CHAPTER 304: CHAPTER 233:

Zhang Ziwen touched the ticket and looked at his two younger brothers expectantly watching him. He thought for a moment and said, "We have to talk to Mother first before we can use it. Once Mother agrees, I’ll take you to eat buns tomorrow morning."

Zhang Guoqing watched them cheerfully jumping around. He left the room, walked slowly to the kitchen, and immediately saw the corn cakes his sister had prepared, sighing.

Zhang Meili saw her brother and happily pulled him over, "Sit down quickly. Mother said Uncle Zhou and the others will leave tomorrow. You should sit for a while, then go back to see if there’s anything you can help with. Mother will stay here with me, and we’ll chat."

Zhang Guoqing swallowed back his words, finally remembering the warm house, "Sister, how’s the preparation for the warm house coming along?"

"There’s nothing to prepare, let’s talk about it next week."

Zhang Guoqing looked around and asked her suspiciously, "Where’s your coal stove?"

Zhang Meili glared at him, "We have firewood to burn; why buy coal? I moved it to the new courtyard’s warehouse. We couldn’t burn it in the hallway before because there was no place to store firewood. Now we can burn it on the first floor. Why would I be silly enough to buy coal?"

"What about your supply vouchers for this half year? How much did you get?" Zhang Guoqing asked with a frown.

Zhang Meili shook her head, "I gave them all to Mei Hao, it’s not much. Depending on that is not enough. Firewood is better as it doesn’t cost money. Do you need tickets? I’ll ask around later to see if anyone has some we can use first."

Suddenly, Zhang Meili’s eyes widened, and she shouted, "Wait a minute, I just saw lots of coal piled up at your place. What are you planning?"

Zhang Guoqing looked at his mother and laughed, "Mom, look at big sister’s face. Don’t worry, I’m not up to anything, just asking."

"Don’t think about helping me out. Big sister has money, just afraid of wasting it." Zhang Meili looked at him suspiciously.

Zhang Guoqing was defeated by her attitude, "Alright... I know, you have money. We’re siblings, what’s there we can’t talk about? Don’t worry. Sister, buy the ingredients for the banquet a little later, I’ll prepare a few dishes for you. Ah, don’t get mad, I’m going to the mountains to catch some wild chickens and rabbits."

Zhang Guoqing thought to himself about preparing a few dishes, figuring it would be enough, and quickly said, "You need to prepare the vegetables yourself. I’ll take care of the meat and fish, don’t compete with me. I’ll catch them in the mountains myself; it won’t cost a thing. Really, ask Mother, Daqing Mountain is like our backyard."

Mother Zhang and her daughter laughed heartily, "Little Wu, you talk big. Alright, don’t worry about it, big sister has it all arranged. Just show up that day."

Zhang Ziwen brought his younger brothers, hiding far away to watch the scene.

As soon as they heard their mom laugh, they came in with money in their hands and approached her, "Mom, it’s a reward from Uncle, he praised my good studies."

Zhang Guoqing quickly pulled her away before she could reach out, "Sister, don’t discourage the children’s enthusiasm. This is between me and my nephews. Not only them, but also Xi Zi and the others, if they do well, they’ll get rewards too. This is for the kids to buy snacks. During the holidays, if Uncle sees you still keeping your grades, he’ll reward you with a trip to the provincial city."

Zhang Meili watched the kids jumping happily and decided to let it go, "Did you thank your uncle? Keep it safe and don’t lose it."

Zhang Guoqing smiled as he watched them express their thanks in a flurry, giving them a look to quickly leave before his sister lectured them again.

After the kids left, Mother Zhang comforted her, "Don’t feel bad about it. You know what Little Wu is like, he always brings meat over. He’s got his own plans. I came over to ask you to visit his house often, see if there’s anything you can help with."

"Do you even need to say it? If I don’t help my brother, who will? Mom, is the yard finished at home? There’s nothing going on at home, you can all come to the county for a few days. The in-laws are gone, the house is roomy. And what’s the plan for the second elder, does he commute daily or what? Has he made up his mind?"

Mother Zhang pointed to Zhang Guoqing, "Little Wu has it all arranged. The unit has a room reserved for him, and he usually returns to the village. Now, don’t spread it around. After three months, if everything’s settled, it’s definite."

Mother Zhang thought for a moment and continued, "Little Wu keeps thinking about your warm house. If he really prepares something, just take it. Our family’s doing well now, don’t secretly give money to your mom anymore.

Out of the five children, you had it the hardest, no dowry when you got married, and you’ve been supporting your own family. Now that your brother wants to support you, just accept it, he wants to back you up. As for Jiao Jiao, you can rest assured, her room stuff is for us to use freely. She even told us where the hiding places are, to take it if we’re short on money or tickets. Those women in the village used to say I’m partial to Little Wu, but now it’s Wu and his wife who are the most considerate."

Zhang Meili laughed and nodded, "Mom, you’re blessed. Mei Hao’s in-laws just said yesterday that the older you get, the more flavorful life becomes. I think our Old Zhang’s family has risen, it’s time for you to enjoy life."

Zhang Guoqing checked his watch, it was getting late, "Mom, let’s head back, they’re probably waiting for us to go out for dinner together. Sister, don’t prepare anything, we’ll head back first."

Saying this, Zhang Guoqing led Mother Zhang out.

Mother Zhang turned and called to Zhang Meili, "I’ll come see you in a few days, think about what else you need. I’ll ask your dad to bring it over. Don’t see us off, just prepare dinner early for the kids."

Saying goodbye to Zhang Meili, Mother Zhang pulled him along, walking briskly home.

Zhang Guoqing supported her, quickly saying, "Mom, don’t rush, it’s close. Talk to big sister privately, I’m not in a rush for those hundreds. They won’t grow smaller at home. I noticed that Ziwen and the others’ quilts are thin and narrow, and their clothes are light. They have bought a house without even eating buns. Let her focus on the kids first, don’t shortchange them."

Mother Zhang heard this and felt stifled, looking at the passersby wearing patched clothes, their faces not much better, she finally breathed a sigh of relief. Looking at her son in brand new clothes, his complexion rosy, he really could be mistaken for a city person. It dawned on her that he was comparing their family to others.

"Alright, I get it. Your sister’s doing okay, she’s just buying a house and paying off debts, not struggling with living expenses. You should take care not to give too much money. Other than helping out, don’t offer without being asked. Among your four older siblings, if you started supporting them, it’s a bottomless pit. I saw you gave quite a sum today, how much are you earning in a month at your job? Save something for our Ping’an later."

Zhang Guoqing nodded, understanding her intention.