Chapter 1239 - 1112: Returning Home in the Afternoon

Chapter 1239: Chapter 1112: Returning Home in the Afternoon

Zhou Jiao fully embraced her husband’s occasional display of what a good man he was.

Affectionate love is priceless.

Having Zhang Guoqing is better than having everything, it makes it all worthwhile.

Leaning against his chest, listening to the strong "thump thump" heartbeat, she only wished to spend more time in this world with him, not asking for an afterlife, just content to stay with him until old age.

After the deep quiet of night, it was another day, time flies so fast.

The Ping’an Brothers, who had constantly been missed by the family, finally returned home one afternoon.

Just like before, the kids seemed to have grown a lot, even in front of her, they were trying to hide it, and even Liu Yi, whose personality is usually lively, was much more composed.

Zhou Jiao didn’t ask what the kids had gone through, they laughed, and she laughed along with them.

What is home?

She hoped it was a place where the kids, when tired or weary, could rest well without having to wear a mask.

"Mom, I’ve missed you, how about some ’Buddha Jumps Over the Wall’?"

To her youngest son’s request, Zhou Jiao nodded with pleasure.

"Mom, we’ll give you a hand."

Zhou Jiao laughed as she looked at her tall and big sons, "Go watch TV, the kitchen is too small."

May 1st swung her arm discontentedly, "Mom, you’re abandoning us."

Liu Yi gave him a sidelong glance: "Our mom indeed dislikes you, always trying to be clever, it’s an eyesore."

Ping’an acted in the role of the big brother, "Alright, aren’t we good outside, but when we come home, we worry our mom. Mom, we brought you lots of good things, go take a look first."

Zhou Jiao beamed with joy as she looked at her sons, "Did you bring any for Grandma? She called a few days ago asking when you would return, she misses you every day."

"Of course we brought, even for Dad and Grandpa."

May 1st scooted behind her, "Mom, big brother almost brought you a daughter-in-law this time."

Ping’an’s thin lips slightly curved, forming a smile that gave others goosebumps, he watched him and threatened, "May 1st, you better be careful."

Beside them, Liu Yi patted his shoulder, "Brother, it’s useless, his face is too thick. But he’s not wrong, if you hadn’t refused, you really might have brought someone back."

Ping’an looked at Zhou Jiao mournfully, "Mom, look at the brothers you and Dad gave me, what do I owe them, they’re teaming up to bully me."

Zhou Jiao burst into hearty laughter.

The kids were back, and suddenly the house was bustling with activity.

The next day when Zhou Jiao returned from work, the living room was filled with guests, a row of young guys and girls, giving off a party-like vibe.

"Hello Auntie."

"Hello Aunt Jiao."

The different greetings made Zhou Jiao smile warmly. Like her dad, she didn’t enjoy squeezing into the crowd of young people, so she changed into casual clothes and went to the kitchen.

Aunt Chen had already prepared dinner and smiled upon seeing her come in, "The home really can’t do without kids, once they’re back, the house becomes much livelier."

"How long have they been here?"

"Since after lunch, the phone has been ringing non-stop, they came one after another. I even heard the kids planning to go outside later."

Zhou Jiao lifted the lid, "Didn’t you prepare dinner for them?"

"I asked, but there are really too many people, they planned to get some buns from the cafeteria instead, but Ping’an said someone already booked a restaurant outside, they’ll leave once everyone’s gathered at six."

"Young people’s little lives are really good."

Aunt Chen laughed and nodded, "Exactly, do you feel like eating anything in particular tonight? I can add it."

"No need, Dad has a meeting tonight, my brother also has a social event and won’t be back, and with the kids gone, it’ll just be us few tonight."

Upon hearing this, Aunt Chen didn’t prepare anything extra, gesturing with the vegetable knife in hand to let her sit down at the table to rest. Nowadays, before winter, they generally didn’t use the earth stove, and using the gas canister was much more convenient.

Compared to the average family, the Zhou Family had already reached a modest standard of living. The special supply of rice, flour, meat, and vegetables was enough to maintain four dishes and a soup for lunch and dinner.

"Your in-law’s nephew and niece should be returning for school soon, right? Are they moving to the old house this time?"

Aunt Chen referred to the old house as the five-section courtyard. Once they moved back, she’d have to prepare things in advance to avoid having to make two trips like last time.

"No need, they’ll come directly here."

Speaking of the old house, Zhou Jiao remembered one thing.

The guard assigned to Zhang Guoqing was arranged, but she hadn’t needed an aunt yet. Especially since an elderly couple had been hired to look after the courtyard over there, she hadn’t thought of how to arrange the aunt.

Having them live in the old house was unnecessary since their family only stayed there once or twice a month. But having them at home, she didn’t know what Aunt Chen would think?

Over the years, especially in the past two years, the logistics department of the Big Courtyard couldn’t ignore her dad and had asked several times if they needed a chef and an aunt.

Zhou Jiao pondered for a moment about her wording, "Aunt, do you want me to get you an assistant?"

Upon hearing this, Aunt Chen laughed heartily, "An assistant? No need, there are just a few family members here, let’s wait a bit longer, one more person means more expenses."

"Are you tired?"

"What would I be tired from? Just this bit of work. Stop overthinking, your mom also mentioned this to me. When I grow older and can’t manage anymore, then we’ll find someone."

Zhou Jiao listened and observed her expression, she seemed genuinely unbothered, and she said with a smile, "Then you decide, let me know if you need anything, just don’t overwork yourself."

"Alright."

Still too few people to hire.

To Zhou Jiao, finding another aunt like Aunt Chen would be hard to come by. Truly an aunt who loves to gossip would be unbearable even for herself.

Like Aunt by her master’s side, words are indeed few but wholeheartedly devoted to her husband’s younger generation. Like Cheng Family’s Aunt, she eagerly rushed back home whenever there was a school holiday.

May 1st quietly came over and said, "Mom, we’re heading out."

Zhou Jiao collected herself, "There’s money and tickets in the drawer, take more. Should we ask Xiao Zhu and the others to pick you up later?"

"No need, there’s a large group, we won’t lack transportation. You guys rest early tonight, we might not return soon. This time, it’s not just the various Big Courtyard gatherings but also the children of families in outside circles who’ve just been reinstated, it’s inappropriate to leave early."

Zhou Jiao nodded knowingly.

The kids had grown up, their social circle had also expanded, making connections was good. People living in this world all need help from others at times.

"Drink less alcohol, keep some distance from the opposite sex."

May 1st hugged her and said with laughter, "Don’t worry, Master."

Zhou Jiao humorously patted him, "Go, don’t keep your brothers waiting too long."

"Then I’m off."

Zhou Jiao helplessly waved her hand, "Go."

"Goodbye Grandma Chen."

Watching May 1st go out, Aunt Chen smiled and remarked, "Time surely flies, in the blink of an eye, our May 1st has grown into a young man."

Zhou Jiao nodded with a smile. Time flies, the pair of twins she used to miss while returning to school now could hold their own.