Chapter 899: Chapter 772: Still Half for Each

Zhou Xiaozheng let out a hearty laugh again. Never underestimate people; to have a son like Zhang Guoqing, how could the father be anything less?

Mr. Zhang rolled his eyes twice and said anxiously, "Give us a word, will you?"

Zhou Xiaozheng reined in his smile and solemnly said, "Second brother, thank you."

"Thank you for what? No matter how they’re named Zhou, they’re still my own grandchildren. You’d better have the kids mourn me in future when I’m gone."

"Don’t talk nonsense," Zhou Xiaozheng didn’t want to discuss these things, "Let’s not mention this again. With our Jiao Jiao’s upbringing, these kids will have no issues with their character."

"Did you think I would be willing to let the kids take after their mother’s surname otherwise?"

Zhou Xiaozheng wanted to avoid this topic and curiously asked, "Do you really think so highly of Ping’an?"

"Not exactly. Mainly because this child inherited Xiao Wu’s strength. My father adored Xiao Wu the most, if he knew his great-grandson took after him, he’d be delighted. Xiao Wu only had this one son before, and I can’t guarantee all future kids will be boys, so if it’s combined, then it’s combined. I can’t let my Xiao Wu be put in a difficult position."

Zhou Xiaozheng knew there were more reasons than just that, but he couldn’t break it down. The other party’s thoughts were reasonable; if he were in that position, he couldn’t be that kind-hearted either.

He glanced at him and remarked with vague emotions, "Xiao Wu is lucky to have a father like you."

"That’s because you don’t know how much my Xiao Wu has done for the family. In the end, it’s me as his father who owes him; ensuring the kids live happily has made it all worthwhile."

How could Zhou Xiaozheng not know?

With only one daughter, he knew everything about his only son-in-law long ago. Recalling Mr. Zhang’s words, thinking of his Jiao Jiao, he felt deeply touched.

"You and the second sister-in-law are truly blessed people."

"Blessed? Haha, it’s me as a father who’s truly blessed." Mr. Zhang thought of how his young son used to sneak up the mountain to hunt for money to support the family and remembered how his older son had used all his wits to help his two older brothers; he suddenly fell silent.

His older son, how astute he was. He helped his siblings financially and physically, even when his efforts went unappreciated. It was all for the peace and happiness of his parents.

This child always smiled, but who knew he’d been shouldering the household since he was seven or eight. Could they imagine how tired he was?

This farmer, distinguished in the village, county, and even this Big Courtyard, was respected by everyone for his efforts, thanks to his older son’s hard work.

Before his son left for the county, he promised, "Dad, someday I’ll make sure you and mom live better than anyone else in the county." And indeed, they did; everyone welcomed them with a smile. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

Before his son came to Beijing, he promised again, "Dad, wait and see; someday I’ll make sure you and mom feel proud and dared anyone to look down on you." Truly, even big officials smiled warmly when chatting with him.

This time, his son spoke out again, and remembering it made Mr. Zhang happy. His life was complete now without any waiting; he could live as he pleased.

—Life now was already heavenly, like that of an immortal.

Thinking from his older son to his considerate young daughter-in-law, Mr. Zhang grinned and said to Zhou Xiaozheng, "Decide the formal names soon; let’s add the two Zhou surnamed kids to the household registration and show those people."

Zhou Xiaozheng shrugged indifferently and nodded.

"Old brother, if Jiao Jiao has more children, we can split them again, half for each. That would be fair, right?"

Zhou Xiaozheng couldn’t help but laugh. This guy!

"What’s so funny? They’re still young; who knows what the future holds? Maybe Jiao Jiao wants a lot of children and grandchildren; can you stop her?"

Zhou Xiaozheng teased, "No need for half and half; just let me have the girls."

"Keep dreaming! Don’t think that just because you’re an official, I’ll be scared. Haven’t I beaten you up before? You’d better not think about it; even your second sister-in-law would fight you to death."

It was no joke. Mr. Zhang knew better than anyone how much his wife longed for a sweet little granddaughter like Jiao Jiao and always prayed for a set of twins, a boy and a girl.

