For this sort of fake plastic sisterhood, Zhou Jiao had already figured it out long ago. That’s why she has always had difficulty opening up to others. She mentioned Yi Shumin’s intentions in passing to her family, then let it go.

To her, anyone not kept in her heart is hardly different from a passerby met on the street. If she can get along, she does, and she certainly isn’t bored enough to need any girlfriends.

On the other hand, Zhang Guoqing was annoyed when he heard about it. Why is it always these peculiar people appearing around his wife? Trying to exploit his wife—what a death wish!

He didn’t bring it up with Fang Fei, but it left a kink in his heart.

After some time, Fang Fei excitedly ran to tell him that his wife was pregnant. Zhang Guoqing smiled and congratulated him, but internally he groused: any female can get pregnant.

"How about finding some meat for your brother this time?"

Zhang Guoqing gave him a sideways glance, "Not likely! Look at me, I’m busy like a dog, where do I find the time? Your wife’s only two months along, why the rush!"

Fang Fei sighed with grievance, "She nags me daily about food, what can I do?"

"She’s just too idle! Just look at your wife, see how many people outside have empty stomachs, and she’s still being picky. When my wife was expecting, she had at most one egg a day, only during postpartum did she eat better."

"Really?"

"Your wife saw what Jiao Jiao ate. Buddy, heed my advice: with your family supplies, you can keep her nutrition up, save up money to raise the child. Where do you find meat in this scorching weather?"

Fang Fei, following his gaze, looked up at the sky, "Are we going to the beach this summer?"

"Once we graduate, we’ll be assigned work, probably not going anywhere."

They stood under the eaves chatting when suddenly shouts rang out: "Papa..."

"Papa..."

Zhang Guoqing covered his forehead, exasperated, "These two ancestors are here again."

Fang Fei burst out laughing, looking at the wobbly twins coming out, he patted his buddy’s shoulder in envy, "You are truly blessed without knowing it! They’re not even one and they can walk."

"Next month on the second they’ll just turn one year old."

"They can speak now."

"Where, they only manage a couple of words."

Fang Fei, seeing his proud face, kicked him.

Zhang Guoqing dodged, ran to pick up his two sons, "Call uncle."

"Baba."

"Bobo."

Zhang Guoqing laughed heartily.

"Go, go." Liu Yi struggled, pointing outside.

Wu Yi pointed at Aunt Sun, "Car."

Zhang Guoqing was defeated by these two little guys, holding them tightly, "Alright, once mom comes out we’ll go out. Behave, or else you won’t get to go."

With a sharp "Ah", Liu Yi called out loudly, "Mama."

Wu Yi didn’t want to lag behind, echoing with loud cries of mama mama.

Fang Fei watched Zhang Guoqing, sweat on his forehead from urgency, teasing the twins, "Zhou Jiao has left. Zhou Jiao has gone to work."

"Bad!"

"Hit!"

"Xiao Wu, can your sons truly understand?" Fang Fei asked in surprise, looking at the children.

Zhang Guoqing nodded proudly, "They understand about going to work. Every time we’re not home they know we’ve gone to work."

Zhou Jiao came out pushing a stroller, and the two brothers immediately struggled to get down when they saw her. Seeing this, Zhang Guoqing handed Liu Yi to Zhou Jiao and put Wu Yi inside to sit there.

The modified stroller seated the twins, and soon after going out, you could see the children’s temperament. Brother Liu Yi’s little mouth never stopped, stringing together babble mixed with clearly articulated words in endless chatter.

In contrast, Brother Wu Yi lazily leaned over, quietly observing the surrounding scenery and pedestrians. At the fork in the road, he pointed to the right and shouted go.

...It led to Ping’an’s nursery.

After parting with Fang Fei, Zhang Guoqing and his wife had no errands, so they leisurely wandered in that direction according to the children’s wishes. As expected, halfway through, they saw paper money again.

Taking advantage of the fact no one noticed, Zhang Guoqing picked up a dime. Now, apart from large cash, he no longer dared to pick up and turn in to the guard like before.

