Chapter 61: Hearing the News

In the west wing of the Zhang family courtyard, Zhang Meili and her sister listened to their second sister-in-law’s account, their mouths agape in regret at not having witnessed it themselves, which made everyone laugh. Still, no one would really want to be in such a situation.

After seeing that the baby was safe and sound, everyone let Jiaojiao rest and focus on her postpartum recovery. Mother Zhang led everyone to the main hall to sit for a while. There wasn’t much to tidy up in the house—everyone in the Zhang family was diligent, and unlike some households, they didn’t keep chickens in the front yard, so there was no chicken droppings everywhere and nowhere to step.

After a while, Father Zhang returned with some venison and handed it to Mother Zhang. “This is from eldest brother’s house, just hunted yesterday. We still have some at home, so tidy it up. We’ll have guests tonight, so we need to prepare. Also, clean up the girls’ room so the guests can stay here instead of going to the guesthouse.”

Mother Zhang looked at the meat—there was quite a lot, about ten pounds. “Eldest sister-in-law is being generous. This is plenty. As for the dishes, tomorrow is Xiaoping’an’s third-day celebration, so I’ve already prepared some for tonight. We still have some wild chicken and rabbit that Xiao Wu hunted earlier—I’ve dried them. We’ll stew them with mushrooms tonight, and with this venison, there’ll be plenty of meat. We’ll also make some two-grain rice. It’ll be as good as New Year’s!”

“Alright, let’s do that. You and the daughters-in-law cook something for the two sons-in-law before they leave. They’ve come a long way and taken leave from work. They’ll be back tomorrow, so it’s better for them to go home early and get some rest.”

Zhang Chunming and Chen Xiaobin both shook their heads. “No need, we already had lunch before coming. We only took leave after hearing the news in the canteen, together with eldest brother-in-law. We’re not hungry now—it’s an awkward time to eat anyway.”

Mother Zhang didn’t insist. The sons-in-law visited often and were very familiar with the family, so there was no need for too much formality. Still, she made two bowls of malted milk for them. As for her daughters, they could help themselves if they wanted any.

“Have some water first. Later, when you’re cycling with someone on the back, you won’t get thirsty. Or, Meili can go pick up the kids, and you two can stay for dinner—it’ll save you a trip tomorrow,” Mother Zhang suggested.

Zhang Chunming shook his head. “We still need to go back. Xiaobin’s father is worried something happened at home, so we need to report back. Besides, we didn’t bring the things we prepared. With guests coming, we’re not sure how many people can stay here. It’s not far from the county town, so we’ll come early tomorrow.”

Father Zhang just asked Xiaobin to thank his in-laws for him and to come over for a drink when they had time. After chatting with his two sons-in-law for a while, he hurriedly urged his daughters and sons-in-law to head back early, even putting two strips of cured meat in their bicycle baskets. He waved them off and closed the door before they could refuse.

Zhang Guoqing strolled slowly. The small sitting room outside the west wing was empty, and the sewing machine had been put away, so his second sister-in-law’s clothes must be finished. The kids weren’t in the room, and everything was neat and tidy. He gently pushed open the inner room door and saw Jiaojiao sleeping with their son. Not wanting to disturb them, he just stood at a distance, smiling as he watched them for a moment before returning to the small sitting room to rest.

He had only dozed off for less than half an hour when some noises woke him. Listening carefully, he heard knocking at the courtyard gate. He jumped up from the couch, checked that Jiaojiao was still asleep, and, without waking her, quickly tidied his clothes and hurried to the main gate. Just as he opened it, he saw a line of soldiers in uniform, with Old Master Lin and his mother-in-law among them. He quickly went up to greet them with a smile, saying, “Grandpa, Mom, right? I’m Zhang Guoqing, Jiaojiao’s husband. Please come in. My parents were so happy to hear you were coming.”

He led them inside, calling out loudly, “Dad, Mom, we have guests!”

Everyone in the main hall came out. Father Zhang hurried forward, his face breaking into a wide smile, nervously rubbing his hands on his thighs as he called out, “General, you’re here! I’m Guoqing’s father, Zhang Dayou. Please, come inside and have a seat. Wife, take our in-laws to the west wing to see Jiaojiao.”

“Don’t call me General—I’m Jiaojiao’s grandfather, a generation older than you. Just call me Uncle Lin. If it weren’t for the age difference, we could be brothers,” Lin Xinsheng said, half-jokingly.

Zhang Guoqing’s mouth twitched. His father, aged by a hard life, looked about the same age as Old Master Lin, who had clearly enjoyed a better life.

With Lin Xinsheng’s words, Father Zhang relaxed a bit and said cheerfully, “You really don’t care about seniority. I wouldn’t dare call you brother. We all grew up hearing your stories. Please, come in.”

Zhang Guoqing interrupted, “Mom, you and my mother-in-law go to the main hall. I’ll wrap Jiaojiao in a quilt and bring her over so Grandpa can talk to her too.”

Xiao Zhou came over and said, “Guoqing, where should we put the things Grandpa brought? Let’s move them in now while there aren’t too many people around. Don’t look at me—get your two brothers to help.”

Zhang Guoqing smiled, “Just put them in the small sitting room. Too many eyes in the main hall.” He called his brothers to help with the things, then went into the inner room of the west wing. He gently woke Zhou Jiao, helped her put on a coat, wrapped Ping’an in a quilt, and carried them both princess-style to the main hall.

“Honey, now I really feel your strength. You’re so strong,” Zhou Jiao said.

Zhang Guoqing warned her, “Jiaojiao, don’t be surprised when you see Grandpa. He looks a lot like our old man.”

Once inside, he set her down on the kang. Lin Lishan had been waiting eagerly to see her daughter since entering the courtyard. Now, finally seeing her, she couldn’t stop the tears from flowing. Looking at her daughter’s face, so much like her own, with big eyes and brows like her father’s, Lin Lishan wiped her face hard with a handkerchief, too choked up to approach, just staring at her, oblivious to everyone else.

Lin Xinsheng, knowing his daughter’s temperament, stepped forward to take the baby, his big hands a bit clumsy. Zhang Guoqing hovered nearby, worried his son would wake and cry, watching closely.

“Alright, stop hovering. I’ve raised four kids—I know how to hold a baby,” Lin Xinsheng said, exasperated.

Lin Lishan wiped her tears again. Mother Zhang, seeing her so emotional, quickly pulled her to sit on the kang. The mother and daughter just looked at each other, not saying a word.

Zhou Jiao didn’t know how to start a conversation. Seeing her mother crying nonstop was irritating—she’d always disliked people acting like pitiful white lotuses, but this was her own mother, so she had to hold back her impatience. Judging by her mother’s demeanor, if she raised her voice, her mother might just faint from grief.

Zhou Jiao gave her a slight smile, but still couldn’t bring herself to call her “Mom.” The woman before her didn’t look much over thirty, naturally beautiful, not much older than Zhou Jiao’s previous life. Though a bit thin and haggard, she was well cared for—a sign of a life without material worries. Aside from the military uniform, her shoes, watch, and handbag were all high quality, a sign of wealth. Probably the only thing missing in her life was her husband, whose fate was unknown. Her manner and expression were still as innocent as a young girl’s. To have remained single for seventeen years, if not for the Lin family’s support, she would have been taken advantage of long ago. Looking at her, Zhou Jiao truly believed this mother couldn’t protect her—she was too straightforward, easy to read. She was a fortunate woman, protected by her parents as a girl, by her husband after marriage, and by her family again after that. With her background, no one dared cross her at work."