you been there? Sister Jiao is so lucky..."

Listening to the gossip fade away behind her, a hint of sarcasm flashed in Zhou Jiao’s eyes. Naive, young Tian Miao seemed to be mastering her craft of manipulation lately.

And Jin Lijuan, once tricked by her, seemed unaware the young girl next to her was a wolf in sheep’s clothing, or perhaps intentionally siding with one?

Recently, these antics were like court intrigue from a novel, truly opening Zhou Jiao’s eyes to the drama.

Once she stepped out of the office gate, treading on the thin snow, Zhou Jiao clearly heard the old doorman murmuring to himself: "I’ve been feeling under the weather these days, looks like there’s more snow to come."

Indeed... come winter, Beijing sees snowstorm upon snowstorm. The first snow barely melts away, snow piles linger at the base of walls and in corners until they become icy clumps full of empty holes, when another snowstorm arrives.

Will there be more unrest? She didn’t know, but it truly was cold, colder than she’d felt in ages. A gust of wind chilled her to the core, prompting her to swiftly tuck her hands into her pockets for warmth.

Winter days were short. By the time she squeezed off the bus and reached the Big Courtyard, night had fallen. From a distance, she saw a familiar silhouette approaching her in haste, wrapped tight against the cold.

Zhang Guoqing soon reached her side, not saying a word before draping his coat over her. She’s familiar with her husband, otherwise, she might’ve instinctively kicked at the shadowy figure in the dim light from the streetlamps.

"Why’d you come out?"

"It looks like the weather will change, and it’s late today?"

"Something came up at work." Smiling wryly at the two coats weighing her down, Zhou Jiao felt like a snail carrying a heavy shell.

"Must be starving? We’re having hot pot at home, Aunt Chen made a lot of fish balls just for you. Since we’ve got the day off tomorrow, want me to take you anywhere?"

As he mentioned it, Zhou Jiao couldn’t help but swallow. Imagining the steaming copper pot with splashes of sparks, the clear broth bubbling with scallions and ginger, using chopsticks to swish a few slices of lamb into the soup for a few seconds until they turn from red to a lovely pale color, with a dip of sesame paste mixed with cilantro and sesame seeds...

Delicious enough to send you to heaven! She now only wanted to nestle in a warm room and go nowhere. They’ve explored everywhere around Beijing countless times, losing any sense of novelty.

Zhang Guoqing saw her shake her head, and facing the cold north wind, he refrained from speaking further, gently guiding her through shortcuts. Fortunately, it’s winter, so wearing many layers made the sparse pedestrian traffic unbotherable, nobody noticing him cradling his wife back home.

That’s why throughout the year, he still preferred summer and winter, each had its own charms.

The Zhou family has a long-standing tradition of starting the year with a meticulously prepared hot pot.

After a stack of dishes were prepared in the kitchen, they used an old newspaper to cover the warming pot at the doorway and start a fire. They first put some shavings inside before lightly covering them with charcoal, then fanning furiously until the charcoal glowed red, the pot was moved into the kitchen.

To the pot’s bulbous belly, they first lined it with easy-to-soak mushrooms and bamboo shoots, then added frozen tofu, fish balls, meatballs, potato slices, sea cucumber, dried shrimp, glass noodles... then poured in the simmered meat bone broth.

Thus, when Zhou Jiao and Zhang Guoqing arrived home, the three Ping An Brothers, salivating at the aroma, were delighted to help fetch slippers or pour hot water.

Zhou Jiao chuckled, seeing them, "Why didn’t you start eating?"

May 1st blinked, "Without Mom, even meat doesn’t taste good."

Nearby, Zhou Xiaozheng smiled at his grandson, noticing how slick his sweet talk was, much like his father’s.

Waiting for her return, with the pot simmering, steam wreathed above the table, Zhou Jiao squinted contentedly.

Under the stars, walking along the streetlights, in the falling snow, yearning for "hot pot" to turn into reality, settling around a steaming table, where family shared delicious food and recounted their day’s joys, wasn’t this another flavor of happiness?

In this life, she only wished for peace in the world and the tranquility of time. A copper kettle, a round table, surrounded by people, complete and warm!