Chapter 77 - 66: Effort and Intention

Mother Zhang watched National Day carrying a basket as he left, she then picked up the wooden tray, which held black chicken soup and white rice made especially for Jiao Jiao. She said to Lin Lishan, "Sister, come on, let’s go to Jiao Jiao’s place together, I bet she must be starving. Afterward, we’ll head to the main hall. Juhua, you start setting the table in the main hall, and once your sister-in-law returns, we’ll start serving food." Inside the bedroom in the west wing, Zhang Guoqing sat by the bed listening to Zhou Jiao quietly recounting her mother’s words, alongside the savings certificates in her hand, occasionally offering some comforting words. Zhou Jiao spoke of her feelings, and the two exchanged smiles, this outcome was better than expected. Zhang Guoqing finished listening and chuckled softly, "I quite like this mother-in-law. She’s straightforward, says what’s on her mind, and isn’t petty like some women, which is rather nice." Zhou Jiao showed him the Baby’s Third-day Ritual gifts from Mrs. Lin, "What should we do about this? We can accept the clothes. But what about these other things? I’ve kept what my mom gave me, but what Mrs. Lin gave is tricky, according to my mom, it’s not that simple. These things aren’t special to us, but Mrs. Lin’s gesture makes me uneasy. If it were just one gift, it would be fine, but ten for her when she has several grandchildren is too much." Zhang Guoqing casually sifted through the gold necklaces and other items, unconcerned, saying, "Just accept them, they’re not anything special. Later, I’ll find some pretty equivalent value ginseng and furs to send back with your mom as a return gift, it will be enough. It’s mainly meant for your dad to see anyway." "I really want to send her a sack of gold. Haha." "Forget it, let’s leave it considering our lovely mom here. We’ll deal with these matters after they leave." Zhou Jiao understood, "Alright, distribute the gifts meant for the family, move them outside, just seeing them gives me a headache." Zhang Guoqing tidied up while chatting with her about their son. "Xiao Wu, stop sorting, let Jiao Jiao eat first." Mother Zhang came in and saw her son cheerfully chatting, the couple talking and laughing, and happily called out. Zhang Guoqing saw them carrying baskets and quickly set up the small table, "Mom, Mother, both of you sit down and rest, I’ll handle this. Mom, these are from my mother-in-law for you and Dad, and for my elder brothers’ families too, I’ll deliver these after dinner." Mother Zhang looked at all the things and hurriedly declined, "Sister, you shouldn’t be doing this, these things are quite precious. Keep some for Xiao Wu and Jiao Jiao to use, the rest, just send them back, it’s so much it’s frightening. You’ve brought so much food, filled our cellar, I’ve shamelessly accepted them all. But the coats, materials, I can’t accept anymore, take them back. At this time, you don’t realize how much social currency these things owe others. Next time you come, you can’t do this, or I’ll not even let you enter." Lin Lishan saw she was anxious and quickly reassured her, "Big Sister, don’t worry, you haven’t owed anyone, it’s all prepared by Jiao Jiao’s grandmother. Since learning she’s pregnant, her grandmother began preparing things. Our Little Ping’an is also the Lin family’s first great-grandson, the old lady is overjoyed, endlessly busy preparing. You haven’t seen the clothes for our Ping’an; hats and shoes range from now until he’s 3 years old. Luckily, at the time, I listened to her grandmother and didn’t send parcels, brought them myself. All made by her eldest aunt and grandmother, while I just make some during downtime at work, I’ve organized them in the wardrobe, saved for our Ping’an to wear slowly. Those few army coats are gathered by Jiao Jiao’s uncle and myself, no asking others for help, no social debts, just four pieces fit for the men in the family. These cotton clothes seem expansive, but there’s actually not much. What’s left isn’t much, just enough to make suits for the kids. You mention it, I feel embarrassed. Come, see Little Ping’an’s clothes, the whole wardrobe is his. I originally considered taking some out for the kids, but upon thinking, I felt stingy and reluctant, all made by elders, saved for Little Ping’an to wear over time." After speaking, she opened the wardrobe door, also intentionally organized things while sorting, other valuable things like milk powder placed in boxes, wardrobe holds only their family’s clothes. Mother Zhang was stunned looking at the wardrobe filled with clothes, layers of cotton jackets and pants, layers of sweaters in various colors. Plus, clothes and trousers for spring, summer, fall, colors suitable for both girls and boys, brand new, plus those hats of different sizes and a pile of small shoes, not just fitting until age 3, could last till age 5 and still be unworn. Unaware passersby might think it’s stocked for a store. "So much, wow, way too much, could wear a new outfit every day, alright, all kept for our Ping’an. Can’t give to others, they’re precious, others will ruin them." Zhang Guoqing was also amazed, this really could be done, the wardrobe overflowing with clothes and sweaters for his son, "Mom, isn’t this too much? Can he wear all of them? At age 5, he wouldn’t need to buy clothes." Lin Lishan smiled and winked at him, "Where’s the excess? Jiao Jiao’s second aunt hasn’t sent hers yet, your grandmother instructed her to make bigger ones, smallest ones made by me, middle ones by your grandmother and eldest aunt, looks like a lot, but there’s few to wear, I wished it were a girl, could make her floral dresses. Wasn’t sure initially if a boy or girl, your grandmother made everything neutral. Many sweaters made by Art Troupe young ladies, very beautiful, varied patterns. With these young ladies, our child won’t lack sweaters." Zhang Guoqing smiled helplessly, "Mom, the Art Troupe people are managed by you, of course, they seek to please you. Tell Grandmother and them to stop making, too straining on the eyes." "Alright, everyone’s just too happy, Ping’an is our family’s first young generation, not special once there are more children. Your cousins are all unmarried, finally having a child on the way makes your grandmother delighted daily. Don’t worry, accept what they give, Mom’s here. These years, our family only had Jiao Jiao, each of their families has several kids, I give generously in tokens, so whatever they give isn’t too much, just receive them." Lin Lishan reassured him, knowing he feared owing social debt. Zhang Guoqing nodded, "Alright, I’ll listen to you, accept everything, later send some specialties in return." Lin Lishan nodded approvingly, "Leave these to Mom to handle, discuss when you work later. I’ve returned their tokens. Our family only received a few parcels from them, their families with several kids frequently open their mouths for my things, don’t worry about owing social debts, they owe us instead." Mother Zhang looked at the wardrobe then around at all various sized boxes, likely all full too, this family sure knows how to spend. Then looked at the wardrobe full of colors, stepped forward and closed it, "Sister, then I won’t be polite and accept. Next time, don’t bring so much, or I’ll truly fear letting you in. For Ping’an, as his grandmother, you’re caring for him, buy what you want. Sigh, let me gather myself, Sister, you’ve truly frightened Big Sister, I feel this is more than what’s in the department store. Return home and thank those elders in our family on our behalf, they’ve truly put a lot of thought. Xiao Wu, deliver these tonight, let’s go eat first, Jiao Jiao, after you finish eating, just leave everything there, I’ll tidy up later." Zhou Jiao was also eager for her mother-in-law to leave, truly fearing her mom might open those wardrobes and boxes again, alarming her, hadn’t her mother-in-law not calmed down yet. "You all go ahead, Brother Xiao Wu, also remember to take a few bottles of the specialty wine Grandfather brought for Dad and them to sample. Mom, make sure Grandfather doesn’t drink too much." "Got it, once you’ve eaten, just rest well and recover, Mom’s here for everything."