Chapter 872: Chapter 745: Do You Realize Your Mistake?

In the stillness of the night, after the Cheng family grandmother and daughter-in-law left, Zhou Jiao arranged for her two sisters-in-law and cousin to settle and rest in the west wing, and then ensured her mother-in-law and son went back to their rooms to rest.

After a busy period, she returned to the bedroom. Seeing the man pouring hot water for her, she passed on Mother Zhang’s words to Zhang Guoqing with a smile.

"How is it? A surprise, isn’t it?"

Zhang Guoqing looked at her speechlessly, feeling slightly amused by her misfortune at others’ expense. Silly girl! Could he, as the younger uncle, take two sisters-in-law out wandering the streets?

Thinking about how his wife was burdened while pregnant, he furrowed his brow deeply: "Did Dad really come up with this idea? How did he forget that it’s difficult for you to move around now?"

"Don’t doubt it. It’s true beyond any doubt! Probably godfather reminded him to pay attention to something. Dad feels unsure, so he had to find you. Besides, pregnancy isn’t considered a big deal in the village; it’s understandable for an old man like him to overlook these details. You didn’t notice that Mom didn’t mention it either."

That’s indeed how rural life is. Even women with bound feet who can’t work in the field and young maidens have to earn work points by going into the fields. Of course, you, a pregnant woman about to bring another mouth to feed, would too. Who hasn’t been giving birth to two children in three years repeatedly, and even some elders would advise working more in the field after three months for a quicker birth.

Zhang Guoqing was momentarily confused about his feelings. Could his wife be compared to those people?

"Alright, stop overthinking. They’ve already come. Besides, if there’s really no way out, I’ll negotiate with Auntie; she’s the best at persuasion. There will definitely be no problem."

Zhang Guoqing didn’t need her to hint; he already knew whom to target. But... seeing Zhou Jiao’s uncaring expression, he realized she hadn’t thought through the key points carefully.

"It’s just a few days. When we start school, Mom will certainly organize a trip back home. These days, I’ll follow Auntie and be careful. But in such snowy weather, there’s no way to host them for joyful activities."

"What activities? Dad wants the sisters-in-law to understand the outside risks, if you want them to have fun, that would be counterproductive."

Zhou Jiao yawned, rubbing her eyes: "It’s hard to grasp the balance; we’ll see."

Zhang Guoqing tenderly picked her up, placing her on the bed, tucking her in: "Let it be natural; nothing is more important than you. Rest well, stop thinking, let’s sleep first,"

Zhou Jiao was genuinely exhausted, softly responded with "Hmm" and fell asleep quickly.

However, Zhang Guoqing, now on the bed with water prepared, couldn’t fall asleep. He held Zhou Jiao tightly, pondering. From his perspective, his dad had really gone overboard.

Separation of families, what is separation?

Brothers forming independent families on their own; how on earth would the couple have spare time to handle the two sisters-in-law’s affairs? When a crisis arises, they would naturally focus on their own small families.

Moreover, using the Zhou family as a proving ground to train the two daughters-in-law of Old Zhang’s family, and even expecting his wife to teach them? If his father-in-law were to know about this tomorrow, it would probably create a rift.

Usually, his father-in-law fears that his precious daughter overthinks things, wanting her not to exhaust her mind. Now, if he learned that pregnant Zhou Jiao was expected to manage the two sisters-in-law’s education, he’d probably explode in anger.

Whatever way you look at it, it’s bound to stir more thoughts.

His dad forgot this is the Zhou family, not Old Zhang’s. Although the only daughter of the Zhou family is his daughter-in-law, besides himself, the Zhang family really has no relation with them.

In the dark of the night, Zhang Guoqing shook his head with a bitter smile, letting out a soft sigh. Everything needs to be considered in context, hopefully, he’s just overthinking.

When morning came, Zhou Jiao felt around beside her and, as expected, realized Zhang Guoqing had gone out early to exercise again. Thinking about Mother Zhang being at home, she hurriedly got up.

After finishing his workout, Zhou Xiaozheng brought his son-in-law inside, noticing his daughter busy in the kitchen amidst cheerful laughter from the living room, he glanced at his furrowed-browed son-in-law beside him.

He didn’t say much more, and walked outside the kitchen, beckoning Zhou Jiao over.

"Dad?"

"Hmm, I’ll leave soon, come over and help Dad tidy up a few things." Zhou Xiaozheng looked meaningfully at his daughter’s wet hands.

With a trying-to-please smile, Zhou Jiao glanced at Zhang Guoqing, winked at him, and followed her father into the study.

"Xiao Wu told me about your father-in-law’s plans. While you both are here, I’ll give you some advice — they’re relatives, treat the guests well, and make sure they leave happily."

Realizing the underlying meaning of the words, Zhou Jiao restrained her smile, looking at Zhang Guoqing – her father didn’t want the couple to be the scapegoat and offend others.

Zhang Guoqing nodded: "I’ve thought about it for a long time; it’s indeed not suitable for us to act as the bad guys. For outsiders, there’s no need to do things that are neither beneficial nor welcome."

"What about Dad then..."

Zhang Guoqing frowned: "No need to make it clear; he will understand."

Seeing this, Zhou Jiao glanced at her dad. Father and daughter exchanged eye contact, and she immediately laughed: "That’d be best. Occasionally drop a hint; whether they understand, is beyond my control. I’ll mostly accompany Mom these days, since once school starts, I can’t return home."

Zhang Guoqing watched her with a broad smile, and followed suit with his own, teasingly saying: "I thought you and Mom reached a consensus from your high spirits last night."

Zhou Jiao awkwardly smiled with folded hands behind her back. Could she say the little devil inside her had long been restless? They prohibited her from doing anything; it was so boring, wasn’t it?

Zhou Xiaozheng timely rescued his daughter: "Alright, go check with Aunt Chen to see if things are prepared, since Secretary Chen will come later, I need to depart."

Seeing her redness from the cold in her hands, Zhang Guoqing quickly stopped his wife from leaving: "I’ll go; you end up lending a hand, didn’t I tell you to stay out of the kitchen?"

"It’s alright, I’m wearing gloves."

"Dear Madam, spare me; you’re now two people, what if you catch a cold? Be good and check what needs preparing for Dad’s journey."

After the son-in-law left, Zhou Xiaozheng turned back, gazing at his daughter.

Zhou Jiao blinked, tilting her head to look at him, and blinked again.

Seeing her, Zhou Xiaozheng chuckled: "Realized your mistake?"

Zhou Jiao nodded repeatedly.

"Where was the mistake?"

"Meddling too much."

"Don’t hesitate to spend money to be filial, give as much as you like. But you must know one thing, your in-laws have more than just Xiao Wu as their son."

After speaking, Zhou Xiaozheng wrote the character "Zhou" on a paper, pointing at it: "Do you know what this means?" 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Zhou Jiao nodded seriously. It means her surname is Zhou; she doesn’t need to be governed by Old Zhang’s family.

Looking at her, Zhou Xiaozheng continued writing: "Gu Family, side chamber; Zhou Family, side chamber, why is the human heart never satisfied? Keep your guard on this, your heart cannot become soft."

Zhou Jiao caught sight of it, her gaze immediately sharp; she quickly took the pen and continued writing: Dad, are you worried Xiao Wu’s dad might have some schemes?

Looking at the door, Zhou Xiaozheng shook his head, whispered: "Not now, but your behavior shouldn’t leave people room for such thoughts. Especially Xiao Wu’s brothers, they need to understand. Our Zhou family is only our Zhou family, even if it’s related to the Zhang surname later, it’ll only be the Zhang children you bear. As for others..."

Zhou Xiaozheng decisively shook his head.

Zhou Jiao sarcastically chuckled: "Quite a beautiful dream! Best not to harbor evil thoughts, otherwise I’ll show them what it means to carry the surname Zhou."

"Your in-laws are good people, but hands and feet feel no different in the face of favoritism. You must make them understand, aside from being filial to the two of them, no other demands can be fulfilled. While they are wise now, leave options open for future actions. If you don’t manage expectations and let them grow unchecked, you’ll be left compromised inside and out."

Zhou Jiao sighed: "Human nature is complex. Dad, if I can’t even trust such kind elders, what should I do in the future?"

Patting his daughter’s head in consolation, Zhou Xiaozheng said: "So, while they’re good, you must learn how to control the pace, and adjust at the first sign of imbalance."