Chapter 891: Chapter 764: Commanding Presence and Deterrence

Contentment brings happiness. Zhou Jiao was not the least bit dissatisfied with these conditions, especially upon seeing the bedroom walls covered with clean white paper, and the table top showing the wood grain after being cleaned.

She let out a joyful laugh.

"Little fool!"

"Thank you, husband, you’ve worked hard. I really like this place."

Zhang Guoqing lovingly touched her head. Despite being the best courtyard in the village, it was still the worst room they had ever stayed in.

"Anywhere with you feels like Heaven."

Zhang Guoqing was instantly healed, his eyes brightened, and he gave her a big kiss on the cheek, expressing regret: "It’s a pity there’s no electricity here."

"It’s okay, a kerosene lamp works too, we’ll light another one," Zhou Jiao said, while touching the brand new kang mat with her big belly, "Do you still have a secret stash?"

Zhang Guoqing burst into laughter, "Silly wife!"

Zhou Jiao suddenly realized that the money he earned last year had always been kept by him for emergencies. She awkwardly touched her nose and turned to the bedding on the kang.

Zhang Guoqing didn’t tease her and carefully protected her while telling her about something: "Qian Yousheng is the head of this brigade; the woman earlier is his wife. They have four sons and two daughters. The small courtyard here was originally built for their youngest son, but two years ago, the couple was appointed as temporary workers in the city, so this place became vacant.

Many families nearby haven’t separated yet, but his family did it early. When I heard their family rules were good, I personally sought out Qian Yousheng. He was reluctant to rent, but Aunt Qian agreed as soon as she heard you were expecting twins. However, she stated upfront that you can’t give birth here."

Zhou Jiao shook her head with a smile. She was impressed by Zhang Guoqing! In such a short time, not only did he find a courtyard, there was such a figure involved, saving a lot of trouble.

"I just explained our family situation to her, and she was reassured. The rent is five yuan a month, and the land in the backyard is left for us to plant vegetables. I can see she wasn’t asking for the sky, and her personality is similar to mom’s, she even suggested telling outsiders we’re relatives from mom’s side. Knowing she’s not a foolish person, I paid half a year’s rent directly."

"Impressive!"

Seeing her staring at the stove missing a pot, Zhang Guoqing immediately understood: "Just fit what’s missing, Dad will bring Ping’an over at noon for cover."

Zhou Jiao looked at him in pleasant surprise: "Really?"

"Absolutely true! Dad said we’re often at school, he must come to hold the fort, lest those rascals and hooligans target us."

"Then we should hurry, just in time for lunch when they arrive."

"No rush, I’ll do it later," Zhang Guoqing helped her put things in order. "Do you see anything else missing? I’ll go buy in the afternoon."

Zhou Jiao had already looked around. This man had prepared almost everything needed; anything more would be too conspicuous. Her gaze caught the chicken coop on one side of the courtyard: "Once we’re settled, is it okay if I raise two chickens?"

Zhang Guoqing looked out following her gaze and laughed: "Now, they encourage raising more chickens and pigs, just two chickens would definitely be okay. But Jiao Jiao, it’s better not to raise them, it’s too smelly in the summer."

Zhou Jiao thought about the smells, hesitated for a moment, "Maybe think about it later, mainly if not raising them, would we seem out of place?"

Just a transitional period of two or three months, Zhang Guoqing didn’t plan to follow local customs. He was worried about his wife not eating well, not about lacking food.

The couple chatted, soon organizing oil, salt, rice, and vinegar, forming a homey atmosphere.

Before noon, Zhou Xiaozheng brought a group over.

Two cars rumbled to a stop outside the courtyard, attracting many old women and children at home to come watch the liveliness.

When Qian Yousheng, this brigade captain, brought two men over, Zhou Jiao didn’t know how to face her father’s so-called cover.

Too ostentatious!

Dressed in military attire, Old Mrs. Cheng and Lin Lishan greeted the women outside the courtyard door, ignoring their respectful and curious gazes, with a smile as they chatted.

Inside, Mr. Cheng and Zhou Xiaozheng in their formal wear were hosting Qian Yousheng and the others, especially Mr. Cheng, who kept talking about children’s weak constitutions and hard work studying.

Soon everyone inside and outside came to the same conclusion. This family is all military personnel, for the greater good placing their family’s only sprout in the countryside, their health ruined.

If not for the child’s studies, perhaps they would still be hospitalized to preserve the twins. Now, to avoid delaying work and studies, there’s no choice but to live close to school.

The family hopes their brigade’s good atmosphere will ensure someone helps the child when facing difficulties with the family busy with official duties.

The self-satisfied Qian Yousheng patted his chest, assuring Mr. Cheng and company. He would have his wife look after this young couple.

With the village women’s sympathetic gazes around, Zhou Jiao kept a stiff smile as she exchanged pleasantries with everyone. As soon as the crowd dispersed, she returned inside with a sigh of relief.

Zhou Xiaozheng, having had enough of his daughter’s commotion, pointedly inspected the courtyard once more, and after checking the bedroom, patted his son-in-law’s shoulder.

Zhang Guoqing asked nervously: "Dad, is this praise or urging me to march on?"

"Both."

Mr. Cheng at the side was amused by the banter between the father-in-law and son-in-law.

Inside the bedroom, Old Mrs. Cheng glanced around and sighed inwardly. Seeing Lin Lishan’s red eyes, she could only say, "Better than those cave dwellings back in the day."

Zhou Jiao hugged her son beside her, smiling brightly and nodding: "This place is nice, I really like it. Mom, you can come stay anytime."

Lin Lishan looked at her speechlessly and seeing her daughter’s delighted face, could only agree: "Okay, when there’s a holiday, I’ll bring Ping’an over to stay with you."

Old Mrs. Cheng rolled her eyes internally. If there was a holiday, they’d head home, why stay here? Besides, what month is it now, when the children do their month are still here? This mother and daughter are just talking nonsense.

Ping’an touched Zhou Jiao’s belly: "Little brothers, be good, big brother will play with you later."

"Baby, is anyone bullying you in kindergarten?"

"No, they’re all my good buddies, even the teacher praises me every day."

Old Mrs. Cheng knew she cared about the child, "I’ve checked several times; our Ping’an is very popular. He’ll be a narrator this Children’s Day, right?"

Ping’an looked at Zhou Jiao with a big smile: "Mom, not only a narrator, I have a performance too. The teacher said if I do well, I might even represent the kids to present flowers to great-grandpa and them."

"Really? So amazing?"

Ping’an was tickled by Zhou Jiao’s surprise and laughed out loud.

"My son is so great; mom will definitely go watch Ping’an’s performance that day."

This time, it was Ping’an’s turn to look delighted, eagerly asking: "Mom, really? You can go? There’ll be lots of people, won’t it press on little brothers?"

Zhou Jiao felt a pang in her heart, tears almost falling, she hugged her child tightly, nodding repeatedly: "Yes, your father and I will definitely go cheer for you!"

"Mom, I love you the most."

"I love you too."