Lin Lishan looked at the interaction between the two men with envy and sighed, "Brother Zheng, the bond between you comrades is really strong." "We’re brothers through life and death. He’s very genuine, ready to take a knife for a brother, very loyal, just a bit of a muddlehead. It’s not surprising others didn’t visit Jiao Jiao, but it’s odd he didn’t go. Do you know what he said? He thought your elder brother’s daughter was Jiao Jiao, mistook your sister-in-law for you, and even asked about it specifically in Beijing. He was worried about me, thought Jiao Jiao would ignore me while she was at her maternal grandparents. When the old man introduced Xiao Wu as the granddaughter-in-law, he thought it was your brother’s son-in-law. Xiao Wu really doesn’t look like he’s from a rural background. By the way, hasn’t your sister-in-law’s daughter ever mentioned him visiting her?" Lin Lishan shook her head, "No, she’s never mentioned it. I do know your friend Zhao Chuan Guang." Fınd the newest release on 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩✶𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚✶𝕟𝕖𝕥 Zhou Xiaozheng thought for a moment and said, "Shanshan, what do you think of your sister-in-law’s daughter? After all, her father isn’t around." Lin Lishan frowned in frustration, "It’s hard to say. I didn’t think much before, but after seeing Jiao Jiao, I feel that child is not just reserved but inherently cold. Our Jiao Jiao, no matter how cool she appears to others, is very polite. No matter how much she dislikes someone, she maintains decorum and won’t embarrass them. That child’s pride is on the surface, but our Jiao Jiao’s pride is in her bones. Usually, she appears gentle and speaks softly, but when she loses her temper, her stern expression is a lot like yours, not many words, but each one is sharp. That child looks for a partner based on whether their family background matches hers. Our Jiao Jiao considers if the family is harmonious and if they’re easy to get along with. Different indeed, no wonder my dad says no one in the family can compare to Jiao Jiao." Zhou Xiaozheng raised an eyebrow, "Oh, did the old man give such high praise?" "Yes, he said I shouldn’t let the child do as she pleases, as she is no ordinary talent. If left to her own devices, without any restraint or pressure, she wouldn’t fight back. External events don’t affect her much because she doesn’t hold many people in her heart. Last time the old man saw Jiao Jiao, he described her as low-key, cautious, steady, highly defensive, capable of controlling the overall situation, strategic, calculating, skilled, and politically sensitive. Unfortunately, her willpower is too strong, she’s not easily influenced, and won’t change her way of living, dealing with people, or principles for doing things. Jiao Jiao is indeed intelligent, but not as much as the old man exaggerates. She’s very rational, always knowing what shouldn’t be done or thought of. Didn’t my father take Xiao Wu out for five days last time? He said, ’Jiao Jiao, guide me, I’m feeling anxious and restless now.’ Brother Zheng, do you know what Jiao Jiao said?" Zhou Xiaozheng drove slowly, shaking his head, what was there to think about, she must have scolded him awake, precisely because she’s always had a plan in her mind. Listening to his wife’s description, what his father-in-law had told him hadn’t been this detailed before. Shanshan had always talked about the grievances their daughter suffered. He realized he’d overlooked a critical point. What skills did their daughter have that made the old man want to take Xiao Wu out for five days? Her ability to predict their return was a sign of intelligence. Not surprising at all. Suddenly adding 28 parcels would be suspicious if it weren’t her. However, being able to control the whole situation, even if it involves 500 people, is remarkable. 17-year-old Jiao Jiao, he should think about how his Jiao Jiao should develop in the future. Zhou Xiaozheng nodded after listening, "Those two are really nice, they take care of each other and point things out for one another. Our Jiao Jiao is smart and capable. Have you ever asked Jiao Jiao what she plans to do in the future?" "No, I just told her, do whatever you want, live however you want, mom has money, mom doesn’t lack money." Zhou Xiaozheng laughed heartily. He seemed lost, "That’s right, she can do whatever she feels like, we’re not short on money. But wife, besides the salary, how much money do we still have with your mom? You spend lavishly, is there anything left?" Lin Lishan counted on her fingers, "I haven’t calculated it carefully. Before you left, you gave me a packet with two deposit slips, one was your private savings of 5000 US Dollars, along with our family savings, the betrothal gift you gave converted to US Dollars, and the combined deposits of over 4000 US Dollars were handed over to her in Jiao Jiao’s name. I’ve never touched it. She also wouldn’t let me use it, saying that when the child grows up, all will need money. My salary for 17 years was mostly unspent, living on base for food, accommodation, and clothing, going on trips with subsidies, and could often bring something back to earn a price difference. Aside from sending money to Jiao Jiao every month and buying clothes, all the surplus was entrusted to my mom, she said she’d save it for me, fearing I’d spend it rashly. These years my salary has been close to 180 yuan, I’m not sure how much exactly, but it should be a sizable amount by now, right? I told my mom to let me know if my salary reached 50,000. Seeing her confusedly counting her fingers, unable to add it up, Zhou Xiaozheng tapped her head. "Did you also give the gold bars and house deeds from that packet to your mom?" "I didn’t dare mention the gold bars, just hid them in the secret compartment you designed, still in the wooden box you instructed. Now they’re at our Big Courtyard home. The house deeds and deposit slips are with my mom. When I went to fetch Jiao Jiao last time, I asked for them, but my mom returned two house deeds, not the deposit slip. I never handed her the yard’s rental fee, if she asked, I wouldn’t tell the truth, all our family belongings are there with her. I feel a bit uneasy, though I’m not sure what the feeling is exactly. Why does my mom think that way, shouldn’t she have her private savings, why withhold our and big brother’s money?" Zhou Xiaozheng gave her a light smile, "Can you guess? We’re here already, let’s quickly finish shopping, head back to the county to buy a bed, coal briquettes, and make a pushcart." He wasn’t in the mood to explain everything thoroughly, his wife was simple yet not stupid. She already sensed something was off, just didn’t dare face it. Some things will happen regardless, no need for him to spell it out. Time will tell. Lin Lishan paused, then quickly got out of the car, entering the Friendship Mall with him, "Brother Zheng, let’s start from the second floor." "Alright, you’re in charge. We’ll start with curtain fabrics, bed linen materials, check if we already have anything on the car. If we do, let’s not buy more. Kitchen items are also on the second floor, choose something nice and exquisite, buy a small quantity, and get two beautiful unbreakable items for Ping’an. We can use an iron pot, I noticed Jiao Jiao has various sizes of pots already, so buy less." They were busy for three solid hours, finally completing the checkout, loading things into the car, and exchanged a relaxed smile once inside. Lin Lishan looked at the back seat, "Brother Zheng, who should we find in the county to clean up? Should we consult the community committee?" "No need, just drive to the Armed Forces Department and ask Zhao Dashan to help find someone. You stay in the yard to oversee the sorting, mind the furniture. I’ll drive to buy a bed, see if there’s a pushcart for sale too. Then we’ll get coal briquettes, we have plenty of tickets this time, buy 500 pounds first, have Xiao Wu buy some in a couple of days, alternating, 1000 pounds should be enough."