Chapter 893: Chapter 766: Being Parents-in-Law

The farming hustle and bustle here in Beijing is lively with the involvement of the old mischief Doctor Hu and the little genius Ping’an. Coupled with favorable weather this year, it’s another bountiful harvest, and the village is filled with laughter and joy.

Meanwhile, in a small courtyard far away in the Northeast County, Zhang Guoqing’s siblings have gathered after work, except for Zhang Guoqing’s family.

In the living room, Mr. Zhang silently smokes a long pipe, while Mother Zhang picks up a letter from the cabinet and hands it to her youngest daughter, Zhang Meili, asking her to read it aloud to everyone.

As Zhang Meili softly finishes reading a letter from Zhang Guoqing. In the letter, her brother mentions Jiao Jiao is expecting twins and plans to have his parents take the village midwife to Beijing in May or June.

The four couples present paused, then burst into laughter, joyfully discussing this great news.

Zhang the Second laughed first and said, "Our Little Five Elements always seeks speed in everything. It’s been many years since we’ve had such great news apart from Little Zuo You."

Beside him, Zhang Meili gave him a slap, "Talking nonsense again."

After speaking, she glanced at Mother Zhang, "Mom, what are we waiting for? Hurry up and find Auntie, we should greet her first and let her prepare."

Zhang Chunming tugged at his wife’s hand, "Don’t rush. Let’s see what Dad and Mom say first."

Zhang Meili immediately looked at Mr. Zhang.

Zhang the Second glanced at everyone and scratched his head. What was his dad thinking? "Dad?"

Mr. Zhang finished his last puff, knocked the long pipe, and with no hint of joy on his face, looked at his children. He was secretly worried, "Have you ever considered the dangers for Jiao Jiao?"

Zhang Meili instinctively refuted, "That’s Beijing, no need to worry. Back when sister-in-law was pregnant with Little Zuo You, everything went smoothly!"

Mother Zhang looked at her silent husband and replied, "Jiao Jiao is so petite, how can it be the same? Just seeing your sister-in-law with that big belly, I was on edge for months."

Zhang Meili quickly tugged at her mother’s sleeve stealthily. Her mother really didn’t know how to talk, saying this publicly would make her sister-in-law uncomfortable.

Mother Zhang paused and glanced at her eldest daughter-in-law, "Little Five sent the letter so early, probably wanting your Auntie to go to Beijing. I guess Jiao Jiao’s pregnancy isn’t going well, and your father and I are worried..."

Huang Cuilan advised from across, "Mom, Jiao Jiao endured the tough times of giving birth to Ping’an, there won’t be any problems. If you’re not assured, go to Beijing early with Dad, take care of Jiao Jiao like I did when pregnant with Zuo You brothers, there won’t be any issue. After all, Beijing is the capital."

Zhang Meili nodded in agreement. True, in the village one might worry, but in the big city, as long as there’s no lack of money, giving birth isn’t that big of a deal.

Zhang the Second whispered in his wife’s ear, "Back then did sister-in-law face any danger?"

Lin Juhua rolled her eyes at him, how do you answer that? Let alone twins, even a single pregnancy can be perilous. If Jiao Jiao weren’t serious, would Little Five have sent a letter asking for help?

"Mom, there’s not much to think about. If anything happens at home, entrust it to us. You and Dad should take people and go early, distant mountains and rivers make talking useless until you see them face to face."

Zhang the Second felt his wife’s advice was sound and quickly added, "Mom, I’ll go to the village with you. I’ll talk to Uncle, if he knows Little Five asked Auntie, he’ll surely agree."

Mr. Zhang looked at Zhang Guofu, "Eldest, what do you think?"

Zhang Guofu looked surprised at him, "Dad, what is there to say? Arrange with Auntie early, don’t wait till May or June, let her go when she’s free and accompany you to Beijing. Once the supplies are down, I’ll send you grain coupons."

Mr. Zhang listened and laughed. He looked at the eldest couple, speaking leisurely, "But if we hurry, we might miss Xi Zi’s college entrance exams."

Zhang Guofu shook his head with a strained smile, "On the exam day, the child goes to take the exam, no family accompanies them for their college entrance exams."

Beside him, Huang Cuilan was surprised at her husband and then looked at her parents-in-law, seeing them watching her, she quickly lowered her head.

Mr. Zhang pressed his wife’s hand, looking at the couple, "That makes sense, but if we both go to Little Five, might Xi Zi be unhappy? Maybe I stay and only your mom goes?"

This time, Huang Cuilan quickly raised her head, "Dad, both of you should go. If Xi Zi knows his little aunty is in danger, he’ll surely ask you to ignore him. Besides, I’ll just stay at home, I’ll take good care of him."

Mr. Zhang heard this and nodded happily, "Eldest’s wife, it’s a burden on you. Prepare some nice things for Xi Zi, studying consumes brains. Also, don’t ask him about exams, Little Five said it’s to not stress the child."

"Dad, I’ve got it. I’ll take care of hubby and the home."

Lin Juhua was a little dazed watching her sister-in-law, quickly snapped back. Isn’t this good? Whether she’s sincere, at least she knows the importance.

Earlier she feared Huang Cuilan might offend someone. Not speaking about the parents-in-law, just the two big sisters-in-law would be disheartened hearing the eldest consent to leaving the father.

Unexpectedly, that moment of reluctance was solved after she bowed her head. Seems nobody’s a fool! Lin Juhua chuckled silently.

Did Mr. Zhang not notice? He knew when to stop.

With the pleasantries said and the eldest daughter-in-law speaking up, he smiled picking up the long pipe, "Once it gets dark, I’ll go to the village with your mom and see when she can set out?"

Zhang Guofu asked, "Dad, should I go with you?"

"No need, you and the second have work tomorrow morning. We’ll mention it to her, then wait in the village for her reply. Once there, we can’t manage farming, it won’t be easy for a while. If not Little Five wouldn’t say before June, he knows it won’t be quick."

Zhang Meili, seeing her father had decided, greeted everyone and led her little sister home. Now with twins, she should prepare some small clothes before her parents set out.

After the families dispersed, they decided to head to Beijing soon. Mr. Zhang started organizing things from warehouse to bedroom.

"Wife, go visit the Shi Family, chat with their lady well, see how their daughter-in-law is raising twins?"

Just as he finished, Mr. Zhang continued, "Also, remember to check the daughter-in-law’s complexion, don’t just listen to her boasting."

"Okay, take your time packing, I’ll be back soon."

Mother Zhang compared her eldest daughter-in-law and niece’s wife to the city’s daughter-in-law in the front yard. Without a word, she ran.

Compared to her own Jiao Jiao, the city daughter-in-law’s experience was more similar.