Chapter 73: The Sixty-Sixth Lesson – Sincerity and Intention

Zhang’s mother watched as the eldest daughter-in-law left carrying a basket. She picked up a wooden tray herself, which held black-bone chicken soup and white rice specially made for Jiaojiao. She turned to Lin Lishan and said, “Sister, let’s go see Jiaojiao together. She must be starving. We’ll head to the main hall afterward. Chrysanthemum, you go set the table in the hall first. Once your sister-in-law comes back, we’ll serve the food.”

In the bedroom of the west wing, Zhang Guoqing sat by the kang, listening as Zhou Jiao softly recounted what her mother had said and showed him the bankbook in her hand. He comforted her from time to time.

When Zhou Jiao spoke of how touched she was, the two exchanged a smile—things had turned out better than they’d imagined.

After listening, Zhang Guoqing chuckled quietly. “I actually really like this mother-in-law of mine. She’s straightforward, says what’s on her mind, none of that petty scheming you see in some women. It’s great.”

Zhou Jiao opened the “three-day celebration” gifts from Old Lady Lin for him to see. “What should we do about this? We can keep the clothes, but look at all these other things. I’ve kept everything my mom gave me, but it’s hard to accept Old Lady Lin’s gifts. From what my mom said, this isn’t just a simple gesture. These things aren’t rare for us, but the way she gave so much makes me uncomfortable. If it were just one thing, it’d be fine, but ten? She has several grandkids—this is too much.”

Zhang Guoqing casually fiddled with the gold necklaces and other items inside, unconcerned. “Just keep them. They’re not anything special. Later, I’ll find some ginseng and furs of similar value for your mom to take back as a return gift—that should be enough. It’s really just for your dad to see, anyway.”

“I wish I could send her a whole sack of gold in return. Haha.”

“Forget it. For the sake of our lovely mothers, let’s just leave it at that. We’ll deal with it after they leave.”

Zhou Jiao understood. “Alright. You sort out everything for the family and move it outside. Just looking at it gives me a headache.”

As Zhang Guoqing tidied up, he chatted with her about their son.

“Xiao Wu, stop tidying up—let Jiaojiao eat first.” Zhang’s mother came in and saw her son grinning and chatting with his wife. The couple was all smiles, and she called out happily.

Seeing the two women carrying baskets, Zhang Guoqing quickly set up the small kang table. “Mom, Mother, you two sit and rest. I’ll handle this. Mom, these are from my mother-in-law for you and Dad, and for my eldest and second brother’s families. I’ll deliver them after dinner.”

Zhang’s mother glanced at all the things and quickly declined. “Sister, you really shouldn’t have. These things are all so precious. Just leave some for Xiao Wu and Jiaojiao, and take the rest back. There’s so much, it’s overwhelming. You already brought so much food, our cellar is full—I shamelessly accepted all that. But these coats and fabrics, I really can’t accept anymore. Take them back. In times like these, who knows how much we’d owe in favors for all this. Next time, don’t bring so much, or I won’t even dare let you in the door.”

Lin Lishan waved her hands, trying to reassure her. “Sister, don’t worry, you’re not owing anyone favors. Jiaojiao’s grandma prepared all this. Ever since she found out Jiaojiao was pregnant, she started gathering things. Our little Ping’an is the Lin family’s first great-grandchild, so the old lady was overjoyed, busy every day preparing. You haven’t even seen all the clothes we have for Ping’an—hats and shoes for every age up to three years old.

Luckily, we listened to her grandma and didn’t mail the packages—brought them in person instead. Her grandaunt and grandma made everything themselves. I just helped out when I wasn’t at work. I’ve put everything in the wardrobe for Ping’an to wear as he grows.

Those army coats were put together by Jiaojiao’s uncle-in-law and me, no outsiders involved, so no favors owed. There are just four, one for each man in the family. The cotton clothes look bulky, but there aren’t that many. The rest is just enough for a few kids to have a set each. Honestly, it’s not that much. Come see Ping’an’s clothes—he’s got a whole wardrobe to himself.

I actually thought about taking some out for the other kids, but then I got stingy. These were all made by elders, so I want Ping’an to wear them all himself.”

She opened the wardrobe. She’d been careful while packing—expensive things like formula were locked in boxes, and the wardrobe only held clothes for the three of them.

Zhang’s mother was stunned at the sight: the wardrobe was packed with layers of cotton jackets and pants, sweaters of every color, spring, autumn, and summer clothes for boys and girls, all brand new, plus hats and a pile of little shoes. This wasn’t just enough for age three—he could wear them till five and still not finish. Anyone who didn’t know better would think they were running a shop.

“So many! Goodness, it’s too much—he could wear a new set every day. Alright, leave them all for Ping’an. Don’t give them to anyone else—these are rare. The other kids would just ruin them.”

Zhang Guoqing was also amazed. “Mom, isn’t this too much? Can he even wear them all? We won’t need to buy clothes till he’s five.”

Lin Lishan shot him a smiling glare. “This isn’t much. Jiaojiao’s second grandaunt hasn’t even sent her package yet. Your grandma told her to make bigger sizes. The smallest ones are from me, the rest are all from your grandma and grandaunt. It looks like a lot, but once he starts wearing them, it’s not that many. I actually wished for a girl—I could’ve made her pretty dresses. Since we didn’t know if it’d be a boy or girl, your grandma made everything in neutral colors.

A lot of the sweaters were made by the girls from the art troupe—so many beautiful patterns. With those girls around, our child will never lack sweaters.”

Zhang Guoqing smiled helplessly. “Mom, you’re in charge of the art troupe, of course they want to please you. Tell Grandma and the others to stop making so much—it’s hard on their eyes.”

“Alright, but everyone’s just so happy. Ping’an is our family’s first grandchild. Once there are more kids, it won’t be such a big deal. Your cousins aren’t married yet, so it’s rare to have a baby in the family. Your grandma’s been over the moon. Don’t worry, just accept what they give. With me here, you won’t owe anyone favors.

For years, Jiaojiao was our only child, while every other family has several kids. I’ve always given enough gifts in return, so no matter how much they give, it’s not too much. Just accept it.” Lin Lishan reassured him, knowing he was worried about owing favors.

Zhang Guoqing nodded. “Alright, I’ll listen to you. We’ll keep everything, and later I’ll send them some local specialties.”

Lin Lishan nodded approvingly. “Leave it to me. Once you’re both working, you can handle it. I’ve already returned all the favors. We only accept a few packages from them, but their kids are always asking me for things, so don’t worry about owing them. If anything, they owe us.”

Zhang’s mother looked at the wardrobe, then at the boxes around the room—probably all packed full. This family really knew how to prepare.

She glanced at the colorful wardrobe, then closed it. “Sister, I’ll accept them then, but next time, please don’t bring so much, or I really won’t dare let you in. For Ping’an, you’re his grandma—of course you want to spoil him, so buy whatever you want.

Let me catch my breath—you really scared me, sister. It’s more than a department store! When you go back, thank all the elders for us—they really went to a lot of trouble. Xiao Wu, deliver these tonight. Let’s go eat first. Jiaojiao, when you’re done, just leave your dishes—I’ll come back and clean up later.”

Zhou Jiao was relieved to see her mother-in-law leave—she was really worried her mom would open more boxes and scare her even more. Her mother-in-law still hadn’t calmed down.

“You all go. Xiao Wu, remember to take a few bottles of the special liquor Grandpa brought for Dad and the others to try. Mom, make sure Grandpa doesn’t drink too much.”

“Got it. Once you’re done eating, just rest and focus on your recovery. With Mom here, you don’t need to worry about anything.”"