CHAPTER 292: CHAPTER 223: MEETING THE IN-LAWS

The Zhang Family started preparing lunch early in the morning to welcome the relatives, halting all woodworking in the new yard. The usual hustle and bustle at North Mountain Foot was absent.

As soon as the gathering at Zhou Family Village wrapped up, people started shouting from here to begin preparations. Apart from Mother Zhang staying in Zhang Guoqing’s room to look after the children, the whole family, led by Mr. Zhang, gathered at the gate early to wait for the vehicles to arrive.

Zhang Guoqing drove the car, leading everyone along the main road toward Zhang Family Village. Arriving at North Mountain Foot, he saw a group of people waiting at the doorstep, smiling cheerfully, "Dad, look! Everyone is waiting for you all to arrive."

Upon seeing this, Zhou Xiaozheng quickened the pace, urging them to accelerate. He remarked to Old Mrs. Cheng, "Aunt, ahead is Xiao Wujia, and at the gate is our in-laws’ family."

Once the car stopped, Mr. Cheng hurriedly led his spouse forward, shouting warmly, "Relatives, you are too kind. Why not wait inside in this cold weather?"

Mr. Zhang saw the two elderly in front of Mr. Lin, and hurriedly stepped forward with a smile, "Honored guests have arrived, we couldn’t wait for you to come since last night, and now you’re finally here. Please come inside and have a seat." After saying this, he led the group into the courtyard.

Zhou Jiao guided both Old Mrs. Cheng and Lin Lishan towards her bedroom, "Aunt Grandmother, let’s go inside and rest first, we can go out again when it’s time to eat."

Old Mrs. Cheng nodded happily, "I was just thinking of seeing our Little Treasure, who’s taking care of the child today while you’re out?"

"My mother-in-law is taking care of the child. Earlier, she prepared a basket full of offerings, and she should still be inside. We’ll see her later."

Upon entering the outer room of the west wing, Mother Zhang held the child and greeted them with a cheerful smile, "I heard the noise and knew Aunt Grandmother was here. You’re a special guest, and I’m sorry for failing to meet you outside. Please come in and sit."

Old Mrs. Cheng waved her hand, "You’re busy preparing offerings and taking care of the child, I don’t even know how to thank you. Please, there’s no need for polite words. We’re all family; I don’t stand on ceremony about such things."

Mother Zhang nodded with a smile, sat down in the inner room, and extended the child to the elderly woman, "Come, take a look; this is Jiao Jiao’s baby, nicknamed Ping’an. Even though he’s not yet a month old, he already looks for his mom, and when he hears Jiao Jiao’s voice outside, his eyes dart around. He’s very clever."

Old Mrs. Cheng embraced the child tightly, laughing heartily, "Our family’s child has good roots; just looking at him, you can tell he’s smart. Ping’an is a wonderful nickname, and he’s handsome too. When he grows up, he’ll surely be a fine young man."

Zhou Jiao went to the outer room, brewed three cups of malted milk, and brought them back inside. She took the child, "Aunt Grandmother, have some water and rest for a bit. Mom, you and my mother should also drink. Does the baby need feeding soon?"

Mother Zhang picked up a cup and handed it to Old Mrs. Cheng and Lin Lishan, smiling, "Just fed him, will feed again later. You should take a seat and rest too. Were things smooth over there?"

"Yes, everything’s done. Thanks, Mom, for preparing the stuff."

After drinking, Old Mrs. Cheng, delighted, examined the decorations in the bedroom, focusing on the curtains, and nodded, "Mother of Xiao Wu, thank you so much. Jiao Jiao is fortunate to have a good mother-in-law. If the child doesn’t do things properly, please offer guidance and teach her like a daughter. Her mother works continuously and can’t accompany the child, outside of work it depends on you for proper care."

