Chapter 67 - 56: We Don’t Lack Money

Zhang Guoqing wrapped his wife and son in a quilt and carried them back to the west wing. Lin Lishan followed closely behind, observing her daughter’s living space carefully along the way. As she walked out from the hall, she noticed the yard was clean and the items in it were arranged neatly. The ground was thoughtfully paved with a path of pebbles leading to the room. Upon entering the couple’s room, there was a heated brick bed under a large window, with a small kang table placed on it, and a big red Chinese knot hanging on the wall at the head of the bed. In front of the heated bed, leaning against the right wall, besides a brand new sewing machine, was a specially made low cabinet with a thermos and cups on top. Next to this low cabinet, against the right wall, there were two chairs, a small coffee table between them and a couch on the opposite side, forming a small reception area. Behind the couch was a cabinet similar to a display shelf. The room was divided into two parts by this cabinet, with various books on top and drawers and sliding doors below. The inside and the outside were connected, and you could vaguely see wooden boxes of various sizes in the right side of the small space inside. Above them hung some dried wild game. Lin Lishan secretly noted the items in the room, considering what to add. She brought quite a bit of money and tickets this time. Walking past the dividing cabinet, there was a door on the left wall, leading to their bedroom. Zhang Guoqing carried them into the bedroom, and as Lin Lishan stepped inside, she realized it was two rooms connected into a small suite. In the bedroom, near the window, was a large heated bed. There was a piece of fine cloth draped over the kang cabinet at the head of the bed, slightly drooping, with exquisite segments of bamboo embroidered on it. The rolled-up door curtain and the hanging curtains were of the same color, though embroidered with different content, and the rolled-up door curtain faintly showed large peony flowers. The large window curtain was quite unique, with clusters of bamboo on the left side of the entire scene, a poem embroidered in the lower right corner, giving the impression of a painting when viewed casually. In front of the bed, less than two meters away, was a specially made 1.5-meter wide desk against the right wall, with unfinished open books and writing materials on it. Furthest inside, directly facing the heated bed, was a row of wardrobes. Next to it were three wooden boxes side by side. Standing in front of the kang, you could see the arrangement of the wardrobes and wooden boxes on the opposite side, with fabric flowers in the vases on the wooden boxes, exquisitely woven like real ones. The spacious and bright bedroom was decorated with fabric crafts in many detailed areas, exuding elegance, warmth, and happiness. The room had a refreshing fragrance, along with the scent of baby milk, with no trace of the unpleasant smell of a child’s urine. Zhang Guoqing saw his mother-in-law standing in front of the kang, lost in thought, and reminded her, "Mom, why don’t you and Jiao Jiao chat on the kang for a while? Don’t rush to sleep. We’ll soon have dinner." Lin Lishan nodded, and when she saw Zhou Jiao about to lie down, she quickly approached, carefully pulled the quilt over her, took the child and placed him beside her. Seeing Zhou Jiao’s sallow complexion and gaunt figure, her face immediately twisted into a frown, and she took Zhang Guoqing’s arm to lead him to the outer room, "Jiao Jiao, you rest first. If you need anything, call Mom. I’ll organize the stuff first. Let Guoqing take the food to the kitchen, and we can decide later how to distribute the rest." "Alright, Mom, you handle it as you see fit. They aren’t picky, and my parents-in-law are easy to talk to as well." Zhou Jiao said, trying to hold on before falling asleep. In the small outer living room, the things were piled up, and Zhang Guoqing, who was carrying Zhou Jiao earlier, hadn’t paid close attention. Now, having a moment to look around, oh my, half of the outer room, even on the couch, was full. What’s going on, why so much? Was it prepared by his mother-in-law herself or was it the Lin family’s intention? He quite liked his simple-minded mother-in-law, straightforward and innocent. She seemed only worried that Jiao Jiao might ignore her. When Jiao Jiao called her a great wife and mother, her face immediately lit up with joy. Earlier, while Grandpa Lin was explaining, she was afraid Zhou Jiao wouldn’t believe it, constantly changing expressions beside her, nodding as the old man spoke to her. When the old man mentioned suspecting his father-in-law was alive but dared not say it, she glared at him angrily, her eyes full of accusation toward her father. This was a child raised in an ivory tower, as Fang Fei described—a girl with a young heart, fortunately protected by the Lin family, or else the Zhou family would have gnawed her bones clean. If Jiao Jiao was a book, her mother was a cup of water, pure, see-through, and as simple as a child. Before meeting in person, he held disdain for such a woman, who could let her daughter go 17 years unseen, making it impossible for him to have a good impression. Yet the reality was perplexing. This kind of woman was suitable for a daughter, perfect as a wife, yet incapable of being a mother, lacking maturity and a sense of responsibility. Seeing his mother-in-law, he thought of Professor Yang’s wife, who was similar. She was an excellent wife, taking care of everything for her husband, but neglected her two children at home. If interested, she fussed over them; if not, she wouldn’t even cook if they were starving, only providing money. The nurse managed everything, and if the kids got sick, she only shed tears, not knowing to take them to a hospital. But did she love her kids? Yes, because every time Zhang Guoqing saw her playfully joking with them, he could feel it. This type of mother, like a friend, wouldn’t set boundaries but wouldn’t delicately care for, love, or pamper you, because she herself needed much love and care from others. For his mother-in-law, he didn’t ask for much, just hoped she wouldn’t hurt Jiao Jiao in the future. Her life focused solely on Zhou Xiaozheng, just like his heart only focused on Zhou Jiao. "Mom, isn’t this too much? How did you manage to come over like this? Carrying such big bundles on the train couldn’t have been easy. Don’t send so many things next time; your salary isn’t that high. We don’t lack money, really, I occasionally go to the mountains to get wild things and secretly send them to the city. If you don’t believe me, see how much Jiao Jiao has on hand when you get back." Lin Lishan, unconcerned, replied, "It’s alright, your mom knows how to earn money. The Art Troupe often travels around the country on assignments, fully reimbursed. Sometimes, helping others to carry things earns extra money. Otherwise, who could live on just that bit of salary? Everyone does it quietly; it’s not dangerous. But you, don’t go to the mountains anymore, it’s too risky." Zhang Guoqing saw her casual attitude and worriedly told her, "Oh dear, with behavior like this, it’s not okay; you can’t get involved in speculative activities. What if something happens? I have money, and when Dad returns, if your salary isn’t enough, we’ll supplement it for you. Buy whatever you want, but you mustn’t do it anymore." Lin Lishan laughed heartily and whispered, "I didn’t expect to enjoy my daughter and son-in-law’s filial piety ahead of time. Let me tell you secretly, don’t let anyone other than you and Jiao Jiao know. I have assets abroad; no one knows, not even your dad. Now, the scrutiny is strict, but I have opportunities to go there with the group. So, no trouble with money. Don’t worry, your mom’s no fool. As for monthly remittances, they’re calculated based on the former salary. I’ve had several raises and kept it at your grandpa’s. Just use it at ease, we don’t really lack this bit of money."