Chapter 89: Mother-in-law’s Teachings

Zhou Jiao thought for a moment and shook her head. “No, he’s never mentioned it. But when I was little, he used to bring me eggs and chicken drumsticks to eat. He wouldn’t let me tell anyone, either. He’d sneak me onto the middle of the bridge, stand there looking both ways, and if anyone came, he’d stuff the food back into his clothes. He’d even make me wipe my mouth clean and drink some water so no one would notice. I was only about five then, but I remember it so clearly. The first time he gave me a drumstick, I think he was craving it himself—he kept asking me if it tasted good. After that, we’d share the drumstick together. It wasn’t even fully cooked, just kind of burnt and black.”

Lin Lishan laughed. “So young and already knew to stand in the middle of the bridge, keeping watch both ways. Really clever.”

Zhang Meihao burst out laughing and said to Lin Lishan, “That’s nothing! He was always so well-behaved in front of elders, but with other kids, he was a little tyrant. When he was just four, we’d play house, and he’d never let anyone else make Jiao Jiao their bride. If any kid from Zhoujia Village tried to compete, he’d fight them. I couldn’t even pull him away, and I’m four years older than him! He was so strong—one punch would knock the other kid down, and then he’d kick them, saying, ‘Still want to take Jiao Jiao? She’s mine!’ Later, my mom scolded him, but he just said, ‘There are so many girls in the village, let them have those. Jiao Jiao’s mine.’ Our whole family found it hilarious.”

Zhou Jiao laughed. “I remember that! Later, he even told me that kid was already six and still wet the bed, told me not to play with him or he’d get me all smelly. I was so little, I believed him, and every time I saw that kid, I thought he smelled like pee.”

Lin Lishan found it funny too. “So he was clever from a young age! Only four and already had a sense of territory, knew how to keep you away from others. Our Ping’an will be just as smart as his dad.”

Zhang Meihao nodded repeatedly. “Definitely. With his dad teaching him, how could he not be smart? Look at Xi Zi—he’s always been sharper than other kids just from following him around. Xiao Wu was always clever. Out of my grandpa’s dozen or so grandkids, he liked Xiao Wu the best, except for my eldest cousin. Grandpa always said, if it weren’t for these chaotic times, Xiao Wu would be a top scholar—maybe even a scholar in both civil and military fields. When he was four, he watched Grandpa set traps, then dragged our big brother to dig pits at the foot of the mountain. When Grandpa saw the traps he’d set up, he was so happy he got drunk at our house.”

Zhou Jiao smiled at that. In both her lives, Zhang Guoqing had been precocious as a child, always quick-witted and sharp.

Just then, Zhang Guoqing came in carrying two bowls of noodles. “What are you all chatting about so happily? These two bowls are for Mom and Jiao Jiao. Eat while they’re hot. Second Sister, here’s yours. Eldest Sister will bring hers over in a minute.”

Lin Lishan stood up to take a bowl. “We’re talking about when you were little, wondering if our Ping’an will be as smart as you.”

Zhang Guoqing handed a bowl to Jiao Jiao, pulled out the small kang table, and set it on the bed. “Mom, my son will definitely be smarter than me, don’t worry. Just look at how smart Jiao Jiao is! With both our brains combined, no matter how you average it, he’ll be a genius.”

Lin Lishan laughed. “Oh, so that’s how it works? Alright, if you say so.”

“Grandpa just asked if you’re leaving with us, early or late. I think it’s best if you stay the night over there. We’ll rest a bit after eating and then head out. If we leave late, we can drive ourselves and not worry about delays. If we go now and wait for you to come back, it’ll be too late. And we’re not comfortable with you driving alone.”

Lin Lishan checked her watch. “It’s already past two. It’ll be dark by five. Let’s rest a bit and then go. The sooner we get to the guesthouse, the sooner the old man can rest. He’s got important things to do tomorrow and won’t get much rest once he’s busy.”

“Alright, I’ll go ask Grandpa what he thinks. You stay here with Jiao Jiao. If you need anything, just call me. Second Sister, I’ll go hurry up Eldest Sister. She’ll be here soon.”

Zhang Meihao stood up to leave with Zhang Guoqing. “No need, I’ll go eat outside. Auntie, I’ll head out first, take your time eating.”

The two of them walked toward the kitchen. When they saw their mother, Zhang Guoqing asked, “Mom, do we have any steamed buns left? If we leave later, we can eat them on the road.”

His mother checked the stove. “Not many left, just about twenty or so—not enough. How about I make some pancakes? We can eat before leaving. I’ll start making dinner now, and we can head out after eating. All the guests and relatives have left, just your two sisters’ families are here. It’s past two, so I’ll get some hot dishes ready and let everyone have some wine first. I’ll make scallion pancakes as the main dish. How’s that? We can’t let guests leave hungry.”

“Sounds good, Mom. You get things ready. Serve the hot dishes and wine first, I’ll go tell Grandpa. He just asked if Mother-in-law wants to leave early or late, so I’ll just tell him we’ll leave after eating. And Mom, don’t make too much—everyone just had noodles.”

“Alright, go on. We’ll get things ready here.”

Zhang Guoqing left the kitchen and saw the old man heading toward the west wing, so he hurried after him. Once they were both in the outer room of the west wing, Zhang Guoqing called out, “Mom, Jiao Jiao, Grandpa’s here.”

Old Master Lin looked around the room and then went inside. “Jiao Jiao, just rest here, don’t get up. Grandpa’s leaving now. Later, let Xiao Wu come back by himself. I’ll go straight from the provincial capital to Beijing. Once the baby’s a month old, see if you can take the train to Beijing for a while to keep your grandma company. But I doubt it—the baby’s still too little. Maybe after a hundred days.”

Zhou Jiao looked at the old man, feeling reluctant to part. She missed Grandpa Zhang, and Old Master Lin’s kindness always softened her heart. “Grandpa, you just got here and we haven’t even had a proper talk, and now you’re leaving. When my mom goes back to Beijing, I’ll ask the hospital how old the baby has to be to travel. When I get to Beijing, I’ll cook for you myself.”

Old Master Lin smiled at her. “Grandpa couldn’t rest easy unless I came to see you. Now that I have, I still can’t rest easy. If there’s nothing urgent, just come back to Beijing. Even if you don’t stay long-term, come visit Grandpa often. We’re not short of money—Grandpa will reimburse you.”

“I’ll come visit, Grandpa. I have money, don’t worry. Please take care of yourself, and give my regards to Grandma. Tell her to take care of her health. I wrote a couple of prescriptions—could you show them to her doctor to see if they might help? My other grandma taught me, but I haven’t had a chance to try them out. From what I’ve heard, Grandma’s health problems probably come from not taking care of herself before.” Zhou Jiao handed him the prescriptions she’d written earlier that day.

“I don’t know about the prescriptions, but your handwriting is beautiful. I’ll show them to your grandma and cheer her up. If you need anything at home, write to us and we’ll send it.”

Zhou Jiao quickly shook her head. “No need, I have everything I need. Don’t bother sending anything, it’s too much trouble. You and Grandma take care of yourselves. Once my uncle comes back, you can start to take it easy and spend more time with Grandma.”

Old Master Lin laughed. “Alright, I’ll do as you say.”

“Grandpa, I’m being serious here!”

Old Master Lin tried to hold back his laughter. “Alright, Grandpa knows. When your uncle comes back, I’ll gradually step back and enjoy life at home with your grandma.”

Zhou Jiao pouted and said to Zhang Guoqing, “Brother, go check if anyone’s nearby. I want to have a few words with Grandpa.”

Zhang Guoqing nodded and stepped outside."