Chapter 62 - 51: At Long Last, a Reunion

In the west wing of the Zhang Family Courtyard, Zhang Meili and her sister listened to the description by their second sister-in-law, their mouths wide open in amazement, regretting that they hadn’t seen it with their own eyes. It amused everyone, though who would be happy to encounter such things. After checking that the little baby Ping’an was fine, everyone let Jiao Jiao rest and take care of herself during her confinement. Mother Zhang took everyone to the main room to sit for a while. There wasn’t much to tidy up in the house. The Zhang Family was diligent, and the place was not like some households that kept chickens in the front yard, with chicken droppings all over, leaving nowhere to step. A while later, Mr. Zhang returned with some venison and handed it to Mother Zhang, "Hey dear, this is from my eldest brother’s house; they just hunted it yesterday. Organize what we have at home. Since guests will arrive tonight, we have to prepare. Also, clean the daughter’s room, so the guests can stay here rather than going to the guesthouse." Mother Zhang lifted the meat to take a look; there was quite a lot, about ten pounds. "Sister-in-law is just being polite; this is a lot. As for the dishes at home, tomorrow is Little Ping’an’s ’three bath’ day, I’ve already prepared it for tonight. There’s also wild chicken and rabbit that Xiao Wu hunted earlier, which I’ve dried. Tonight, we can stew them with mushrooms, along with this meat. These meat dishes are enough, add some rice, it’ll be like celebrating the New Year." "Okay, let’s do that. You and the daughters-in-law prepare some food for the two sons-in-law before they go. They’ve come from far away, taking time off work. They’ll come again tomorrow anyway, better to head back early and rest." Zhang Chunming and Chen Xiaobin both shook their heads and refused, "No need, we had lunch before coming over. We only took time off with the brother-in-law after hearing the news at the canteen. We can’t eat much now; it’s neither early nor late, not used to it." Mother Zhang gave in as well, as the sons-in-law came around often and were familiar, no need to be overly formal. However, she still went to make two cups of malted milk for the two of them. As for the two daughters, they could serve themselves if they wanted to drink. "Have some water first. Later, when you’re bicycling with a passenger, you won’t feel thirsty. Or let Meili go pick up the kids; you two can stay for dinner here, saving another trip tomorrow," Mother Zhang pondered and advised. Zhang Chunming shook his head, "We still need to go back. Xiao Bin’s parents at home are worried, waiting for us to report back. Besides, we have some things at home we didn’t bring along. With guests arriving, even if we know how many people there’ll be, we’d better head back as it’s not far from the county town. We’ll arrive early tomorrow morning." Mr. Zhang asked only that Xiao Bin return to thank his in-laws on his behalf, inviting them to drink at home when free, and after chatting with the two sons-in-law for a while, he urged the daughters and sons-in-law to head back early, even giving them two strips of preserved meat for their bicycles, closing the door before they could refuse. Zhang Guoqing strolled leisurely; the small living room in the west wing was empty. The sewing machine had been put away, evidencing that the second sister-in-law had finished her clothes. The small kids weren’t in the room, which had been tidied up neatly. He gently pushed open the inner room to see Jiao Jiao sleeping with their son. Not disturbing them, he stood afar with a smile, watching them for a moment before returning to the small living room to lie down and rest. Half an hour hadn’t passed when he was awakened by some sounds. Listening closely, he noticed a knock on the door from the yard. He sprang up, checked on Jiao Jiao who was still asleep, didn’t disturb her, and quickly exited the room, tidied his clothes, rushed to the main gate, and met the guests just as they knocked. In rural areas, the main doors are closed but not locked. Zhang Guoqing opened the door to find a row of soldiers in uniform, with Mr. Lin and his mother-in-law among them. He quickly welcomed them with a smile, saying, "Is it Grandpa and Mom? I’m Zhang Guoqing, Jiao Jiao’s husband. Please