Chapter 886: Chapter 759: Coping and Countermeasures

On the way, Zhou Xiaozheng acted completely normal, just like any other day, and with Ping’an adding some fun, the atmosphere in the car was warm and festive.

Unlike usual, after lunch, when Zhang Guoqing settled his wife and son, the father-in-law and son-in-law left the house in mutual understanding.

In the office, Zhou Xiaozheng sat quietly, waiting for his son-in-law to arrive.

"Chief, there’s a meeting at three in the afternoon."

Zhou Xiaozheng nodded upon hearing this, "We’ll leave at 2:40. Let me handle some other matters first."

Secretary Chen saw him lower his head to review some documents after speaking and quietly left, closing the door.

When Zhang Guoqing arrived, he saw his father-in-law with furrowed brows, a vacant look in his eyes, idly spinning a pen between his fingers.

His heart skipped a beat, and his face turned pale instantly. He quickly closed the door and hurried to the desk, staring unblinkingly at his father-in-law.

"Is Jiao Jiao asleep?"

Zhang Guoqing, tense, fingers digging into his palms, nodded with difficulty, finding himself unable to speak or make a sound.

Zhou Xiaozheng pointed to an empty seat ahead, seeing no response, said in a deep voice, "Why panic, calm down!"

He suddenly remembered he wasn’t much better in front of Doctor Hu.

It’s about Zhou Jiao’s safety. How could Zhang Guoqing stay calm? Standing there, Zhang Guoqing tightly closed his eyes, "Dad, go ahead, I can take it."

Zhou Xiaozheng looked at his son-in-law’s pale face, feeling both angry and amused. He casually picked up a document and knocked it against Zhang Guoqing’s head.

Zhang Guoqing was startled, immediately opening his eyes, "Is it serious?"

"You’re the serious one!" Zhou Xiaozheng retorted angrily, then felt a bit embarrassed, clearing his throat.

Zhang Guoqing didn’t care about these words; he thought earlier that Zhou Jiao was in danger, and his father-in-law was venting at him. Now, observing his father-in-law’s expression again, it didn’t seem to be what he thought, so he relaxed, slumping into a chair.

"Hmph!" Zhou Xiaozheng, feeling better after seeing his son-in-law’s flustered look, glanced at the time on his watch and decided not to keep him in suspense, "There’s no danger to Jiao Jiao for now; she’s just pregnant with twins."

Twins? Zhang Guoqing looked at his father-in-law reproachfully, "Dad, you almost scared me to death! You can’t scare me like that anymore, where will you find such a good son-in-law like me?"

Thick-skinned! Thinks he’s Ping’an or something?

Zhou Xiaozheng’s eyes showed a hint of amusement as he gave him a sidelong glance.

"Dad, did you forget my big brother’s family has twins, Xiao Zuo and Xiao You?" Zhang Guoqing said with a smile, "My mother said the Zhang Family has a heritage of twins, so I’ve consulted many doctors just in case, and even went back a few years ago to find the midwife from back then."

Hearing this, Zhou Xiaozheng was genuinely touched. He decided that, considering how much this silly boy cared for his Jiao Jiao, he wouldn’t make things difficult for him in the future.

"And my cousin Qingfeng’s family has dragon and phoenix twins. They didn’t have much nutrition back then, and now both sisters-in-law are as strong as bulls." Zhang Guoqing became more animated.

"Really no problem?"

Zhang Guoqing couldn’t guarantee it, but seeing his father-in-law’s worried eyes, he nodded seriously, "There’ll be no problem! That midwife is quite skilled; even Ping’an was delivered by her. I originally planned to invite her over when Jiao Jiao hits eight months, along with Doctor Lin as an added assurance."

"Before my mother went back this time, I prepared a gift for her, intending to have her come ahead of time. Seems like I have to speed this up."

Zhou Xiaozheng breathed a sigh of relief, nodding repeatedly, "No matter the cost, make sure to invite her over."

