Chapter 1184: 1057: What’s the Rush?

"What’s there to think about? Let them brothers and sisters handle it themselves."After a long-awaited sunny winter day arrived, Mother Zhang moved a rattan chair to lean against the wall corner, feeling drowsy from the warmth. When her husband asked, she didn’t even want to open her eyes.

This old man truly doesn’t know how to enjoy life!

Why do you wander aimlessly every day?

The town’s big enough for you to roam, yet you insist on going to the village in this cold weather to chat with old buddies? Not to mention if they even like it, what if you fall?

"I just want to chat with my parents a bit."

Upon hearing Mr. Zhang’s words, she was instantly lost for words. As a daughter-in-law who hasn’t visited the graves, complaining would be utterly unreasonable.

Mr. Zhang patted her head, laughing cheerfully, "You sure know how to enjoy. Why don’t you go find out when the announcement is coming?"

"What’s the rush? I reckon once there’s news, the broadcast will sound."

The "broadcast" Mother Zhang referred to was radio announcements. Usually, whenever new documents came from the town, they were posted and explained over the radio simultaneously.

"Just sit back and relax for a while. These past few days, Xiao Zuo and the others have been monitoring that piece of land. Once there’s news, they’ll all rush over."

Hearing her words, Mr. Zhang hesitated before sitting next to her against the wall, reminiscing and bringing up old matters again, "I heard once they pass the exams, February will see the start of school, and since Xiao Wu is far away, we should remind him so he doesn’t get hurt by delay."

"Alright, I’ve got it in mind." Mother Zhang said while opening her eyes and turning towards her husband, "You really should handle something sooner."

Mr. Zhang, in the midst of stuffing tobacco into his pipe, paused upon hearing this, "What’s the matter? We’ve bought everything needed with this month’s coupon, is there still something to queue for?"

Mother Zhang suddenly sat up straight, craning her neck towards the entrance, whispering, "The children’s stuff should be returned to them."

Once she finished speaking, Mr. Zhang laughed heartily.

He thought it was something big, turned out to be this. How could he not have considered? But he was hesitating whether to wait for their grandsons and granddaughters-in-law’s results to come out.

He was worried once the items reached their hands, they’d all show off in front of their young wives. Then, if someone doesn’t succeed, it’ll stir up trouble.

At least wait until the results come out; regardless of success or failure, by the time school starts, the young couples’ situations would be set, and everything will be easy to discuss.

Such ideas from his wife plunged Mother Zhang into silence: Both sides had their points.

Mr. Zhang glanced at his wife, lit the tobacco with a match and took a puff, exhaling slowly.

Who knows what he thought, but he soon chuckled, "Save your brain! I’ll call them in tonight to sort this out, lest you stay up all night tossing and turning."

"Why not wait a bit longer?"

Mr. Zhang laughed uncontrollably. His wife would come up with all sorts of ideas, clearly just idle and bored, overthinking unnecessarily.

"I know what I’m doing."

"Okay, big family matters are yours to decide."

Mr. Zhang chuckled at her words, "Really?"

"Like I’d lie about that? Which thing haven’t I listened to you about?"

"You remember saying that."

"Old man, what sneaky plans are you brewing again?"

"You’ll find out in a few days, it’s good stuff."

"Our family’s May 1st once said teasing people is the lowest! Do you know what being low means?"

"Haha..."

The elderly couple continued to sunbathe, their conversation intermittently flowing.

That Mother Zhang used countless strategies yet still couldn’t break her husband’s tight lips, annoyed, she gave him a few light whacks before stopping.

Hmm, these days, she must keep a close eye on the old man. Being such a smart person, how can she not catch some inconsistencies?

That day, shortly after dinner.

Upon receiving word, Zhang Mingzuo, Zhang Mingyou, Zhang Minglei, Zhang Ziwen, Zhang Ziwu, and Zhang Zicong soon arrived at the west room.

Seeing his grandsons and grand-nephews now capable of running households themselves, Mr. Zhang smiled comfortingly, then pulling out a bundle from the top of the kang instrument.

—Upon untying it, inside were the six small parcels divided among them back then. If they remembered right, that one parcel contained four items belonging to the eldest and oldest cousins.

"Grandpa?"

Mr. Zhang gestured for silence, "Let me speak first."

The brothers exchanged glances, all nodding.

"Originally, when you started families, I wanted to return them, but worried they’d be unsafe in your hands. Now with things improving, keep them well hidden. When anything’s lacking, they at least give you some assurance."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Mingzuo quickly shook his head, "Grandpa, we have savings; selling them wouldn’t fetch much anyway, just leave it with you."

Mr. Zhang glared at him, "Did I tell you to sell them?"

"Grandpa, that’s not what I meant. Think about it, even if I take them, where can I hide them? My mother-in-law drops by every three days, and the eldest aunt lives close. What happens if they see?"

Seeing his brother speak up, Zhang Mingyou quickly echoed, "Right. Grandpa, you know my mother. She doesn’t get along with my uncle’s wife, but is my younger aunt any better?"

Even Zicong stepped back, waving both hands, "No way should they be at my place. People are constantly around, not mentioning my grandparents, those aunts of mine are unbearable. They visit us so often, almost taking the dirt home."

Zhang Ziwen responded with a kick, "What nonsense about grandparents? You can’t speak ill of elders! Good thing it’s Grandpa here; imagine if Dad heard, how upset he’d be!"

Zi Wu immediately egged on, "Big brother, kick him more. This boy went insane, suggesting Dad and Grandma not visit for New Year."

Once again, Zhang Zicong protested, "Was that what I meant? It’s freezing cold, and they’ll have to rush back to the village by New Year’s Day. Is it necessary?"

Shi Tou shook his head watching them, ignoring the amusing Mr. Zhang enjoying the spectacle, and took a step forward, stuffing the parcel back inside the kang instrument.

"Shi Tou, what are you doing? You want me to keep guarding these brats’ stuff? Take it! Take it away! So your Grandma and I wouldn’t fear the items being stolen every day and not dare visit Beijing."

Mr. Zhang really shifted the blame there. It wasn’t just these items keeping him from Beijing; there were also his old belongings stored in the cellar.

"Grandpa, alright, we’re done. These things will stay with you; if they’re lost, so be it. We don’t really care about them at all. Besides, apart from some jewelry covering expenses, the rest wouldn’t fetch much more than a hundred pounds of rice and flour."

Zhang Mingzuo chimed in immediately, "Exactly! Keep them; you’ll be the safe custodian. If taken back, they’d be ruined in no time."

Mr. Zhang became more attentive, seriously examining their expressions to confirm it wasn’t just lip service, before asking, "Do you actually have savings around you?"

The brothers all nodded continuously, soon casting looks at Zhang Ziwen – after all, Grandpa/Grandpa trusted him the most.

Ziwen rolled his eyes, "Grandpa, we’re all dual-income couples, besides, we received a two hundred yuan red envelope during separation, none of the small households lack money."

"Moreover, even if given to them, they can’t easily carry them once leaving the hometown. The situation outside’s still unstable, better to wait a bit."

His reasoning led Mr. Zhang to shelve the matter aside.

He had his hands full already!