Chapter 500: Chapter 385: Parents Move House

“Mom, are you really going to big brother’s house? Then I’ll bring you some refined grains.”

Mother Zhang quickly pulled Zhou Jiao into the bedroom.

They entered inside.

Mother Zhang whispered, “Don’t casually take out fine grains in the future. Even if it’s for your elder sister in front, it won’t do. You understand what Mom means, right?”

Zhou Jiao certainly understood.

It’s been a month since Ping’an’s birthday passed, and now every household hasn’t even seen refined grains, and coarse grains are being eaten sparingly. She’s worried about their stomach issues and wanted to take the previously received refined grains back to them. Otherwise, eating white rice at home makes her feel uneasy.

“Mom must stay at your big brother’s place. Your big sister-in-law certainly favors her family. I don’t blame her for supporting her family, but starving my grandsons is unacceptable. I prepared so many dried wild vegetables before, and your big brother still works at the grain store. By right, they should have enough to eat, but look how Xi Zi and his brothers have become so thin.”

“Mom, don’t argue with big sister-in-law when you’re there, if it doesn’t look good, just come home.”

“Sigh…” Mother Zhang sighed and said, “I won’t argue with her. We’re all women; who wouldn’t think of their own family? Previously, the Huang Family’s situation was better than ours, so she didn’t need to provide for them. Now, our lives are better, and I can see her… plus, your big sister-in-law is gentle, I need to watch over her; I can’t let her take charge.”

What could Zhou Jiao say? Having such good in-laws and not cherishing them, she’d truly be struck by lightning.

“Also, while I’m not at home, don’t let yourself eat only wild vegetable cakes, keeping all the good stuff for Xiao Wu. Xiao Wu is my lifeblood; how could I not love him? But you’re also my daughter, he has a big appetite, don’t save everything for him.”

Upon hearing this, Zhou Jiao held her arm and said, “Mom, my appetite is just small, it’s not about saving.” She couldn’t very well tell her mother-in-law she had a secret stash.

Mother Zhang patted her head and smiled, “I know, I know, our Jiao Jiao is a good kid. Haha… try not to take Ping’an out too often, kids pale and chubby are too eye-catching.”

“Okay, I made several worn-out clothes, so the whole family can wear them. Usually, I also lock the big courtyard and stay in.”

Mother Zhang patted her, “Don’t mind, stay away from your big brother with Xiao Wu, I’ll come home often. Also, if your elder sister asks for some grains, don’t help, can’t have them all relying on Xiao Wu. If it really becomes untenable, I’ll let you know. Should we have Beijing stop sending parcels?”

Zhou Jiao quickly nodded. She had already discussed this issue with her mother and Cheng Ruzhu last time. It was just too conspicuous. Even Zhao Chuan Guang, she had reminded.

Seeing this, Mother Zhang smiled, nodded, and stood up, “Then your father and I will go to your big brother’s place, it’s late and Xiao Wu will come back, and we won’t be able to leave. While we’re not here, remember not to burn the kang in the west room. We don’t even know if there’s enough firewood to last until next spring.”

Zhou Jiao stifled a laugh and followed her out.

Standing at the gate, watching Mr. Zhang and Mother Zhang walk out to the intersection, waving at her to go back inside, Zhou Jiao looked up at the sky, her heart filled with worry.

When Aunt Wang came out, she hurriedly walked a few steps and saw Zhou Jiao frowning, “In this cold weather, who are you waiting for? Where are your in-laws and the child? Go back inside quickly.”

Zhou Jiao pointed forward and smiled, “The old couple just went to the eldest’s. The child is sleeping inside. Where are you going? Would you like to come in for a chat?”

Aunt Wang hurriedly shook her head, “I must be off, still have to rush to work.”

Zhou Jiao watched as she hurriedly walked away, bemusedly smiling. About to go in, she turned to see her right neighbor Huang Juan smiling at her.

“Aunt Juan, aren’t you working today?”

Huang Juan gestured with the net bag in her hand, “Just for this, leaving soon.”

“Aunt Juan, take care.”

“Go inside, be careful not to catch cold.”

Locking the main gate, Zhou Jiao entered the courtyard, pondering over the two neighbors she just saw.

It seemed like both families still had surplus grain… thinking of this, she shook her head with a smile—so idle, concerning herself with others’ affairs.

Meanwhile, Mr. Zhang and Mother Zhang hadn’t yet reached the eldest son’s door when they saw the eldest daughter-in-law looking out, and upon seeing them, she hurried up to greet them.

