Chapter 86 - 75: Xi Zi

Zhang Guoqing ran to the kitchen, where the eldest and second sisters-in-law were still there, "Eldest sister-in-law, second sister-in-law, this lamb soup has been simmering for 4 hours now. Should we drink it? Wait a moment while I divide the lamb soup into small pots and add some red dates to stew it together. This stuff is good for blood nourishment. Remember to drink the red date lamb soup later." The eldest sister-in-law looked at him tidying up, "Why don’t you leave it to me? This is for Jiao Jiao, right? Just use a ladle. Luckily, no scallions or seasonings have been added to this big pot yet." "No need, I’ve got the strength. I’m much quicker. Sister-in-law, you can ask Mother Zhang whether we should bring the lamb soup over for everyone to drink before going to bed. Xi Zi and the others haven’t slept yet, so it’ll be good to let them have a full meal and go to bed early." The eldest sister-in-law shook her head, "No need, we can serve it now. The two of us can carry a big plate and some buns." Saying this, the two sisters-in-law stood up, tidied up, and carried the dishes to the main room. Zhang Guoqing looked at the red dates in the small pot which hadn’t softened yet, found two eggs, washed them, and put them in to boil. Seeing no one around, he scooped some good meat from the big pot into the small pot. He took a bowl from the big pot and grabbed two buns, sitting down to eat directly. As soon as Xi Zi and his group came in, they saw him eating, "Uncle, we haven’t eaten yet. Could you help us get some too? I also want buns. Uncle, I have something to discuss with you, is that okay?" Zhang Guoqing let them all sit by the small kitchen table, served six bowls, and took six buns, "Be careful, it’s very hot. Have a bun each first, and Uncle will get you more after you finish. What is it, Xi Zi? If it’s too difficult, don’t make it hard for your uncle. Go on, young man." Xi Zi chuckled, smiling at Zhang Guoqing, "It’s difficult for others, but not for you, Uncle. Will you help? It’s just a word from you." Zhang Guoqing patted his head, "You cheeky kid, smiling with bad intentions. Let me think, it shouldn’t be food or asking me to bring something, right? Do you want to go with me to the provincial city now that your uncle can go? No way, absolutely not. Uncle has important business to do. Next time when I go shopping in the provincial city, I’ll take you. Not this time, no way." Xi Zi gave him a look and noticed the younger kids’ eyes watching them keenly, "No need to look, boys. Uncle has important business to attend to, and we can’t go. Plus, the provincial city is too far, and if we got lost, we couldn’t get back home. Wait until you’re 10, then you can go to the provincial city. Hurry up, eat, and sleep early. Lots of guests will come tomorrow, it’ll be lively." Zhang Guoqing amusingly watched the little guy using the milestone of being 10 as bait. Little Zuo You was still too easy to trick at seven, unlike him who was not easy to fool at five. Xi Zi looked at his uncle’s expression and spoke slowly, "Uncle, are you at ease with Grandma driving alone? I see Auntie is very worried. You can’t do like this. My little uncle often says you have to soothe the mother-in-law first, then the wife will be happy." Zhang Guoqing, unfortunately, choked on his soup from being startled, "You little rascal, you’ve got a knack. Tell Uncle what other nonsense your little uncle taught you?" Xi Zi looked at his uncle, worrying if he was okay, "Are you okay, Uncle? You need to be more careful. I think your mother-in-law is too young, almost the same age as my mom, and very pretty. If Grandma goes out, someone should protect her. This person can’t be too old or too young." "Oh my God, you’re killing me with laughter—where did you learn that smooth talk, young man? Be careful that your mom doesn’t spank you." Zhang Guoqing couldn’t take any more; he couldn’t even drink the soup. "Alright, finish up early and then find your Grandma and that too-young Grandma of yours in the morning to see what they say. Xiao You, why are you looking at your brother? Finish up and go to bed early." After finally finishing the soup and buns, he quickly went to check the small pot, took out two eggs, and soaked them in cold water. "Have you all finished eating? Go to the main room and find your moms. Xi Zi, lead the way." "Got it, we’re going now." Zhang Guoqing placed the eggs into a large bowl, poured lamb soup and meat into it, covered it with a bowl, leaving what’s left for the two sisters-in-law. He swiftly headed to the bedroom. "Jiao Jiao, is our son asleep? Be careful, go slowly. It’s very hot right now. I learned a few phrases for you. From Xi Zi." Zhang Guoqing cleared his throat, "’Uncle, are you at ease with Grandma driving alone? I see Auntie is worried. You can’t do like this. My little uncle often says you have to soothe the mother-in-law first, then the wife will be happy.’ ’I think your mother-in-law is too young, almost the same age as my mom, and very pretty. If Grandma goes out, someone should protect her. This person can’t be too old or too young.’ How about it? I laughed so hard I choked." Zhou Jiao, worried about waking the child, covered her mouth and giggled softly, "So he wants to join his mom to the provincial city. This kid is such a smart cookie. I wonder if Mother would feel at ease. I think Mom would love to take him. Go check in the main room and remember to bring the new towels we bought yesterday over to Mom and the others. And see if the room has any chamber pots, etc. Otherwise, after the soup, a midnight trip to the bathroom wouldn’t be ideal. Also, check where Xiao Zhou and the others are sleeping with Grandpa Lin, see how the rest are sleeping. I’ll eat this myself, you go handle those things, sleep early, I’m tired." Zhang Guoqing looked at her, "Your complexion doesn’t look good." Drink it early and get some rest. No need to wait for me; I’ll come back after they fall asleep. You must be exhausted from going out today noon and feeling unwell." Zhou Jiao recalled, "Oh, right. There’s one more thing I forgot. The pile of stuff in the small living room should go to where I said. Wait till they go back to their rooms then take it over. No need to delay in the main room. Once they push it back, none will sleep." Zhang Guoqing checked on his son, with a little red face, sleeping soundly. "I’ll definitely do what you said, place your bowl and chopsticks on the floor, I’ll clean it up, keep the oil lamp lit as the son might need milk at night. I’ll go handle the things you mentioned. Sleep early." After that, he picked up the new towels and a basin, heading out. Seeing the person in the main room dispersing, he went straight to Grandpa Lin’s room to make sure the chamber pot and other necessities were ready. "Grandpa, Mom, here are towels and a basin. Jiao Jiao was worried you might not have brought towels to wash up. Is Brother Zhou and Brother Xiao Fei sleeping here with Grandpa at night? Won’t it be crowded for three people?" Xiao Zhou took the basin, grabbed a towel, and poured hot water, "Not at all, this kang can sleep five people easily. There’re only three people in the other two rooms, if crowded, I’d have slept over there. They all brought towels, no need for you to go." Xiao Fei nodded, "We all brought stuff for washing up, get up early tomorrow to join us for hunting. Sleep early; your mother-in-law needs nothing here, you can go to sleep." Mr. Lin finished washing his face, "Let Jiao Jiao know to rest assured. I’ll sleep soon. You go back and rest early, the child needs to get up at night." "Go now, don’t worry. Tell Jiao Jiao, there’s me with Grandpa, your mom has sorted everything." Zhang Guoqing checked, found chamber pots in each room, with a warm kang in Grandpa Lin’s room. That should be fine, nodded reassuringly, "I’ll leave you then, you also rest early." He exited the main room, saw Mr. Zhang already lying down, the room dark without lights, so he didn’t enter. His mom might be in the kitchen; earlier, he saw there was still a pile of trash uncleaned. Three women at home busy until now. "Mom, are you and the sisters-in-law still tidying up? Is there anything I can help with, just say the word. There’s some red date lamb soup left for you in the small pot." Mother Zhang looked around, "No help needed, everything’s cleaned. Tomorrow there’s no need for cooking, just prepare white porridge, and there’re lots of buns left— they drank so much they barely ate any buns. The sisters-in-law need to sleep as well. That small pot is for your sisters-in-law and Jiao Jiao tomorrow morning. They just ate, can’t drink more. Off you go, everyone go, sleep early." Zhang Guoqing watched them retreat to their rooms, swiftly went to pick up the pile of stuff from the small living room, delivered lump by lump, and simply sent then rushed off, exhausted and needing rest.