Chapter 6: Discussing a Plan

“Mom, can you help me think this through? I want to tell her not to send money anymore. The money always gets sent to the Zhou family’s village for my grandpa to collect, but now that my grandpa isn’t well, it’s my eldest uncle who picks it up.

Last month, my aunt only brought over 10 yuan, when it used to be 20 yuan every month. I didn’t have the heart to ask my grandparents for details. And according to Sister Xiaoyue next door—my cousin married into her village—she said she saw my cousin wearing a cashmere coat, and her child dressed in a brand new cotton jacket. I’m guessing those were things my grandma or my mom sent for me, just in time for winter for my baby, but my aunt secretly gave them to my cousin instead.

Ever since I was little, whenever something was sent over, she would pick through it first. Back when I lived there, there was nothing I could do—better to avoid trouble when possible.

Last month, my aunt brought over 10 yuan and even made it sound like her family was struggling. Honestly, I just find it pointless. My grandparents get a hefty pension every month, and her family relies entirely on them, with only my uncle working odd jobs.

I’m married now, and besides, all these years, my mom’s money has gone to their family. There’s no reason for me, as a niece, to help support them.

I want to cut off this flow of money. First, it’s too obvious—people in the brigade are jealous and gossip behind our backs. Second, I have money of my own now. If she sends it, I’ll just end up saving it. Xiao Wu and I can earn money ourselves.

If my mom still wants to send money, she can deposit it in a savings account under her grandson’s name. When he grows up, she can give it to him directly. What do you think? Anyway, she doesn’t plan to remarry, so she’ll leave it to the child eventually. Sending it here just causes trouble.”

Mother Zhang thought carefully and realized she was right. She often heard gossip, mostly about Xiao Wu marrying a “golden girl” or something, but she never paid attention to that. She genuinely liked Jiao Jiao. Other than being a bit weak and not able to do much fieldwork, there was nothing to criticize.

She’d watched her grow up—sensible, steady, generous, cultured. If it weren’t for the fact that the old couple’s health was failing and she was worried that if the child’s mother disappeared, Jiao Jiao would suffer under her aunt, she wouldn’t have agreed to such an early marriage.

She’d promised the old couple to treat her as a daughter. Besides, Xiao Wu was strong and clever, and his two older sisters were well married. If they ever wanted to find work in the city, she wouldn’t worry.

Thinking it over, Jiao Jiao was right. The Zhou family was always picking up parcels. Jiao Jiao had been pregnant and staying home, and their house was in a remote spot, so she hadn’t heard any gossip.

According to the post office, two months after Jiao Jiao got married, the Zhou family received a Shanghai watch and some coat fabric, sent from Beijing—probably from her grandfather.

But her aunt went around claiming it was a gift from her father’s old army friends. Who around here doesn’t know the truth? She only hid it because she was afraid Jiao Jiao would get upset while pregnant.

She’d planned to bring it up after the baby was born, but this works too. No matter how many things get sent, they never end up with Jiao Jiao. At least the money will be saved for her grandson in the future.

Mother Zhang was puzzled by the Zhou family. Such short-sighted people. Just because Jiao Jiao’s family never visits doesn’t mean they don’t care about her. Otherwise, why would they keep sending things?

Aren’t they afraid people will find out they’re skimming off what’s meant for the girl? If you ask her, it’s the old man in the Zhou family who’s muddle-headed, thinking girls are useless and favoring boys. And they call themselves a scholarly, respectable family. Aside from Zhou Grandma, the rest of the Zhou family is just disappointing.

Not to mention, last year’s army enlistment spot for Xiao Wu—did they really think it was given because of the Zhang family’s connections? Their family has been poor farmers for generations, with no ties to the county’s military office.

It was only after her eldest brother-in-law’s brother-in-law asked around that they found out—the military office leader knew Zhou Jiao. After seeing her and Xiao Wu in town, and hearing that Xiao Wu was Jiao Jiao’s childhood fiancé, they did them a favor and gave him the spot. Didn’t you notice that when Xiao Wu turned it down, nothing happened?

The Zhou family seems to forget that it’s only because of Jiao Jiao that the production brigade leader didn’t force them to do more labor. Even Old Man Zhou had to go to the fields when he first returned to the village. People should learn to be content and grateful. That’s what her own mother always said.

“Mom, you don’t need to worry about this—just pretend you don’t know. Jiao Jiao was heavily pregnant before, so I didn’t bring it up. I heard her second uncle and little aunt often send things too. Did you see the army coats her two sisters-in-law got?

Tomorrow morning, I’ll just tell Jiao Jiao’s grandpa that I’m sending a letter to share the good news, and prepare some things to mail to her second uncle, little aunt, and my mother-in-law. As for the letter, I’ll subtly mention that they shouldn’t send things or money anymore, since parcels often get lost or claimed by others. Heh, who wouldn’t get the hint?

All their parcels go through military mail. Aside from Grandpa Zhou collecting them, or the brigade leader signing for them, who would dare claim them? And anyone in the army knows how things work. If they really want to send things, they’ll address them to Zhou Jiao at our house—no one else can pick them up.” Zhang Guoqing suddenly chimed in.

“Oh, you heard all that, brother? I don’t want to let them take advantage either. I’m already married out. Aside from showing respect to my grandparents, I have no obligation to support anyone else.” Zhou Jiao was delighted to see Zhang Guoqing had woken up.

Mother Zhang had just been wondering how to tell the other side not to send things, and to make it clear they weren’t being greedy—otherwise, people might think they were taking things meant for both sides. That’s not how you build a reputation.

Her son’s voice startled her. “Oh, Xiao Wu, you really are clever! You managed to solve the problem without offending anyone. All right, we’ll do as you say. I’ll pack up some cured meat, wild chicken, and rabbit, and you can send them over to return the favor. Whether or not we got anything before, since they’re being thoughtful, we can’t pretend not to notice.

But Jiao Jiao, you two should write the letter together—don’t let Xiao Wu write it alone, or there might be misunderstandings. Heh, just thinking about your aunt not getting money or parcels in the future makes me laugh. Imagine how upset she’ll be! Haha!”

Zhang Guoqing shook his head helplessly. His mother had always had issues with Zhou Jiao’s aunt, and now she finally had a chance to vent. The old lady was thrilled.

“Xiao Wu, don’t get out of bed. I’ll bring over the steamed buns and dishes—they’re still warm in the pot. Eat and then get some more sleep. Do you want to go sleep in the main room with your dad? I’ll take care of Jiao Jiao tonight.

Go give them the good news early tomorrow morning. I bet Old Man Zhou and the others already know Jiao Jiao had the baby—they’re just waiting for you to go over so they can come too.” Mother Zhang bustled out, still talking as she went, not waiting for a reply. From far away, they could still hear her scolding the second family."