CHAPTER 109: CHAPTER 91: RETURNING TO THE VILLAGE

In the evening, around three o’clock, a car slowly drove up and stopped at the gate of the Zhang Family at the North Mountain Foot. At this moment, Xi Zi had just woken up from a nap, and upon seeing the house, he was very excited. He first greeted Lin Lishan and then hurriedly ran into the courtyard, shouting for his grandmother. He knew that the family had all gone to work, so he called his grandmother out to help move the things.

Lin Lishan looked around and saw no one, so she went straight up to move things, bringing them back to the west wing, Zhou Jiao’s room. Without having time to say much to Zhou Jiao, she then went out to help Mother Zhang, who had come upon hearing the news, move the things from the car back.

Zhou Jiao watched her mom come in and go out again. Guessing there were a lot of things, she saw them coming in and quickly suggested they take a break first, adding that no one would dare steal the things left in the car.

Lin Lishan took a sip of warm water and waved her hand, "There’s not much stuff, I bought only small, inconspicuous items, and they’re all brought in. It’s just the radio that’s a big item. This is for you to listen to during your confinement, so you won’t be bored. Things at the Friendship Mall are indeed much cheaper than outside. As for other things, you don’t need to get up and check, just rest assured and lie down. I’ll sort them out later, and you’ll know all the essential items have been bought."

After saying that, she opened each package and put the contents into the wardrobe and boxes one by one. Once they were filled, she stood there in a daze, looking at the remaining piles on the floor, and tapped her own head.

Mother Zhang had been standing there with her mouth open since she started opening the packages, wanting to say something but stopped. Seeing her move, she burst into laughter and pointed above the cabinet.

The two of them together lifted a few bolts of fabric and placed them above, setting the radio. Watching them, Mother Zhang shook her head repeatedly, chattering as she advised her in-law not to buy so much in the future.

Zhou Jiao was initially watching with interest, but gradually fell silent, continually giving her mom pleading looks. Fortunately, Lin Lishan understood and didn’t open the remaining packages but instead stuffed them into the outer cabinets and boxes.

Finally, what couldn’t fit in were just some snacks and pastries.

Zhou Jiao glimpsed at two more packages in the corner. "Mom, where did those two packages in the corner come from? Why is one of the package wrappings so big?"

Lin Lishan recognized at a glance that it was from Fang Jianmei, having forgotten about it. She dragged the two packages to the middle, which made Zhou Jiao’s eye twitch. Upon opening, there were two military coats, two pairs of military boots, and three military bags. In the other smaller package were two cans of malted milk, a piece of fabric, about a pound of yarn, and carefully placed on top was a piece of red paper.

Zhou Jiao was puzzled looking at her mom; the red paper meant a social obligation to reciprocate.

Lin Lishan smiled, "This is from Xiao Fei’s aunt, Fang Jianmei. Her niece plans to join the Beijing Art Troupe, so you just take it. Usually, we have a normal relationship, but this time she saw me make the decision. Xiao Wu will explain the details when he comes back."

After saying this, seeing Zhou Jiao understand, she didn’t explain further.

Zhou Jiao watched her mom take out a wrapping cloth and started putting candies and pastries into it. She also stuffed books and pencils into the military bag which was on Xi Zi’s back.

Lin Lishan looked at the gifts prepared for the children and then said to Xi Zi, "Put the military bag in your room first. Once it’s stored, come back here to grandma. The gifts for your younger siblings are for you to distribute, grandma has given them to you." After saying this, she pushed him out.

Xi Zi truly adored his beautiful grandma for thinking ahead to hide the military bag first.

The little guy secretly hid the bag, went out to call his younger siblings back, and led them to Zhou Jiao’s room.

Seeing them shouting excitedly, he sternly warned, "Whoever misbehaves, doesn’t get a gift. Later, remember to thank grandma first." Seeing them quiet down like small adults, he nodded approvingly.

Meanwhile, Lin Lishan wasn’t in a hurry to tidy up the things as she pondered where to install the coal stove in the outer room. After discussing with Mother Zhang, she discovered that when the new house was renovated, Zhang Guoqing had anticipated this, having prearranged the vent and even installed the pipe.

She sighed in relief, "Jiao Jiao. Mom has three hundred exchange tickets saved, plus the three hundred given by Fang Jianmei, all for you. When you finish your confinement, go take a look yourself, there are good things there. I bought two stoves, one coal and one alcohol, the alcohol one can be used in the room, and I’ll try it later.

The coal stove needs to be outside; we’ll wait for Xiao Wu to come back and let him install it in the outer room. In winter, we can stew things, boil water, and opening the small doors of the two rooms will be warm. There are also 300 pounds of coal tickets, so this winter we won’t be afraid of running out of coal. Feel free to use the stove, and the temperature inside will rise."

Lin Lishan opened the coal stove, which was more finely crafted than those commonly seen in the market, with a sealing gate designed for easy operation with a light push.

Upon hearing this, Mother Zhang quickly said, "Sister, no need to wait for Xiao Wu to come back, let his brother help and install the stove early, we can stew some things to keep, so Jiao Jiao won’t go hungry in the night, she can eat whenever she wants. You should have his dad borrow an ox cart to go buy it in town."

Lin Lishan happily nodded, seeing Xi Zi finally come in, she handed all the prepared gifts for the children to Xi Zi, letting him distribute them to his younger brothers and sisters. Mother Zhang couldn’t get a word in edgewise but repeatedly said not to give too much to the children, only stopping when Zhou Jiao and her mom persuaded her. As Xi Zi distributed the gifts, he spoke about his experiences in the provincial city, stirring the children into a buzzing excitement.

After a few casual chats and seeing it was time to prepare dinner, Mother Zhang led Xi Zi and the others out, leaving Zhou Jiao and her mother inside.

Zhou Jiao, watching her mom finish tidying up, couldn’t help but ask, "Mom, you’ve bought so much, aren’t you tired from driving all over? Take a rest. How’s Xiao Wu doing there?"

Lin Lishan sat down, smiling at her daughter, "He’s doing great, today he even told me to reassure you, he’ll be back in a few days. Your grandpa took him to the military district last night to meet people, and they praised him; he’s adapting well and performing nicely."

Hearing this, Zhou Jiao felt relieved. Watching her mom sorting two small parcels, she suppressed her eye twitching, thinking she’s planning to give these to two of her sister-in-laws.

"Mom, you aren’t planning to give Xiao Wu’s two sisters these, are you? The military coats and bags, don’t give them, keep them for me."

Lin Lishan chuckled, glancing at her stingy daughter, "You and Xiao Wu already have military coats, right? Let’s give these to them. I originally planned to give them, yesterday I saw them and thought of this. This way, each gets one, it’s fair. No need to be stingy with two military coats, when yours wear out, I’ll get you new ones. Have your father-in-law bring them over tomorrow, along with some fabric and candy. Today I bought quite a bit of fabric, check it out and see if there’s any you don’t like and give it away."

Lin Lishan took out all the scattered fabrics.

Zhou Jiao looked over, finding each one nice, and frowned slightly, "Forget it, these fabrics are all good, save them for future use. Don’t I have yarn, how about each family gets a pound of yarn? They both work in textile mills, so they don’t lack cloth tickets. Pick some good yarn for me, will you?"

Lin Lishan looked at her daughter, speechless. Yesterday, she met Zhang Meili’s sisters and their kids; how had she not noticed their family didn’t lack fabric? Watching her daughter smile ingratiatingly, she thought she’d just listen to her Jiao Jiao. The gifts were to make a good impression on behalf of her daughter; otherwise, who did she know?