“Dad, Mom, why didn’t you come back for a meal? The kids’ dad couldn’t wait and went to work first. My parents just arrived, waiting for you inside.”

Mother Zhang glanced at her husband, “Did the in-laws come for something?”

Huang Cuilan shook her head, “They said there’s no issue, just hadn’t seen you for a long time.”

Mr. Zhang chuckled, stepping ahead into the courtyard, laughing loudly, greeting the in-laws. His partner couldn’t think of the crux—if there was something urgent, they would’ve run to the younger son’s house long ago; they wouldn’t have waited this long.

“Brother Huang, when did you and sister-in-law come over? Why didn’t you call the eldest to fetch me?”

“Came over after lunch, heard them say you’d be back soon. Why are you and sister-in-law so late?”

Mother Zhang laughed heartily, saying, “Quickly sit down. Isn’t it because Xiao Wu wouldn’t let Dad and me leave, we waited until he went to work before sneaking back? This younger son of mine is just like Xi Zi.”

Upon hearing this, Father Huang roared with laughter.

Mrs. Huang looked at her with envy, “Their family is well off, wanting you both to enjoy life with them. I see sister-in-law looks great, what are they eating these days?”

Mother Zhang glanced at her daughter-in-law, then laughed, “What wealth? Food is set in stone. Eating well enough, wild vegetable cakes, corn cakes. Jiao Jiao’s small appetite leaves enough grains that stick to us.”

“Sigh,” Mrs. Huang sighed, “Having dry food is already great, our village is long into drinking porridge. Our younger son couldn’t bear it and dragged us to the county.”

Mother Zhang was shocked, exchanging glances with her husband. She really didn’t know. Their Zhang Family Village was still the same, having porridge in the morning and dry meals at lunch. Even this way, she felt it was pitiful, earlier they used to have two dry meals.

Mr. Zhang was well aware, estimating that they had indulged stomachs for the past three or four months. But he didn’t say it out loud. His younger son would squander more food, their old couple would always have white rice aplenty, potatoes were rarely seen, let alone there still being noodles in the morning. Saying so would be unbelievable.

Mr. Zhang laughed, “Well now there’s not much work anyway. Just consider early hibernation, enjoy fortune at the younger son’s place.”

Father Huang smiled bitterly, shaking his head, “Our second son has many kids, big burden, just that little grain. If there were a way, don’t laugh at me, I wouldn’t come to the city.”

“It’s fine. This immediate hurdle will pass, next year yields crop will be good. Happily, we brothers can keep each other company. If you get bored, I’ll take you find some of the old men to chat.” Mr. Zhang comforted him. He didn’t want to mention their eldest son, it’s not decent to poke someone’s sore spot.

Mother Zhang saw the kang table empty. She was quite unaccustomed, “Eldest, quickly give your father and mother something to snack on. Still have some at home, right?”

“No need, in-laws save it for the kids. If we are hungry, we won’t be polite.”

Huang Cuilan awkwardly glanced at her mother-in-law.

Her house truly didn’t have any; all was locked by Xi Zi. That kid was very cunning; whenever the uncle gave something, he was scared it’d be snatched by his siblings. Everything was tightly held, so much so he’d prefer to give it to Shi Tou rather than his nephews and nieces. No wonder people said nephews were like dogs that eat away. The kids all forgot how much they consumed at the Huang Family in earlier years.

Father Huang hurriedly stood up, “If you’re busy cooking, I’ll really take my leave.”

Mr. Zhang pulled him, laughing, “Alright, alright. No talk of food. Lets us have a good chat.”

Over there, Mother Zhang also smiled, “I still wanted to ask how things are at my family’s side, why rush.”

Mrs. Huang knew, “Before I came to town, I still saw your sister-in-law returning home. She even inquired about you, saying if you have the time, go visit home, saying they’re all doing well, so you can rest assured.”

Mother Zhang was overjoyed hearing this. She’d been too busy recently, without visiting for some time, “Did I plan on saying anything to go home? That person’s so headstrong, asks how everything is, always good. Could something have happened at home?”

Mrs. Huang recalled the scene, shaking her head, “No, she looked quite happy. At that time, her elbow was still carrying a bamboo basket home, seemed pretty heavy. She just took a break, I ran into her.”

Mr. Zhang laughed, “If you’re uneasy, let the kids go take a look.”

Mother Zhang shook her head. If all is well, no need to tire the kids with a trip.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep