For Zhou Jiao, once some people are abandoned in her heart, they have nothing to do with her. If her mom is happy to see them, it’s her mom’s freedom, she never forces anyone.

This matter is like the wind passing without a trace, so she casually mentioned it to Zhang Guoqing, then greeted Lin Lishan, and the couple took their son to the hutong courtyard to "vacation."

Avoiding acquaintances, upon arriving at the courtyard, Zhang Guoqing didn’t bother to tidy up first, and took the student ID and household registration book to greet the neighborhood committee.

Nowadays, Beijing’s household registration management is very strict. Especially as the year-end approaches, inspections become more thorough.

Those from out of town looking for relatives must bring proof to report to the street office, carry grain coupons along, and conveniently get proof to buy grain at designated grain stations.

As for those on business trips, they must register at the station with an introduction letter, then get a slip of paper stating where they are staying, from which day to which day, incredibly troublesome.

Walking out of the hutong, nearby the circular river, which has frozen, there are many children playing on it, and the old locust tree at the entrance of the hutong has hurriedly shed its leaves, leaving only bare branches.

Under the warm sun, many are busy shoveling snow and ice outside the courtyard. Some families have a big slope in front of the door, which has become a "big slide" after snow, with kids crying to forbid shoveling.

In the corner against the wall, an old man is popping popcorn, surrounded by three or five teenagers leading little radishes. At this moment, they are watching the craftsman pour the white rice into the pot, then covering their ears.

With a loud bang, a wave of heat rushes out of the pot, and the chubby, fragrant popcorn shoots straight into the long cloth bag.

Across the street from the neighborhood committee is a grocery store, no need to particularly search, just follow the wafting smell of sweet warmth — the chestnut vendor uses a coal stove, an iron pot, a big spatula, half a pot of iron sand to sell freshly roasted chestnuts.

After finishing his business, Zhang Guoqing, in a good mood, disregarded the biting cold wind, turned around to buy half a pound of roasted chestnuts. His family doesn’t lack such snacks, he’s doing it for happiness, enjoying this hutong life, planning to walk with his wife and child when the weather is good at noon someday.

Inside the courtyard, Zhou Jiao is "huffing and puffing" pulling the bellows, boiling a big pot of hot water, while inside, Ping’an is shouting: "It’s hot, the kang is hot."

As the voice comes out, he jumps out.

"Mom, I’m hot."

Zhou Jiao looks at him, laughing. Isn’t he sweating!

Dressed like a bear. A big cotton jacket with many clothes and pants inside, the forgotten big cotton hat pulled down to cover ears and neck, keeping out the cold wind from outside and trapping the heat inside. Adding cotton gloves is certainly a 360-degree protection.

Zhou Jiao places two wooden logs into the stove, washes her hands, and leads him indoors: "Let mom help you take some off first, don’t rush out to play, just after sweating, a blow of cold wind can easily cause a cold."

Ping’an pouts: "I said I wasn’t cold when we came out, look, I can’t even squat."

Zhou Jiao stifles her laughter: "Don’t you think it’s pitiful for those kids with runny noses from the cold?"

"But I’m wearing too many clothes, it’s inconvenient and hot."

Despite the cold winter outside, the fire kang in the three-room house is hot, the living room stove burning half a block of coal, the stove mouth gleaming red, the room’s temperature like late spring.

Without protests from the child, Zhou Jiao removes his clothes. The big cotton jacket reveals a furry vest, inside a thin cotton shirt and sweater. Even she is a bit embarrassed, it’s really too much!

Ping’an tugs at his clothes, "Right? Too much? Grandma wants to dress me in all the winter clothes, she says it’s cold outside."

"Grandma cares about you, don’t complain."

"I understand, that’s why I listen and wear it all."

Zhou Jiao removes his thin cotton shirt, feeling sweat herself in just this moment, and dresses him in a vest, pointing to the big cotton jacket: "Wear it when leaving the room."

"Okay, and the pants?"

This really paralyzes Zhou Jiao, and she wonders what her mom was thinking. Dressing the child in four pairs of pants, no wonder the child is unhappy: "Grandma fears you’ll get sick, only family truly cherishes you. We must learn to be grateful."

"I know Grandma cares for me, I also like her."

Seeing the child say this, Zhou Jiao doesn’t say more, swiftly removes his pants leaving only wool ones: "Now move around, see if you feel cold?"

Ping’an moves around on the kang: "Comfortable. Mom, can you help me think of a way, I can’t practice martial arts in the morning wearing so much."

Zhou Jiao nods. Over the years, collected duck feathers aren’t enough for quilts, but plenty for making the child some clothes, with fur inside for warmth.

"It’s Dad returning." Hearing the courtyard gate open, Ping’an stands by the room door, lifts a corner of the thick curtain to look outside.

Zhou Jiao pours hot water, squeezes dry a wet towel to wipe the child’s face and hands: "He’ll come in, quickly go apply some face cream, mom will bake sweet potatoes with you."

"Won’t clean the study first?"

"No, it’s wasteful. The main room is enough for our family. Grandma can stay in the east room."

"Mom, you should let Grandma Chen come over, she can help you with chores."

Zhou Jiao smiles silently. She just wants peace, besides her mom working here is inconvenient, keeping the room just in case.

Zhang Guoqing lifts the cotton curtain, seeing them, laughs: "Two different worlds, it’s really cold outside. My wife is so capable, quickly sorted it out?"

Zhou Jiao takes his coat to hang up, then turns to see, oh well, still taking off. She cautions: "Careful not to catch a cold."

"Alright." Zhang Guoqing points to the oil paper bag on the table, "Freshly bought roasted chestnuts, try them. Wife, take out more fruits, I’ve closed the courtyard gate. True freedom!"

Zhou Jiao: "..."

"Wang Ligang’s mom was so enthusiastic when she saw me! She offered to lend us anything we lack. I still need to go to visit her tonight, no need for you to go, I’ll take Ping’an."

"Wouldn’t it be inappropriate?"

"No worries, I said you’re pregnant, can’t rest with people coming and going in the courtyard. I think Ligang’s mom is nice, visiting in the evening we can become close neighbors. With her at the office, it’s good to have someone looking out."

Zhou Jiao nods. Zhang Guoqing is better at handling these relationships. He already figured out Wang Ligang’s mom works at the street office here.

"We’ll enjoy hutong life, later I’ll arrange the study room too, at night the park’s scenery guarantee you’ll like it."

Zhou Jiao doesn’t remind about wastefulness. Her husband seldom indulges, let him be happy. She doubts if they can truly enjoy peaceful life.

In her view, Zhang Guoqing isn’t one to stay still, worried that in no time, Yi Jiefang and others would come over. This place might become their gathering point.

Although she thinks so, Zhou Jiao doesn’t say it. Being able to steal half a day of leisure is already an unexpected joy for her. Living days like hers is rare indeed.