Chapter 85: Social Ties and Relationships

The Zhang family’s two sisters, Zhang Meili and Zhang Meihao, had already finished attending the baby’s “three-day” celebration. They carried little Ping’an and followed Lin Lishan back to the west wing to visit Zhou Jiao.

The two sisters entered the inner room, both grinning. The outspoken elder sister, Zhang Meili, said to Zhou Jiao, “Jiaojiao, how does it feel? Isn’t it a pity that you can’t come out to join the fun during your confinement? Ping’an’s cries were really loud today—that’s a good sign!”

Zhou Jiao invited them to find a seat. “Big Sis, Second Sis, have you eaten yet? Why didn’t you eat before coming in? You’ve met my mom, right? I just told her you’d be coming today. Where are the kids?”

Zhang Meili teased her with a smile, “Just now, Xiao Wu told me this was your mom. I was so surprised—Auntie looks so young and pretty! I almost called her ‘Grandma,’ but I just couldn’t, so I called her ‘Auntie’ instead. Auntie, please don’t mind us being a bit informal. This time we’re planning to stay longer to keep Jiaojiao company.”

Lin Lishan gently laid Ping’an on the kang bed, turned around, and smiled, “I’m already old, how can I still be called young? You two sisters are the pretty ones—you take after your mother.”

Zhou Jiao covered her mouth, trying not to laugh. “Mom, did Xizi come looking for you today?”

“He did. I told him, if his grandma agreed, he could come along, but he’d have to behave and not run around, or else if he got lost, we wouldn’t be able to find him.”

Zhou Jiao burst out laughing and said to the Zhang sisters, “Last night, Xizi wanted to go to the provincial capital with my mom, so he went to find his uncle. He said a few things in the kitchen that left his uncle speechless. Let me imitate him for you: ‘Uncle, are you really okay with Grandma driving alone? I’m worried about Aunt. You can’t do this. My uncle always says you have to keep your mother-in-law happy, then your wife will be happy too.’ ‘I think your mother-in-law is so young, about the same age as my mom, and really pretty. If Grandma goes out, someone needs to protect her. But not someone too old or too young.’ How about that? I almost laughed myself silly.”

Everyone burst out laughing—it was just too funny. Lin Lishan, while putting a diaper in a basin, said with a smile, “Just for those few words, I have to take him with me. That kid is clever—he was trying to get his uncle to agree.”

The Zhang sisters were also thoroughly amused.

“That kid really knows how to go in circles, but Auntie, it’ll be a hassle to take him along. You don’t have to listen to him.”

“It’s no trouble. I’m just driving over anyway, and having a little one along keeps me company. And don’t think he doesn’t have tricks up his sleeve—he’s a smart one.”

Just then, a group of children burst in, all calling out to them, crowding around the kang to look at Ping’an and chattering away.

The two jin of candy bought the other day had already been handed out, so Zhou Jiao didn’t have anything else to give. “Have you all eaten noodles yet?”

“Auntie, we’ve eaten already. They were so good, with meat in them!”

“Aunt, I’ve eaten too. I had three big pieces of meat. My mom said I can’t eat anymore or my stomach will hurt.”

Zhang Meili quickly tried to quiet them down amid all the noise. “Slow down, you lot! Didn’t you just get some candy? Why are you back in here? And you little ones, don’t jump on the kang when you see the baby. And why didn’t you greet Grandma when you came in?”

Zhang Ziwen glanced at his mom, a bit embarrassed. “Mom, Grandma looks about the same age as you. I wasn’t sure what to call her.”

“Silly boy, it’s about seniority! Your nephew is the same age as your dad—do you call him ‘Uncle’? Hurry up and greet Grandma.”

The kids all shouted “Grandma!” in unison, making Lin Lishan laugh heartily. She quickly pulled out a handful of small bills from her pocket. “You’re all good kids. You’ve already had candy, so Grandma will give you each a yuan to buy snacks.”

“No, we already have candy.”

“Thank you, Grandma, but we’ve already eaten. We can’t take it.”

“Grandma, I already got candy from you. I can’t take more.”

Zhang Meili and Zhang Meihao quickly held Lin Lishan’s hand. “Auntie, don’t do this. Wait until New Year’s—you can give them lucky money then, and they’ll accept it. Right now, they won’t take it. See, they’ve all run off.”

Lin Lishan was helpless—she couldn’t very well chase after each child to give them money, especially since so many village kids had come by today. She thought she’d look for something the kids might like when she went to the provincial capital.

“Alright, you don’t have to hold me back. They’ve all run off, so I won’t go after them.”

The three women looked at the pile of clothes at the end of the kang, and helped tidy them up. Zhang Meili noticed a particularly pretty little sweater, knitted in a blue-and-white diamond pattern she hadn’t seen before. “Jiaojiao, who gave this? It must have taken a lot of work.”

Zhou Jiao took a look and immediately knew. “It’s from my classmate Zhao Yuanyuan, the daughter of Zhao Dashan from the military office. She and two other boys are my close friends. They probably didn’t take the afternoon off—just dropped this off and left in a hurry.”

Zhang Meihao picked up a few pairs of tiger-head shoes and showed them. “Look at these shoes—they’re so well made. Must be from her family too. There’s also a set of cotton clothes and pants. That’s a very generous gift.”

Lin Lishan took a look and agreed. “Yes, that’s from Zhao Dashan’s family, right? Jiaojiao, remember to keep up the relationship with their family.”

Zhou Jiao looked at the sweater and clothes and nodded. “I know, Mom. She gave us a generous gift when we got married too. She was my bridesmaid.”

Zhou Jiao thought for a moment and asked Zhang Meili, “Big Sis, Aunt sent over a basket of eggs, clothes, and shoes. I heard from Sister-in-law that it’s more than she gave for the previous kids. Do you think you could mention it to Mom? She’s probably already left, and their family isn’t well off. Maybe we should prepare a return gift for her.”

Zhang Meili stood up. “Good thing you remembered. I’ll go now. Aunt is just like that—she doesn’t want to put Mom in a tough spot. Her family’s been doing a bit better these past two years, so she gave more.”

Zhang Meihao saw the mother and daughter looking puzzled and explained, “Aunt doesn’t like taking advantage of others. A few years ago, when her family was struggling, Xiao Wu once visited and brought back a big sack of coarse grain for her. After that, every holiday, Xiao Wu would bring wild chickens or rabbits over. She remembers Xiao Wu’s kindness—otherwise, her eldest daughter-in-law would have come today instead.”

Zhou Jiao nodded and asked, “I remember her family lives in the mountains. Why did Xiao Wu bring wild chickens and rabbits? Don’t mountain folks have plenty of game?”

Zhang Meihao chuckled. “You think mountain people never lack wild game? Not necessarily—it depends on the mountain and whether anyone in the family can hunt. Grandpa’s family only had those two uncles left, and they weren’t allowed to hunt because it was dangerous. Now, none of the kids can hunt. Our eldest and second brothers can’t either—at most, they’ll get lucky and find something left behind. Xiao Wu was clever from a young age and learned to hunt from Grandpa and Dad. Grandpa was an old hunter and taught him everything. Dad used to hunt too, but now he doesn’t dare go deep into the mountains. When they were little, their parents spoiled Xiao Wu and wouldn’t let him go, but if he disappeared for a while, he’d come back with a few wild chickens or rabbits. The most impressive was once he caught a sika deer. After that, Dad made him promise not to go deep into the mountains anymore. Didn’t he ever tell you about this?”"