Chapter 2

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“Guo Qing, why did you buy so much again ah, you, didn’t I say this before. You don’t have to buy anything when you come home, since you’re having a baby soon you need to save money. You shouldn’t waste money, if it was up to me I think you two can’t make do without having parents by your side. Just look at how expensive these yellow croackers (fish) are ah.”

Mother Zhou was known for being the “flower” of the factory she once worked at. Not only that, but she was someone who could speak well and knew how to please people. Although the words from her mouth were usually spoken to help her postpone her work, she wasn’t slow at picking things up. At the start, she had used her beauty to attract the attention of the factory accountant, Father Zhou, and was able to marry him despite her humble background. Now all her attention was spent on how to devise plans to take her daughter’s money for herself.

“Second brat why aren’t you greeting me? In addition to the monthly allowance you give me, why don’t you let me handle your money for you? By the time your children have grown up and need to buy a house, I’m just worried about you two, no plan whatsoever.”

Mother Zhou, with her hands full, whispered in her heart: this damn brat, spending so much to buy all these items when she could’ve just gifted me the money instead.

“Oh, you’re sure I still have money? I have worked for two years and every month I have given you half of my monthly salary. The wedding gift money has almost been used up and the car we bought last year still requires a down payment.” Zhou Jiao said with indirect meanings towards Mother Zhou.

“Ok, that’s enough old lady. Don’t worry about our children’s problems, didn’t we say we won’t interfere in their problems? Xiao Zhang ah, don’t listen to your mom and quickly come in.” Father Zhou Da Fu quickly interrupted.

He was smarter than Mother Zhou. The little son-in-law was only filial to them because of their daughter, otherwise who would really care for the old lady ah. Not to mention, they couldn’t keep their pregnant daughter standing at the entrance.

Not even letting her in, and always only worrying about the money. Stupid! The issue with money can be resolved slowly, everyone will still be together tomorrow, if they ask about it tomorrow in front of everybody—it will be hard for the two son-in-laws to refuse.

Nothing happened overnight. Zhou Jiao noticed how last night her brother and his wife never returned home—most likely they weren’t in need of money if they didn’t even show their faces. But none of this mattered to her, she was too lazy to care.

Maybe it was a symptom of pregnancy, but Zhou Jiao woke up at 9am. Zhang Guo Qing wasn’t next to her, probably went downstairs earlier to help out.

She opened the door and slowly went downstairs.

At this time, there was a lot of hustle and bustle downstairs. The women were laughing loudly, the children were all crying, and the two son-in-laws were standing at the entrance greeting guests. Many people came and went and Zhou Jiao feared her stomach would be hurt should it be pushed by anyone. She hesitated to go down.

Standing by the door, Zhang Guo Qing seemed to have some kind of instinct and turned his head around and saw his wife. He hurried forward to assist his wife down the stairs and helped her get to the guest room to eat some breakfast.

“Did you sleep well? Eat a little bit first. I’ll go see what else there is for breakfast and grab more snacks. After you finish, don’t move around too much. There’s a lot of people today. The children are running around, it wouldn’t be good if they ran into your stomach.

Be good ah, stay in the guest room, I’ll fetch elder sister and Xiao Kang to accompany you. Go watch some tv first.” Zhang Guo Qing persuaded.

From dawn till now, the youngest uncle never showed up. Since they were already here, the two son-in-laws could only help out wherever needed. Clearly the three platforms with tables on top had guests seated to the brim already, but they still had to plan for two more tables.

Really don’t know what this pair of mother-in-law and father-in-law is thinking. Just to get more benefits and money from guests, they don’t mind doing things that will shame them.

Bright and early in the morning, Zhang Guo Qing and his brother-in-law had to drive here and there. They had to pay and work at the same time. Next time, they’ll just go straight to a hotel instead.