Isn’t that a given?

Zhang Guoqing then shared his original plan: "At the beginning of the year, when Jiao Jiao didn’t want to suspend her studies, I had an idea. Once the weather warms up, I’ll rent a small courtyard in the village near the school. Now, with my mother to take care of my sister-in-law, and the midwife, they should come earlier."

Zhou Xiaozheng once again felt lucky to have such a capable son-in-law.

"Dad, leave these issues to me. With Jiao Jiao, let’s keep things normal; otherwise, she’ll overthink. Doctor Lin advised a check-up after the New Year. I think she’s been putting it off because she’s worried we’ll be concerned."

Once Zhang Guoqing finished speaking, seeing his father-in-law hesitate, he continued to persuade: "In two months, even if she wants to hide it, she won’t be able to. I think that’ll be when she tells the truth. She often says she doesn’t want to make the whole family anxious about her, and Doctor Lin told me to go along with her. When a pregnant woman is in a good mood, everything’s fine. Otherwise, just morning sickness can be physically exhausting."

Zhou Xiaozheng was silent for a moment, then exhaled, assessing his son-in-law, tightening his fists: "Alright, we’ll leave it as is for now. The moment anything seems wrong, we’ll keep her home, even if we have to force her. Don’t always accommodate her."

Zhang Guoqing nodded with amusement. Who’s the one accommodating Zhou Jiao the most?

"Then I’ll head back and write a letter to my father."

Zhou Xiaozheng shook his head: "I’ll write the letter myself, and ask your godfather to make time and visit personally."

"Dad, don’t have my godfather visit the person. They’re all folks from the village, my parents are more appropriate than godfather. All these years when we returned home, I’ve been preparing gifts to thank her; having her come here shouldn’t be a big issue."

After the father-in-law and son-in-law finished discussing, it was almost time for Zhou Xiaozheng’s meeting. After Zhang Guoqing bid farewell and left, he found a spot to sit in a small park along the path.

Even though he promised Zhou Xiaozheng confidently with a smile, he felt uneasy inside. The biting cold wind hit his face as Zhang Guoqing stared blankly into the distance.

After a long while, he stretched out his frozen hands and clapped his face, moved his body a bit, and left the small park with a renewed smile, heading home.

In the bedroom, Zhou Jiao was already awake, chatting with their son in the living room while eating some snacks and fruit.

Zhang Guoqing walked in on this scene.

"Where did you go with Da Yi? Why is your face red from the cold? Sit down and warm up."

Zhang Guoqing stopped his wife from getting close: "You sit, I can manage. What are you chatting about that’s so cheerful?"

"Didn’t Mr. Ma take Ping’an out for a bit? We’re analyzing now."

Zhang Guoqing took a sip of the tea Zhou Jiao handed him and chuckled, "Oh? What did you conclude? ’I am my own master, not the heavens’, don’t fully believe those mystic tricks."

"Dad, I know. But that old grandpa didn’t say much; he just told me to be a monk." Ping’an said, his big eyes spinning around.

"Don’t listen to that old man’s nonsense."

This comment made Zhou Jiao and their son laugh heartily.

After a while, Zhou Jiao relayed what Mr. Ma had told Ping’an to him.

Zhang Guoqing smiled and gently nudged Ping’an, "You mischievous kid, teasing your dad."

"Dad, do you think that old grandpa is impressive?"

Calculating like this, the man indeed had some skills. For his son’s safety, Zhang Guoqing immediately corrected himself, resolutely giving himself a mental slap.

He glanced at his wife with a smile, then focused on his son, "He’s a master! He didn’t make vague promises of future wealth and success, unlike ordinary fortunetellers. Not letting you start school at eight or lose your virginity by eighteen, those are candid, kind words. As for going anywhere you want after twenty, just take that lightly. This world has many talents, only a fool would be so arrogant."