Chapter 1295 - 1167: Before the New Year 1

Chapter 1295: Chapter 1167: Before the New Year 1

"Xiao Wu, when are you two coming back? We haven’t seen you in ages, what have you been up to?"

"Second Uncle, Old Uncle, Sixth Uncle, Fifth Uncle..." Zhang Guoqing greeted each of them respectfully, "Are you warming up in the sun? The kids went up the mountain, we’re off to take a look at the mountain pass."

"Ah, go ahead, but try not to let the kids go up the mountain too often, it’s dangerous."

"The weather’s nice, no worries."

"Our Xiao Wu is blessed, once he’s back, the weather warms up too."

"Why hasn’t Zhang the Second come out today?"

"That old fellow returned last night, probably couldn’t sleep from happiness and is catching up on sleep now."

"..."

Listening to the old gentlemen chatting, Zhang Guoqing waved with a smile, bid them farewell, and left. As he walked along, he noticed not only the old men warming up but also the elderly women busy at their doorsteps after a long winter.

Offering greetings here, exchanging a few words there, Zhang Guoqing and his wife arrived at the foot of Daqing Mountain, where a group of children was already gathered.

May 1st ran up to them eagerly, "Dad, Mom, someone went to the village to get a cart."

Zhang Guoqing glanced at the children watching them and laughed, "You three brothers carry a deer, our family will head out first, these kids can keep an eye out."

May 1st understood the meaning, especially with the villagers coming over and indulging in conversation. It was better to leave earlier. He immediately signaled to his brothers.

A deer only weighs around sixty to seventy pounds, Ping’an saw this, reached over, picked it up, and walked away, "You guys wait here, when the adults come, you’ll get to eat meat."

"Oh, meat is coming!"

"Thanks, Uncle Ping’an/Brother Ping’an."

"Thanks, Uncle Liu Yi/Brother Liu Yi."

Listening to the children’s cheer, Ping’an and Liu Yi exchanged smiles. The brothers thought: it’s worth it!

"These little rascals didn’t even thank me." Hearing the laughter nearby, May 1st’s smile grew even brighter, "Dad, shall we take the shortcut?"

"Alright." Seeing his youngest son happy, Zhang Guoqing didn’t mind indulging him further, "Today your mom got you a big bunch of candied haws, to cheer you kids up."

"Didn’t grandma say anything about you?"

"Impossible! Your grandma wouldn’t criticize your old man."

"Dad, aren’t you feeling a bit guilty?"

"You little rascal! Growing thick-skinned, huh?"

"Hahaha... Dad, are you happy? If you’re happy, say it out loud, don’t be shy, let your old son enjoy it too."

This father and son duo exchange these few words every day, and Zhou Jiao isn’t quite used to it yet. Listening to their inconsequential conversation, she thought about visiting home more often given the downtime.

—Compared to happiness, social obligations don’t really matter.

Taking the small path home, they hadn’t reached the doorstep yet, where they already saw two cars parked, Xiao Zhu and Xiao Liu were just coming out of the gate.

Seeing Zhang Guoqing, these two visibly breathed a sigh of relief, Zhou Jiao felt a bit sorry for them thinking how unreliable their boss can be.

Without waiting for them to salute, Zhang Guoqing quickly urged, "We’re not at the station, relax. We’re safer in the village than anywhere else."

"But..."

"Come on, no need for formalities, come help out, I’ll treat you to a feast."

Xiao Zhu and Xiao Liu exchanged a smile, quickly took the deer from Ping’an’s hands, and while walking together, reported on the situation in the provincial city and the county.

Upon hearing the four soldiers were sent away, Zhang Guoqing secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Though his family’s current status in the village can’t be hidden, he disliked having everyone refer to him as the chief, causing restraint among villagers.

Knowing Zhang Dad and Mother Zhang had returned to the old family home to prepare food, Zhou Jiao realized that the old couple were avoiding hosting the two returning families today fearing they might eat their fill.

She chuckled, left the men in the backyard handling game, and went into the living room to sort through the items they brought back.

In the living room, she found the kang piled with stuff and pulled out her godmother’s gift—a conspicuously flashy ethnic style little wifely outfit.

Zhou Jiao’s mouth twitched at the sight; at her age of forty, was she still viewed as a young bride by her godmother, expected to wear this during the New Year visit to her maiden home?

A red cotton jacket on top, green cotton pants on the bottom... apply some rouge... this image... haha~

Watching the surroundings warily, Zhou Jiao quickly tucked it away safely. If her husband saw it, he’d definitely go crazy.

As dusk approached, Zhang Guofu and Zhang the Second returned with their families, adding much bustle to the North Mountain Foot.

On her way to the old home, Zhou Jiao stared in awe as the group of Old Zhang’s children poured into the old residence—such a shock.

She had only heard from letters that another nephew-in-law had given birth again, never imagining how many children there were and how big they’d grown.

"The one in the red coat is Xi Zi’s wife, simple-hearted; the one in the military coat is Brother Ziwen’s wife, filial;" May 1st walked beside her whispering, "At the very end is Xiao Zuo’s wife, shrewd; tagging along are Xiao You’s wife and Zi Wu’s wife, a bit soft-hearted..."

Zhou Jiao heard Mother Zhang call out to her amid the crowd’s gaze, she squeezed her youngest son’s hand, indicating she understood.

She quickly walked to Mother Zhang’s side, nodded and smiled at everyone, and gently ushered Mother Zhang, "Mom, it’s cold outside, let’s talk inside."

"Hahaha... alright." Mother Zhang happily turned to go inside, "Our family has grown a lot, you probably don’t recognize these kids?"

"That’s when fortune and progeny are abundant, Mom, you’re blessed."

"Silly girl..." Mother Zhang laughed heartily, "Who praises their own family like that?"

"It’s true. It’s because you and Dad have been good-hearted and generous, accumulating great virtue, that the next generation has better lives."

Listening to Mother Zhang’s increasingly loud laughter, May 1st realized who he’d inherited it from. Who dares claim he doesn’t take after his dear mother, he’d punch them!

"Great-grandma, who is this?"

"Mom said, this is our Third Grandma."

"Nannan, take your brothers and sisters inside." Mother Zhang called out to her noisy great-grandchildren in the courtyard and continued speaking to Zhou Jiao, "Nannan is Xi Zi’s daughter, she’s quite lively."

Lively?

Zhou Jiao didn’t know yet, but this kid wasn’t shy. Her big eyes darted around and commanded the younger siblings with flair.

"Fifth Uncle, why didn’t I see you just now?"

"Don’t call him Fifth Uncle; it’s May 1st Uncle."

"Go! I’m the sister."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Jiao chuckled quietly. She wondered who she got her boldness from?

She observed the behavior of some of the boys around, feeling gratified at how well-mannered they were, even lifting the door curtain for others, and nodded inwardly.