After sending off Zhou Xiaozheng and reaching the work hour, Lin Lishan apologized to her in-laws, slung her bag over her shoulder, and went to work, leaving a group of people gathered in the living room.

Zhou Jiao and Zhang Guoqing exchanged a glance, linked arms with Mother Zhang, and looked at the two sisters-in-law and cousin. "How about we go to Tianmen to take some photos?"

Lin Juhua nodded enthusiastically. "I’ve been wanting to suggest this for a while."

Huang Xiaomi smiled and shook her head. "Cousin-in-law, I still need to rush to the station, you all go ahead."

"The train is in the evening, you only need to be there two hours early. Don’t refuse; come with us downtown. I promise I won’t keep you after dinner."

Huang Xiaomi wanted to say, given your pregnancy, you should stay indoors. She glanced at the other two sisters-in-law, who were both excited, and bit her lip as she looked at Mother Zhang.

Having finally conceived a child after five years, she thought it unnecessary to go out in the cold. Their visit was meant to offer comfort, not create trouble.

Zhou Jiao planned to accompany them for three days; beyond that, she wouldn’t be able to handle it physically. For the first day, they’d stroll around Beijing, visit the temple fair, and take some pictures.

Beside her, Zhang Guoqing, holding his son, called out for Aunt Chen to join them on the outing, then turned to Mother Zhang and said: "Mom, you haven’t taken any pictures in the winter here yet, and it’s a lot less crowded over there now."

Zhou Jiao quickly added with a smile, "Yeah, Mom, quickly put on your coat, we’re heading out soon."

"Should we notify your great aunt? Would it be rude if she finds us gone later?" Mother Zhang hesitated; if she remembered correctly, the old lady held some retired position and even had a car at her disposal. If she really came with a car, it would spoil her intent to foster a closer bond with her daughter-in-law.

Zhang Guoqing indicated to his son to pull Grandma along: "We should sneak out before she arrives, or else she’ll insist on joining us and tire herself out."

"Grandma, let’s go. I’ll tell you, last year, Dad and I..."

As Ping’an babbled cheerfully, the group, now wearing coats, stepped out of the door.

As they departed the Big Courtyard, Lin Juhua whispered into Zhou Jiao’s ear: "You have to register whenever you go in or out. Are you used to that yet?"

Zhou Jiao nodded with a smile, "Luckily, we’ve been at school most of the year and haven’t returned often."

"That’s about right. When we arrived last night, it didn’t feel too different, but now I’m all jittery inside."

Huang Cuilan nodded in agreement, "It’s better to live outside. Being inside doesn’t feel comfortable."

Lin Juhua chuckled, "Big sister, what nonsense are you saying. Uncle Zhou only has one daughter, Jiao Jiao. If she moves out, who will take care of Ping’an? She still has one on the way."

"Speaking of kids, it reminds me. Are you planning to go through confinement at your parents’ place this time? Your mother works every day; she wouldn’t have the time to take care of you."

"At that time, we’ll have the mother-in-law come over to take care of Jiao Jiao during her confinement," Lin Juhua discreetly pointed to Mother Zhang walking ahead.

"I think it would be inconvenient for Mom and Dad to stay in there. Jiao Jiao, don’t you have an old courtyard? Is it far from here? Maybe you should move there; it would be more comfortable for your parents."

Zhou Jiao glanced at her with a smile, "I donated it to the Women’s Federation as a workspace, so we can’t live there anymore."

"Then what about your confinement? Really at your parents’ place?"

"I’m the only one in my family. Where else but there? Besides, after the baby is born, I’ll need to continue my studies, and with Aunt Chen around, I can get by," Zhou Jiao replied, shaking her head with a smile.

Up ahead, Mother Zhang walked with her older son and grandson, accompanied by Aunt Chen, who was watching over the child. She too asked Zhou Jiao when she was due, wondering if it would interfere with her schooling.

Zhang Guoqing shook his head, "The baby is due in August, just when school is out."

"Then how will you take care of the baby? Should I take the baby home after the confinement until you finish your semester?"

Zhang Guoqing was taken aback — what a joke. Children belong with their parents, not far away and possibly neglected. If schooling meant abandoning the baby, he’d sooner drop out.

