Old Mrs. Cheng smiled as she admired Zhang Guoqing and his mother performing a skit together; by this time, she already understood the reason for their visit.

As Ping’an began recounting all sorts of distorted rumors, Old Mrs. Cheng cooperatively nodded from time to time to show agreement.

"...Xiang’s father went to the reeducation camp, while his mother is heavily pregnant." Ping’an gestured with his small arms making a large circle, "Even with a yard, they couldn’t live there. She carried his sister around and wiped her tears at the station."

Zhou Jiao noticed that Mother Zhang’s cheerful demeanor had turned serious, causing a pause in her heart—hopefully she wasn’t overly worried about the two sisters-in-law, but rather her mother-in-law.

She gave her son a look, signaling for him to change the topic, and served a small bowl of soup to her mother-in-law: "Mother, try this and see how it tastes. Is it too bland?"

Seeing Ping’an bow his head and drink the soup, Mother Zhang immediately came to her senses. She didn’t take the small bowl but instead held Zhou Jiao’s right hand: "Why don’t you go back home to give birth first, and come back after the baby is born?"

Zhou Jiao’s nose tingled with emotion. She steadied herself, smiling as she comforted: "Mother, don’t worry. My parents have never done anything illegal, and my brother is doing well in school. Besides, I don’t hold grudges with anyone. If people want to find fault with me, they won’t find a chance. Look at me, I only eat well; my attire is the same as before."

As she spoke, she glanced at everyone: "Our family doesn’t have any troublemakers; just listen to these things and let them pass. We just need to close the door and live our own lives."

Lin Juhua also came to her senses: "Mother, Jiao Jiao is right. Uncle Zhou and Aunt Shan are military personnel, and our family is just ordinary citizens. We’re not the same as those people."

Huang Cuilan nodded repeatedly and immediately added: "Yes, I’ll also tell the children’s father when I get back. From now on, if outsiders bring gifts, I won’t let them in."

"That makes sense, Sister-in-law. The people Ping’an mentioned aren’t all troublemakers. They can’t compare to our Jiao Jiao."

"That’s the idea. Moreover, to be frank, if something does happen here, you all should just go back to our hometown. Worst case, we return to the village. We owe Xiao Wu a great debt of gratitude; they won’t let anything happen."

After Huang Cuilan finished, she looked at Zhou Jiao: "Jiao Jiao, if anything happens, bring Uncle Zhou and Aunt Shan back to our village immediately. Don’t worry about involving us. We managed to get through those tough days before, so going back to the village is nothing to fear now."

Zhou Jiao smiled warmly at the two sisters-in-law. Although Huang Cuilan still struggled with expressing herself, the intent behind her words warmed Zhou Jiao’s heart.

Is it genuine kindness, or fake? Zhou Jiao could see through it. She asked herself again if she was being too demanding. Whose natal families aren’t close relatives? Could she put herself in their shoes?

She looked at Zhang Guoqing and found him watching her with a gentle smile.

Old Mrs. Cheng patted Mother Zhang: "You have such a wonderful daughter-in-law in your family. You see, good deeds are rewarded, and you are blessed."

Mother Zhang nodded in gratification, her heart filled with joy as she looked at her three daughters-in-law, especially the eldest one, who spoke such comforting words—it truly felt like a blessing, rewarding her efforts in protecting the child.

After dinner, as they sat for a while, Huang Xiaomi proposed to take her leave. This time, Zhou Jiao didn’t insist on keeping her; instead, she took the bag Aunt Chen had intentionally prepared and saw her out the door.

"Take this with you. Inside are some tickets for you to use as needed. Are you sure it’s really fine not to accompany you to the station?"

Huang Xiaomi smiled upon hearing these words: "The bus arrives directly. There’s no need, thank you, Sister-in-law."

Zhou Jiao waved goodbye, watched her leave, and slowly walked her son back home.

"Mom, where did Dad go?"

"He should be looking for your Uncle Da Yi." Zhou Jiao replied, smiling knowingly, understanding why Zhang Guoqing left immediately after dinner.

—Just to avoid Mother Zhang asking him to take Huang Xiaomi to the station.

Regardless of avoiding suspicion or for other reasons, her husband’s awareness put Zhou Jiao at ease. She didn’t like him to escort another woman alone, especially an unmarried young girl.

Even a cousin with a blood relative connection wouldn’t do! She refused to admit jealousy, knowing that moral conduct between men and women is critical!

As the mother and son returned to the doorway, wasn’t Zhang Guoqing and Yi Jiefang standing there?

"Why is it you accompanying?"

Zhou Jiao greeted Yi Jiefang with a gentle smile, then looked at Zhang Guoqing: "Mother and mom are elders, and the two sisters-in-law are new here; but besides me, no one else is suitable."

"I don’t mind, walking is healthy. Where are you two planning to go?"

"Looking for Da Yong and the others."

"Then go ahead, I’ll take the child back first."

Upon seeing his friend’s expression, Yi Jiefang knew immediately, smiled: "Sister, is there any food at home? We’ll go to your place first and find Da Yong later."

"Uncle Da Yi, I’ll take you to find something to eat."

Yi Jiefang picked up Ping’an: "I’m your big uncle; remember to change how you address me in the future."

"Will there be a reward for changing the way I call you?"

"Why are you always thinking about money, kid?"

Seeing the two joking, Zhang Guoqing protected his wife behind them, smiling. If Huang Xiaomi and Yi Jiefang weren’t so mismatched, he might have introduced them to each other.

"Have you figured out where to take mother and the others tomorrow?" 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Zhang Guoqing shook his head: "Mom told me to focus on my responsibilities; she would entertain mother. I want to learn about Mr. Hu and prepare the gift to pay my respects to the mentor."

Zhou Jiao slightly shook her head: "Let me prepare the gift instead. You haven’t rested much this month. Better stay home and rest for now."

Saying this, Zhou Jiao looked at his tired eyes with concern. Even though she was pregnant, Zhang Guoqing was the one exhausted. For several nights, he would wake up quickly if she stirred.

Inside the Zhou Family living room, Yi Jiefang greeted Old Mrs. Cheng and chatted with Mother Zhang for a while, then left with his good friend.

"Is my sister really not taking a year off from school? The next cohort graduates in six years; she wouldn’t lose out. You should persuade her that graduating just a year later isn’t bad—it’s just one less year of earnings."

Zhang Guoqing understood these arguments. Their class curriculum lasted five years, and as Yi Jiefang mentioned, switching to the next cohort would be suitable, but without himself present next to Zhou Jiao...

After a silence, Zhang Guoqing shook his head: "She’s stubborn. Even my father’s advice couldn’t sway her. If we mention this, she argues how important a pregnant woman’s mood is, that she would be unhappy. Besides, the classes for the next cohort are quite chaotic. I wouldn’t feel secure if I weren’t there with her."

Remembering Zhou Jiao’s workaholic style, Yi Jiefang was momentarily speechless.

After a while, noticing no one around him, he patted Zhang Guoqing and smiled: "Forget it; early graduation means early relief. If something happens, let me know. I might not help with big issues, but small matters are manageable."

Zhang Guoqing embraced him around his neck, playfully punched him. The two exchanged smiles; the connection between true friends spoke volumes without words.