"Don’t worry, everyone, I hear a car outside, it should be Xiao Wu coming back. Hongbing, go and see if it’s him." Zhou Xiaozheng quickly said. Zhao Hongbing hurriedly ran outside, and before he reached the gate, he saw Zhang Guoqing helping the old lady out of the car. He shouted loudly, "Uncle Zhou, there’s a guest, you should come out and see. Xiao Wu brought the old granny over." Zhou Xiaozheng heard his shout, looked at Lin Lishan, and they both paused for a moment. Zhou Xiaozheng quickly said, "Shanshan, it’s mom, let’s go and greet her together." "Did you ask Xiao Wu to bring mom over? Why didn’t you let me know?" Lin Lishan said quietly as she followed him hurriedly. Zhou Xiaozheng replied casually, "There must be something important, let’s talk when we’re not busy later." Zhang Guoqing got out of the car and locked the door, helping Mrs. Zhou, "Grandma, we’re here. This is the new courtyard our family bought. Whenever you have time, you can come and stay for a month to keep us company." "It’s a nice place, the environment is peaceful, and it’s far from the neighbors, not bad. Grandma won’t cause any trouble, I’m no help here. I’ll just visit when I have time." The old lady smiled kindly, nodding as she looked at the small courtyard in front. Zhang Guoqing was about to respond when Zhao Hongbing shouted again, "Haha, this is my dad’s good friend’s youngest son, Zhao Hongbing. Grandma, let’s go inside, my parents are at home." "Brother Hongbing, this is Jiao Jiao’s grandmother. Let’s go inside." Before reaching the entrance, Zhou Xiaozheng and Lin Lishan hurried forward to greet the old lady. Lin Lishan said happily, "Mom, you’re here, this is great. Come, let me show you the inner room." Zhou Xiaozheng looked at Zhang Guoqing, trying to read his expression, and felt his heart sink, knowing something must have happened. Otherwise, they wouldn’t bring the old lady directly with guests around, they’d discuss it later. Seeing Zhao Dashan and his family coming out, he said, "No need for everyone to come out. Shanshan will take mom to the room, and we’ll start eating first." After saying that, he saw Zhang Guoqing turning to take things from the car. He stepped forward to help, noticing the unsent gifts, and laughed inwardly. This must have upset Xiao Wu, not knowing what the old man stirred up again. "Let’s go, we’ll talk about it later." Seeing Zhang Guoqing’s worried look, he knew he noticed. He didn’t mind, he was prepared for this, no expectations meant no disappointment. "Hey, dad, I went to Master Fatty’s, he told me everything, I wrote it down for you to see later. Jiao Jiao is very happy, she guessed you went to the fish farm in HX county and told you to take it easy and not overwork, she’ll wait for you to come back tonight." "Hmm, let’s go inside first." Saying this, Zhou Xiaozheng carried the wild chickens and cured meat with him to the kitchen, and seeing no one there, they headed to the living room instead. In the room to the right of the living room, the old lady was leaning against the kang, smiling kindly and listening to everyone talking. She had already taken off her coat. Seeing Zhou Xiaozheng enter, she waved her hand promptly, "Come and sit over here." Zhou Xiaozheng happily sat next to the old lady, and said quietly, "Mom, stay for a few days this time. I’m going back to report soon, and it’ll be rare to return afterward." The old lady patted his hand gently and smiled, "Mom is used to staying at home, doesn’t want to go anywhere. As long as you’re doing well, Mom will be at ease. Your work is important, if anything arises, there’s always Xiao Wu and Jiao Jiao, don’t worry." ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝•𝖿𝗂𝗋𝖾•𝘯𝘦𝘵 Zhou Xiaozheng looked at Lin Lishan beside him, smiled, and said to her, "Shanshan, go to the kitchen and get some dishes ready. Xiao Wu brought a lot of meat, after the meal, spend quality time with Mom." Cheng Hongli heard him and pulled Lin Lishan along to leave, saying, "Brother Zheng, I’ll go with Shanshan. Auntie, you rest here for now." Zhao Dashan saw Zhang Guoqing leave and took his kids out as well, "Brother Zheng, you keep auntie company, I’ll check outside for anything I can help with and call you when it’s time to eat." "Sure, once Shanshan and the others are done, we’ll eat. Xiao Wu is outside, ask him if needed. Oh, and Dashan, have Xiao Wu get a coat from his room and bring the stuff to Zuo Lin and them." "Got it. Don’t rush, there’s still time to send it. Keep Auntie company, I’ll handle it with Xiao Wu." Zhou Xiaozheng went to the living room to fetch a tea set, brewed a cup with hot water, and handed it to his mom, "Mom, have a sip to warm up. This kang is just for looks, it can’t be lit, we just heated the room today, it’s not quite warm yet, stay covered with the quilt." "Mom’s not cold, Xiao Wu wrapped me in a coat before we left, and it wasn’t cold in the car either, I even took off my coat coming in, give it to Xiao Wu to wear so he doesn’t catch a cold." Zhou Xiaozheng chuckled, "It’s fine, there’s a coat in his room, I already had someone tell him to put it on in his room. Xiao Wu’s smart, he won’t get cold." Zhang Guoqing came in from outside smiling, "Dad, you flatter me. Hehe, Grandma, don’t worry, I’m not cold, I’ll put it on soon. Are you happy to see Dad?" The old lady nodded happily, looking affectionately at Zhang Guoqing, "Yes, Grandma is happy to see you all. Our Xiao Wu is so filial; live well with Jiao Jiao in the future. Grandma doesn’t need you to accompany me; you go handle your affairs. If there’s anything, I’ll find your dad. Go, didn’t your dad say you need to deliver something to someone just now?" "Alright, I’ll just be a moment, it’s close by. Dad, besides Zuo Lin, there’s Uncle Dashan. Which one should I go to first?" Zhang Guoqing smiled, agreeing with the old lady. Zhou Xiaozheng waved his hand, "You handle it yourself, besides Zuo Lin, send it to your two sisters too. Also, the ones you’re often close to with Jiao Jiao. Drive over, don’t delay, go and return quickly to eat." "Okay, got it. Should I bring two fish to each of the neighbors across?" Zhou Xiaozheng nodded, "The man from the meat factory next door is too talkative, pay attention and check carefully, so you have a good idea in your head. Choose moderate ones to send over. Give some to those close too; you’ll often meet in the city, and it’s good to be courteous. Don’t worry about sending too much; Uncle Dashan mentioned he’s going in a few days." Zhang Guoqing nodded upon hearing this, "I’ll drive out first, Grandma, I’ll head out, rest well, and I’ll come chat with you later, tell you about Jiao Jiao and Ping’an." After seeing the delighted nod from the old lady, he turned to leave. Zhang Guoqing arrived at the kitchen, took three baskets, and filled a large bamboo basket with some miscellaneous fish. He planned to deliver them to those he had good relations nearby, two each being enough of a gesture, much more would be too much. Such as the master chefs at restaurants, Uncle Ye, Sister Lin, Accountant Liu, and the cashiers, many favor debts accumulated, it wasn’t necessary to overdo it. "Mom, it’s too hot in the kitchen, I’ll move the rest to the storage. If you need any, just go and get them. I’ll be back soon." Lin Lishan nodded happily, "Okay, good, move them all outside, the smell is getting unpleasant. Just move them, I’ll sweep the floor, come back early, don’t delay." "I’m driving, I’ll be back before the dishes are on the table." Zhang Guoqing busily moved things, responding with his head down. Seeing Zhao Dashan trying to help, he quickly stopped him, "Uncle, don’t get involved, it all smells fishy, I’ll manage by myself in one go. You sit down and relax, don’t come forward."