Aunt Chen quickly added, "I’m here, elder sister. You needn’t worry. I’ll take good care of the child. Next semester, Jiao Jiao will also have to return to work, so she’ll be running back and forth to feed the baby. Look, even Little Ping’an is shaking his head."

"Grandma, I can take care of my little brother."

"Mom, rest assured. With Aunt Chen and the great-aunt around, there’s no fear of the baby not being cared for. The little one isn’t even born yet, and there’s already a crowd wanting to help — Jiao Jiao and I might not even get to hold our own child."

Aunt Chen was genuinely worried about the baby being taken away. "With the kind of supports we have, we can even add a housekeeping personnel if we’re that busy," she interjected.

Ping’an tugged at Aunt Chen’s sleeve, "Granny Chen, just having you is enough. I don’t want other people in our house. My great-grandmother has an aunty who can assist you."

Aunt Chen was overjoyed, "Alright, I won’t leave."

Seeing the slight disappointment on Mother Zhang’s face, Ping’an quickly released Aunt Chen’s hand and ran over to her. "Grandma, my dear grandma, don’t go home. Stay with us in Beijing, okay? I can see you whenever I miss you. If my brother goes to the old home, I’ll cry."

Zhang Guoqing laughed and hoisted his son up, bending to whisper to Mother Zhang. "The house is already prepared. Once the sisters-in-law aren’t around, I’ll take you to see it — you and Dad will like it for sure."

Mother Zhang patted him, "Why get it ready so early? It could provide rental income. Your Aunt Li mentioned that Lin Zi might get assigned to Beijing after graduation; did you hear about that?"

Zhang Guoqing shook his head in surprise. He hadn’t heard that from Li Qinglin in any letter, but recalling the Bai Family and Hu Xiaohui, he didn’t find it surprising.

"He can come here from far away, but what about you? I initially wanted to ask your father-in-law, but your dad was worried we might mess things up, so he told us not to interfere. He also wants to know if you’d leave halfway to some other place."

This was a tough question. Even though staying in Beijing was highly likely, Zhang Guoqing knew that if his father-in-law transferred, his wife would definitely move with him, which meant he would follow wherever she went.

"Mom, don’t worry. Even if we stay in Beijing for now, there will still be future relocations for promotions. If Dad asks, just say I’ve got it under control."

Mother Zhang tugged at her youngest son and glanced at Aunt Chen, who had tactfully stepped aside; she whispered, "Mom considers Jiao Jiao a precious daughter-in-law. No matter how important your position becomes, you and Jiao Jiao must never separate. It would be best if your father-in-law somehow arranged for you both to be at the same location."

Recalling how his parents had said the same thing when he was in college, Zhang Guoqing playfully replied, "Mom, your daughter-in-law’s too capable for me to catch up."

Mother Zhang swatted him lightly, a little irritated.

Zhang Guoqing was about to continue joking with his mother when a group of young people suddenly emerged with a racket from the alley in front of the Big Courtyard. He rolled his eyes, realizing these were the usual troublemakers.

"Brother Xiao Wu, where are you headed? Little treasure, just out for a stroll? Wanna go ice skating with your uncles?"

"Wow, a full-on winter excursion. Everyone, come see who’s out!"

"Old Mr. Zhou finally let the little treasure out to feel the cold. What a rarity, truly special."

Zhang Guoqing shot them a glare, chuckling, "You little rascals, all grown up and yet so cheeky. Cheng San, watch out or your dad will whip you."

"Why just call me out?"

"You cheeky brat, still not satisfied? Try calling him a little treasure again."

Ping’an gave a sly smile, then waved ahead, shouting loudly, "Grandpa Mo, over here! I’m over here..."

The group of young troublemakers immediately fell silent, straightening up as if their tape had been cut, looking solemn.

Cheng San turned around to see, then pointed at Ping’an in frustration and said, "You little guy, your third uncle dotes on you for nothing."

"Got fooled..."

"So embarrassing, getting tricked by a little sprout..."

Ping’an innocently pointed ahead, "I wasn’t lying, really! I just saw Grandpa Mo’s car."

Zhang Guoqing couldn’t help but laugh heartily as he watched his son easily fool a group of people.