"Uncle Ye, are you out here getting some fresh air in the cold wind?" Zhang Guoqing ran over playfully. Old Ye saw him coming, immediately put on a stern face, and glared at him. But when Zhang Guoqing joked around, he couldn’t keep a straight face and scolded him with a smile, "You little brat, you still remember to look for Uncle Ye? I heard you were looking for me the other day, but when I didn’t see you, I came out to check." "I knew you were thinking about me. I happened to be in the office the other day, didn’t see you, so I asked around. Are you okay these days? How’s Auntie?" Old Ye shook his head and, unable to respond in time, noticed the pile of work clothes in Zhang Guoqing’s hand, immediately frowned and said, "You haven’t taken up a job at the office, have you? Come in and let’s talk." He turned around and went inside. After Zhang Guoqing came in and closed the door, Old Ye pointed at him and said angrily, "Why did you decide to work here? If you’re not joining the army, you should go to college. Isn’t your father-in-law back? Has that Northeast Tiger gone crazy?" Seeing his temper flaring up, Zhang Guoqing quickly raised his hand and said, "Uncle, it’s my second brother working here, not me. Don’t worry, I’ll go to college. I’ve already decided to take the college entrance exam. Don’t worry! We’ve planned it all out. We’ll stay in the county to prepare for two years and take the exam together with Jiao Jiao. My father-in-law agreed, he’s smart. The other day he bought a yard for us, I came to transfer the ownership and thought I’d see if you were around. Nothing major." Old Ye relaxed upon hearing this, softened his expression, and asked him to sit down, "Do you two plan on staying in the county with the kids? Are you planning to go directly to school? If you can’t manage with the kids, just pay someone to help out." Zhang Guoqing knew he was most concerned about his studies and chuckled, "We plan for Jiao Jiao to stay at home and study with the kids for two years. As for me, I’ll work at the military office for two years. When there’s no work, I’ll study for two years, and then we’ll take the exam together. We’ve already talked to the principal, what do you think?" Old Ye nodded, looking at him with disdain, and said discontentedly, "Only after you’ve made all the plans do you ask me? Would you change anything if I said it didn’t sound good? This is fine too, you can learn something practical, though it might be tiring. Start with this plan first, and if it doesn’t work, quit and go straight to school. Do you have any other business today? Your Aunt Ye wants Jiao Jiao to complete her postpartum recovery and go to the county hospital for a check-up. She’s too frail and having a child so early takes a severe toll. Your aunt suggests seeing an old Chinese doctor for proper recovery." Zhang Guoqing nodded at this, "I was thinking the same thing, I’ll take her to Auntie after her recovery. Uncle, today my second brother completed the paperwork. I heard there are dorms at the office, is there any chance of moving into one?" Old Ye gave him a blank look and, lifting his chin, pointed forward, "Did Zuo Lin tell you? There are indeed two empty rooms, but they’re too small for a family. Tell your second brother to take it easy, don’t move the whole wife and kids here yet, wait until he passes probation in three months." "Alright, I understand. Uncle, if a room’s vacated, will there be enough space for those on duty?" Old Ye shook his head indifferently, "There’s a duty room; it’s only in the summer when people might come over to stay due to the crowd. In the dead of winter, who would want to come? Tell your second brother to see me next Monday. These days, I’ll get someone to tidy up. Did your second brother get assigned to the household registration section? That’s right, the household registration section rarely has night shifts. Your home isn’t far from here, so it’s mostly for a quick rest. I bet your second brother won’t want to stay inside; the conditions are too poor, and no one with a wife and kids would want to live and freeze in there." "Yes, let’s prepare first, and he’ll figure it out himself later. Uncle, are you going back for lunch or staying with Auntie?" "Going back to join your aunt. We made plenty of food at home. Do you want to join me for a meal?" "No, I still need to check on the yard with my father-in-law and them. They’re all in the county now. It’s after work, so let’s go together. Otherwise, Auntie would get anxious from waiting." Saying this, Zhang Guoqing stood up and pulled Uncle Ye out the door. The two walked out the door, chatting about family matters, and parted ways after passing the intersection. Zhang Guoqing looked at his watch, unsure of where his father-in-law and mother-in-law were eating. Zhou Xiaozheng got up early in the morning and, not seeing Zhang Guoqing, asked Jiao Jiao and found out he went to the mountains and then to the county town. Knowing Zhang Guoqing hadn’t forgotten to look for Zuo Lin today, he was at ease. After having steamed buns and porridge, he drove Lin Lishan to the county town. Before reaching the courtyard entrance, they saw Liu Xiaoya and her mother waiting there. Lin Lishan saw them from afar and, upon getting out of the car, complained, "Why did you come so early? It’s cold out here. Big sister, come in with Little Ya to shield from the wind." The mother and daughter didn’t say a word, just stood there awkwardly, waving their hands, shaking their heads repeatedly. Zhou Xiaozheng opened the yard gate, handed Lin Lishan a set of keys, then carried the curtain fabric from the back to the steps and said to his wife, "You all go in and wash first. I’ll go to the restaurant and buy some breakfast." After seeing her nod, he got into the car and went to the restaurant upfront to buy ten