Chapter 880: Chapter 753: Heart-to-Heart Between Mother and Son

On the following morning, with light snow still falling from the sky, the moment the bugle sounded, Zhang Guoqing, who slept soundly through the night, awoke as per his biological clock. He gently extracted his arm, bent down for a kiss, and quietly left the room.

This morning, he gave up his usual early exercise, washed up, and waited quietly in the living room for his mother and son to wake up.

Mother Zhang, who was used to waking up early, came out and found it strange to see him there, even glancing at the clock on the wall in the living room. At this time each day, her youngest son would be out running, no matter where he was, but...

"Mom, don’t look. Today, we are going for a walk, just the two of us."

Mother Zhang, with a big smile, nodded. She pondered if her son had something to say which he couldn’t discuss at the Zhou family home. Suspecting that her son might be troubled, she quickly washed up and followed him out.

"Mom, I’m taking you to the alley for the most authentic breakfast."

Once out of the Big Courtyard, Mother Zhang relaxed and asked loudly, "What’s wrong? Have you been wronged or did someone say something? Tell me quickly."

Zhang Guoqing smiled and shook his head. No one dared offend him, and even if they did, he wouldn’t worry his mom about it.

Mother Zhang looked suspiciously at her youngest son’s expression.

She slowly reflected from the moment she arrived at the Zhou Family, observing that her son seemed to have control of the household, with the phone being answered as "our Xiao Wu".

Could it be that someone was bullying her son outside?

She cautiously whispered, "Is someone out to make fun of you on purpose?"

Zhang Guoqing laughed heartily, putting an arm around his mother’s shoulder, and said, "With my father-in-law around, who would dare? These past years, he’s taken me along for every social gathering, does anyone not understand this?"

"True," she replied.

Zhang Guoqing whispered with a chuckle, "And don’t forget your daughter-in-law’s personality; if anyone slighted me, she’d just walk away. People say I spoil Jiao Jiao, but doesn’t she also protect me?"

Zhang Guoqing was confident there was no exaggeration. At school, she had defended him multiple times, even resorting to physical means. Even early on when they arrived in Beijing, she had dealt with a few disrespectful people, putting them in their place.

His wife tolerated many things but couldn’t stand when someone she cared about suffered; she was fiercely protective. With her usual tactics and his character, no one dared speak anything inappropriate.

As for any gossip, there was none that he heard of. Zhang Guoqing wasn’t currency; he couldn’t expect everyone to like him or worry about what’s in others’ hearts.

Mother Zhang nodded in agreement. This was the quality she most admired in Zhou Jiao, her daughter-in-law, who knew to give her husband dignity!

"Mom, I’m doing quite well here, even better than back home. There were too many people before, so some things were inconvenient to discuss. Let me share something with you, just keep it to yourself and don’t spread it around."

Mother Zhang looked around, seeing no one, she gazed up at her youngest son.

Zhang Guoqing bent down to whisper in her ear, "Even without my father-in-law stepping in, several units are vying for Jiao Jiao, and he’s been preparing several paths for my future."

Mother Zhang looked at him, pleasantly surprised.

Zhang Guoqing smiled and nodded. He said these things to put his mother’s mind at ease; some secrets couldn’t be shared outright. Many things relied on timing to come to fruition, as planned with his father-in-law.

"Good, good."

"Today I’ll take you to see the courtyard in the alley, where Jiao Jiao and I plan to have you and Dad move in. Mom, don’t be quick to refuse. If nothing unexpected happens, returning to work back home will be very hard. If you both don’t come over, what will I do when I miss you? If not for the strict household registration here, I’d already have moved your and Dad’s residence here."

Mother Zhang paused and patted her anxious son, "Not just your dad, even I am not used to living here. If you’re really filial, don’t mention moving. Your dad worries that being away will cause trouble from your brothers, otherwise, he wouldn’t spend so much letting your sisters-in-law visit."

"It won’t happen, my second brother is home."

"Xiao Wu, Mom’s not used to living here. Besides your family, there’s no familiar face, and it’s dull. At home, Dad and Mom have old friends and siblings; they go to the village or hang out in the county as they please.

Your brothers and sisters are all in the county; I can’t let them go. With your father-in-law here, I’m reassured about you both. I’ll visit when I miss you. Now that Xiao Mi runs this route, I won’t worry about getting lost."

Zhang Guoqing understood it was unlikely to settle his parents, so he didn’t press on. It’s not safer in the big city than back home, anyway, there’s plenty of time.

"So, can we at least look at the courtyard?"

"No need, last time we saw two courtyards, can anything surpass that big one? It’s troublesome to go back and forth in the cold. You should quickly rent it out. If worried about any impact, discuss with your father-in-law about lending it to the state. Listen to Mom, there’s no fool in this world, renting is preferable when we come over, over making a fuss, understand?"

Faced with his stubborn mother, Zhang Guoqing was helpless. He nodded in agreement. However, since they were already out, he didn’t plan to take her back so soon.

At the end of the year, he and Yi Jiefang had accumulated quite a bit of stock and saved tickets and other vouchers. After this, they planned to wash their hands and stop the pursuit.

Though he had the tickets, regrettably, Mother Zhang wasn’t cooperating. As she put it, with another mouth to feed, they ought to spend sparingly.

Zhang Guoqing was unfazed. He was deeply cherished by this mother, and for someone who had lived two lives, this motherly love was a precious treasure!

There’s often a counterintuitive mindset; like Zhou Jiao, even if you tried to manipulate me, it’s up to whether I’d be willing to go along.

Whenever Mother Zhang consulted him, Zhang Guoqing wasn’t stingy. Eventually, Mother Zhang, feeling both pained and pleased, took her son out.

"Xiao Wu, the things you brought back last time, Mom hasn’t even used them yet, bringing things back from here takes up space." Mother Zhang said while looking around, lowering her voice, "Besides, don’t look at this as a big store; the quality can’t compare to what Jiao Jiao prepared."

Zhang Guoqing understood and nodded with a smile. Previously, except for special overseas food that couldn’t be given to his parents, he and Jiao Jiao tried their best to fill them.

"Foolish boy! Mom knows you two are filial, but how much can Dad and I use? Now, I’m afraid to take you both when I want to go shopping." Mother Zhang playfully gave her son a look.

Zhang Guoqing hugged his mother and walked outside together; their bond was so close that even acquaintances didn’t dare disturb their conversation.

After some distance, seeing no one around, Zhang Guoqing whispered, "Mom, in the future, if you get good stuff, don’t give it all to me, remember your youngest son takes after you; he’s got skills. Even without my father-in-law, I can still build a prosperous future for Ping’an. If you tell Dad, if the times get unstable, there’s no need to visit the Black Market."

With a smile on her face, Mother Zhang gradually grew solemn as she listened, replying seriously, "Now that you mentioned it, you must also refrain from going. I’ll let your father know."

Zhang Guoqing winked at her and laughed, "Your youngest son is destined for great things, how could he behave foolishly? Before the year ends, everything will be cleared up, and I’ll walk the path of righteousness."

Amused by her son’s playful antics, Mother Zhang burst into a hearty laugh.