“Ok, I’ll be here. But you should rest too, haven’t you noticed that besides you and brother-in-law everyone else is just standing around waiting for food? Don’t even know if son-in-laws are guests or workers. Since it’s not their own sons they truly wouldn’t have the heart to care. See if I’ll come so early the next time my dad has a birthday celebration.” Zhou Jiao was busily pulling on Zhang Guo Qing to sit down and poured him a glass of water. She was heartbroken for him, mad and anxious, for him to be doing so much. He’s also silly for having to pay and still help out.

Zhou Jiao thought about it and still said: “Wait a little while and then grab your brother-in-law and go out for a walk. If you stay in the house you’ll only be ordered around. Also, don’t treat yourself like an iron man. You had to drive all day yesterday and then last night you didn’t get to rest well.

Soon the afternoon banquet started, filled with people sitting at the three tables. According to the procedures of gift giving and sending blessings, Zhou Jiao and her sister followed traditions and bought a golden necklace worth 5000 dollars.

But as eating and drinking goes, it was very lively and the atmosphere was good. Her grandfather, grandmother, uncles and aunts were all seated at the main table—not sure who started it, but they began to compliment the two son-in-laws.

Zhang Guo Qing and Zhou Jiao had eye contact and smiled at each other—something was about to begin.

Having been in contact with the Zhou family members a couple of times, he was very familiar with their behaviors and could be able to see through their thoughts and actions.

Who was Zhang Guo Qing? He may not have a background, but he was the scholarship winner for all the years he was in school. He was also the student president and director. Upon graduating, he was hired at one of the top 300 work positions, and in just three years he was promoted to a manager.

Just one glance from your eyes, and he’ll already know what you’re trying to do.

Mother Zhou was talking about how she raised her two daughters up back then, about how difficult it was and how she had to be frugal in order to raise two such outstanding daughters.

Hearing this, Zhou Jiao couldn’t help but laugh. Seeing as how people had turned to stare at her, she said a little embarrassingly and with a wave of her hand: “Mom, continue talking, today is your birthday, you’re the most important, say whatever you want to say?”

The friends and relatives sitting next to Mother Zhou abashedly look away and stopped listening, who doesn’t know the issues of the Zhou family. Everyone had their own thoughts in their hearts and kept silent.

At this moment, except for the children who didn’t understand and kept eating, most everyone put down their chopsticks. The start of the banquet allowed people to eat, but halfway through the meal, the complains had started—not giving dignity to the guests. It was originally festive, after all it was hard to get everyone together, just to have problems arise again.

Mother Zhou was interrupted by Zhou Jiao, and as she was about to raise her hand to slap Zhou Jiao, Mother Zhou saw her son-in-law glaring at her movements and she quickly held back and slapped her own thigh.

Father Zhou quickly tried to soothe the atmosphere: “Everyone eat, don’t put down your chopsticks. As parents we worry for our children, as we are the ones who gave birth to them, but nothing is always equal. Like our family’s little son ah, he still needs to rely on his two brothers-in-laws to help. If not for their help, once we age and die, we’ll die with worried hearts.

What is called blood ties, it’s your real brothers and sisters, nothing else is as dear as them. You two sisters are capable, Dad knows, and I feel that you two can’t compare to how bad your brother is. But this younger brother of yours, he’ll still need to rely on you two.”

Zhou Jiao just wanted to spray a few words at him. If it weren’t for everyone’s attention, it’d be hard for her dad to step down from the stage. She just wanted to ask him, wasn’t she already raising them? If, like he said it would be nice if things are equal, why would he greed for her things as well? Her dad was such a talented character, he was someone who could act as someone who was helpless and broken-hearted, someone righteous, or someone who didn’t know the truth. Most likely, he would chase after them and say they didn’t know how to consider their parent’s feelings.

Zhang Guo Qing noticed how Zhou Jiao was almost angered till her complexion changed, and hurriedly held her hand and patted it to comfort her. His wife was also pregnant and shouldn’t be angered. His heart held grudges towards the Zhou family. Every time he tried to smoothen things out between the daughter and her parents, but they always took a foot when given an inch. He was focused on his wife and didn’t pay attention to what Mother Zhou said next.

