Chapter 72 - 61: Siheyuan

Watching her mom leave, Zhou Jiao seized the opportunity to take a small wooden box placed in the cabinet out; she needed to show it to her mom. Lin Lishan handed over a cloth bag, took out a box about the size of a shoe box, and handed it to Zhou Jiao. Zhou Jiao realized everyone liked to use boxes to store things; she had many boxes in her hands. "Mom, don’t rush, take a look at what Dad gave me." "There’s quite a lot, but what’s the use? Can these things make up for the hardship you suffered? Our family doesn’t lack these; when you go to Beijing, I’ve prepared lots of dowry for you, stored at your grandma’s place." "Seriously, can’t you just pretend to be happy? This is Dad’s love for me. I wonder if that Shanghai house, which has been unvisited for years, is still there? Ask him later. Sadly, I can’t visit now since I’m confined, otherwise, I’d check it out, not knowing what it’s like inside or if there are clothes and gifts for my 10th birthday in it. Mom, are you jealous that Dad thinks of me and not of you, huh? By the way, mom, has Dad been seeing any women these past years? If he has, I won’t acknowledge him; I’ll return his stuff. When you go back, take these things and tell him, if there’s any woman or illegitimate child, take them back." "Hehe, I’ll deliver the message; the stuff is yours. Even if there are messy affairs, these things are yours now. Besides, your big uncle and dad are together; they get along well, this kind of thing wouldn’t happen. I haven’t sought anyone; how can he do that and be worthy of me?" Lin Lishan confidently said. Zhou Jiao exasperatedly touched her head, "My dear mom, these issues must be clear; who knows if this kind of person might show up someday? You must know, I’m a daughter here. Everyone favors sons over daughters; can a man’s words be trusted? You can’t trust even my dad completely. Alas, when Dad returns, you should quickly give birth to a son; otherwise, what if something happens?" Lin Lishan playfully slapped away her silly daughter’s hand, "Alright, don’t overthink it. You haven’t considered that you’ve received gifts; how could I not? Previously, I wasn’t so sure, but now I can confirm these are gifts from him. When I return, I’ll tear open boxes just like you guys." Zhou Jiao sheepishly stuck her tongue out, wasn’t she worried? It’s been 17 years; no oath lasts forever. They’ve been married just over two years, and she’s not confident her dad could stay faithful. Luckily, her big uncle is insurance. Lin Lishan saw her expression and knew she felt awkward, but having a daughter is good; only daughters worry about their mothers. She must talk to her dad later. "Open the box and check, there are lots of things. This marriage certificate is arranged by your big aunt; it’s necessary, without a certificate, there’s no guarantee, it’s misbehavior." Zhou Jiao burst out laughing upon hearing; the marriage certificate looks more like an award: at the top were stars and the national flag, below was a big red double ’happiness’ character, surrounded by peonies, pomegranates, doves, and rice ears, forming a beautiful pattern symbolizing auspicious celebrations and happy marriages. In the middle were the names, genders, and ages of Zhou Jiao and Zhang Guoqing, along with a certification of voluntary marriage reviewed and approved according to the marriage regulations of the Republic, and watermarked with four large characters symbolizing unity and love, no photo or anything. "This house deed should be considered your grandma’s maternal family, the Huang Family’s, old house. Your grandma handed over an old house deed to your dad, no idea if it can be recovered; she said this is for your dad, letting us first try it as a couple. If obtained, it’s ours; thereafter, the remaining Zhou Family property will all go to the eldest family. A small two-entry courtyard, when you were born, your household registration was altered by your dad in your name. Your grandpa and others know of this, but I have a receipt proving the amount paid to buy this house back then, considered a re-purchase, just to avoid future debates about clarity. We’re frequently reassigned; your dad simply transferred your household registration here. This courtyard’s location is nice, rented out to the Women’s Federation since the early 1950s, your big aunt is part of the federation and saw the courtyard was empty and arranged for someone to manage it, thus renting it out to the Federation with a monthly 50 yuan payment for both entries. Agreement signed for reclaiming once you come of age, depending on renewal or taking it back is up to your consideration." "18 is the age of majority, we’ll talk later. At that time, discuss with big aunt and see her view, if trouble arises, talk it over." Zhou Jiao remained uninterested, as long as the house was securely hers. If privately occupied. "Okay, it’s your decision. This five-entry courtyard is what your dad and I exchanged for the old Zhou Family residence. The original old residence turned into ruins, deed confiscated, and another courtyard was built. We found evidence proving it was the Zhou Family’s property exchanged for an equivalent area five-entry courtyard, at the Imperial City’s foundation, this under my name, impossible for others to find. Can’t fully list under your name for security reasons, but you keep the house deed. Except for the last entry for your major dowry storage, the rest is vacant. I had your grandma take care, saying your dad arranged to have it listed under my name. Are you saying mailing those items means I’ve retrieved the place?" Lin Lishan complacently glanced at her. Zhou Jiao worriedly glanced at the house deed, "Mom, isn’t this five-entry courtyard too conspicuous? Does grandpa know, what’s his take? Just the two of us mother and daughter each with a set, will people criticize?" "Grandpa knows, as long as it’s not illegal, grandpa wouldn’t be upset. That old residence didn’t belong to grandpa, heard it’s the main residence, all deceased. Do you think grandma handed over the house deed, grandpa wouldn’t object? As for your worry, it’s unnecessary. You’re unaware that us offspring have aliases, fully usable. Just look at the names, currently Lin Lishan is external, thus your mom has nothing listed under her name." "People of your rank can go about it like this, those high-ranking figures knowing?" Zhou Jiao said in astonishment. Lin Lishan knocked on her head, "What do you mean, ’people of your rank,’ aren’t you a high-ranking offspring yourself? Hehe. Rest assured; even if reported in the future, it won’t implicate us, too long ago, those handling it have died, this house dad knows about, he managed it, assuredly, dad’s IQ surpasses yours, he instructed me to find that person to handle it." "Then I’m reassured, grandpa and dad knowing, it’s safe." Zhou Jiao put away the booklet. "Mm, don’t worry, mom laid the path solidly. Grandma and that wife are friends, knowing much inside." Zhou Jiao watched her mom pointing toward the roof, dumbfounded; didn’t misread it, right? "Stunned? You forgot grandpa served as that service soldier, no surprises. This time dad’s assignment was directly ordered by him. Otherwise, grandpa wouldn’t remain unaware for 17 years, dad sees him often too. Grandma’s incredible, visit her back home, let her take you around to meet everyone, for our type, who hasn’t met them?" Lin Lishan scornfully glanced at her, truly lacking spirit.