come in. My parents were thrilled to hear you were coming." After inviting them in, he loudly announced, "Parents, we have guests." One after another, the people in the main room emerged. Mr. Zhang quickly approached, his smiling face smoothing into wrinkles, surreptitiously rubbing his hands on his thighs, and nervously calling out, "General, you’re here! I’m Zhang Dayou, Guoqing’s father. Please come into the room and sit. You there, partner, take our family to the west wing to see Jiao Jiao." "Don’t call me General, I’m Jiao Jiao’s grandfather, your elder by a generation. Call me Uncle Lin. If not for the generational difference, we could call each other brothers," Lin Xinsheng, looking to gain an advantage, greeted. Zhang Guoqing’s mouth twitched. Mr. Zhang, having aged from hardship, compared to Mr. Lin’s well-maintained youth, indeed seemed of similar ages. Upon hearing Lin Xinsheng, Mr. Zhang was less tense. Cheerfully, he said, "You, always ignoring seniority, I wouldn’t dare call us brothers. We all grew up listening to your stories, come on in." Zhang Guoqing interrupted them, "Mom, you and Mother-in-law go to the main room; I’ll bring Jiao Jiao wrapped in blankets there too, so Grandpa and Jiao Jiao can chat." Xiao Zhou approached him, "Guoqing, where should we put the things Grandpa brought? Let’s move them inside quickly while there’s no one else around. Don’t look at me, get your two brothers to help." Zhang Guoqing glanced at him, laughing, "Place them in my small living room first, too many eyes coming and going in the main room." After calling for his brothers to help with the things, he went inside the inner room of the west wing. He had the awakened Zhou Jiao put on a coat and wrapped Ping’an with a quilt, carrying them in a princess hold to the main room. "Honey, I’m finally feeling your divine power now, your strength is truly great." Zhang Guoqing reassuredly said, "Jiao Jiao, wait a moment, don’t be shocked when you see Grandpa, he looks a lot like our old man." Entering the main room, he placed the people on the kang. From the moment she entered the courtyard, Lin Lishan had been eagerly anticipating seeing her daughter. When she finally saw her, tears streamed freely like they cost nothing, staring at a face resembling her mother’s six or seven parts, large eyes and eyebrows just like her husband’s. Lin Lishan wiped her face harshly, hesitating to approach, eyes locked on, having no room for anyone else. Lin Xinsheng, already aware of his daughter’s nature, stepped forward to take the child, rather clumsily, while Zhang Guoqing surrounded Mr. Lin, worried his son would wake and cry, keeping vigilant. "Okay, stop hovering around me, I have four kids; don’t I know how to hold one?" Lin Xinsheng snapped irritatedly at his stance. Lin Lishan took out a handkerchief again to wipe her tears. Next to her, Mother Zhang watched her eye corners twitch, urgently pulling her hand to make her sit on the kang. This mother and daughter truly were something, just staring at each other without speaking. Zhou Jiao did not know how to start, seeing her mother continuously shedding tears. She was most annoyed by those who played the weeping white lotus, but this was her mother. She had to hold her temper, not that her mother’s faint demeanor threatened any harm if she were to raise her voice. Zhou Jiao gave her a small smile but couldn’t bring herself to call her Mom. Looking at the woman, honestly she didn’t look over thirty, naturally beautiful, appearing not much older than her former life’s self. Though thin, she seemed healthy and well-preserved, living in a family where she lacked nothing. It was evident from her good quality military attire, shoes, and leather handbag; she lived well. Probably the only absence in her life was her husband missing without a trace. Her demeanor was still girlishly simple. Had the Lin family not backed her all these years, she might have been easily taken advantage of long ago. Seeing her, Zhou Jiao genuinely believed that this mother couldn’t protect her, being too straightforward, revealing everything at a glance. She was a happy woman, protected by parents in her youth, by her father in marriage, smoothly going from parental guidance to background support at work. Her livelihood undoubtedly flourished, leaving her guarded from petty harm.