Mother Zhang, still cheerful, looked at Zhou Jiao, "Rest assured, Jiao Jiao really is like my daughter. Brother Zhou has known our family since he was young; I can’t treat his daughter as an outsider. The straightforward nature makes her easy to get along with, I don’t see myself as a mother-in-law, rather as a mother to her. Besides, our Jiao Jiao is so filial and clever; there’s hardly anything needing my advice."

Old Mrs. Cheng, hearing this, grew increasingly joyful, "Wonderful! That’s how family should be, it’s fate. Jiao Jiao is a good child; she’s skilled like my sister, and surely kind-hearted. You haven’t seen my sister; she was praised by everyone for her exceptional embroidery, painting, and calligraphy skills. This child is luckier than her grandmother, having you as a good family to care for her. I thank you on behalf of my sister for your care when the child was young, and thank you for accepting our child."

"Please don’t speak of thanks; marrying Jiao Jiao into our family is a blessing for Xiao Wu. The couple grew up together; they live joyfully and harmoniously, bringing fortune to us all."

Zhou Jiao chuckled at the conversation and politely objected, "Aunt Grandmother, please don’t praise me first; I’m not as good as my grandmother. There’s a big difference between us. When you have time, tell me stories about her. My future goal is to work hard and not let her legacy down, what do you think?"

Old Mrs. Cheng laughed heartily, pointing at her, "No need for more studying. I’ve heard a lot about you. Just looking at the embroidery on these curtains, it doesn’t fall short of your grandmother. Are you like your grandmother, keeping other crafts hidden? Do you know how I found your dad?"

Zhou Jiao, curious since she really didn’t know, asked, "How did you find him? Is there a connection to me?"

"Smart! There’s indeed a connection to you. Your grandfather had the gift of eidetic memory; your uncle once told your granduncle that when you were three, you mastered the Three Character Classic and Thousand Character Classic. By five, you could recite Mrs. Zhou’s prescriptions, and by eight, you mastered her unique skills. Your granduncle became intrigued, knowing eidetic memory is rare. When he heard your dad belonged to Beijing Zhou Family, he became anxious and asked your grandfather if you truly had eidetic memory, but your grandfather wasn’t certain. Your granduncle believed you must be your grandfather’s direct granddaughter, coincidently belonging to Beijing Zhou Family. He followed this lead for a few days until he found your dad. Isn’t it connected to you?"

Zhou Jiao, with wide-open mouth, paused in surprise, "That’s quite a way to connect things; my granduncle has put a lot of thought into it."

Old Mrs. Cheng shook her head with a laugh, "I missed the connection this time, but when you come to Beijing, I’ll recognize you immediately. You’re so much like your grandmother. At present, you’re as slender as she was after delivering your dad. Once you regain your health, I believe you’ll become even more striking than your grandmother. Your eyes and brows take after your grandfather’s, they’re large and alluring; your grandmother had phoenix-like eyes but not as charming. You have a certain heroic spirit, which your grandmother often said she lacked; you have a great aura of courage."

Zhou Jiao, pleased, touched her eyebrows and lifted her chin slightly with a smile, "That’s what I thought too; I tell my dad I resemble his eyes, brows, and dimples."

Old Mrs. Cheng complained, "Don’t mention your dad’s dimples; they irritate me. Keeping a stern face, he never shows them, making it hard for me to recognize him last time. If he often smiled, I’d notice him right away; he resembles your grandmother more."

Mother Zhang and Lin Lishan laughed heartily, recalling Zhou Xiaozheng’s stern demeanor. No wonder they couldn’t recall; people unfamiliar only remember his cold demeanor and seriousness.

Old Mrs. Cheng found it funny reflecting on it, "Isn’t it so? You all feel the same, right? I always remembered my sister’s cheerful smile and my brother-in-law’s gentle demeanor, who would’ve thought their child would be a Cold-faced King. Reflecting on his features, he seemed more like my sister, worrying me into hospital admission. I regretted not using my brain; seeing his surname Zhou should have prompted careful observation. Thankfully, destiny smiled, allowing me to find him."