Chapter 878: Chapter 751: A Mother’s Favoritism

After the lively Lantern Festival, as time passed, Mother Zhang became increasingly concerned about her husband at home and began to plan her return.

In her opinion, the two daughters-in-law had been visiting Old Mrs. Cheng every day and had seen enough. She felt that her task assigned by her husband was completed.

And with her son’s school starting soon, she felt that staying with her daughters-in-law would waste everyone’s time on important matters. Once she had this thought, she couldn’t stay any longer.

In the East Wing bedroom, Zhou Jiao held her mother-in-law’s hand, "Mother, why don’t we let the two sisters-in-law go back on the train with Xiao Mi, and you wait here for Dad to come over, okay?"

Mother Zhang patted her hands, "I’ll return first, and then come over two months before you give birth. At school, don’t be too straightforward, try to take it easy when you can."

"Mother, the alley courtyard is all tidied up. You should let Dad come over. If it’s inconvenient there, we can rent a courtyard near the school, it won’t cost much. Can your body handle all this back and forth?"

Mother Zhang cheerfully patted her chest, "I am a hundred times stronger than you. Also, Jiao Jiao, don’t mention the courtyard matter to your elder sisters-in-law, and don’t plan for your dad and me to live here."

Zhou Jiao opened her mouth to explain.

Mother Zhang shook her hand, "Don’t tell me you don’t lack money. I’ve checked the situation over these days, life needs to be lived cautiously. In the past, when those people played landlords, they took things by force, even now I remember, they snatched things with bloodshot eyes."

After speaking, Mother Zhang leaned in close and whispered in her ear, "You’re still young, you don’t understand people’s hearts. Look at your little aunt, doesn’t she always avoid taking advantage of others? But those years, she always rushed to see the excitement, if she didn’t hide something amidst the chaos, I’d never believe it."

Zhou Jiao didn’t find it strange; Mr. Zhang knew how to hide valuable items, yet she still looked surprised. After all, the Old Zhang family’s wealth was known only to her parents-in-law and Zhang Guoqing.

Seeing her expression, Mother Zhang couldn’t help but laugh.

After hesitating for a moment, she leaned again towards Zhou Jiao’s ear, "Our family didn’t exploit others during turmoil, but we discreetly hid some things early on; only Xiao Wu knows about this. A few years back, two hundred pounds of corn flour could trade for a small courtyard in the county, a hundred pounds of wheat flour could get a provincial city courtyard, yet we preferred to trade it all for gold and didn’t dare ask for a courtyard, do you know why? We were afraid of envy."

Zhou Jiao gave her a thumbs-up, "You’re still incredible, you and Dad."

Although praised, Mother Zhang didn’t seem pleased and quietly asked, "Do you understand the meaning behind what I’m saying?"

Zhou Jiao solemnly nodded, responding softly, "Keep some things hidden so outsiders can’t see."

"That’s right. You two, as a young couple, shouldn’t add large items later. About the courtyard Old Mrs. Cheng gifted you, even if you change its name, can’t you understand why others don’t occupy such an empty courtyard with several families living in it?"

Zhou Jiao knew this meant Zhang Guoqing hadn’t told her mother-in-law that the courtyard was registered under their mentor’s name. She hesitated to explain but was interrupted by Mother Zhang.

"Furthermore, it’s not that I don’t trust your dad. You know, whatever your dad gives you as a couple or what you privately earn, don’t tell your dad or me."

Zhou Jiao was genuinely surprised this time and looked at her mother-in-law with confusion.

Mother Zhang reached to fix a strand of Zhou Jiao’s hair and quietly sighed, "Watching Accountant Zhang and your uncle makes me worry that your dad will also make missteps like this when we grow old."

These words hit home for Zhou Jiao. She lightly furrowed her brow, "Did he try causing trouble at big sister’s place?"

Mother Zhang smiled and shook her head, "Your big sister is quite clever; we don’t need to worry about her. As parents, you know, growing old, we wish all our children live well, not just him but even your uncle, living at Qingshan’s house, keeps thinking about his other sons."

"Mother, if big brother and second brother are struggling, I don’t need Xiao Wu, I’ll help them. Don’t worry about these things; as long as you ask, I’ll listen to you."

Mother Zhang smiled and touched her head, "You still don’t understand. I wish for both of them to be prosperous, but we can’t keep exploiting my youngest son."

Zhou Jiao smiled. She wasn’t sure how to respond.

"Our family is different from theirs." Mother Zhang lowered her hand, and her gaze turned conflicted as she looked at Zhou Jiao, "My Xiao Wu was not much older than Ping’an that time, so young yet secretly going hunting up the mountain, the first time handing over over 300,000 yuan to me, saying ’Mother, don’t worry, I’ve grown up, I can make money to support you, and I’ll make sure you’ll enjoy a good life.’

I cried the whole night, seeing the blood marks on his face and arm, it was like a piece of my heart was dug out. After that, he would sneak away to the mountains, sometimes gone several nights without coming home, the next day grinning as he stuffed money into my box.

Your dad then said everything hidden at home would go to Xiao Wu alone, but now I see he’s planning on dividing it into three parts aside from swapping things for you."

Zhou Jiao found herself amused yet saddened; if she remembered correctly, Zhang Guoqing did say his dad planned to divide it into three parts, but he got to choose first. It seemed natural; they were all his sons.

"I see your dad thinking your days are better could plan to aid big brother and second brother. If they were struggling, I wouldn’t complain. But now Xiao Wu has settled both his brothers, and your dad still does this, I have mixed feelings.

Unlike other families, this one owes its current good days to Xiao Wu. Even big sister says the separation was evenly divided, both bought a county courtyard but your small courtyard was prepared by your father. When she said these things, how could I, as a mother, not understand?

Ultimately, my Xiao Wu took the biggest loss. Recently I chatted with your dad about these matters, and although he hasn’t lost his sense, I’m truly worried he’ll become muddled like his elder brother in the future."

Zhou Jiao understood some parents could be excessively biased, but she hadn’t expected such fortune to bless them as a couple. As Mother Zhang spoke, her eyes began to redden, she struggled to control her emotions and had to bow her head. This was more than enough, even if nothing was left to her; it was all sufficient!

Mother Zhang touched Zhou Jiao’s head, "Jiao Jiao, my Xiao Wu has endured hardships since young, so no matter what happens later, promise me you’ll stand by him, okay?"

Zhou Jiao choked up and replied, "Okay."

Mother Zhang released her, patted her shoulder, then stood up and opened the door to check the outside noise. After seeing no one, she opened the luggage bag just brought in on the kang.

"Quickly, help me out here."

Zhou Jiao saw the familiar scene, slid to her side, and whispered, "Mother, keep good things with you for protection. I don’t lack anything in my hands."

Mother Zhang glared at her, "Stop dawdling, what if someone comes and sees, it won’t be good." While talking, she took out two pairs of cotton pants from inside and pointed to the cuffs, signaling her to hurry.

Zhou Jiao was stunned, this...

With swift movements, Mother Zhang didn’t need to find a needle and thread box; she flipped one pair of pants, broke off a thread with her teeth, then another thread...

Repetitively a handful of times, the cotton pants stuffed with cotton became unrecognizable, and she took out several rings along with a pair of gold bracelets inlaid with red rubies.