And after repeated tests, it’s now quite clear: this golden touch is thanks to the twin brothers, both indispensable.

Watching Zhang Guodong squat to tie his shoelaces, Zhou Jiao was not surprised. Last time, they took the children to the alley courtyard and halfway through found a black briefcase.

Looking at stacks of cash in varying denominations, they immediately understood this was certainly public funds. She felt lucky for the owner. Fortunately, it was them; if someone else found it, it might’ve just been pocketed.

"Isn’t sister-in-law due soon?"

"Almost, wait for their telegram to prepare a gift."

"Time really flies. Once we get our diplomas, our college life finishes like that."

Zhang Guoqing nodded in agreement.

"Isn’t that Da Yong ahead? Is he looking for you?" Zhou Jiao suddenly spotted someone at the intersection, resembling the young Wan Dayong, looking around.

Zhang Guoqing, with better vision, followed her gaze, immediately laughed, and waved over there.

As they met, Wan Dayong grumbled, "In this hot weather, why aren’t you staying inside, where are you running to?"

"Got urgent business?" Zhang Guoqing pointed at his two sons, "Rarely get time off, the little ones fussed to come out."

Wan Dayong squatted in front of the stroller, looking at the twins, "Liu Yi Wu Yi, remember uncle?"

"Baba." The two greeted him in unison.

Zhang Guoqing laughed heartily. That’s what happens when you don’t call yourself uncle and always try to take advantage.

After teasing the children for a while, the three wandered somewhere less crowded.

It was close to dusk, the early summer afternoon after rain less stifling, cooler and refreshing.

Since last year when they graduated and joined the workforce with Ding Datou, Geng Dazhi, and others, it’s been rare for them to gather day and night like they did in school.

Judging by his demeanor, there might be something pressing he wants to discuss with Zhang Guoqing. Seeing this, Zhou Jiao pushed the stroller ahead to leave space for them to chat.

Zhang Guoqing, both watching Zhou Jiao ahead and asking his arm-slinging brother, "Good news? I heard Grandpa Wan say you’re getting married soon?"

Wan Dayong shook his head, "Nothing certain yet. If truly find the right person, would I not introduce her to you guys?"

"Enough with criteria, settle early so the old man can have grandchildren sooner." Zhang Guoqing examined his expression, "Promoted?"

"Promoted my foot! Regret not applying for the defense student program like you."

Zhang Guoqing glared at him. This buddy is speaking frivolously! Everyone knows not just anyone can get into the second bureau. Among all the buddies in the Big Courtyard, he and Ding Datou are really lucky not sent into the desert!

"Xiao Wu, we can’t compare to Da Zhi; he’s living freely in the railway bureau. At first, he didn’t want it, silly people have silly luck."

Zhang Guoqing nodded in agreement. Among them, only Geng Dazhi was assigned to the Beijing Machinery Division. In less than a year, he was recently placed in a single dorm—the perks are indeed good.

"But no need to envy him; your wife is the one!"

Zhang Guoqing watched him give a thumbs-up, and a lightbulb went off, "You learned Zhou Jiao was assigned?"

"Yeah, heard from a friend on the planning committee."

Zhang Guoqing beamed with joy. Although Zhou Jiao constantly reassured him, he truly dreaded a couple living apart in separate places. The ’four departments and one meeting’ all in one large building, so Wan Dayong’s information couldn’t be wrong.

"Buddy, thank you."

"Thank you orally enough? You have to treat. The document was delivered to the school by my friend in person; I’ll introduce you guys sometime, Zhou Jiao will know someone else then."

Zhang Guoqing quickly asked, "Male or female?"

"Not telling you!"

Zhang Guoqing faced his teasing gaze, joking, "Are you two involved? Not buddies, but friends, huh."

Wan Dayong kicked him and laughed, cursing, "You’re sneaky! Have your wife keep an eye, that girl is clueless, always calls me big brother."

With half the worry off his shoulders, Zhang Guoqing was in the mood for joking. The two whispered together, plotting how to coax the girl into the Wan family soon.