buns. Lin Lishan, moving things with the mother and daughter to the stone by the well, said, "Elder sister, Little Ya, it’s too cold today. Let’s heat some water before washing. These are clean; we just need to rinse them." Liu Xiaoya shook her head and softly said, "Aunt, you go mind your own business, my mother and I will handle this. No need to heat water, we’ll waste coal briquettes. The well water isn’t cold even in winter. Once we’re done washing, we’ll clean up the kitchen. It’ll be ready quickly in the morning, you focus on your things, we’ll tidy up here." Lin Lishan looked at Liu Xiaoya’s thin coat with several patches, her skillful hands made it hard to notice unless you looked closely. She then looked at their lips, blue from cold, and led Liu Xiaoya by the hand towards the kitchen. "It’s fine, doesn’t waste any coal. Look, there’s some firewood here. You can heat it and then wash. Normally it’s fine, but today, with snow, the girls shouldn’t freeze. Don’t rush to tidy up, warm up first. Your uncle has gone to get breakfast. Wait until you and your mother have eaten before getting busy." With that, Lin Lishan gave them no chance to refuse. Hearing the car returning, she hurried out, took the buns from Zhou Xiaozheng’s hands, placed them on the kitchen table, and called out to them, "Come eat before working. Since we’ve already bought it, let’s eat before doing anything else. Don’t be polite. When your aunt and uncle return to Beijing, our daughter and son-in-law will be here with the kid. Visit her when you have time, chat and help with some chores. I’m heading out, remember to eat first." Lin Lishan left, so they wouldn’t feel uncomfortable. As she exited the kitchen, she saw her husband inspecting the main room and curiously asked, "What’s wrong, is there something not cleaned properly?" Zhou Xiaozheng waved his hand, "No, I was thinking of putting white paper on the walls today. But seeing how clean these walls already are, there’s no need. Shanshan, today we should light the firewall and heat the kang, wring out the bedcovers and curtain fabric and hang them in the hall to dry and remove moisture. See if there’s anything else that needs to be prepared." Lin Lishan entered the rooms, checked each one, then said, "No, everything we needed to buy has been bought. The kitchen was clean to begin with. Once the quilts are done, we can place the new pots and utensils, and there’s not much left to do. If we’re quick, we can be ready by noon." "If there’s nothing else, I’ll take the car out for a spin. When Hong Li arrives, you head out directly, leave everything here to the mother and daughter. Take the money and tickets with you, don’t leave them here," Zhou Xiaozheng instructed after some thought. Lin Lishan held his arm and whispered, "Should we test them? If the character is good and they work cleanly, how about leaving Liu Xiaoya to take care of Jiao Jiao and Ping’an? I find the girl quite pitiful, I’m even thinking of giving her a coat." Zhou Xiaozheng sternly replied, "No, our Jiao Jiao doesn’t appreciate people like Liu Xiaoya, and I don’t agree either. Even if the girl has a good character, seeing how Jiao Jiao and Xiao Wu live carefreely, who knows how she might feel with time—might she become jealous, or even cause trouble? This idea, discard it early. Even if we need someone, it won’t be them, and definitely not a coat. It’s not about being stingy, it’s about being cautious. There are plenty of pitiful people, but we can’t have strangers around Jiao Jiao. If you feel sorry for them, perhaps give them five jins of food stamps after the work is done." Lin Lishan looked at Zhou Xiaozheng confusedly, still not understanding, "Why? I understand not giving the coat, but why can’t Liu Xiaoya do it? She seems quite similar to Jiao Jiao in temperament." Follow current novᴇls on 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵•𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮•𝓷𝓮𝓽 Zhou Xiaozheng sighed, having no other option, he explained slowly, "Her temperament seems minor and somewhat restrained; she’s just 15, her character hasn’t firmed up yet. If she sees Jiao Jiao worry-free and doted on by Xiao Wu daily, might she become envious? Could she become malicious? Our Jiao Jiao doesn’t speak much, not because she can’t be bothered. When she speaks, she speaks polished, like a young lady of a distinguished family. She doesn’t waste words and speaks to the point. Jiao Jiao’s temperament can’t tolerate those who are cowardly, reckless, and act without thinking. People like that don’t catch her eye. You see how Zhao Yuanyuan often seeks Jiao Jiao out? But our Jiao Jiao never mentions her because she’s disinterested in her boisterous nature. Jiao Jiao won’t voice her opinions, but her attitude towards people is like treating a child, never close, at most friendly. This Liu Xiaoya, although efficient, observes people while working. That look isn’t straightforward; while working, if someone comes around, she starts looking around. She acts timidly, seems scared of us; however, after regular interaction, she might overstep. She’s not even as proper as her mother, whose gaze is righteous, working without glancing around. Have you understood now? You see those girls performing with the Art Troupe for the army; some are speaking while keeping their eyes on the surroundings, that’s restlessness." Lin Lishan laughed heartily at his words, "Brother Zheng, haha... I understand your point now. In the future, we’ll get help from the old ladies. Oh, I really hadn’t thought of all these. Alright, I’ll follow your lead. You go about your business. I’ll lock away some items in the inner room. Once Cheng Hongli arrives, I’ll head out." Zhou Xiaozheng nodded, waving his hand as he walked out, "If I’m not back by noon, go to the restaurant yourself first."