Chapter 970: Chapter 843: Gathering in the Northeast 3

At the guesthouse, Mother Zhang was also putting on a façade of peace, praising her two daughters-in-law to Zhou Jiao. Just like Lin Juhua, she hoped that her sons would be close and loved each other, with her favoring more interaction between her three daughters-in-law.

"Your eldest sister-in-law has changed a lot; she doesn’t hang around with her sister-in-law anymore. Over at the old courtyard, my husband and I have completely retired, and now she’s the one busy managing everything."

"Your second sister-in-law is now either taking care of the children or helping me tidy up over here. Before winter, it was them, two sisters-in-law, who helped tidy everything inside and outside the house."

"With you around, they’ll be even more filial. I don’t need to remind them, my husband and I have cloth shoes all year round, all prepared by them. Even your mother listens to you and hasn’t said they’re unnecessary. Collect all their acts of filial piety."

Zhou Jiao listened with a smile on her face. Not because those two were truly filial, but because her mother-in-law was happy, which was good enough. Even if the facts were exaggerated, it was always a way to please her in-laws.

As they chatted, Mother Zhang asked worriedly, "Has anyone bullied you at work?"

"Mom, no, everyone gets along well."

"I don’t believe that. You always report the good news, not the bad. If you really encounter those with bad intentions, don’t handle it yourself. Although your father can’t intervene, isn’t Xiao Wu there?"

Zhou Jiao nodded with a laugh, "Alright, if someone acts blindly, I’ll let my brother beat them up."

Mother Zhang gently touched the top of her head with concern, "Now your father has a salary, your eldest and second brothers send money every month, but we two elders don’t spend much. Raising Liu Yi and May 1st isn’t easy, just the milk powder costs quite a bit. In the future, don’t send so much money back, save more as a precaution."

Zhou Jiao agreed verbally to this but didn’t plan to act on it in her heart. She couldn’t bear the thought of neglecting her duty to care for the elderly given the distance.

During the separation, it was agreed that each household would provide five yuan a month, and before going to school, Zhang Guofu and Zhang Guoqiang repeatedly asked Xiao Wu to send money only after graduation. Back then, the couple didn’t have an answer, much less now when they only send a small amount monthly.

"Just ten yuan, where’s the excess? If it wasn’t for my brother worrying that sending too much money would draw attention, we wouldn’t be sending so little. You and Dad should spend freely, don’t worry so much."

"Silly child!"

"Mom, why didn’t I see Eldest Sister and her family today?" Today, Second Sister Zhang Meihao did greet them, but it was strange the most enthusiastic eldest sister-in-law hadn’t appeared.

When Zhou Jiao brought this up, Mother Zhang remembered the unresolved matter, "The village conditions have improved a lot these past two years; labor points are among the best around. Accountant Zhang had been persuaded back to the old home by a few relatives for over half a year."

Zhou Jiao raised her eyebrows in surprise, "Then his wife’s health improved?"

"Last year, she got better. The distance seems to have erased the bitter memories. Your brother-in-law’s father was coaxed by his eldest grandson to go back entirely."

These words intrigued Zhou Jiao, who looked at Mother Zhang with bright eyes.

"What do you want to know?"

Zhou Jiao smiled sheepishly, "Does Big Sister’s absence today have anything to do with them?"

"Smart!" Mother Zhang praised, then sighed, "Accountant Zhang sent a message to your brother-in-law this morning through someone, saying he wanted him to come back for a discussion. Your Big Sister also went along. I’ve heard recently that his eldest nephew is getting married; I’m guessing it’s nothing good for your Big Sister’s family."

Zhou Jiao frowned, "Why are they getting more confused? Those years it was Big Sister’s family who cared for the two elders. Her nephews are still young, don’t they realize?"

"Don’t worry; rest assured. Your Big Sister’s mother-in-law has right ideas; she won’t let them suffer a huge loss. I just worry about your Big Sister’s temper. I shouldn’t have let her return."

Mother Zhang looked outside as she spoke, lowering her voice, "Before she left, I told your Big Sister to spend a little money instead of arguing. The absence of those relatives makes her life much easier."

"Before, Accountant Zhang wanted to borrow your small courtyard for living; can you believe the nerve to ask that? Lucky your brother-in-law declined himself; I didn’t even want to say a single word to that old guy once your Big Sister told me."

