Free Web NovelChapter 1016: Chapter 889: Everything Is Predestined
"What’s far apart?"
Old Mrs. Cheng happened to hear these words as she walked in and asked casually.
"It’s about Xiao Ying, they are moving to the Big Courtyard."
The old lady glanced at Miao Lishan, just as Zhou Jiao said, "Yes, it is far apart, you are Miao by name, not Lin. People’s hearts are unpredictable, sometimes you have to be cautious."
Miao Lishan nodded, "I know, especially now, more caution is needed."
"Indeed, you need to be careful, I just talked to an old friend over the phone," the old lady said, looking at her deliberately, "something really happened to the Liang Family, Liang Shengnan even announced severing relationships with her natal family during the day."
"What? How did she..." Miao Lishan exclaimed in shock. It was too unbelievable!
Zhou Jiao’s eyes flashed with a hint of darkness, and she smiled sarcastically, "What’s impossible? Auntie, from what you said, does it mean there’s another surprise tonight?"
The old lady approvingly patted her, "Indeed, very clever."
Clever my foot! Zhou Jiao complained silently. She knew too well the trouble caused herself, how could she not guess? Just not sure how things decided after those letters are revealed above.
"Originally, Liang Shengnan was already free. Although many people despised her actions, after all..." The old lady shook her head and laughed scornfully, "Who would have expected to really find the secret letters of Old Liang and his daughter when it got dark."
Zhou Jiao expressed sympathy, "Indeed, man proposes but heaven disposes."
"Exactly. Now everyone is waiting for the decision from above. Quite a few people have fallen under Liang Shengnan’s hand during this time, who doesn’t have friends or family, right? Debts always need to be repaid."
Miao Lishan frowned, "Is Brother Zheng’s delay in coming back related to this matter?"
Zhou Jiao glanced at her mother in surprise. Whenever involving her dad, her mom’s smartness would go on full display. It was somewhat funny and distressing to her.
Footsteps approached from the outside, Old Mrs. Cheng subtly shook her head at the mother and daughter.
After a while, the aunt came in carrying a tray, "Old lady, I made three bowls, will that be enough?"
"Is there more? Have some yourself."
"There’s plenty."
The topic was temporarily interrupted, Zhou Jiao served a bowl from the tray, starting with the old lady, and finally picking up a bowl for herself. She thought about things all day long today and hadn’t had dinner—drinking sweet date porridge warmed her from the inside out.
"Old lady, the date trees have been removed this year, there aren’t many dates left. It’s hard to often enjoy date porridge or date cakes afterward."
The old lady laughed, "It’s alright. Without dates, even the millet porridge made by your hand is delicious."
"As long as you like it. I’ll go to the kitchen now; I will tidy up the bowls afterward."
"Alright, have some yourself too."
Once the aunt left, Miao Lishan immediately said, "Auntie, you have yours, I’ll ask people to inquire later."
"No need, the eldest and the second often send things back; we don’t lack these foods at home. Seeking others would mean owing favors, it’s unnecessary." fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com
After the old lady spoke, she sighed wistfully, "Food isn’t much of a concern; compared to average families, these days are rather affluent."
"Yes, now I tell myself every day to be contented and happy. I didn’t understand the depth of this saying before; several times I saw people packing small parcels from the Friendship Store and I envied them."
"Yes, how much happiness one should enjoy in a lifetime should be predetermined. Some have overdrafted, and this trouble perhaps marks the end.
"I still remember when I was seven or eight, my mother took my sister and me to worship. The main host of the temple explained Buddhism, I remember just a few words from that afternoon..."
Zhou Jiao helplessly glanced at the two people starting to talk about past and present lives, continuing to lower her head, slowly consuming red date porridge spoon by spoon.
No matter how slow, a small bowl of red date porridge will eventually run out. Just like a topic will eventually pause for a break.
After more than half an hour, Zhou Jiao glanced at the watch on her wrist, "It’s almost past eight, I have work tomorrow, Auntie, we should head back."
"So soon?" Old Mrs. Cheng checked the time, chuckled and stood up, "It’s over, over, hurry back to rest. I think your dad will come back soon too."
"No need to come out, just a few steps, we’ll head back by ourselves." freёwebnovel.com
Such a short distance, with cold weather, Zhou Jiao quickly stopped her from coming out. Today Wen Yu went back to Wen’s Family, finally letting the old lady have some momentary rest, it’s better she stayed to rest.
Meanwhile, at the Zhou family, Zhang Guoqing also saw Yi Jiefang and them off, detoured over to pick up his wife. They coincidentally met at the intersection.
"Have they left?"
"Are you back?"
Under the streetlight, the couple asked simultaneously as Zhang Guoqing glanced at Zhou Jiao. Had his mother-in-law not been present, he surely would assert his husband’s authority.
"Mom, dad hasn’t returned yet, Secretary Chen called saying we shouldn’t wait and sleep first, if they are late, dad might stay downtown tonight."
Miao Lishan nodded upon hearing, looking at her thoughtful daughter.
Zhou Jiao smiled soothingly at her.
Watching, Zhang Guoqing raised his eyebrows, continued saying, "Yi Shumin seemed to have something to ask from you; later, Ping’an mentioned you and mom are accompanying the old lady tonight, so she took her pair of kids back first."
"Oh." Zhou Jiao frowned, setting these small matters aside, she inquired about the three sons.
"Not long after their mother left, Aunt Chen took the three brothers upstairs to sleep. When I went out to send Da Yi and them off, Ping’an hadn’t slept yet; I had him stay at home."
Zhou Jiao estimated the son had another motive besides waiting for her. But outside, considering her constitution compared to Zhang Guoqing clad in thick military garb, better discuss further inside.
Which was indeed as she expected.
In Zhou’s family living room, as soon as Aunt Chen headed to the kitchen, Ping’an stood at his grandfather’s study door, carefully inspecting a hair tied to the handle.
Seeing nothing unusual, he casually walked around the living room, looked outside and lifted the floor mat on one side of the room.
If Zhou Jiao were present, surely she would laugh. She merely instructed her son to be wary of bringing unwelcomed items home. Why would he go through such painstaking vigilance!
Ping’an truly didn’t distrust Yi Jiefang. Indeed, in his mind, this self-proclaimed "big kid uncle," besides being a close friend of his father, was his favorite cross-generation companion.
Especially whenever Yi Jiefang had good things, there was invariably a share for his big nephew and Ping’an. This act rendered Ping’an exceedingly affectionate toward him.
One thing his mom didn’t say, but he somewhat grasped. Tonight, before entering home, his mom’s instructions focused on Uncle Fang’s Yi Shumin.
As for how that party angered his mother or did something making his mother mistrustful?
Does it matter?!
He just doesn’t like playing with little girls! Too petty, cry too much, vain, and tattletale. Among the whole Big Courtyard, besides Mo Xiaobei being more generous, none others suffice.
