Free Web NovelChapter 1051: Chapter 924: It’s Really Possible
"Xiao Hui?"
Zhou Jiao nodded.
"It’s quite possible, he was raised single-handedly by his grandfather."
These words were too sincere, Zhou Jiao couldn’t help but smile. She had just returned, and while her mom was changing clothes in the bedroom, she briefly recounted those things to her.
"If it’s really him, then perhaps he’s hiding it from the old man; otherwise, the old man would have called me over a few days ago. In that case, for the child’s safety, we should act like we don’t know. Later, when he encounters something, you all should pay attention and take care of him."
"Yes, I also think so."
"I was so good to them over the years, at least there’s someone who understands gratitude."
Even if she didn’t fully agree, Zhou Jiao nodded along. As long as it brought comfort to her heart, was it really necessary to distinguish whether it was for interests or a bit of sentiment?
With her in the background, as long as her mom was happy, it was fine!
Sharing the same thoughts, Zhang Guoqing, after settling the three young masters to sleep, went back to his room to sort out the gifts for his wife from his luggage.
In the short exchange with Zhou Jiao earlier, he didn’t have time to hand over his private money. The events of that night were conveyed lightly to his father-in-law, but without his wife’s assistance, despite moving more freely, there were still many inconveniences.
However, he didn’t plan to tell his little girl any of these; a man should protect his beloved and stand by his family. Boasting is a trifling matter to amuse her, and others are best left to him!
Seeing a graceful figure enter, Zhang Guoqing smiled, "Is our mom resting?" freēwebnovel.com
"Yes. I told her about Lin Dinghui’s matter."
"It’s fine to mention it. Dad also said to bring it up with mom, now that the situation is unclear, it’s better not to hide it from mom, let Dad handle it." fгeewebnovёl.com
"Wife, I want to show you something."
Zhou Jiao glanced at the diamond in his hand and gave him a sidelong glance, "Don’t think I’ll let you off easily. Do you know how dangerous it is for you to act alone?"
Zhang Guoqing understood that, at the end of the day, his wife was still grumbling about not being able to join the fun, so he quickly appeased her: "Wasn’t Dad there this time? In the future, in the future, I promise to find you if anything happens."
This pot must definitely be carried by his father-in-law, otherwise he’d end up being kicked out to sleep in the bedroom at night. What’s the saying? Sacrifice others while saving oneself.
Zhou Jiao wasn’t truly angry, seeing him pin the blame on her dad, she chuckled and let it go, "You’re just trying to get something from your pocket while doing bad things aren’t you?"
"Consider it as compensation for my wife’s emotional distress." Zhang Guoqing shamelessly said, shoving all the private stash at her.
"Will it leave traces?"
With a light laugh, Zhang Guoqing shook his head, "Paintings and antiques are traceable, we’re not lacking in gold, only these small items and bills are useful. Keep them, I notice you’re always donating money, you probably don’t have much cash left on hand."
Feeling a bit embarrassed, Zhou Jiao smiled slightly.
Ill-gotten gains, especially these monies robbed from others, always felt uncomfortable to her. Jewelry and paintings weren’t easy to dispose of; they were better used in places where needed.
"This time those families were all about savings; those items I placed directly on the square due to the rushed timing, otherwise you could have donated a few times."
Speaking of donations, Zhou Jiao really had complaints. Now, aside from Beijing’s Welfare Institute and those solitary elderly, she couldn’t donate elsewhere, as the postal service’s management was getting stricter.
Recently, she had just visited an orphanage; damn it...the living conditions of the kids inside hadn’t improved at all, she suspected that aside from public donations, everything secretly was swallowed.
Moreover...she no longer dared give too many things secretly to those suffering elderly, even if given, they’d be snatched away, possibly leading to another beating for them.
Thinking of these things left Zhou Jiao somewhat disheartened, yet she had no intention of bringing them up with him; solutions would eventually emerge, better not to burden him further.
With Zhang Guoqing and his father-in-law’s return, this home felt like it had a mainstay again, Zhou Jiao no longer had to worry day and night about them. After this event, peace returned for the short term, leading an easy-going life.
After an initial rectification, order was restored at work. Of course, daily "prayers" in the morning, noon, and evening continued, as did using phrases from quotes during daily life and work.
But with habit, it became easier. Even the elderly who couldn’t recognize a single character could casually speak a series of classic quotes, let alone Zhou Jiao, who never forgot what she saw.
The wave of "going up to the mountains and going down to the countryside" resurged repeatedly; different from the initial enthusiastic participation, by ’69, the year of the chicken, it had become chaotic.
No matter how undeveloped the transportation or how intolerant the situation was for individual mistakes, nothing could hide the truth. Those young men and women who joined the corps or went to the countryside now began frequently writing home for help after their enthusiasm faded with time.
It was easy to leave impulsively, but coming back? Ha, it’s hard, leaving many worried sick.
Not mentioning elsewhere, colleagues at Zhou Jiao’s workplace found it difficult; those in their forties, who didn’t have four or five kids? It was beyond their capacity to leave just one or two kids in the city given the limited conditions.
Recently, after several colleagues discussed whose family, which child was going to the countryside, Jin Lijuan started worrying about bringing her second daughter back.
"Wasn’t it the child’s own choice to leave? It’s unreasonable for her to blame you as a mom." Shao Dongrui couldn’t help but say after hearing the senior sister’s complaints.
But how could he, a straightforward man, understand a mother’s feelings? Especially a woman prematurely entering menopause. No matter how unreasonable, she was still a part of her own flesh.
"Ah, isn’t it just due to us parents being incompetent? Old Wang’s house in the courtyard, his eldest son went straight from the Northeast Corps to join the army."
Hearing this, Zhou Jiao’s eyes flickered, continuing to copy data.
"Sister Jin, my wife’s family has a nephew who took over his grandfather’s job to return to the city, you could go back and discuss it with your elders, see if it’s feasible."
Shao Dongrui was quite helpful, pondering a bit before offering advice.
But Zhou Jiao had just heard from others that Sister Jin’s third child had also graduated junior high, and was at the age to go to the countryside. If there was a quota, wouldn’t it have to be reserved for the son?
The youngest son is about the same age as her Ping’an, though, not a worry. But it’s a pity that the only daughter went so far away.
Of course, not mentioning the preference for sons over daughters which wasn’t the main issue, it’s likely besides the kids struggling, it’s also one of the reasons why Sister Jin’s second daughter wanted to return.
These greenhouse flowers grown under parental care, despite frequent care packages sent from home, couldn’t recall those bold statements made at that time.
In the office, only their conversation was heard, along with another, Shen Zhao—Wu Shaolin’s cousin. He married late, had small kids, and had little to say.
