NABC Chapter 1079 - 952: Dad, Who Said Something?
Chapter 1079 - 952: Dad, Who Said Something?
When Zhang Guoqing asked this, the family happened to enter the living room."In the afternoon I accompanied the old chiefs to receive foreign guests, and then had a gathering in the evening, which delayed me and made me come back late." After finishing, Zhou Xiaozheng shook his head, "You’ve been traveling for so long, go upstairs to rest first, we can talk tomorrow."
Zhang Guoqing laughed and glanced at his wife, "Dad, we’re going back to work tomorrow, let’s chat while you have a late-night snack. Jiao Jiao missed you back home and even shed tears."
"You’re making things up, just keep making them up."
"You little girl, does that mean you didn’t miss me and your dad?" Miao Lishan gave her a sideways look, "You’re not even as good as Ping’an and the others, the three little treasures said their hearts were broken from missing me."
"Hehe..." Zhou Jiao stuck out her little tongue, let go of her dad’s arm, and ran to the kitchen. She wasn’t very talkative... so she found it faster to run errands.
"Take it easy." Zhou Xiaozheng watched his daughter leave with concern and couldn’t help but remind her.
Zhou Jiao’s behavior was something Zhang Guoqing was used to; her girlish demeanor only showed in front of him and her father-in-law.
While eating his late-night snack, Zhou Xiaozheng listened to their talk about their travel experiences, multitasking while thinking about how to explain things to avoid causing his daughter unnecessary worry.
As night fell, Zhou Jiao and Zhang Guoqing didn’t say much. Rather, they adopted the mindset of sharing good news and not bad news, with Miao Lishan interjecting with jokes, making the atmosphere very harmonious and pleasant.
Coincidentally, the conversation shifted from their Northeast hometown to the reception of Old Mrs. Cheng tonight, to the topic of the weekend gathering mentioned by Cheng Ruzhu, for which Miao Lishan sought her husband’s opinion.
Zhou Xiaozheng heard his wife’s concerns about potential negative effects, smiled, and shook his head, "Everyone is in the same boat, there’s an idiom that goes ’the law does not punish the multitude.’"
Pausing for a moment, he continued, "Jiao Jiao, for the time being, let’s hold off on donating from our family to others."
Zhou Jiao’s heart skipped a beat, and she hurriedly asked, "Dad, did someone say something?"
Zhou Xiaozheng anticipated his daughter would overthink, and tried to speak calmly and slowly, "That’s just in case. The Vice Prime Minister’s wife went to inspect the factory and took money out of her own pocket to solve several workers’ life difficulties. Now someone has reported saying their path and thoughts are problematic."
"There are also several people from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the list, reportedly for giving tips to waiters abroad. Oh, yes, there’s also learning to wear Western dresses like capitalism."
Zhou Jiao secretly clicked her tongue.
She patted her chest, "Luckily Dad, you reminded me before. Okay, I understand, should I write to explain this to them?"
Zhou Xiaozheng shook his head, "No need, after all these years, some martyrs’ orphans have grown up. They should be able to fend for themselves."
Zhou Jiao pondered for a moment, "What about those old soldiers?"
"Those will be canceled too. Today, the old chiefs have already discussed this issue. In the future, local military departments will implement more detailed solutions to these elderly comrades’ life issues. Specifics will be issued soon."
After hearing Zhou Xiaozheng say that, she carefully examined his expression and seeing no anomalies, she slightly nodded but couldn’t help asking, "Dad, is no one giving you trouble?"
Zhou Xiaozheng wiped his hands with a damp towel, "I already arranged things in advance with the old chiefs. Our family’s minor matters are clear as day to him, no one would make trouble for themselves."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Jiao silently raised two thumbs towards her dad. You’re good, you’re impressive, you’re even more foresighted than me, the future person, happy now?!
Zhou Xiaozheng laughed lightly at this. Silly girl! Sometimes things don’t need to be said, especially when Xiao Wu is there; he tends to chatter incessantly to the old chiefs when he encounters them.
These kids are so smart, thanks to their good parenting. But regarding that, he doesn’t intend to mention anything, otherwise, the silly son-in-law across would spoil the children even more.
Now that they’re back, naturally it’s time to plunge back into work mode. Workdays have become routine, especially for Zhou Jiao, who even hands off travel opportunities to colleagues now.
She knows about the travel allowances, nationwide grain tickets, and other benefits, but comparatively, besides being with her family, she doesn’t like going to foreign places to memorize scripts and ideology guidance.
As the school season arrives, the children go to school or kindergarten, and after Zhang Guoqing was promoted a level, her situation at the workplace has become increasingly stable.
Previously, Shi Dashen occasionally assigned her tasks, but now, whether it’s to protect her or due to different considerations, or perhaps influenced by external pressures, she ends up still receiving benefits without the workload...
Actually, it’s not just her, even Hu Xiaohui stays in Beijing with nothing to do, starting to live a "mother hen" life besides regular work hours.
As New Year approached, Zhou Jiao unsurprisingly received a congratulatory call from her girlfriends, informing her that she had hatched a chick. Reportedly, it loves spicy food and there’s hope for a soft, loving little cotton jacket next year.
Whether it’s a loving cotton jacket, Zhou Jiao didn’t know. But, Little Six, who was disliked by his father from the moment he was born, is indeed a lucky child.
From the moment he stayed in his mother’s belly until he turned one, Hu Xiaohui didn’t go on business trips not once, nor did any overtime. He’s fully taken care of by his mother.
Life goes on day by day, winter passes and spring comes, and the children gradually grow up. Watching Ping’an teaching his younger brothers to disassemble wooden rifles, one can’t help but sigh at how fast time flies...
"Ping’an, come out quickly."
A group of children downstairs shouted outside, Ping’an shook his head in the house, stood up, walked to the window, but just waved silently to indicate he heard them.
"Mom, we made plans with everyone to go to the suburbs."
The book in Zhou Jiao’s hand was already put down when she heard these voices, she smiled and nodded, pointing at three sling bags hanging on the wall, "Take more snacks."
"Mom, we’re leaving, we’ll bring you flowers back."
Zhou Jiao amusedly looked at her youngest son, "Don’t break the peach blossoms like last time."
"Mom, you...you wound your old son’s filial piety."
Ping’an patted May 1st’s head and tossed one of the sling bags to him, "Alright, enough kidding around."
"Brother, you’re jealous of me for being obedient and sensible, aren’t you?"
Liu Yi reached for his own bag from Ping’an, "Hmph," he said, "You’re obedient? Where’s your face? I’m always the one who takes the blame for you."
May 1st elbowed him, "Don’t you also pass the blame onto others? Every time I cover for you. Dad said we’re brothers in this life, not the next, you should cherish me as your brother."
Liu Yi quickly ran to Zhou Jiao’s side, "Mom, put May 1st back in your belly and reform him."
May 1st placed one hand on his hip and pointed at him, "Liu Yi, are you a brother? Back then you bullied me to the point that I didn’t even weigh a pound less than you, yet you ran out first to be the big brother."
Ping’an immediately stepped forward and flicked his hand away, "Where did you learn that? Your tongue is becoming as slippery as those village aunties’. Are we going or not?"
"Brother, I’m wronged. I learned this style from those grandpas." May 1st, with his fishing bag slung over his shoulder, went over to Liu Yi, and hand in hand, they walked out while waving goodbye to Zhou Jiao, and didn’t forget to defend himself along the way.
Zhou Jiao shook her head speechlessly. As for the younger one, she didn’t know who he takes after, his tongue never fails him, yet Ping’an has increasingly become taciturn as he grows.