Mother Zhou continued where Father Zhou left off: “Yes, when you two sisters were younger you would say how your younger brother would need to rely on you two. Now that we see how dear you are to each other, we are also relieved. Some time ago we went to the city to look at houses.

Ai, they’re really not that bad. Too bad your dad and I are so old and incapable. Afterwards, we remembered that you two sisters are also in the city and we think that it would be good to have your brother live closer to you two so that he can watch over you all. If there are any problems, you can just call give him a call- it’s better than asking other people. Right now your brother isn’t working, it’ll be easier for him to find a job once he lives in the city, then his bank account would be in the city, his children can go to a good school, and the education would also be great. You two wouldn’t not help him with this right?

At this moment, besides the eldest sister, her husband, Zhou Jiao and Zhang Guo Qing who were keeping silent, everyone else was busy expressing their thoughts. As the younger brother and his wife only cared about eating, they also didn’t express anything. They probably felt that it was only right for the sisters to do such a thing. Writing a loan wasn’t even necessary.

It was the same old request of buying a house. In front of all the relatives and guests, they still brought up the fact that they were still lacking 300,000. In the end, everyone knew that this wasn’t easily persuadable, then they took a look at the Zhou family’s son and wife who didn’t even mention a word about repaying them. In the past, the uncle also borrowed but repaid them—the younger brother and his wife should express some sort of behavior in response, not just continue eating. How could others do such things to offend people.

Everyone took this opportunity to leave. Alright, tomorrow there will be more gossip about the Zhou family. Perfect timing because recently there was nothing entertaining going on at the village.

The two son-in-laws looked down and didn’t say a word and no one else continued with this topic—causing the two elders to be irritated. Father Zhou and the others knew that they didn’t want to agree. Mother Zhou’s face became stiff, she left the table without helping her brother and his wife clear the table and went back to her room.

Zhou Jiao saw this and laughed. With so much pride, who could get used to you?

Zhou Jiao and her older sister, Zhou Hui, busily packed up their things and left with their men. If they stayed any longer, they would have to suffer the consequences. It was not necessary to go back home today. They had to provide money and strength, what would they have to contribute next?

Zhou Hui whispered into Zhou Jiao’s ears: “Little sister ah, don’t give any more money. Xiao Juan’s family said us two sisters need to buy our younger brother a house. Just look at us, we’re only living in small housed, who wouldn’t want to buy a house if they have the money!

Mom and dad’s house was just built, now they want to go into the city, why don’t they just go to heaven? Anyway, I can’t keep helping the maternal side of my family anymore, my mother-in-law is already unsatisfied. You should also be careful. Don’t let mom and dad’s issues affect you and your husband’s affection for each other. Buy a house? Who doesn’t want to? I also want to save some money to move to the city.”

From the time when they got into the car till now, Zhang Guo Qing has been paying attention to his wife’s mood. He knows that every time they go back to her family’s house, her mood will go down for the next few days. It is better to visit less in the future. Familial love cannot be bought with money. The care and love they have for each other is enough, it is not necessary to go and find unwanted guilt.

Sometimes Zhang Guo Qing internally contemplates about his identity as an orphan. He would go to the orphanage on time to watch over the children and help them with their funding for education. There are parents that are “awesome” and then there are some parents who hold biases towards their children—it’s all very helpless. In the face of blood relationships, it’s not so simple to break off ties with one another.

No matter how angry his wife is right now, filial piety is still necessary. It’s just a matter of buying a house. Even the house they live in now was given to him from Mother Zhang, but who is Zhang Guo Qing to be given such a house?

Zhang Guo Qing has never moved before, he had planned on buying a new house first then giving Mother Zhang’s house to the orphanage for them to safekeep. But he wasn’t too worried for himself, hopefully by the end of the year he will be promoted to the branch director position. Before the annual income plus savings, they could afford a new house. Not to mention the money they had saved during their college years, raising a child wouldn’t be too hard.

Translated on 5/21/20