"Later, you should keep an eye on Xiao Wu. This silly lad mentioned to Ziwen and his brothers that they’d stay at your courtyard without a house when returning to the village for New Year; isn’t this making people think?"

Hearing this, Zhou Jiao felt a jolt internally, glanced at Mother Zhang but ultimately didn’t voice her speculation. From her perspective, it’s unlikely Accountant Zhang will succeed in borrowing money from his younger son; there’s no need to say it out loud.

However... borrowing the house is very likely.

As she anticipated, Accountant Zhang’s old courtyard was now host to Zhang Chunming and his wife, who were slightly relieved after hearing about the bride’s situation from their father and Eldest Zhang’s family.

After all, they had considered many possibilities on their way here, but it turned out the greedy brother and sister-in-law didn’t even bring up a wedding gift.

As dusk approached, Zhang Meili, thinking about her younger brother who had traveled from afar, discreetly tugged at her husband’s sleeve, signaling him to say goodbye.

Zhang Chunming noticed this and stood up with a smile, "There are things to take care of at home, I should head back now."

"Young one, hold up." Eldest Zhang hurriedly interrupted, "Since you’re here, it’s rare for us brothers to chat, why the rush?"

Zhang Chunming felt his mouth twitch. He hadn’t forgotten there were two or three years where their brotherly relations had severed. It’s just out of respect for his parents that he even came.

Accountant Zhang noticed his younger son didn’t sit down and pointed to a chair, gesturing for him to take a seat, "Listen to your elder brother, sit down for a while, Father has something to discuss with you."

Zhang Chunming stared at his father’s face for a moment, inwardly sighing, realizing there was indeed something waiting for him. He shot Zhang Meili an apologetic smile.

"Father, please just say it quickly. Today Xiao Wu is returning with his father-in-law’s family, I still need to pay a visit."

Accountant Zhang asked in surprise, "Really?"

Zhang Chunming nodded.

"That’s great, with Xiao Wu here, it’s better for you to personally ask him."

Zhang Chunming was taken aback and then saw the delighted looks on Eldest Zhang’s family, causing a sudden sense of foreboding. He quickly asked, "What do you need from him?"

Accountant Zhang looked at Zhang Meili, hesitated for a while, "Your eldest nephew is getting married, and since there aren’t enough rooms at home, I’d like to borrow..."

Zhang Chunming interrupted before he could finish, "Zhou Jiao is back too!" He knew his father was wary of Zhou Jiao, often saying she was a clever one.

Accountant Zhang was instantly speechless. Right, how could he forget that.

Eldest Zhang’s wife, noticing her father-in-law’s hesitance, wouldn’t let it happen. She had put in much effort for this matter. So, without waiting for Accountant Zhang to speak, she immediately exclaimed, "You’re wrong, Little Brother-in-law. It’s not about borrowing your home in the town. Everyone in the village, just borrowing it to stay for a while, afterward, we’ll build a new courtyard ourselves, and it won’t cause damage."

"If they don’t want to lend as my husband marries..."

Zhang Meili immediately got angry, "Oh, your face is indeed large! Why don’t you let my Xiao Wu borrow you the courtyard in town? Who are you? You think it won’t cause damage. I spit on that! Saying you’ll build a new courtyard afterward, how about paying back the money you owe us first."

"You dead woman, men’s affairs aren’t for you to interfere." Eldest Zhang cursed his wife, then awkwardly smiled at Zhang Meili, "Sister-in-law, please don’t get angry. Listen to Big Brother first..."

Zhang Chunming didn’t wait for his eldest brother to finish and promptly stood in front of his wife to protect her, addressing Accountant Zhang with a stern face, "Father, please don’t put your son in a tough spot."

While speaking, he quickly escorted his wife out, ignoring the pursuing elder brother, and in his anger forgot even to say goodbye to his mother. What kind of people are these!

"Honey, how can they be like this?"

Zhang Chunming comfortingly patted his wife, offering a bitter smile, "We were never of the same kind with them. Anyway, we’ve cut off contact before, it’s better for each of us to mind our own business. As for Father and Mother, we’ll adhere to the agreement during separation and send the money we’re supposed to; that would mean we’ve done right by the two elders."

Zhang Meili held his hand with distress. After repeated back and forth, it’s not just Zhang Chunming losing heart; she also felt it was pointless. Over time, the parents seem to have forgotten how miserable it was living in the hospital initially. Truly insatiable hearts!