Chapter 495: Chapter 380: First Birthday

The days have reached the tail end of autumn.

Busy as he was, Zhou Xiaozheng asked Zhou Jiao and Zhang Guoqing to take their child back to Beijing.

After much consideration, Zhou Jiao still refused. It’s not that she doesn’t want to see her dad, but it’s too troublesome.

The debt of human relationships is the hardest to repay, and she doesn’t want Zhao Chuan Guang to take risks on a knife edge. There are too few people who are genuinely kind to her, and she can’t afford to lose even one.

Most importantly, maybe… perhaps… the Northeast is becoming increasingly distant for her and her husband. She wants to leave behind more memories for herself, so she can remember the days in the Northeast in the future.

October 12th is Ping’an’s birthday.

But isn’t it also a birthday for their family of three?

The past life is like smoke; the present life must be cherished.

She wants to commemorate this full-year anniversary. In the Northeast, on this day, a complete memory is left behind.

“Jiao Jiao, our unit’s meals have also declined.”

“As long as we can eat our fill. Nowadays, my parents and I don’t have much ration, and I’m really worried about them not eating enough. I should have known better than to transfer their household registration.”

Zhang Guoqing laughed and patted her head. “Isn’t that easy? Transferring the household registration back is even more convenient. Now the village has finished the busy farming season, and the Old Captain has also reduced the food ration for each person.”

Zhou Jiao smiled. She certainly knows that the city household registration is better than the rural one, with at least basic protection. Now that the steelmaking has also stopped, she’d be foolish to transfer her in-laws’ household registration back.

Zhang Guoqing saw Ping’an quietly playing with the building blocks, and strangely asked: “Son, why aren’t you making a fuss to leave? Aren’t you looking for your little brothers?”

Ping’an looked up and said: “Want candy, not playing.” After speaking, he immediately lowered his head and continued stacking blocks.

Zhang Guoqing mulled it over for a while, “Your Brother Shitou asked you for candy, so you don’t like playing with them, right?”

“They have no candy, I don’t play.”

Zhou Jiao listened and stifled a laugh.

“Son, you’re impressive, knowing about equivalent exchange already. Son, what gift do you want?”

Zhou Jiao watched the child blink his big eyes, frowning.

She laughed and explained: “Brother, the concept of equivalent exchange is something he doesn’t understand. Ping’an, what your dad means by equivalent exchange, you’ll understand when you’re older.”

“Hmm, son, what gift do you want?”

Ping’an showed a smile with his little milk teeth and pointed at the toys on the kang.

“Okay, Daddy will take you to buy toys on the car.”

“Thank you, Daddy.”

Zhang Guoqing patted his little head. In his heart, he contemplated taking his wife and child to the provincial city early, preferably staying overnight, getting a birthday cake, to make the child happy.

Meanwhile, Zhou Xiaozheng was also discussing the child’s first birthday with Lin Lishan.

“Jiao Jiao doesn’t want trouble. If you bring a bunch of people over, can she manage hosting them? Think about the Cheng Family, Lin Family, plus Zhao Chuan Guang and the others—so many people coming over, Xiao Wu’s relatives will inevitably come over too; Jiao Jiao will definitely be exhausted.”

Lin Lishan looked at him with a worried expression, hoping he could come up with an idea.

Her father had instructed her early on to remember to notify everyone to go over together, and even her eldest sister-in-law had personally mentioned it to her. Not to mention her little sister. If she hadn’t pulled him back hard, Mr. Lin would have gone over again this time.

Zhou Xiaozheng had always known that his grandson Ping’an was precocious and had exceptional strength. Now from Jiao Jiao’s letter, he discovered the child wasn’t just precocious anymore, and he no longer wanted the child to showcase himself in public.

He shared his daughter’s thoughts—to let the child keep his abilities as a trump card. As long as Ping’an grows up well, he hopes the child does not draw attention.

After considering for a while, he said: “How about, you don’t go over this time either. Just find some excuse to tell everyone you can’t go. I’ve already arranged with Xiao Yi and Ru Zhu to meet the child when he returns to Beijing.”