In their Zhang Family, in terms of being considerate and filial, daughters were not overshadowed by sons. Their two daughters were amazing; they wouldn’t rest easy without visiting two or three times a day in the county.

Look at Mai Miao and Mai Sui, so well-behaved. Much better than those mischievous boys. Even being so young, once they learned some needlework, they thought of their grandparents first.

But Zhang Dayou, do you know what your wife said to the older son? If she found out, would she scratch your old face?

Here, the in-laws joked with each other, getting along harmoniously. Meanwhile, Zhang Guoqing put his mother to sleep and stayed by the side of his wife and children.

Just as a loud "wah" sounded, Zhang Guoqing quickly picked up the child, "Son, your mom’s still sleeping; don’t wake her up, please."

Immediately after the child in his arms stopped crying, two more cries rose one after the other, immediately scaring Zhang Guoqing into a flustered panic.

Zhou Jiao, exhausted, had just fallen asleep and hadn’t moved, nor had any reaction come from nearby Zhou Jiao.

At that moment, Zhang Guoqing finally realized being at wit’s end; what does having many children mean? He gently picked each one up until they stopped crying, quickly starting to check their diapers.

Seeing this, Zhang Guoqing secretly applauded himself. Indeed, his sons were smart, taking after his wife with a cleanliness streak. Even such small babies knew discomfort when wet.

With the experience of caring for Ping’an before, the seasoned father quickly removed their diapers one by one from left to right. Seeing the meconium, he didn’t mind, laid it out on the ground in order, planning to examine it closely later.

"My sons are good; dad will clean you up in a bit. You’ll be comfortable soon. Such good boys, drinking some sugar water in no time, don’t cry..."

The silly dad muttered to himself carefully, washing them one by one and putting on new diapers. After washing his hands, he spoon-fed them brown sugar water in turn.

"Good sons, open your little mouths for some water. Sweet and nice, it’ll make you strong and all your aches fly away..."

"Old Third is very good. Old Third is daddy’s good son. Were you bullied by your brothers in mom’s tummy? No wonder you’re so small. Come on, have another sip, we’ll grow big and strong too."

After a busy bout, Zhang Guoqing quickly found out that the eldest was the bossiest, reminiscent of Ping’an when he was young. The youngest was the most obedient, even crying softly.

Settling the youngest back onto the bed, soon both were asleep again. Watching these two children, Zhang Guoqing grinned silently.

After observing for a while and seeing they fell asleep without issue, he retrieved paper and pen from the nightstand, squatting to examine the meconium on the two diapers on the floor.

"Dark green, very good, the eldest is great."

"The youngest’s is so thin, seems his constitution is not as strong as his brother’s."

Zhou Jiao, woken by the urge to go, saw this scene — her husband nodding and muttering while making notes. She couldn’t help but chuckle softly.

Zhang Guoqing quickly stood up, excitedly asked, "Awake? Need to go to the restroom?"

"Why don’t you ask how I’m feeling first?"

Seeing she wanted to get out of bed, he tossed the paper and pen on the bed, picked her up, and headed towards the bathroom. Thanks to her father, this time she didn’t have to use a chamber pot.

"If you can pee within eight hours, you’re okay. As for feeling—of course, it hurts. Do I need to ask? I heard you already breastfed our sons in the delivery room. I just fed them sugar water earlier. How did I do? Haven’t forgotten the parenting manual, have I?"

"You’re amazing!"

"No, the most incredible and outstanding is still Comrade Zhou Jiao. Comrade Zhou, on behalf of the children, thank you. Thank you for risking your life to bring them into this world."

Zhou Jiao smiled with her lips pursed, put on her pants, refused to be carried out again, and walked out supporting herself, "Is Ping’an okay at home?"

"Didn’t you say not to play favorites?" Zhang Guoqing teased before continuing, "I had mom, little sister, and the others take Ping’an to rest in the empty room next door. He’s very good, really likes his little brothers."

"I was too busy feeding them; I didn’t get a chance to look closely. Are the babies okay?"

"Very well. Sons are in my care; you eat something and go back to sleep. Tomorrow won’t be peaceful."

Zhou Jiao didn’t argue, as she could now only rest and recuperate quickly. After checking on the kids, she fell asleep again per Zhang Guoqing’s instructions.