Chapter 1055: Chapter 928: They’re a Bit Selfish
The day continued until the sound of the horn signaled the end of work, and a sweating Zhang Guoqing finally led his three sons home, causing Mother Zhang to be so worried she didn’t even notice her husband hadn’t returned with them.
"Quickly wash up and rest for a while. You, as a father, don’t even know how to care for your sons; why didn’t you let them come back first? Oh my dear grandsons, look at your tiny faces, all covered in mud."
"Grandma, we’re not tired."
"Grandma, please sit down and rest for a bit."
Ping’an and his younger brothers each supported Mother Zhang, then laughed and said, "Grandma, Grandpa said that later the three of them want to drink, so make a few more dishes to go with the alcohol tonight."
"He wishes." After speaking, Mother Zhang looked at her two little grandsons on either side and laughed heartily, quickly arranging for the kids to shower first.
Over there, Zhang Guoqing was about to go to his room to get some ointment when Zhou Jiao handed it over first, whispering, "Starting tomorrow, the kids won’t be going to the fields anymore."
Not only did his wife feel for them, he felt for them too; their tender palms even had blisters. If his mother-in-law were here, she’d be crying her heart out.
Normally, if the kids practiced horse stance at home for a while, she’d frequently check her watch, not to mention that his sons always won fights; otherwise, she’d have already gone to the other family’s house to settle accounts.
Zhang Guoqing doubted if, after this return, his mother-in-law sees the scars, they might never come back to the old home.
Even his father-in-law, who always preached "raising sons poorly, raising daughters well," might change his tune. Back when Jiao Jiao went to the countryside, his father-in-law’s eyes were red.
Zhou Jiao nodded earnestly, "The kids do need a good night’s rest. Starting tomorrow, we’ll take them up the mountain; we can’t forget the theme of this trip."
After the mother-in-law left for the kitchen, Zhou Jiao helping her sons scoop water, quietly asked, "Did your brothers not come back with you?"
May 1st nodded, then shook his head, "They came initially, but later went back to help at home, told us to go together, but we didn’t leave."
Liu Yi frowned slightly, "They’re a bit selfish, annoying. Grandpa, Grandma, Aunt are still quite nice."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Jiao glanced at Zhang Guoqing; the couple exchanged looks, then looked at Ping’an. Their eldest subtly signaled by shaking his head, and they exchanged wry smiles; they couldn’t underestimate their sons.
"Second Grandpa and several other grandpas brought us a lot of stuff; we haven’t used the meal tickets or money we brought. The other day, Aunt Yuan also sent a big pile of things over; I’ve noted everything brought in a booklet and will give it to you tonight."
"Mom, Aunt Yuan’s little brother is so fun, cried and fussed not to let us leave. Uncle Yuntao even came to see us last night."
After Liu Yi and the other two brothers spoke, they added, "He said the day after tomorrow, which is tomorrow night, he’ll come by; let us think about what we might need. Just like Uncle Da Yi, proper brothers!"
Zhou Jiao amusedly patted her son’s head, "How many days did you stay in the provincial city?"
"Just one night. Second Grandpa and them originally didn’t agree, but the three of us explained that staying longer in the provincial city isn’t good, many people take the opportunity to come and make connections, annoying."
"Even considering that, very smart!" Zhang Guoqing was pleased to see his sons understanding how to handle things themselves, couldn’t deny his father-in-law trained fine disciples.
Roughly aware of the kids’ daily routine over the period, Zhou Jiao felt at ease, seeing Zhang Guoqing applying ointment to his sons, she went into the kitchen to help. As for other matters, they could wait.
Originally, she planned to bring things back, but Zhang Guoqing reminded her to return empty-handed this time. Every time carrying a big haul, those who don’t know might think their life in Beijing is luxurious.
"Quick, go rest, it’s hot here."
Zhou Jiao laughed, "Mom’s feeling hot, I’m here waiting for you to serve me. Haven’t cooked for you and Dad for quite a while, I’ll do it."
"Enough, enough, don’t bother with mom."
Zhou Jiao didn’t wait for her to finish, forcing her way into the kitchen. In this hot weather, if they hadn’t returned home, usually nobody would fry dishes, just grab a few cold veggies from the garden for a simple meal.
Lately, with the three sons home, it probably tired out the mother-in-law too; Zhou Jiao subconsciously checked on her, luckily not aged compared to previous years, not worn out.
After so long not meeting, Mother Zhang had a basketful to say to her endearing daughter-in-law. For the moment, mother-in-law and daughter-in-law talked and laughed, especially with Mother Zhang’s hearty laugh, brightening everyone’s mood.
Aunt Zhang brought a platter of stewed wild chicken with mushrooms inside, laughingly said, "I knew Jiao Jiao came back, sister-in-law would be thrilled."
"Big sister, why bring food again, look, all meat, do the kids at home have enough to eat?" Mother Zhang winked at Zhou Jiao, taking the platter.
"Enough, enough, today Ping’an caught more with his brothers," Aunt Zhang replied.
Seeing this, Zhou Jiao quickly greeted her, said a few flattering words.
After her departure, Aunt Zhang also brought over dishes; seemingly to add for the couple, Zhou Jiao then said a bunch of nice things.
Mother Zhang said besides old buddies, lately whoever had some meat dishes would send over a plate; Zhou Jiao could imagine her family’s three treasures being well-received.
Sure enough...
"Our Ping’an brothers are unspoiled and generous, greeting everyone politely in the village; Xiao Wu’s friends brought stuff over, they also treated village kids to sweets, playing well."
"Your third grandpa said they’re like their dad, very clever, capable... in the future, more promising than their father."
The meal passed with Mother Zhang’s endless praise of her grandsons; once Mr. Zhang and his brothers returned for drinks, more praise flowed. Fortunately, the kids maintained composure, or Zhou Jiao might worry they’d grow arrogant.
When the wine finished, people scattered under the clear moon, the couple finally had time to check their sons’ pulses one by one, examining for any injuries.
The three brothers didn’t resist, obediently letting it happen, touching hearts.
No matter how clever, without parents nearby, some things remain overlooked, like sunburned peeling faces. The kids inherited their parents’ not easily tanning genes, or they’d turn into little black coals.
"Didn’t Mom tell you to wear straw hats and apply ointment daily?" Previously with the in-laws present, Zhou Jiao refrained from asking, but now reproach was in her tone.
"Mom, when in Rome, if the three of us brothers were too picky, we’d stand out. Don’t worry, we’re only going to the fields for these few days; even if you hadn’t come back today, we’d rest tomorrow."
"Brother prepared towels and water bottles for us, when the sun became too much, Grandma would pull us back home. We didn’t go swimming in the river."
"Dad, should you take us hunting? We really want to go up the mountain, but you didn’t come, and brother also dared not go with others."
Coming to the old home was to toughen his sons, Zhang Guoqing seeing his kids healthy, laughed, "Sure, then get some sleep early, tomorrow we’ll go mountain tiger hunting."
Upon hearing this, the three sons giggled, not just excited for their long-awaited wish, but also because their grandpa’s nickname was "Northeast Tiger."
Wonder if later their mom might punish their poor dad!