Lin Lishan nodded with regret, wanting to say more but refraining.

“Then I’ll go look for Xiao Yi first. In a couple of days, Zhao Chuan Yao is returning to the Northeast, and he can take the child’s birthday gift back. Meanwhile, check if anything else is left behind.”

Lin Lishan watched her husband’s departing figure, and in her mind appeared the expectant eyes of Mr. Lin.

At this moment, her sister’s advice echoed in her ears: “Sis, this is an opportunity. Take advantage of the child’s first birthday; since the elder sister-in-law wants to go for a visit, afterward the two families can gradually resume contact, or else they will grow more estranged. But you also have to see what your husband thinks. If he doesn’t agree, then forget it.”

She frustratedly scratched her head.

Why is this so complicated? Making it impossible for me to travel?

Sigh… unfortunately, I can no longer consult the old lady, otherwise, I wouldn’t have to worry.

Aunt Chen came out just in time to see Lin Lishan’s frowning face, her hair disheveled, kicking the ground incessantly with her right foot, and she couldn’t help but laugh.

Lin Lishan snapped back to reality, awkwardly smoothing her hair, and smiled: “I can’t go to the Northeast now.”

She certainly couldn’t say she no longer has anyone to consult nor anyone to arrange things for her. She’s not foolish enough to say it, or she would be laughed at. But she’s really used to discussing matters with the old lady.

Alas… when can her Jiao Jiao come home? As long as the child returns, she won’t have to worry in the future.

Zhou Jiao is unaware of her mother’s thoughts at the moment, otherwise, she’d be speechless—who’s the mother here anyway?

Aunt Chen comforted: “If you can’t go, then you can’t go. Just write more letters to Jiao Jiao. When you have accumulated enough leave, you can spend more time with the child in the future.”

No matter how many calculations, reluctances, or genuine intentions each family has.

The days pass by daily, and finally, Ping’an’s first birthday arrives.

“Grandma’s shoes, dadi’s socks, auntie’s and niece’s yellow mandarin jackets.”

The customs between the South and the North may vary greatly, but it did not affect everyone’s affection for the child.

From yesterday, people started coming to the house continuously.

Despite Zhang Guoqing and Zhou Jiao repeatedly stating that they didn’t plan on hosting a first birthday banquet.

The expected guests still showed up…

At this moment, the living room was crowded with people, on the kang sat Mr. Lin, Mr. Zhang, the old clan leader, the Old Captain, two family elders, Uncle Zhang, Uncle Xiaowu, and several Zhang family in-laws.

In front of Zhang Guoqing, behind him, gathered a group of relatives and friends.

Everyone was waiting for Ping’an in the middle of the kang to grab his items for the future.

A book, a calligraphy brush, a seal, an abacus, a wooden warehouse, a piece of money…..

“Son, start…..”

With Zhang Guoqing’s command, Ping’an, dressed in red, looked up at Zhou Jiao in the crowd, seeing her nod with a smile, he hurriedly grabbed a piece of money, a seal, and a wooden warehouse and put them into his arms.

This drew laughter and spontaneous blessings and congratulations from the crowd.

Zhang Guoqing noticed his son’s eyes were relentlessly pursuing the book in the old clan leader’s hands and the fascinating items in the Old Captain’s hands.

Oh no… his son’s little greedy nature has surfaced.

Zhang Guoqing quickly scooped up his son and patted his son—at this moment, he can’t shout, “They’re all mine.” That would be too revealing!

Zhou Jiao heard everyone’s speculative blessings, she smiled. Seeing everything was over, she hurriedly followed her two sister-in-laws to the kitchen to serve noodles without much chatter with her mom and the group of ladies.

In the kitchen, the eldest granny of Zhang Family Village sat by the table, smiling as she watched the bustling crowd, listening to them discuss the recent item-grabbing.

Ah, item-grabbing… she can no longer remember how many bowls of longevity noodles she has cooked, but Zhang Xiaowu and his son’s longevity noodles are truly unique.

A harmonious family will surely enjoy longevity, just as she is able to enjoy her old age peacefully, with everything going smoothly.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep