CHAPTER 312: CHAPTER 240

Just after four in the morning, Mr. Zhang got up. As usual, he went to the backyard to take a look. It had snowed last night, and the morning was chilly. Mr. Zhang picked up an iron shovel to clear the snow.

Normally, National Day would get up early to clean, but Mr. Zhang glanced subconsciously to the side and then suddenly realized his youngest son wasn’t home. He chuckled silently. It seems he’s not quite used to the kid being away.

Standing in the front yard, he noticed no activity from the east and west wings. He regretted that his eldest son wasn’t home, or he’d already be up keeping him company, nagging him not to lift a finger.

Suddenly, he remembered that for many years during the cold winter, his eldest son not only got up early to clean their own yard, but also went to the village to help the elderly who lived alone. With this thought, Mr. Zhang quickened his pace to go have a look in the village.

As the sky gradually brightened, the two brothers, Zhang Guofu and his brother, got up. Seeing the yard was clean and tidy, they immediately thought of their father, tapped their heads in frustration, and hurried to wash up, eager to find him.

Mother Zhang came out of the main house, and upon reaching the kitchen, heard the murmuring of her two sons, and said with a smile, "It’s no problem, we’re older and don’t sleep much. You still have chores in the yard today, so get some extra sleep if you can."

Second brother Zhang Guoqiang saw his sister-in-law then enter the kitchen, busying herself with breakfast alongside their mother. Thinking of his wife still sound asleep, he went back inside with a stern face.

As soon as he opened the door, he saw Lin Juhua already up and dressed neatly. When she saw him come in, she gave a bright smile, and he felt slightly relieved.

"The kids’ dad, I’ll go to the backyard to cook pig feed first. Call me if you need anything. Remember not to tire yourself out." With that, Lin Juhua hurriedly ran outside.

Shi Tou poked his little head out and shouted in a childish voice, "Dad, I want to go to the county to find Uncle. Big Brother said we should sneak along with Grandpa and Grandma today."

Zhang Guoqiang was startled and quickly coaxed him, "Son, listen to Dad. We’ll take you to the county once your uncle’s guests leave. You mustn’t sneak out; if you get kidnapped, you’ll never find your parents again."

Little Stone looked at him hesitantly with big eyes, "Will you really take us to find Uncle? Adults always trick kids. Big Brother says lying is wrong."

"Who in our family has ever tricked you? When has Dad lied to you? Tomorrow we’ll take you." Zhang Guoqiang thought about it and felt uneasy; he decided he had to talk to Xi Zi. That little guy is clever, and if not watched carefully, might actually lead the younger ones to the county.

After coaxing his son, he couldn’t care about his daughter whining to go along; he quickly ran to find Xi Zi.

Pushing open the door to his nephew’s room, he saw Xi Zi already dressed, helping Xiao Zuo and Xiao You put on their sweaters. He smiled and greeted him.

"Xi Zi, listen to your Second Uncle, don’t go to the county today, okay? If you sneak out with the younger ones and they run off, what if they get lost? Listen to your Second Uncle, we’ll go together tomorrow after the guests leave."

Xi Zi immediately understood that Little Stone had leaked the secret and smiled sheepishly at him.

Seeing his silly grin resembling Xiao Wu’s, Zhang Guoqiang felt apprehensive. After considering for a moment, he resignedly said, "Fine, when your Grandma goes to the county this morning, you can follow along. Just remember to watch over the younger ones, don’t let them wander off. Your uncle has guests, so don’t forget your manners."

Xi Zi quickly nodded and responded, glaring at his noisy younger brothers.

Zhang Guoqiang left the courtyard, having busied himself for quite a while. Suddenly, he remembered that today was a school day for Xi Zi. Why did he think of taking the younger ones to the county? Could he have been fooled by these little rascals?

Early in the morning, after Mr. Zhang cleaned up Mr. Zhang’s courtyard with an iron shovel, he ran to clean a couple of old folks’ yards. Thinking of how they talked about his eldest son, he hummed an opera tune happily. Walking on the road, he would occasionally stop to clean for a while.

Villagers who were up early would see him, smile knowingly, and greet him with a few playful remarks.

Uncle Zhang didn’t sleep well last night, so he got up early, planning to go check on the team.

Upon leaving the house, he saw his second younger brother with an iron shovel on his back, happily humming a tune. With feigned annoyance, he said, "What’s this? Are you taking over for your eldest son?"

Seeing his brother dressed for an outing, Mr. Zhang curiously asked, "Older Brother, where are you planning to go?"

Uncle Zhang gave him a look, "Did you forget today is the first big market? Yesterday, the captain mentioned seeing what needs handling in the team. I have to go have a look, not as carefree as you."

Mr. Zhang, unfazed by this, smiled as he tugged him along, and the two brothers whispered to each other for a while, before going about their own business.

With his hands behind his back, Uncle Zhang leisurely walked towards the village and met the team leader uncle. The two of them arrived at the team office, where they saw Old Accountant Zhang and a few others. The village cadres sat down together to discuss matters apart from the team’s goods for sale, as well as the distribution of grain shares and dividends at the end of the year.