Chapter 435: Chapter 330: Going Home

In the morning, Zhou Xiaozheng’s return call (telegram) was received, just as Zhou Jiao was preparing to set off for home.

There were two cars parked in front of the yard, with luggage and everyone’s gifts piled up on the car at the back. They were just waiting for everyone to get into the empty car at the front before departing.

Seeing only a few simple words on the telegram—Good, be careful—Zhou Jiao smiled knowingly. Her dad was still worried!

Zhao Chuan Guang looked at the content and repeatedly yelled that Brother Zheng was too much like an old nag. Now that Zhou Xiaozheng wasn’t around, he finally seized the opportunity to criticize him.

After saying goodbye to the uncles and aunts who came to see them off, the two cars sped towards the county town.

During the long days of separation, Zhou Jiao often recalled her small home in the county town and thought of Mother Zhang. Now, as the distance shortened, the surprise seemed less. She began to miss her parents…

Along the way, Zhang Guoqing was in high spirits, humming a little tune while holding the child, occasionally chatting idly with Zhao Chuan Guang and his wife. His face was full of excitement and he was finally going to see his parents.

Zhou Jiao saw them laughing and joking. She didn’t want to show her emotions and ruin the mood. But as Zhang Guoqing’s smiles became more unrestrained, she secretly gave him a pinch from behind. Hmph, let you be so smug!

Zhang Guoqing held back the pain and dared not turn his head to look at her, immediately saying to Zhao Chuan Guang who was driving, “Godfather, when you go to Beijing, remember to tell me in advance. I’m starting to miss my father-in-law.”

“It’ll have to wait until the weather warms up, right? What you said yesterday about taking a trip in the summer sounds good. Just as well we pass through Beijing to see him; if we go too early, he’ll be too busy to accompany me.”

“Jiao Jiao, let’s not wait for godfather. We’ll head to Beijing when spring blooms, without notifying them, give them a little surprise. What do you say?” Zhang Guoqing said with a grin, trying to please her.

Zhao Chuan Guang and Huang Hui Min exchanged glances and burst into laughter. Just now, he was wondering why Xiao Wu suddenly said he missed his father-in-law. Turns out, it stemmed from this plan.

Zhou Jiao nodded at him and couldn’t help but laugh along with them.

“Jiao Jiao, in less than two months, your dad will definitely run to the Northeast to see you. Have you seen a kite? You’re like that string. Now that you’ve left like this, your dad probably hasn’t been sleeping well these past few days.” Huang Hui Min said with a cheerful smile.

Zhou Jiao agreed with a nod. Having set one thing aside, she began to consider if she should find a job? Being too idle can lead to overthinking.

As they entered the county town, there were more pedestrians, and Zhao Chuan Guang started to slow down. At the intersection, they saw Mr. Zhang waving towards them. Just as he was about to stop, he saw Mr. Zhang running home.

“Good thing we left early; Brother-in-law must have been waiting for quite a while. You must be filial to them in the future. They’ve been missing you terribly while you’ve been away, especially Xiao Wu’s mother—every time she saw me, she’d ask how you were doing in Beijing and if you’ve been in touch.”

Zhou Jiao nodded with a smile. It seemed her godfather had visited her in-laws quite often.

She glanced at Zhang Guoqing, and they both understood that their godfather and godmother truly treated them like their own children. Especially Huang Hui Min, who was even more dutiful than Lin Lishan. Ever since they became godfamily, she frequently traveled between the provincial city and the county town to see them. The Zhao Chuan Guang family left Zhou Jiao, who usually doubted people, deeply touched.

“They’re here… here, sorry to trouble you again. Come in quickly.” Mother Zhang said with a smile as soon as the car stopped.

At this point, the doorway was full of the Zhang Family members, except for Zhang Guofu and his brother who were at work. Even Zhang Meili and her sister were waiting at the door. As soon as they saw Zhang Guoqing carrying Ping’an into the house, the children all followed, happily shouting that their brother was back.

Hearing the commotion, Wang Dasheng came out, saw what was happening, and laughed, “Is Xiao Wu’s family back? It’s great that they’re back. It wasn’t lively around here without them.”

“Uncle, come in and sit for a while.” Zhou Jiao lagged a step behind and had to stop and greet him.

Wang Dasheng shook his head with a smile, “You greet the guests first. I’ll drop by later when your aunt returns.” After saying that, seeing the Zhang Family all rush inside, he quickly motioned for her to go in and then turned to leave.

