Chapter 75 - 64: Suspicion

Zhou Jiao listened to her mother’s words and calmed down, watching her mom instructing who prepared what, what can’t be given away, where you can share with whom. Besides Zhang Guoqing, no one could organize her matters in a clear and logical way, fearing she wouldn’t understand, treating her like a child. "Mom, how did he get discharged? Was he scared senseless in battle?" "No, wasn’t your dad known as the Soldier King? Everyone was talking about his family, and upon hearing about his father, someone coincidentally said in front of your grandfather, ’Not at all like his father, even wimpy fathers can have brave sons,’ which intrigued your grandfather, who really liked your dad. That person said they heard he was discharged because the higher-ups suggested he retire voluntarily, as some soldiers suspected he was secretly hoarding gold. The higher-ups found no evidence, so they urged him to propose his discharge to still receive a pension. Think about it, your grandmother was then a doctor in a hospital, enjoying a decent treatment. So, why did she come back later? Your grandfather, fearing it might affect your dad, warned that individual, and later the records were cleared. You see, isn’t it all about money? Your grandfather never spoke of it, only hinted at it when I was about to marry your dad, fearing family relations might not be harmonious in the future, and also advised me not to mention it in front of your dad. Isn’t this secret funny?" "Mom, it’s really something he would do. You haven’t seen him now, there’s none of that scholarly pride from a wealthy family. Xiao Wu said all he cares about now is money and those things right in front of him. Yesterday, Xiao Wu went to report good news at 4 a.m. to the county, bringing back a bunch of baby stuff and passing by his place. Unexpectedly, halfway there, Huang Zhaodi came, making a scene, crying and shouting, but Grandpa just sat there, not stopping her. Grandma was so angry, she lashed out calling her a thankless wretch, who hadn’t only fed her family but also enriched her maternal family. Grandpa desperately interrupted Grandma, and when Huang Zhaodi cried and claimed these were things you sent and couldn’t be all given to her, implying the child wouldn’t appreciate such luck, it ticked Zhang Guoqing off. He told her to give it a try, these were things his elder sister prepared, and dared her elder sister to come over and teach her a lesson, which scared her off. Zhang Guoqing said the old man was very disappointed at the time. When he returned, he told me about it, and I laughed so hard. He said even the village shrews weren’t as shameless, and to have Grandpa sit there supporting her fuss. Grandma was shaking all over in anger, and Grandpa just sat there as if he hadn’t seen it, interrupting Grandma each time she shouted. Huang Zhaodi was cursing, and Grandpa was just enjoying the show. He even thought if my dad was truly outstanding, he could never be part of the Zhou Family. It’s impossible that my dad alone is so different; environment affects a person. Later you should ask if my dad is really his biological son?" "Hehe, whether your dad is his biological son, only your Grandma knows, others won’t say. Your dad and your eldest uncle have a 15-year age gap, he knows but won’t say. If he hadn’t married late, your eldest cousin and your dad would be about the same age. At his age, he’s old enough to be your Grandpa, yet he’s still harsh with you, who knows if he’ll die before your Grandpa from karma. These trashy relatives keep an eye on benefits, no way they’d speak up. It’s truly disgusting." Lin Lishan thought of her daughter’s days with the Zhou Family and got angry, she couldn’t scold her father-in-law, but who was Zhou Xiaocun? "Otherwise, do you think I’d have such a combative personality? I was just disgusted. Look at Zhou Xue, and you’ll know what Grandpa’s personality is. Zhou Xue was Grandpa’s favorite since childhood. If you didn’t all say I took after Grandma, I’d be worried about being replaced by Zhou Xue into Grandpa’s house." "Impossible, we all know your birthmark, blood type, and everything. If it could all be replaced, many people’s kids are fostered out in the countryside, not a joke. You’d get shot if caught." Lin Lishan saw it was getting late outside, hurriedly got up and sorted the valuable items to give to Zhou Jiao, storing those not meant for gifting in the cabinet and boxes. Those for gifting were all arranged in one place and placed at the end of Jiao Jiao’s kang, letting Xiao Wu take them to her mom and her two sisters-in-law when there were fewer people around at night. "Wah..." A cry sounded, Zhou Jiao quickly picked up the baby, unbuttoned to feed him, and finally stopped the crying. This baby’s temper was getting more and more impatient. "Mom, please pass me the white diaper; I’ll need to change it after he finishes eating." Lin Lishan went to the other room, bringing all the washed ones together to the bedroom, placing them at the bottom of the kang cabinet along with what was brought before, so Zhou Jiao could easily grab them when there’s no one to help, "The diapers Mom brought have already been washed and are placed here together. Next time you need to change, you can easily grab them. The diaper quality is good; buy more if you can." Zhou Jiao pouted at her mom, then winked, "My mother-in-law prepared a bunch of rags, collected half a year ago. In this village, the fabric isn’t enough to make even a pair of underpants for Ping’an. It was hard enough to gather them. After the baby was born, Zhang Guoqing immediately used diapers and gave those rags to his second sister-in-law, breaking my mother-in-law’s heart. Later, when she saw the diapers, she was heartbroken, saying they were whiter and better than the family’s towels. Zhang Guoqing said using them prevents diaper rash, so she said if it’s good, they should buy more. Yesterday afternoon he went to the town, I immediately asked him to buy towels and send them over. If anyone hears me, I’d be struck by lightning, haha." "Haha, Mom has been to many places; some places an entire family uses one rag as a towel. The Northeast is already considered affluent. In rural areas, few have brick-and-tile houses like your village. Outside this village, other places are mostly thatched-roof houses. When we came, your Grandpa and I agreed to build you a house no matter if you go to Beijing or not, you’ll need a home in your hometown." "In their mountain, they have stones; they just get villagers to build it, doesn’t cost much. My father-in-law and mother-in-law had the whole place built before letting us move out. It doesn’t cost more than 150 yuan to build such a big courtyard here. 150, you see how cheap it is, it also has benefits in the countryside. Lumber from the mountains is free, the bluestones are free, just buying tiles, plus food and work points for help, yet there are still places where thatched houses can’t be built." "No wonder everyone is trying to squeeze into the city; that’s why I said the Old Zhou Family is foolish. If they treated you well, I’d arrange a job without hesitation. Ping’an, I’m Grandma, Grandma’s little Ping’an, are you not going to sleep? May our Ping’an grow up quickly so Grandma can take you out to play." Lin Lishan poured hot water, soaking a towel, cheerfully busying herself with wiping Ping’an’s bottom and changing his diaper, softly murmuring to her grandson. "Mom’s going to check if your dinner is ready, you haven’t had supplements and light meals, you’re probably starving. Mom will see what she can help with in the kitchen. You relax here with Ping’an." "Oh, I’m not that hungry. You just go over and chat, no need to do anything. After such a long journey, you must also be tired."