Zhou Jiao watched him walk away like he was escaping and smiled. She looked around and greeted familiar faces, then hurried home without caring about the things in the car behind.

“Jiao Jiao, why are you only coming in now? Quick, have a cup of ginger soup to ward off the chill.” Zhang Meili quickly pulled her to sit down when she saw her.

Zhou Jiao saw that Zhao Chuan Guang and his wife were already drinking the soup and said with a smile, “I hadn’t made my rounds yet while you all rushed off. Some neighbors were still chatting with them. Big sister, aren’t you and second sister working today?”

“What work? As soon as I got the telegram the day before yesterday, I started to switch my shifts. It’s been exhausting these past two days. I’ve been waiting for you since three o’clock. Was Beijing fun? You stayed so long this time, I thought your whole family wasn’t coming back.”

Mother Zhang reprimanded her with a smile, “You’re so impatient. You were knocking on the door before dawn, scared your dad almost fell.”

“Is dad okay?” Zhou Jiao asked, quickly glancing towards Mr. Zhang. She saw him chatting and laughing with Zhao Chuan Guang.

“He’s fine. Doing well. We’ve all gone inside, and your godmother is still looking after the child.” Mother Zhang quickly said when she saw Zhou Jiao finish her ginger soup.

Zhou Jiao hurriedly got up. Amidst the bustling environment, she couldn’t pay much attention to her sisters-in-law and just smiled at them before heading inside.

“Jiao Jiao, come help take the red envelope off Ping’an.” Huang Hui Min, who had already pulled off the small quilt, saw Ping’an still covered in red strings and shouted happily upon seeing Zhou Jiao.

Mother Zhang laughed heartily when she saw this. Her grandson, in his bright red jacket, adorned with colorful copper coin pouches and red envelopes, looked just like a little lucky deity, wailing away.

Zhang Meili quickly came forward to count, “Our Ping’an has really struck it rich. He must be filial to the elders in the future. Mom, doesn’t he look like he’s grown again? Oh, Ping’an say hello to your big aunt? Can you understand, little one?”

Zhang Meihao pulled her aside, “Let Jiao Jiao take them off first. He seems uncomfortable hanging there; look at him pulling at it all the time.”

Listening to Huang Hui Min’s directions, Zhou Jiao untied all the red strings. She chuckled at Zhang Meihao’s remark. In reality, the child was always held lying down, and the strings were long, so where was the weight coming from?

“Everyone’s been so generous again. Sister, don’t bring gifts in the future, otherwise we’ll really be scared to let you come over. Jiao Jiao, your godmother brought over another pile of New Year goods before the year ended. You mustn’t accept gifts from your godmother anymore.” Mother Zhang said uneasily.

Huang Hui Min laughed, “Every time I come over, the in-laws always pack me with big bags to take back. We’re all family, no need to be so polite.”

Zhou Jiao smiled and said, “Yes, not polite. I’ll take whatever my godmother gives. The two brothers said that when they get married, they’ll rely on themselves, that godfather’s and godmother’s private savings are for this sister of theirs.”

After saying this, she joined everyone in hearty laughter. Those two little devils had actually said their wallets were so full they’d never worry about brides.

Seeing everyone laughing endlessly, she continued, “That’s not all, the two of them even found red strings and wrapped red envelopes to hang on Ping’an, saying it was their duty as uncles.”

Mother Zhang quickly said, “How old are they that’s they’re doing this? Why didn’t they come over today?”

“They have school. They played hooky for days when they heard their sister’s family was back and were sent back to school by their dad today. Boys are too naughty, nothing like our Jiao Jiao who’s so caring.” Huang Hui Min laughed.

Zhou Jiao was displeased and said, “Not true, they aren’t naughty at all.”

“Yes, yes, your two brothers are well-behaved and sensible, happy now?” Huang Hui Min knew that if she spoke ill of the kids at home, Zhou Jiao wouldn’t be happy, so she quickly laughed in agreement.

Zhou Jiao, seeing that things were settled, left them chatting inside and headed to the kitchen, where she found Aunt Fang already making dumplings and quickly went to help.

In the kitchen, the two of them were busy non-stop. With so many people, they had to serve bowl by bowl without rushing. Seeing that Aunt Fen looked full of energy, Zhou Jiao didn’t even have time to ask how she had been lately.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep